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

Sagan regretted his actions.

—Since they know me so well, of course they must know about Nefertari.

The Demon King will certainly fight back with all his might; he can't rely solely on hostages. Even if Sagan hadn't met Neferpitou, the outcome wouldn't have changed.

They will destroy everything that defies them.

Perhaps even the Demon King cannot kill Sagan, but Sagan cannot defeat the Demon King either. Whatever he gains, it will be taken away and destroyed again.

In the end, all he got was destruction.

Only then did Sagan truly understand.

—Did I really drag Neferi into this kind of world?

Then—the leader-level figure said:

I'd like to hear your answer.

"...I have a request before that, and I will make a decision based on your response."

"Haha, you're really greedy. Go ahead and say it."

Sagan revealed what she wanted.

Then, the figures nodded in a chuckle.

"Very well. Then Magasiia's legacy is yours to dispose of as you see fit."

"You guys made a really decisive decision."

"I already said. If you want to take it, no one can stop you."

The object they initially targeted was obtained with surprising ease.

Sagan nodded.

"Alright, then I'm willing to inherit the title of Demon King."

Then, the leader-level figure said:

"Welcome our new ally."

Unexpectedly, they started clapping to welcome Sagan.

Sagan hadn't considered himself to be talking to a human from the start, but the other party had unexpectedly displayed a very human-like reaction. But this created a strange feeling, as if a monster was mimicking a human's every move.

When I came to my senses, my clenched fists were covered in sweat.

But this scene did relieve some of the pressure, allowing him to regain his composure and ask an unrelated question.

"I have a question for you. Do you know a man who performs magic by skinning people alive?"

One of the figures immediately responded.

"You're probably referring to 'Peeling the Face,' right? That was just some insignificant magician, and I heard you took care of him a long time ago, didn't you?"

It looks like it's definitely that magician.

"Isn't he a pretty capable magician? He can even break barriers in other magicians' territories?"

"Impossible. While he's an excellent spy, his skill in creating barriers is child's play."

This answer only made Sagan more frustrated.

—In other words, that person had other accomplices.

Those capable of breaking Sagan's barrier are extremely limited. Sagan quickly deduced the possible identity of the accomplice—and once again realized that magicians were truly incorrigible creatures.

The figure then asked in bewilderment:

"That person doesn't deserve your concern, does he?"

"Yes, absolutely right. I really asked a stupid question, don't worry about it."

Then, another figure nodded and said:

"Oh right, we all forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"You don't have a title yet, do you? That's not very convenient."

"Oh, so that's true."

The fact that the nameless Sagan directly inherited the name "Demon King" is also unprecedented.

"However, your nickname seems to have been decided long ago."

"That's right. Magasiia had already prepared it in advance."

In this way, Sagan unexpectedly gained the status of "Demon King".

◇

"Welcome back, my master."

Upon returning to the castle, Neferpitou came to greet him.

Her expression remained unchanged, except for a tremor in the tips of her ears. One look at that reaction and you knew she had been waiting for Sagan to return home for a long time.

"Dinner is ready. Tonight we'll have stewed lamb."

"Oh, oh oh..."

Such soft whispers, however, stirred a sense of guilt within Sagan.

—Neferi remains innocent.

Regarding the incident in the elven village, she simply did nothing and didn't kill anyone herself. Although she attacked the paladin earlier, she was ultimately stopped by Sagan.

But Sagan is different.

He now realizes that the two are different.

The true identities of the various "demon kings" are unknown.

They are the target of magicians, the pinnacle of all magicians.

Sagan was one of them, already deeply involved. And if Neferpitou continued to accompany Sagan, it meant that she too would consider that her life's end.

Not even a ray of light can penetrate; it is a dark, quagmire abyss.

—It's not too late now; there's still time to turn back.

Sagan can never go back, but Nefi can still have a future under the sun.

"Master? What happened?"

He lowered his head and remained silent. Neferpitou looked up with concern and asked, her previously erect pointed ears now drooping, showing that she was worried about Sagan, who lived in a different world.

Is it really right to take such a strong girl into that darkness?

Nefi still wore that rough collar around his neck.

That was proof that she was Sagan's property.

—Without that thing, Neferpitou would be free.

As long as she doesn't have the collar, people should be able to accept her without prejudice.

Kiannoind should be a good location.

The people of that city treated both the magician Sagan and Neferpitou, who wore a collar, with kindness. And if anything were to happen, it was within Sagan's reach.

Neferpitou may be confused at first, but if she can open her heart to Sagan, then people's warmth will surely gradually melt away the barriers between them.

Sagan pulled a key from his pocket.

"Nefi, I've become the Demon King."

"The Demon King...?"

"That is, the king of magicians, who can command other magicians, which is the pinnacle of magicians."

The girl's eyes widened slightly, and she clasped her hands together and nodded.

"Congratulations, Master."

Her expression remained unchanged, but you could tell it was a heartfelt blessing.

It was this very reaction that caused Sagan unbearable heartache.

He continued, his voice choked with anguish:

"I inherited the name of the Demon King, and I also inherited the legacy of the former Magasiah. Neferi, that is the magician who caught you."

And now, the key that Sagan holds in his hand is also part of Magasiia's legacy.

That was something Sagan had asked for from the twelve "Demon Lords".

"Nefi, don't move."

As he spoke, he inserted the key into the girl's collar.

With a soft crackling sound, the iron collar suddenly disintegrated.

"Huh...?"

Neferpitou stared in disbelief at the wreckage of the collar lying on the ground.

"Master, in this way..."

Seeing Nefi's beaming smile, Sagan nodded.

"That's right. Now that I've become the Demon King, I no longer need you. Neferi, you should leave."

Faced with the girl he loved more than anyone else, Sagan coldly issued an expulsion order.

Their innocent cohabitation ended abruptly at that moment.

Volume 1, Chapter 5: Everyone who becomes a Demon King has an obligation to act arrogantly.

Once she came to her senses, Neferpitou squatted down in front of the abandoned house on the street corner.

Why am I staying in a place like this...?

A fog seemed to rise in my mind, making my thoughts hazy and unclear.