A few days later, an alliance between the Empire and the demons was formed.

Thus, the first step toward peace between the two races, who had been bitter enemies, began.

Of course, just because an alliance was formed doesn’t mean the resentment and hatred between them disappeared.

But there was a big difference between forming this alliance and not forming one.

Even now, in the border regions, conflicts big and small are breaking out between humans and demons.

The fact that the Emperor and the Demon Lord, the representatives of both sides, declared they wouldn’t fight each other was enough to suppress such pointless conflicts.

Even if it was a formal alliance, it was a huge gain for me. The day when players would invade wasn’t far off, and it wouldn’t do for the two factions to be fighting instead of uniting.

There were many voices of concern about this alliance.

Especially Laura Elsink, one of the heads of the Seven Stars, vehemently opposed it. While her hostility toward demons might have been a reason, the fact that I was the one who led this alliance likely played a part.

The relationship between Laura and Tristan is quite uncomfortable. But it’s hard to explain in just one word.

If I had to say, for Laura, Tristan is “the son of the man who once held her romantic affection and then betrayed her goodwill.”

Laura Elsink is a magician who pursued eternal youth. She hated aging so much that she devoted herself to researching magic formulas to prevent it.

Talented in magic, she rose to the ranks of an exceptional magician, considered the top disciple among Sage Myohail’s students.

But even Laura could only slow down aging, not reverse the flow of time.

No matter how much she hid her white hair, the wrinkles that kept increasing were impossible to conceal.

When Laura fell into despair, it was William who appeared before her. Having once studied together under Myohail, he made her a proposal.

“I will restore your youth.”

Having glimpsed William’s past, I now understand. What Laura faced that day wasn’t a sickly boy but William, who had fallen after losing Kyle.

Succumbing to the corrupted William’s proposal, Laura began to invest heavily in his “secret research.”

She provided funds for the research or personally captured rare magical beasts he needed.

It was likely because Laura knew of William’s extraordinary abilities.

She had a strong belief that he would create a magic formula to restore youth, which is why she supported him so wholeheartedly.

But at the time, Laura didn’t know.

That the “secret research” she was aiding was, in fact, unethical experiments using humans as materials.

One of the results of those experiments was Blanshe. The magical beast’s heart implanted in her was none other than the one Laura had captured for William.

In the end, blinded by her desire for youth, Laura became complicit in William’s evil deeds.

Not knowing this, she even developed romantic feelings for William, so the betrayal and shock she must have felt were immense.

In a way, she’s pitiable.

From start to finish, she was merely used by William.

But Laura could also say she achieved some of what she wanted, thanks to William.

Due to the magic formula William created going out of control, Laura was cursed with regression.

Like in a certain movie, her time is flowing backward. Eventually, she’ll become a baby and die.

Though it wasn’t eternal youth, at least she avoided the future of dying as an old woman, so it’s not entirely a bad ending.

But that’s just the result. Because of the memory of being betrayed by William, Laura now views me, his son, and the Ruelberta Family with extreme wariness and distrust.

‘Well… what can she do now anyway…’

Fortunately, not only the nobles of the Seven Stars but also the Emperor are on my side. With public opinion flowing in my favor, even Laura will have no choice but to follow my lead.

In other words… she can no longer be a variable for my failure.

Thinking that, I felt a bit relieved.

It’s a relief that I’ve made it this far without major mistakes.

Looking back on this northern expedition, there were many close calls.

Especially when I disguised myself as Trinity, it was the most nerve-wracking.

Enduring Bella’s suspicious gaze was no easy task. Fortunately, she didn’t figure out my identity but only suspected the relationship between Trinity and me…

Anyway, I’m sick of failures.

I’ve eliminated all failure factors this time, thinking it would be the last. I won’t taste the bitterness I did in the last round.

Looking around, the Imperial Army is busy preparing to withdraw.

With the alliance formed, there’s no reason for us to stay here any longer.

And today is the day the main force of the Imperial Army withdraws.

The castle will be left with only a minimal garrison. For the time being, it will only be used to monitor the Demon Forest and the Annulment Zone.

Originally, as the Demon Lord, I should stay here to rule over the demons.

But given my situation, it’s difficult, so I decided to leave someone to take care of the demons in my place.

The first candidate that came to mind was her.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. I’m counting on you, Rian.”

Rian made a reluctant face.

As a half-vampire, she easily grew close to the demons of the Demon Forest, much like the Annihilation Maids.

Not only that, but she was also considered quite strong among demons, so her reputation among them was surprisingly good. Demon society runs strictly on strength, so it’s no surprise that many demons follow Rian, who is inherently strong.

“Umm… I wonder if I can do it well…”

Perhaps because she hasn’t drunk blood yet, she lacks confidence.

But I won’t give her blood now. Once she drinks blood, her personality changes drastically, and she won’t want to leave my side.

“It won’t be for long. Educate the demons well during this time. I’ll call you back to the capital soon…”

“I still need education myself, so I don’t have the confidence to teach others…”

“Don’t worry. The maids will also stay for a while to help with the education.”

The Annihilation Maids will also stay here for the time being to manage the demons.

Rian could do it alone, but since the Annihilation Maids have been in charge of education, it’s better for them to stay until the Black Earth Tribe fully masters etiquette.

While giving Rian instructions on what to do while staying here, she suddenly spoke up.

“Count… I think we have a guest.”

Rian’s keen senses picked up the visitor first. Sure enough, a guest suddenly arrived at my barracks.

“Count. Do you have a moment?”

