As the Demon King, I have married a slave elf. How should I express my love?

"Even so... no, precisely because of this, I absolutely cannot lose to you!"

"Oh!"

The girl actually used all her strength to pull out the holy sword, causing Sagan, who was standing on it, to lose his balance for a moment.

"Take this!"

Shestie thrusts with all her might.

However, Jian Shan's words were clearly somewhat ambiguous.

Sagan did not dodge, but instead clapped his hands together on the spot, precisely catching the tip of the holy sword.

Cracks appeared in the protective magic circle, and a scorching heat emanated from his palm, yet Sagan responded with a cruel laugh.

"Are you any better at strength?"

"Bring it on!"

Shess didn't back down either, and even maintained her posture as she thrust her whole body forward.

The patterns engraved on the holy sword emitted a dazzling light, and the baptismal armor was also surrounded by a shimmering glow.

"What?"

It's hard to believe, but the girl actually lifted Sagan along with the greatsword.

--Looks like this guy was holding back?

Just as Sagan observed from beginning to end, Shisty never showed her true abilities.

Then, she swung the holy sword.

"That kid—!"

It's almost unbelievable that a frail woman like her could swing a piece of iron that someone was holding onto like that.

This forced Sagan to let go, and he fell against the tree trunk behind him, momentarily unable to breathe.

—Within my barrier, her power was actually above mine?

While barriers are indeed meaningless when facing paladins, that doesn't mean Sagan loses his own enhancement abilities.

Although she relied on the Holy Sword and the Baptismal Armor, this woman actually defeated Sagan with sheer arm strength.

He looked down at the palm of his hand that had just touched the sword.

The burns caused the skin to fester. Although the magic healing had begun, the recovery was slow. This was probably one of the effects of the Holy Sword.

—I should have killed her back then.

Although killing unarmed women was unsettling, he should have been even more cautious when dealing with members of the church.

Just as Shesty was groaning, she attacked again with her sword.

Although the greatsword that came at the head was blocked at the hilt, the big tree behind him snapped in two.

If the opponent is not Sagan, or is not within his own barrier, even if he tries to defend himself, he will probably only end up being smashed to pieces.

A sigh rang out. At this point, there was no other way.

—I had no choice but to kill her.

Actually, he also had the option of running away.

But Nefair is currently in the city. If Sagan escapes, Nefair will be next to suffer. Those who serve magicians will also be considered 'evil' and must be punished by the church.

It seems difficult for Sagan to break the Holy Sword with his strength alone, but that doesn't mean he's helpless against his enemies.

So Sagan concentrated his destructive power in his hands, and just then—

(Listen. Could you please cooperate and pretend to be killed by me?)

Sagan was completely taken aback by the paladin's words and stared wide-eyed in surprise.

Looking closely behind the girl, the knights she had previously defeated were just getting up from the ground, groaning. It seemed she didn't want the knights to hear what had happened.

(What do you want?)

(The Church won't give up until you die. Even if I lose, they'll send stronger paladins to deal with you. Why don't you fake your death now, abandon magic, and live a normal life from now on?)

Sagan couldn't help but doubt his own ears.

(This really doesn't sound like something a paladin would say.)

(...You didn't use excessive force against my men. You claimed you wanted to instill fear in them, yet there was a certain tenderness in your eyes.)

This statement was a bit hard for him to accept.

—She said I was compassionate?

Sagan was unaware that this was the common term used to describe the heart that cared for Neferi.

But that kindness was certainly not directed at Shestie or the knights, though Shestie could still see from it that Sagan had someone named Nefi to protect in his heart.

Then, Shestie said:

(Most importantly, I haven't forgotten the kindness you showed me.)

After speaking, Shessti showed an apologetic expression.

(...I'm so sorry, this is all I can do for you.)

It seems the girl still remembers how Sagan saved her life.

This wasn't the first time Sagan had fought a paladin, but he had never seen a paladin so reluctant to part with a magician.

—This guy must have a really tough time usually…

The paladin is protecting the magician. If this is exposed, it won't be as simple as just being expelled.

She would be seen as a stain on the church, lose all human rights, and suffer all kinds of unspeakable torture. Given her outstanding appearance, she would probably have to endure even more nightmarish humiliation.

She doesn't seem stupid; she wouldn't be unaware of these things. She said these things with a clear understanding of the situation.

Now, Sagan has an even harder time getting to work.

But I can't possibly do what she says.

If Sagan had followed Shestie's method, he might have survived. After all, there wasn't much property left in the castle.

But in that case, he couldn't possibly take Nefi with him on the run.

If Sagan pretends to be dead, they will definitely go into the city and find Neferpitou, and Neferpitou certainly won't run away. She's not that obsessed with her own life.

Sagan hesitated, unsure of what to do.

"Owner!"

Then, Neferpitou's voice, which should have been coming from inside the castle, came through.

Looking back, I saw a young girl dressed as a lady running towards this place.

I don't know if it was because Sagan hadn't returned yet, or if she sensed something was amiss, that made her leave the city and come here.

"Nefi, don't come any closer!"

"Huh, who's that girl...?"

Shess's voice also carried a hint of surprise.

As a result, both of them revealed their weaknesses at this moment.

"Oh, stop looking down on me!"

One of the three knights, the spearman, stood up. Unlike the other two, he had only suffered minor injuries from the collision.

Then, he seemed to notice Nefertari running towards him.

"An accomplice of the magician!"

The knight, whose intentions were unknown, raised his spear high towards Neferi, who was rushing towards him.

"Torres, stop!"

Despite Shesty's attempts to stop him, the knight still threw the spear in his hand.

"Get out of the way!"

Sagan shoved Shestie aside and rushed to Neferpitou's side.

However, if Sagan were to use his current strength to knock Neferi away, her frail body would not be able to escape unscathed. He gently reached out and embraced her, and the spear fell at that moment.

"Tsk—"

He held his left hand up as a shield, and then, with a squeaking sound, the spear tip pierced his palm.

"Owner!"

Neferpitou's grief-stricken cry rang out.

Fortunately, the spear stopped after piercing the palm.

"I'm fine. It's just a scrape."

But as Sagan spoke, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Having just had its healing ability severed by the Holy Sword, and now suffering such an injury, its left hand is likely to be useless for the time being.

Blood dripped down. Actually, he hadn't seen himself bleed in a long time.

—Don't push your luck, you damned knight…

But Sagan didn't actually utter the curse. Because a chilling aura emanated from his embrace.

"How dare you harm your master!"

Sagan couldn't understand for a moment; it was Nefertari's voice.

It was incomprehensible that such a delicate and weak girl could utter such a cold voice.

Then, something happened.

"Eek! What's going on?"

Some people use the word "noisy" to describe a forest, referring to the large groups of creatures moving about, or the rustling of trees in the strong wind.

There are no creatures fleeing, and no wind is blowing.