However, I am not powerless either. There are things I can do.
I think to myself while signing the documents before me.
Even as I ponder, I also scan their contents.
This is a skill honed from years of experience.
I was confident I could outpace anyone in speed-reading.
The nascent will of a new world trying to take root was fortunately still weak in influence.
It was still in its early stages of growth, and furthermore, the world's fragmentation had caused people's desires to become disunified.
My experimental initiative was proving unexpectedly effective.
The world's will could no longer converge as before and had ceased to be a major force.
When I first became the Demon Lord, I envisioned a scenario where I would be the sole, absolute supreme evil.
That was meant to foster unity among the nations.
However, people exposed to a threat inevitably wish for the Demon Lord's death.
This very unity of thought served to expand the influence of the world's will.
With the knowledge and information I have now, I can see that my method back then was a blunder.
If I had persisted, it would have ended in ruin sooner or later.
I would inevitably have ended up fighting a being I could not defeat.
Not just myself, but humanity as a whole would have suffered devastating losses.
In that regard, too, the fragmentation of the world was an excellent stratagem.
I intend to continue with it.
"This room hasn't changed, has it? It's the same as five hundred years ago."
"Ah, I've fixed its state to prevent degradation."
I respond to Grom's remark while setting aside the stack of documents I've been reviewing.
I've magically reinforced the parts that were starting to crumble.
This room is technically the audience chamber.
In reality, it's a spacious office, and it's never been used for its intended purpose.
For that, a different room was prepared.
There was even a plan to establish a dedicated office, but it seemed like a hassle, so operations continued as is.
I admit, I can be rather careless.
I tended to put off anything that didn't cause immediate practical problems.
Becoming undead, I may have developed a longer fuse.
Since no subordinate would strongly object, I've abandoned any thought of improvement.
That's right—five hundred years have passed since then, but I myself haven't changed much.
As an undead, I don't age, and I'm still buried in paperwork.
If I had to cite a change, my thinking has become slightly more flexible, and I've become more efficient, perhaps.
Being so busy, my heart has no time to wither away.
Personal growth is ultimately something like that, I suppose.
After bringing a temporary halt to the paperwork, I decided to take a walk through the castle for a change of scenery.
Grom is naturally by my side.
He glances out the window at the castle town sprawling below, and murmurs with delight.
"Now that is a splendid view, indeed."
"Absolutely so."
The castle town had been expanded in a planned manner.
Compared to five hundred years prior, it now covered roughly ten times the area.
The transport network was also developed, with horse-drawn carriages traveling along wide roads.
Moreover, spies disguised as sweepers patrolled the streets, diligently gathering information from various points while ostensibly cleaning.
Just after descending the stairs, Grom abruptly halted.
He showed a puzzled air and let out a low growl.
"Hmm, this presence..."
Grom's gaze was fixed on the corridor's corner.
A figure peeked out from there.
The person, flicking black-feathered wings, waved their hand in a fluttering gesture.
"Demon Lord Summer, it's been a while. Have you been well?"
The one addressing him in such a casual tone was Luciana.