"...So that's why you came to me?"
Alternating his gaze between me and Queen,
Wolbaek spoke with a flat, unimpressed face.
"Sir Byron isn't the sort to entrust valuable people to someone else.
And yet, you want me to take custody of that demon?"
His sulky eyes brimmed with suspicion.
Seriously—when did he dig into my background again?
"I'd like to keep her close, of course. But you know how it is—
academy residence has gotten stricter."
"Ah, right. After that last attack, the security checks got intense."
The terrorist attack during the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony.
Because of the incident I orchestrated,
the Academy was still reeling with troubles.
They'll surely think it was because information leaked from the inside,
that's why the Heresy Cult blindsided them so completely.
And who could blame them?
The guards had been slipped past,
terrorist attacks occurred in multiple remote alleys simultaneously.
It was only natural to suspect betrayal from within.
…Though the truth was, it had all been thanks to the Seer's ability.
But for Queen, right now,
the situation wasn't exactly favorable.
"Sir—"
"Tut."
"H-Hans Byron! Are you really abandoning me?"
Even her wide, pitiful eyes—like a stray kitten's—were useless.
Because after that terror attack,
the Academy had become deeply conservative about letting new people in.
Student status?
In Freesia's case, that had only been possible
because a Duke himself personally guaranteed her.
Queen had no such connection.
Maid status?
The scrutiny, the paperwork,
and especially concealing those eyes of hers—it'd be ridiculously hard, and time-consuming.
So, for now, leaving her in the Thieves' Guild
was the only workable option.
"…Why does this feel like I've been saddled with a troublesome gift…."
"Come now, don't say that.
She's just someone trying hard to find a place to live in a foreign land."
Suddenly, Queen had become like those gift boxes of tuna or ham stacked up during holidays.
Catching on quickly, she bowed her head
to the one about to become her new employer.
"P-Please take care of me!"
Her horns, curved like a goat's,
and her blue hair bent low and exposed at the crown.
It was a pitiful figure, for one who called herself the queen of a race.
"Is the branch chief the one you should be addressing first?"
"Ugh…."
"That's enough. Vice Branch Chief, it's fine.
What do names and formalities matter when handling talent?"
With crescent eyes and a soft smile,
Wolbaek offered warm words.
To most, it might've seemed like a kindly superior
helping a nervous subordinate feel at ease.
But the moment I saw it, I knew.
Ah. Playing the 'good cop' role is her specialty.
"So, your name is Lilith?
Heh, what a pretty name.
I don't know much about demons… would it be alright if I called you 'sister'?"
"…Of course!"
"Then, if you could just sign this contract…."
A so-called queen,
already completely softened up by one human.
"Well, since you're entrusting me with talent,
I'll gladly make use of her.
Besides, I've already seen her information-gathering skills before."
…She's seen them before?
Weren't the two meeting for the first time?
As if to answer my doubts,
her hair, carrying a faint plum blossom scent, brushed close to me.
"It's funny, isn't it?
To have someone I once personally captured as my subordinate."
"…Captured?"
"There was a commission.
To investigate suspicious movements at the Holy Land.
That was my first task as branch chief."
So, quite the fateful enmity, then.
Not that Queen had any clue.
She was simply dazzled by her seemingly warm superior.
Well, if she's happy, what's the harm.
"Then, I'll be counting on you.
She's quite an important resource, despite appearances."
"Of course. Though perhaps you should be worried?
She may come to like this place so much
that she'll forget about you, our dear customer."
At her provocation, I let out a small laugh.
"Hah. You think it'll be that easy?"
No matter how hard she tried.
Maybe not quite blood ties or school ties,
but could she really overcome the sticky connection
of the Eveldun network I shared with Queen?
"Well, give it your best shot.
I won't stop you from trying."
[Announcement of Hunting Contest Results]
[1st Place: Luciana Speda]
[2nd Place: Freesia Evergreen]
[…]
The results were posted up clearly.
Luciana taking first—naturally expected.
But Freesia's rank is higher than I thought.
Hunting was a noble's refinement.
With so many prestigious nobles participating,
I'd assumed that, even with her ability, she'd fall behind.
As expected of a true-blooded High Elf.
Her natural hardware had carried her
all the way up to Luciana's heels.
"Hans, I proved myself.
But I don't see your name anywhere."
"Ahaha… well, you know, hunting requires bows, and that's… not my thing."
She knew well enough it was a reproach.
I couldn't even think of a good excuse.
Since, instead of hunting,
I'd been off doing completely different things.
This outcome was only natural.
"Hm. And yet you look strangely pleased for someone without results."
"…You noticed?"
"We've spent long enough together.
If I couldn't read my own attendant's feelings,
how could I call myself your lady?"
So she was just as sharp as Batory.
Luciana, too, had grown familiar with reading my expressions.
And indeed—she was right.
I didn't care in the slightest about the contest results.
"Ahaha. It's not like they directly affect grades.
