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For now, there’s no sign that the Liberation Army is planning to attack us, but the power struggle with Princess Eleora is still ongoing.
She’s been lobbying the Southern Federation’s councilors, so we have to keep a close eye on her.
That said, look at the state of things.

“Hey, look, Veit! I’ve got another secret letter here!”

At the Council meeting, Garsche, the governor of the pirate city of Belrüsa, is laughing cheerfully.
What he’s holding appears to be a secret letter from Princess Eleora.

“She says if there are any ‘troubles’ within the Council, she’s always willing to offer advice.”

It’s a safe and roundabout way of putting it, but essentially, it’s an invitation: “If you have grievances against the Council, I’ll provide the necessary assistance (though I’ll expect a suitable return).”

Then, Aram, the governor of the trading city of Schaldir, flashed a wry smile.

“I received a secret letter as well. It was just a polite greeting, though.”
“Oh, we did too.”

Forne, the governor of the artisan city of Veiria, also raised his hand.
She sure is reaching out to everyone, huh? I suppose she’s just waiting to see how things play out for now.

“I haven’t received one yet.”
“Ah, me neither.”

Senior Marlene and Firniel look bored.
Princess Eleora probably has no idea how to negotiate with a demon.
Although we’re being courted by the Rolmund side like this, today ends with everyone just laughing it off.
It’s been like this ever since we were dealing with the Senate, so it’s nothing to make a fuss about now.

“It seems the princess of the far north isn’t very good at negotiating with a soft touch.”

Petore, the governor of the fishing city of Lotzo, muttered as he skimmed through the secret letter.

“She might be good at threatening people by waving a whip, but unless she learns to use the carrot a little more skillfully, us southerners won’t listen to her.”

The Southerners who crossed the sea, especially those of the Governor’s lineage, are descendants of adventurers.
Filled with a pioneering spirit, they like to make their own decisions about everything.
And since they tend to rebel when coerced, it seems the Senate has been struggling with them for years.

After everyone had a good laugh, Senior Marlene brought up a new topic.

“By the way, recently, northern followers of Ruhigermond Faith have been coming to Bernehainen asking to settle here. Is it okay for us to accept them?”
“Oh, they’ve been coming to my place too. Something about converting or something.”

Both the ancient capital of Bernehainen, ruled by Senior Marlene, and the industrial city of Tübahn, ruled by Firniel, border the north.

Princess Eleora’s policies are generally pragmatic, but she is unusually hardline when it comes to religion. She is strangely cold toward religious groups other than the Sonnenlicht Church.
Shatina, the new governor of the Labyrinth City of Zaria, crosses her arms and mutters as if she were a seasoned veteran.

“Immigrants are coming to Zaria too, what on earth is Princess Eleora thinking? It should have been obvious this would happen… Maybe she’s actually incompetent?”

I agree with the first part, but I interpret it not as “she’s incompetent,” but rather as “she has circumstances that leave her no choice but to act this way.”
Because that allows for a broader range of strategic possibilities.

“She probably has to do it even though she knows better. For example, maybe in the Rolmund motherland, they don’t recognize any religion other than the Sonnenlicht Church.”
“Ah, that makes sense. I see.”

Shatina nodded in agreement.

Forne, the damn queer of the artisan city of Veiria, was grinning.

“We’ve got tons of famous people coming here, too. Composer Donaut, mythological painter Musel, and sculptor Steiden. They were all under the Northern Governor’s employ, yet they went out of their way to come to Veiria. Oh, I’m so happy I might go crazy. And on top of that, Steiden’s direct disciples, Bafuru and Zeon…”

Since he wouldn’t stop talking, I’ll skip the rest, but basically, it seems a massive influx of cultural figures is happening.

This is why I respected the minority followers of the Ruhigermond Faith when I occupied Lüenheit.
Many artists are followers of the Ruhigermond Faith.
And the works they create can sway the wealth of the nobility or capture the hearts of the common people.
Of course, that’s no substitute for cavalry or castle walls, but it’s certainly not something to be underestimated.

Forne clapped his hands and addressed the group.

“So, I’d like you all to come see the Werewolf Play series, which has become even more polished. I’ve enlisted artists from all over Miraldia to create the best production possible.”

He was cheerfully excited, just like a child.
I heard that this time, the play features Firniel and Senior Marlene, so I’m actually a little interested.
Or so I thought.

*“A decision is upon me. To perish where I stand, or to fight. And yet this is a decision far too heavy for myself to bear.”*
*“Firniel. Would you let me share that burden with you?”*
*“That voice—Lord Veit! Have you returned from the front lines?”*
*“My mission ended early. I had hoped your lovely smile would heal the fatigue of battle, but it seems that won’t be possible.”*

What is this?
Firniel, the hero of the Centaurs, couldn’t bring herself to decide whether to fight the humans. If she fought, much blood would be shed on both sides.
Then Lord Veit, the Black Wolf, appeared. He was Firniel’s senior training partner, with whom she had trained side by side.
He encouraged Firniel and imparted wisdom on how to minimize the bloodshed.
Veit and Firniel led the vanguard together and threw themselves into the fierce battle.

*“Everyone, we have finally conquered Tübahn! A new era for the Centaur Clan begins here!”*
*“Ooooh!”*
*“Hoorah to ur Lady Firniel! Hoorah to the Warring Princess, Mad Gallop Firnel!”*

Firniel responded to the cheers of the burly warriors, but then suddenly looked around.

*“Where is he…? Where is Lord Veit?”*

She looked around, but there was no sign of the black werewolf. He, who had led them to victory in this fierce battle, had already set off for the next battlefield.

