The seafood in this world is actually quite similar to Earth's seafood. The so-called Purple Sea Cucumber is somewhat similar to a sea urchin, except that its spines are soft, a bit like rambutan.
"Deploy a portion of the succubus maids for... hmm, shore combing? Is that what it's called?"
Satan Ye, while eating shrimp that resemble jumping fish, repeated Yila's suggestion. The aroma of the barbecue made her squint with pleasure. She said, "Actually, Mister Yila, you can just tell Hilena directly."
With her tail wagging happily and vigorously, Satan Ye seemed to trust Yila to the utmost in such a short time. She said, "As for deploying monsters, you can just tell the little fairies directly. There's no need to ask me every time..."
However, this isn't because of Yila's uniqueness... or rather, not just because of Yila's uniqueness. The unique one is Satan Ye, the Demon King who has no real sense of power and responsibility.
"No way!"
Yila said seriously as he ate a seafood skewer, while the other monster leaders present... yes, because Mr. Lime had told everyone about the barbecue, so everyone came, preventing the situation from becoming just two people and a maid.
"Well, well, well, it's not impossible~ Aw, so tasty."
Vera chimed in, holding a skewer in each hand, showing them to Yila and saying, "Everyone does so, but no one believes anyone will pose a threat to Lord Demon King."
Yes, contrary to the Empire and indeed different from the whole world... here, it might be a genuine fantasy kingdom.
"No need to worry, Mister Yila, we understand your good intentions."
The Mechanical Leader, also known as the Demon Statue, said while eating a skewer... well, rather than eating, it could be said that he stuffed grilled clam meat into his head and decomposed it for Mana absorption.
In another sense, this could be considered "eating."
"Indeed, even the patrols of the Headless Knights don't need to report back. Yet, even so, nobody thinks the Headless Knights would harm Lord Demon King."
The Black Flame Headless Knight said, and it was the first time Yila heard her speak, realizing for the first time she was female. In that case... either she was wearing a binder, or her armor was so underdesigned that no special chest plate was necessary in her former life.
The black flame replacing her head was roasting a piece of shellfish meat. This... could also be considered eating, right?
"I brought my junior without reporting to Lord Demon King... This is the Demon King Territory, and there is no need to be as constrained as in the Empire."
The gigantic Beetle Man said, while the loli spider girl he brought for the barbecue curiously looked up, unsure why her uncle and his colleagues were mentioning her.
"..."
Indeed, this barbecue was truly like a family gathering, even more so like a gathering of family members who didn't need to understand manners, the closest of kin.
Understanding this, Yila didn't know what to say. He ladled some clam-like shellfish stew, and instinctively offered it to Satan Ye.
"Awoo~"
Oh, Demon King...
Yila watched calmly as Satan Ye contentedly drank the clam soup. He still didn't know what to say. There were times before when Isabella would question him, "Can't you stop instructing me? Can't you just let go and do it directly!?"
And he could only cover the personal with business in silence—telling Isabella the answers to the next round of "Why should I XXX" and "What are the benefits of implementing XXX."
Because Isabella was the ruler, and Yila couldn't, nor wished to bypass the king to act.
"The surrounding areas of the Demon King Territory are rich in shellfish resources. There hasn't been a large-scale collection before, so it's safe to proceed. Is there any fairy willing to lead this? You can just call on some low-level monsters."
Yila asked, and the five little fairies with greasy mouths looked at each other, one fairy volunteered and flew over, saying, "I'll do it!"
Because she had no other fairies assisting her, she spoke very briefly.
Looking at the fairy standing on the table, Yila gently picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth and said, "Then, Hilena, persuade two or three succubi who can use large-scale charm. Charm abilities that can penetrate a certain thickness of sand to help her."
Hilena: "Yes!"
"..."
Hilena twitched her mouth; Yila's tone had a rather serious "command" vibe, so she responded instinctively as she used to answer a previous Demon King, saying something to ease the awkward atmosphere: "I mean, leave it to me!"
It seemed more normal this way, and precisely because of this, Yila wasn't particularly fond of giving orders.
"Then it's decided. Remind the goblins to beware of rising tides and be careful of the beasts appearing by the sea. Small sea creatures should be tossed back into the ocean."
Yila said, wiping the fairy's mouth clean.
"Mission accomplished as promised!"
The little fairy, saying this, happily flew back to the other fairies, inciting a wave of envious chatter because Yila had helped wipe her mouth.
"Why should the small ones be thrown back? No, I'm merely curious, not questioning."
The Ghost Glasses Girl asked, pushing her glasses with the heel of her hand that hadn't touched any oil, looking at Yila with a curious gaze... her thought seemed akin to "Every little bit counts."
"This ensures that beach products don't deplete too rapidly. Although unavoidable, it's similar to needing to release small fish when fishing."
Yila said, then glanced at everyone's expressions, realizing that in this world, fishing did not involve releasing small fish. Poor small fish... really a lamentable thought.
"Mister Yila, I have something to ask, just as everyone is here."
Satan Ye said, for she would not forget her purpose of inviting Yila to dinner together... If she'd known Mr. Lime would invite everyone, she wouldn't have personally asked Yila.
"If I wanted to reclaim lost territory, Mister Yila, would you help me?"
Reclaiming lost territory, without a doubt, this meant teaching those rebellious monsters a lesson, and then taking back the area originally under the Demon King's rule from the Empire.
If Yila were to help, it would mean opposing the Empire.
"..."
The atmosphere stiffened, everyone awaited Yila's response, or perhaps his anger; however, Vera was the only one who didn't seem worried, as if she had already seen through everything.
"Yes, if the discipline of the monster forces can be ensured..."
Yila said, in a seemingly casual manner, "As long as we can ensure that after unification, the civilians of the Empire and monsters have equal status, then I would be willing to contribute to the Empire's downfall."
"..."
"???"
"!!!"