The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

"Eh...why...?"

The insectoid monster danced with joy, while the elven girl pouted in dissatisfaction. Sarchubas pressed for an answer.

"Why did the Demon King make this choice? Is there a reason?"

The reason is actually very simple: whenever the Demon King sees Tatia, a chill runs through his body, and goosebumps immediately appear. He answered tremblingly.

"Going with Tatia... I have a feeling it would be very dangerous..."

"Very dangerous? Oh dear, could it be that the Demon King's wife...? The Demon King's wife said so! What do you think?!"

"Hehehe......."

"No, why don't you deny it?"

The host, Sarchubas, the Demon King, and the audience all joined in making sarcastic remarks to Tatia, who was grinning foolishly.

The conversation ended quickly. Finally, the main topic was about to begin. Sacciobas took out the question board and introduced it...

"The final round will be a quiz show where you answer 99 questions about the Demon King! Each question is worth one point, and the first contestant to reach 50 points wins! Are you ready, both of you?"

"......."

Diaz and Tatia sat beneath the neon-lit panel, leaning forward, their hands and scythes already hovering above the buttons, ready to press them down at any moment. They had no time to answer Sacchus.

"Alright! Both contestants have answered our questions with their actions! Let's begin! First question!"

Sacciobas began reading the questions aloud from the whiteboard. The Demon King, praying that it wasn't anything more shameful, also pondered along. The first question, the very first one, read as follows:

"May I ask what the Demon King's measurements are...?"

"Wait a minute!!! This is the first thing you do..."

"Ding-dong"

As the Demon King roared and shouted with a flushed face, one of the buzzer buttons was also pressed.

The person next to the one flashing with colorful light, signifying that she had gotten the question first, was the elven heroine, Tatsia. She answered without hesitation.

"From top to bottom, 80! 56! 83!"

"How did you know that?!"

"Correct answer!!"

"Don't be right! Wouldn't that mean the whole world would know?!"

The crisp, melodious music rang out, signifying that Tatia had taken the first point. Ignoring the Demon King's shouts from the sidelines, she skipped and hopped around, revealing an innocent smile and uttering words that seemed both naive and not entirely innocent.

"Great! Wait for me, Naka! I've already prepared the bathwater for you!"

"Are you going to devour me alive?!"

Diaz, who had lost the initiative, gritted his teeth in resentment and slammed his scythe heavily on the table.

"You wretched elf! What kind of lewd looks do you usually give His Majesty the Demon King! How dare you answer so decisively! I thought His Majesty's bust size was 77..."

"You should say less too!!!"

She thought Tatia alone was dangerous enough, but even Diaz, who usually seemed so honest and composed, was no pushover. The Demon King muttered a couple of complaints before letting out a heavy sigh. The very first question had already exhausted her.

It seems that in this foolish competition that has kept the Demon Queen on her to a standstill, these two contestants, each with their own ulterior motives, have even more humiliating and unexpected answers waiting for her.

Author's Note: Before officially starting Volume 4, I need some time to revisit the outline. Additionally, some readers have commented that the ending of Volume 3 was rather heavy, with too many angst and a lack of sweet moments. Therefore, today I'm presenting a short story with an "IF" scenario, primarily focused on lighthearted entertainment.

This story feels somewhat like a parallel universe spin-off. The main difference from the main story is that Tatia here already knows Naka's identity as the Demon King. The main story is still a long, long way from that... I'll be updating similar "what if" spin-offs from time to time, aiming to depict stories different from the main story and to show scenes and plot points that couldn't be shown in the main series. Stay tuned!

IF·Tia vs. Diaz: Another Showdown (Part 2)

The very first question exposed all of the Demon King's embarrassing secrets, and she couldn't imagine what other dangerous information about herself she didn't want anyone to know was lurking behind. She could only silently pray to the gods, hoping that one of them would reach fifty points as soon as possible to end the competition early, lest something unexpected happen.

Whether her prayers failed to reach the gods or whether the wicked gods deliberately opposed her, the duel between Diaz and Tatia, who knew each other inside and out, can only be described as evenly matched and mutually exclusive.

"What were the first words the Demon King spoke when he became Demon King?"

"It's 'Where's the toilet in the Demon King's castle? I need to pee!'"

"Diehard answered correctly! Now, next question: What does the Demon King like to be called the most?"

"Sister Naka!"

"Tower's answer is correct! Next question, fifty-seventh: What does the Demon King do when he's short of money?"

"Go find Lord Farn and have him increase her quota!"

"Buzz! Diqin answered incorrectly! Oh, Taqin pressed the buzzer! So, Taqin, answer!"

