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Lord Forne and I had left Vilheim behind and returned to Zaria, but it was here that I came to realize just how terrifying Princess Eleora truly was.

“Ah, Teacher!”

Shatina has finally started to act a little more like a governor, but the moment she saw me, she came running over like a puppy. She’s still as restless as ever.

“If the governor runs, everyone will worry and wonder what’s going on, won’t they?”

I scolded Shatina, but she replied in a flustered voice.

“It’s an emergency, Teacher! A letter has arrived from Princess Eleora in the name of the Miraldia Liberation Army!”

What?

“What does it say?”

Then, as Shatina handed me the letter, she shouted excitedly.

“It seems Princess Eleora has avenged my father’s death! She banished the Elders and confirmed that the mastermind behind the assassination of Governor Zaria is dead!”

So that’s how it went.
I skimmed the letter, then asked Shatina.

“Are you certain this is the mastermind’s name?”
“Yes, the letter states that the mastermind was Elder Morteus! Just as the rumors said, Princess Eleora is a truly admirable person! She’s a noble and proud individual!”

I gave a wry smile and patted Shatina on the head.

“A noble and proud individual wouldn’t have told such a bold lie, you know? The mastermind’s name isn’t Morteus—it’s Rükaitos. That’s been confirmed by the analysis and testimony of my adjutant, Kait.”

That Eleora—since she didn’t know who the mastermind was, she just pinned the blame on some random senator.
What a sloppy move on her part.

Shatina looked baffled, so I reasoned with her.

“Well, I’m sure Rükaitos is dead too by now… But, it won’t do for you to easily trust the words of those who aren’t your ally. You’ll just end up being used. You’re the governor—if you’re used, the people will suffer.”
“Y-yes…”

Shatina wilted before my eyes and hung her head. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

“I was reckless as governor, Teacher… I’m sorry.”

She’s so honest, I can’t even bring myself to scold her.
I gave a wry smile and ruffled my cute student’s hair.

“Now, now, don’t cry. I’m the one at fault for keeping the name of the assassination mastermind a secret, worried you might lose control. Please forgive me.”
“N-no! I was…”

Then Forne, who had been silently watching us the whole time, nodded and spoke up.

“You really are quite the sight…”
“What is it? So suddenly?”

We’re in the middle of an important lesson right now.
For the sake of the late Governor Mergio, who was assassinated, I have to make Shatina a capable governor..

But Forne kept pestering me.

“Do you even understand the situation right now?”
“I’m pretty sure I do…”
“You don’t! Princess Eleora is trying to undermine the Southern Federation’s council, you know?”
“That’s true.”

It’s a cause for concern.
For the Demon Lord’s Army, having the human governors won over is far more frightening than a clash between armies.
Without them, we can’t keep the people of the South in line.

Forne sighed and looked up at the sky with a theatrical gesture.

“Sure, the Demon Lord’s Army has become firmly established among the people of the South, but since you’re demons, there’s still some anxiety. Human hearts are so easily swayed.”
“Yes, I know that.”
“A werewolf like you, how would you know… Then again, I suppose you, of all people, would…”

It’s because I used to be human, deep inside.

Forne tapped the letter from Eleora repeatedly on the table.

“This is pretty bad. I’ve heard the rumors from the north, too. Apparently, she’s become incredibly popular with the people, no? She’s got all these grand epithets like ‘Princess of Liberation’ and ‘Goddess of the Shining Sun.’”
“So I’ve heard.”

She’s a foreign princess who’s blown a massive hole in the stagnant rule of the corrupt Senate. On top of that, she’s putting on a show of respecting the Miraldians.

Forne sighed as she tapped Shatina’s head with a rolled-up letter.

“At this rate, the people of the south will gradually start leaning toward Eleora. Even our little governor here got swayed..”
“Ugh… I’m sorry.”

I started to feel a little sorry for the dejected Shatina.

To change the subject, I turned back to Forne.

“Knowing you, you must have something in mind if you’re saying that, right?”

When this queer complains, it’s usually just a lead-in to a proposal.
Sure enough, Forne smiled brightly.

“The people need a banner they can easily understand. The Rolmund Army has the Rolmund Army’s banner, and the Demon Lord’s Army needs the Demon Lord’s Army’s banner.”

What? What is he planning to do?

“Well, just leave it to me. I’ll unveil it at the next council meeting.”

