Chapter 47

When Ivaris returned to the town, the first thing he did was not to arrange for the Peruna wine, but to check the food supplies stored in the warehouse.

Immediately, he had Jiron bring him the inventory.

Ivaris was an agricultural city, with a self-sufficiency rate in food production exceeding 100%.

The key was that it earned money by exporting the surplus, but it had not anticipated such a sudden gathering of so many soldiers.

Would the food supplies be enough?

He was concerned and checked, but it seemed that it would somehow suffice.

"This is also thanks to the Norfolk farming method, isn't it, Master?"

Sati said happily.

"You seem happy, Sati. Many demons are gathering, aren't you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid."

Sati said firmly.

"Some people in the town are still scared, but Sati is fine."

"I see, you've gotten used to it, huh?"

"Yes, and they are all Lord Sefiro's subordinates, right? There's nothing to be afraid of. They must all be good people."

"…Well, there are no bad ones, at least."

Except for the simple-minded ones, like the werewolf Bayo.

"Besides, Sati is really happy."

She continued to smile.

"Sati can't do much in battle, but I can help with the preparations."

She confidently rolled up her maid's sleeves.

"As many demons gather, a lot of food will be needed, right? Sati can be of help."

Indeed.

"Of course, when soldiers gather, we need the women in town to help with the cooking."

"Yes, leave that to Sati. I know the owner of the town's bakery and some retired maids."

"That's a relief."

Nearly 2,000 demons and monsters were gathering.

The town's stoves might not be able to keep up with the food supply.

"Besides, Sati has discovered a delicious way to cook long-grain rice."

"You were reading a cookbook enthusiastically the other day, weren't you?"

"Yes, I still don't understand half of it."

After this preamble, she continued.

"First, sauté the onions until they turn golden brown, then add beans, paprika, and tomatoes to the pot. Sauté them in olive oil, then add rabbit meat. Finally, add rice, salt, and saffron and simmer. It becomes a very delicious dish."

"That's probably paella. I don't know what it's called in this world, though."

If similar ingredients are available, similar dishes naturally develop.

However, this made me suddenly crave rice.

Tonight, I might order rice for the first time in a while.

"Sati, make rice for dinner tonight."

"Yes, should I make that paella right away?"

"No, that's not bad, but…"

Hearing the word "rice" made me think of white rice, a sad trait of someone with memories from a past life.

However, it was true that I was getting tired of white rice.

What went well with white rice was Japanese food.

I wanted to eat dishes based on soy sauce.

But I knew that was impossible, so I decided to order something safe.

"I want fried rice."

"Fried rice? What kind of dish is that?"

"It's a popular dish in a country called Japan."

"Ah, Japan again. How do you make it?"

"Just stir-fry the rice in a frying pan. Add onions and bacon, and chicken eggs. Salt is enough for seasoning."

I really wanted to add some Chinese seasoning, but that was impossible, so I gave up.

Bacon alone contains enough umami, so it would be delicious.

I realized that in this world, bacon is not a food but a kind of broth.

It's concentrated umami.

When bacon is stir-fried in oil, it imparts a flavor to the rice, creating an indescribable taste.

In short, it's possible to eat delicious food even in this world.

I recalled my past life's memories and instructed Sati on how to make fried rice.

The dish served at the table was a simple, salty fried rice, but it was quite delicious.

While eating it with a spoon, I thought about the faces of the battalion leaders who would be coming to Ivaris.

It had been a long time since they were all together.

They would gather in this mansion, but at least no one would complain about the food.

Eating Sati's fried rice, I had this thought.

The town of Ivaris was bustling.

Elite soldiers of the 7th Legion were gathering from all over Rosaria.

Human merchants, hearing the news, were collecting wine, meat, and weapons from various places to start their business.

The rumor that the demons of the 7th Legion did not plunder but paid properly had reached even the small merchants.

The succubus Lilith asked curiously.

"Why do human merchants do business with the army of the Demon King?"

"Because they pay properly."

I answered.

"Ah, but we are the army of the Demon King. We are the enemy, aren't we?"

"That's the tenacity of human merchants."

"Isn't it more like audacity?"

Lilith laughed softly.

I laughed too.

"But I like this scene."

"This scene?"

Sati, the maid, joined the conversation.

I turned to her and said, "Yes."

"Seeing a gloomy scene is tiring. I like a lively town like this."

"A world where humans, demons, dwarves, elves, and other sub-humans live together. I think it's very beautiful."

Hearing this, Lilith was puzzled.

"Is it really possible to create such a world?"

"Do you think it's impossible, Lilith?"

"Of course, demons fight each other, and even humans fight each other over trivial matters."

"That's true. Demons often fight over trivial reasons, like disliking someone's face or whose horns are more majestic."

Lilith agreed.

"Humans are the same. Villagers quarrel, nobles fight over rights, and they always have internal conflicts, big or small."

Sati, unusually, expressed her opinion.

"The village where my mother was born had villagers fighting over water rights."

"Water rights?"

Lilith asked curiously.

"Yes, they fought over the water stored in the reservoir. In years with little rain, everyone was hostile..."

"Trivial. The strongest village should just monopolize it."

"That's what causes the fights. I think they should share it fairly."

As usual, the two had opposing views.

Each represented the opinions of their respective races.

Or, perhaps Sati's opinion was too mild.

Humans ultimately rely on strength.

In a pinch, they would choose to use force.

"Well, it's best to resolve things through discussion, but that's not always possible, so wars happen..."

I didn't despise humans like other demons, nor was I a pacifist like Sati.

I was somewhere in between.

Maybe I was a realist.

I aimed for coexistence between demons, humans, and other sub-humans, but they didn't need to live side by side.

They could live separately.

As long as they could use their skills and characteristics to trade with each other, occasionally share a drink, and build a decent relationship, that was enough.

And it didn't have to be a permanent relationship.

Eternal peace was impossible.

In the history of my past life and this world, eternal peace had never existed.

However, there were times of temporary peace.

That's what I aimed for.

Even a few decades would be enough.

If I could achieve that, at least the girls by my side could live without experiencing war.

Thinking this, Lilith suddenly appeared beside me.

"Master Ike, are you thinking about something?"

She still had that carefree, seemingly thoughtless look.

I found it endearing, but I also wondered:

How long do succubi live?

If succubi were unexpectedly long-lived, a few decades of peace might not be enough.

I might need to reconsider my plan.

But, knowing this succubus,

She would probably live efficiently and enjoy life, whether in a peaceful era or a time of war.