*“Once again, I was unable to convey what was in my heart…”*

Amidst the thunderous cheers, Firniel looked down, her expression one of loneliness.

With *Mad Gallop Maiden*, a play based on Firniel, now over, the actors are smiling on stage.
The actors who played the centaurs were all muscular, well-trained, and handsome. Their performances were powerful, radiating vitality.
In contrast, the actress playing Firniel was a delicate, beautiful young woman, which made her stand out even more.

However, since it is difficult to accurately recreate the appearance of the centaurs, the actors wore large tassels around their waists. These were apparently meant to represent horse tails.
Similarly, the decorations on the helmets they held under their arms were modeled after horse manes, and horses were also featured in the designs of their shields. These elements serve to indicate that they are centaurs.
In my case, as a werewolf, wearing a wolf-shaped helmet and a black fur cloak is treated as “transforming into a werewolf.” Taking them off means I’m treated as a human.
I think it was a wise decision not to go with weird headgear or something like a lion dance.
This style is similar to Noh theater from a past era.

Firniel seems completely captivated by the play; she’s standing up and clapping.

“Wow, I’m so cool! But you’re even cooler, Senior! Come on, tell me a line like that too”
“Give me a break.”

If I tried it, it would just create an awkward atmosphere.
Trying to escape Firniel’s gaze, I turn back to Forne, who’s beaming from ear to ear.

“I thought I was just a supporting character.”
“Yes, you are?”
“Aren’t I standing out a bit too much?”
“Well… it’s an important role—encouraging Firniel, watching over her growth, and then leaving. I guess it can’t be helped?”

He’s definitely doing this on purpose.

It seemed pointless to protest, so I gave up and clapped.
In this play, I was cast as a supporting character who appeared at key moments to steal the spotlight.
Come to think of it, I had a friend in my past life who was obsessed with supporting roles. It’s true—being a supporting character is appealing. It’s carefree and cool.
Maybe that’s actually why I like the vice-command role—it might be that same psychology at work.
Just as I was thinking that, Senior Marlene’s play, “The Queen of the Crescent Moon,” began.

*“It is said that in northern Miraldia, barbaric acts are being committed in defiance of His Majesty the Demon Lord’s orders. Yet my vampire clan is powerless to do anything about it…”*
*“Lady Marlene, what is the matter?”*
*“Ah, Veit. As one who was once human, I cannot bear to see human lives taken in vain.”*

This time, my role is to stand by the side of Marlene, the kind-hearted vampire queen. Lord Black Wolf Veit looks up to Marlene like an older sister, supports her devotedly, and protects her without regard for his own safety.

*“Vampires like Lady Marlene are much like us werewolves, we are both clans of the night. I cannot, under any circumstances, overlook an insult directed at her. Retract your words immediately.”*
*“Ha! Us demons have but one law: Might makes Right! If you wish to make me bow my head, you’ll have to cut off this neck first!”*
*“Then so be it. Go apologize to Lady Marlene in the underworld.”*

Veit duels Lord Dolf, the savage Ogre Lord and commander of the Northern Conquest Division.
Dolf’s minions launch a cowardly attack, but Veit repels them with a dazzling display of combat skill. After a fierce battle, Lord Dolf the Savage is defeated by Veit.
It seemed as though the demons’ tyranny in the north would finally come to an end.
But it was already too late; the humans’ fierce counterattack had begun.
The Demon Lord’s army deployed in the north had let their guard down completely and were instantly overwhelmed.
Even Marlene, who had come merely as an envoy, was caught up in the crossfire.
But then, Veit broke through enemy lines all by himself and rushed to her side.

*“Where are you, Lady Marlene! I, Veit, have arrived!”*
*“Ah, Veit… I never thought you’d save me…”*
*“What nonsense. For now, let’s just escape this battlefield.”*
*“But all my Vampiric Knights have fallen in battle. There’s no way we can escape.”*

Marlene lost heart, and Veit gently encouraged her.

*“The Black Wolf Knight is here. As long as I am by your side, consider yourself protected by a thousand elite warriors.”*

With the ferocity of a Lion, Veit cleared a path through the enemy lines and retreated while protecting Marlene.
Swearing to rise again someday.

Having watched the play, Senior Marlene was in a cheery mood.

“How wonderful. When I was human, I never imagined my life story would become a play. Ah, I’m so glad I became a vampire…”
“It’s so glorified, you’re practically a different person, Senior.”
“Ah, shut it. Right now, I’m enjoying imagining the Veit in the play. The real Veit should just keep quiet.”

What a terrible thing she said to me.

So I had no choice but to ask Forne again.

“Hey, Lord Forne.”
“What is it?”
“Haven’t I been standing out a bit too much lately?”
“Come on, it’s fine. Anything goes as long as it’s entertaining. Besides, it i’s a fact that you’ve become famous by racking up military exploits.”

Isn’t that a bit too dismissive?

“What’s important here is that ‘the demon race was cornered and rose up’ and that ‘there were two factions within the Demon Lord’s Army.’ It’s a play that clearly illustrates how you moderates took the lead and brought us to where we are today.”

True, the late Demon Lord did raise the Demon Lord’s Army to ensure the survival of the demon race, and neither I nor Senior Marlene had any involvement in the invasion of the north—but would such an excuse hold water?

I was skeptical, but Forne was brimming with confidence.

“Well, this is where the Artisan City of Veiria really shines. I’ll handle it perfectly, so just leave it to me. I’m still making preparations.”

I wonder if it’s really okay to leave it to him…