“Report in detail.”

Ronobe, who had finally succeeded in stopping Veleled’s pace, opened his mouth.

“During your absence, Lord Veleled…”

What had transpired during Veleled’s absence poured from Ronobe’s lips.

Saint Beril had suggested a solution to the demons’ lack of magic power, and had even made a wager with Naverus concerning this.

Knowing that he was dissatisfied with following my orders, she had even secured a promise that Naverus would unquestioningly obey my commands if he lost the wager.

“…So Naverus has left his post. Of course, all pending issues with the surrounding monster hordes have been settled.”

Demons were typically restless beings.

As long as Veleled took care of his responsibilities, he didn’t particularly care what his subordinate demons were up to.

So the fact that Naverus had vacated his post was not a matter of blame.

Ronobe looked at Veleled cautiously. The issue was that Naverus had acted independently, obeying a human’s command.

Depending on Veleled’s view, this could be grounds for punishing Naverus or blaming the human woman for overstepping her authority.

Veleled’s brow furrowed.

“Moved the troops…”

How would he feel if someone else entered his domain and freely wielded their meager power to direct his knights?

Veleled would have thought nothing of ordering that person’s throat slit.

But if it was Saint Beril, that was another story.

After all, wasn’t this within her rights?

A high-ranking woman like her ostensibly had the authority to direct military forces. Not that she was ever actually given that authority.

…He found it ridiculous that he was considering such excuses for her.

“It’s best to hear it from her directly.”

Ignoring the excuses that sprang to mind for her, he moved on.

He should be skeptical. He knew he should be.

But he wanted to hear her side of the story first.

In a typical noble house, there was no such thing as a hostess welcoming the head of the household upon his return.

He had looked out the window to perform this courtesy, but Veleled had already disappeared.

“…It seems you’re quite busy.”

It was just a short while ago that he had left the office vacant.

Because both day and night were dark to her and it was still difficult to distinguish between them, Decarabia had informed her it was night, making it time for her to return to her bedroom.

–Thud.

Just when she thought Veleled would enter a few hours after completing his busy schedule, her bedroom door opened.

It was, of course, Veleled who entered. But Beril tilted her head at his appearance.

I heard he was quite busy.
Having washed off all the dirt, he entered the room looking somewhat rushed.

—Thud.

The sound of a closing door, a noise that would have been absent under normal circumstances.

“You arrived earlier than expected.”

Perhaps he hadn’t had a moment to be attended to by the maids; his dark hair still shimmered with moisture.

He’d seemed to suggest he’d stay out at least another day.

Veled approached her with that thought in mind.

“Being with boring priests isn’t much fun,” he said smoothly.

Beril found herself agreeing.

“…True, that place is.”

To her, it was a boring location; but how would it appear to Veled, who was accustomed to various forms of stimulation and desire?

A place only adorned by dizzying bas-relief patterns on otherwise blank white walls, filled with people acting sanctimoniously.

Before he’d even had a chance to fight with them, there was no way Veled could have found amusement there.

“But it’s definitely been worth the rush.”

“What?”

Veled’s words reverberated overhead. Before she realized it, he had reached out to the light near her head.

—Swoosh.

A thin sheet of fabric covered the lamp, dimming the surroundings slightly.

Was it because his presence made things too bright? Only then did Veled, sitting beside her, truly see her.

The bed shook softly, and Beril’s cheeks flushed anew.

He was merely sitting beside her.

Good heavens, what was she thinking? Her face felt even hotter. Then Veled continued speaking.

“I heard some interesting news right away.”

Saying so, he moved a bit closer to Beril and sat down again. The bed shook.

…Like that day.

Ultimately, thinking like that brought her thoughts to a standstill.

She couldn’t even tell whether it was her or the demon succumbing to desire, especially when the actual demon sat so nonchalantly beside her.

“What is it?”

Striving to keep her composure, Beril asked. Thankfully, his words were sufficient to clear away the pure white thoughts clouding her mind.

“I’ve heard news of Naberus’s expedition.”

“Ah.”

The vacancy left as other thoughts evaporated felt chilling.

Could it be that his hasty arrival and independent military action were related?

“Apparently, it wasn’t just a simple order.”

He had evidently heard all the reports. It certainly was a matter worth rushing back for.

“…”

Beril clenched her eyes shut, then opened them. She’d resolved to survive, yet here she was, lured by pleasure already.

She clenched her fist tightly.