For the time being, I was allowed to enter the elves' hidden village.
　Since I made Puppy my companion, demons have stopped attacking this village - when I told them that fact, they welcomed me as if I was a god. It's kind of embarrassing to be lifted up to that level, on the contrary.
　The old men in the village thanked me, and the children, although they didn't understand it well, were worshipped by them as if they were trying to imitate the old men. I don't have any taste for being worshipped by elves, who are not related to me or my family, and I don't want to be told to "measure up" to them. It would just be awkward to be worshipped.

　But the problem is my future.
　Puppy says that all the demons in this forest follow me. Everything in this forest is under Puppy's control, and I control him, so it's only natural. It's a form of subordinate's subordinate.
　The problem is that those demons don't have free will, though.

''Hmmm...''

　Even with only Milo and Gilanka in tow, the priest I met at the Ruins of Rilkara - Marin - was severely surprised by me.
　It's not that I'm insane either, and I'm probably a threat in general, having a demon in tow. Even Alisa had tried to attack me at first.
　That's not just Milo and Gilanka, but all the demons in the forest, including the dragons, are under my command.
It's not just a threat anymore, it's a natural thing to be feared on the level of a demon king.

''What's the matter, Lord Noah?''

Yeah?　Oh, no, I don't know what I'm going to do now.

'Oh...'

　By the way, it's Alisa's house now.
　When I said I wanted to take some time to think about it alone, Alisa showed me to her home. As expected of a hidden village, or should I call it a hidden village, the structure of this house is completely different from the human village.
　It's the same in that it's made of wood, but it's not divided into rooms. A house is a single room, and within this room, there is a kitchen with a fireplace and water pot, a bedroom covered with cloth, and a living room with a fireplace and chairs. Only the toilet is blocked out, but it is also in a cloth hanging from the ceiling.
　While sitting in such a chair, I face Alisa, who is sitting in the other chair.

'Actually, I've been wanting to settle down somewhere in one place.

Is that so?

Yes. Yes. I was thinking of buying a house in a village and living there on my own. You see, I can get demons to join me, so wouldn't it be fun to leave the farming and other tasks to demons?

I see. Well, that's certainly a way of life, isn't it?

　'Yeah,' says Alisa, nodding at me.

'I've been traveling all this time. Well ... well ... uh ... for a lot of reasons.

Why would that make you feel better?

We won't be able to get into the human city or anything with a demon in tow.

'Hmm I don't think anyone would refuse to live in this village. In fact, I'm sure they'd rather welcome you.

　I think for a moment about Alisa's words.
　I am the Puppy's master who rules this forest. That's why the Puppy said that no more demons would appear in this village.
　Then it might not be a bad idea to settle down in this village. I don't have to go back to my parents' house anymore. I'm sure they think I'm dead because I haven't contacted them for five years.
　If we're going to settle down here, then I don't think we need to worry about people being afraid of the monsters. And since it's a hidden village, there won't be any other humans coming, so it's safe.
　When I think about it, it doesn't seem like a rather bad suggestion.

Then I'll do that. Alisa, who is going to be the head of this village, or rather the representative of the village?

You're the head of the group, you're the elder. You want to meet him?

Yeah. I'll ask him if it's okay for me to live in this village.

Perhaps you'll be welcomed with open arms.

　Alisa stood up and headed for the exit. I follow her.
　As I walked through the not-so-wide village, the smiles on the children's faces as they played were soothing. I wish I hadn't had to deal with the old men working on the farm who stop and bow every time they see me, though.
　I've already had enough of that.

Here it is.

　And the house that Alisa led me to.
　It was a house that seemed to be the largest in the hidden village. The size of the house is the same, but the top is also very high. The front door is wide enough to accommodate Miro.
　Incidentally, Miro and his friends are the gatekeepers at the entrance to the village. It's not that the demons are attacking, but as expected, having demons walking around the village would be stressful for the elves.

''Elder, please excuse me.''

I'm sorry to disturb you...

Hmm.

　With Alisa, I opened the door to the house of such an elder - and the one who was there.
　It was a wrinkled old man who seemed to be even older than the old men who were kneeling in front of me a moment ago, worshipping.
　His body was as thin as a dead tree, and his face, deeply wrinkled, showed his age. Yet, he never seems weak - somehow, proud.
　While rubbing his white beard, the old man - the elder - looks at me.

I've heard about it. Lord Demonslayer.

It's a pleasure to meet you, elder. My name is Noah Whitefield.

''You don't have to be so awestruck we should rather be grateful to you. Thank you so much for saving this village from a crisis. No matter how many words of thanks I can say to you, there is no way to repay this favor.

No, no...

You're not required to be modest, Mr. Teufel.

　Kakaka," the elder laughs like a good-natured old man.
　His atmosphere is soft and his personality is easy to talk to. I was a little nervous about meeting a great man, but I felt relaxed about it.

Thank you very much. So....I came to ask you for a favor...

'I will do whatever I can to help. If it will lead to a thank you to Master Noah.

Yeah well actually I'm trying to sit down in one place.

Oh, wow.

So, I thought it would be a good idea if you would let me settle down in the village.

I see. No, no, no, no. No one will refuse. In fact, they will all welcome it.

　This is a hidden village for elves.
　Considering Alisa's attitude at first, I thought that a human settling in the village would cause a backlash. Even though I have saved the village, I am still just a traveler passing through.
　I thought that if I told them that they would suddenly become a member of the village, there would be some opposition.

''You don't mind?''

Yes. I can't argue with that. I've heard many stories. That the dragon that occupied the top of the Holy Mountain was turned into a mate by Noah.

Oh, yes.

I hear that's why we won't be attacked by demons anymore. Some people in the village are even suggesting that we should take down the fence to expand our farmland to avoid the demons. However, even if Master Noah is gone, there is no guarantee that demons won't come and attack our village. If you are willing to settle down in our village, we don't have to fear the demons. In fact, we'd rather ask you to do it for us.

　I see.
　It's true that if I go somewhere, Puppy will have to follow me. And there is no guarantee that the demons will not attack even if Puppy leaves.
　I can understand that it would be safer for me to settle down in this village.

Then, be my guest. Where would you like me to live?

There is a disused house on the outskirts of the village. I will give it to you. You are free to dispose of the blighted farmland in that area.

Are you sure you're okay?　Farm rights and all that...

We Elves don't care so much about our rights. Those who can farm, farm, and share the produce with others, that's what makes us happy.

I see.

　And so my profession was to change, despite the fact that I did not use the book of job changes.
　From here on out, I would live a more gradual life.

　This is where the villager Noah Whitefield was born.