The man was opening and closing his mouth, probably searching for words.

　What are you saying, what a ridiculous thing to say, you're mistaken.
　Maybe he was ...... trying to say something like that, but he could see the certainty in Allen's eyes.

　When he closed his mouth as if in resignation, the man let out a sigh.

How did you know ...... is a foolish question?
I don't think so.

　It was only half a coincidence that Allen noticed it in the first place.
　He was bored, so he looked around the square and felt like there was a child he hadn't seen before, and then he realized that the appearance wasn't that of an elf, so he looked with his all-knowing mind just to be sure, and found out that it was a demon.

　Or it is possible that the man could have come a little earlier and not even noticed it, so it must be closer to saying it was a coincidence.

You're going to be able to find out if it's a coincidence or not.
"......?　Yeah, what's that ......?

　He smiles at the man who gives him a questioning look.

　It may have been a little confusing, but it's true.
　As I told Henriette the other day, the devil had messed with me, but I'd already paid for it.
　You're going to be able to find out what you can do with it.

I'm not so much interested in demons as I am in the fact that there are other species mixed in here. I'm told elves are closed off. It's not like they're guests by all appearances.

　What's more, it's a demon that continues to destroy other countries, of all things.
　Allen has no separation from the devil, but that's it.
　Facts exist as facts, so how could I not care?

　I haven't heard the words directly, but given the circumstances, it's natural to assume that the elves were annexed by the empire.
　And while the empire is no different in its repeated invasions of other countries, the empire does not destroy the other country, even if it conquers and annexes it by force.

　It is similar to the devil, but in reality, they are very different.
　The empire is reasonable and will accept surrender, but the devil is not.

　But despite the presence of such a demon, the elves seem to have no problem with it.
　That's what I meant when I said I was curious.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier. It's a good thing that you're able to get to know them, and to some extent, there's no problem to talk about them here.
"Hmm ...... I see. So Henriette is involved: ......

　That's what Allen thought was going to happen.

　Two things Allen had predicted beforehand.
　There was one possibility that the elf had a history with the demon, and another possibility that Henriette had done something.

　These were the only two that came to mind: ...... The latter was the one that came to mind.

"By the way, does that have something to do with the fact that there are only children as far as I can see?
...... That's right. You are indeed a friend of Lord Henriette's.
"I don't think it's that big of a deal. It's what it looks like.

　Yes, at least as far as Allen could see, the only people who could be demons were children.
　It's a bit of a stretch to think of that as a coincidence.

It's hard to determine how much ...... can be said here, but she was the first to tell me that she wanted them sheltered here.
I'll hide it, or ......, I guess this would be a great place to hide, right? And when was that, by the way?
I think it was about three years ago.
"Oh, that was before Henriette came over there.

　When it comes to harboring a demon, the assassination of the emperor inevitably comes to mind, but apparently there is no connection.
　It's not too early to assume that they are unrelated: ...... You should ask them directly.

　But even leaving that aside, there was something that bothered me.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it.　No ...... didn't rebound?
"It didn't happen and it didn't happen. We knew it was necessary.
"Hiding the Devil?
No, that's not the point. No, that's not what's important. Master Henriette has given us hope and offered us another way. Just because we managed it this time, doesn't mean it won't happen again. Therefore, it's time for us to change.

　Indeed, even if we can avoid it this time, we can see it happening again sooner or later.
　Doing something about it means--

You mean, so that they can grow on their own?
That's the way it is. We've been so satisfied with ourselves that we've been okay with it. But we all agreed that this had to change. Of course, not all of us agreed wholeheartedly, and we still have our grievances, but ...... we had experienced that despair. We probably wouldn't have accepted it without it.

　Whether it's a good thing or not is not for Allen to judge.
　If they're okay with it, and they accept it, that's fine.

Also, the fact that some of the people I mentioned earlier have become interested in the outside world has had a lot to do with it.
I see. It's true that the opponents of other species are in a sense the biggest outsiders, and once you've experienced it, you'll be less resistant to it next time. But if this is changing, is the day when we won't need a king any longer?
"I can't say anything about that. Nor do I understand why our ancestors could not have grown up on their own in the first place.
"That's for sure,

　Since it's Henriette, they must have some kind of proof, but from their point of view, it's not.
　It is natural that you can't be sure of that.

It's just that I don't think what I'm doing now is a waste of time, and I don't intend to stop. ...... I'm not going to go back to that life, they say.


"I see. ......

　The man's face was vaguely pained, which brought a wry smile to Allen's face.
　It is often said that once you get a taste of luxury, you can't go back to your old life, and it seems that the same is true for elves.

　Men are elves too, but each of us has our own sense of that.
　You will find that you can get a great deal more than just the king's deputy, or maybe the man has a hard time with such things.

I'm sure you've got a lot to learn about ...... but what did you come to me for in the end?　You didn't come here to talk about that, did you?
Hmm, I've seen that. Actually, I was going to ask you to tell me about our king: ......
You mean, you're like all the others?
No, mine goes a little further, or it's more to do with us. To put it simply, will our king be our king?

　It's hard to understand in words, but in essence, it's whether or not Noel will become the King of the Elves.

　I think I should ask Noel directly, and I glanced at him.
　Confused is the closest word for it, but surely it's not because he's being treated as a king.
　Of course, some of that is still there, but this is because the conversation we just had with Aren and the others should have convinced us that this is the case.

　You're going to be able to find out what you should do with your fellow man, which is why the confusion is surely about how you should interact with your fellow man, which you have not been exposed to before.
　However, being treated as a king does not mean that you have accepted it. ......

"Well, I don't think Noel will be king, frankly. I don't have the character ...... and being king of the elves means you'll be living here, right?
"No, ...... is not necessary or not necessary.
"Oh, really?
If you're convinced that you're the king, the distance doesn't matter. Never heard of a stray elf never growing up?
Speaking of which, doesn't ...... also have some duties as a king or something?
I'll take care of that. In the first place, we cannot leave it to someone who does not know all the details, even though we are the king.
"...... certainly

　So the man felt burdened by his inability to develop everyone, including himself, while looking like a king?

　And if so, it's entirely a matter of whether or not Noel accepts to be king.
　Noel will be able to live his life the same as before.

　Nevertheless...

...... Still, it's hard to say whether you'll take it or not. It's a good thing Noel is here, or else he'd be bothered by the fact that he doesn't have to live here. Then you might just choose not to accept it. Well, in the end, it depends on how well you can convince them, right?
"Well, ...... thanks for the valuable feedback. I'll take a look at it.
I don't think I'm being too predictable.

　But as if that was really enough, the man had a vaguely satisfied look on his face.

　After watching him, Allen turned his attention to Noel again.
　Surrounded by many elves, his eyes narrowed in confusion, and he let out a small breath at the unexpected situation, wondering what would happen now.