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I was swamped not only with my duties as the Demon Lord’s vice-command but also with meetings and consultations as a member of the Council.
On top of that, I had to teach the rookie governor, Shatina, all sorts of things. That said, the only thing I could really teach her was how to conduct moderate negotiations.
But my most important task is monitoring the movements of the Miraldia Alliance.

After the south gained independence as the Miraldia Federation, the north had eventually come to be known as the “Northern Alliance.”
The south is the “Southern Federation.” I suppose it’s because using just “Alliance” and “Federation” would be confusing.
But this might also mean that the Miraldia Federation’s presence is that significant. It’s being perceived not as a “secession,” but as a “split.”
That means the Northern Alliance must also be taking the situation seriously.

Or how that’s supposed to be, but surprisingly, there’s been little movement from the Northern Alliance. At least, no military activity has been observed at all.
However, the information coming in from our side has also become scarce.
This is because the Northern Alliance’s Senate has banned trade with the Southern Federation.
As a result, the information coming in from merchants has plummeted. Since the Demon Lord’s Army has no human spies, there are few who can enter the cities to gather intelligence.

At that moment, Priest Jucht of the Sonnenlicht Faith offered his cooperation.

“Most citizens of the Northern Alliance are followers of the Sonnenlicht Faith. There are likely some among them who are critical of the Senate. Let us gather intelligence from such individuals through the pilgrims.”

Priest Jucht spoke of such dangerous matters with a gentle smile. He remains as the schemer he once was, the same man who once summoned four hundred soldiers from Tübahn.
Of course, it is clear that this offer is not based purely on goodwill.

So I take the initiative and promise him a reward.

“To that end, let’s provide the pilgrims with generous protection. We’ll set up forts along the trade routes to maintain public order. If they sense danger, they can rush to the forts and they’ll be safe.”
“Oh, thank you very much. And if I might ask, I’d also like permission for free passage within the Miraldia Federation.”

His manner remains gentle, but he’s really pushing hard.
Well, I suppose I have no choice. I’m desperate for information from the pilgrims.

“I believe we can grant passage to citizens of the Federation. I’ll bring it up at the next council meeting.”

Priest Jucht nodded calmly, but then added:

“Oh, I almost forgot to ask you for something important.”

Is he still going to make demands?

Then Priest Jucht smiled broadly.

“Please extend this measure not only to followers of the Sonnenlicht Faith, but also to those of the Ruhigermond Faith. May the light of the sun shine down upon all who live by their faith.”

…This man has changed quite a bit.

I responded with a smile.

“Understood. As long as there are no issues with public order or counterintelligence, we’ll protect all pilgrims, regardless of their denomination.”

This measure was readily approved by the council, and I received the joint title of “Patron Saint of Pilgrims” from the Sonnenlicht and Ruhigermond temples in Lüenheit.
I know it’s just flattery, but it’s the first time I’ve had a nickname that doesn’t reek of bloodshed. Still, it’s a little embarrassing.

Although trade between the north and south has been banned, enforcing it strictly would directly impact citizens’ livelihoods and city tax revenues, so not all cities are actually adhering to the ban.
While several trade routes have become unusable, trade continues.
This time, Mao the merchant came to see me.

“Things are looking strange in the mining city of Klauchen in the northeast. They’re still mining rock salt, but the Rock Salt Merchants’ Guild isn’t selling much of it anymore.”
“Where’s all the mined rock salt going?”

Mao tilted his head in response.

“From what I’ve investigated, it isn’t coming down into the city. It seems they’re just storing it right at the mining site…”

That’s strange.

I assign Mao a secret mission.

“Report on Klauchen’s activities in detail. If there’s any discord within the Northern Alliance, I want to drive a wedge in there.”
“Understood. As for what I ask in return, though it may sound presumptous…”
“Go ahead.”
“The price of salt we’re buying from Lotzo is too high, so could you please build salt fields in Belrüsa?”

It seems he wants to pit the two cities against each other in a price war so he can buy salt more cheaply.
What a bunch of scoundrels, each one of them.

