I’d Rather Be Healed by a Pure-Hearted, Beautiful Demon Lord Than by a Yandere Saintess! ~Even if I Run Away, the Yandere Saintess Keeps Coming After Me. If I Get Caught, It Seems Like I’ll Be Forced Into an Engagement!?~

Sweet Apple Candy

Life in the Demon King’s castle had been surprisingly peaceful.

My position had firmly settled as “the Demon King’s personal chef and, for some reason I didn’t quite understand, an amazing strategist (provisional),” and I enjoyed the executives’ deep trust.

Ever since that night when nightmares had tormented me, Lucilphia had taken to checking on me from time to time, out of concern for my well-being.

Each time, she would hurriedly activate her tsundere mode with a “I-I’m not worried about you at all!”—and that had become a daily source of healing.

No longer did I cower from Saintess Erixia’s shadow; calm days flowed by.

Then, one afternoon after lunch, Lucilphia paced around me restlessly, as if she had something to say.

“…Yukina.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Well… You still haven’t properly seen my territory, have you?”

“Eh? Oh, that’s true. I’ve been inside the castle the whole time.”

“H-Hmph! That’s no good! If you don’t know the wonders of the land I rule, your work as a strategist will be dull!”

She pointed sharply at me and declared it, her face flushing red.

“Th-Therefore! Today, as a special exception, I’ll let you accompany me on an inspection of my castle town! It’s strictly an inspection! Not playtime at all! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

…She emphasized it so much.

From the shadows of the pillars behind her, Lilith and the others sent supportive glances, as if cheering “Demon King, do your best…!”

At this point, I could safely interpret it as an invitation to a date.

“It’s an honor, Lucilphia. I’d be delighted to accompany you.”

“U-Uh! Then prepare yourself! We’re leaving right away!”

When I agreed with a smile, Lucilphia’s face lit up brightly, and she hurried back to her room.

One hour later.

To avoid drawing attention, we donned hooded robes and arrived in the castle town.

The castle town in the Demon King’s domain was nothing like the blood-and-violence ruled place I had imagined.

Various races—beastmen, elves, dwarves, goblins—coexisted, forming a bustling market full of life.

The buildings lacked uniformity and felt cluttered, but that very chaos gave off a unique charm.

“Th-This is amazing… It’s so lively, and everyone looks happy.”

Of course. I rule it, after all.

Under her hood, Lucilphia puffed out her chest with a hint of pride.

But her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she glanced around eagerly. It seemed even she hadn’t strolled through the castle town like this in a long time.

“Wh-What’s that?”

What Lucilphia pointed to was an apple candy stall. But it wasn’t ordinary apple candy. The candy part glowed faintly in rainbow colors.

“It’s ‘Wisp’s Tear Candy.’ Eat it, and your body will glow a little.”

The wolf beastman vendor explained it amiably.

“Gl-Glow…!?”

Lucilphia’s eyes shone.

…She seemed extremely interested.

“Could I have one, please?”

I paid and bought a glowing apple candy on a stick, then offered it to her.

“I-I didn’t say I wanted one…!”

“It’s a rare ‘inspection’ opportunity. Knowing the local specialties is important too.”

“…Hmph. I-Is that so? Well, then, no helping it. I’ll just taste a bite.”

With that most plausible excuse, she nibbled at the apple candy with her small mouth.

In that instant, her cheeks glowed faintly, just like the candy.

“…………!! It’s delicious!”

Lucilphia stuffed her cheeks with the apple candy, beaming with a full-faced smile. In that moment, she wasn’t the dignified Demon King but an ordinary girl her age.

Watching that innocent smile warmed my heart too.

After that, we enjoyed our inspection-turned-date by gazing at skewered, twitching lizardman tails or browsing a dwarf’s weapons shop.

Just then, a child’s cry came from the square.

Looking over, a small oni child seemed to have lost his mother and was sobbing quietly.

“…Let’s go, Yukina. This doesn’t concern us.”

Lucilphia said that once and turned away. But after a few steps, she glanced back. Her feet had come to a complete stop.

As I watched silently, she let out a big sigh, as if giving in.

“…Ah, geez! Fine! How can I, the Demon King, ignore one of my subjects crying!”

In the end, she ran to the child, awkwardly but kindly called out to him, and began searching for his mother together.

In that figure, she wore the face of a splendid ruler who truly cared for her people.

Soon, they found the mother safely, and the child thanked her with “Big sis, thank you!” by handing her a black flower blooming by the roadside.

“B-Big sis…!? I-I’m the Demon King…!”