By the Order of the Demon Lord!

The scroll arrived at our Spa by the white gloves of his butler, Fettucine Alfredo, sealed in crimson wax with an official crest that practically shouted, “I’m the Final Boss!”

“K-Kazuki, that seal. It’s him! The Demon Lord! We’re dead, I can feel it in my feathers!”

“The SSSR-rank client?! Woohoooo! Rin, bring out the deluxe towel inventory and aromatic candles! We’ve hit the jackpot!”

Rin snapped the wax clean off like a pro, her hands trembling and expression draining pale like alabaster as she realized the meaning behind its contents. “It-It’s an invitation.”

“That means we’re famous,” I bubbled happily, “the Demon Lord finally wants the full Kazuki Sacred Spa experience! I can’t believe our luck! Right when we're in debt and going to do a cooking competition, there couldn't be better timing!”

“No, Master. It’s an invitation to his castle. For his Spa!”

“WHAT?! That's impossible...”

But as I looked to Fettuccine Alfredo, he silently bowed in affirmation.

Sharlotte whimpered, hugging her wings around herself. “Is this a trick? What if he melts you down into jewelry and sells you at a flea market?”

I hummed smugly, trying to save face. “Ridiculous. He clearly admires our brilliance. Our spa has soothed Orcs, tamed Lamias, and even relaxed Incubus into early bedtimes. This is a chance to meet him, if nothing else.” So naturally, I declared, “As long as we can make it back before the start of the Cook Off, we accept!”

“I'm not carrying you that fast across the world!”

“Milord has foreseen this. Please, allow me to use this sacred treasure.” Alfredo produced four stones, and as he tossed them, they snapped into a midair rift. It was a break in space, a gateway produced by runes for a quick getaway.

“This passage allows for a sneaky bypass of our castle’s alert barrier. Also, given you are an Angel, we wouldn't want our guests shot down by friendly magical fire.”

“This is like treating a business rival to first-class travel. There’s no way this guy can be the root of all evil! Let’s go!”

The Demon Lord’s throne room wasn’t exactly what you’d expect. Sure, lava pits bubbled, braziers hissed, and gargoyle statues glared like unpaid tax collectors, but the mansion was bright and dramatic and intimidating. There were multiple wall mirrors, bouncing angles of his omnipotence like diamonds. It made the Demon Lord seem like a being who had conquered both the day and night.

Sharlotte shook so hard her feathers molted onto the carpet. “W-We shouldn’t be here. I told you. We’re dead. Dead-dead-dead.”

Rin elbowed her. “Stop shedding, you’ll disrespect his interior design!”

The Demon Lord himself stood from his throne. He had broad shoulders and ancient horns. He looked like an adult even though he had recently been reborn from the bones and blades of his ancient treasure. Even if he had taken the form of a child, it was impossible to mistake the wise aura bounding outward like tidal waves that made my gemstone rattle.

“My son,” he intoned, “was nearly slain on neutral ground.”

All of us froze. Rin’s pen slipped from her fingers. Sharlotte nearly fainted.

Wait. Son?

From the shadows, the familiar sleek form of the Shadow Lion padded forward. My circuits shorted. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He avoided eye contact, ears flat. Of course, it was him. The same shadow-pouncing menace we fought tooth and nail to save at our healing Spa!

Rin covered her mouth. “We almost killed the Demon Lord’s son?!”

Sharlotte squeaked. “And he… he has a crush on the Kitsune kunoichi who visits us. We’re so doomed.”

The Demon Lord’s glare was sharp enough to cleave mountains. “You will not speak of this beyond these walls.”

“Yes, sir!” I fizzed desperately. “Mouth sealed! Gacha Gamer's honor!”

Satisfied, he returned to his seat, the Shadow Lion slinking in his Father’s shadow like a sulky guard cat.

“Dungeon Core Kazuki Suzu,” the Demon Lord rumbled, “your Spa intrigues me. A place where Humans, Monsters, and Demon-kin gather without blades drawn. Such unity eludes even my armies.”

“Thank you, your majesty. If armies can’t bring peace, perhaps hot springs can!”

“But peace is fragile. My advisors speak of alliances, of marrying my son to King Gremy ’s daughter. My son will never be chained to a Human. His blood belongs with Demon-kin.”

I fiddled thoughtfully. “I understand your wishes as a parent… but have you considered a Monster?”

“Hmm.” The Demon Lord’s pause was telling of his cynicism. “To you, gemstone, the difference between Monster and Demon-kin may be trivial. To me, it is as stark as royalty and peasantry. I believe equality is tolerable, but only within one’s own kind. Interspecies inequality has withstood the test of time.” He leaned back, horns glinting in the mirrors of firelight. “And yet… You have taken the most unusual approach.”

“It truly amazes me, Demon Lord. The Spa you showed us before bringing us here gave the three of us great inspiration. As you can see, we are bringing back a book of notes on improvements to implement. What you’ve built is a masterpiece of Demon-kin hospitality.”

“Perfect, anyone would say. An Eden for Demon-kin.”

“But it lacks something vital.”

“And what is that?”

