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

"A holy sword? Oh, I think so."

That was referring to Shesty, of course, but because Neferpitou's "magic" was so amazing, Sagan completely forgot about it.

Besides, although she was a paladin, she harbored no hostility towards me. If she had used her true abilities then, she could have certainly held her own against Sagan with her holy sword.

For these reasons, Sagan didn't really consider her an enemy.

"Ha, you mean even the Holy Sword Maiden is no match for you?"

"No way, she's not easy to deal with. Several of the castle's barriers have been smashed."

Those things haven't been restored yet, and rather than wasting his time chatting with this man, he'd rather spend it fixing them.

As they were talking, Neferpitou brought over some black tea and biscuits, placing them on a small table that had been prepared sometime before. She bowed politely and said:

"Please help yourself. The black tea is served with milk and sugar; please don't be shy."

After greeting Sagan, Nefi stood behind him, leaving Barbaros dumbfounded.

"Uh, wait, isn't she the same elf from before? Or am I mistaken?"

"No, she is indeed the same girl from before."

"You haven't used her as a living sacrifice yet? Or what? You're sparing her life so she can serve you forever? Not bad, not bad, you have good taste."

Barbaross made wild guesses in disbelief, while Neferi grabbed Sagan's clothes in fright.

"Don't confuse me with you. Neferi is just... just my apprentice."

Barbarossa's facial muscles twitched, and he exclaimed as if the sky had fallen.

"What? Apprentice? You just said apprentice? What do you mean by apprentice? You mean you'll pass on your magic tricks to her? You?"

"Is that not allowed?"

His friend, spitting as he spoke, leaned in close, but Sagan pushed him away with a sour face.

But he couldn't very well admit that he bought her because he fell in love at first sight. After agonizing for a while, he came up with a plausible excuse.

"Some magic tricks can't be performed by one person alone. Neferpitou will come in handy sooner or later."

This sounds like Neferpitou is being used as a prop again, but it's also a tribute he's giving to the best of his ability.

Even with magic, there are some things that one can never have.

Sagan believed that Nefertari brought him this kind of thing.

Neferi seemed to have grown accustomed to such roundabout remarks, gracefully lifting her skirt and bowing in thanks.

"I dare not accept such praise."

Another gasp escaped Barbarossa's lips, and he slapped his forehead.

"Damn, I see... After all, as long as you use it with an elf, there's no magic you can't use. I never even thought there was such a way to use it."

Hearing him describe Neferpitou as if it were just a prop, Sagan knew that he must have added some hostility to his face.

Although he had just said something similar, that didn't mean he allowed others to say the same thing.

Barbarossa suddenly realized.

"Could it be that she was actually the one who subdued the paladin?"

"Yes, Neferpitou did contribute something as well."

One of the paladins was indeed defeated by Nefair, so it doesn't seem wrong for him to say that he relied on Nefair's power.

Barbaross muttered to himself, his face grave.

"So, that's how the horrific scene at the entrance came about?"

He then remembered that the destruction caused by Neferpitou's control of the forest had not yet been repaired, and it seemed that Barbaros had seen it before entering. The method of destruction was indeed quite different from that caused by magic.

Barbarossa seemed to interpret the expression as affirmation, and he continued to ask in a muffled tone:

"Hey, you're not really planning to take the Demon King's throne, are you?"

Upon hearing that word, Sagan finally remembered—

Both he and Barbaros before him were potential candidates for the new Demon King. Lately, Neferpitou had been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he hadn't even considered the matter for several days.

In fact, besides status, Sagan had other calculations.

Even if I can't take the throne of the Demon King, as long as I get "that thing", that's enough.

He did not lose interest in the Demon King's throne after obtaining Neferpitou; in fact, it could be said that among all the current magicians, Sagan is the most obsessed with becoming the Demon King.

But to be precise, he actually wanted something from the Demon King.

On the other hand—he thought—

—If he obtains the status of the Demon King, no magician should dare to mess with Nefarian, right?

Neferpitou is already Sagan's apprentice. If Sagan becomes the Demon King, she will become the Demon King's apprentice, and may even become one of the candidates for the next Demon King.

Even if a magician is very confident in his abilities, he wouldn't be foolish enough to cause her trouble.

Sagan responded with a sneer.

"What reason do I have not to take it?"

Frankly, he doesn't think he has any chance of being selected right now.

This is not modesty or self-deprecation. At only eighteen years old, it's really difficult for him to surpass magicians who have lived for hundreds of years.

Sagan has only been a magician for ten years, while other magicians have spent hundreds of years studying. He can never overcome the gap in knowledge and experience that comes with time.

—That being said, as long as I live, I can take the throne of the next Demon King.

The generational change of the Demon King does not happen often, but as long as you live for more than a hundred years, you will always have a chance to encounter the next one.

Sagan picked up his teacup.

After savoring the intoxicating fragrance, Sagan took a sip from the cup. He didn't know the brand of the black tea, but he felt that its elegant aroma was a perfect match for the biscuits.

"Hmm, it tastes good."

"I'm so glad you like it, my master."

Barbarossa stared intently at their conversation, quite surprised.

"Sagan, you wouldn't happen to have fallen for her, would you?"

"Is it so strange to cherish one's own apprentice?"

As he talked, he realized that the word "apprentice" was really convenient. He was usually troubled by how to downplay his feelings of love at first sight, but this word solved the problem.

Barbarossa burst out laughing.

"Haha, so that's how it is... Looks like you still have some mortal parts left."

"None of your business."

Barbarossa tilted his head back, drank the black tea in one gulp, and rose to leave his seat.

"What, are you going back?"

"Yes, after all, I had no intention of handing over the throne of the Demon King to you. Besides, we've already had some unexpected gains today."

After saying that, he ignored Sagan's puzzled look and went home.

"What exactly is that kid here for...?"

Nefi had just finished sighing helplessly when he spoke up, puzzled.

"Isn't that your good friend?"

"What a joke. If you don't choose your so-called good friends carefully, you'll only end up suffering."

"But I see that you are having a very pleasant conversation with him, Master."

"Is there?"

"Yes."

Sagan was unwilling to admit it, but Nefert nodded confidently.

—I had a great time chatting with that kind of guy?

That's utter nonsense. It must just be Neferpitou's imagination.

But somehow, Sagan just couldn't deny it.

Perhaps Sagan was completely unaware of it, but he was not actually as unfortunate as he thought.

Sagan drank his dry black tea, unable to shake off his unease, and rose from his throne.

"Then it's time to repair the barriers that the paladins broke. We'll start with the basics of the magic circles, so Neferi, you should come along too."

"Yes, Master."

There is a response as long as you speak.

These moments when I'm not lonely are unexpectedly wonderful.

◇

Half a month has passed since Sagan bought Nefi.

During this period, she diligently studied the basics of magic and has now progressed to the point where she can perform magic anytime she takes off her collar.

As for 'magic,' she still can't control it well, and it's not an all-powerful force; it comes with many limitations. There's probably still a long way to go before she can improve in that area.

However, their days were quite fulfilling.

On such a day, Sagan received a summons from the Demon King.

Well, I wonder what their business is.

When Sagan went to keep the appointment, he was met by twelve waiting figures.

Each of them hid their face or stood in the shadows, so Sagan could not see their features with the naked eye.

However, such concealment is meaningless.

The extraordinary magical power emanating from them had already revealed their true identities.

--Hey, hey, hey.