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

Now, besides Neferpitou, Fael also reached out and grabbed Sagan's robe.

With a complex mix of helplessness and a wry smile, Sagan looked around the hall.

Inside, besides the staircase leading to the second floor, there were also jewels of unknown purpose. The passageways leading to the left and right sides were also decorated with ornaments for casting spells. The floor was set up with magic circles, which contained "circuits" that I had never seen before.

Sagan still hasn't been able to fully grasp the size of this city.

To clarify the true function of these devices and to grasp the full picture of the city's library and magic props, it would take several years.

—I really wish I had a subordinate.

Someone who can manage this place and help Sagan organize all kinds of information.

But finding a magician who won't betray you... or rather, a magician who will obey your every command, is incredibly difficult. While Fael is slowly becoming more suitable, that's a different matter entirely from whether she's willing to accept the job.

Despite the numerous and troublesome problems, Sagan decided to head to the library first.

Just then, Fa'er spoke.

"Sagan, is this magic circle alright?"

Fael was pointing to the magic circle on the floor. It was so large that it would take three or four steps to cross it, and it had an exquisite structure that looked like it was embedded in crystal. It was enough to fascinate anyone who looked at it, making them think that the ultimate magic was so beautiful and moving.

"What do you mean by 'it's okay'?"

Sagan asked, puzzled, while Far replied nonchalantly:

"This is a dragon's magic."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Um."

It seems there are some "circuits" in the world that only dragons know. And judging from the structure of magic, this magic circle is no different from the magic circle that Sagan learned.

It's not surprising that a Demon King who has lived for a thousand years would be proficient in dragon magic.

Although this was far too difficult for him at only eighteen years old.

Just as Sagan was immersed in the emotion brought by the new facts, Far looked up at Sagan with a smug expression.

"I told you what I found, just as you asked."

Her appearance was hardly that of a ferocious creature called a dragon, so Sagan naturally reached out and patted her head.

"Wow, Fa'er, you're amazing."

"Um."

She squinted at Sagan's touch, then ran back to Neferpitou's side.

"Nefi, Sagan praised me."

"That's great, Fa'er."

So Nefi reached out and patted Fal's head, making Fal let out a satisfied sigh.

Looking at that face, the same emotions I felt when I first resolved to protect Neferi welled up within me.

—Although I'm reluctant to admit it, is this what they call protectiveness...?

Although he was initially unwilling to admit it, he couldn't deny it now. Confused about his changing feelings, Sagan asked Fale:

"Fa'er, do you know what this device is?"

"I think there must be a door or something hidden behind it."

Is it a seal using the Dragon Technique?

—In other words, the other end is the true form of this city.

No wonder all the information I found before was irrelevant.

"Can you undo it?"

"Um."

So Fa'er touched the magic circle and began to investigate its structure.

Sagan watched from the sidelines, and it was at this moment that Nefertari approached.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it's just..."

Sagan was puzzled, only to see Nefi unusually stammering, as if he had something to say but couldn't, looking as if he was embarrassed about something, even his pointed ears turned pink.

She looked up at Sagan, as if hoping he would realize her request.

—Is she testing me, the Demon King...?

I never imagined that I would face a test from Neferi.

Sagan racked his brains desperately.

--Is she trying to ask me for something?

It was extremely rare for Neferpitou to take the initiative to express her feelings. Sagan hoped to sense her request.

Then he recalled the satisfied look on Fa'er's face earlier.

The little girl was visibly delighted to receive praise from Sagan and Nefaire.

—But I haven't treated Nefi badly before; I praise her as much as I can, haven't I...?

Of course, it's not easy to get Sagan to express her gratitude and praise frankly.

He believed he had tried his best to express his feelings in words, and Neferpitou always seemed to understand his true intentions intuitively.

—So, it's something else?

Moreover, things shouldn't be too different from what he just did to Fa'er.

Then, Sagan recalled the way Far looked with his eyes closed comfortably.

--Oh, I see! That's how it is!

I feel the answer is already clear.

Sagan looked back at Nefi with a tense expression.

"Nefertari".

"Uh, yes..."

"Stay put, don't move around."

"...?"

Seeing Sagan's worried and anxious expression, Neferpitou's eyes darted around nervously.

Then, Sagan carefully reached his hand toward Neferpitou's face.

Nefi swallowed, a sound escaping from his pale throat.

Then, his hand gently touched the soft white hair.

Faced with Neferpitou's silent whining, Sagan finally deduced the answer—

—Just like this, pat Neferpitou's head.

As expected, Nefi also closed his eyes comfortably and let out a sigh of enjoyment.

—After all, I had let her touch my head before.

Sagan had once slept on her lap as a pillow and let her pat his head. That was one of the happiest moments of his life so far.

But Sagan still hasn't had a chance to repay this favor. Neferi, seeing Fael being patted on the head, seemed envious.

Neferpitou trembled with satisfaction as she nestled gently against Sagan.

-- This is actually not bad.

He believed this even without saying a word.

But Neferpitou's statement was something she had never made when the two were alone.

It seems that with Fael as a roommate, Neferi has also developed some desires.

Compared to the person who gave up on living, this is a complete 180-degree turnaround.

“…………”

Sagan's lips curled slightly at the feeling of reality, while Far had been staring intently at the two of them without her noticing.

Seeing this, Sagan and Nefertory had no choice but to quickly separate.

"W-What's wrong, Fa'er?"

"I've opened it."

Upon closer inspection, a staircase leading to a deeper area appeared in front of the little girl.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work!"

Sagan immediately went down the steps.

◇

At the other end of the secret staircase, unsurprisingly, lay another enormous library. The high ceilings stretched to the next floor, with shelves upon shelves arranged at intervals, requiring one to look up to see the whole thing. The walls, needless to say, were also filled with bookshelves.

Looking around, there are tens of thousands of books inside; it would probably take more than ten years to read them all thoroughly. Some of the books in the collection are very old, and some were even written and compiled by the authors themselves.

Those are precious books that Magasinia spent a thousand years collecting and compiling here.

Sagan looked at Far.

"Well done, Farr. It seems this is the main library."

If we search more carefully, there should be other secret rooms within the city. But since this place is located in such a prominent position in the main hall, and is even sealed with dragon magic, it is very likely a frequently used and relatively important location.

Sagan looked at Nefi and Fael again.

"Find every single book that records anything about demons and the 'Demon King's Mark'."

Even if the content isn't exactly the key point, as long as you collect all the related "loops," you'll eventually get a glimpse of the whole picture. Magicians can definitely gain something just by reading books.

Nefertari lifted her skirt and bowed slightly.