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

Treatment for Shestia is urgent.

But Sagan couldn't just leave Fair alone.

As a magician, he didn't really think he could save anyone. However, the reality was that Fael was already one of the people Sagan felt he should protect.

Sagan asked calmly:

Do you hate paladins?

"...Sagan, you probably noticed as well. I became a magician to avenge the paladins."

Just as Sagan observed Pharrell, Pharrell also observed Sagan.

—It seems that it won't be easy to divert her attention this time.

Sagan steeled his resolve and nodded.

"Is she your enemy?"

"The wielder of the holy sword killed my father."

"Yes. But I don't think it was her who did it."

Holding Fal's hand, Sagan said earnestly:

"Fa'er, listen to me. Killing one after another for revenge is a common mistake for beginners. Even if you kill this guy, it won't quell your hatred; it will only create more enemies. And those enemies will become obstacles on your path of revenge in the future."

"What do you know, Sagan?"

Sagan shook his head as he looked at Fal, whose voice trembled with anger and anxiety.

"That's why I said you're just a novice at revenge. Revenge isn't done this way."

With a fatherly gaze that was both stern and kind, Sagan said:

"So-called revenge is about torturing the other person in every way possible, plunging them into terror and despair, even making them kneel down and beg you to kill them. Isn't that what revenge is all about?"

Upon hearing these words, not only Barbarossa but also Far was speechless.

Sagan continued speaking calmly and deliberately:

"Just like that, you only truly complete your revenge when you feel satisfied. If you kill your enemy on the spot in one go, your heart won't be redeemed. Such monotonous revenge cannot give you a new life."

It seemed that Fa'er could tell Sagan was serious, and a bead of sweat slid down her cheek.

"...Sagan, have you ever sought revenge too?"

"Yes. But I messed up and killed him on the spot, which wasn't satisfying at all... That's why I'm telling you the real way to get revenge."

Sagan's target for revenge was the original owner of the castle, the magician who wanted to sacrifice Sagan.

Sagan, who had been kidnapped, was tortured—to enhance the freshness of the sacrifice. Afterward, Sagan seized the opportunity to retaliate and killed her captor, but what remained was neither the peace of being alive nor the sense of accomplishment of victory, only an emptiness.

—I should have him tortured to death by a thousand cuts.

Now, he knew of various more effective methods. The castle was full of torture instruments that could help Farr quell her desire for revenge.

Fal nodded vigorously, perhaps overwhelmed by Sagan's imposing presence.

"Okay, alright."

Then, the dragon-shaped arm returned to human form.

"...I'm asking you, is it alright for you to teach your adopted daughter these things?"

Barbaros looked dumbfounded, but Sagan had no time to care about him right now.

◇

"Huh...?"

When I opened my eyes, all I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.

The ancient stone ceiling, though worn, was not dirty, showing signs of careful maintenance. It was still night outside, with only the faint light of candles illuminating the room.

Where exactly is this place?

Just as Shestie was puzzled, a calm voice came from the side.

Are you awake?

"Sagan...?"

Illustration p175

He was a fierce-looking, yet listless magician. His eyes seemed gentler now than when Shess first met him; it couldn't be her imagination.

Sagan didn't even glance at Shestie; she was simply reading a thick book in her hands.

"Remember to thank Neferi later. She's the one who healed you."

"treat……"

Shess's head was still spinning, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

—Did I lose to someone...?

If that's the case, then who were you fighting for back then?

Her gaze drifted and she found the greatsword resting beside the bed. It was her holy sword, yet there was no bloodstain or wounds from a fierce battle on it.

Seeing that she still didn't know what to do, Sagan, as if unable to bear it any longer, said:

"It seems you've been poisoned, but I don't know the details."

Hearing this reminded her of something.

—By the way, I was lured out by a letter.

"The symbiotic faction...?"

The man who found Shessti called himself by that name.

The other party was hidden in the shadows and did not reveal their face. He said this was better for both of them.

But she thought to herself that the man must be a paladin like herself. His voice belonged to an older man, but it sounded calm and dignified, with the wisdom of a sage, rather than someone ordered to slaughter magicians with a sword.

His voice is similar to Grawell's, but he possesses a greater capacity for inclusion.

The man said calmly:

"Even after a thousand years, the war against magicians remains unresolved. The Church should be a force to restrain magicians, not a group that hunts them down—just know that we are a group that holds this view."

This was the first time Shesit had heard of such a power, and she felt intensely bewildered.

"That's the idea of ​​a heretic," the man said slowly after Shisty said this.

"But aren't your actions precisely what you call heresy?"

As a Holy Knight Commander, he opposed the Church's campaign against the "Demon King." What else can this be called but heresy?

The man then said to the speechless Shestia:

"Interested in joining us? Since you've stood up against the church, you must need protection. Let us protect you. And with your support, possessing the Holy Sword, I can also emerge into the sunlight. That shouldn't be too bad for you."

Now that even someone like Raphael has started making moves, Shisty's days are probably numbered. If she doesn't want to die, now is not the time to hesitate.

So, was he actually sent by Master Grawell?

Grawell said he would help Shesty out of her current predicament. It's highly likely that he directed such a force to help her.

—But even if I live, what should I do...?

She could no longer rely on the corrupt church. But as a paladin, she had no other way of life now.

She had nowhere to go either.

Shess was unable to answer immediately, prompting the man to say solemnly:

"You don't have to answer now, but time is running out... Alright, to show our sincerity, if you need help in the future, just say this name."

-- Orobas.

This is the name the man gave.

Just thinking about that name makes my body feel inexplicably warm.

But when she asked the man if that was his name, he didn't give a clear answer.

"You could say that, or you could say that. Just take it as the name of our leader."

A leader—to lead this group—would require a position and power equivalent to a Grand Master of the Knights or even a Cardinal. But Shess had never heard of anyone in the church named Orobas.

—Or is that actually the name of an organization?

In any case, that must be an important name for them.

This name will protect you under any circumstances.

After saying this, the man disappeared.

Can I really trust him...?

That man was incredible; you almost wanted to believe him. But if it was a trap, it wouldn't just be Shestie who would be harmed; it might even implicate her subordinates.

Shesit returned to her room, bewildered, where a cup of black tea had already been placed.

We should have been more cautious at the time.

But Shirley, preoccupied with her thoughts, didn't suspect anything and picked up her cup to drink her tea.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying there receiving care.

Shess recounted the whole story bit by bit.

—That man's voice... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

But she couldn't be sure—not because she couldn't remember, but because she couldn't believe it.

As for Sagan—it's unclear whether he listened or not; he simply continued turning the pages silently.

After Shesty finished speaking, a long while passed before Sagan asked with little interest:

"Do you have any leads on who poisoned him?"

"Well...who knows?"

Generally speaking, it should be Raphael.