“You probably already heard from Luna, but I also welcome the alliance.”

Lucy Meikhael greeted us with a modest demeanor.

It was daytime, so it was Lucy, the Emperor’s ‘original’ personality, who was present. Unlike Luna, she wasn’t stern or imposing, but rather humble.

“Reconciliation is better than conflict. Even if the alliance is just for show, it might bring change between the two races that have been hostile for so long. So, I really hope the alliance succeeds.”

Knowing that she had disguised her identity to enroll in university, she looked like a plain, studious student.

If the emotional Luna is a carnivore, the calm Lucy could be called a herbivore.

“Thank you for supporting our cause, Your Majesty.”

Bella knelt on one knee and replied respectfully.

“Your Majesty’s generous understanding is truly reassuring. Without Your Majesty’s support…”

“No, peace… is a good thing.”

Lucy gave an awkward smile to Bella, who seemed genuinely moved.

I think I understood the meaning behind that smile.

The Empire is a nation with anti-Demon tendencies.

With a long history of fighting Demons and the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ experienced just a generation ago, most of the citizens harbor resentment towards Demons. Following this sentiment, both Lucy and Luna have maintained anti-Demon policies.

But now, the truth about the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ has been revealed at the Castle of the Duke.

The massacre of the northern people, once thought to be the work of Demons, was actually carried out by the Imperial Army. With this revelation, one of the reasons to oppose Demons has vanished.

However, the decisive reason the Emperor supported the alliance is probably because of me. After learning the whole truth, she felt guilty for what she had done to me. She even came to apologize separately, showing how deeply she felt responsible.

In short, the Emperor is now wary of me. So, she sided with me, who led the alliance.

“But that Demon Lord… I’m still uneasy about whether we can trust her. There has never been a Demon Lord friendly to humans before.”

Lucy glanced at me as she spoke. She was expressing her concerns. She supports the alliance because of me, but her unease remains.

She was asking me.

Is this alliance really feasible?

Is it okay to ally with the Demon Lord?

As the one who must make this alliance happen, I needed to give her confidence.

“…Indeed, there has never been a Demon Lord friendly to humans before. All previous Demon Lords have led countless humans to their deaths, turning this country and the entire world into ruins.”

The Demon Lord is a symbol of destruction. A being that leads humanity to ruin, a lord of destruction that tramples all living things. To humans, the Demon Lord is synonymous with catastrophe.

“In that sense, an alliance with a Demon Lord seems impossible… But the one I met was different from the Demon Lords of the past.”

“Different?”

“Yes.”

To reassure Lucy, I emphasized that Trinity had no intention of opposing us.

“I don’t know her true motives, but at least she showed no intention or will to oppose us. According to records, Demon Lords would start slaughtering humans without question, but she showed no such hostility. In fact, she seemed quite interested in humans.”

“Hmm… Interest… Well, their way of life is completely different, so it’s natural to be curious. There has been no interaction with Demons for so long, so it’s even more intriguing.”

“She seemed interested in formally interacting with our country. If she had ulterior motives, she wouldn’t have hinted at such intentions to me. The Demons of the Demon Forest alone number over 50,000.”

“50,000?!”

“Including monstrous beasts, their numbers surpass our army.”

Even Lucy couldn’t have expected such numbers.

The Demon Forest is home to more races than one might think.

They had been living without encroaching on each other’s territories, but with the appearance of a leader, the Demon Lord, they began to unite as one force.

Now, the Demons of the Demon Forest have reached a level that cannot be ignored.

“What I’m saying is, if Trinity had intended to annihilate us, she would have started a war long ago. The fact that she proposed an alliance despite her numerical superiority means she genuinely wants an alliance…”

I spoke to reassure Lucy, who was frightened by the number of Demons.

“Even if she changes her mind and betrays us, we are prepared. This expedition army was originally meant to stop the Demon Lord, wasn’t it?”

“That’s… true. But Count… Can I really stop so many Demons?”

“You’re not alone. Look around. There are many in this expedition army who will support you. Ariel, Patrick, Leon, Laura—they are trustworthy and will always lend you their strength. And… if necessary, I’m here too.”

I looked straight at Lucy, who widened her eyes. To give her confidence.

“If they’re not enough, I, Tristan Ruelberta, will protect you and this country, so don’t worry.”

Before the alliance with the Demons, I made an alliance with the Emperor.

