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It’s been almost a month since the day we successfully completed the expedition and returned to the capital.

During that month, the Empire was in a state of upheaval. And for good reason—it was no ordinary expedition.

Just looking at the results of the northern expedition, it was clear. We had achieved our goal by defeating the demons and reclaiming the north with minimal losses.

But we returned having even formed a peaceful alliance with the Demon Lord.

The mere fact that the Demon Lord had appeared was enough to turn the Empire upside down, but forming an alliance with him? That was unprecedented.

Throughout history, there had never been a case of forming an alliance with the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord, as a being synonymous with destruction, had always brought about calamity like a natural disaster.

So, to the ears of the Empire’s citizens, it must have sounded like we had formed an alliance with a massive hurricane.

And the fact that it was Tristan, infamous among the people, who led this alliance, made it even more unbelievable.

People initially dismissed it as me boasting or going mad from the northern cold. But that didn’t last long. When it became known that not only the renowned Seven Stars nobles but even the Emperor supported the alliance, public opinion became deeply confused.

The Imperial family and noble society were also thrown into chaos.

The unprecedented event of forming an alliance with the Demon Lord, coupled with rumors that the Emperor and I, who had been bitter enemies, had reconciled, spread like wildfire.

The nobles of this country are largely divided into two factions: the pro-Imperial faction, which supports the Imperial family, and the pro-Ruelberta faction, which aligns with the Ruelberta family, the most powerful noble house.

With these rumors circulating, both factions were now carefully watching the Emperor and me.

Moreover, foreign countries, having heard of the Demon Lord’s return and the alliance, demanded explanations, causing turmoil both inside and outside the Empire.

As a result, the Emperor and I had to devote all our efforts to stabilizing public opinion within and outside the Empire for the past month.

The longer the confusion lasted, the more trouble it would cause for both of us. So, we spent more time appearing together in public.

Looking back, just by showing the world that we were no longer hostile, we had already made a significant statement.

And after a month, as the Empire began to regain stability, we finally had the leisure to share a cup of tea in the Imperial Palace.

Late at night, under the moonlight, the two of us had a tea time at the top of the palace.

I took a sip of tea and spoke in a calm voice.

“This tea is almost as good as Wendy’s.”

“…Is that a compliment or a complaint?”

“……You decide.”

“Are you saying the tea I served is not good?”

“Wendy always brews tea that’s pleasant to drink. So, this tea is also pleasant.”

“……”

“That’s a compliment.”

“No one gives compliments like that! Give me back that tea!”

“Is this how guests are treated in the Imperial Palace? Taking back the tea you served? How disgraceful.”

“You know what? You’re really, really annoying….”

Luna sighed as if she had given up.

Her tone hadn’t changed, but the sharp emotions she once directed at me had almost disappeared.

The turning point for her change was likely when she learned the whole truth in the north.

Her hatred for me turned into guilt and remorse, and Luna became much more subdued in my presence.

Her usual fierceness had softened so much that it made me uncomfortable.

So, during the past month of working together, I made sure to help her regain her former vitality.

It wasn’t anything grand—just having casual, everyday conversations like this to ease her tension.

And my efforts paid off. As we continued these conversations, Luna gradually returned to her confident self as the Empress.

“…Were you thinking about me just now?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmph… How arrogant… So, have you thought about what you want?”

“Thought about what?”

“Don’t you remember? I told you to think about what reward you want for the northern expedition’s achievements.”

Ah, right. I had completely forgotten about that in the busy past month.

Luna, now with some free time, was planning to reward those who had contributed to the expedition.

And of course, as the overall commander of the northern expedition, I was no exception.

But I hadn’t given it any thought yet.

Seeing my silence, Luna suggested a few rewards.

“I’ll grant you the title of Duke, higher than Count.”

“I refuse. I prefer the title of Count over Duke.”

“Ah, right, right. I just remembered. You said the title of Count sounds better, didn’t you? You lunatic… Then how about a fief?”

“No need. I already have enough land.”

“Do you want a monetary reward then?”

“No thanks. I have more money than I know what to do with.”

“…Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”

Luna must have been thinking about what reward to give me as well.

But it couldn’t have been easy. Since I already have everything one could want in this country, she must have struggled to find something suitable.

“Then take whatever treasure you want from the Imperial treasure vault.”

“Treasure, huh…”

I absentmindedly looked at Luna, from head to toe… She flinched and shouted.

“No, you can’t!”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“I know exactly what you’re thinking!”

“Did you learn mind-reading? Interesting. Then tell me, what am I thinking right now?”

“I don’t need mind-reading! You’re obviously going to ask for something like my clothes again, you perverted lunatic…!”

Now I wasn’t just a pervert but a “perverted lunatic.” But her reaction was so amusing that I put down my teacup and approached her.

“W-what are you doing?! Stay away from me!”

“Are you scared?”

“Yes! I’m scared, so stay away!”

I held back a laugh and circled around Luna. Each time, she tensed up, clearly wary of my gaze.

“Don’t ask for something weird! Ask for treasure!”

“Weren’t the things you’ve given me so far treasures? I’ve kept them as family heirlooms.”

