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After that, reinforcements began arriving in Zaria one after another.

“‘I, Firniel the Mad Gallop, am first to arrive!”
“You’re second.”
“Wha—why is there a strange human here!?”

Firniel, who had rushed in leading the centaur cavalry, came face-to-face with Forne, Governor of Veiria, and blinked in confusion.

“Alright! Now that we the Belrüsa Landing Forces are here, we’ll smash everything to pieces!”
“Azure Scale Knight Order of the Demon Lord’s Army Guard Division has arrived! We will immediately assume defensive duties!”
“Ah, Lord Veit! The giants and dogfolk engineering corps have just arrived!”
“We brought stones for you, Lord Veit!”

The reinforcements from Lüenheit were a varied lot.
I assigned them to the construction and guarding of Zaria’s city walls.

“There’s no way the ‘Labyrinth’ Parker wouldn’t be in the labyrinth city, right? After all, I am this city’s—”

I ignored him.

“Well, I wasn’t a resident of this city. Besides, Zaria didn’t look like this back when I was alive.”

Ignored.

“Um… Veit? I’m about to summon about seven hundred skeleton soldiers, so could you at least listen to me?”
“Make it a few more.”

With Zaria’s defenses taking shape, we were finally able to hold the funeral of the former governor, Mergio.
Shatina’s eulogy was so extreme that some attendees were slightly put off, but we will allow it as the anger of a girl whose father was assassinated.
I really need to do something about her…
Since Forne promised to handle the aftermath, Aylia and I left troops behind and returned to Lüenheit.

Several days later.
In response to Governor Aylia of Lüenheit’s summons, the governors of southern Miraldia gathered in Lüenheit.

The first to arrive was Firniel, Governor of the industrial city of Tübahn.

“I hate this already. Human society is way too complicated… I shouldn’t have blurted out that I’d be governor…”
“A leader takes responsibility for what they say.”

Though she complained, Firniel seemed delighted with the new weapons she had procured in Tübahn.

“Look, Senior! They made me new armor! It’s super easy to move in!”
“Yeah… it suits you.”

Though you’ll probably take it off soon anyway.

Next, from the ancient capital Bernehainen came Senior Marlene as acting governor.

“Wait, Senior, where’s Bernehainen’s governor?”

“Well, he suddenly said, ‘Now that I’ve finally become a vampire, why would I waste time on the crappy job of governor!’ He’s focusing on his work at the Royal Library.”

It seems the successive governors there also serve as chief librarian of the Royal Library. Certainly, as a vampire he is immortal and maintains health by drinking blood. Ideal conditions for research.
Still, I’m surprised Senior Marlene permitted it.

“As a vampire, you’re technically the governor’s ‘parent,’ aren’t you?”
“That’s true, but I do not lord my children with absolute obedience… Is this how mothers feel with children at a difficult age?”
“How should I know…”

The human governors also arrived one after another.

“Lord Veit, thank you for the other day.”

Shatina bowed her head. She looked slightly worn, but her eyes burned fiercely.

“I will be in your care from now on as well.”
“…Understood.”

That look—she definitely intends to use me as a tactical weapon.

“Hey Veit, heard you tamed that damned queer!”

The boss of the pirate city Belrüsa, Garsche, arrived.

Forne, Governor of the craft city Veiria, snapped back at him.

“Who are you calling a queer? I don’t want to hear that from someone who pretends to be a bold boss while being delicate at heart.”
“And don’t think you can say whatever you want just because you talk like that!”

The governor of the fishing city Lotzo, Petore, barked at the two of them.

“Enough, fools! Your predecessors would lament if they saw this! You youngsters act like jesters, but that’s not what a governor’s mask is for.”

Aram, Governor of the trade city Schaldir, stepped in to calm things.

“Lord Garsche and Lord Forne have both served as governors for over ten years. They’re hardly ‘youngsters’ by any measure…”

Petore glared at Aram.

“What about you, imitating your predecessor’s scheming ways and making a fool of yourself. You’re the one I worry about most. At least wear a mask that suits you.”
“That’s right. If you speak like me, you can get away with being blunt. Cross over to our side.”
“Idiot. You’re finished as a governor if people underestimate you. The trick is to sell a tough image while mastering both hard and soft approaches.”

Sighing, I decided to guide them into the conference room.

“Hold his career counseling in Schaldir another day. This way.”

First came the ceremony appointing Shatina as the new Governor of Zaria.
Ordinarily it would be conducted by the Senate, but of course that was irrelevant now. Now the ceremony is officiated by Aylia, the governor of the Demon Capital.
Aylia read out something, and Shatina stood stiff with tension before her.
Then old man Petore, representing the other seven cities, declared that all present recognized Shatina as governor.
Finally, she was to be granted the governor’s crown of Zaria as proof of office.

I was absentmindedly watching when Forne poked me.

