We withdrew from the dominion zone and took a short break in the Hiace.

We can still make it, right?
'What?　Aren't you going home?

　When I checked with my subordinates, all but one (canon) shook their heads.

　Takahar, Sarah and Setanta are genuine battle fanatics. Lina and Kotetsu aren't aggressive either, but from the way they are fighting, they don't seem to dislike fighting. Hibiki........doesn't really care. Or rather, he's the type of guy who would gladly roll naked down a thorny path. Cain is also a created subordinate, so he's basically a yes-man.

　There are those who complain about their living conditions - but when it comes to battle, the thoughts of all of them are united.

　It's dependable.

''Let's go for the next area of control.
'What?　Wait.........Mr. Theon?　He nodded with satisfaction, but my presence...

　With the whining of the flying canon as background music, we aimed for the next control realm.


　As a result, we invaded about three other domination realms controlled by the Demon King of the first domination realm we invaded.

　The number of enemies waiting for him decreased with each successive invasion.

　Is it time to go?　My level had grown from 18 to 19 by the time I felt that I was a good fit.


　◆


I'm exhausted..... I'm so tired from the medicine........

　In the car on the way back home, Kanon, the only one not used to fighting, complains about it.

'Kaaah!　That was fun!　Next time, give me a place with a bit more teeth, please.
It's the best of both worlds.

　In contrast to Kanon, Takaharu and Sarah's expressions were filled.

'Ugh it was fun, but it's frustrating!
In a fight, the outcome is everything. Seta you must practice hard.
I mean, was that decision for real?
Seriously!　Your judgement is a kotecan, too.

　Lina admonishes a frustrated Setanta, and Sarah happily engages an exasperated Takaharu.

　The decision on the number of kills between Setanta vs. Takaharu vs. Kotetsu vs. Lina is left to me, and I've made a decision based on my senses--Kotetsu in first place, Takaharu in second, Lina in third, and Setanta in fourth.

　To be honest, I don't know the difference between Takaharu and Lina; I'm pretty sure that Kotetsu is in first place and Setanta is in last place. I was torn between Takahar and Lina's ranking... but Kotetsu blurted out "Takahar, right?" and I gave Takahar second place.

　Kotetsu is very lean in his movements anyway. He was defeating his enemies with minimal movement and force.

　 It would be something like this.

　This world is not a game - although status, levels, and other fuzzy phenomena exist - but it's not a game. The noticeable difference from the game world is that HP doesn't exist. So it's just an example.

　Either way, once again, I was able to realize how great Kotetsu was. I think we were really lucky to be able to take them under our wing. If Lina hadn't been one of them, Kotetsu wouldn't have been one of them. Lina just happened to be the first control territory I invaded, which was my control territory. That's where I obtained the [Black Iron Sword]. Her original talent for swords, coupled with the strength of the weapon, made her a hero. And then he challenged my control area - and became my subordinate.

　And that Lina became the key and Kotetsu became my subordinate.

　Each of these intermittent events became a line, and here we are now.

　Feeling a strange connection, I let myself fall into the shaky carriage.


　


Mr. Theon, aren't you quiet?　Are you tired?

　Halfway up the road to the Kutakara Pass, Kanon calls out to me as I was lost in a sea of thoughts.

'I was just thinking,'
What's the use of BP?
Yeah.

　I was pondering where to divide the BP that had reached 52 in the rocking car.

　The three statuses that can be made into A are 【Physical】, 【Creation】, and 【Smelting】.

　Considering the future strategic outlook and my style.......the [Physical] option would be the first to be eliminated.

　If that's the case, the remaining options are - 【Creation】 and 【Refinement】.

　【Creation】 is a privilege that only the Demon King is allowed to have. By growing 【Creation】, the quality of the subordinates that could be created would increase, and the strength of the Astor Empire as a whole would simply increase. Likewise, the quality of the [Creation of Dominion Territory] would also increase, so the infrastructure could be expected to be strengthened.

　Even if we gather information on the Demon King who is considered to be a strong enemy - the overwhelming majority of Demon Kings whose first rank is B status is [Creation].

　In other words, the Royal Road. There's a reason why it's a royal road. It's a royal road because it's the most efficient and most supported, that's why it's a royal road.

　In contrast, 【Renewal】 is....... By growing [Refining], the quality of items that can be deployed under your command will increase, and the strength of the Astor Empire will simply increase. Likewise, if the variety of 【item smelting】 increases, the infrastructure can also be strengthened.

　Up to this point, the benefits are the same as [Creation].

　The biggest difference is that 【Smelting】 can be substituted by a subordinate of the dwarf species, even if it's not the Demon King, the subordinates of the dwarf species can be substituted... I wouldn't say it's an easy one-tap that relies on CP, but the quality of Akira's specially made items that I spent time and materials on was very high.

　

　In fact, up until yesterday I was thinking of growing 【Creation】 to A-rank once I reached the level.

''So, which one do you want to grow, [Creation] or [Alchemy], Sion-san?

　Kanon calls out to me as I'm drowning in a sea of thoughts.

''You can make [the body] grow into an A as well, okay?
'What?　That's not an option........is it?

　The canon is astonished when I give him an otherwise innocuous reply.

'None,'
Of course.

　And when he simply affirmed it, Kanon was relieved.

''So, which one do you want to grow?
Which way do you think the Chief of Staff is headed?

　I reply sarcastically.

"--!　You're the chief of staff?　Yes, as a chief of staff....
Knowledge is not an option, you know.
I know!

　He nails the canon, which loosens its face with a smile and a happy smile.


Oh. What's your heart?
"Simple is best!　[Creation] is the Demon King's prerogative!　The growth of [creation] has a direct impact on the growth of the dominant area!　From now on, we can expect to see a war of such magnitude that it's not an exaggeration to call it a war. The decisive factor in winning a war is the quality of the troops--that is, the quality of the men under your command!　Hence, I recommend to Mr. Zion as a chief of staff that the growth of [Creation] that higher-ranked subordinates can create!

　I applaud the canon as he passionately develops his theory as a chief strategist.

''Thank you!　.........what?　What is this development?

　I praise Kanon without reservation. Kanon, who has known me for almost two years, seems to have figured out what that means.

'Hm?　What's going on?
''No, to say that Sion-san would clap her hands with such a nasty smile is... huzzah?
You're the man, Mr. Chief of Staff. You're right.
''I knew it!　Does that mean you're going to grow [smelting]?

　I smile, and Kanon asks me to ask him a question.

'Actually, I'm still trying to decide. You have two choices, right?'
''Do you want to grow [creation] or do you want to grow [smelting]?''
No. The choice I'm struggling with...

　I would confide my worries to the canon - the chief of staff.