“You’re the only one who thinks of them as treasures!”

“I’m really looking forward to this reward. It’ll be incomparable to the gifts I’ve received so far.”

“Are you insane?! This reward will be given in front of the nobles!”

That’s even better.

“Absolutely not! Never! Who in this country would dare ask the Empress for something like that! And what would people think of me if they saw?!”

“Worrying about others’ opinions often leads to failure.”

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting, trying to sound cool?!”

Seeing Luna’s furious reaction, I thought it might be fun to tease her a bit more.

Her reactions were endlessly entertaining.

I thought I was just channeling Tristan’s bad personality, but maybe not. After all, Tristan was me. So, it’s just that my personality is twisted.

“If you keep this up, I’ll report you to the security bureau!”

“Sorry, but the head of the security bureau is under my command.”

“Ugh…!? What kind of country is this?!”

“It’s your country, though…”

Luna looked like she was about to cry. As much as I enjoyed teasing her, I didn’t want to make the Empress cry. I should probably stop before she really holds a grudge.

“Just kidding. I don’t need any reward. Do as you see fit.”

“…Alright.”

“Then I’ll take my leave. Have a good night.”

“Wait.”

“Huh?”

Luna, who had called me back, suddenly took off the lace glove she was wearing and handed it to me.

Huh?

“It got sweaty, so I don’t need it anymore. You can dispose of it.”

As I absentmindedly took Luna’s lace glove, I heard her mutter softly.

“…What you do with it is none of my business.”

***

“Welcome back, Count… no, Chairman.”

“Don’t worry about it. Call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Haha… Thank you for your consideration.”

It had been a while since I visited the school, and I was greeted by the university’s chancellor, Mondri Cremont.

“This old man should have accompanied you. It’s a shame.”

“If you had, there would have been no one to protect this school.”

Returning to the chairman’s office after so long felt nostalgic.

I had almost forgotten, but I was also the chairman of the university.

Normally, I would have had to handle duties even during the break, but I had to leave for the northern expedition under the Emperor’s orders. And of course, Mondri had filled in for me during my absence.

“Thanks to you staying behind, I was able to successfully finish the expedition and return.”

“Haha… It’s a relief that this old man could be of help to the Chairman.”

Thinking about it, Mondri had become much more docile compared to when we first met.

Back then, he seemed wary of me suddenly taking the chairman’s position, but now he seemed to fully accept me.

Once a talented mage who dreamed of becoming a sage like Myohail, he now felt like he had completely become my ally.

“Ah, by the way, Chairman.”

Mondri suddenly spoke up as if he had just remembered something.

“I was worried if Laura had been bothering you.”

“She’s been the same as usual.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief…”

“Huh?”

“Haha… It’s nothing. I just wanted to apologize on her behalf if she had been a nuisance. She’s like a child, but she’s my only junior…”

Indeed, Laura had studied under the sage Myohail alongside Mondri. Both were considered top disciples, and they were the only two who remained until Myohail disappeared, so their bond was special.

It seemed Mondri was aware that Laura had been rude to me out of dissatisfaction.

Knowing my personality, he must have been worried that I might retaliate against her. So, I reassured him.

“It doesn’t bother me much. And Mondri, you don’t need to apologize for Laura. It’s her who should apologize to me.”

“Haha… You’re right, Chairman. I can’t keep cleaning up after her forever. There was a time when she even offended His Majesty…”

*Knock knock knock!*

“Haha. It seems ‘she’ has already arrived. This old man will take his leave now.”

“Alright.”

The sound of vigorous knocking.

Soon after Mondri left, a girl in a shabby, oversized robe entered.

Seeing me, the girl spread her arms and shouted.

“It’s Puring! Here to see the Chairman!”

It was Puring, the talent I had discovered during the academic festival. She looked almost the same as back then, responding to my summons.

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Ask away! If Puring knows, she’ll answer anything!”

“Why haven’t you changed that old robe? I gave you research funds and more.”

“I tried to buy new clothes, but there were no robes that fit Puring!”

“No robes that fit?”

What about the one you’re wearing now?

“Not even in the children’s section?”

“Puring is not a child!! Puring is an adult!!!”

“……”

I think I understand the situation.

Basically, she refuses to wear children’s clothes because she considers herself an adult.

Despite being smaller than Wendy, Puring stubbornly insists on wearing adult clothes, even though they don’t fit.

Flailing her arms, she tried to look angry, but it just came off as cute.

“Puring wants to know why the Chairman called her!”

Ah, right. The reason I called Puring.

The players’ invasion is approaching.

With the northern expedition, we’ve mostly prepared for their attack.

But we haven’t solved the fundamental problem.

The reason I failed countless times in previous loops, despite countless battles with the players, was the insurmountable “gap” between us.

And Puring might hold the key to bridging that gap.

Instead of answering her question, I pulled out an item from my pocket.

“Do you know what this is?”

It was the snow globe Sora had given me. It looked like an ordinary decoration, but it was a special item connected to the outside world.

“Wow…”

Puring’s eyes widened as she stared at the snow globe I handed her.

 

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