Chapter 40 - I'm Proud of You

Two good things happened today. Firstly, the perfect end of the trade with the caravan. The funds instantly became much more abundant. If the expenditure in the next quarter was normal, they could also return to normal procurement and salary distribution.

The other thing was the cancellation of the bounty.

As the Chief Consul who had defected, Ira's arrest warrant had been canceled by the Empire. It was rumored that this was the work of Empress Isabella, and this seemed to confirm the rumors circulating.

It seemed that now, the Empire and the other countries were publicly acknowledged that Ira's betrayal had colluded with the Empress—Ira Alkaras had become the sharp knife of Her Majesty, who lived outside the Empire.

"Ira… did you really betray her? Or does Isabella want you back? However, she doesn't look like a child who will give in."

It was very normal for Vera to have such a question because no matter how one looked at it, as the leader of the Ira faction and the Chief Consul, it was very dangerous for the Empire to wait for an opportunity to take revenge outside.

In response to Vera's question, Ira leaned unhurriedly outside the bedroom of Satan Leaf and replied, "Look, what Isabella needs is for everyone to have such thoughts, so the situation of the two factions in the Empire won't be easily broken."

"If I return, Isabella can conveniently use this secret pawn of mine. In the future, she won't have to consider the trade-offs on the surface anymore and can start to use me impudently to make the Empire start to go berserk."

"If I'm not prepared to return and am already serving in the Silver Moon Tree Court or even the Duchy, canceling my arrest warrant can make them wary of me and make me not be able to stand in a high position where I can do something so quickly and comfortably."

"In short, this is beneficial and harmless to her."

As Ira spoke, he glanced at the quietly guarding Black Knights around him. Even if he was leaning outside the Demon King's house now and talking frankly, no one felt that he was rude.

"Fortunately, you came to the Demon King's Territory," Vera said.

"Fortunately, I came to the Demon King's Territory."

Ira nodded in agreement.

"After all, the Demon King's Territory has lolis like the Empire. Otherwise, you might have to run back and lick Isabella's feet. You can lick Satan Leaf now, but speaking of which… Satan Leaf's figure is really enviable, unlike my fat legs."

"Get lost!"

Although Ira scolded him, out of instinct, he glanced at Vera's leg… How should he put it? Well, this was just the right plumpness. The edge of the black stocking made a gentle indentation on her thigh.

Vera's figure was the kind of slightly plump that men liked the most in his previous world.

Ira looked away indifferently. Then, as he continued to wait for Satan Leaf to wake up, he commented, "Actually, your legs are also very beautiful. Slender is not necessarily beautiful."

"…"

Without waiting for a response, Ira felt a little strange. He turned around and saw Vera hiding behind a Black Knight and carefully looking over. The corners of his mouth twitched as he cursed, "You! Don't you have anything else to do today?"

"Ah, this… I don't have the funds to buy materials anymore ~"

Vera, who had walked over, looked embarrassed. She rubbed her hands like a fly and said, "You said that you're teaching the Demon King today. I don't think there'll be the same test as before."

The previous test undoubtedly referred to the time when he let Vera dodge the fireball thrown by Satan Leaf for the first time. If Vera was not hit, Ira would give her his salary.

It seemed that Vera was really short of money.

Just as Ira was thinking this, the door of the bedroom slowly opened. Celina, who was neatly dressed, lowered her head to Ira very apologetically and said, "The Demon King is very tired today. Can you change it to class tomorrow?"

"…"

Ira immediately frowned. He wanted to say something like "As the Demon King, she must…", but he quickly relaxed his eyebrows.

There was no need to teach his student like a harsh teacher anymore. Perhaps it was his strictness that made Isabella like this. He should praise and understand her better.

In his impression, he did not seem to have shown any true tolerance to Isabella, nor did he really praise her… Perhaps he should not have imposed such standards on others.

"I understand. Then let Satan Leaf rest well… Actually, she's already working very hard."

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"Wu ~"

Satan Leaf woke up lazily from the bed. In her white lace pajamas, she was less fanciful than when she usually wore a red lace dress (magic outfit), but the style was very innocent and cute.

"Demon King, are you awake? There's class today."

Celina's words sounded from the side of the bed, but Satan Leaf, who had watched the trade between them, was especially lazy today… She closed her eyes and covered her head with the blanket.

"…"

Classes were really tiring~

"Celina…"

Satan Leaf's voice sounded from under the blanket. The red tail that hung out of the blanket swayed listlessly. She let out a soft beast-like voice, "I don't want to go to class today."

"I understand. I'll convey it to Lord Ira now. He'll understand."

"…"

"The Demon King is very tired today. Can you change it to class tomorrow?"

Celina's words sounded outside the bedroom door. Accompanied by her words, Satan Leaf's gently wagging tail immediately froze. She almost immediately sensed a fact—Ira had long been waiting outside the door for her to attend class.

Her sleepiness was almost instantly dispelled by guilt, accompanied by a sense of blame towards herself…

Satan Leaf wondered if she was qualified to be treated so seriously by Ira and if she deserved to be his student… She, who could not answer at all, immediately lifted the blanket and sat up.

Under the gazes of the other succubus maids and ghost maids, Satan Leaf took off her clothes and began to quickly change into the magic equipment she usually wore.

"I understand. Then let Satan Leaf rest well… Actually, she's already working very hard."

Ira's voice sounded outside.

—No… stop joking. Compared to your hard work, Mr. Ira, I'm not doing anything at all. I can't do anything at all! Therefore, stop joking. I'm not working hard enough at all!

"Wait! I want to go to class! Mr. Ira!"

As Satan Leaf shouted, she staggered out of the room. She quickly tidied her clothes and shouted, "I shouldn't have been so lazy. Please don't be disappointed in me!"

"…"

"Haha, I won't."

Ira chuckled and reached out to straighten Satan Leaf's collar. He looked gratified like the others and patted her head. "You've already done very well."

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Isabella rarely dreamed, but if she had one, there was often a scene where Ira said to her, "I'm proud of you"… because not once had it happened in reality.