After finishing the pact with the elves, I'm returning to the territory of Ivalice with my men.

　It's a good idea to have a troop of demons, led by the dragon man Shigan, as well as some elven warriors, so it will take about 10 days to get there.

　If it were just me, I could use my magic and return more quickly, but there's no need to rush the journey, especially if I'm alone.
　I've had a hard time with them. I wanted to march with them on the way back and thank them for their labor.
　As I was thinking this, Lilith lined up her horse beside me and spoke to me.

''But, Ike-sama, Ivaris is currently run by a guy from Giron all by himself, is it alright?''

'It bothers me when you say that,' he replied, half-jokingly.

'There won't be any major problems. If Rosalia's army is attacking us, there will be urgent news, and there should be no problem in terms of governance.

'But that guy might be embezzling public money, taking advantage of Ike-sama's absence. He was happy to hear that you had a new baby the other day, too.

Okay. How many children are you?　Was it the twelfth one?

That's the sixteenth one. Orc women give birth to three or four at a time.

It's a very active one.

　I'll defend Giron up front, "I'll defend him.

'He's not a competent man, but he's a trustworthy one. That's why I feel comfortable leaving him in charge. Well, I don't expect him to be able to handle the administration, but he's not the kind of guy who embezzles public money.

　When I say that, Lilith laughs half-jokingly, "I hope so," she says, "I hope so.

'But, well, I'm sure there will be a pile of papers piling up when we get back to Ivalice.

　The thought of that makes me exhale.
　There must be a pile of cases that the guy in Giron couldn't handle on the desk in my office.

　From handling disputes between residents, to petitions from farmers, merchants and artisans, to even divorce settlements, there's a lot of work for the lord to do.

　When I think about it, I miss the relaxed life in the elven village.
　During the day, I gather mushrooms and plow the fields. At night, I play a wind instrument (lute) and watch the moonlight night.


　This is what we call the slow life.


　It is not easy to enjoy in Ivalice.
　However, some of my daughters have had enough of such a life.
　She's an elf girl named Anemone who joined our 8th Legion the other day.
　She asks me often along the way, "What is the city of Ivalice?


'What kind of city is Ivalice?'


Do you have a freak show?　Do you have a library?　Is it true that it's cobbled?　Is there a fountain in the square?


'Are there a lot of shopkeepers on Main Street?　Doesn't my dress look like a hick?　What kind of clothes are in vogue among humans?


'Elves can only eat vegetables, can I get fresh vegetables?　I like tomatoes, do you have tomatoes in circulation?


　Each time I responded to that, I made a random comment about how the city is just as you imagine it to be, but it was getting tedious, so I pushed Lilith to be my consultant.

　At first, Lilith looked unhappy, but after talking for a while, the conversation seemed to pick up.

　After all, women seem to be able to talk to each other. The color of clothes, skirts, and even underwear that are popular among human women nowadays are discussed, but I don't care and continue on with my horse.

　As I move away from them, Satie, who was riding on the back of my beloved horse, speaks to me.

'Anemone, you seem to be very interested in the city of Ivalice.

'Sounds like it. Well, you know how I feel.

　I suppose that the feelings of the rural people who long for the city are not much different in their previous lives and in this world.
　I can understand why the daughter of an elf who doesn't know what's outside the forest is excited.

'I, on the contrary, yearn for the life of the elven forest people. When this world is at peace, I want to build a mansion in a peaceful place like that and live quietly.

'It's nice, I'd like to read a book in the garden with the sun shining through the trees in the forest, listening to the birds chirping.

''But will it be inconvenient to shop in the city? Well, we can prepare for a transition period and be able to go to the city whenever we want - but then, it's not really a slow life, is it? Isn't it just the same as living in the city?

　I let out a laugh, and Sati laughed, "Yes," she said.

But will such a day ever come?

　Satie asks, a little seriously.

'He'll visit. No, I'll make you visit.

　When I assured him so, he quickened his horse's speed.
　In order to create a peaceful world, we can't just pray.
　We must take action.
　The time of peace will not come unless we first digest the tasks at hand.
　One of those challenges, of course, includes managing the territory of the city of Ivalice.

　Running that city smoothly, enriching the territory, providing the Demon King's army with an abundance of food and weapons, trading and accumulating wealth, and preparing for the war to come.

　That was my goal now.

''The war to come--?''

　Satie asks.

'Yeah, because I think it's time to start,'

'....will the city of Ivalice become a battlefield again?

'No,' I said, shaking my head.

'We defeated the White Rose Knights who attacked Ivalice. We also defeated the Red Dragon Knights who besieged Alesta. And the other day we also defeated Rosalia's main force, the Twin Eagle Knights. I heard that the Demon King's army is on the offensive on other fronts as well.

What do you mean?

　Satie asks with a puzzled look on her face.

"That means it's time for my Demon King's Army to start invading Rosalia's capital, Lysas.

　With that bold warning, I turned my head in the direction of where the King's City of Leesus was.

　It was just as the sun was setting on the horizon.
　The horizon was blazing red.
　Will the city burn as bright red as the horizon when we conquer Liathas?
　If possible, I'd like to occupy the city without causing any damage to the residents of Reezus, but...

　Is that too much of a bug story?
　The decisive battle in Leasas is expected to be a fierce battle.

　If possible, I'd like to see it resolved in a way that causes the least amount of damage to both sides, and then celebrate with the Demon King and Sephiro in the capital of Reezus.

''Well, that can wait for later. For now, I have to go back to Ivalice and focus on internal affairs.

　As he muttered that, he quickened his horse to the beautiful territory of Ivalice.