--~♪

　A light notification sound comes from my smartphone.

''My men have defeated the Demon King. Do you wish to immediately "consolidate" your territory of control?

　Hmm.

"Canon. What does this mean?

　I call Kanon, who is close to my shoulder, and show him the text projected on my smartphone.

'Let's see, if you choose 《Integration》, the control area of District A will be integrated with Zion-san's control area, just as it was with me. If you want to secure the control area of District A while maintaining the current situation, you'll have to find the [True Core].

　District A's domain was a dungeon type of territory, just like mine. There were no special tricks in particular. 《Integration》 is fine, but.......since it's a good time, let's check out the version with the [True Core] removed.

''Ah!　There are advantages and disadvantages to 《split》. The advantage is that it will remain in the area controlled by Zion, so the humans won't know that it's Zion's area of control. Also, if there are any demons left, they'll be under Mr. Theon's control.

What are the downsides?

If we don't connect the passages, everyone under my command, including me, won't be able to get back and forth. Therefore, if there are invaders nearby, there's a possibility that the [True Core] will be easily taken away. Also, since we need to decide on a temporary master, Sion-san's maximum CP won't increase, and her maximum DP won't increase either.

Isn't that a big disadvantage?

Well, you can collect the CP and DP if you merge them immediately after splitting them up, right? By the way, you need to allocate all of your CP to merge.

　The biggest advantage of 《Division》 is that the number of subordinates will increase for free. Plus, it'll save you the trouble of rebuilding? We're planning to rebuild anyway, and even if there's an increase, it'll be a few goblins, right?

　I tapped "yes" on my smartphone in no time.

　--uh!

　The landscape around me shakes violently, and vibrations are transmitted from my feet to my entire body.

　This is the second time, but I'm not used to it....

　I wait for the shaking to stop and then check the screen of my smartphone.

The control area of Demon King Asami has been taken over.

　＞＞Dissimilar molecules will be ejected in order to integrate the dominant domain.

　＞＞I've successfully ejected the dissimilar molecule. Integration of the dominant domain.

　＞＞I've successfully integrated the dominant domain. Pseudo-peace is now granted for 24 hours.

　The name of the Demon King in District A is called Asami? As soon as I know it, it's unimportant information, so I immediately erase it from my memory and check the status of the [Control Area].

''Demon King Zion Control Area.

　DP: 1110/1219

　Area of control: 19 km2

　Population 0

　Type Dungeons

　Level 5

　Eukaryotic 3

　Installed facilities Entrance*3
　Stairs*12
　Transfer device*2
　Feedback device*2
　Resting place*12
　Fountain of Recovery*2
　Treasure trove*2
　Treasure Chest*59
　Intermediate Treasure Chest*4
　Advanced Treasure Chest*1
　Grasslands (hierarchy)*1
　Forest (partial) *1
　River*1
　Lake*1
　Cave (small)*4
　Field: 50
　House *1
　Shed*100
　Small room*80
　Grave*20
　Rock*20
　Ruins*4

　Iron arrow*50
　Poisonous arrows*10
　Poison Swamp*3
　Acid Injection*10
　Acid Swamp*5
　Manure pits*2
　Alarm*1

　Special limit 12 people*2
　Demon limit 24*2

　Special Effect Darkness Enhancement (Tier) *1
　"Pseudo-peace (24H remaining)


　Hmm. Every time you dominate a controlled area, a [pseudo-peace] is granted and the dissimilar molecules are ejected, right? Depending on how you think about it, that could be the most powerful trump card.

　For now, let's call Lina and the others.

　Normally, it would be forbidden - the [Transfer Device] will be set up by the dominant domain.

　The reason for the prohibition is because the risk is too high. If we were to connect the second dominant region and the first dominant region with a 【Transition Device】, it would lead to showing the intruders who are invading the second dominant region a shortcut to the first dominant region. While it was pleasing to see the movement of the subordinates become easier, it was only dangerous for the intruders to become easier to move.

　But now, the intruder would not be able to enter the area of control.

　This is why it's called a shortcut, a great deal for now only.

　--The [Transference Device] is in place. Return to your homes.

　I give orders to my subordinates who have successfully taken control of the area controlled by District A.

