Hey, you're looking good.

This is all thanks to the authority of Noah. The demons live in this land and keep order.

No, I didn't do anything.

　The central street of the city of Rafas, which I ruled over - me and Drake were walking side by side there.
　A month had passed since I, or rather the demons under me, had taken over the city of Rafas.
　At first, I had them mainly working on cleaning up the city, fixing the buildings to demon size. This area was done with great help from Lute, the elven architect.
　So, we can use the houses that can be used as is and rebuild another house so that larger demons can also live in it, and that kind of work is eighty percent done. And I made sure that all of my staff could live there as a place for the demons to live.
　However, I haven't finished taking it easy yet, so only about a tenth of the demons are willing to live there.

''It's wonderful. Even though they are all demons, not a single battle has occurred. This is also the rule of law laid down by Noah-sama. A nation is made up of three things: people, territory, and law.

You know, that's a pretty good description of the law.

Still, the law is the law. In fact, the easier it is for the demons to understand, the better.

Well, that's something.

　I nodded at Drake's words.
　The law I set up - it's not that big of a deal, though.
　Since this is a country of demons in the first place, we don't have any food problems or anything like that, and there's no need to act productively at all. From now on, if humans are going to live with us, we might need to be more self-sufficient in food, but as of now, there are only a few of us other than demons, including me. I'm not sure how many people I'll be able to help.
　For that many people, Arisa will bring me crops from the elves' hiding place, so that's all I need. In addition, there was a good amount of preserved food left in this city's dwellings, so it's unlikely that we'll be starving.
　By the way, the law that I set up is as follows.

Unless I give you an order, you must not kill anyone.

Unless I give you an order, you must not kill your fellow man.

Unless I give you an order, you must not leave this city.

　Drake told me that you have to be as simple as this to get through to the people who only follow simple orders, even if they are demons with a will.

'So, Noah-sama. What do you plan to do in the future?

What?

Thus, we have gained a stronghold in the Empire. From now on, it seems to me that it would be better to proceed in a manner that would overrun the Empire.

No, I told you that was a bad idea. We have to be peaceful.

But...

I promised you, you know.

I don't suppose you need to follow the words of that vixen, sir.

But you're still our ally.

....

　Drake looks quite unhappy.
　The reason for this is because of the seventh day after I dropped this city.
　The reason for this is because of the meeting with Queen Olvance - Feliana, who came like the wind, suddenly and unexpectedly.










''First of all, I would like to congratulate you on gaining a bridgehead in the fight against the Empire. As the ruler of Orvance, I am pleased to be an ally with a country as strong as Grandizia.

Thank you, Miss Feliana.

　Apparently, Feliana came over as soon as she heard that I had dropped off the city of Rafas.
　There was a preliminary word of warning, but that was only because the messenger announced the decision that the queen would be visiting us in two days. As you might expect, I had just dropped off the city too, and I said I couldn't offer her any hospitality, but I did say that it was only an unofficial visit.
　He told me it was only an unofficial visit and I didn't need to entertain him, so I took him at his word and didn't prepare anything else.
　That's because we didn't have any food or anything at all, though we did at least have a place to sleep in.

I'm sorry, but I don't know the whole story about this town yet either. The messenger said there was no need to entertain us with anything, so I didn't prepare anything, but...are you okay?

Of course that's not necessary. Of course this is not necessary, but rather a celebration from me. I've brought the carriage, the cooks, and some of the finest ingredients in our country. If it would be permissible for you to allow our cooks to enter the kitchen.

Oh, really? Then I'd love to. I don't even use the kitchen at all, so I don't know what's in it, but...

Thank you. You heard that, right?　Call the cooks. The sidekeepers should cooperate and have a party tonight.

Yes, sir.

　Feliana says that to the man behind her, who is probably a knight in shining armor.
　I didn't know this, but in such cases, the person blessing the event has to prepare the food and so on. I thought I had to prepare the food and so on.
　Well, I'm not sure. I don't know. I'll ask Drake about this later too.
　When I looked next to her, I saw Jessica lightly holding her head in her hands.

"...Um, Noah-sama.

What?

　Feliana is giving instructions to each of the side servants.
　In order for Feliana not to hear, Jessica said that to me in a whisper.

''........This is the one we should be welcoming originally. If you tell me in advance, I have prepared it for you. In the future, please let me know.

'Uh ... uh ... um ... sorry ...'

　I knew it was rude.
　Feliana seems to have forgiven me this time, so I'll be more careful in the future.

Well.

　Feliana straightens up her residence and looks at me again.

It seems that with the advance of Noah-sama's army, the Empire has decided to get serious about warfare. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it happen.

...Hydra Seki?

It's said that this is the strong barrier that stopped the Demon King Lil'kara's advance in the past. The area west of the Hydra Pass is a quarter of the Empire's territory. It's safe to assume that the Empire's national strength has been reduced by that much.

Oh, really? Well, yes. Good.

　I'm not sure, but I'll answer that.
　In case you're wondering, Drake and Angus are standing next to me, but neither of them can speak human language. Basically, I'm the one who has to deal with them.
　But it's okay. I'm on a path with Drake, so I can telecommunicate with him at any time.
　If I misspoke, I told him to tell me right away.
　I'm sure Jessica will be pissed at me before that, though.

"But I'm still amazed. Lady Noah.

...what is it?

No. The two are Drake's Death Size and Angus Houlgar, the Iron Fist King. I thought that only demons served under them, but I didn't know that they had an adventuring hero under them.

Uh... yeah, yes. Well, my people, I guess.

　We're both already demons.
　There's no need to go out of your way to tell me that.

'Well ... so what did you do today?　I can't believe Mr. Feliana would come all the way here.

It's a reaffirmation of our friendship.

'Oh, really?'

　The queen herself is coming for that reason, she's pretty light on her feet.
　I know my country is only a city, but isn't the kingdom of Olvance a big place to rule? That's exactly why I feel like there's a lot of work for queens to do.
　But with my words, Jessica smiled.

''Um, Noah-sama.''

Yeah?

It's easier to doubt than to believe. That's what the old saying says. As a fellow countryman, I thank you, Lord Noah, that you have faith in the kingdom of Orvans without the doubts that are easy to have.

...Yeah?

　Suddenly I don't know what Jessica is talking about.

'But I don't think that's the only purpose. The job of being a queen is not so leisurely as to come to this country for that alone. That's right, Your Majesty Feliana.

Oh my gosh you think Jessica can see everything.

'Of course, Master Noah understands that much.

....

　Listening to Jessica and Feliana's conversation doesn't really add up. I don't understand anything, Jessica.
　No.
　So this means that I can't understand why she's doing what she's doing.
　Because I didn't have a choice. I don't know.

"The truth is, I've come to ask Master Noah to do me a rude favor.

"Uh...?

Evans would like to take this opportunity to reduce the territory of the Empire. He wants to take the land west of the Hydra and take it as is. There are refugees in our country, and we can't say that we have plenty of land. If we give such a people the territory of the Empire, which is the new land, to the people of our country, we will solve our population problem.

Huh....

I would never say that I would simply accept a fiefdom. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with it. Therefore.....

　It's been going on for some time now, and I'm losing my mind.
　What are we going to do?

The new fiefdoms to which you have relocated the people from Orvance we will provide Grandizia with all the revenues from the new fiefdoms.

　.........
　...............................