The maid squad is too strong, what use is there for me, the Demon King?

The atmosphere between the two sides instantly became tense.

Standing behind Gray, Lia seemed to be infected by Gray's aura, gripping her staff tightly, feeling as if her whole being was ignited.

A decisive battle, or death!

Lia didn't want to be eliminated so early in the Holy Light Pilgrimage, as it would disappoint her parents. Her family needed her to revitalize it, and she was the one on whom high hopes were placed.

With this in mind, Lia's eyes hardened.

Just do your best to fight back. Even if you fail and are eliminated, there's nothing to regret, because at least you tried.

Grey glanced at Lia and sighed, "This little girl has grown up."

The same goes for Alpha, Gamma, Ypsilon, Zeta, Eta, and Capa among the Ten Shadows; they all grew up so quickly without us noticing, which gave Gray a sense of... fatherly comfort.

It seems that the relationship between these daughters has become somewhat distorted.

As for Aieta, she hasn't changed much, except that she has grown into a beautiful woman and is still obsessed with magic and science.

Eh?

Gray sensed something.

It's her again... It's such a coincidence that I doubt it's really a coincidence.

But that's fine too. Seeing her like this, I don't need to reveal anything more.

"You ungrateful little brat." Seeing that Gray's team still had fighting spirit, the three men's eyes darkened and they became a little impatient.

They probably thought they had already won, and that what followed would just be meaningless fighting, a waste of energy and magic.

The thief among the three licked his dagger, his face revealing a fierce glint.

"Although murder will be punished by the Church of Holy Light, we can still teach you a lesson."

Seeing that the other party was about to take action, Lia tensed up and muttered a spell.

But all of this is unnecessary.

"What are you doing?"

Not far away, Philippa's angry shouts could be heard.

Her voice was no longer as delicate and gentle as usual, but was full of anger, and seemed to be venting her emotions.

Philippa felt that her current state was very strange.

Even though he knew that Gray already had a fiancée and the two were very much in love, he knew that he couldn't steal her away from her.

Therefore, you should decisively give up and treat Gray as a friend, just like before.

She should have thought it through by now.

Really? Is it possible to be friends with someone you like?

Philippa did see Gray at the opening ceremony of the Holy Light Pilgrimage.

In just a moment of eye contact, Philippa felt her heart pounding violently.

It took Philippa a lot of effort to pretend that she had seen Gray and to look away from him.

Seeing him brings a pang of heartache, a feeling that he doesn't belong to her. Only then does Philippa realize how agonizing it is to continue being friends with him.

So, should I avoid him? I still have my mission as a hero; I shouldn't be thinking about such sentimental things.

I am the chosen one, the hero destined to save the world! How can I stop because of something so trivial?

After entering the secret realm, Philippa indeed seemed to have forgotten about Gray, burying herself in grinding monsters and venting her pain to the fullest.

Sofia was quite envious.

Damn it, he doesn't want you, but I do! Little Philippa, come to my arms!

As a result, while chasing a monster, Philippa saw Gray's figure again.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly tried to escape the scene, abandoning even the "points" she was chasing.

But she saw that Gray seemed to be in danger, and Philippa wanted to leave, but found that she couldn't lift her feet.

As a result, Philippa also figured out the general situation and realized the "crisis" facing Gray's team.

So the question is, should I rush out to help him?

Two different voices were advising her from within.

Go for it! Why not take this opportunity to improve your relationship with someone? If you like them, go for it! (This is referred to as being "emotional" or "receptive")

Another voice says, "That person already has a lover they've pledged their life to; don't be foolish enough to get involved and end up with nothing but trouble." (This is referred to as rationality.)

Philippa's emotional thinking: So what? You're a princess of a kingdom, how could you not be able to have him? At worst, tie him up and lock him in the basement, so he belongs only to you!

Rational thinking: No, sis, you seem to be going a bit too far.

While the two opposing voices were arguing, Philippa had already unconsciously taken a step forward.

Intuitive thinking: Win!

Women are emotional beings.

Philippa's rational thinking vanished in an instant, and when she came to her senses, she had already shouted angrily.

Sofia and Taric arrived late, and saw that Philippa seemed to be very angry.

"No, why did you suddenly run so fast..." Sophia's words froze the moment she saw Gray.

Aren't you my buddy? Why are you everywhere, like a persistent ghost?

Gray: You too.

Sofia is numb, I just want to find a pretty girl to cuddle with, what's wrong with that?

Um... maybe it's shameful to waste resources?

Seeing that the situation was not good and that their prey was actually protected by someone, the three immediately prepared to make a run for it.

"Who let you leave?"

As if she had used a once-in-a-lifetime teleportation, Philippa appeared behind the three of them in an instant, her longsword slashing with boundless rage and resentment.

Taric was speechless. After spending the last few days together, he understood what was going on between Philippa and Sofia.

She's already rushed out, so all I can do is follow. Sophia must be even more unhappy than me, right?

The two quickly caught up with Philippa, each casting a buff spell and then joining forces to fight the enemy.

The Brave Squad is likely composed of young people who meet the age requirements for the Holy Light Pilgrimage.

Many generations of Hero Squads participate in the Holy Light Pilgrimage. The champion of the Holy Light Pilgrimage is almost predetermined if a Hero Squad participates, unless the Hero Squad has only appeared for a few days.

However, the world is currently unaware of the hero's appearance, and neither the Olmec Kingdom nor the Holy Light Church has publicized it extensively.

The appearance of the hero implies that the Demon King has already appeared, but no movement from the Demon King has been detected. Broadcasting this information could cause unnecessary chaos.

In other words, the contestants were unaware that the champion had already been decided, and were still fantasizing about receiving the blessing of the Holy Light.

However, this is an unavoidable phenomenon, and besides, not every Holy Light Pilgrimage has brave participants.

Unfortunately, the others who participated in this year's and previous years' Holy Light Pilgrimages with brave participants can only compete for second place.

Soon, the three were defeated by the hero's team's offensive, their magic stone tablets were taken away, and they were instantly... well... crushed.