It's been a long time.

　These were the first words Sati let slip when she saw the walls of Arsenum.

'Indeed,'

　I agree with you.

　If I recall, when I was still a brigade commander, dropping this city and driving a wedge into the country of Rosalia led to the Demon King's Army's rapid advance today.

　You can't help but feel deeply moved when you think that dropping this great city in the center of the continent made my name known within the Demon King's army, led to an audience with the Demon King, and led to my subsequent rise to power.


　--and also.


　This is also the city where I first met the girl by my side now, my 13th slave, Sati, in a memorable way.

　If I had been deployed to another province.
　Or if we can't take this city.
　Their lives could have been very different if they had never met the girl named Satie.

　Thinking of that, her lines were certainly appropriate for this occasion.

　When I went to the lord's mansion in this city, I asked Sati to make me a cup of tea instead of the maidservant stationed there.

''Silently. Is it correct to have just the master's portion?''

　Sati gives me and Lamia's Lutra a look around.
　Next, in the direction of the garden.
　I guess I looked at Luthrara because I didn't know what she liked.
　The demon race is broadly divided into two groups: drinkers and the rest.

　I, for example, prefer tea and coffee, but there are also many incomparable drinkers, like Cephiro.

　I'm in the majority.

　It's a disgrace for a maid to serve a customer a drink they don't like!　As Sati, who professes to be a good friend of mine, she would like to hear Luthrara's preferences before serving the drinks she will prepare.
　On the other hand, the reason why she looked out the window is because she is also concerned about the Cyclops Uruk who is waiting in the garden of the mansion.

　This mansion is unfortunately sized for humans.
　As a giant race, Uruk is not allowed to enter.
　However, they still want to repay their long journey with a drink of their choice.
　Sati's hospitality is now a national treasure.

　Even Luthrara was impressed.
Ike, you have a very good housekeeper in your employ. Would you be willing to trade for my maid?
　He said jokingly, "I'm going to have to decline.

　Of course, I decline. Instantly. Politely.

'If I had to weigh it against 10 beautiful women, I'd choose Satie.

"Then I can get you a hundred and eight beauties.

　Exactly the same number as the bother, but I still say no, once and for all.

"I choose quality over quantity.

That's a shame.

　Luthrara, the ice-sculptured beauty, let it slip.

'I'll take white water. I don't drink alcohol these days. The big guy outside could put some ale in a barrel and drink it. If you want, you can use the muddy water that's lying around.

　Although she says so expressionlessly, Luthrara is not a cruel woman.

　It's a good thing that you can't get away from it.

　I don't know if it's true or not, since that's all I've heard from Cephiro.

　However, since I became the commander of the army, I've observed a number of big names, and this Luthrara is a very mysterious woman.

　I've heard that she belongs to the Lamia tribe of demons, is skilled in magic, and is well versed in military strategy, but she doesn't easily show her emotions.

　Although she occasionally participates in the feasts held by the demon tribe, she tends to keep silent at the edge of the banquet table with a cup of wine in her hand, and it seems that Cephiro has never spoken much either.

She is very quiet. I'd like to give her the clawdust of a concubine.

　That's what Cephiro said, but it's true that when you actually come into contact with him, his coolness is noticeable.

　It's not good to be suddenly glib after drinking Cephiro's nail polish, but I'd like to see him create a more friendly mood.

　First, to relieve the tension, I ordered Sati to bring me a drink.

A keg of ale for Lord Uruk outside. For Lord Luthrara outside, a keg of ale, and for Lord Luthrara, a cup of tea like mine.

　When I instructed her to do so, Sati bowed her head and said, "Sicily," and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

　Luthrara watched him silently and spoke to me when Sati was gone.

'I thought you said I was fine with white water?'

'She's a master at making tea. Just take one cup of tea, thinking you've been tricked.

..........

　She replies by silence.

　I'm not sure if she's angry or laughing because she doesn't change her expression, but seeing that she doesn't complain about anything, I'm guessing she's not angry.

　And I can infer that he doesn't dislike tea either.
　But still, there is no further reaction.

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

　She just stood face to face in front of me with her eyes closed.

　For some reason, I'm surrounded by a lot of petulant women, so it's hard to gauge how they handle this kind of woman.

