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

What does "issues of principle" refer to?

Beta wasn't sure if what he was doing was a matter of principle.

Since we're already here, we might as well stay. Since we've already said it, we have no choice but to continue.

"Please allow me to introduce myself." Beta lifted her black robe, slightly squatted down, and then stood up. This was a curtsy, only now the black robe replaced the skirt.

"My real name is Ivy Wendy, daughter of Elendil Wendy, and a princess of the Kingdom of Saint Tian."

Finally, Beta delivered his self-introduction, which was more than a decade overdue.

"So you're the princess who ran away from her wedding," Gray murmured.

After learning that the fairy princess of the Kingdom of Saintia had run away from her arranged marriage and was now missing, Gray did wonder if Beta was that princess.

Wendy just thought it was too much of a coincidence, and she didn't care whether Beta was Ivy or not, so she didn't ask.

Today she confessed herself, which is a good thing. At least it shows that Beta's impression of him has worsened because of Grey's suspected "under-the-table" behavior. Otherwise, she wouldn't have honestly told him the secret she had been keeping to herself.

Those initial statements were all made up on the spot, weren't they?

Gray thought to himself.

Beta feared this very thing; she felt that this behavior was deception, and she was afraid that Gray would find out that she was the princess who had run away from her arranged marriage and caused the entire Kingdom of Saintian to suffer such a fate for her own selfish desires.

Will he think I'm selfish?

"So, should I show you some respect, Your Highness, the Elf Princess?" Beta looked up and saw the smile in Gray's eyes.

Beta felt a little more at ease.

Lord Shadow's attitude towards her had not changed, and she dared to ask, "Lord Shadow, what do you think of me, who caused the kingdom to suffer in order to escape a political marriage? Do you think I'm selfish?"

Beta lowered his head, not daring to meet Gray's gaze.

"No, it won't happen." That gentle, soothing voice rang out, and all her fear and panic vanished.

“Political marriages are tragic. I think it’s remarkable that you, born into royalty, dare to face it and pursue freedom, Princess Ivy Wendy, no, Beta.”

Beta felt her eyes welling up with warm liquid, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she threw herself into Gray's arms.

"シャドー様, great! (Master Demon Shadow, I like you the most!)"

He instinctively embraced the delicate body that had thrown herself into his arms, the soft, fragrant touch making him want to be forever lost in it.

Damn! Is this how you test your cadres?

This wasn't the first time Beta had hugged him so excitedly, but it was clearly the most unbearable one for him.

It's all Kappa's fault!

Gray forcibly suppressed some unpleasant impulses that suddenly welled up in his heart and used a head pat to soothe Beta.

Beta then came to his senses and was greatly alarmed.

What did I do in a moment of impulsiveness?

Beta buried her head in Gray's warm, damp chest, savoring the wonderful feeling, and was reluctant to let go.

Let's linger a little longer...

Beta continued to steal glances at Gray's expression.

She had accidentally revealed her feelings, and she was very concerned about Gray's reaction.

特に何もない……(No special reaction……)

Lord Shadow probably didn't take that sentence as a confession.

That's great... wait a minute!

I finally blurted it out in a moment of passion, and it ended so abruptly?

Beta suddenly felt cheated; she'd finally mustered the courage to do something like that...

Thinking of this, Beta was even less willing to leave Gray's arms.

This will be a great test of Gray's composure.

Beta, do you even realize how alluring you are?!

It's alright, Gray has already found a way.

In the Shadow Court, he could be said to be playing the role of a loving father, after all, when the Ten Shadows were first formed, most of them were children.

Once you adopt the role of the father, you won't have any improper thoughts.

The kind of person who would harm their own daughter is someone who writes doujinshi or hentai.

Those who could bring themselves to do it are...

Wait a minute, Kappa fits this criterion quite well.

She was rescued and raised by him when she was a child, and now she's a rebellious daughter who defies her father...

Well... it seems we can't generalize like that...

After using this method, Gray's eyes immediately became clear.

Beta suddenly felt uneasy.

Why does it suddenly feel like the difficulty has increased?

Never mind, let's enjoy it first.

Beta: After a lifetime of hard work, can't we at least enjoy ourselves? Let the music continue, let the dancing continue.

Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long, as a sharp whistle interrupted the beautiful moment.

Beta then left reluctantly.

I haven't had enough fun yet...

When will we have another chance like this?

The whistle was crisp and urgent, echoing in every corner of the elven town.

Upon hearing the whistle, the elven guards leaped from their posts in the trees and towers, their bows and spears already at the ready. Lightly armored and swift, they quickly seized strategic points throughout the town, preparing to defend against the impending attack.

In the heart of the town, elven mages began to gather, chanting incantations as they prepared to cast defensive spells. Beams of light rose from their hands, forming protective barriers that surrounded the town's key buildings.

The whistles continued to sound, accompanied by hurried footsteps and the snapping of branches, as the rebels gradually appeared at the edge of the forest. The elven town's alarm system—whistles sounded by dedicated sentries—triggered, putting the entire town on high alert.

Upon hearing the sound, Gray rushed to the city wall, grabbed Beta, and leaped up to stand on the wall.

The elven soldiers on the city wall seemed to have been notified of the Shadow Court's arrival and showed no wariness towards the two black-robed figures who suddenly appeared.

It's definitely convenient to communicate in advance; it saves a lot of trouble.

Gray gazed at the undercurrents surging beneath the city walls, lost in thought.

I haven't seen the demon cult yet.

Leading the way was a tall elven rebel general, his long hair flowing in the wind behind him, and a crown of thorns symbolizing resistance on his forehead, as he led the rebel troops toward the town.

"Beta, should we wait and see for a while?" Gray turned to look at Beta, only to find that Beta, who should have been in this direction, was nowhere to be seen.

"Huh?" He looked closely and saw that Beta had already jumped off the wall, landed steadily, and used magic as a bowstring to launch an arrow.

He nocked the arrow and shot it with lightning speed!

Beta is very angry now.

This rare opportunity was thus disrupted and ruined.

Why did you have to come now of all times?

Magic arrows materialized and shot straight at the attacking rebel army.

With a mighty bow drawn from a hundred-pound bow, the arrow is released and pierces the hand, striking the mortar!

The arrow contained Beta's boundless rage.

Gray: "So you were going to participate in the war directly?"