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

Meanwhile, in the distant attic, the members of the "tracking team," who had just begun enjoying their meal,

Seeing that the target had already left the store, there was a brief moment of chaos.

With a French fry dangling from his mouth, Kappa mumbled through the mental link, "Wait, wait, wait! How did they get here so fast?! I've only just started eating!"

Sofia was so anxious she almost jumped up, still clutching half a hamburger in her hand: "What?! They're leaving already?!"

Alpha calmly issued the order: "Quickly finish your meal, keep your distance and observe...."

Suddenly, the pace of chewing and swallowing in the attic noticeably quickened, with everyone frantically dealing with the food in their hands...

……

Leaving the "Kenken Chicken" restaurant filled with the aroma of fried food, Gray took Philippa's hand and began their afternoon date.

Their first stop was the Bifengling Grand Theatre. This magnificent theatre, built with funding from the Grand Chamber of Commerce, was staging a romantic love story adapted from an ancient legend.

Gray had booked a private room on the second floor in advance, which offered a great view and was relatively quiet.

As the curtain rises, magical special effects and the actors' superb performances draw the audience into a story filled with destiny and choices.

Philippa was quickly drawn into the story, her emotions rising and falling with the characters' joys and sorrows, and her eyes even welled up with tears at the touching parts.

Gray wasn't particularly interested in the plot itself, but seeing Philippa's focused and emotionally invested profile, he felt the trip was worthwhile.

He could even clearly hear, from the shadows not far away, a pink-haired succubus giving real-time "spoilers" and commentary on the plot through a mental link, as well as Sophia's empathetic low-pitched curses at the "villains who hinder the male and female protagonists" in the show.

The stage play ended amidst applause and a few sighs. Philippa was still immersed in the afterglow of the story, quietly discussing the plot and character choices with Gray.

Leaving the theater, the sunlight was no longer glaring. Gray then took Philippa to experience several of the unique activities at the Bifengling commercial street.

They went to the experience area of ​​a large alchemy workshop, where, under the guidance of an instructor, they made simple, fragrant magical scented candles by hand. (Philippa made them very carefully, and the finished product was actually quite good. Gray, on the other hand, was so precise that it was as if he was preparing a potion. The candles he made were works of art, which amazed the instructor.)

They passed an open-air garden where a magician skilled in nature magic offered an experience of "communicating with flowers." Philippa tried it with great interest and was surprised to find that a cluster of mimosa plants actually unfolded its leaves on her fingertips, and a rose even bloomed for an extra moment, much to her delight.

Gray simply stood to the side, and the surrounding plants spontaneously appeared more vibrant, their branches drooping slightly as if greeting him, drawing curious glances from the mage.

They lingered at a stall selling magic crystals and trinkets. Philippa took a liking to a moonstone brooch that possessed a gentle purifying power, feeling that it matched Sophia's temperament perfectly. Gray, of course, used his privileges to snatch it up directly.

The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant throughout the afternoon. Philippa tried many new things, her face always beaming with curiosity and a happy smile.

Although Gray wasn't talkative, he patiently stayed by her side, and his occasional explanations and interactions felt natural and considerate. Their relationship had lost some of the initial awkwardness and tentativeness, and gained more tacit understanding and familiarity.

Of course, they weren't entirely unaware of the ever-present "tail" following them.

At certain moments, Gray could keenly sense those who were trying their best to hide their presence and gazes, and Philippa's intuition as a hero would occasionally make her aware of them as well.

But the two of them tacitly chose to ignore it, as if it were just part of the background noise, focusing on their time together.

As the sun sets, the clouds on the horizon are dyed a warm orange-red and a magnificent purple. The daytime hustle and bustle gradually subsides, and the flow of people on the commercial street begins to thin out.

Gray and Philippa unknowingly wandered into a relatively secluded place.

This is a small viewing platform built around the natural landscape. A babbling brook flows beneath your feet, and in the distance, verdant mountains are shrouded in twilight. The view is expansive, and a gentle evening breeze is blowing.

