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The allied forces of the craft city Veiria and the trade city Schaldir were safely received into the streets of the labyrinth city Zaria. For the moment, that was a relief.
The two governors who had brought reinforcements were first received by Shatina and Aylia. There were words of thanks for the aid, and condolences to be exchanged.
I prepared myself and hurried to the audience chamber.

“Thank you for waiting. My apologies for the delay.”
“It has been some time, Lord Veit.”

Governor Aram of Schaldir was as before, though he seemed to have lost some weight. He must be under strain.
The Governor of Veiria appeared to be a man in his late twenties. Tall and dignified, handsome, and well suited to his elaborately designed armor.
Then his first words surprised me.

“My, how do you do? It’s an honor to meet you.”

He spoke in a feminine manner. With his deep, fine voice, it carried a strange force.
The Governor of Veiria greeted me in a light tone.

“I am the governor of Veiria, city of beauty and craftsmanship. Forne vom Fohnheim. A pleasure.”

There were so many “fo” sounds in his name that all that remained in memory was “fo fo fo.”
And the incongruity of his manner of speech was overwhelming.
Suppressing my confusion, I returned the greeting.

“I am Veit, adjutant to Demon Lord Gomoviroa.”

The Demon Lord’s Army has adopted a policy of actively engaging with humans, and the position of Demon Lord is now to be inherited successively.
In other words, it is necessary to make clear whose reign it is. Thus, we make a point of saying “Demon Lord Gomoviroa” at every opportunity.
One day my master may abdicate, and at that time a third Demon Lord will be born.
No matter how many Demon Lords are defeated, the next will immediately succeed.

The former lord, for reasons of secrecy, never allowed the name or appearance of “Demon Lord Friedenrichter” to become public. He had almost no contact with humans.
Thus humans do not know that a Demon Lord named Friedenrichter ever existed. Of course, they are unaware that a succession took place.
Someday I intend to leave the former lord’s name in history, but for now he remains a secret.

Even so, this governor with the feminine speech sure had a tremendous presence.
At any rate, it was our first meeting. I should greet him properly.

“It is an honor to meet the governor of the renowned craft city Veiria. I thank you for coming to Zaria’s aid.”

The queer’s… I mean, Forne’s expression grew pained.

“There were unsettling signs around Lord Mergio, so after consulting with Lord Aram we hurried here… I’m sorry we were too late. Even our proud Veiria honor guard—what use are they now?”
“Honor guard?”

The Veiria unit looked like cavalry, no matter how one saw it. True, their equipment, down to the tack, was beautifully unified and splendid, but all their weapons were suited for real combat. Their training was high as well.
Of all the human armies I had seen, it was likely the most expensive. It most closely resembled what I had imagined as a “medieval order of knights” in my previous life.

Aram gave a wry smile.

“Veiria’s official guard allocation is around two hundred, but under the name of a ceremonial honor guard they maintain a large cavalry force. They even lend them to other cities.”

Is that really acceptable?
As I wondered, Forne laughed.

“When the elegant Veiria honor guard attends a ceremony, the prestige rises at once. After all, it is mostly Veiria’s artists who design the crests, estates, and formal attire of Miraldian nobility.”

I see. They play a vital role as a source of culture.
If so, a certain amount of deviation is likely overlooked.

Since the Miraldia Unification War, Veiria had taken in large numbers of wandering artists and craftsmen, providing them an environment where they could freely create.
By the time the war ended, all the famous talents had relocated to Veiria.
After telling that story, Forne smiled again.

“We suffered in the war because we’re close to the north, but thanks to that it was easy to gather people from the north as well, or so my predecessor’s predecessor used to say.”

That’s rather shrewd.
I should make it clear that we are not a horde of barbaric monsters.

“The Demon Lord’s Army is a gathering of demonkind, but we also respect human art and culture. I would be pleased if our cultures could interact and develop together.”

The silverwork of the dogfolk and many other demon crafts are also refined. It should provide a good stimulus for human artists.
Forne stared at me closely.

“They call you the slayer of four-hundred, the man who bit a hero to death. I wondered what kind of fierce general you’d be… but you’re far calmer and cooler than your reputation suggests. Quite the handsome man, aren’t you?”

Handsome how?
I am a plain-looking country boy who came from deep within the great forest.
Yet Forne circled me, examining me from head to toe.

“Oh, this contrast is marketable. You should show yourself off more and promote the Demon Lord’s Army.”

Why must I hear such things from someone I’ve just met?
Perhaps sensing my feelings, Forne gave a wry smile and waved a hand.

“My, forgive me. Part of my work is marketing works as trade goods, so I get excited when I spot promising material.”

I offered a bit of sarcasm.

“So it is also your work to market an unremarkable, plain man as ‘calm and cool’?”

Forne nodded cheerfully.

“Exactly! You understand quite well.”

Quite the sturdy mentality we have here.

“In diplomacy, it’s not just crafts we must promote, but people as well. That’s why I speak like this. As the head of a craft city, I must be instantly memorable, mustn’t I?”

Like constructing a stage persona. Whether it succeeds or not is another matter.
Personally, I have an image of such types as clever and formidable characters, perhaps due to a kind of mystique transcending gender. Perhaps it is similar in this world.
Since I also strive to project a villainous air, I felt a certain kinship.

“It seems those who stand at the top share similar hardships.”
“Indeed.”

Forne nodded several times, then said,

“If the Demon Lord’s Army will cooperate in Veiria’s prosperity and safety, Veiria will respond with equal passion. I promise this as their governor.”
“My thanks. I will do everything in my power to protect Veiria’s prosperity, safety, and culture.”

Though if possible, I would prefer him to abandon that confusing manner of speech.
But from this exchange, I had a sense he never would.
Forne responded with a smile, then his expression clouded.

“Well, I suppose this means Veiria’s crafts and designs will be limited to the south from now on.”

Ah, so that was his concern.

“No. Even after Veiria becomes independent from Miraldia, please continue sending your works to the north as before. I wish to protect Veiria’s interests.”
“What? Truly?”
“If Veiria stops supplying the north, new suppliers will surely arise there. In that case, Veiria’s influence over the north would diminish.”

If new culture emerges in the north, the cultural power Veiria holds would be lost. That would also be a disadvantage to the Demon Lord’s Army.

“Therefore, I would have Veiria remain a source of culture and maintain strong influence across all Miraldia. More often than not, culture is more powerful than trebuchets.”

Forne’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.

“You truly understand! That is exactly what an ally of Veiria should say! Wonderful!”
“Hey, stop—don’t hug me.”

Being firmly embraced by a handsome man speaking in a deep voice and feminine speech, I felt a variety of dangers.
Culture is frightening.