I'm sleepy. And I'm hungry. Shouldn't this be a break from the paperwork for a nap and a snack?
No.

　A man's voice cut short the woman's words that she had come up with the best proposal.
　The silver-haired woman who made the suggestion widened her eyes and shook her body with a wince at the untimely answer.

'We could use a break at least for a while!　I mean, I'm tired of organizing my paperwork!
It's because you're the one who came up with the idea to hold a gourmet convention.　If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have accumulated so much paperwork and the paperwork wouldn't have grown so much!

　A silver-haired girl in a jet-black dress is making a racket.
　Her buzzing, swinging limbs have a snake-like crest glowing red.
　Her name is Elfiszak Van Gildegard.

　-- the demon king of the day.

''Because I wanted to eat delicious food from many different countries!
I don't want to be a starving demon all year long.

　In Elfiszak's twin eyes, which are moistened with half-crying, is a man with a stunned expression.
　He is a half demon with upside-down blue hair and three sullen-looking white eyes.
　The name of this man is Volk Granberia.

　--The Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army, "Distortion".

''Ah!　Come on, man, don't be a pussy!　No dignity, man!　You're a kid, you!
'I'm not a kid!　The Demon King!
''I know what it is!

　Elfiszak became the Demon King about a few years ago.
　After defeating the previous Demon King, Elfiszak assumed the position of the Demon King.
　He ended the war between humans and demons in cooperation with a man who was hailed as the "Brave Man" by the humans.

　In order to protect the demons who had lost their way, Volk fell under the command of Elfiszak.
　Because of this, he is supposed to take care of the demon king who is thus spoiled.

''Call Verdia-chan!　I'm going for a walk with Berdia!
You know you can't do that!

　At the same time that Elfiszak started saying such things.

Did you call ......?

　The door opens and a dark-haired woman walks into the office.
　She's one of the Four Heavenly Kings, "Hellfire" Verdia.

I didn't call you. What's the point of being here? I thought you were supposed to be in charge of the demons?
...... I'm sleepy and I'm hungry.
"Stop being lazy with your sons and daughters!

　We're even more alike than before!　Volk looks at his boss and colleague, who are happy to see him and his colleagues, and shrugs his shoulders in disappointment.
　Basically, these two are competent.
　There are times when they make a big deal out of it and cause problems, but for the most part they solve the problem.
　I've been able to negotiate with other countries without a hitch, and I even prevented a demon tribe from having a civil war.

　However.

　When the workload increases beyond a certain point, they stop working.
　I'm not going to be able to get away with it for any reason.
　But he always finishes the really bad projects perfectly.
　On the contrary, it makes me angry.

　I can't tell you how many times Volk has had a stomachache since he joined the current Demon King's Army.
　Now I know why my former boss used to want to go to the bathroom a lot.
　I didn't want to understand.

　That's when Volk was pondering how to get these guys back to work.

'I'm coming in.'

　With those words, a man walked into the room.
　It was a human young man with unusual dark hair.

''You're back already? Didn't you go to negotiate with the Church State?'
'Yeah. 'I finished earlier than I thought I would. I was actually supposed to be able to come home earlier, but Maria invited me to tea. It was a serious tone, and I'd have been late if I'd gone along with it.

　I feel like I'm saying something that's bothering me, but I'll just let it slide for now.
　Volk was relieved when the young man appeared.
　Because this man is one of the two people who can perfectly take the Demon King's reins.

'...... Hey. Have you guys been skipping work again?
No, no!　I was just taking a break!
...... wet clothes.

　They try to cover it up, but

No, they don't do anything.

　Instantly, Volk denies it.
　Hearing that, the man - Amagatsuki Iori let out a big sigh.

''...... Sorry about that, Volk. These guys put you in trouble again.
No, it's part of the job. I'm rather sorry I can't take the reins.

　Guillory, Iori glared at Elfiszak and Berdia.
　The two of them sweated and their expressions twitched.

'...... It seemed like we had plenty of time to spare today, so I figured I could play with you guys a little later in the evening. At this rate, I can't take you guys with me. We have no choice, let's go invite Lucifina to come over and see the night view.
What?
I can tell you're going to have some pretty nice food. Oh, you want to get a Volk?　I've got some good booze.
Oh, good.

'Wait!　I'm coming with you!　We'll get the job done right away!
I'll do my best ...... and don't leave me behind.

　Hearing Iori's words, Verdia ran out of the room.
　Elfiszak also stopped slacking off and resumed his paperwork.
　Seeing the situation, Iori and Volk let out a sigh at the same time.

''...... Volk. Let's really have a drink together next time.
...... Yeah. I have a lot to tell you. ......

　Amagatsuki Iori is not a demon.
　Rather, she is a brave person who could be the natural enemy of the Demon King's army.
　The world is now at peace because of the alliance between the "Brave" and the "Demon King".

　This is another boss of the Four Heavenly Kings, Volk.
　Since there are many women in the upper echelons of the Demon King's army, the two of them are on good terms.
　They have many sympathies for each other, and they often drink together.

''Ah. Come to think of it, Lucifina said she wanted to have a drink with you too.''
"...... 'Heavenly Father'."

　Hearing Lucifina's name, Volk reflexively frowned.
　It's not that he dislikes Lucifina, it's not that he dislikes her.
　It's not that I don't like her, it's just that I even have a good feeling about her character.
　But for some reason, I couldn't shake my dislike for her.

''Ah. There you are.''