It was here that Gray and Philippa almost simultaneously realized that the sense of being watched from every corner that had been following them all day had quietly disappeared.

The surroundings became eerily quiet, with only the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the babbling of the stream. It was as if the entire world had shrunk to just the two of them.

Philippa was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked around.

Gray appeared much calmer. His gaze swept over several shadowy corners where he had sensed presence before, but which were now empty, and he understood.

'Alpha and the others... finally wisely left the scene,' he thought to himself.

Perhaps feeling that the long day of "observation" was enough, or perhaps believing that their solitude at dusk should not be disturbed, in any case, the dutiful (or perhaps gossipy) waiters, as well as the brave team members who were forced (or half-heartedly) to participate, finally chose to temporarily withdraw.

The disappearance of the surveillance team was like a silent signal, marking the end of this highly "highlighted" first date, a private affair that truly belonged only to the two of them.

The twilight light softened the outline of Philippa's profile. She seemed to realize something, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head gently, looking at the rushing stream at her feet, speechless for a moment.

The atmosphere, though quiet, subtly shifted.

Gray watched as a few strands of her hair were blown by the evening breeze, and softly broke the silence: "Did you... have a good day?"

"...Yes, I'm really happy."

Philippa's voice was soft, carrying a hint of dreamlike satisfaction.

She turned slightly to the side and leaned gently against Gray's arm. The two still held hands, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility and intimacy in the deepening twilight.

After realizing her feelings for Grey, she longed to spend such sweet moments with him like any other couple.

The entire day of the date was filled with novelty, laughter, and heartwarming moments, fulfilling almost all her fantasies.

'As expected... I'm so happy.' She confirmed it again in her heart, a warm feeling enveloping her. 'As expected, I... love Gray the most.'

However, the instant this thought arose, another chilling truth clung to him like a leech—'But… he is the Demon King.'

This perception is like a sharp thorn, always lurking beneath the sweet facade.

The chasm of identity, the opposition of fate, the future of the tribe... countless heavy realities weighed on her heart, tainting that pure affection with indescribable bitterness and struggle.

At the same time, Gray felt the strength of the girl's dependence beside him, and the subtle fatigue accumulated from a whole day of dating welled up inside him.

It wasn't physical exhaustion, but rather a slight mental fatigue from maintaining a "normal" state.

At this moment, beside someone he trusted, in this undisturbed twilight, he rarely let down his guard, and was in a state of complete relaxation, without any defensiveness.

'Stay a little longer, enjoy this moment of peace, then it's time to send her back.' Gray thought aimlessly, his gaze falling on the distant mountain silhouettes bathed in the glow of the sunset.

However, in that very instant—

"Pfft!"

A dull thud as a sharp weapon pierced flesh abruptly shattered the tranquility and warmth.

Gray's body stiffened abruptly, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints! An unimaginable pain exploded in his chest, engulfing his entire body and even briefly robbing him of his ability to think!

With a look of utter disbelief and near bewilderment, he instinctively looked down—

What came into view was a sword tip gleaming with a pure yet dazzling light, piercing through his chest.

He was all too familiar with that light; it was pure, unadulterated light-attribute magic, yet now it carried a chilling killing intent.

The style of the sword was the same light sword that Philippa had seen many times before, the kind he used to carry.

And the one who gripped the sword hilt tightly and plunged the sharp blade into his chest... was the soft, warm hand he had held all day.

Gray's gaze moved upwards along the trembling arm and landed on Philippa's face.

The face that had been flushed with shyness and happiness just moments before was now streaked with tears.

Crystalline tears, like beads from a broken string, rolled down her reddened eyes and down her pale cheeks.

She bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled, the immense pain and struggle distorting her beautiful face.

She dared not look Gray in the eye, but stared intently at the blade piercing his chest, as if she could not believe what she had done.

A choked, broken voice escaped from her trembling lips, filled with endless despair and grief:

"sorry……"