Draco rubbed his temples. "Shuna, is there any cake left?"
Standing to the side not knowing what to do, Shuna shook her head.
"The chicken coop was only just built, so there aren't enough eggs."
Draco took a deep breath, and then, right in front of the two children, he ate the last piece of cake.
"Mm-hmm~ This way it's fair."
As a result... "Waaah!" x2
In their big, sparkling eyes, tears immediately began to shimmer.
"Oh no!"
Draco thought to himself that things had gone south.
"Um, eating too much cake is bad for your health. We can eat other delicious food, right, Shuna!"
Shuna froze for a second, and seeing Draco's pleading gaze, she hurriedly spoke.
"Ah, yes, there's still plenty of delicious food in the kitchen. I'll go get some."
"Mhm, mhm!" x2
The three of them watched Shuna's departing figure with expectant gazes.
I'm counting on you, Shuna!!
Shuna: I'll do my best qaq
...After the meal, Draco went to the grand bathhouse on the Ninth Floor.
This time he planned to soak in the hot spring to relieve his fatigue.
One must know that Draco had spent nearly 100,000 gold coins to set up the Ninth Floor back then.
The Ninth Floor was huge; there were seventeen bathhouses alone.
These included massage baths, volcanic hot springs, a spa center, and more.
Furthermore, besides those, there were bars, cafes, an arcade, karaoke, a gym, a swimming pool, and so on—everything one could want.
It was just that currently, not many people went there.
Milim, Kurumi, Shuna, Shalltear, and others were currently in the women's bath next door to Draco.
Sounds of frolicking drifted over; they were clearly having a good time.
Especially Shalltear.
Just then, Draco received a message that Demiurge had returned.
Under the service of the maids, Draco quickly finished getting ready.
In the office.
Demiurge knelt on one knee, reporting the intelligence he had gathered over these past few days.
Draco listened quietly; the situation in the Puppet Kingdom was actually different from what he had imagined.
He had thought the country would be in a state of extreme chaos, but unexpectedly, under Clayman's absolute control, the national construction was quite decent.
At least on the surface.
"You say most of their citizens belong to the slave class?"
"Yes, Lord Draco."
"Then is the slave trade in their country very frequent?"
"Correct. There are even many slave chambers of commerce operating slave businesses within the country."
Hearing this, Draco felt a surge of joy in his heart.
The manpower issue seemed like it could be resolved.
However, the gold coins on Draco's person seemed to be almost used up.
He had to find a way to make some money.
Draco pondered for a moment and then asked.
"Demiurge, Nazarick now needs a stable source of funding. What do you think should be done?"
After a brief thought, Demiurge immediately replied.
"Lord Draco, I have heard that Demon Lord Milim has already reached an alliance with us; there must be a deep meaning behind your actions."
"Combining that with My Lord's question just now, I would venture to guess that the solution is related to Demon Lord Milim."
Draco:???
Facing this sudden turn of events, Draco was somewhat bewildered.
But in order not to appear to have too low an IQ, he had no choice but to put on an act and say:
"Mhm, Demiurge, your analysis is very correct!"
"Continue!"
Hearing this, the tail behind Demiurge began to wag rapidly.
It showed he was somewhat excited after correctly guessing the supreme being's thoughts.
He pushed up his round-framed glasses and began to analyze calmly.
"The Dragons Capital is a vast, nameless land ruled by Demon Lord Milim, with abundant water and grass, and is exceptionally fertile.
However, because of Milim's reputation as a tyrant, such a wide and fertile land is rarely inhabited.
Within the vast territory, there are nothing more than some animals and monsters without intelligence; conducting trade is even more difficult.
Aside from those outliers who call themselves the 'Dragon Worshipers,' no one else dares to linger there.
The total population is not even a hundred thousand; it can't even be called a country.
The wealth generated is all concentrated in the Central Temple and then distributed equally by the High Priest.
This intelligence was something I happened to inquire about.
Presumably, you saw the huge potential contained in that land, which is why you signed an alliance with Demon Lord Milim, right?"
Demiurge's words brought a sudden realization to Draco.
So I inadvertently did something so badass.
"Mm, a perfect analysis. That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Demiurge was instantly overcome with excitement. "That Lord possesses such foresight and sagacity is truly admirable to us!"
Draco's old face flushed red from the praise.
*Cough cough!*
"Then how do you think we should operate this matter to achieve the highest benefit?"
"This subordinate believes we can utilize the slaves from the Puppet Nations to conduct large-scale farming, mining, and other work."
"The people of this world still have quite a large demand for food."
"Furthermore, we can brew high-end alcohol, which is also a relatively scarce resource in this world currently."
"..."
Demiurge was perhaps too excited, as he spoke for a full hour.
Draco was shocked beyond measure, but he still had to maintain an unfathomable appearance, making Demiurge admire him even more.
"Not bad. I'll leave this matter to you to handle."
"As you command!"
"Before that, I need to communicate with Milim."
"You've worked hard during this period as well. Take a few days' rest for now and wait for my word!"
Draco patted Demiurge's shoulder and walked out of the room.
The moment the door closed.
Draco outside the door and Demiurge inside the room breathed a sigh of relief simultaneously.
"Whew~" x2
"I can't see through him!" x2
...Returning to his own room.
Albedo was wearing a black nightgown. Seeing Draco's somewhat exhausted figure, she asked with concern,
"Master, what's wrong? You look very tired."
"I just went through a brainstorm; my head is a bit dizzy."
Draco collapsed onto the bed without any image, rubbing the space between his eyebrows.
"Then please have a good rest first. I'll help you relax."
Albedo pulled Draco into her arms, gently massaging his head.
"Thanks, Albedo..."
Soon, Draco fell into a deep sleep.
Originally, Albedo was prepared to... but seeing Draco sleeping so sweetly, she swallowed her thoughts.
I won't trouble Master today.
Albedo!
-------------------------------
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