Ahh, this was a much-needed break from SJ. A lot more company policy stuff than I was expecting, but still way less work, and way less dense, than SJ.
Chapter 8 - Returning on time back to my wifeAt work, my secretary Toralina brought up my new marriage at every possible opportunity.
"Sire, how is your new household? Is everything going well, or do things seem likely to explode?"
"What do you mean, 'explode'? You're going to jinx me."
Though it was true that I did know magic that could cause explosions.
"Stop trying to pry into my new life and finish those documents. We need to write a letter to the human king about establishing peace. We've already withdrawn all the bosses from some areas in order to show our sincerity."
It also cost the human country, the Masgenia Kingdom, a lot of money to war with demons, and their fields were constantly getting trampled, so he should also want peace. I also knew their budget was very tight. More like, if they had more money, I'm pretty sure they would spend it on training more soldiers in order to completely drive the demons out of their lands.
They really shouldn't be using volunteer adventurer parties to pit against demons. That kind of military structure was very reckless, and it should never be considered even in the most rotten country. Even if there were no demons, they would simply be destroyed by other human countries.
"I am working on the documents with the utmost diligence. However, it's times like these that not having a foreign affairs division proves to be truly troublesome… The demons who have been assigned this work are all struggling as well."
"That's just how it is. For the longest time, our slogan was 'Destroy all humans,' so no one ever imagined that there would be any use for something like diplomacy…"
But realistically, even if one side won the war, it would be too extreme to thoroughly purge the losing side. It was obvious that whether humans or demons destroyed the other, or if they both destroyed each other, there would still be both humans and demons who survived. In that case, there was a need for diplomacy.
"I think I will eventually have to order the creation of a foreign affairs division. However, doing it now would just be increasing our work, and our employees might panic. If there's too much work, that could even lead to suicides."
"Well, if that happens, we'll just have the demon priests revive them," Toralina replied matter-of-factly.
Indeed, if it's right after they die, then resurrection magic can handle it.
"But then, I don't think they'll be all 'I just killed myself, but today I'm going to work hard!' or anything. We'd have to give them at least two weeks off, otherwise our negligence might come back to bite us later. That aside, most people would find someone who killed themselves, got revived, then immediately went back to work scary. Like maybe there's something rotten in their brain."
"I'm pretty sure there isn't anyone who doesn't think that the corpse-type monsters we employ for manual labor and simple work are rotten."
"I know that already, I'm just talking hypothetically! Ahh, there's so much work to do! We have to contact all the demons to tell them not to attack humans anymore…"
"This pile of work was undeniably generated by none other than you, sire, so you'll excuse me if I cannot find it in myself to feel sorry for you. Even if it's advocating for peace, this came much too suddenly. It's abnormal for there to be no closed-door dealings or any other foundations for it whatsoever," Toralina grumbled, looking at me with cold eyes. She's been given a heavy burden as well.
"Like I said, I know already… That's why I'm taking the lead on all this work, isn't it…?"
Waging war was hard work, but dealing with the aftermath of a war was just as hard. Meaning, no matter what happened, there was still going to be hard work to do.
I was worried about the time. I'd love to leave in the early afternoon in order to help Laetia with the cooking, but that was pretty much impossible. I wondered if I could make 6 o'clock work…
"Sire, you seem to be glancing at the clock quite frequently."
Toralina sure was sharp. How commendable of the demon lord's secretary; her secretarial skills were flawless.
"Given the amount of work there is to do, I don't believe you have the leeway to keep checking the time. Are you in that much of a hurry to return to your newlyweds' nest?"
This damn woman. Did she finally get jealous since she's single? I don't dare say that out loud, though, since she'd definitely complain about sexual harassment. I can't be fired as the demon lord, but I might have to issue a public apology or something.
"Umm… is it all right if I leave on time today?"
Toralina's glasses flashed. "In other words, in this project that you decided to take the lead on, you will be going home when the workday ends while your subordinates must work overtime in order to cover for you—that's basically what you're saying, correct? We would all like to leave on time, you know. As for tomorrow, don't blame me if the department mutinies."
"Dammit! I get it already! Fine, everyone can leave on time! If that causes any problems, then we'll deal with it when it happens! If our organization can't function without people working overtime, then there's something wrong with it! I'll do what I can to hire more people!"
In the middle of thinking about it, I finally got desperate. I definitely prioritized my home life over work. I'm a newlywed, after all, I should at least get that much freedom!
"Thank you very much. Now I can make it to the idol concert without worry."
She was actually smiling. How rare.
"Toralina, it appears you also have your own circumstances."
"Not at all, I was going to give up on it because of all the work piling up, and I don't have a ticket either. The idol I want to support isn't very popular, so there are still same-day tickets available. So, it would have been fine either way, but…"
You're making things way too complicated with your half-assed support for this questionable idol.
"…if they become too popular, then the concerts will only be held at large venues, which would make me feel like they're being stolen away from me. It's a complex feeling. It would be best if they could maintain their current popularity but at least sell out their current venues."
"This is the entertainment industry, so maintaining their current popularity is probably even harder than getting a big break. It would be a miracle if they could do that."
"I know that! You don't have to nitpick everything I say! I'm just a demon who doesn't like idols that are too famous or too minor!"
I guess she's got her own obnoxious idiosycrasies… But she's using the money she earned herself to engage as a fan, so she has no obligation to answer anyone else's concerns. Have fun donating your money to an idol's bottom line.
Now that she could make her concert, Toralina's work pace increased dramatically. Her black hair looked like it was floating, even.
"This is my true power."
"So you were hiding that midboss-level of strength. I could promote you to an area boss if you'd like."
"It would be hard to attend concerts if I had to work that far from the castle, so I politely decline. In any case, the war with the humans is now over, so area bosses are going to lose their prestige and value soon enough."
Now that she mentioned it, that was true… I think I need to take another look at the organizational chart. Whenever something new happens, more work comes along with it. I felt like I was endlessly getting more work added to my plate…
"But, hm, local concerts are much more relaxed than the ones in the city, so I do enjoy attending them as well. I usually travel out to the area during the day, go see the concert at night, then stay the night with a friend."
"Good to hear you're enjoying life."
In this manner, the workday came to an end. I teleported back to Laetia's side.
"I'm back. If there's anything that still needs to be cooked, please let me help!"
"Welcome back, Galtau. In that case, can I leave this to you?"
I immediately donned an apron and began helping out in the kitchen.
"So Angelica still hasn't returned?"
I still felt a bit embarrassed calling her just "Angelica."
"Yes. She usually gets back around seven."
That's great. If I were to arrive around the same time as Angelica, it would have been pretty awkward.
However—
When the clock turned seven, Angelica still hadn't come home. When it turned eight, the front door still remained closed. How strange…
— — Chapter 9