Chapter 335
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Chapter 335: New Position
As soon as I finished the video call with Demon King Miyu, I summoned Yataro and Mao and informed them of the conclusion of the permanent partnership and the exchange of five zones as part of it.
“Hoh…a permanent partnership with one of the Thirteen Evil Stars and an exchange of zones to save us…it’s something you’ve decided, Shion, and it’s probably not wrong, but…”
“C-C-Can w-w-w-we t-t-trust them…? …F-Forgive me…f-for someone l-like me…to s-speak up l-like this…”
Yataro’s expression clouded over while Mao looked frightened…but she still asked the major question.
“Trust, huh…? Who knows? To be honest with you, I can’t really tell…and I guess that means we won’t trust her.”
“Is that alright?”
“Hmm, well, I thought it over from various angles…but since I’ve already given her my answer, I cannot go back on my word now… Even so, I can’t trust her――in other words, if we assume her suggestion is a trap, how do you think she is going to trick us?”
“Let’s see…for example, she could launch a surprise attack when we let our guard down…or something like that?”
“Yeah, okay, if that happens, we’ll likely lose several zones. But, would the Aster Empire perish from that?”
“A part of the Toyama Prefecture would probably be cut off, but…that’d be all, I think.”
“And then I’d leave Laplace…well, this would be a painful blow to me, but…in such a scenario, the Upper Demon King Lounge would be destroyed as well. I wonder which holds more value to Demon King Miyu as administrator of Laplace…several zones or the Upper Demon King Lounge?”
“In short, it has to be worth it, eh?”
“That’s how it is.”
Afterwards, Yataro and Mao proposed several hypotheses, but I had already accounted for them.
“I see…we can’t trust her, but we don’t need to worry too much over her betraying us either…is what you’re thinking, right Shion?”
“Well, that’s the gist of it.”
“It’s kind of ambiguous, but it’s also what you’ve decided. We subordinates can only obey your decisions.”
Even while looking as though he’s not fully satisfied with this, Yataro answered me as I had expected he would.
“Alright, then let’s talk about the main topic…would it be okay to transfer the zones under invasion――zone 306 to 310――to Demon King Miyu?”
“310 is next to Nagano Prefecture, too. I think that’s a safe choice.”
“We will do the transfer tomorrow. I leave the preparations to you.”
“Roger.”
The preparations are set with this. Tomorrow we’re going to reduce the zones to be defended by half. This will increase the likelihood that we can somehow finish the Demon King Carnival on a positive note.
“U-Umm…”
Ignoring the chirping of the flying insect, I tried to check on Rina and the others, but…
“Shion-san! Shion-saaaaaaan!”
The bug’s voice became somewhat louder and more unpleasant.
“…Tsk. Keep it down. What is it? Can’t you tell by looking? I’m currently busy.”
I clicked my tongue and revealed a clearly displeased expression.
“W-Why!? Why…wasn’t I invited to such an important war council――”
――Be quiet!
I decided that I’d never allow a noble word such as strategist to ever leave the mouth of this bug.
“(Gnnhnn)”
With her mouth forcefully shut, the bug could only mumble some incomprehensible stuff.
“Never use that word again.”
“…Puhaaa! Y-You’re terrible…! W-What did I do to deserve this!?”
“…Haaah.”
I sighed and turned around.
“――――! Uuhh…the usual…! At least give me the usual punishment…!”
“…I don’t have any need for another pervert, you know?”
I’ve already got more than enough perverts with just Saburou and Hibiki.
“Uuh…that’s not it! This isn’t what I meant! Please! Please tell me why you’re so angry!”
“I’m busy right now. Don’t make me repeat myself over and over again.”
At present, I should focus on reshuffling the defense forces. The instant the zones are transferred to Demon King Miyu, the zone will temporarily eject all foreign elements. Therefore, it won’t be a problem for me to pull back all my subordinates, either… is what I’d like to say, but if we act so openly about it, everyone and their dog will learn about the partnership between Demon King Miyu and me.
Hence, it’s necessary to deploy the subordinates in a way that keeps them hidden. It’s a complicated task, but if we fail here, it’ll largely affect our future strategies. Maybe I should deploy large numbers of cost-effective subordinates, such as ghouls and giant bats.
As I worried about that, the bug’s yelling reached my ears.
“Please listen to meee!”
“How often do I have to tell you? I’m currently――”
“I will talk! N-No matter what you…d-do to me…a-as your stra――…no, your first subordinate, I will keep talking over and over! Until my words reach you, Shion-san!”
You’re not my first subordinate… I don’t have any intention to allow her to claim herself to be the oldest subordinate, but…the one who could rightfully claim to be the oldest subordinate would be Blue alone.
“I-I’m…an idiot! A very big idiot! I was almost destroyed within less than three months during my time as Demon King…! I’ve often said wrong things as well…but…but…you always lent an ear to someone like me, Shion-san…!”
――?
What does Kanon want to tell me with that?
“Uuh…it’s no good…Shion-san, you…my…even if it’s not me…no…as I thought…it must be me…you need a conversation partner…someone to talk to.”
Her words were even more illogical and incoherent than usual.
“Demon Kings don’t need any sleep, food, or water… Their subordinates can only bow to their orders… Demon Kings can act and decide as they want without having to justify it to anyone…but…Shion-san, you’re different…you understand my…everyone’s…feelings and opinions…that’s why…! For this reason…! It’s no good if my voice doesn’t reach you! It’s impossible for you to survive…survive by yourself! It’s definitely a bad idea!”
What is this bug…no, Kanon is talking about? Her words make no sense, and since she’s on the verge of crying, it’s also difficult to understand her babbling.
Still, it’s just somehow, but…she managed to pass on what she wanted to say.
“In other words, solitude is bad. A Demon King like me needs a conversation partner. And you say…you’re going to be that conversation partner?”
“Y-Yes!”
Kanon nodded her head at me with snot coming out of her nose.
God damn it, who does she think she is…!? I need a conversation partner? Someone like me…? How cheeky…what a brazen Google-chan she is.
That said, it’s become my routine to talk with Kanon whenever I’m looking for a conversation. …Though I don’t recall a single instance where Kanon’s advice helped me.
A conversation partner, huh…? I don’t want to admit it, but I probably need one.
“…Tsk. I got it.”
“Reaaally!? So it did get through to you after all! My words full of emotion reached you…! This unworthy Kanon shall once again become Aster Empire’s stra――”
“That’s out of the question.”
“――Wh-!?”
Kanon, who had stopped being teary-eyed all of a sudden and was skilfully circling around me in the air, suddenly froze.
I’d love to accept an outstanding strategist, but I don’t need any junk strategists.
Let’s see――
“Counselor. I suppose your roles will be Google-chan and Counselor.”
“Counselor, huh…? Ugh…somehow it sounds like the position of some old man.”
“I don’t mind if you don’t want it. Right now I’m busy――”
“Whaa! Whaa! Whaa! I was lying! Counselor Kanon shall be working at full strength!”
The counselor, who gets carried away so easily, whirled around on the spot.
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