But a stable supply of salt is crucial. If the supply of rock salt from Krauchen is cut off, we’ll have no choice but to rely on the salt fields in Lotzo.
If Lotzo’s salt fields were destroyed by natural disasters or war, it would cause problems with our salt supply. This might be a good opportunity.
For Belrüsa, too, owning salt fields shouldn’t be a bad thing.
The problem is whether Lotzo, which has a monopoly on salt, will agree to it, but let’s try to get them to consent in exchange for some reasonable terms. Technical assistance from the Demon Lord’s Army might be a good option.

“…Alright, I’ll bring it up at the council. If that doesn’t work, we’ll pay the price with something else. Is that clear?”
“Yes, of course.”

As such, the Demon Lord’s Army established a surveillance network that focused on Krauchen while also casting a wide, thin net over the entire Northern Alliance.
Presumably, they’re monitoring us in much the same way.
As a counterintelligence measure, we’re circulating decoy information—a modest effort, to be sure.
Since this is the first time for me and the other governors to engage in intelligence warfare on a national scale, we’re only managing to come up with ideas on the level of amateurs.

After a while, information from pilgrims and merchants gradually began to come in, and a general picture of the Northern Alliance’s current state slowly came into focus.
It seems that, at present, the Eastern and Western regions of the Northern Alliance are not quite in sync.
The Eastern region is still haunted by the memory of the war with the Labyrinth City of Zaria and is fearful of retaliation from Zaria.
On the other hand, the western region remains reluctant to fight, still reeling from the blow of the Demon Lord’s army’s invasion.

Furthermore, even within the eastern region, Krauchen—located at the northernmost tip—seems to be in significant conflict with the Senate. Relations are reportedly strained, with the Governor of Krauchen even refusing to appear before the Senate.
However, the reason is unclear. A letter from Raisie to the governor’s family probably wouldn’t have that much of an effect, after all.
The Senate effectively controls northern Miraldia by keeping the governors in line.
If a governor becomes defiant, it would be a very bad situation for the Senate.
I just hope they don’t go so far as to assassinate the governor.

With these thoughts in mind, I head to Zaria.
Lately, I’ve been visiting Zaria regularly to check on the castle wall construction and teach Shatina the ins and outs of diplomacy.
Recently, they’ve even set up an office for me there—it’s practically my forward base.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Teacher! The Labyrinth City of Zaria reports no abnormalities today!”
“Ah, Seniori! Shatina’s doing a great job!”

…For some reason, Firniel’s been coming by a lot lately. Is she actually doing her job as a governor?

I have Shatina and Firniel practice their diplomacy skills.

“Why do I have to do this too…”
“You need to learn how to negotiate without using spears or hooves, too.”

Today, I decided to have them practice a simulated diplomacy scenario: “What to do if a criminal from Zaria flees to Tübahn.”

“Firniel, let’s say this criminal is a murderer, but also a highly skilled engineer. And he’s seeking asylum in Tübahn.”

When I said that, Firniel stared intently up at my face.

“But he’s a bad guy, right? Then I’ll kill him.”
“Right off the bat?”

That’s just how demons are, I suppose.

Then Shatina panicked.

“Wait! Criminals from Zaria are judged by Zaria’s laws! Lady Firniel, please capture the criminal and hand him over.”
“Ugh, no way. That’s a hassle.”
“If you keep saying that, I won’t arrest criminals from Tübahn who flee to Zaria.”
“Fine by me. Once they leave Tübahn, they’re none of my business.”

Firniel was laughing, leaving Shatina speechless.

I grabbed Firniel by the head.

“That’s not right, is it!? Hey, you, come here.”

Turns out Firniel is the bigger problem child than Shatina.

Then Shatina muttered quietly.

“Teacher, I really am so immature. Can’t I even bring back a single criminal…? I want to study more.”
“That’s a good attitude.”

As I nodded, Firniel smiled and encouraged Shatina.

“Shatina, hang in there!”
“You should learn a little about human rules, too.”
“It hurts, Senior! It hurts, I said!”

It seems it will still take some time for humans and demons to understand each other.