The integration of all the divided dominant domains was successfully completed.

　Taking advantage of the [Pseudo-peace] situation, I used the [Transitional Device] to assemble all my subordinates and main subordinates to the innermost part of the first dominion realm.

　Standing on top of the [Stand Up] that I created for the sake of atmosphere, I looked around at the faces of my assembled subordinates.

''........Kohon. We will now hold a victory party to celebrate the successful invasion of the Demon King Kanta's controlled territory.

　With a single cough, he announced the celebration.

　I've always admired this kind of event after seeing it in cartoons and movies.......but when I'm in the position to do it, I'm nervous.

''Before the banquet begins, we will first conduct an awarding ceremony. Those who are called to step forward.
""Ha!"

　Award Ceremony. This was the true purpose of the celebration.

　The invasion of the Demon King Arisa's controlled territory that would begin tomorrow. The key to raising the odds of victory - raising the level of individual power.

　However, raising their level of power could not be accomplished overnight. If that's the case, the only way to raise the level of individual power that can be done instantly is to award a powerful item.

　You could have given them to me in the usual way, but since this is a special occasion, I decided to make a ceremony to award them.

　The high-ranking items were being smelted when Lina and the others were invading the territory controlled by the Demon King Kanta. The highest ranked item that could be smelted required 1,500 CP, and there were a total of 10 different types, all of which were unique items. There were 15 other unique items in existence, including the smelted Darn Slaves, all of which had been smelted.

''Lina!''
Hmm.

　Lina steps forward in front of me when her name is called.

'Lina will be awarded a rank B light armor--'War Maiden's Armor' and a rank C helmet--'Demonic Mask'.
I respectfully accept... what's this?

　After receiving the armor that emphasizes mobility but is highly durable, based on blue with white and silver trimmings, Lina received the so-called Venetian mask style "Devil's Mask" that protects only the eyes with a black base - the so-called Venetian mask, and she nodded her head.

''The 'demonic mask'?　That's a gem that cost me 700 CP to smelt?
No, it's a gem but why is it shaped like this?
''You know that the territory controlled by Demon King Arisa, which is scheduled to be invaded from tomorrow, is still being invaded by humans, right?
I know that.
Wouldn't it be bad if my face was exposed--former 'Black Sword Hero'?

　Lina has been restricting her actions to avoid running into humanity until now. However, the area controlled by the Demon King Alisa is being invaded by many human beings. I don't want to be exposed, and I don't want Lina's movements to be slowed down.

''Nah, I see.... Thank you for your consideration.''

　Understanding my intentions, Lina bows her head and returns to where she was originally.

　I wanted them to be more interested in the unique item "Armor of the War Maiden," which consumes 1,500 CP, than in the "Demon Mask" but...

　For some reason, Lina is a rare and important subordinate. Just like canon, there is no replacement. The item that was awarded was the highest quality item selected.

''Next, Leila!
Ha!

　Leila, whose name is called, advances in front of me.

''Leila will be awarded a rank B weapon--the 'Whip of the Underworld' and a set of rank C armor!
'Ha!　Thankfully happy!

　The Whip of the Underworld is a black whip that is as deep as darkness. It is a unique item smelted by consuming 1,500 CP, which has the ability to strengthen the attribute of darkness.

　After that, Flora was given the rank B staff Crimson Staff, Red was given the rank B blunt weapon Vajra, Iron was given the rank B shield Requiem Shield, Chloe was given the rank B bow Ichiibar, and Blue was given the rank B one-handed axe Wind Cleaver.

　Guy, Daquel, Silver, and Hope were also given the highest-ranked non-unique items they could handle, and Chloe was given the Wind Cleaver, a rank B single-handed axe. I also awarded other items to four of my subordinates who went on a warrior training trip with Chloe and the others, and to Dhampir, the only surviving subordinate of Lina and the others.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. The 'Ring' was equipped by me.

　This completes a top-notch strength that I didn't want to leave out.

　The only thing left to do now is to nurture their spirits and pray for the success of the invasion that begins tomorrow.

This is the end of the award ceremony. Now, let's have a banquet.

　I look around at my subordinates with a glass filled with ginger ale in hand.

　My men hold the glasses filled with the drinks that canon prepared in advance for each of them.

''To congratulate Demon King Kanta on his successful invasion of the controlled territory... and to wish Demon King Arisa a successful invasion of his controlled territory that begins tomorrow--Cheers!
""Cheers!"

　A modest banquet was held.


　◆


Dahhhh.........hiccup!　Theon, well he should have worked harder on his crew!

　Who's there!　Who gave Lina a drink?

'Yeah!　That's right!　Now is the time to speak out for environmental reform!

　Canon?　You dabbled in alcohol, didn't you?

'Yes!　Ila has always been your head's -- geez!

　Blue, the only one of the created subordinates with questionable loyalty, tries to agree with Lina and canon, but Chloe bellybutts him and crouches down.

'The servant!　Master!　Master!　He's the world's greatest ruler of Sanriku!
That's what I'm talking about, sister Chloe!　I, too, am convinced that Lord Zion is the one and only undisputed ruler of this world!

　If you look closely, you can see that Chloe's eyes are even more fanatical than usual, and then another fanatic, Layla, joins her, and the place turns into chaos.

'Kakkakk!　Mister, let's have some more drinks!
I smell alcohol... stay away from me!

　With a bottle in hand, a jovial Red tangles with me.

'There, demon!　You are disrespectful to the Lord!
'What?　A doggie?　Are we gonna do this?　Huh?

　Silver, who was angry at Red's attitude, scolded Red, and Red glared at Silver with settled eyes, and it was a flash in the pan.

''You guys!　The struggle is--
Fireball.　Impudent!
The Ice Bullet.　You've got to know your place!

　I tried to intercede with Red and Silver, but Chloe, who was the first to notice my actions, flew a fireball at Silver and Leila fired an ice bullet at Red.

　In the midst of the chaos of the party, I vowed in my heart that I would never again supply alcohol to my men and women.


　The next day, I'm hungover and useless.

　The next day, I see that my men are hungover and useless. The invasion of Demon King Arisa's domain was postponed for another day.