“The praise of Humans and Monsters. Two-thirds of this world’s love is missing from your throne.” The room fell silent at my risky claims. “But I have seen it, Humans, Monsters, Demon-kin, laughing together in my baths. That is what I wish for you to see.”

“I cannot fathom the rationality of a being who would attempt to provoke me.” The Demon Lord’s aura pressed.

I shuddered under the pressure of his majesty. “I state the objective truth. You are missing the love of two-thirds of this planet’s population. I really want all three united and happy.”

“It would be a heavenly place, if it ever existed. But dreams are dreams.”

“You’ll understand better if you see it with your own eyes.” I nearly cracked under the weight, but forced myself to glow brighter. “Please forgive my otherwise intolerable comments. But I believe it can be real. A place where all can be equal, not in blood, not in this standstill war, but in joy. From what I can tell, you’ve only seen uglier sides of Monsters and Humans. Even now, you have no other choice but to judge them unfavorably because of the ongoing battles. Every species has its greed and wants more land. I can only question myself... What have you been harboring toward the Humans and Monsters all this time, Demon Lord? Have you ever seen a place where all three laugh together rather than forego each other’s lives? Can you imagine it?”

“Hmm.” The Demon Lord studied me for a long, silent moment. Then he eased back into his throne. “You speak boldly. Perhaps foolishly. Very well. I’ve made up my mind. I don’t judge you unfavorably, Dungeon Core Kazuki Suzu. In these unending and useless peace-talks, I promise to consider a truce, but only if you prove your loyalty by helping Monsters and Humans and Demon-kin share the same bath without conflict.”

“That’s our intent.”

“If that’s true, then what’s this?”

He produced a poster that Sharlotte air-dropped. She was an airhead, but she was a lazy airhead. There was zero possibility she flew all the way to this side of the world just to release these advertisements. In other words…

“You’re in dire straits, yes? ...Ultimate Spa Gourmet Cook-Off,” he read aloud. The Demon Lord’s gauntlet hand lowered slowly, the wrinkled flyer crackling between his claws.

…This means that the Demon Lord conducted research before inviting us, looking into all our backgrounds and deadbeat traits. This was horrible!

I fizzed in panic, “ahaha, th-that was just, uh, a little side hustle!”

Rin buried her red face in her clipboard. “Master, I told you sky-dropping flyers over warzones was career suicide.”

The Demon Lord’s eyes gleamed like a predator savoring prey. “No. This… is acceptable.”

“Eh?”

“You wish to prove that Humans, Monsters, and Demon-kin may share more than bloodshed. Then let them share a table. Let them eat side by side without tearing each other apart.” He flicked the flyer like a death sentence. “This ‘Cook-Off’ will be your trial.”

Rin nearly fainted. “You agree to this culinary event for every species’ pride at once?! Master can’t even boil water!”

“Hey!” I gurgled, offended. “I can boil water perfectly! I just don’t… know what to do with it after!”

“Agree? It’s more like I celebrate the prospects,” the Demon Lord informed us. “Let this be the first of your group’s three great labors. If you succeed, I shall acknowledge your Spa as neutral ground. Perhaps even consider your so-called truce. But fail at hosting such a simple event, and your Spa will be reduced to rubble. Your baths salted. Your name erased from the annals of history.”

This was indeed horrible, but I could only smile to myself.

This was indeed high stakes!! My favorite!!

If I flipped this coin that showed only a bad future, sent it spinning in the air, it would spell out the wonderful truth!! And that was: Posing a trial could only mean that the Demon Lord was truly enraptured by the prospects of our Spa!

“It may be that only you can help us see eye-to-eye. For now, I look down upon thee from my throne.”

Sharlotte squeaked from under Rin’s skirt. “M-Master, maybe we should just die now and save time?”

“Gahahaha! This is it! This is our banner event, the two of you! The ULTIMATE SPA GOURMET COOK-OFF isn’t just marketing anymore. It’s WAR!”

Rin cried. “It’s suicide!”

“Exactly! If we fail, it’ll be one with the spiciest of flavors!”

The Demon Lord leaned back in his throne, amused. “I shall even provide a contestant. My generals are… formidable chefs.”

A door slammed open. Demon-kin soldiers wheeled in covered carts. Lids lifted. Steam rose. The aroma hit us, and we wanted it to keep hitting.

Rin’s mouth watered. “Th-They have Michelin-star-level plating!”

I pulsed brighter, ignoring the drool dripping from my stone. “Perfect! We’ll crush them with our izakaya skewers and questionable slime cocktails!”

“Kazuki!” Sharlotte screeched. “This isn’t a drinking contest with Borkas, this is the fate of our Spa!! Promise me they won’t take away my bed! You promise?!”

But I was already glowing like a maniac, laughter echoing through the throne hall. “Demon Lord! Prepare your generals! Our Spa accepts your challenge! We raise our pots tomorrow at sunrise!”

“Very well.” His fangs and eyes shimmered with absolute confidence, “By the order of the Demon Lord and Sacred Spa Owners Kazuki and Sharlotte… the Ultimate Spa Gourmet Cook-Off shall begin.”