Chapter 44

In such a situation, while I was idly working on the clothing, a new trouble came my way.

Astares.

She is a sexy and alluring demon lady, and apparently a high-ranking person in the Demon King's army.

She came to my place again.

"You guys, again...!"

Even Pratie was exasperated by their persistence.

After being thoroughly defeated, they returned before the dust had even settled.

However, today's visit was different.

She didn't bring a large number of monster soldiers like last time.

She came alone.

There was a sense of tragedy in her demeanor.

"It's not like that!"

"Today, I came here not to harm anyone! Please listen to us!"

It wasn't Astares herself who pleaded, but the two women who seemed to be her subordinates.

Since Astares is a woman, perhaps they also unified their gender?

"If there's a reason, I'll listen."

So, Veil.

Stop being in dragon form and become human.

Stop showing off that you can breathe fire at any time; it's scary for me too.

"Is it okay, Master? These fools will take advantage if you're too lenient?"

"That's something to judge after hearing the reason."

It's clear that they didn't come to fight.

Returning to a place where they were utterly defeated without any will to fight—let alone to avenge their defeat—must have a significant reason.

"Actually, we..."

"...we were expelled from the Demon King's army!"

The alternating confessions of the two subordinates left us confused and unable to grasp the meaning.

"No, that's not it."

Then Astares herself spoke up.

"I was the only one expelled from the Demon King's army. These two only followed me in my downfall. If they had stayed, they would have been given new positions and lived comfortably..."

"What are you saying, Lady Astares!"

"We have sworn to serve Lady Astares for life!"

The subordinates are quite loyal, but in essence, this is...

"You were fired from the Demon King's army?"

"..."

"Is it our fault?"

Last time, we did whatever we wanted to them.

We wiped out all the monsters they brought, and Veil, in dragon form, took them to the battlefield and made a huge mess.

It wouldn't be surprising if Astares, as the executor, was held solely responsible.

"After that incident, a military tribunal was immediately held in the demon capital..."

"They condemned Lady Astares one-sidedly. They said that failing the mission and bringing a dragon to the battlefield, causing chaos, was a grave sin..."

Astares was stripped of her title as one of the Four Heavenly Kings and exiled from the demon kingdom.

With no place to go, she came here.

"That's a ridiculous decision! Lady Astares has worked hard for the Demon King's army until today!!"

"The tribunal itself was strange! It started and ended in a hurry before the Demon King returned from the front lines! It seemed like they were doing everything to frame Lady Astares!"

"I thought so too! The mastermind behind the tribunal must be Lady Ravilian!"

"She always seems to be plotting something! She definitely is!"

The two subordinates recalled the situation and were filled with anger.

"No... it's not about who's to blame. In the Demon King's army, strength is everything, and ability is everything. I failed to complete the mission given to me, and I am weak, so it's my fault."

Astares is blaming herself, but it seems that the incident was the trigger.

I'm starting to feel bad.

"...I understand."

"Master."

Veil's voice was displeased.

It's incredibly scary, but I won't back down.

"Even if there are lingering grudges, it pains my conscience to ignore someone in trouble. So, if you want to stay here, you can stay as long as you like."

It's like the parable where a hunter won't kill a bird that flies into his arms.

I'll follow that example.

"However, while you're here, you must follow the rules. No violence. No free meals for those who don't work. Absolute obedience to what I say. If you can follow these three rules, you will be a respectable resident here."

"Master, you're being too lenient..."

Veil shows even more displeasure, but I'm not the type to coldly turn away someone who has come to me in their weakest state.

"Understood. I will obey everything you say. I will be in your care from now on."

Astares prostrated herself, her forehead touching the ground.

I thought it wasn't necessary to go that far, but considering she tried to kill us all last time, this much is probably necessary as a show of respect.

Well, she's been defeated and has lost her pride.

I can't feel any anger or hatred towards her, and she doesn't have the energy to cause any trouble. I can consider her safe.

"But!"

"There's one thing I want to ask of you, Holy One!"

Then, the two subordinates jumped out.

...What is it?

"About the night duties, can you please exempt Lady Astares!?"

"In exchange! We two will work hard on the night duties! We will endure any play and make the Holy One happy!! So, please, just Lady Astares! How about it!"

Ah.

...

"I didn't mean absolute obedience in that sense!!"