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

They just let them in without even checking them.

Gray and Beta walked side by side through the city gate.

"That's right, Lord Shadow. We helped them when their battle was on the verge of collapse, showing them that the Shadow Court was willing to help the Royal Army."

Then I received a token from the city lord, which I could use to prove my identity.

At this point, Beta explained why the guards had let them in so easily.

You've already negotiated with the elves, haven't you? An organization that suddenly came to their aid in their time of crisis might raise suspicions, but they're mostly grateful. That's why the guards treat Beta with such respect.

The Shadow Court has already made its name known in various places. Is this a blessing or a curse?

When the entire Demon Order learns of the existence of an organization that opposes them and no longer underestimates the Shadow Court, it will be time to fight the Demon Order to the death.

But clearly, we are far from reaching that point yet, and the Shadow Court is still lurking in the shadows, clashing with the Demon Order.

Upon entering the town, Gray was able to take in the sights of the elven town.

The sight of cultists running rampant in Elwindale really spoiled the tourist atmosphere, even though he wasn't there for sightseeing.

Elvendale only reveals the characteristics of the Elven Kingdom from the town layout, but there are hardly any elves to be seen on the streets.

What kind of elven town is it if there are no elves?

Gray silently dismissed Elwindale and observed the surrounding scenery with great interest.

Stepping into this elven town, the first thing that catches the eye is a main street paved with smooth cobblestones, winding through the entire town and lined with all sorts of buildings and shops. Here, even in times of great danger, the elves' refined lifestyle and pursuit of beauty are still evident.

Wind chimes made of crystal, gemstones, and metal hung in front of the houses lining the streets. Even in the tense atmosphere, they tinkled gently in the breeze, producing pleasant tinkling sounds. These sounds reminded the elves that even in the midst of war, they should maintain their love for life.

The shop windows, which used to display exquisite handicrafts and magical items, are now filled with weapons and armor—a consequence of the war.

The once bustling market center was now deserted; the goods on the stalls had decreased, replaced by emergency food and medical supplies. The elves hurriedly made their purchases, their faces etched with seriousness and worry, their voices low and hurried as they spoke.

In the town square, a temporary command center and shelter had been set up. Elven warriors gathered there, their equipment perfectly uniform, their faces painted with battle camouflage, and their eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. Commanders were intensely discussing defensive strategies in front of maps, while messengers constantly rushed about, delivering the latest news.

In the town's residential areas, every household kept their doors and windows tightly shut, with heavy curtains hanging to prevent any light from leaking out at night. The elves stockpiled food, water, and everything else they could possibly use for defense. Children were taught how to hide and survive without adults around, while adult elves took turns keeping watch, alert for any possible disturbances.

Gray: I'm sorry to see the elven town in this form.

Gray looked around and soon noticed the thing Beta had overlooked.

"This should be a missing person notice or a wanted poster or something, right?"

Although he couldn't understand the text above, Gray could guess the general idea from the overall style.

Upon hearing this, Beta broke out in a cold sweat.

How could she forget about this?

It's too late to stop it now; Gray has already seen the portrait on the missing person poster.

"Beta, this is a picture of you."

Looking at the portrait on the missing person poster that looked very similar to Beta, Gray spoke with great certainty.

There's a saying that Chinese people think all foreigners look the same, and that humans also think there aren't many differences between animals of the same species.

So why was Gray so certain that the portrait depicted Beta, rather than just finding the resemblance due to his face blindness when looking at elves?

Linia has to take some of the blame. Gray has seen other elves before, and he can distinguish between them.

In other words, he didn't think all the elves looked exactly the same; he wasn't face-blind.

Not just Lynya, but during an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.

Every elf Gray encountered in the Kingdom of Saint-Tian served as the basis for his judgments.

Beta was very flustered, and beads of sweat seemed to be dripping down her pretty face.

How to do this?

Should we tell Lord Shadow the truth, or make up an excuse to get away with it?

Gray didn't know that Beta was the elf princess who had run away from her arranged marriage. When he rescued Beta from the slave-catching team's dungeon, Beta gave him a pitiful story of being an orphan, having lost her home, and being stranded in a foreign land.

Judging from the results, Gray was indeed deceived. What would Lord Shadow think if he knew that he had lied to him?

Even if we cover it up with another lie now, what will happen next?

One lie requires thousands of other lies to cover it up, but one day it will inevitably be exposed. When the truth comes out, won't the consequences of telling so many lies be even more serious?

Beta is now in a dilemma; how should she answer?

Confession is lenient, resistance is strict.

She suddenly remembered this phrase, the Shadow Master's philosophical saying.

This is how the waiters refer to him in private, and the mathematical, physical, and chemical knowledge that Gray provides is called the Wisdom of Shadows.

Gray didn't know this name, but even if he did, it wouldn't matter. With his somewhat chuunibyou personality, he wouldn't feel embarrassed; he would just think it was a pretty cool way to address someone.

Gray said that when Zeta made a mistake and refused to admit it, and Beta, as a big fan of the Shadow Lord, naturally recorded everything Gray said and did.

Um... This is exactly what a mindless fangirl is like.

Having thought of this saying of the Shadow Philosopher, Beta immediately ruled out the option of continuing to conceal it.

"Lord Shadow Demon, I am guilty!" she said, striking an exaggerated pose as if surrendering herself to the authorities.

Gray was a little surprised when he heard this: "どうした? いきなり. (Suddenly, what happened?)"

"Lord Shadow, there are some things I've been hiding from you, and I hope to tell you the truth now." Beta, secretly watching Gray's changing expression, asked tremblingly, "Will you forgive me?"

Gray was a little confused and didn't know why Beta was suddenly acting so repentant.

In short.

"Yes, if it's not a matter of principle."