The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

As Lilith walked toward the tents, she took in the bustling activity around her. Dwarves, demons, and even goblins were moving about, many with pickaxes slung over their shoulders and mining bags at their sides. Some carried mana ores, while others were heading up the mountain path or making their way to the tavern from which she had just come.

"Put your backs into it, laddies! The faster you're done, the sooner we can head to the tavern!" a voice boomed.

Lilith turned toward the source of the shouting. A big dwarf was barking orders and guiding miners who were struggling to pull a wagon filled to the brim with ores.

"That's it, laddies! We'll be done any minute now. Pull harder!" he encouraged them.

Intrigued, Lilith walked over to the dwarf and called out, "Excuse me, mister. Are you Foreman Brumstone?"

The dwarf looked up and nodded. "Yes, I am, little missy."

"Missy," Lilith thought, amused. It was the first time someone had called her that. She smiled and introduced herself to the dwarf. "I'm Lilith. It's a pleasure to meet you, Foreman Brumstone."

"I come from the Adventurer's Guild. I'm here to help with the undead," Lilith continued. "I would like more details—the more, the better."

Brumstone looked at her with a grin. "Oh, so the guild sent you. Did you come alone, missy?" he asked.

"I'm here alone, as you can see," Lilith replied, somewhat annoyed with the new nickname. "And please, don't call me missy. My name is Lilith. I told you that already."

Brumstone just laughed. "Well, missy, what can a little missy like you do alone against the undead?"

Lilith's eyes narrowed slightly. "More than you might think," she replied coolly. "But I need to know what we're dealing with. Can you tell me what's been happening and where?"

Brumstone's laughter subsided, and he nodded. "Alright, Lilith," he said, emphasizing her name with a hint of respect. "We've had a surge of undead coming from the old mines up the mountain. They've been attacking our miners, and some of our lads have gone missing. We suspect there is another necromancer behind it, but we haven't been able to confirm. The undead are tough, and they seem to get stronger the closer you get to the old mines. That said, the mine is close to that old ruin, so it could also be from there."

Lilith listened intently, her expression serious. "Have you seen any patterns in their attacks? Anything that might give me a clue about the necromancer's whereabouts or intentions?"

Brumstone scratched his beard thoughtfully. "They mostly come out at night, wandering around in groups, attacking in waves if we get too close. We've tried setting up defenses, but they're relentless. Our best guess is that the necromancer is using the mana ores from the mines to strengthen his minions. If you want to find him, that's where you should start."

"Thank you, Foreman Brumstone," Lilith said, determination in her voice. "I'll head to the mines and see what I can uncover. If I don't find anything, I'll check out the ruins. If the undead are using the ores, I'll need to cut off their supply and find the necromancer or whatever is behind all this."

Brumstone nodded. "Good luck, Lilith. And watch your back. The mines are treacherous, and the undead are not the only dangers lurking there."

Lilith gave a final nod and set off towards the path leading to the mines, her mind focused on the task ahead. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to put an end to the undead threat and protect the miners. As she approached the mountain, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged landscape.

"Oh, it's getting late. This was a mistake to come here now," Lilith murmured to herself. "I'm still a rookie adventurer. Why didn't I think about the time..." She sighed and looked at the mine ahead, thinking to herself,

-At least I know where the mine is now. I should go back. If I run, I should be able to get back before dark. I'm getting hungry too, and the tavern did seem decent enough with their food. It could have been worse when you think about how far away we are from the city.

With that thought, Lilith turned on her heel and with spear in hand she began jogging back down the path. The rugged terrain made it challenging, but she kept a steady pace, determined to reach the safety and warmth of the tavern before nightfall. As she descended, the shadows grew longer, and the air cooler, urging her to move faster.

The sounds of the mining camp gradually grew louder, providing her with a sense of relief. She could hear the distant laughter and chatter of miners finishing their day's work, and the smell of food wafted through the air as she neared the tavern. Her stomach growled in response, reminding her just how hungry she was.

Finally, the tavern came into view, its warm light spilling out into the growing darkness. Lilith quickened her pace, eager to fill her belly and rest before tackling the mines tomorrow with a clearer head and a full stomach. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, the comforting noise and warmth immediately enveloping her.

She spotted an empty table and made her way over, dropping into the chair with a sigh of relief. A friendly-looking server approached her. "What can I get for you, miss?"

Lilith smiled tiredly. "Something hearty, please. And a drink."

"Coming right up," the server replied with a nod, heading off to the kitchen.

As Lilith waited for her meal, she reflected on her day. Despite the missteps, she felt more prepared for what lay ahead. Tomorrow, she would face the mines and whatever horrors they held, but tonight, she would rest and regain her strength.

As Lilith sat lost in her thoughts about what lay ahead, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

"Good evening, Lilith," a strong voice spoke.

Lilith looked up and smiled warmly, a grin spreading across her face. "Good evening, Thorsten. I see you made it here today."

"Ah yes," he answered, "we are not as fast as you. But we've got enough stamina to get here in two days' time. ooh by the way, Lilith, did you find a spot to sleep at?"

Lilith looked flustered, her cheeks turning a little red. "I forgot about that. I guess I still have a lot to learn."

Thorsten looked at her with warm eyes. "Don't worry, Lilith. We've got an open spot next to our tents. You can stay there, closer to people you have met before. It might make it easier for you in the long run."

Lilith felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Thorsten. That would be wonderful."

He nodded. "No problem. We're all here to help each other out. Let's get you settled after you've had something to eat."

The server returned with a hearty meal and a drink, placing them in front of Lilith. She thanked him and began to eat, feeling her energy slowly returning. Thorsten joined her at the table, ordering a drink for himself.

As they ate, they exchanged stories about their journeys and the challenges they had faced. Thorsten shared some tips on dealing with the undead and navigating the mines, which Lilith eagerly absorbed. She felt more prepared and less anxious about the task ahead, knowing she had friends to rely on.

After finishing their meals, Thorsten led Lilith to their camp. The tents were set up in a small clearing, with a fire crackling in the center, providing warmth and light. The other miners greeted her warmly, making her feel welcome.

Thorsten showed her the open spot next to their tents. "Here you go. It's not much, but it's safe, and you'll be close to us."

Lilith smiled gratefully. "It's perfect. Thank you, Thorsten."

She set up her sleeping bag and prepared for the night. As she lay down, listening to the comforting sounds of the camp, she felt a renewed sense of determination. Tomorrow, she would face the old mines with confidence, knowing she had learn a lot form Thorsten and the other people she have talked to in the mining camp. And with that thought, she drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her.

Somewhere on the mountain, a shadowy figure gazed into an orb, a sinister smile curling on their lips. "This girl almost made a rookie mistake," the figure murmured, "but in the end, she did the right thing and turned back from the mine."

The orb's surface shimmered, revealing the scene of Lilith and Thorsten settling into the camp, the warmth of the fire and the camaraderie of the adventurers evident. The shadowy figure's eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and intrigue.

"Interesting," the figure continued, their voice a low, whispering hiss. "She has potential, but she is still naive. This will make for an entertaining game."