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

As evening fell, the sun gradually sank in the west, casting a golden glow on the horizon. The afterglow bathed the earth, draping everything in a golden cloak. In the distance, the mountains, silhouetted against the setting sun, became increasingly clear, resembling a richly colored landscape painting.

The clouds in the sky gradually changed color, from white to pink, from pink to orange, and finally to a magnificent purplish-red. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if singing a song for this beautiful evening. Birds returning to their nests drew graceful arcs in the air and disappeared into the distant woods.

After carrying Sita for a whole day, Gray decided to rest and recuperate for the night in the town they had just arrived at.

Although for over a decade, Gray had become accustomed to the routine of receiving aristocratic education in the morning and engaging in Shadow Warrior activities in the evening, he did not feel tired even when continuing to travel at night.

But now he has plenty of free time, and going to the demons' hideout is not an urgent matter.

There's no need to be like before, with nearly 20 hours of activity time in a 24-hour day.

Although the Demon King's physique could withstand it, Gray still felt that he would feel more energetic after sleeping for seven or eight hours a day.

He had no choice before, but now Gray is free!

In the small town, Gray randomly picked a restaurant to have dinner.

"Lord Shadow Demon, open your mouth, ah..."

"Um... Sita, I have my own hands and mouth..."

After politely declining Sita's request to be fed, Gray took Sita away from the restaurant and searched for an inn in the town to stay for the night.

Night quietly descends, the crimson hue of the sky gradually fades, replaced by a deep blue. The stars begin to twinkle, and the moon quietly climbs above the treetops. At this moment, the lights in every household gradually come on, reflecting the starlight and moonlight, creating a tranquil and warm night scene.

"grid……"

Even without Theta's reminder, Gray had already noticed someone approaching him from behind, but he didn't sense any malice. Gray decided to see what this person wanted to do first.

Gray felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around to look.

Nobody's here... Oh, a little below.

At first glance, Gray didn't see anything until he bent down slightly and noticed the petite figure in the khaki cloak.

"Long time no see, Gray."

The girl's delicate voice rang out, and Gray did feel that the voice was somewhat familiar. It wasn't until the girl lifted the hat that was partially obscuring her face that Gray recognized her.

Her chestnut-brown hair cascaded down to her waist, with a few strands gently brushing against her cheeks in the breeze.

She had emerald green eyes, her chest rose and fell slightly, and her body, though slightly grown compared to the past, remained petite.

"Your Highness...!!!"

Before Gray could utter a sound of surprise, Philippa leaped up and covered Gray's mouth.

This intimate gesture caused Sita, who had been expressionless, to furrow her brow.

"Shh... keep your voice down."

Philippa looked around, checking her surroundings before putting her hat back on.

Upon their reunion, Gray's thoughts turned to Philippa's somewhat rude height.

So she jumped up and patted my shoulder just now?

Gray pictured the little guy jumping up as high as he could to reach his shoulder.

Looking at Philippa looking around...

This guy probably sneaked out of the palace.

"Then why is Your Highness here?"

Although he had a rough idea of ​​the answer, Gray still asked.

"Honestly, it's been so long! Can't you be a little happier to see me?"

Philippa seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Gray's attitude, hands on her hips, her tone tinged with resentment.

The two have only met a few times since they first met, and all of those meetings were at banquets.

Apart from the banquet she attended in the capital when she was six years old, she had attended several other banquets, and she always managed to meet the princess at each one.

Although they hadn't spent much time together, their relationship was surprisingly good. They not only dined together at the banquet but also chatted happily.

The main topic was actually about the different experiences and observations of the two people in different places.

Princess Philippa longed for the world outside the palace, and Grey also heard some interesting royal stories from her.

Gray's adoptive father, Ed Brandt, noticed that the two had a good relationship and even considered whether to help Gray become a prince consort.

However, due to the large number of admirers who liked the princess and the difficulty Gray faced in meeting her, he eventually gave up on the idea.

Therefore, the friendly relationship between Princess Philippa and Grey did not affect the establishment of Grey's engagement.

"Should I laugh?" Gray teased.

"Don't..." Before Gray could force a chilling and disgusting smile, Philippa stopped him in time.

"The same question remains: why is our princess here?" Gray continued to ask.

“Just call me by my first name. ‘Princess,’ ‘Princess,’ sounds too formal.” Philippa pouted slightly to show her dissatisfaction.

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. I will call you by your name directly, Your Highness."

Philippa: "..."

- - Was it intentional?

Philippa straightened her voice and said, "I sneaked out of the palace. My father has already sent people to arrest me and bring me back. I'm hiding from those people."

"Well, what are you planning to do after sneaking out? It can't be just to find me, can it?" Gray continued to press.

"That's certainly one of the purposes, but the main one is to fulfill the mission bestowed upon me by the goddess."

At this point, Gray noticed a change in Philippa's expression and movements.

Her small mouth turned up in a bright, confident smile, her petite and charming body leaned slightly forward, and her arms were crossed in front of her chest, giving people a smug feeling.

The so-called "Goddess" probably refers to the deity worshipped by the Church of Holy Light.

Recalling some information about the Church of Holy Light that the Shadow Court had investigated.

Although the Church of Holy Light has churches in various countries around the world, it is already corrupt and decadent.

Church ceremonies became mere formalities, with priests performing only routine tasks and ignoring the prayers and confessions of believers. The church exploited the faith of its members for financial gain, turning churches into places of greed and corruption.

In Gray's view, the god worshipped by the Church of Holy Light probably does not exist. Such a god was fabricated simply to unify beliefs and facilitate the kingdom's rule over the people.

However, it is somewhat strange that this Church of Holy Light is distributed in countries all over the world.

Based on past experiences, even within the same country, different faiths and churches can exist, let alone nations that encompass all of humanity.

The only useful function of the church that is still in operation is its ability to foresee the Demon King and the Hero.

Wait, can you tell me?

Philippa rolled up her sleeves and showed Gray the mark on her wrist.

"That's right, I am the hero chosen by the goddess to defeat the demon king and save the world!"