Slow!

　That was the first word that was spoken to us when we finally got out of the underground labyrinth after running backwards through it.

　Apparently, they're not happy with the time it took me to capture the underground maze.

　Even if that is the case, that's the first thing you say to your subordinate after he or she has completed his or her job, and that's the first thing you say to him or her that makes me doubt his or her qualifications as a boss. I've decided, when I become the brigade commander, I'll take care of my subordinates properly. It's only a waste of time to antagonize them, and it's me, the commander, who will see the loss.

I'm sorry, Commander.

M....what, you're going to apologize honestly? That's boring. I just wanted you to show me that you had the guts to fight back.

　I don't know.
　He's such a pain in the ass.

Well, you've made her wait this long. "Now that you've made her wait this long, of course you're going to get that thing, aren't you?

'What's that disturbing way of saying it?

　Cephiro holds out his hand, as if to tell me to get on with it and give it to him.
　I put the pure white ash on his hand.

　The end of the dragon zombies waiting for us in the innermost part of the labyrinth. The ashes of the dragon that had lost its life after the Philosopher's Stone was destroyed.

　I didn't know what part of the body hit the fangs, but well, it's part of the dragon's body, so I hope you can tolerate it.

　However, Cephiro looked at the ashes handed to him and made a pouting face.

'What is it?　This,

We have a dragon.

"...Ike, are you playing a trick on your mistress?　No matter how benevolent and warm-hearted your mistress is, she still gets angry when she's angry.

I don't mean to be a joke. Rather, it's something you set up yourself.

What do you mean?

　He tilted his head at me with a look of utter incomprehension.

　I had no choice but to tell the truth about what happened in the deepest part of the labyrinth, in the former Sephiro's workshop. A dragon zombie with the Philosopher's Stone embedded in it attacked. And that the dragon zombie had developed a "barrier" that plays magic and demons. And when the Philosopher's Stone was destroyed, the dragon zombie turned back to ashes.

　All the time, Sephiro listened while nodding with interest.
　Eventually, when I finished telling the story, Cephiro nodded widely.

I'm not sure if I've ever heard of it. I didn't know that.

'I don't know... didn't the Commander set this up?　Both Dragon Zombie and The Philosopher's Stone.

Indeed, she was studying the Philosopher's Stone in this workshop. The study of the magic of the Barrier. However, both studies were aborted. I have a memory of trying to create the Philosopher's Stone, but I'm sure all of them failed.

...What do you mean?

Perhaps the residue of the research that was left behind at the site just happened to be magically combined to create a pseudo-Smith's Stone. That and the dragon that was in that place must have merged together to create an immortal zombie.

Coincidence, sir?　But that can't be...

When she failed, I lost interest in the research here. When she failed, she lost interest in the research here. It's no wonder that such a coincidence occurred.

　That's like saying that Cephiro's sloppiness led to this incident....

　I had clearly thought that Cephiro had set the stage for everything. That's why he set up the dragon zombies that only I, as a human, could break through. But from the looks of it, it seems that Cephiro really doesn't have anything to do with that dragon zombie.

　I feel sorry for the brigade members, and I want my innocence back.

'Well, good. The absence of the dragon's fangs doesn't bother me much, but it's a pity. It's just a pity. And Ike seems to have gotten more than she bargained for.

Well there's no denying that.

　I look around the inside of the small dugout.

　One after another, the elites of my immortal brigade crawled out of the underground labyrinth. After this one incident, the brigade members' trust in me has been solidified. The fact that Jiron, Lilith, and Shigan, who are all in the commander's class, recognized me is a big deal. And in being recognized by them, the defeat of the dragon zombies was of great significance.

　What everyone was saying was their admiration for me.

　It's just like Lilith said, in the Demon King's Army, and in the Demon Tribe, it's the ability to say things above all else that counts. It's great to see this up close and personal. I'm sure there will come a day when it will be useful on the battlefield from now on.

Ike," he said. Ike, I once again appoint you as the brigade commander of the immortal brigade of my seventh army corps. Good news awaits you.

Yes, sir. Commander.

　----At that time, I still hadn't imagined it.
　This trust that I had built up would eventually become strength and lead to success on the battlefield.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that my Immortal Brigade will be proud of its outstanding achievements in the Demon King's Army.
I had no idea that the title of "The Demon King's Companion Sword" would be placed on my shoulders.
　At that time, I hadn't even imagined that I'd be able to


†.


Hmm...........

　I got up the heavy body and stretched out gingerly.
　

　More than three years have already passed since then. Our immortal brigade has made great strides, and now we have reached the point where we rule the trading city of Ivalice. I wonder if Cephiro, the founder of the brigade, had foreseen this as well. Incidentally, even I, who was involved in this, did not expect things to go so smoothly.

　It's not that I didn't trust my subordinates.

　Rather, I put all my trust in them. Still, I didn't expect the march to go so smoothly. In short, I'm not imaginative enough. Giron would have said, "I knew your husband would do it! And I'm sure he'll take a powerful gut punch.

　My back hurts. Apparently, I've plopped down on the desk and fallen asleep.
　In my hand, there is an undecided document and a cup filled with coffee.

　When I looked to the side, I saw Satie leaning back in her chair and paddling her cocky boat.

　I guess I've made her wait a long time. It's rare that this girl falls asleep at work.
　I pecked her soft cheeks playfully.



Good morning, Satie.

　With blurred eyes, Sati turned to me.

　Then, her eyes instantly widened and she straightened her residence in a panic. I stood up quickly and bowed my head over and over again.

''I'm sorry, sir!　 I'm sorry!

'No, sorry on my part. I couldn't wait for my coffee and fell asleep.

'Oh no, my master has nothing to apologize for!　All this is the fault of this Satie's immorality. I am sorry to repeat myself!

It's fine, but...

　Oh dear, I'm really getting into the slave spirit.

　When I see Satie bowing her head with a bowed head and a heartfelt apology, I am reminded of a waterfowl. He may be serious, but his appearance was somewhat comical.

　This would be too much for Sati to take care of if he didn't give her one of his punishments.
　Thinking a little nastily, I drank down the coffee that had completely cooled down.

You can't be that bad, Satie, go make me another cup of coffee as punishment. It should be hot enough to steam.

All right, all right!　.........Huh?　Master?

Didn't you hear me?

'No, no!　We'll have it ready for you right now!

　As soon as he said that, Sati ran out of the room with unseen speed.
　It's funny because even though she's joking, she's in a serious hurry.
　Well, I have another job to do, too.

It's not easy being a provincial lord, you know.

　As I say this, I go to the papers on my desk.

　Maybe it's because I've had a good night's sleep, but my mind is clear. Let's just get it done. Maybe Satie and I can go shopping in the city when I'm done.

　With that thought in mind, I picked up my pen.