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

When the three figures—one human, one demon, and one dragon—appeared unharmed at the entrance of the Grand Chamber of Commerce headquarters, the last ounce of anxiety in the hearts of the people gathered there finally disappeared.

(Although the three heroes didn't know why two of them went up to the [Heavenly Realm] and then brought someone back with them)

No need to ask, no need to verify.

The tired yet composed expression on Gray's face, the lingering shock and realization in Philippa's eyes, devoid of confusion and hostility, and the way White Scales affectionately nuzzled Gray's hand despite their listlessness—all of this silently proclaimed that unbelievable ending.

The journey to the Celestial Realm was a success.

The problem with the Goddess of Holy Light has been resolved.

Despite everyone being covered in dust, their faces bearing the exhaustion of disaster relief efforts, and some even bearing minor injuries, when Gray's gaze swept across the entire area, he clearly and calmly announced:

When the gods were vanquished, and everyone could speak freely, a brief, almost frozen silence was followed by an unprecedented roar of cheers and relief!

"As expected of Lord Shadow Demon!"

Even the most aloof of the ten Shadow Attendants, Alpha, showed a hint of relief in his eyes, and his tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

Beta let out a soft sigh, and the subtle magical fluctuations swirling around his fingertips subsided.

Aita's cat ears twitched excitedly, and her tail held high.

Even Sita, who usually doesn't show much expression, seemed to have a barely perceptible curve at the corner of her lips.

On the side of the Hero Squad, Taric slammed his fist heavily into his palm, his rugged face revealing a complex expression of excitement and disbelief, which finally turned into a long sigh that released all his pent-up emotions.

Sofia's blue eyes widened first, then she jumped up and cheered. She almost rushed over to hug Philippa, but was stopped by Philippa's pale face and Gray's protective posture. Instead, she patted Taric's shoulder hard.

Phoenix's reaction was more restrained and profound. He made no obvious physical movements, but the sharp, scrutinizing light in his eyes, which always seemed to see through everything, slowly settled, transforming into a deep sense of relief and understanding.

He habitually touched his brow with his fingertips, then his gaze lingered on Gray and Philippa for a moment.

Finally, a very slight nod appeared on his weathered face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

It was not simply joy, but a complex sense of comfort that came from witnessing a historical turning point and confirming the possibilities ahead.

Cheers, exclamations, and a few sobs continued for quite some time. Gray didn't stop them immediately; he understood that everyone needed an outlet for their emotions.

This is not just about the victory of an operation, but also about the complete breaking of a shackle that has lasted for thousands of years, and the piercing of the unreachable and oppressive sky above our heads.

As the commotion subsided, everyone's eyes returned to him, filled with anticipation, questions, and a yearning for the future.

Gray stood in the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over every face.

"After the joy, we need to face reality." His voice was steady, drawing everyone's attention back. "First, fulfilling our previous promises is also the way to resolve the most fundamental conflict between us—the destiny of the 'Demon King' and the 'Hero'."

He looked at Philippa, indicating that she could explain part of it herself.

Although Philippa was weak, her eyes were bright. She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and a pure and refined golden halo, more in tune with her soul than ever before, flowed through her palm.

"As you can see, I have regained my power, even stronger and more 'belonging to me'," she said clearly. "In the Celestial Realm, after Lord Grey... the Demon King slew the Goddess of Holy Light, he left behind a portion of the unclaimed essence of the rules related to the 'Hero's' legacy. I... reabsorbed it."

She paused, feeling the power truly rooted within her: "This time, it is no longer a 'blessing' bestowed by the gods that can be taken back at any time, but a power that is completely fused with my soul and truly belongs to me, Philippa. The mission and identity of the 'hero' have been solidified within me, and... are completely under my personal control."

Everyone listened with bated breath. Philippa had gained and fully mastered the power of the hero, which was undoubtedly a good thing, but it seemed to have only solved her personal problems?

Gray continued her words, his voice steady as he revealed the key point: "This solves the problem of the 'Hero's' source of power and independence. As for the 'Demon King'," he glanced at everyone, "the problem lies in its 'periodic birth' mechanism."

"The Demon King did not appear out of thin air. His birth depends on the accumulation and condensation of the Demon Clan's fortune over ten thousand years."

"But this time," Gray said with an unwavering certainty, "in order to forge the Demon King's Sword, in order to unleash that god-slaying strike, the demon race's accumulated fortune over millennia has been almost completely exhausted."