　With those words, a blonde woman walks into the room.
　She's a half-elf woman.
　She is the person in question - Lucifina Emilior, the Four Heavenly Kings "Heavenly Piercing".

''Gentlemen, what's going on with you all?
No, Elfi and Verdia were skipping work. I was just taking a look.
Ah.

　Elfiszak is secretly listening to such conversations.
　He seems to be losing focus again.
　Seeing that her work has stopped, Lucifina smiled a bit nastily.

''Hey, Iori-san.''
Hmm?
'If Elfie-san doesn't finish his work, why don't we spend some time together tonight? I'm also just about to finish negotiating with the sub-human autonomous region.
It's not fair!　It should be me and little Verdia's turn next!

　With tears in his eyes, Elfiszak protested.
　Volk didn't know much about it, but it seemed that Elfiszak and Lucifina had some kind of agreement over Iori.
　Based on the conversation, I guess it's something like ...... that they don't keep to themselves.
　Occasionally, I see Verdia mixed in with that circle.
　Other than that, Iori seems to have a lot of other things going on in women's relationships, which is quite complicated.

''But if your work doesn't get done, it can't be helped, can it?
Mug.
If you want to spend time with Iori-san, then good luck with your work, okay?

　Lucifina's words seemed to have inspired Elfiszak to really focus on his work this time.
　At the sight, Volk let out another small sigh.

　He didn't expect that he, who had fought so critically as a warrior chief, would be entrusted with such a job, not so much as a dewy one.
　It's a good thing that you're too busy to see your subordinate, Tyra.
　Although I knew I had no choice, the sighs that escaped my mouth never stopped.

'Mr. Volk,'

　As I was thinking about this, Lucifina unexpectedly called my name.

'Ah ...... ah. What's wrong?
'No.' You looked tired. Are you okay?
...... No problem. You had a good deal with the subhumans over there, didn't you?
'Yes. All the ward leaders voted for the peace treaty.
'Well, ....... Good job.
Yes!　Good job, Mr. Volk!

　After such an exchange, Lucifina walked out of the room with Iori.
　Volk let out a sigh as the sound of their footsteps moved away.

'...... still haven't solved your dislike for Lucifina?'

　Then Elfiszak calls out to Volk.
　As if he is activating some kind of magic eye, he is putting away documents at high speed with his eyes shining red lotus.
　Apparently, he has gone into serious mode.

''...... ah.''

　He nodded at Elfiszak's words with a pained expression.
　Although I was able to prevent it from happening, I have almost burned my village to the ground by Lucifina in the past.
　From that one incident, I still feel nervous when my name is called.

It's a good thing that I'm not the only one. It's not his fault.

　I'm sorry about that.
　He couldn't touch the village or the villagers after all.
　I'm sure there wasn't a single casualty.

　And yet.
　For some reason, the image of the burning village, the dead comrades, and Lucifina mocking them all comes to mind.

'-- never mind,'

　Elfiszak said in a calm tone of voice.

''You are not to blame for this matter. Lucifina understands that as well. So there's no need for you to worry about it.''
............
'If you're still curious, why don't you have a frontal conversation with Lucifina once. She's asked you out via Iori a few times, right?

　Elfiszak is right, he has indeed been invited to join us.
　But I have refused for some reason.
　It's because of the unspeakable, unsettling feeling I get.

'Oh ...... right.'

　Crunching his teeth, Volk nodded.
　Seeing that.

Hmm. Then I'll join you there.

　Elfiszak said.

'You too ......?'
Hmm. I'm very good at making things up as I go along. I'll adjust the situation so that you and Lucifina don't get into an awkward situation. Iori has a tendency to be insensitive because of that. I should be able to follow up on that area better than you.
............
'My men's problems are my problems too. I'll take care of them.

　As a tease, Elfiszak laughs.

　Oh, shit.
　He's usually in the habit of playing around like that, but sometimes he shows his gentle side like this.
　I think it's not fair.

...... then, please.
'Mmm!　I will guide you with my demon king power!

　...... That's the kind of demon king that Volk is comfortable following.

　In the meantime, the sun was going down.
　Looking at the pile of papers on the desk, it would be two hours before it was finished.
　It was fast enough, but it would reduce the amount of time I could spend with Iori.

'............'

　The gourmet competition that started this whole thing.
　It may seem like a joke, but the competition was well received.
　By showing each other's food culture and interacting with each other, humans and demons were brought closer together.
　I remember that those who spent time in Volk's village also seemed to enjoy participating in the tournament.

　Problems are piling up, and the seeds of war are smoldering everywhere.
　We are still a long way from world peace.
　Nevertheless, Elfiszak is doing everything he can to move toward peace.
　Not a few lives have been saved because of it.

...... haha.

　I let out a sigh and scratch my head.

'Demon King.'
......m.
'It's about you. The important thing is to get it over with, right?　I'll arrange the schedule myself, you go to Iori's place.

　Elfiszak's eyes widen and he blinks with a snap.

'Are you sure?'
I don't care. You can cut the day short, it won't make much difference now.
...... umm. Thank you, Volk.

　Volk smiled at Elfiszak's back as he left the room.

　He was willing to go along with any scrap he could find to protect his friends.
　But he liked his current boss.
　My co-workers are also good guys, if a bit awkward at times.
　I really feel like I'm in the right place at the right time.

Well, let's get my work done. Let's go see Tyra.

　With that muttered, Volk got to work on the rest of his work to adjust his schedule.