"Ask Sister Jasmine!"

"Tower King answered correctly! Question 58! What is the Demon King's favorite skill to use in battle?"

"Dark World Spiral!"

"Didi answered correctly! Next question! What's the Demon King's recent trouble?"

"Sister Naka wants to improve her singing skills and become an idol like Sister Succubus, but she's tone-deaf!"

"Taqin's answer is correct!"

.........

And so, their relentless chase continued. The audience, and people all over the world, roared with laughter and cheered as the questions unfolded, eagerly anticipating what other interesting questions would come next and what new and surprising aspects of the Demon King they would hear.

At first, the Demon King still had the energy to loudly complain, but gradually she began to give up resisting and thinking. She simply slumped into her chair, motionless, staring blankly ahead. Perhaps closing herself off to escape the shameful reality was the only option she could now choose.

The score difference between the two on stage never exceeded three points. Both harboring deep feelings for the Demon King, neither was willing to concede to their seemingly kindred spirit, repeating the cycle of leading, being overtaken, and then relentlessly chasing. Both Diaz and Tatia firmly believed that they would ultimately emerge victorious.

In the end, the Demon King's dream of an "early end" was completely shattered. The score was now 49-49. All 99 prepared questions had been answered perfectly. Sarchubas had revealed everything, both what others could and didn't want to know, leaving the Demon King with a complete picture. He also learned how much information Diaz and Tatia, who usually seemed so well-behaved in his presence, had secretly gathered about him. The only lesson the Demon King learned from this match was the self-admonition to "be extra careful around these three."

"Alright! No matter who wins the favor of the goddess of victory in the end, whether the result is joy or sorrow, the next question is the real final question, and it will determine the true winner! Everyone! Are you ready for the finale!?"

"Oh oh oh oh oh!"

The heated quiz competition reached its most crucial moment, and the atmosphere in the audience was electric. Coupled with host Saccio Bass's skillful crowd-pleaser, the venue, though only a few dozen people, felt as noisy as if it were filled with the cheers of thousands.

At this moment, Diaz and Tatia, who had never looked at each other during the match, finally locked eyes for the first time. Two enormous compound eyes stared at the elven girl, and the elven girl stared back at the enormous insect. Diaz was the first to speak.

"You, you've got some skills, elven brat. In all these years, I've truly never met anyone who can match my dedication and passion for His Majesty the Demon King. You're the first..."

"You are too, General Diaz. I thought I knew Naka very well, but there's still so much information that I don't know, yet you do..."

"If someone didn't truly love His Majesty the Demon King from the bottom of their heart, they wouldn't have been able to get to this point, would they?"

"We all value Naka's character in this way; it seems we're all the same."

"Perhaps we really are quite similar... It seems that not choosing to kill you quickly back then was the right thing to do... I'm even thinking of waiting until you come of age so we can go for a drink together and have a long talk about the Demon King in our hearts..."

"hey-hey..."

"Hmph..."

Their first meeting was marked by swords drawn, a fierce battle. Now, sitting together, locked in a battle of wits, the two share a complex and unspoken connection. Remarkably similar in essence, they exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each other's thoughts. It was the joy of finding a kindred spirit... and also the confidence to defeat the other.

At this moment, the same sentence echoed in both of their minds.

"But there's one thing I absolutely will not give up to you: Sister Naka/Your Majesty the Demon King!"

Just as the two were preparing for their final moment, the final battle began.

"The last question means our show is almost over, and I'm feeling quite lonely! But today's main characters aren't me, but the two contestants. It's our responsibility, and that of our viewers, to witness the final battle and remember it! Alright!!!! Without further ado, here's the final question!!! Contestants, please listen!"

As she spoke, Tatia and Diaz simultaneously reached for the buzzer, their nerves on edge. Even if it was just 0.001 seconds, they had to press it before the other person.

Finally, the final question was released.

"Who is the Demon King most hoping will win this competition?"

"Ding-dong"

Diaz was the first to seize the last chance to answer a question. He roared at the top of his lungs.

"Me! Me! Me! Didn't Her Majesty the Demon King say before the competition even started that she wanted me to win!"

He smiled contentedly after giving his answer, while Tatia, who was a step too slow, lowered her head in deep regret. Thus, the outcome was definitively decided.

But...

"Bubu! Diqin answered incorrectly!"

The cheerful music announcing the end of the match didn't play in time; only Sarchubas's mocking, malicious laughter told Diaz he might have been celebrating too soon. This result completely surprised Diaz and Tatsia. Tatsia looked up in surprise and delight, while Diaz, transformed into a young human male, rushed forward, grabbed Sarchubas by the neck, and roared...

