The Evil Cannon Fodder Doesn't Want to Escape Prison

1.

The protagonist wakes up one morning and discovers that he is actually the evil cannon fodder character in a book, doomed to a tragic end.

To stay alive, he deliberately reveals a weakness and gets captured by the greatest swordsman.

Only after becoming the swordsman's prisoner does the protagonist discover what a real life can be.

All he has to do is eat and sleep. He doesn't have to worry about fighting, the Demon Lord's missions, or running out of spirit stones.

But one time, he gets too into his act and accidentally tears the cell door right off. Panicking, he spends ages fixing it, finally putting it back just before the swordsman returns.

That was close. He almost managed to escape!

You've got to be kidding. The swordsman's cage is so comfortable, with food and drink and safety. He doesn't want to escape at all!

2.

Seeing the protagonist fail to escape yet again, the swordsman finally falls silent.

He meant to let the demonic cultivator get away on purpose, so he could follow him and catch a big fish. But how many times has he tried now? Why can't he get away?

Maybe he misjudged him. This man may have a decent level of cultivation, but he isn't very bright.

How did he even become the Demon Lord's trusted aide? It can't have been... just years of friendship.

Before the protagonist could tear the place apart and bankrupt him, the swordsman finally manages, after a great deal of effort, to set him free... no, let him escape.

Protagonist: D-Does that mean you're not keeping me anymore?

The swordsman deliberately lets the protagonist escape and secretly follows him. At last, he catches him meeting with the Demon Lord.

He expects to overhear a conspiracy, but instead hears the two of them exchanging flirtatious words as they cling to each other.

Demon Lord: "I wronged you before. Are you still angry with me? Come back to my side. I promise, from now on, I absolutely will..."

Before he can hear the rest, the swordsman is overcome with rage. He rushes in with his sword and snatches the protagonist back, less than half a month after letting him escape.

Late that night, the swordsman pins him inside the cage, murderous aura all around him, nearly driven to a heart demon.

"If I'd known this would happen, why did I bother being a gentleman?!"

The protagonist is excited too. "Okay, okay, just don't turn evil yet. You'll hurt your kidneys... I mean, your body."

3.

The protagonist reforms and becomes the swordsman's cultivation partner.

The Demon Lord also shows up at their bond ceremony, not to cause a scene, but to offer a toast.

"Don't be mad at me anymore. I shouldn't have docked your bonus, taken away your vacation, or stolen your late-night snacks... Come back to me. Ever since you left, none of them do any work."

Protagonist: "I'm not mad. I'm really in love with the swordsman!"

Demon Lord: "Oh, in that case, never mind. I wish you happiness! Here's a gift for the newlyweds."

Swordsman: "???"

Theme: As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood