We began our rounds—or rather, a stroll—through the castle.
Passing subordinates in the corridor, we exchanged greetings as we crossed paths.
Their gazes, as always, were fixed on Yura perched on Grom's shoulder.
It was clear they were curious, but they wouldn't dare stop us to touch her.
Grom maintained a courteous demeanor toward me, but with others, he was somewhat haughty.
His overall atmosphere and tone were far more fitting for a Demon King than mine.
As a result, he was often perceived as unapproachable.
He was considerate, so he wasn't disliked, but people hesitated to speak to him casually.
Come to think of it, Grom held the second-highest position in the Demon King's Army.
He could be called my effective right hand.
For ordinary subordinates, he was an entity beyond reach.
Even setting aside his temperament, he was simply someone not easily familiarized with.
"By the way, have you heard, Your Majesty?"
As we proceeded near the dining hall, Grom spoke up as if remembering something.
I had no idea what he meant, so I asked back.
"Heard what?"
"It seems the Empire has lost all its territory and perished."
"Is that so?"
I responded calmly.
It was the first time I'd heard this information, but it wasn't exactly surprising.
I'd always thought that situation would lead to destruction sooner or later.
The Empire's imperial capital had been annihilated following the rampage of the Great Spirit.
The damage was immeasurable.
Among the victims were the Emperor and other national leaders.
Under such circumstances, it was impossible to maintain proper governance.
Geographically, the Empire was surrounded by other nations.
No country would extend a helping hand to the Empire, which had done as it pleased until now.
The Empire was overrun without even a grace period to rebuild.
I consider this a natural progression, so I'm not particularly concerned with the Empire's downfall itself.
However, the conflict over the Empire's territories was a problem.
Currently, surrounding nations were seizing territory, but I was watching for the inevitable clashes over the shares.
That was the development I was concerned about.
Minor skirmishes, I'd let slide.
But if it escalated into a full-scale war, I would have to intervene.
I needed to strike the involved nations and make them understand this wasn't the time to be fighting over territory.
As I pondered measures for each country, Luciana walked up from ahead.
She looked at me with mild curiosity.
"My, my. What's everyone gathered here for?"
"Individual name Luciana answering—perimeter patrol. Searching for new dangers or issues."
"Hmm... patrol, I see."
Luciana shot me a meaningful smile, her gaze fixed intently on me.
Perceptive as she was, she had likely realized this was not just a casual stroll.
I gave a small nod in affirmation.
Luciana turned to Yura with a gentle smile, praising her.
“Finding work for yourself? That’s commendable. You’re far more diligent than the Bone Minister.”
“You… seem to have a talent for provoking my wrath,” Grom growled, trembling.
Miasma seeped from his body, radiating an oppressive pressure that would collapse an ordinary person.
Luciana, however, deliberately feigned innocence.
“Oops, did the truth make you flustered? My apologies.”
“Why, you little—!” Grom roared in fury, lunging toward Luciana.
But Yura’s hand came to rest atop his head.
Her tone was flat as she stated, “Detecting rise in killing intent and mana levels—individual designated Grom, issued warning: conflict within the castle grounds is prohibited.”
“Guh…” Chastised, Grom stopped, looking vexed.
Yura’s statement was correct, and he had no rebuttal.
Luciana was looking triumphant in her appearance, but upon seeing Yura, she suddenly clapped her hands together.
"Oh, that's right. Yura, this is for you."
What Luciana produced from inside her clothing was a small vial.
Inside was a blue liquid.
Luciana stood on her toes and handed it to Yura.
Yura accepted the small vial and stared at its contents.
"Analyzing the liquid's composition — it's a magic-restoration potion, isn't it."
"Yes, that's right. I made it sweet as an experiment. Why don't you try drinking it?"
"Acknowledging directive from individual named Luciana — commencing potion intake."
Yura removed the cork from the small vial and brought it to her face.
She had no visible mouth for eating or drinking.
Yet when she tilted the vial, its contents gradually diminished.
She must have been absorbing it through some means different from ordinary consumption.
Once the vial was empty, Luciana turned to Yura.
"Well? How does it taste?"
"Confirming taste of ingested substance — it's sweet and delicious. I appreciate the potion."
"Good. I'm glad you liked it."
Luciana retrieved the empty vial with a pleased expression.
Had she brewed that potion specifically for Yura?
It seemed she was looking out for Yura in her own casual way.
Perhaps I was the one who seemed most indifferent of all.
Ignoring my doubts and self-reproach, Luciana waved as she passed by.
"Well then, I've got other work to do. Demon Lord, good luck with your patrol. And Bone Minister, make sure you look after Yura properly."
"I understand! I do not need the likes of you to tell me—I will handle it perfectly!"
Grom replied with great vigor.
The moment Luciana disappeared around the corner, he made a motion that looked like a sigh.
"...Honestly, that succubus is always so insolent."
"It seems you two are close, which is good."
"What are you saying? My relationship with that woman is certainly not—!"
Grom waved his hands frantically as he shouted. He seemed quite eager to deny it.
Yura placed her hand on his head.
"Warning to individual Grom: causing a disturbance in the corridor is a nuisance. Volume reduction is recommended."
"I-I'm sorry..."
Receiving another reprimand, Grom hung his head and apologized.
Perhaps this was a familiar routine. It looked like something they did regularly.
Somehow, I could picture it.
Having parted ways with Luciana, we reassumed our stroll. Along the way, Grom introduced a new topic of conversation.
"Changing the subject, I hear the Holy Staff Nation and the Magic Nation have concluded a peace treaty. A formal announcement is still a little ways off, but it seems they are to form an alliance aimed at subjugating the Demon Lord."
"Oh? That is most intriguing."
I find myself interested in this new report.
When I inquired Grom for details, it seemed the Holy Staff Nation and the Magic Nation had moved from a ceasefire to a formal peace treaty.
The agreement was to cooperate until the current Demon Lord was destroyed.
The two nations had only recently been engaged in fierce warfare.
Exhausted by it, both had likely determined their conflict shouldn't drag on any longer.
Thus, raising the banner of subjugating their common enemy, the Demon Lord, they skillfully brought the war to an end.
This was not a bad development.
No, it was nothing less than ideal.
From the start, the shape of the world I envisioned was being realized, albeit in a limited way.
It was a good thing I hadn't rashly destroyed both nations.
Had I utterly ruined them beyond recovery, this day of receiving such a report would never have come.
"If only the world continues to move in the form the Demon Lord desires, all will be well."
"Precisely."
Having a precedent for peace was significant.
In the future, should other nations find themselves in a similar predicament, this thought was sure to cross their minds.
Whether it would be adopted or not remained to be seen, but at the very least, it now stood as an option.
It was a welcome change.
(If the Holy Staff Nation and the Magic Nation are to maintain good relations, we must lend our hand as well...)
It would be troublesome if relations soured suddenly and the peace was broken. I want to engage in backroom dealings in various forms so that it won't be apparent that it was the Demon Lord's doing. If the cooperation between the two nations runs smoothly, the possibility of other countries imitating them will rise. I'll consult with Luciana later about this. This is different from a simple war of conquest. It needed to be handled more delicately. I think the Demon Lord's army will continue its sinister activities in step with the world's progress.