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

Compared to the "undercurrents" within the mental links of the Ten Shadow Attendants, the three members of the Hero Squad were so shocked by the completely incomprehensible scene before them that their thoughts almost came to a standstill, and their focuses were completely different.

When Sophia's gaze fell upon the two embracing, her mind went completely blank, as if struck head-on by the most violent beam of magic.

Her clear blue eyes widened instantly, first filled with utter disbelief, then consumed by a raging fire of jealousy and territoriality.

Grey Brant?! That brat from the border?! How dare he—! How dare he hold my noble, pure, beautiful, and charming Princess Heroine with his filthy, masculine hands?! Just because Philippa had such a paltry fondness for you before?! Who gave you the audacity?!

Let go! Immediately remove your groping hands! Then chop off everything that touched Philippa! Next, wash my Philippa inside and out three times with the finest holy water! No, ten times! She absolutely cannot be tainted by even the slightest trace of that filthy man's stench!!!

……and many more!

Sofia's anger cooled slightly for a moment, and reason managed to squeeze in through a crack.

Wait… Grey Brant… why is he here?! Isn't this the Demon King's lair?!

Taric's massive body trembled slightly, his bloodshot eyes, etched with the marks of battle and injury, filled with pure confusion; his thought process was relatively straightforward.

Hmm? That man… his name is Grey Brandt, right? Princess Philippa’s friend and sweetheart?

However... seeing that Princess Philippa was safe and sound, I was finally relieved... Although she looked more seriously injured, at least she was still alive and had been found by someone she knew.

But... how did he find his way here? Wasn't this place sealed off by the Demon King's power?

Phoenix's shock stemmed more from the strangeness of the situation and his deep-seated bewilderment.

The magic he had gathered slowly dissipated, his aged brows furrowed tightly, and his sharp gaze swept back and forth between Gray and Philippa, trying to see through the connection between them.

Grey Brant... an adopted son of the Brant family on the border, a friend of Princess Philippa, and nothing else special about him. He seems like an unremarkable young man.

But at this moment... his appearance in this top-secret demon stronghold, carrying the princess whose injuries had clearly worsened and whose condition was peculiar... this was no coincidence.

Their relationship seems far more complex and intimate than that of ordinary friends. But... how did he break through the spatial barrier to get here? What is his connection to the Demon King and this secret realm? This matter is shrouded in mystery.

The three individuals' distinct psychological states clearly reflect their different personalities, their relationships with Philippa, and their level of understanding of the current situation.

Without exception, Gray Brandt's appearance here in this way brought them great confusion and deeper doubts.

They both realized one thing.

When Philippa called a halt, they naturally obeyed; this was a sign of their trust and obedience towards the princess and their squad leader.

But what about those powerful, well-coordinated black-robed figures who had driven them to the brink of defeat? Why did they stop? Philippa's words could not possibly command these enemies who were clearly elites under the Demon King's command.

So, there's only one answer left—they listened to the male voice that shouted "Stop!" at the same time as Philippa, the voice that belonged to Grey Brandt!

This conclusion, like an ice pick, instantly pierced the nerves of the three people who had just relaxed slightly because of Philippa's appearance.

Grey Brant, the adopted son of a border nobleman and Philippa's friend in the capital, how could he possibly command these ferocious black-robed warriors to cease their attacks with a single order in this bizarre demon king's stronghold?!

A terrifying conjecture, which they vehemently resisted yet now seemed perfectly reasonable, uncontrollably surfaced in their minds, bringing a suffocating premonition and chill.

And in the very next second, as their pupils contracted and their hearts tightened, what unfolded before their eyes completely confirmed their worst premonition—

At Alpha's silent signal, the eight powerful men in black robes turned in unison toward Gray at the entrance.

They ignored Phoenix and the others who were nearby, and instead bowed slightly to Gray, who was holding Philippa, with an extremely respectful and even pious attitude, giving a simple yet meaningful greeting.

"Lord Demon Shadow..."

"Boss!" (The maverick dog)

Their movements were perfectly synchronized and silent, yet more impactful than any commotion.

That was by no means the proper attitude towards a "friend who accidentally stumbled in"; it was clearly... the absolute obedience and awe shown by a subordinate when facing a supreme ruler.

Taric's giant axe crashed to the ground with a clang. His massive body swayed, his face drained of color, and his mouth opened but no sound came out. Only his wide eyes were filled with the bewilderment of a worldview collapsing.

Sofia's jealousy and anger froze instantly, transforming into utter terror and disbelief. She looked at Gray, who was being respectfully bowed to by the man in black, then at Philippa in his arms, weak but seemingly unsurprised. A terrible thought chilled her to the bone. "No…it can't be…he…could he be…?"

Even the most experienced and thoughtful Master Phoenix underwent a dramatic change in expression, his aged eyes flashing with unprecedented brilliance and horror.

He stared intently at the figure of Greyna shrouded in black robes, and all his previous questions—why was he able to appear here? Why was his relationship with Philippa so intimate yet strange? Why could he command these powerful figures in black robes?—seemed to have a single, and most terrifying, answer at this moment.

That being they had been searching for, guarding against, and regarding as their ultimate enemy...

The mastermind behind their forced abduction to this place...

That being known as the "Demon King"...

Could it be... that he's been lurking around Philippa all along, under the guise of "Grey Brandt," remaining hidden from human sight?!

A tremendous shock overwhelmed the three of them like a tsunami, leaving them frozen in place, almost unable to think.

A deathly silence filled the air, leaving only the eight bowing black-robed servants, Gray standing silently accepting their reverence, and Philippa in his arms, creating a bizarre scene that could overturn all their understanding.