　Cephiro and Lilith can go on and on about things that don't matter to me, even if they are silent, and Sati and others don't matter because they are comfortable in silence with each other, but I have trouble dealing with women like her.

　If I had to divide the women I know by type, I'd probably be closer to the Demon King.

　She's intelligent, cool, and doesn't talk about unnecessary things.
　If that's the case, would it work if I treated her the same way as the Demon King?
　Is there anything we can do about it then?

　I thought so, but I quickly changed my mind. When I think about it, I'm still not very good at the Demon King.

　Or maybe that's not the right word.
　I still don't know how to deal with the Lord of the Rings, or should I say I'm still unsure of how to handle him.
　Many years have passed since I met the Maelstrom, and I've had my eye on the Maelstrom.

　Although the Demon King has been paying attention to me and I've gained an important position, I'm still not sure how I should treat her.

　I sympathize with her achievements and aspirations, and I treat her in a manner worthy of that, i.e., as a leader worthy of respect, but lately, I've had many opportunities to meet her, and I'm not sure how to treat her human (?) I was able to get a glimpse of her typical side.

　In fact, if you talk to her, she has a girlish side to her age.

　Speaking of maiden-like, she's more girlish than Satie, can tell a joke, and has a mischievous air about her.

　Yeah, yeah. It's time to unwind Luthrara's mind by telling one of her jokes.

　Once the transition to the capital is decided, we will work together with her on the matter.
　The transition will not happen overnight.

　You will have a long term relationship with her. It would not be a loss to establish a relationship with her early.

　With that in mind, I thought of several ways to start a conversation, but worst of all, I couldn't think of anything.

　The worst thing was that I couldn't think of anything to start a conversation with him, but on second thought, I didn't have any smart jokes in stock that would appeal to women.

　What words would be appropriate at a time like this?

　If you were to ask Giron for advice.

'Why don't we just have a heavy talk, just for Lamia?　Talk about something heavy for the snakes only.

　He was going to say, and if he asked Cephiro for advice, he would intrigue him to say this.

'Um, do Lamia women lay eggs?　Or will you give birth like a mammal?

..........

　The only thing he could be sure of was that neither of them would be talking to a woman he wasn't very close to.
　As she fumbled with that thought, Luthrara's eyes suddenly widened and her mouth opened.
　If she looked out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sati.
　Sati appeared with a silver wagon.
　On the wagon was a teapot, cups, saucers and scones.
　When Luthrara saw it, she let out an impressed 'ho'.

'Was there something rude about it?'

　I don't think such a thing is possible only with Sati, but Luthrara gave me a surprising look, so I asked her.

''No, the girl's handiwork is just too good.

That's because she's lived in the mansion for so many years, isn't it?

...?

　Luthrara raises her beautiful eyebrows slightly.
　She must be trying to gauge the meaning.

'She used to be a maid to this Lord of Arsenum.

Well, you're the one who brought this city down, aren't you?

Yes, and for various reasons, they made you my maid, so to speak.

That's pretty lucky.

'Yes, it's quite difficult to get a maid like her.

I said the girl's lucky, though. If I hadn't run into you, I'm sure she'd be sold to the slavers by now.

　Luthrara takes a breath there and continues.

'But it's a good thing it didn't. And because of that, we get to have good tea this way.

I haven't taken a bite yet, but how can you taste it?

　Satie hadn't even entered the room yet, let alone poured the tea.

'This faint scent of scones. And she's prepared five scones to go with them. How could a tea made by such a person be bad?

　Luthrara assured her and quickly asked Sati for her recommendation of scones.

　Satie bowed so prettily that you could almost hear the onomatopoeic sound of a bow, and then began to explain with a slightly nervous expression on her face.

The garnishes for today's scones are honey, whipped cream, blueberry jam, cream cheese and caramel sauce. I like to put a lot of whipped cream on them, and then pour a lot of honey and caramel sauce on top.

　When Luthrara heard the words, she honestly offered to take them.

　Sati smiled and silently poured the tea and offered Luthrara her favorite scone.

　She took a bite of it and smiled for the first time today.

'Good food. I knew I wanted this girl to be my maid.

