The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

Daughter: Mayra wasn't born from a relationship with any man. She was a clone created by her using magic and the power of the Demon King. She was someone who shared life and death with her. That's why Mayra was immortal from a young age. Of course, that relationship was severed long ago; the two no longer share life and death. Mayra lost her immortality, but she also will no longer die with the Demon King. Naka explained to Mayra in detail that the "invisible umbilical cord" connecting them had been severed by the Demon King himself.

"So from now on, you must be careful in everything you do, and take care of your safety, Mayera... You don't have a second chance now. If you suffer a fatal wound, you really will die..."

Naka was worried that her daughter would act recklessly again, taking advantage of her immortality, so she kept reminding her. But as she spoke, Naka stopped talking.

This seemed to be repeatedly emphasizing that Mayra was unreliable. Furthermore, whether Mayra could accept this fact, and how she truly viewed the fact that she had no father and was merely a part of her mother, was unknown to Naka. After hearing her explanation, Mayra remained silent. Her expression showed no change or emotion. Was she happy? Sad? Unable to accept it? Indifferent? Even Naka couldn't guess, as Mayra remained silent.

But no matter what her daughter thought, Naka had absolutely no way to interfere. Mayra's birth was an unexpected result of her impulsive attempt to test the effects of the Demon King's power; Mayra was merely forced to bear the consequences of her own whim. Even if she expressed her inability to accept it and wanted to sever this false mother-daughter relationship, Naka had nothing to say.

After all, they were never really "mother and daughter" in the true sense.

Fortunately, it's alright.

"It's not a big deal..."

Mayella finally spoke, her tone tinged with relief. It seemed that losing her immortality wasn't such a bad thing after all.

"...Sister Tatia, Sister Pais, and Xiaoya...None of us are immortal. We all relied on this one and only life to survive until today, until we met...Even if life is only once, I'm just starting on the same starting line as everyone else. It's more unfair that I, with my immortality, have so many more chances to start over...Including Mother."

At that moment, Mayera turned to look at her mother. Her expression held a gentle smile.

"Mother isn't immortal... She also survived by fighting desperately, enduring the inevitable death, right?... So for me, even if I lose something like that, there's nothing to regret. Rather, because I only have one chance, I'll cherish this last life even more, and value every day from now on. This life, which I only have one left, must be lived to the fullest, without regrets, so that when I leave this world, I can be happier and more at peace~"

"Mayera........"

"To be honest, even if Mother hadn't said anything, I would have already suspected it."

"Huh?"

"After sleeping with Xiaoya a few times, I discovered that something that had broken off in my lower body hadn't regenerated; it remained open... At that time, I wondered if my immortality had disappeared... or something like that~"

"........."

"Hahaha~ Mother, your expression is so funny! It looks like you have a few live loaches stuck in your throat~"

Mayera laughed heartily, teasing Naka, who was experiencing mixed feelings.

Although Naka did acknowledge the relationship between Mayera and Mayajie, she never imagined that two such young girls could have developed to this point in such a short time, while she herself had remained pure for over a thousand years... The younger generation is truly formidable. Now Naka understands the meaning of that phrase a little better. It can only be said that Mayajie truly lives up to her reputation as Malthus's daughter. In some ways, the father and daughter are indeed very similar.

"Is that so? So I'm just a fragment of my mother's magic and soul... a tool used by successive Demon Lords as a fighting instrument and a substitute..."

While laughing and saying things that weren't exactly funny, Mayella turned her gaze back to the lakeside.

The question that had been unanswered for so long was finally resolved, and this feeling of relief was incredibly comforting.

Yes, that makes sense. As long as the Demon King is alive, he will never die and can fight to the very end. Using him as a biological weapon is simply perfect.

Knowing this, her mother still bestowed upon her the title of princess, confined her deep within the castle, and taught her the most basic knowledge, etiquette, and even skills like singing and dancing, keeping her away from strife and bloodshed...

"I said, Mother..."

Thinking about it this way, the unfair treatment Mayella had previously experienced didn't seem so abhorrent anymore.

"...Mother, why didn't you use me as a weapon in battle...?"

"....because........."

"Please tell me the truth, Mother...wasn't this the very reason you invited me to come on the boat with you?"

"...Because for me, there's no need to use you in this battle..."

"Oh... anything else?"

"Because... to me, you are like a version of myself far removed from conflict. I want to see what I would be like if I hadn't been born into that kind of environment, but instead as a young lady, a princess of a country..."

"Hmm... is that all?"

"besides....."

The last reason was difficult to say, but if it wasn't stated, it wouldn't be considered a genuine attempt to show sincerity to her daughter. Their relationship would always be shrouded in a layer of "hypocrisy." And now, Naka wanted to shatter all that hypocrisy completely.