　After a while, the 【Transition Device】 I set up in front of me shines brightly, and Lina and the others appear in front of me.

''Good work.''
Good job!

　He gave a word of thanks to his subordinates who showed up.

''I didn't know they had this kind of equipment...!　I'm home.
Master's words ... thankfully happy!
I'm back, Daquell!　I'm sorry for the delay in the invasion!
'Sir!　Next time, give me some more crunchy dominant territory, please!
Oh. We've just arrived.
I'm home. I'm back~. He was no big deal to me.
We're coming home.

　Lina is surprised at the existence of the [Transference Device], and the subordinates respond to my light words of exertion.

''Take a good rest for today. Starting tomorrow, I'll ask you to invade the dominion territory again.
""Ha!"
Tomorrow?　Yeah, I understand.

　Leila, Daquel, and the rest of my men responded to my words in the form of a most respectful salute, but only Lina looked a little confused.

'Go back to your own dwelling and get some rest. Lina you will stay behind for a bit.
""Ha!"
"...?　Okay.

　After hearing my words, my men, except for Lina, leave the cave. I approach the remaining Lina and say to her.

"Lina. Good evening.
'Thank you. But, as Flora said, it wasn't a big deal. It was only easier than when I was freeing up control territory with the selected members of Kanazawa City.
That's good to hear.
So what do you want to do, leave me alone?
I was going to tell Lina what I think and what I plan to do.

　Lina is only a former human, and her thought processes are different from those of her created subordinates. From now on, she will be leading an expedition to control the territory she controls day after day and night after night. Without a clear rationale, their distrust of me will grow.

　I really didn't like being forced to act without a reason. I've been involved with all sorts of people - those who educate, those who give orders, those who give orders, those who take charge... but it's only natural to do it!　It was really unreasonable and demotivating to be pushed around.

　So I decided to give them a clear reason to do it before I gave the order.

　I'll do it because everyone else will do it. Obeying the one who was loudest I hated that kind of environment. So I'm going to try to avoid that environment. I don't want to be the person I hated.......maybe this is what I really wanted, but I wanted Lina to be convinced to act accordingly.

　After that, I explained to Lina the situation I was in, the characteristics of the Demon Lord, the movements of Demon Lords all over the country... and that I needed to act quickly to survive.

''I see.''
Will you be convinced?
'Huh. I know it's a terrible work environment, but it's an opinion I agree with.

　Lina replies with a smile.

'Theon is the Demon King. And I am a subordinate.''
Yeah.
Then shut up and give me orders. Why bother explaining it to me?
'I wonder why?　...because you didn't want to be someone you didn't like?
'Haha!　Theon really is a strange demon king.

　Lina laughed out loud and said, "Well then, I'm going home for tomorrow," and left the cave.


　◆


　Six months later.

　My level grew to 7. The number of 【True Nuclei】 I possessed became 18, and there were only 4 Demon Kings alive in Kanazawa City, including me.

''It's about time we see the unification of Kanazawa City.
It's the largest area of control in the city.
We're always ready to go.

　I look at the map of forces scribbled on the map of Kanazawa City spread out in front of me and predict the future. The expressions on the faces of their dependents, led by Lina, are also full of energy.

　There are two demon kings to be defeated in order to unify the city.

　Arisa, the fairy demon king who rules the eastern part of Kanazawa City and has expanded his domain with an overwhelming amount of power.

　Controlling the northern part of Kanazawa City, the Demon King of Demons, Kanta, used his individual strength to expand his domain.

　As the Demon King who has survived to this point, his opponent is not just any ordinary Demon King. We were very aware of each other's existence.

　As a result of scrutinizing the information we investigated--the status of the Fairy-type Demon King Arisa was physical [?　Magic power [B] Knowledge [?　Creation [C] Smelting [C] Estimated Level 7. demon species Demon King Kanta's status is physical [B] magic power [?　Knowledge [?　Creation [B] Alchemy [C] Estimated level 7.

　From the information I've learned, the area with the lowest degree of control difficulty is the area controlled by Demon King Arisa--

Then, from the day after tomorrow, we will begin our invasion of the territory we control.

　I told my men the territory I controlled of the invasion site based on my own considerations.