Three days had passed since the Demon Lord's army marched toward the Slave Autonomous Zone.
Everything was going splendidly.
They launched their assault without warning, and with overwhelming military force, they ravaged the interior of the zone.
A significant factor was likely Grom's ability to turn enemy soldiers into undead.
He was the one who possessed the miasma most abundantly after me.
Incidentally, this time they had experimentally deployed a magic cannon.
It wasn't a stationary type, but rather a mobile version where the cannon itself was fused with a carriage.
It had been successfully miniaturized thanks to the laboratory's efforts.
Mages would pre-fill it with mana, and several ogres would hold the main body down to fire it.
Having received a report from Grom via telepathy, it seemed to possess tremendous power, though several improvements were needed.
When I conveyed this to the director, she wept tears of joy.
She was apparently moved that it had proven useful in actual combat.
She said she would begin modifications as soon as she heard the detailed accounts from the returning Demon Lord's army.
Meanwhile, I was processing the documents brought before me.
If I let my guard down, they would pile up into a mountain.
The Demon Lord's territory always harbored various inherent challenges.
Among those, the number of cases requiring my judgment was immense.
Even while delegating as much as possible to subordinates, the volume remained this substantial.
If I were not an immortal, I would have died of overwork long ago.
(Ruling through violence alone is impossible, after all...)
While contemplating the difficulties of being king, the door to the room burst open with force.
The two who barged in were familiar figures.
"Issuing a warning to the entity named Dolda — cease the pursuit immediately."
Yura stated in a voice tight with urgency.
She glided across the floor as if sliding.
Chasing after her was Dolda, his two hands thrust forward.
Growling a savage voice from his wolf-like head, he advanced slowly.
"Neck... neck..."
"Requesting arbitration from the master — please stop the rampage of the entity named Dolda."
Yura could bear it no longer and took refuge behind me.
Dolda halted in front of me, tilting his head.
His eyes regarded Yura with curiosity.
There was no hostility; rather, a gentle gaze could be felt.
(I see...)
I vaguely understood the situation.
Dolda must have been chasing Yura as a prank.
However, Yura had been frightened by his ominous appearance.
Both actions were unexpected.
I hadn't thought Yura would be this fearful, nor had I seen Dolda engage in pranks before.
It seemed their feelings were developing in ways I hadn't grasped.
Impressed by that fact, I nonetheless reprimanded Dolda.
"Yura is frightened. You went too far."
"Correcting Master's harsh words—she is not frightened."
Yura, who had tugged at my sleeve, denied it immediately.
Though her features, with a puppet's radiance, made expression hard to read, she was clearly terrified.
I'm not so dense as to miss that.
"Neck... I..."
Dolda's shoulders slumped, and he turned on his heel with a slightly dejected air.
He then obediently left the room.
It seemed he was reflecting in his own way.
I told Yura.
"His method is a bit crude, but Dolda means no harm. I'd appreciate it if you could overlook it."
"Acknowledging Master's wish—I will make an effort to be tolerant toward the individual named Dolda."
Yura nodded, then suddenly fell silent.
She looked back and forth between my face and the room's door.
She appeared to be contemplating something.
As I wondered what was wrong, Yura abruptly declared,
"Reporting to Master—I will track the movements of the individual named Dolda."
"That's fine with me, but what for?"
"I will implement behavioral guidance. I have determined it is necessary for him."
The reason Yura gave was likely just the official line.
I suspect she was actually worried about Dolda.
She surely didn't want to treat her poorly either.
Calling it "conduct guidance" was very much like Yura.
The exchange between Yura and Dolda this time was probably akin to a childish squabble.
Just a simple misunderstanding.
If they could resolve it themselves, that would be best.
I shouldn't interfere too much or try to mediate.
Thinking this, I nodded quietly.
"That's a sound judgment. Go carefully."
"Then, I'll be off."
With a swift movement, Yura left the room.
This time, as if taking her place, Luciana appeared.
She was smiling cheerfully.
"I heard what you said. Little Yura seems to be having a hard time."
"It will be a good experience for her. There should be things she can learn from this opportunity."
"You sound just like a father. Wouldn't you be suited for parenting?"
Luciana said in a jesting tone.
I froze for a moment, but quickly replied.
"...A Demon Lord of the Undead playing father? That's no joke at all."
"I don't know about that. I think young Dwight would handle it perfectly well."
"Hmm..."
It was something I'd never even considered in my former life.
I couldn't picture myself having a family.
It was no longer something I could have.
Even setting that aside, it felt far too distant and unreal.
I'd have to admit my temperament wasn't suited for raising children.
I had no confidence I could do it well.
Developing new spells seemed infinitely easier by comparison.
After that, Luciana and I started on our administrative work in silence.
This, too, was an everyday scene.
No matter how many times you finished one task, more would arrive.
There was no pausing.
Partway through, a subordinate brought a report to Luciana.
Reading it, her expression clouded slightly.
It seemed to be bad news.
"Hey, Demon Lord."
"What is it?"
"A pack of magical beasts seems to be rampaging in the southern part of our territory. Several towns have been attacked, they say."
"Magical beasts?"
I spoke with a tone of suspicion.
Magical beasts are mutated forms of monsters—reasoning-less creatures.
They are extremely difficult for humans to contend with, and the most powerful among them can surpass even demonic species.
Their nature is akin to a natural disaster.
However, magical beasts were not something that appeared often.
Even in my life, I had fought them only on a few occasions.
The idea that such a being would form a herd was unthinkable.
This was clearly an anomalous situation.
(Incomprehensible. Was this sent by someone?)
The reason behind this situation intrigued me, but I had to prioritize responding to the magical beast.
This was a problem that could not possibly be handled by humans.
If left unchecked, the town under attack would surely fall.
I couldn't very well abandon it.
"What should I do? I think it would be over quickly if I went."
"No, I will go. I'll capture the magical beast and investigate the cause."
"Will you take someone with you?"
In response to Luciana's question, I thought for a moment.
Shortly after, I voiced my answer.
"I will have Yura accompany me. There should be no issue with me present."
The damage was occurring in a human town.
It's not just about using force, nor is it such a complex problem that I need to hesitate in my judgment.
It should be a good opportunity to teach her where she lacks.
If something happens, I can handle it.
After weighing all my motives in my reply, Luciana showed a meaningful smile.
She rested her chin on her hand and looked over at me.
"I see, so it's also for that girl's training... Should I still call you Father Dwight after all?"
"...I don't recall becoming a father."
I retorted bitterly, then headed toward Yura, who was inside the castle.