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

—If I could go back to that time, how would I want others to convince me...?

Even if we could go back to that time, we probably still wouldn't get the answer.

Nevertheless, Sagan reached for Neferpitou's hair.

The moment his palm touched the snow-white hair, he knew Nefi's body trembled.

But then, Sagan didn't apply any force with his hand; he said to her:

"I need you, that's why I bought you. So don't talk about dying or anything like that again."

Neferpitou stared wide-eyed at Sagan.

She looked surprised. This was the first time she had shown such a genuine expression since they met.

"Do...do you need...me?"

This made him feel embarrassed for some reason, but he had to make things clear.

"Yes, I need you. So your first job is to survive for me."

"……yes."

Although Nefi remained expressionless, he did not appear to doubt Sagan's words.

She certainly wouldn't completely believe Sagan just because of that statement. At least, this time she stopped uttering those deathbed-like words.

This marked the beginning of their long cohabitation.

◇

"So, about the room assigned to you..."

Which one should I choose?

Neferpitou was captured and enslaved; she must have a painful past she doesn't want to recall. A bright, beautiful room with a view would be more suitable for her than a basement.

Considering all this, the top floor of the castle seems to be the best choice. After all, if you're looking for a view, nowhere can compare.

Sagan was about to lead the way when he remembered something else.

"Nefi, you shouldn't be afraid of heights, right?"

Even he himself felt that this question was asked fairly naturally this time.

As a result, Neferpitou nodded expressionlessly.

"Yes. You can hang me by the hand or the neck, it's fine."

"Who said they were going to hang you up and torture you?"

"I'm so sorry. Since you mentioned a high place, I can't think of any other possibility."

The indifferent response gave Sagan a headache.

—Couldn't you have shown a little more will to survive...?

It seemed there was something wrong with the room upstairs. Sagan didn't want to think that way, but the thought that Neferi might jump off the building kept swirling in his mind.

Nevertheless, the two still climbed the spiral staircase to the top floor.

The sun outside the window had already set.

With a flick of his finger, all the candles lined up on the wall lit up at once.

"This way."

"Yes—ah!"

Sagan climbed the stairs again, but Neferi let out a soft scream and staggered a few steps.

The flickering candlelight seemed unreliable as a source of light. With darkness all around and the narrow heels of her shoes, walking was quite difficult.

Sagan acted decisively, taking her hand and helping her up.

"I'm so sorry..."

When the girl spoke, she brought her face so close that their noses almost touched.

A faint, intoxicating fragrance stimulated my nasal cavity.

White eyebrows framed azure eyes that gazed straight ahead.

It was so captivating that it made one fascinated, while simultaneously bringing a strong sense of embarrassment.

To get rid of all this, Sagan snorted.

"Be careful, watch where you're going."

"Yes……"

That tone seemed a bit sharp, making Nefi appear somewhat timid.

Then, as Sagan was about to continue upstairs, she noticed the soft touch in her hand.

--Huh? Am I holding Neferpitou's hand?

It seems that he just grabbed her hand casually when he helped her up, and then he just held on to her like that.

He thought to himself that this shouldn't be the first time he'd held hands with a girl, but he couldn't remember the last time he'd held hands with one... This might be the first time.

Her snow-white arms were slender and delicate, with a warm glow, and I could feel a pulse in my palms. Even though they might very well be my own.

Neferi looked at the hand with some surprise, but didn't say anything and silently followed her upstairs.

An overwhelming sense of embarrassment welled up inside him, but he still refused to let go.

So, with their pace varying from fast to slow, Sagan and his companion headed to the top floor, and after climbing three floors, they saw the door to the top floor.

Actually, he was a little troubled because it might be difficult for Nefi to live here, so he decided to just reach out to the door for now.

"This room isn't used regularly, so it might be a bit dirty and messy inside..."

As they talked, the original question flashed through their minds—'Have I been in this place before?'

He's lived here for about ten years, but he usually stays in the library and doesn't really have a comprehensive understanding of the castle.

He immediately regretted it, realizing he should have investigated these questions properly first.

As the evening breeze blew into the room, the blade of the guillotine rattled.

Besides that thing, there were also what looked like old bones that had been sitting there for a long time, and bottles filled with some unknown substance scattered all over the floor. Combined with the dim light of candles, it created an extremely eerie scene.

I think we should skip this place.

Illustration p053

He quickly closed the door, but it was too late.

People only fall into true despair when they have hope.

She thought she was needed, but now she was facing instruments of torture, which extinguished the light of her will to live in Nefi's eyes.

Like a girl who has given up everything, she spreads out her arms.

"As you wish, my master."

"Don't get me wrong, okay? This is just... how should I put it... right! It's a trap to deal with those enemies that fall from the sky."

Even he himself felt that this explanation was extremely far-fetched.

"However, to be honest, all these preparations are actually unnecessary; they're just taking up space. I'll clear them all out."

After saying that, he threw a lightning magic spell into the room where the guillotine blade was swaying, and then closed the door again.

Immediately afterwards, a loud explosion rang out.

A gust of air seeped through the crack in the door, causing Neferpitou's snow-white hair to flutter gently. Sagan was watching intently when the door suddenly slammed shut outside with a bang.

It seems the force just now destroyed the hinge as well.

Sure enough, all the scary objects in the room had completely disappeared.

...However, since even the ceiling is charred black, whether this place can still be used as a room is a big question. Plus, the candles are nowhere to be found.

A cold sweat trickled down my cheeks.

—No, but at least this eliminates the source of fear.

Sagan turned her head hesitantly as she thought about it, and saw that she seemed somewhat pale, her lips trembling slightly as she spoke:

"This is the first time I've ever seen such destructive magic..."

—Well, it's no wonder she was scared when he just casually threw out an attack spell!

Moreover, even conservatively estimated, the power just now was enough to turn an ordinary magician into ashes three times over. Of course, no ordinary person could remain indifferent after witnessing it.

--No. It's because Barbarossa is the only person I usually talk to, which is why I speak so casually...

He inadvertently brought his magician's routine here.

Left with no other choice, Sagan turned her back to the room.

"...Hmm, let's skip this place, it's too much of a mood killer."

"Is this what they call a 'killer of the scenery'?"

The girl, with her head tilted slightly like a bird, left Sagan speechless.

Neferi entered the room.

With each step, ashes rose into the air. The window had no glass panes; perhaps a birdcage would be a more apt description. In short, this was definitely not a place for a girl.

Despite this, Neferpitou didn't mind and continued walking towards the balcony.

-- I think it would be better to set up some kind of protective barrier later.

Although Sagan didn't think Nefi would jump off the building, the place had just been blown up by his magic, and if he was unlucky, the room might collapse one day.

Sagan, wary of this situation, approached Nefertari.

The balcony has a stone handrail, but it's cracked and it wouldn't be surprising if it broke at any time.

Neferpitou rested his hand on the armrest and looked up at the sky.

As night fell, the clouds seemed to disperse slightly, revealing a thin, crescent moon.

Neferpitou stretched out his hands toward the sky. The seemingly ordinary gesture gave Sagan a feeling akin to some kind of sacred ritual.