So even though it might offend Mayella, Naka still told the final truth.

"...Because...I can use you to shut up those who advise me to marry other monsters and have offspring..."

"oh....."

After hearing this, Mayella let out a long sigh of relief and nodded as if she had suddenly understood.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally turned around. And what Naka saw on her daughter's face was the most innocent and pure smile.

"That's wonderful, Mother!"

"Eh...."

"I believe you. I believe that everything Mother said just now was true and without any falsehood... Therefore, I am very happy!"

As she spoke, Mayera took Naka's hand.

This was the first time she had taken her mother's hand voluntarily, knowing Naka's true identity.

"Although I had some doubts at first, and I was very wary... now I completely understand! Mother truly wants to change herself... truly wants everyone to be happy, which is why she has come this far! I now completely understand why Sister Tatya is so devoted to Mother! Although you have made many mistakes in the past... now you are on the right path!"

"...Mayera...thank you..."

She softly called her daughter's name, expressing her gratitude. A few tears, unnoticed, slid down Naka's face.

She didn't end up where she is today to gain anyone's forgiveness. Rather, she did those things to alleviate some of the pain in her heart. Because when she recalled what she had done—to Tatia's people, to Mayera, and to so many more innocent people… just thinking about them caused Naka unbearable heartache. To escape that feeling, she became who she is today.

But Mayera's words were a salvation for Naka.

Although she couldn't atone for all her sins, at this moment, Naka finally realized that what she had done wasn't worthless, nor was it merely an act to satisfy herself or alleviate her pain.

She truly conveyed her good intentions and indeed reaped the rewards. That's enough.

Not only Tatia and Jasmine... but even their daughters, Mayajie, Lushus, and others have proven this truth through their current situations and attitudes towards themselves. Regardless of initial intentions, as long as you truly do the right thing, you will inevitably receive the right reward. The more effort you put into doing the wrong thing, the more miserable you will become.

This is the lesson Naka learned from the "story" she personally experienced and played the lead role in.

"Honestly, Mother is such a crybaby~"

Meanwhile, Mayera continued to joke playfully, reaching out to wipe away Naka's tears.

"Ah~ Tonight was such a happy night~ It was the first time I'd ever had such an open and honest chat with my mother alone~ Heh....."

The ship docked, and the mother and daughter disembarked and slowly walked towards their current residence, strolling through the streets of the capital city late at night. Mayera happily raised her arms and then yawned.

"I'm a little sleepy..."

Although the perceived time didn't seem very long, they were only informed upon disembarking that they had been drifting on the lake for three hours. They needed to buy another ticket. The mother and daughter paid the extra fee before finally being allowed to leave. It was already quite late. The streets were practically deserted.

"...Um, Mayera...I have something I'd like to discuss with you..."

In this environment, Naka suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Could you... come with me back to the Demon King's castle...?"

"Huh?"

"No, I don't mean to lock you up again! It's not that... Not only you, I also want to invite Malya to come with me."

"Huh? Why?"

"...Today is your fourteenth birthday. Also, exactly one month ago, I ended the relationship between us that shouldn't have been a normal mother-daughter relationship, severing that 'umbilical cord,' and it's today...No matter how you look at it, today is a very memorable day..."

In fact, Naka had already made the preparations a month ago. She wanted to save it as a surprise for Mayajie and Meila. And now was the perfect time to reveal it.

"Same-sex marriage isn't officially recognized in the human kingdoms, so there's no way around it. But in the Demon Kingdom... in my country, anything I approve of becomes law. It doesn't matter who the two people are, whether they're the same sex, their ages, or even if it's polygamy or polyandry... as long as I approve, their marriage is valid in the Demon Kingdom. In my country, I can control everything... so!"

Although it's a somewhat bold idea, it seems like there's nothing more suitable as a "birthday gift" for my daughter.

"I wish to hold a formal wedding ceremony for you and Maya in my Demon Kingdom! As the Demon King, I officially permit you and Maya to become partners in the Demon Kingdom!"

A daughter's wedding dress pose, a daughter's wedding ceremony... this is probably the scene a mother most wants to see.

Author's Note: Recently, many family members have contracted the virus, especially my mother who has had a persistent fever for several days, which has been very worrying. Therefore, I've been feeling quite down. I'm truly sorry for the delayed update. I also hope that all readers will take care of their health.

This update may be the last one of 2022. Happy New Year in advance! We look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.

# Settings and other miscellaneous content

The character rankings at the end of Volume One

Naka (disguised)

Occupation: Saintess? Race: Human

Lv: 4

Power: 7

Defense: 8

Sensitivity: 4

Mana: 11

Skills: Basic Healing Magic, Intermediate Healing Magic, Physical Enhancement Magic, Detoxification Magic, Basic Magic Attack Barrier Magic (Skill effects are linked to mana).

