Fortunately, tsunderes excel at keeping up appearances.

So far, Isabella had never slipped up embarrassingly in front of Roy.

Unlike Succubus Princess Sophia.

Who’d flash V-signs anytime, roll her eyes back, and stick out her tongue.

Wearing that adorably desperate expression: *"This body can’t possibly leave Your Majesty the Demon King, nyaa~"*

The elven maid merely bit her plump lower lip, silver teeth glinting slightly as she stifled a moan.

"M-Master..."

"T-This place... isn’t proper..."

"I’d think so too."

"!?"

"Let’s talk elsewhere, Isabella."

"I’ll answer anything you wish to know."

"... "

Strangely, Isabella seemed almost disappointed.

But she *was* curious why her master had suddenly left Demon King’s Castle to live here as a human.

And about his relationship with that golden-haired girl!

Isabella’s ears trembled faintly.

She lowered her lashes, casting delicate fan-shaped shadows on her cheeks.

"Yes, my master."

"*Eep!*"

The next instant, a flustered squeak escaped her.

Roy had effortlessly swept her into a princess carry.

Startled by the sudden weightlessness, the Elven Maid instinctively curled against his chest.

Two frantic heartbeats echoed between them.

*Thump-thump. Thump-thump...*

Uncannily in sync.

"Hold tight," Roy murmured.

Isabella’s heart hammered wildly. Her pale hands clutched his shirt instinctively.

Then, phantom wings—ethereal, violet flames without form—materialized behind Roy’s back.

Shielding Isabella in his arms, he stepped lightly onto the windowsill.

Silent magic flared: the highest-tier concealment spell, erasing their presence completely.

Together, they leapt into Eoliel’s night sky.

Wind tousled Roy’s hair, yet Isabella’s skirt stayed perfectly still—

Roy had layered a gravity seal over her.

*Sorry, Newton. You don’t rule here.*

Moments later, atop Saint Aurora Church’s bell tower.

The district’s finest viewpoint—where dawn’s blush and sunset’s glow painted the horizon.

A romantic spot for shy lovers.

Where countless first kisses were stolen.

Roy and Isabella landed gracefully.

"Master... the *church*!"

But Isabella missed his romantic intent entirely.

Her eyes darted around—human churches meant exorcist priests.

Danger for her master!

"It’s just a Radiant Church branch. No terrifying old monsters here."

"Even if there were... wouldn’t I protect you, Isabella~?"

Her cheeks flushed crimson. Warmth flooded her—body and soul—

leaving every inch drenched in comfort.

"O-Of course Master can protect me..."

"Exactly~"

Roy smiled, taking her small hand.

Though he looked the younger one,

Isabella had zero defenses against him.

Utterly at his mercy.

"Nice view, right~?"

"Compared to Demon King’s Castle’s gloomy grandeur."

Even this ordinary human town—with its red-brick homes, crisscrossing streets, and bustling markets—

felt strangely welcoming.

By day, warm sunlight would make it thrum with life.

Roy wasn’t a traitor to Demonfolk.

He simply believed demons shouldn’t *have* to be what others called "evil."

Their lands didn’t need to be cold, grim, or terrifying—

just because every race said so.

Centuries passed... until even demons themselves accepted these stereotypes.

Isabella gazed at the moonlit town below, her eyes distant.

Undeniably, such peace made one dream of settling here with someone beloved.

But she shook off the fleeting fantasy.

"Demon King’s Castle is where you belong, Master."

"*Our* home."

"Pfft. You’re an elf, Isabella."

To her master’s surprise, she bristled instantly.

"I’m an elf... but *only* Master’s elf!"

She still flared up at any mention of Elvenfolk.

That childhood betrayal had carved too deep.

Roy’s heart ached. He stroked her silver hair.

Isabella bowed her head, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Of course. You’re *my* elf alone."

Only then did her trembling ease.

"Now, Isabella—why do you think I brought you here?"

She shook her head slowly.

"...Master must have reasons beyond sightseeing."

"Sightseeing matters. But this church’s name—Saint Aurora Church—what does it remind you of?"

Roy’s smile deepened.

Isabella’s breath hitched.

"Saint Aurora? The Hero who defeated the Demon King centuries ago!?"

"Precisely. Aurora, blessed by the Goddess of Light. After slaying the Demon King, she was sainted—worshipped for generations."

"What if I told you... another Hero blessed by the Goddess of Light will soon rise *here*?"

"Would you believe me, Isabella?"

Her face drained of color.

*Suddenly leaving the castle...*

He must have learned of the Hero’s coming. *Confirmed.*

All her hurt over his secrecy vanished—replaced by searing dread.

*Hero.*

The Demon King’s natural enemy. An eternal nemesis.

A Hero’s rise meant this Demon King could lead Demonfolk to conquer the world—

a ruler all demons should revere.

But Isabella felt no pride. Only terror.

Because her gentle, kind master...

would become the villain standing against *all* races.

*He’s not evil!*

"*Who is she?!*"

"I’ll kill her for Your Majesty the Demon King!"

A bow of pure light materialized behind Isabella. She nocked an arrow blazing with holy energy.

...Hard to imagine an elf—master of sacred light—

whose body and soul

were utterly devoted to the "evil" Demon King.

To every other race, she was simply...

*demon-tainted.*