　Of course, I couldn't give it to you.
　But it's true that her words and smile made the place much more relaxed.
　I took advantage of the opportunity to ask her about the weather.
　Casually, quite naturally, I asked her in a casual tone, as if asking her what the weather will be like tomorrow.

''I can't give you Sati, but I can tell you if it's a strange plan to move the Demon King's army's residence to this place. Lutra-san, will you listen to me?

　The fact that she didn't raise an eyebrow at my sudden surprise attack is just like the commander of the Demon King's army.

　She doesn't seem to be fazed at all, she brings a scone to her mouth and elegantly pours it into her mouth with tea.

　When she finished swallowing the scones, she looked down at me and asked me, "What is your name?

''That's a bold and fearless statement. What would you do if I were a demon tribe in opposition to the transition?

I don't think so.

　And then he said downright.

'How can you say that?'

There are several reasons for this, but one reason is that Luthrala-san has been personally appointed by the Demon King to be the planner of the transition.

''The Demon King's orders are absolute. Isn't it possible that he will forcefully choose an opponent?

''I'm sure there will be. I mean, I'm the only legion leader who seems to agree with the transition for sure. The rest is Cephiro. But the Demon King didn't choose me and Sephiroth, he chose you and I. I surmised that there was a reason for that. I surmised that there was a reason for that.

What reason?　Let's see.

''Perhaps, but the Demon King appointed Luthrara-san as a buffer. If you order the pro-transition group to build the castle here, it might cause problems later on. So, if we add a neutral member who is neither for nor against the move, the mood of the opposition will be more or less settled.

'Surely that's what he was chosen for, I suppose. I am. In fact, I am both against and in favor of the relocation. I understand the Demon King's thoughts and strategic significance, but I also understand the feelings of the opposition. Dvorberg is both the hometown of the demon race and a symbol. I can't ask you to abandon it so easily.

'But Lutra-san is going to follow the Demon King's orders in the end, right?

..........

　She answers by silence.
　Since ancient times, silence has been quoted as a yes.
　She says, as if in contemplation.

''Indeed, as soon as I received the Demon King-sama's order, I gave up my feelings of home and sorrow. If the demon king wants to move to a new city, I will do my best to help him do so.

　'However,' she adds.

''Even if I am, the other demons won't be so convinced. There are men in the demon king's army who can see the future, just like you. There are demons like Sephiro who want to get involved in interesting things. But unfortunately, they're not the majority, they're the minority. How do you convince those things?

You'll never be able to convince him.

　Luthrara frowns when I say it simply.
　Her willow eyebrows go down.

　She's a woman who looks like an ice sculpture, but when you actually come into contact with her, she's surprisingly expressive.

　She seemed to be offended by my words, but she spoke back with more force.

"You said earlier that I had a way to convince the demon tribe to oppose the relocation of the capital, so you tricked me into it,

'No way. My tongue is not eloquent enough to fool a beautiful and clever woman like you. All I said was that I had a 'strange plan' to make the transition to the capital a success. No, it's not such a big deal as a chicanery. It's a ruse, so to speak.

So, you're saying that you're going to trick the demon thing.

'I don't like to use that term. I suppose it would be more accurate to ask for concessions.

Mmm.

　Luthrara makes his shapely eyebrows form a figure eight.
　She seems to be wondering if she should go along with me.

　The fact that she is hesitating does not seem to disguise her loyalty to the Demon King, and her desire to make the transition to the capital a success.

　It was also confirmed that her feelings for the demon tribe also existed alongside that.
　She wanted to follow the Demon King's wishes and make the transition to the capital a success.
　However, she also understands the feelings of the demon tribe for her hometown.
　I was conversely relieved to see Luthrara's attitude.
　This is because the majority of the demon race in the Demon King's army shares the same feelings as her.
　The majority of the demon race should have feelings like hers.

　In other words, if I can persuade her to move to the new capital, the other demons will eventually agree with me.

　With that thought in mind, I told her the plan I had come up with.

　When Luthrara heard my plan, she literally lost her voice.

　The look on her face made me believe that my plan was guaranteed to succeed.
　I once again asked Luthrara for help.
　I held out my right hand.
　She holds out her right hand as well.
　Her lower half of her body was covered in scales, but her hand was smooth as silk.