If the Demon Lord appears, we agreed to stop our meaningless conflicts and fight together.

But Lucy seemed embarrassed and avoided my gaze.

“Ah… th-thank you, Count.”

She must be shy.

Despite the title of Emperor, Lucy is closer to an ordinary girl.

I wonder how the arrogant Luna would react.

Normally, she would have made a cheeky remark, but since she feels guilty towards me, she might show a different reaction…

While I was thinking this, someone mercilessly stepped on my foot.

“Excuse me. My foot slipped.”

“……”

Bella’s bad habit struck again.

She didn’t even bother to pretend it was a mistake this time.

As I was left confused and venting my frustration, Bella whispered as she passed by.

“Don’t say such things so casually.”

“??”

I was about to ask what she meant when Lucy spoke up.

“By the way, it was also the Count’s achievement to have contacted the future Demon Lord and built a relationship in advance. In a way, the Count laid the groundwork for the alliance.”

“…It’s just a result.”

“Credit is credit. It’s still early, but I think the Count has done well as the overall commander of the expedition army. Once the alliance is finalized and we return to the capital, appropriate rewards are being considered… by Luna.”

“By Luna?”

“Yes. It’s probably a hint to think about what reward you want in advance.”

I didn’t expect Luna to bring up rewards…

No, perhaps she was too embarrassed to say it herself and used Lucy to convey it. After all, she has her pride too.

“Ah, but… she said absolutely no to what you’re wearing.”

Who asked for it?

The only reason I received her gift was to provoke her, given her obsessive cleanliness. But she seems to have completely misunderstood me as a pervert.

‘But…’

Since she said absolutely not, it makes me want to receive it even more… Maybe it’s just human nature.

I chuckled and said,

“Tell her I understand.”

“…You really understand, right?”

“Yes.”

I look forward to returning to the capital.

“By the way, Count.”

Bella, who had been watching from the side, chimed in.

“I’ve been curious… You seem to know a lot about that woman.”

“That woman?”

Ah, she means Trinity.

Well, of course I know.

Because she is me.

“More or less.”

“You’re not interested in her, are you?”

“…What?”

The absurd question made me frown involuntarily.

I was dumbfounded, but it seemed like a serious issue for Bella. She pouted and vented her dissatisfaction.

“Well… honestly, it’s a bit much. You had a secret meeting with a Demon without us knowing? Trinity is quite pretty for a Demon, and you’re a man, so it’s not like you have no interest at all—”

“Bella.”

I cut her off.

“Look at my face carefully. Do I look like someone interested in her?”

Bella’s gaze scrutinized my expression. She was trying to find even the slightest hint of emotion.

But I didn’t hide my feelings with ‘Patience.’ I simply showed Bella my true feelings towards Trinity.

Seeing this, Bella nodded.

“……Not at all.”

“That’s right.”

I finally relaxed my furrowed brow.

To think that I would be entangled with myself one day.

*

“Come on, Wendy. Spill the truth.”

“Huh? T-the truth…?”

“Last night.”

Gulp.

Wendy, who reacted involuntarily, saw Helga’s triumphant smile.

“Hehe… So, something happened between the Count and the Princess last night, right?”

“Ugh… N-no… P-please stop…”

Helga, now fully in villain mode, relentlessly tickled Wendy. Once caught, there was no escaping Helga’s strength.

Wendy cried out in a tearful voice.

“S-someone help…! Eeek…!”

“Stop it, Helga.”

The timing was perfect.

As if the heavens heard her desperate plea.

At the savior’s voice, Helga stopped tickling.

Wendy’s face lit up as she saw the savior’s face.

“Master…!”

“Blanche… Don’t interfere.”

“What are you doing to a child? Be reasonable.”

“No. I’m going to make Wendy confess.”

“Confess?”

Blanche frowned.

Stoic but righteous, she would surely save Wendy from Helga’s clutches.

Or so I thought.

“Last night, something definitely happened between the Count and Princess Bella.”

“The Princess and… the Count?”

“That’s right. What were the two of them doing in the Count’s quarters at such a late hour? Hehe… I want to know, but Wendy won’t tell me.”

“N-nothing happened…! Master, help…!”

“The Princess and the Count…”

But Blanche’s expression was unusual.

“B-Blanche Master…?”

Wendy called her name cautiously. Blanche slowly opened her mouth.

“……Wendy.”

“Y-yes?”

“It’s better to tell the whole truth.”

“M-Master?!”