It was just an event.
More importantly, I've secured an opportunity
to bring greater honor to the Speda family.
How could I, your servant, not be pleased?"
"You say that so smugly, I can't help but wonder.
What have you been up to?"
"I was just about to report to you, my lady."
When I explained what had transpired at the Holy Land,
Luciana's face brightened noticeably.
"Priests will be dispatched?"
"Yes. His Holiness himself mentioned it.
Soon, Speda Castle will surely be contacted."
Seeing my favorite character's radiant smile
filled my chest with pride.
Well, of course. No lord hates having priests sent their way.
Not just for religion's positive influence.
Across history, physicians were valuable.
Here, priests doubled as doctors—
and to have them at the frontline Barant Fortress?
For the North, where every soldier mattered,
it would be a tremendous boon.
"You really managed that in Saleranto?
But why would the Pope make such a generous choice?
Did he demand something of the Speda family?"
"He did, but… nothing major."
At most, supporting church construction,
and guaranteeing priests' convenience.
The church itself would shoulder the real costs.
All thanks to the Pope's ambition, of course.
I'd merely tossed out a suggestion that fit his expansionist vision.
If they wanted to preach their god's teachings,
why would we need to do more than provide a favorable atmosphere?
"…All for just that condition?"
Naturally, Luciana found it surprising.
"Your gift of words never ceases to amaze me."
"Your praise is too much."
"No. That's what makes you worthy to be my attendant."
Her nod of satisfaction mirrored my own.
Not only had I helped my favorite character—
I'd also secured my own private reward.
[Dungeon 'Dream Labyrinth' Cleared]
[Target Surpassed]
[Rewards Granted]
Negotiating with the Pope over Queen's situation was only the side prize.
This was the true reward.
[Queen of Succubi, Queen Lilith Arcadia,
once bowed to the terror of Tyron,
but now swears loyalty by her own will.]
[Another Demon Monarch has been subjugated.]
[The people of Shadow are moved by your great feat!]
['Public Sentiment' of Doppelgangers has risen!]
[Indifference → Interest]
Public Sentiment.
Ever since I'd received the Shadow Crystal from Iskadel,
that stat had been dormant.
Finally—it reacted.
A reward all the sweeter for being delayed.
Because 'Public Sentiment' wasn't just mere reputation.
['King of Shadows: Rank Ex' has been unlocked.]
Yes.
Public Sentiment was the trigger
to reveal hidden abilities of my skill.
"To think you're this happy…
your loyalty seems to extend even to the Speda family.
I'm proud."
"Haha, is that how it looks? Not quite.
In my heart, there's only you, Lady Luciana.
I've no interest in the Speda family without you."
Luciana's smile froze.
Her lips pressed tight.
"…I-I see. Enough flattery."
But her cheeks,
pale as northern snow,
were now faintly flushed.
…Was she embarrassed?
The Ice Lady Luciana?
Wow. That's… so much prettier than her usual face.
A devastating charm,
different from her usual calm smile.
Luciana—embarrassed.
Me—moved by this new side of her.
For a while, both of us stayed silent.
"Ahem! Enough flattery.
An attendant's words must always be carefully chosen
to bring joy to their lord."
This awkwardness between us—I didn't like it.
So, to return to normalcy,
I tossed out a light joke.
"…If not for that one remark,
you would truly be the model attendant."
Luciana quickly erased her shyness,
returning to her usual self.
But that faint smile—
not fitting her 'Ice Lady' nickname—
still lingered.
I should check my real prize now.
Opening the status window again:
[King of Shadows: Rank Ex]
[Can enforce actions on all Doppelgangers]
[Some noble-class individuals may resist]
[Can enforce actions on subjugated beings of other races (NEW)]
[Locked]
[Locked]
Before, it only worked on Doppelgangers.
Now—it extended even to other races.
Damn. This is good.
With Queen, the Succubus Queen, subjugated,
I could command all Succubi.
The real problem was…
Why does this feel so much like Tyron's power….
The Demon Lord Tyron Disaster—
who'd ordered Vampires, Gargoyles, and others
to fight to the death at his command.
This was the same flavor.
I don't want to be a Demon Lord.
That Tyron Disaster was a major boss, after all.
An enemy destined to fight and fall
to Rene and her party—
and eventually, even Luciana.
…No thanks. I'd pass on that ticket to ruin.
"…Hans! Are you listening?"
Luciana's stern call pulled me back from my thoughts.
"Ah, sorry. I was replaying my conversation with His Holiness."
"That too is important. But as an academy student,
there's something even more urgent at hand.
Focus."
An academy student's urgent matter?
At my puzzled look,
Luciana sighed and explained.
"Let me repeat.
Lady Parnell mentioned that starting tomorrow,
the Student Council President Selection Tournament begins."
"…You mean—"
"Yes. We'll be given our chance as well."
And in her blue eyes,
I saw the purest, brightest ambition flare.
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