*“Oh, Lady Aylia, how I wish to continue walking alongside you. Alas…”*
*“What is the matter, Sir Veit?”*
*“Forgive the fool that I am, Lady Aylia, for it seems the Garden of Battle is where I truly belong.”*
*“You mustn’t, Sir Veit! There is no reason for you to fight for us humans!”*
*“Though I know that, my heart yearns to protect Lüenheit. The city where you belong.”*

I stared intently at the opera-like play unfolding on stage
Wait, that’s clearly me and Aylia. The names are exactly the same.
Other than the fact that the actor playing me was upgraded to be about three levels more handsome than I am, it was almost exactly like me.

General Veit, the werewolf renowned as the Demon Lord’s vice commander. A celebrated war general of both wisdom and courage who values righteousness above all.
He subjugated Lüenheit to conquer Miraldia and fell in love with Governor Aylia.
Eventually, the southern part of Miraldia came under the peaceful rule of the Demon Lord’s army, but then the hero Herbert appeared.

*“So you’re the Black Wolf of Lüenheit! Draw your sword!”*
*“Stand down, O Great Hero. What good would come of two men of valor fighting each other?”*
*“No matter how futile this battle may be, I must defeat you. I have been ordered to do so.”*
*“And who exactly ordered you, Hero?”*
*“The Senate!”*

With his lover held hostage and forced to fight as a pawn of the Senate, the hero Herbert falls after a one-on-one duel with Veit.
Veit mourns his hollow victory, but just then, a massive army of 100,000 sent by the Senate closes in.

*“What is that rumbling? Could that be the army attacking Lüenheit!?”*

Veit challenges the massive army single-handedly to stop them.

*“My name is Veit! I am the Black Wolf of Lüenheit, Veit!”*

One hundred thousand against one.
A hopeless battle begins.
And the curtain falls.

While applauding the actors generously out of courtesy, I complained to Forne.

“Hey, you damned queer, what the hell is this?”
“What do you mean…? It’s a play based on your life story. We pulled out all the stops in Veiria, putting together the ultimate dream team of actors, playwrights, and musicians. Oh, and by the way, we’re already working on Part 2.”
“What are you trying to accomplish by using all of Veiria’s resources to turn this into a play?”

At that, Forne sighed.

“You’re the most famous person in the Demon Lord’s Army, aren’t you? You’ve got the looks and the skills. Do your part and boost the Demon Lord’s Army’s reputation.”
“Me?”
“You really don’t have any self-awareness?”

If you ask me if I’m famous, I suppose I might be, since I’m in charge of diplomacy… It just doesn’t feel real to me.
I don’t like standing out.

Meanwhile, Aylia, who was watching the play next to me, was clapping with surprising enthusiasm.

“I think this play is very good.”
“My co-star is you, Lady Aylia.”

It must be a nuisance for Aylia to be paired with a werewolf like me.

But Aylia replied with a composed expression.

“No, this is for the sake of the Southern Federation. I actually consider it an honor.”
“Is that so? You’re quite tolerant, huh…”
“Not at all, hehehe.”

I’m relieved she didn’t seem to mind.
I’d been so worried about that the whole time I was watching the play that I’d been breaking out in a cold sweat the entire time.

But this play is just so embarrassing, it’s a problem. They’re praising me way too much—it’s turning into a cult of personality. They’ve really gone overboard with the backstory.
I actually kind of like worshipping people fanatically, but I don’t like being worshipped myself. I’m not worth it.
Just thinking about this play being performed all over the place makes me want to go back to the Hidden Village.

“Come on, Forne, could you tone it down a bit…”
“It’s a play meant to promote you—what good would it do to tone you down?”
“I mean, sure, but still.”

I feel so uncomfortable I could die.

“I actually toned it down quite a bit to be considerate of your personality, you know?”
“This is the toned down version?”

If a play like this were enough to improve my image or that of the Demon Lord’s Army, life would be a breeze, but when I really think about it, this world has no TV or internet.
Unlike in my past life, the people in this world probably have almost no immunity to image-building strategies.
I’ve seen flashy exchanges during foreign presidential elections in my past life, so maybe that kind of thing is actually effective.

By the way, the only condition I set when production on this play began was that no names of the deceased be mentioned, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.
That’s why the hero’s name isn’t “Lanhardt” or “Aerschis,” but a fictional one.
I just couldn’t bring myself to do something like digging up the graves of the dead and using them for this. I know it’s a bit naive of me, but what can’t be done simply can’t be done.

“But will this really be useful?”

Forne laughed at my doubt.

“I’ll make sure it is. This is to payback for my failure to get Vilheim on our side, just leave this to me.”
“Yeah, I’ll be counting on you.”
“Also, I’ve got Firniel’s play and other things lined up, so please contact the relevant parties, okay? There’s still plenty left for you, too.”

There’s more of this?