The conclusion was set from the beginning. I would go to the Elven Forest and help the elves.
　That was the plan I had in mind.

　For a moment, I thought it was a matter I should discuss with my boss, Cephiro, but that would be unnecessary. In the first place, Cephiro is no longer my boss. The only boss right now is Demon King-sama.

　What's more, the Demon King's decision is also unnecessary.
　The leadership at the corps level is entirely up to the corps commander.

　Moreover, the Demon King also approved of our alliance with the dwarves, and he founded the Eighth Legion in the first place in hopes that I would bring in humans and subhumans.

　In fact, if I didn't go to the rescue here, I might get a scolding later.
With that in mind, I gathered the officers who were staying in the city of Ivalice.


　They are Jiron, the orc chief strategist, Lilith the succubus, Sigan the dragonborn, and Günther, the dwarven king.


　In other words, the usual guys.
　As they gathered in the meeting room, Satie deftly handed out drinks to them.

　Giron, the Orc Counselor, has wine, Lilith, the Succubus, has tea with plenty of marmalade jam, Shigan, the Dragon Man, has white water, and Günther has spirits.

　They are well versed in the tastes of each.
　Even the fussy Lilith is not stingy in this regard.
　She always makes the tea at the perfect temperature and puts in the right amount of jam.

　Satie says, "I can tell how much jam you need from the expression on your face," and I'm impressed with your senses.

　By the way, my mood of the day has been right on target too.
　She served us green tea without being told.
　We each sipped our cups and Satie bowed her head reverently as she left.
　As if that was a signal, Giron asks us.

'Sir, what's on the agenda for today's military council?'

　It was always customary for the military discussion to begin with this line.
　'I will tell everyone the contents of the letter I received from Günther.

'So you're saying that the elves want to form an alliance with us?

　Lilith summarizes the story.

'Yeah,'

　I reply with a word.

''Then isn't it easy to talk, let's just send an army and threaten them to form an alliance with us.

　They all let out a gasp at Lilith's airy statement.

''Then we're doing the same thing with humans, aren't we?

　Attention.

'Then let's send an army to kick out the League of Kings. We'll sell them a favor.
Is there a problem with that?
Why?

　Lilith asks.
　I return the question in reverse.

'Why do you think the Elf Queen sent the letter to Lord Günther and not to me?

Isn't it because we're old friends?

But Lord Günther and the Elf Queen don't get along?

　And I turn to Günther.

　He crosses his arms and sulks.

'Come to think of it, yes. Speaking of elves and dwarves, they're dog-eat-dog friends, aren't they?

And yet you sent a letter to Günter, as if he were your ally. Not directly to me. So what I'm trying to say is that the Elf Queen is afraid of the Demon King's army.

"They're afraid of us...

　Lilith stopped her words there, but continued matter-of-factly.

''Well, that's true. We are the demon king's army that cries and cries even more. On the other hand, if they don't scare you, it will affect your reputation.

'Does that mean the Elf Queen really wants to make sure we are on her side?'

　Giron asks.

'Yeah, probably,'

You don't trust us either, do you?

　Jiron blurts out, but I defend him.

''It can't be helped, we are the Demon King's Army. We're the Demon King's army and we're going to have to fight each other's guts out.

　Even if I were in the position of the Elf Queen, I would do the same.

　There is no guarantee that the Demon King's Army would be more tolerant than the Lords Alliance.

''I'm afraid of the wolves of the Lords Alliance, so I might end up inviting the tigers of the Demon King's Army to join us.

　The dragonman Sigan sums it up so.

'We're much more forgiving than you are, though.

　Giron says, but I add.

'These days,'

　The tolerant rule of the Demon King's army has begun in the last few years.

　Ever since the current Demon King, Lord Dairokten came to rule over the Demon King's army, his rule over the humans has gradually but surely become more tolerant.

　However, there are still many humans and sub-humans who doubt that.
　There are many who are cringing and wondering when they will return to the demon king's army like in the past.
　It couldn't be helped that the Elf Queen would apply for an alliance in this way, it was inevitable, if you ask me.

''But that doesn't mean we can't have an alliance with her.

Why?

　Lilith asks.

'A king who would really, without any doubt, offer an alliance to the Demon King's army is a dumbass. I don't see how it could be of any use.''

　I recall the face of the head of the Trade Federation, with whom I recently signed a secret treaty.　

　The head of the Trade Union, a woman named Eltria Octave, was so capable and tough that she could be called a woman's hero.

　Even if you weren't as bright as she was, there was no advantage for us to form an alliance if you weren't also a king with a certain amount of competence.

''Well, I can't afford to be too competent, though.

Why?

　Lilith asks again.

I'm not sure if I'm too good at this. I'm not sure if this is just a trap to set up the Demon King's army.

I see. I hadn't thought of that.

　Lilith says.

'You can't be too incompetent or too competent, can you?

I just don't think you have to worry about that for once.

Do you have a basis for this?

　Giron asks.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to see your face, because you're going to approach me about this alliance via Günter-dono, who has publicly stated that he doesn't want to see your face. If he's trying to set us up, he won't go to such lengths.

　"Besides," I continue.

I continue, "It seems that Herr Günter trusts his queen. Then perhaps the queen has some of the same characteristics as Günter.

　And again, I turned to Günther, but he didn't even look at me with his arms crossed.

　I couldn't help but let out a wry smile, but regardless, morally and strategically, I couldn't overlook the danger to the elven race.

''At this time, we have no choice but to not help the elves. If they turn against us, it will be a disadvantage for us. They are a mild-mannered race, but they are all good archers.

'And there are many users of spirit magic.

　When Lilith said that, she chuckled, "It's more profitable to leave a debt here.
　Can I see that smile as a sign that he understood its strategic value?
　Or is it a confidence that he can take me on this trip?
　I can't decide which, but I've decided to make a decision.

I'm not sure if the elves will be wary of me if I'm accompanied by a large army. I'm afraid the elves might be wary of us going with a large army, and we don't want them to provoke the League of Kings into attacking the elven forest. I would like to meet the Elf Queen with a small contingent and win her trust first.

　I declare that, and everyone raises their hands to say that they want to be accompanied by me.

　Jiron snorts, Cigan raises his hand silently, and Lilith naturally gives me a "I'm the first choice, right?" look.

　Meanwhile, Sati, who's brought me another drink, is also giving me a heated look.
　All of them, except Günther, seem to want to accompany me.
　Looking at the scene, I let out an exhale, "Oh dear.

This is no picnic, you know.

　I'd like to let the irony out, but Lilith retorts.

''It would be a picnic in the depths of hell if Ike-sama and I could go with you.

Okay. So, what's on your mind?

Because we're so much fun to be with.

　Lilith smiles and answers immediately.
　Sati also nods with a smile.　　
　It's hard to say anything back when it's said that clearly, but Jiron sums it up in the end.

''Mister, whoever you want to take with you, let's hurry up and head to the Elven Forest. It would be annoying if the humans beat us to it, and if we falter too much, the Elf Queen might succumb to the League of Lords.

　It was a typical way to put together a staff officer.
　Maybe I'd become a little more aware of it after being promoted to Chief of Staff for the corps commander.
　I unusually adopted Giron's opinion and disbanded the military council.