“…Laura?”

I didn’t show it, but my heart sank the moment I saw Laura Elsink’s face.

What is it? Did I make another mistake?

There’s nothing Laura can do now…

Laura, sounding somewhat tired, asked Rian to give us some space.

“Sorry… could you leave us alone for a bit? I want to talk to the Count privately.”

“Ah, yes…”

Rian bowed her head and scurried out.

Meanwhile, my mind was filled with thoughts about Laura.

She’s the type to nitpick and complain about everything I do.

The reason she came here can’t be for anything good…

‘Is she planning to interfere with me even in this situation?’

I looked at Laura with heightened vigilance.

“Count, I…”

“Let me say this first: I really dislike unnecessary arguments.”

“Huh?”

“We both know each other well, so I won’t beat around the bush. You really dislike me. And I dislike you too.”

This is a warning to her.

A stern warning that I won’t stand for her messing with me anymore.

“If you came here to vent useless complaints, leave now. I’m not the kind of person to sit around listening to your unreasonable whining.”

“W-wait! I think there’s some misunderstanding…”

“Misunderstanding? It’s absurd to hear ‘misunderstanding’ from your mouth… Fine. Go ahead and say whatever you want. I’m used to being misunderstood… But if you spout nonsense about the alliance based on some baseless misunderstanding…”

“?!”

My voice, filled with ‘wrath,’ made Laura flinch and step back.

“Then you’ll see how I express my anger.”

“N-no! What misunderstanding…! I fully support the alliance!”

“…What?”

For a moment, I thought I misheard, but Laura exaggeratedly waved her hands and spoke.

“Long live the alliance! Peace is good, right? Huh?”

“…Laura.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“N-no!? L-lost my mind? Just wait, I’ll tear that rude mouth of yours-”

“Tear?”

“Tear… tear it…”

Laura was sweating bullets, then suddenly put her fingers to her mouth and awkwardly laughed.

“Tear… like this! You can smile wide, right? See? It looks good!”

“????”

Has this old hag finally gone completely mad?

“So… there might have been some misunderstandings between us, but let’s just laugh it off! You know what I mean? From now on, I have no complaints about you! So you don’t have any complaints about me either! Please!”

“What are you…”

“It’s a request!!”

At this point, it’s more of a demand than a request.

In short, she’s saying she’ll apologize, so accept it.

“Ah! And here… take this.”

“What’s this?”

“Uh… a congratulations gift for the alliance?”

Opening the paper box Laura handed me, I found colorful candies inside.

“…You’re giving a congratulations gift now, as we’re withdrawing?”

“Huh? Uh… I’m a bit… late…”

“…Right.”

I gave up on thinking further.

“Ah, there’s something else. Give this to Wendy ‘sama.'”

“…Wendy?”

“Do I have to? Well… I’ll be going now!”

Laura said her piece and then ran off.

All that remained in the barracks was silence and me.

Amidst it, I recalled something strange Laura had said.

“Wendy… sama?”

Aside from her friendship with Wendy, why the honorific?

“Wait!”

At the barracks entrance, Laura poked her head in and emphasized.

“You took that, so we’re reconciled, right? Got it?!”

“What?”

“No take-backs?!”

Why is she like this?

*

“Give it to me. Wendy.”

“Huh? Ah! It’s, it’s okay!”

The silver-haired beauty took the luggage Wendy was carrying.

“Princess! I can do it!”

“No. It’s too heavy for Wendy.”

“I, I can carry that much!”

“Well, you could, but what if you get hurt carrying something so heavy? That would be a big problem.”

“B-but…”

Bella, amused by Wendy’s flustered reaction, chuckled.

“It’s fine, so Wendy, just move the smaller things over there.”

“Y-yes!”

Wendy hurriedly gathered the small items.

Bella suddenly remembered something she needed to confirm with Wendy.

“Oh, Wendy.”

“Yes?”

“You know… about that night.”

“That night…? Ah!”

“Could you not tell anyone about what happened that night?”

Bella asked Wendy with a serious expression.

“I mean… we just happened to sleep together, but it might sound strange to others, right? Let’s avoid any misunderstandings. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, yes! Don’t worry! I, I won’t tell anyone.”

Seeing Wendy respond so seriously, Bella felt relieved.

What Bella really wanted to hide was the fact that she had stolen a kiss from Tristan’s lips while he was sleeping.

Wendy, who was asleep at the time, probably didn’t know, but just in case, it seemed better to hide the fact that she had spent the night with Tristan.

“I’m relieved.”

“No, no. I, I didn’t say anything even when Helga questioned me.”

“Helga did…?”

Bella’s expression darkened.

Did that woman figure it out already?

“Yes… She seemed to have some misunderstanding, so it was awkward…”

“Right… It’s just that we slept close together, but for her to misunderstand like that…”

“Yes?”

“Ahem! Anyway, you did well, Wendy. Even if others find out, that woman knowing won’t do any good…”

As she spoke, Bella froze in place.

“It’s sad to hear you say that, Princess~.”

Fatefully, the purple-haired woman stood before her.

“I didn’t know you two spent such an intimate night together…”

“No. That’s not what I meant…”

“Must have been nice, huh? Hehe… sob.”

Helga’s shoulders were trembling. In this situation, no matter what Bella said, she wouldn’t listen.

“H-Helga! No! Don’t misunderstand!”

“Wendy…?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Wendy quickly tried to defuse the situation.

“I, I slept there too! The three of us slept together!”

“…!!”

“Wendy!?”