He paused briefly to allow the information to process before stating the most crucial point:

"As long as I am alive and hold the title of 'Demon King,' the remaining fortune of the Demon race will focus on me. There is no way or need to create a new 'core'."

“This means,” Gray’s gaze sharpened, “that the ‘Demon King problem’ that the Goddess of Holy Light has always relied on ‘heroes’ to solve periodically has been fundamentally eliminated.”

As long as I, the 'current' Demon King, exist, a new Demon King will not be born, and the cycle of world turmoil and conquest caused by the birth of a Demon King will be nonexistent.

The hall was silent.

Tarik and Sofia stared wide-eyed, trying to comprehend this operation involving racial destiny and rules.

Alpha and the other waiters nodded slightly, as they had anticipated or understood this.

Phoenix's eyes flashed, and he added in a low voice, as if annotating Gray's words: "So, this is not a simple 'defeat,' but... 'occupation' and 'end.'"

The Demon King, through his very existence, blocked the critical point of the loop restart.

Miss Philippa, on the other hand, had complete control over the other end of the cycle—the power of the 'Hero'. Both ends of the cycle were fixed, controlled, and… stood on the same side.

His tone was filled with deep admiration, which was far more sophisticated and thorough than mere military conquest.

“That’s right,” Gray affirmed. “Therefore, at the level of world rules, the triggering conditions for the periodic event of ‘Demon King Extermination’ have been effectively abolished.”

Between Philippa and me, there is no longer a destiny of life and death. Our individual will has overcome the instincts of our assigned 'roles'.

He looked at the members of the hero's team: "So, you can rest assured that Philippa's 'mission' has been accomplished in a more perfect way—she not only 'solved' the Demon King's (threat), but also fundamentally prevented the birth of a future Demon King. And I also got what I wanted—to end the cycle of being defeated."

This explanation is more specific, more fundamental, and more convincing than simply saying "deceived the rules of the world." It dismantles the inevitability of a destined showdown from the very foundation of power and existence.

“Of course,” Gray said, his voice steady and realistic, “this resolves the most pressing core conflict between us, one that is directly controlled by the gods.”

However, the estrangement and hostility that has existed between humans and demons for millennia, built up from countless deaths, hatred, fear, and misunderstandings, will not instantly dissolve simply because the gods have vanished or because a few of us have deciphered our destiny.

His gaze deepened, sweeping across the faces of all the races present.

"Profound conflicts still exist between the various races of the Prime Plane, especially between the human kingdoms and the demon territories."

Demons need living space and resources, and humans have a deep-rooted fear and rejection of them.

Friction and conflict are likely unavoidable in the short term.

He walked to Philippa's side, gently placed his hand on her shoulder, and looked at everyone with a firm gaze: "How to resolve this deep-seated hatred, how to rebuild trust from the ruins, how to guide the continent toward a new future... this will be a much longer and more difficult road than killing a god."

"This will take time, wisdom, and the efforts of countless people, and may even be accompanied by new frictions and sacrifices."

Gray's voice echoed clearly in the quiet hall, "It needs me and Philippa, it needs the Shadow Court, and it needs you—the heroes who know part of the truth, who have justice and a desire for change, and their companions, as well as all other races and individuals willing to work for this cause, to face it together and to explore it."

After the euphoria came the heavy weight of reality and responsibility. But this time, this responsibility was no longer an imposed fate, but the future they had chosen for themselves.

Gray concluded with a resolute certainty that pierced through the gloom:

"The gods have been slain, the shackles have been broken. The false opposition between the Demon King and the Hero has come to an end."

Although the road ahead will inevitably be fraught with difficulties, and the grudges and entanglements between humans and demons will require a long time to unravel... but,

He paused slightly, exchanged a glance with Philippa, and saw the same determination in her eyes. Then his gaze swept over each face—whether resolute, thoughtful, or expectant.

"The situation is now clear."

"We are no longer fighting for empty beliefs or imposed fates. From this moment on, we fight for ourselves, for each other, and for the true future of this world."

“The first step,” he said, looking out the window at the gradually calming but still desolate night, “is to clean up the mess before us and restore peace to Bifeng and the land beneath our feet.”

The night was still deep, but on the eastern horizon, there seemed to be a faint glimmer of light trying to pierce through the clouds.

The biggest shadow has dissipated; what remains is a path, rugged yet visible.