Nama Karenla

Occupation: Demon King? Race: Demon

Lv：∞

Strength: ∞

Defense: ∞

Sensitivity: ∞

Magic: ∞

Skills: Demon King's Authority (not magic, but a special ability that only the Demon King can use) Demon King-level All-Attribute Magic (Magic is divided into four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and supreme. Only Karenla, as the Demon King, possesses Demon King-level magic above the supreme level.)

Jasmine

Occupation: Saintess? Race: Human

Lv: 2

Power: 7

Defense: 5

Sensitivity: 2

Mana: 6

Skill: Basic Healing Magic

Taqia

Occupation: Warrior? Race: Elf

Lv: 9

Power: 41

Defense: 46

Sensitivity: 40

Mana: 4

Skills: None, Crimson Lotus Ichimonji (when equipped with Fairy Paradise), Azure Aura (when equipped with Fairy Paradise), Golden Battle Axe (when equipped with Fairy Paradise), Fairy Paradise (when equipped with Fairy Paradise)

The Power of the Demon King

This is an ability that only the Demon King can use. It is unlike any other magic.

Because only the Demon King possesses this ability, it is considered proof of his status. Rather than saying "because one becomes the Demon King, one can use the Demon King's power," it's more accurate to say "only a demon who possesses the Demon King's power can become the Demon King." Upon the death of the current Demon King, the Demon King's power automatically transfers to the most qualified living demon to become the Demon King. In the history of the Demon World, there have been instances where demons who acquired this ability refused to become Demon King, causing the Demon World's development to be slower than that of the human world and the elven kingdom, resulting in several periods of stagnation. However, usually, the most qualified to become the next Demon King after the Demon King's death is the best of the former Demon King's protégés, who have served the former Demon King for many years. The phenomenon of "not wanting to become the Demon King" is relatively rare.

Each Demon Lord in history has attempted to study the principles, form, origin, and inheritance of this skill. However, none have succeeded. The current Demon Lord, Nama Kalena, has also failed to uncover the truth. Therefore, the existence of the Demon Lord's power is considered a tacit top secret among Demon Lords. Apart from a few demons, lower-level demons and other races such as humans and elves are unaware of this ability.

The Demon King's powers are divided into seven categories: Disguise, Creation, Breakthrough, Enhancement, Insight, Wormhole, and Perception.

Disguise allows a Demon Lord to freely change their appearance and race, cleverly concealing their identity. However, disguise isn't simply about presenting a false appearance and abilities; it's a genuine alteration of one's powers. After using disguise, the Demon Lord's abilities are completely reset, and they cannot use other powers while disguised. Therefore, a Demon Lord becomes exceptionally weak during disguise. Even Naka, whose original abilities were virtually limitless, is merely a human saintess in disguise, nearly killed by a slightly stronger monster.

Wormholes are spatial teleportation abilities, unlike teleportation magic. They allow for instantaneous travel between two locations. Because it involves moving between coordinates, even if the Demon Lord is imprisoned in a sealed room, this ability can easily allow him to escape. Like disguise, wormholes also have drawbacks, such as "only allowing travel between locations the Demon Lord has visited; it cannot travel to places the Demon Lord has never been" and "consuming a large amount of stamina after use."

The ability to discern allows the Demon King to see through the abilities of any race of creatures without the aid of any tools, using only his naked eye. This includes their level and various stats. However, he cannot see the skills they possess. Therefore, Naka is also trying to evolve this ability, but so far, there has been no substantial progress.

The title of Demon King is more than just a title. Becoming Demon King signifies a leap forward in status and position. To ensure that one's strength matches this elevation, the Demon King's power also possesses the ability of "Breakthrough." This ability can break a demon's own limits, allowing them to reach new heights that could never be achieved through their own efforts alone. The previous Demon King's level was 85 when they became Demon King, and this ability propelled them to 91. Before becoming Demon King, Naka had already reached the highest level, Lv100. This is the maximum level achievable solely through personal effort. There is no level 101 or higher. However, the moment she became Demon King, Naka's stats were boosted to an unprecedented Lv∞. The existence of Lv∞ itself remains a mystery to Naka. It can be said that the only confirmed method to reach Lv∞ is currently the Demon King's power—Breakthrough.

"Enhancement" is not a power like the Saintess's "Physical Enhancement" that temporarily strengthens the target's abilities using external force. Instead, it uses the Demon King's magic as a catalyst to activate all the potential abilities the target currently possesses. Since the increased abilities are all inherent to the target, they will not be detected by any instruments or experienced adventurers.