Undying Labyrinth

[Please don't mention other authors in my comments, and don't mention me in theirs. Let's respect each other. Thank you.] In the Sun Era, when adventurers were everywhere, a ruined labyrinth guarded only by a slime that had wandered inside by mistake welcomed its rather unusual stitched-together ruler. She had the bones of a necromancer, the flesh of a dragon, and a soul from another world. She was destined to make this labyrinth a terrifying legend across the continent, to make the name of the Undying Great Labyrinth ring out in every corner of the world, and to make foolish humans remember once more the fear of being ruled by monsters! And I will be your guide. These were the words of Sakda, a dark elf who summoned Tina to another world. Sakda: Why did you place an Undying Field on the monsters in the labyrinth? They're just nobodies who don't matter. Tina: We don't have enough staff! Sustainable development is the only way forward, sir! Sakda: ...I suppose that makes some sense. Sakda: Why did you give a life potion to that dying adventurer? Humans like that are no better than ants... Tina: People need a reward to stay motivated. Monsters need to drop loot, or adventurers won't come! We need to attract more humans! Sakda: ...I suppose that makes some sense. Sakda: Tina, tell me, why has our great labyrinth become the best training ground for humans to hone their skills, while the shabby village nearby has become the richest adventurer town on the whole continent? And you're the owner behind that blacksmith shop in town, aren't you? Tina: Well, actually, I own the tavern, the potion shop, and the alchemy workshop too... Sakda: You've forgotten my hatred! You've forgotten our kin scattered across the world and the elven tree! You've forgotten the humiliation we've suffered, and... Tina: By the way, I bought the elven tree back. Sakda: ? Tina: And I've signed peace treaties with the human empires banning the sale of elves, dwarves, beastfolk, and other living beings. The monsters under the protection of the Undying Great Labyrinth will receive the same respect and be subject to the same rules as humans. Sakda: ... Sakda: What was that sustainable development thing you mentioned earlier? She treated all life equally, like the undead; treasured the gleam of gold coins, like a dragon; and pursued hope, like all humans. P.S. Sakda isn't a love interest. He's more like a dad. The male lead is some love-struck demon. [Coming soon: "The Emperor and I Pretend to Be Enemies Every Day"] Liliana, commander of the Knights of Dawn, was a legendary figure in the Empire of Pass. The promiscuous emperor, meanwhile, was a legend of a different, rather infamous sort. A certain great sage who preferred to remain anonymous once said: "His Majesty Gudelian is the trial Heaven has bestowed upon the Empire of Pass, while Lady Liliana, the Glorious Rose, is a miracle sent by the gods." When news spread through the capital that His Majesty intended to marry Liliana, everyone celebrated in the streets and alleys, but they also began to worry. "I want Lady Liliana to become queen too, but this is just letting His Majesty get away with far too much!" "Boohoo, my knightly lady! Is there no chance for me anymore...? No! Even if I risk being hanged, I'd still be willing to be her lover!" Gudelian: "...Hey, arrest these people and hang them." Liliana glanced at him. The young emperor shrugged. "I was only joking." "More importantly," said the beautiful young woman in light armor, turning her head. "That count is doing unspeakable things with children from the slums. We still haven't caught him red-handed, but..." "But by the time we find the evidence, who knows how many more children will suffer? So let's hang him first." The emperor smiled as he picked up her sentence. "As for the reason... let's say I took a fancy to his wife." Liliana: "...His wife is dead." Emperor: "Then his daughter." Liliana: "He doesn't have a daughter." "Tsk." The emperor grew impatient. "Doesn't anyone in his family have a woman? Just make up an excuse." The next day, a ridiculous rumor spread through every street and alley: His Majesty had hanged the count because he wanted the count's mother, who was over sixty. The dignified emperor cornered the commander of the knights on the training grounds, his smile bewitching and dangerous. "Dear Commander, how do you intend to compensate me for the damage to my reputation?" Liliana: "The Empire will remember your sacrifice." The emperor sneered. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Liliana: "I'm not. I could snap your neck with one hand." The furious emperor shoved her into a storage room. A scorching kiss fell on her neck, and he whispered in her ear, "Is that so? Then would you snap my neck, Liliana?" "...No, I wouldn't." We hide our true feelings behind lies, and our murderous intent behind sweet words. We are intimate lovers pretending to be enemies, accomplices in deicide. Together, we will enter Heaven, or Hell. Theme: There is always a way through every difficulty.