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

So—Nefertir said.

"I want to stay by my master's side and be his pillar of support."

This might just be a form of self-inflation. Even if they go back, they might just be kicked out again.

But that night, Neferi held Sagan in her arms, and Sagan accepted her in return.

—I want to continue to stay by his side, just like that.

Although it had only been half a month, she was willing to believe in the memories she had shared with Sagan.

No one can truly enjoy solitude—not even Nefertari.

Shestia chuckled softly.

"Really? In that case, I'll do what I can."

"...? Are you still planning to duel your master?"

No, that's not it!

Shestie, her face flushed red, then shouted.

"No, that's not what I meant... While I can't protect him, I can at least help clear his name."

"Stigma...?"

Nefi looked puzzled, while Shestie nodded first.

"It seems there's a magician who does all sorts of bad things under the guise of Sagan."

Neferi had no idea that the man was the serial kidnapper.

Shessty didn't mention that incident and continued talking.

"And that person might actually be trying to frame him. So, I'm going to wipe out that group of magicians all at once."

"But aren't paladins and magicians mortal enemies?"

"That...that's right."

She muttered something, looking embarrassed.

"He saved me twice; wouldn't it be incredibly frustrating to not be able to repay him in any way?"

It seems this girl has her own considerations.

Manila watched the two of them with a smile.

"Alright, since you two are both in the right frame of mind, it's about time the meeting adjourned. Oh, and the knight will pay the bill!"

"What... I didn't order anything!"

Watching her tease Shestie somehow made Neferpitou feel much lighter.

--How is this feeling usually called?

Nefi, who was still puzzled, was then put his arm around Manila.

"Anyway, if you ever have any difficulties in the future, you're welcome to come to me anytime. At least I can listen to your troubles. But you'll have to help me try on the items in the store then. Hahaha."

After a moment of surprise, Neferpitou asked, puzzled.

"Miss Manila, why are you so kind to me?"

That was a different kind of feeling from the gentleness Sagan showed towards herself.

Manila's eyes widened in surprise, as if she was astonished that she didn't even understand this.

"Is that even a question? Of course it's because we're good friends."

The unfamiliar words made Nefi hold his breath for a moment.

"friend……"

"Huh, isn't that right?"

"...I don't know. Because no one has ever said that to me before, not now."

She thought of the magician who had once visited Sagan at the castle—she remembered his name was Barbaros. Although he hadn't said anything nice about Sagan, he had been incredibly approachable, which even made Neferpitou a little jealous.

It seems that this is what the so-called "friends" refer to.

Manila showed a brief moment of surprise, but then smiled.

"So, I'm your number one friend now? Nice to meet you!"

"Ah, uh... okay."

"Wow, your ears are so red. Are you alright?"

As a result, Shess also raised her hand in fear.

"Excuse me, do I count as one?"

"What does that count as?"

"Waaaah... They're basically asking if I can be your friend too!"

"Huh? But aren't you a paladin? Is it alright for you to deal with magicians?"

"But……!"

Seeing that Shess had become teary-eyed again, Manila spread her proudest wings over her head and helplessly combed the knight's red hair.

"If we weren't friends, how dare we play this trick on you?"

"...Can teasing be considered a form of friendship?"

Although Shirley was quite unconvinced, she seemed relieved.

Then, just as the three were leaving the shop, preparing to depart...

"Lady Shestyl!"

From the other end of the main road came a rough shout.

Turning his head, he saw three men dressed in paladin armor rushing towards him. The figures, of varying heights, seemed vaguely familiar, causing Nefi to narrow his eyes.

"Eek! You, you're the one from before...!"

Perhaps sensing that gaze, the tallest and thinnest man among the three jumped up in fright.

Then, Neferi remembered who they were.

"Are you the people who injured Master before...?"

"Huh? What? They also injured your master, Nefair? I knew those people under the church were really..."

Why do you hate the church so much?

Seeing this, the knights raised their weapons and prepared for battle, and Shess stepped in to mediate between the two sides.

And just then...

"Hehehe. What a loving and harmonious friendship! What a wonderful friendship!"

A sinister voice had just sounded from not far behind.

The next second, a muddy darkness spread out from beneath my feet.

"Huh—"

Before he could figure out what was happening, Neferpitou was already trapped from the waist down.

"Neferi—ah?"

Shessty, intending to draw her holy sword to fight, was also entangled by something like black mud. Her arms were restrained, preventing her from drawing her sword, and she was dragged into the darkness as well.

"Lady Shestyl!"

The knights rushed forward upon seeing this, but ultimately failed to catch up.

However, it seems that Shisty is indeed a knight.

"Quick, run... Manila."

She was already mired in her own mess, yet she was busy trying to push Manila, who was furthest away, out of the darkness.

The winged girl spread her wings and hid in the sky, but Muddy was still persistent and stretched out its tentacles, prompting Manila to quickly take off and escape the scene.

"Damn it, protect the citizens!"

Then, the knights who finally arrived raised their swords and slashed off the tentacles.

"Tsk, one missed? Oh well—my name is Sagan! If you want to save these people, come to my castle."

"The Lord of Darkness," he spoke in a voice that bore no resemblance to Sagan's.

But the voice sounded familiar to Neferi.

"Why...did you...?"

Emerging from the darkness were familiar faces.

◇

A few quarters of an hour later, the moon rose in the night sky.

At the gates of the ruined city, Sagan gazed up at the night sky.

On the night they met, Neferpitou reached out her hand to the moon. What did that gesture mean? Now, she'll never have the chance to ask.

Sagan reached for the moon again, but still couldn't grasp anything.

However, perhaps I did manage to grasp something back then.

Because the girl who first captured his heart was by his side at that time.

"It turns out that this place becomes so quiet when you're alone."

It was so quiet that it made his ears ring.

Neferpitou wasn't a talkative girl, but the sounds of her running around cleaning and preparing meals did make the castle lively at times.

In the deserted forest, Sagan stood there all alone.

But just then, a groan came from beside his feet.