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

"Yes, sir."

Before her previous visit, Sagan had already taught her the necessary knowledge. Practice makes perfect, and I believe she now understands how to judge content and make choices based on book titles and tables of contents.

After Neferpitou replied, Far looked up at Sagan with a hopeful expression.

"...Alright, if you find any books you want, feel free to take them back with you."

"Um!"

Fa'er nodded, and the three of them then went their separate ways to search.

Sagan's first task was to investigate the classification and arrangement of the bookshelves.

Such a large library must have other hidden passages or mechanisms.

Tampering with a book on the shelf to create new steps is a common occurrence in magicians' dens.

Although the space here is large and the collection of books is extensive, if you still cannot find the target item in the end, you will have to search further into the deeper areas.

As Sagan moved forward, he glanced at the spines of the books and bumped into Fael. It seemed the two of them had each browsed to the same bookshelf from opposite ends.

As soon as Far looked up at Sagan, she tilted her head curiously.

"Sagan looks happy."

"Do I look happy?"

"Um."

Upon hearing her mention it, Sagan touched her cheek.

Although he couldn't figure out why, and wasn't sure if he had laughed, he was definitely in a good mood.

"Hey, you see, this place is full of books, of course it's going to lift your spirits a bit."

"I can understand that."

Surprisingly, Fa'er agreed with this statement and continued:

"I don't dislike reading either."

"I see."

Sagan imagined the little girl swaying back and forth, carrying a huge stack of heavy books. He wasn't as exaggerated as Manila, but he almost laughed out loud.

And then, Fal asked Sagan again out of curiosity:

"Sagan, can you understand people's hearts?"

"...What do you think?"

He didn't understand the purpose of the question and gave a vague answer, but Fa'er's gaze towards him was unexpectedly sincere.

"Because you don't need to ask Nefertari, you already know what she wants."

She was probably referring to the head patting incident earlier. Bringing it up again, Sagan was so embarrassed she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself.

To hide his embarrassment, Sagan scratched the tip of his nose.

"After all, Neferi usually understands me. If I can't understand her a little bit as well, I'll be a very incompetent master."

Sagan once broke Neferpitou's heart and drove her away, but she forgave everything and returned to his side.

Therefore, he felt that he should repay in some way.

After he answered, Fa'er lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.

"I'm a little envious of you guys."

This made Sagan frown in puzzlement.

Why do you talk as if you're talking about someone else's business?

"Huh...?"

"I don't know how long dragons live, but Magasilia lived for a thousand years."

Farr stood there, seemingly bewildered as to what Sagan meant, while Sagan looked away before speaking:

"Give us a thousand years, and one day you will be able to connect with us on a deeper level."

Of course, Neferpitou will be there too.

In order to live freely throughout this thousand years, Sagan is now busy gathering knowledge.

Fa'er looked on in disbelief.

"Would you... stay with me...?"

"But if you want to go somewhere else, I won't interfere."

"I want to stay here."

As she spoke, Fael hugged Sagan's arm tightly.

—Sigh, doing this kind of thing is really not in my personality…

Despite his thoughts, Sagan still reluctantly stroked Fal's head a few times.

But things can't go on like this forever. Sagan simply picked up Fael and continued searching for a bookshelf, but Fael suddenly looked up at that moment.

"This is……?"

She pulled a book from the bookshelf, and her expression immediately turned serious.

The book was titled "The Twelve Holy Swords." Holy swords are considered the natural enemy of magicians, and this book seemed to have compiled relevant information.

Sagan watched as Far turned the pages of the book, then suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!"

"Can I borrow it?"

"Hmm..."

Farah snorted and glared at him, but Sagan had no time to pay attention to her.

Because what's recorded in the book is a rubbing of the text engraved on the holy sword.

Sagan's gaze fell on his right hand.

—Just as I suspected!

Comparing the two, the Demon King's Mark and the emblem on the Holy Sword have extremely similar characteristics.

The two are not so similar that they can be described as closely alike, but if you consider them as words, you can see many commonalities, as if they come from the same source.

Because of these similarities, Sagan didn't notice this when she faced Shestie, let alone today, since she wasn't carrying the Holy Sword.

But once you compare it to the records like this, Sagan is confident.

—If we investigate the Holy Sword, we should be able to find out about the Demon King's Mark as well.

Since they are emblems from the same system, once you understand one side, you can understand the other.

Sagan returned the book to Fal.

"Well done, Fa'er. Find all the books about the Holy Sword. I'll split up and do it myself."

"……Um!"

Fal's interest in the Holy Sword likely stemmed from her hatred for paladins... or rather, for someone who was close to a paladin. However, her response still carried a strong sense of anticipation and joy.

After telling Nefi about it, the three of them searched around again and finally found several books about the Holy Sword.

Book Two, Chapter Three: The Paladin's Intriguing Story – A Respectful Retreat

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Paladin Raphael Schröland. I am Shestie Liqvist."

This is the cathedral of the Chinnoind branch of the church.

While Sagan and the others were busy exploring the Demon King's Palace, Shestie was bowing and introducing herself.

Shesty's paladin privileges were frozen; she was forbidden not only of the holy sword but also of wearing baptismal armor. After meeting Sagan, she was now dressed in church robes, appearing as an ordinary girl. Behind her, her three knights stood in formation as always.

Although the paladin in front of him was middle-aged, he exuded a terrifying and powerful aura of oppression.

What initially caught the eye most were the deep scratches extending from his cheeks to his brows; his short, streaked blond hair; his pair of azure pupils radiating a sharp gaze that seemed capable of killing; his burly body that made his baptismal armor appear narrow; his thick jaw and deep-set nose—his fierce face would surely frighten a timid person to death.

Carrying a large sword on his back.

Greatsword—Holy Sword.

All twelve holy swords looked identical. The holy sword that was clearly the same as the one that had been given to Shessty now looked as small as a one-handed sword.

The number of magicians annihilated was the highest in history—499, a testament to the Church's power. Raphael was such a paladin commander.

The three knights waiting behind him could do nothing but stare blankly up at him.

But apart from Raphael, they could see no other knights around them.

—A paladin commander came here all alone, without any attendants...?

As the Church's greatest fighting force, the safety of the Paladin Commanders must never be neglected. Although Paladin Commanders like Shesty are always at the forefront whenever the Church fights against magicians, they are always accompanied by subordinates to protect their lives.

Now, Raphael, who has come from afar, is all alone.

His abilities are evident to all, but Shisty still felt that acting alone was too rash.

Raphael looked Shestie up and down, then smiled, a smile that looked like a crack bursting in a stone.

"So you're the famous 'Holy Sword Maiden'? I heard you were suspended for disobeying the church's orders, but you look quite radiant."

The matter of disobeying the church's orders—protecting Sagan—seems to have not yet spread. This must be the result of Cardinal Grylls's considerations.

"No, that's not true. You flatter me."

Shessty remained indifferent, which prompted Raphael to snort.

"How many magicians have you killed from the past to the present?"

Illustration p127

"Does anyone just ask this kind of question outright?" Shisty couldn't help but purse her lips.

"...In my opinion, this is not a number worth boasting about."

"oh……?"

Raphael exuded a commanding presence, his eyes narrowing.