"What are you doing, Sarchubas! Didn't Her Majesty the Demon King say before the match that she hoped I would win because that elf boy was a bit dangerous? I couldn't possibly be wrong! And I should remember the elf boy too!"

"Wow! Using violence against the host is against the rules and will result in being kicked off the show, dear!"

"cut..."

Normally, Diaz was already a step below Sarchubas in strength, and today Sarchubas was the host, possessing the power to kick him out. Diaz didn't dare to cause any more trouble and obediently released his grip. Although somewhat dissatisfied, if the Demon King wanted someone other than himself to win, then Diaz could only think of one person.

"Ding-dong"

"....Oh no!"

Just as he was about to answer the question again, he suddenly realized how foolish his act of running out of the contestants' seat had been. Compared to him standing in the middle of the stage, Tatia, as his opponent and the only possible answer, could have pressed the buzzer faster and more directly. Diaz lost his last chance due to a moment of impulsiveness, and when he heard that Tatia had taken his turn to answer, he knelt down in despair.

With victory seemingly within reach, Tatia spoke excitedly, her tone no longer as composed as Diaz's earlier.

"It's me! Naka-nee's favorite is still me!"

If it wasn't Diaz, then it could only be another contestant, Tatia. At that moment, almost everyone present, including Tatia herself, thought so. Diaz was no exception.

But...

"Boo hoo! Even Taqin answered incorrectly!"

".....Huh?"

"What?"

The question, which seemed to have only two possible answers, received responses that both prepared answers were wrong. Tatia, Diaz, the audience, and everyone watching on their cameras worldwide fell silent. The two, who practically knew the Demon Lord inside and out, exchanged bewildered glances. Neither of them could come up with a new answer; they were completely stunned on stage.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention that."

In such a quiet environment, only the sweet, heavenly voice of Sacciobas could be heard.

"The answer to this question was already asked of the Demon King herself during the preliminary rounds of this competition, and she wrote down the answer herself! The question asked of the Demon King earlier was merely for the sake of the show and has no legal effect! Everything is based on this answer!"

As she spoke, she pulled an envelope from her bra. The word "Answer" was written in large letters on it. Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn to it.

"Alright, both contestants, please start answering!"

"....."

The announcement said the quiz could begin, but there were hundreds of thousands of participants in the preliminary rounds, and none of the people Takia and Diaz knew were competing. Besides these two, who else could the Demon King possibly predict as the winner? This was an unsolvable, ultimate question for the two. As a result, after Sachibath announced the quiz would resume, Diaz and Takia could only stare at each other blankly, neither pressing the buzzer.

Time ticked by. When the time limit was up, neither contestant had provided the correct answer. Finally, Sacchubas said regretfully...

"Unfortunately! Time's up! Neither of our two contestants answered correctly! So the result of this match is a tie!"

A chorus of gasps of surprise erupted from the audience. The odd number of questions had been prepared precisely to prevent a tie. Yet, even so, the score remained 49-49. The 50, the ultimate victory, remained elusive, a mere illusion.

Although it was very regrettable that no winner was decided, Tatia and Diaz immediately asked in succession.

"Hey! Sacchus/Succubus sister! Who is it?! Who is the Demon King/Naka sister who wants to win?!

They weren't those who claimed to be the Demon King's most loyal subordinates, nor those who claimed to be his most beloved lovers. They simply wanted to know who this person, whom the Demon King considered superior to them, was. Seeing their anxious expressions, Sarchubas deliberately kept them in suspense.

"So who could it be? Actually, I do know."

"So just tell me already! Don't keep me in suspense!"

"Yes, yes! Who is more important to Naka than me... Succubus, if you know, please tell us!"

One started baring his teeth and claws, seemingly preparing to force Sarciubasi to reveal the answer, while the other began playing the victim. Under this combination of soft and hard tactics, Sarciubasi had no choice but to abandon her playful attitude and reveal the real answer to everyone.

She stuck out her tongue apologetically at the two of them, then decisively tore open the envelope and took out the note written by the Demon King himself. Then, she loudly announced the name of the person the Demon King truly wished to win:

"The person His Majesty the Demon King wishes to win is Princess Meera, who did not participate in this competition!"

".....What?"

"ha?"

Even after racking their brains, the two of them never imagined that the correct answer to the last question would be someone who wasn't even qualified to participate and wasn't even watching the competition in person. So, even if they recited the names of hundreds of thousands of people, they obviously wouldn't be able to answer correctly.

Leaving the two whose bodily functions had almost completely ceased, Sarciubasi jogged towards the ever-stern-faced Demon King and asked...