The Elf Journey In The Western Fantasy World
Chapter 166: The Demon King, the Steward, and the Wallflower Elf

Chapter 166: The Demon King, the Steward, and the Wallflower Elf

It’s no wonder everyone else always threw anything that couldn’t be solved with brute force over to Sebastian.

Honestly, that seemed like the happiest way to live!

Anos broke into a pleased smile.

Having finished stoking the flames, Illiya quietly returned to being the silent decorative flower-vase background wall.

He said nothing, reduced his presence, and did his best to make everyone forget he was even there.

As this background-wall-elf resumed quietly observing his surroundings, he happened to glance sideways—and saw the Demon King beside him suddenly grinning for no reason, the expression on his face slightly twisted.

Even catching a glimpse of it gave Illiya the chills, as if a cold wind had swept past.

Who could possibly guess what terrifying, perhaps even bizarre thoughts were running through Anos’s mind at that moment?

Either way, the elf knew absolutely nothing.

Yes, nothing at all.

In short, whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t his fault.

Elves never took the blame and never dropped the pot to someone else.

Once Anos made up his mind, he immediately turned around and started heading back at full speed, aiming straight for the palace study—where the overworked and overburdened Sebastian was surely still toiling away.

When the door was suddenly slammed open from the outside and striking the wall with a loud bang, even someone with nerves as steely as Sebastian’s was startled out of his skin.

...To a demon deeply immersed in his work, that kind of shock was terrifying.

For a brief moment, it dragged him back to the days before the current Demon King had appeared.

Why was he suddenly feeling nostalgic?

Without even looking up, Sebastian didn’t pause in his writing. He continued moving his pen swiftly while speaking at rapid speed.

"If you’ve got something to say, say it. No stalling. Say it in three sentences if you can. I’m not here for stories or emotional outbursts. So, which is it? Did your eastern neighbor accidentally take your land? Did your western neighbor mock you? Did your northern neighbor rough you up? Or is your southern neighbor living a better life than you? Which one are you?"

"If it’s none of the above, then is it something that needs my decision? Or is it family drama? Or a work-related matter? The first two are not my responsibility. For the third, go find your own superior. Don’t come to me. We don’t pay them for nothing..."

Anos hadn’t even had a chance to open his mouth before his ever-loyal head steward bombarded him with a whole basketful of words in return.

The fluency with which Sebastian delivered that long string of lines... It was obvious he used them often on other demons.

Had it been any other demon listening, they would have probably understood the cue and quietly turned around to leave. But Anos wasn’t just any demon. And more importantly, he hadn’t come here over trivial matters.

Anos cleared his throat strategically, preparing to say something that would surprise his ever-serious steward.

"Ahem... Sebastian—"

"Oh, it’s you, Your Majesty?" Sebastian’s hand paused mid-writing the moment he spoke again. He looked over, his face suddenly taking on an unprecedented seriousness. "I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you at once. That is a failure on my part as your steward. This was my mistake."

Anos felt his brain swell the moment he heard that.

He was seriously terrified of how these people could declare themselves at fault over the smallest thing.

Really, not recognizing him right away wasn’t a big deal.

It definitely didn’t warrant an apology.

But he also knew he couldn’t say that outright.

If he did, things would only become harder to deal with.

In the worst case, it might even reach the level where Sebastian would try to offer his life as penance.

How did he know this? Because it had nearly happened before. He’d almost lost one of his most loyal subordinates over something just like this.

What a miserable life he led.

But things were different now!

He—Anos!

Was now a seasoned expert! He would never make such rookie mistakes again!

Anos opened his mouth with confidence.

"No, it’s—"

Before he could finish, Sebastian cut him off again, "Your Majesty, there’s no need to comfort me. This really is my dereliction of duty. You don’t have to be so merciful. You’re far too kind-hearted."

As he spoke, he even gave the Demon King a look full of disappointment—like a teacher disheartened by a hopeless student.

Anos who is now completely speechless: "..."

Absolutely dumbfounded.

He felt like he had painstakingly trained himself in a new skill, only to find out at the moment of truth that he’d never get a chance to use it.

Completely hopeless.

But he still had one last move left—choosing not to argue.

Arguing was pointless. In fact, it would only lead to being verbally dragged in circles by this bunch of demons whose intelligence spiked dramatically whenever they dealt with their king.

Don’t ask how he knew. That knowledge was built on blood, sweat, and tears.

Anos wisely played his last card: "...So, Sebastian, do you know why I’ve come to see you today?"

Sebastian whose having been asked a direct question, immediately fell into contemplation—clearly tossing aside the earlier episode without a second thought.

Anos knew very well: it doesn’t matter how old a trick is—as long as it works, it’s a good one.

Previously, he had watched as His Majesty the Demon King and the long-time background-wall elf, Illiya, headed toward the experimental field.

So now that His Majesty had suddenly returned, could it be that something had gone wrong over there?

No, that wasn’t it. The experimental field was fine.

If something had actually gone wrong, His Majesty would never be standing there so calmly, waiting for his answer with such a good mood.

As someone who held a Level 10 certification in the Study of Demon King Behavior, Sebastian understood very clearly what each of the Demon King’s actions signified.