“What are you doing, boy? It’s your part.”
“Mine?”
“The Demon Lord holds the highest authority, so the coronation is meaningless unless a senior officer officiates it.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And besides, you’re going to be her guardian, are you not?”
“Wait. What are you talking about?”

Shatina looked at me. Her face was bright red.

“L-Lord Veit!”
“W-What!?”

She shouted so forcefully that I jumped, but with tearful eyes she cried,

“W-would you… I mean, please guide me!”

Why me?
But she continued desperately.

“It is only thanks to you that I survived! It was thanks to you that Zaria was saved! But I still lack the strength to protect Zaria! So please!”

She bowed deeply with tremendous force.

I mean, now you’re making it hard for me to say no…
With a sigh, I took the crown from Aylia.

“Lady Shatina certainly requires a guardian. As the most unencumbered among us, I am suitable.”
“Th-Thank you, Lord Veit! No—Master Veit!”
“Could you not call me Master!?”
“But I wish to receive wisdom from you as governor! Teacher Veit!”

That was no better.
As I faltered, Forne poked me again.

“Accept it quickly, or do you want the situation to escalate?.”

Shatina gazed at me earnestly.

“A guardian is like a parent. I-I am prepared to call you Father. What say you, F-Father?”

Hearing that, face flushed and looking up at me, I felt like I might explode from awkwardness.

“That title would dishonor the late Lord Mergio and carry too much responsibility. Calling me Teacher will suffice.”
“Yes! Thank you, Teacher!”

As Shatina rejoiced, Forne smiled warmly.

“Oh, how nice. Guardian and mentor—Lord Veit will never abandon you or Zaria.”
“Yes, thank you! It is thanks to you, Lord Forne! I also promise that other matter!”
“…You needn’t bring that up now, you know?”

Damn. I’ve been maneuvered by that queer. He took the chance to strengthen ties between Zaria and Veiria. Not a moment’s carelessness.
But before I could protest, Shatina bowed to me repeatedly.

“Teacher, please guide me from now on!”
“Understood, but stand still. I can’t place the crown.”

I then noticed Firniel watching me.

“Huh. Teacher, huh…”

Sensing trouble, I warned her.

“You’re my junior, remember?”
“Yep, we’re under the same mentor! Right, *Senior* Veit?!!”

Why the look of superiority?
Shatina snapped at her.

“Well, I am Teacher Veit’s first disciple, Lady Firniel.”
“Wha!? That’s nice…”
“The position of second disciple is still open.”
“Then maybe I’ll take it…”

Don’t enlist yourself without permission.
The solemn ceremony was turning heartwarming. The other governors watched with amused eyes. It felt like a family gathering.
Given my position, I reprimanded the two youngest.

“Could you two children stop kidding around?”

Simultaneously they shouted,

“We’re not children!”

What, they’re in sync now?

Thus, Zaria, long vacant, gained a new governor.
Though two of them were demonkind, eight governors were now assembled.
Since prior discussions were complete, Aylia made the declaration.

“We eight cities hereby declare the formation of the ‘Miraldia Federation’ together with the Demon Lord’s Army.”

The eight governors signed the document, and finally I signed on behalf of the Demon Lord’s Army.
Thus the eight southern cities of Miraldia were formally reborn as a new nation.
A country where demonkind can live in peace.

Next, Aylia declared the establishment of a council—the southern supreme organ to counter the northern Senate.

“From now on, the governors of each city will serve as councilors and deliberate on federal policy. Decisions of the council will be implemented after receiving the approval of Her Majesty the Demon Lord.”

Important matters are decided through discussion with humans.
That is Demon Lord Gomoviroa’s policy. Although, it was the late lord Friedenrichter who drafted the outline of this governance structure.
Since Master is hopeless at politics, perhaps this arrangement suits her best.

However, regarding this council, there was one thing I could not accept.

“Lady Aylia, must I truly be part of this council?”
“Someone must represent demonkind’s interests.”

Senior Marlene and Firniel represent the citizens of Bernehainen and Tübahn respectively. They are not representatives of demonkind as a whole. They are obligated to prioritize their cities’ interests. That distinction must remain clear.
Thus a representative of all demonkind is necessary.
Demon Lord Gomoviroa formally stands at the apex of all authority, so her adjutant—namely me—would assume the role.
I can accept that, in principle.
However.

“Could you stop piling more titles onto me? I’d like to remain a carefree vice-commander.”

Aylia smiled sweetly.

“Within the standing of the Demon Lord’s Army, please remain Her Majesty’s vice-command. Outside it, you will serve as a councilor.”
“…I see.”

There was no escaping.

“Councilors are granted the title ‘Lord’ regardless of territorial holdings. Lord Veit, please continue lending your strength to the development of southern Miraldia.”
“Understood…”

All I want is to live easily with companions I get along with.
Why is it that the harder I work, the less easy it becomes?