After conveying the information to Ozma-san and Agni-san, the War King's subordinates, the next place we went to was Yggfresis. After the recent Harmonic Symphony and the tea party after that, I feel like I've been coming here a lot lately.
Since we're here, I guess that means the next place we're visiting would be the World King's subordinates... With it already settled that Lillie-san would be one of them, I wonder who the other one would be?
I've never really seen the World King's subordinates in battle, so I don't remember hearing about who the most powerful in their group is.
[...Hey, Alice. Is the strongest one among the World King's subordinates Lillie-san?]
[No, the strongest isn't Lillie-san. Among the World King's subordinates, there's one older and stronger than Lillie-san...]
[Older than Lillie-san? Are you talking about Camellia-san?]
[Oya? You heard about her? Ahh, I guess you heard about it from Lillywood-san huh.]
I had heard from Lillywood-san at the tea party that Camellia-san was her first subordinate, and Lillie-san came after her, so I was able to guess who Alice was referring to when she talked about them being older than Lillie-san.
Even so, just by saying that, it's surprising that Alice could guess where I got that information from.
The conversation I had with Lillywood-san at that time was done through my Sympathy Magic and not spoken out loud, so she must have guessed that just now.
[Camellia-san was that strong huh. No, I did hear that she's called Earth's Mighty Fist or something like that but...]
[In terms of attack power, she's at a level that would be counted among the top even among the Count-ranks. Of course, it isn't that her defense is negligible, and being a Spirit, whose strong point is their defense, both of Camellia-san's offense and defense are at a very high level.]
[Heehhh...]
It's difficult to imagine that the gentle and simple Camellia-san is so strong, but I guess that's to be expected for one of the World King's Executives.
As we were having such a conversation, we arrived at Lillywood-san's castle... at the foot of the World Tree, and at that moment, I saw Camellia-san at the entrance, sweeping with a broom.
[Camellia-san, hello.]
[Oya? Kaito-san... Also, Shalltear-sama? Do you have business with Lillywood-sama?]
[Ahh, no, we're here for Camellia-san this time.]
[For me? Yes, what is it?]
[Well, I don't mind saying it here, but I'm hungry, so I'd like something to eat.]
[...You...]
[Eh? Ah, yes. Well then, please come this way.]
I astoundedly looked at Alice, who said she was hungry even when we just ate sweets at Zwei-san's place, but Camellia-san just went along with the flow and nodded, leading us to the reception room.
Camellia-san herself said that she's easily pressured, so she probably ends up being easily swayed by such outrageous behavior. Well, I'm also easily swayed by others, so I understand how she feels.
[The only thing I could prepare immediately were tarts but...]
[That's more than enough. I'm sorry for this idiot's strange request, Camellia-san.]
[N- No, please don't worry about it.]
Wryly smiling at my words, Camellia-san placed a cup of tea and an apple tart in front of me and Alice... Another cup of tea, my fourth cup today... I wonder how many cups of tea am I going to have by the end of the day?
Also, unlike Alice, I'm already full from all the tea and sweets I have eaten so far, and with a tart's volume, it's quite hard for me to eat it.
Well, since Camellia-san went out of her way to serve it, I intend to consume it without leaving leftovers behind...
[So, Shalltear-sama, what is your business with me?]
[Ahh, Camellia-san, I now certify you as a Duke-rank.]
[Whoehh?]
[Well then, from now on, please continue to do your best as a Duke-level, High-ranking Demon.]
[Eh? Eeehhhh!? P- Please wait a moment. I completely don't understand the situation... I mean, it's not that I've suddenly become stronger recently or anything like that, you know? Also, it seems to me that it would complicate things if the Head Lillie-sama is disregarded and I were to become a Duke-rank...]
How should I say this... Camellia-san's reaction is very refreshing. That's supposed to be the case, right? You would usually get shaken when you hear that you're going to be a Duke-rank, and you'd be asking why this happened.
So far, Funf-san and Zwei-san seemed to have heard from Kuro about the revision of the Peerage system in passing, and Ozma-san originally expected to be raised to Duke-rank. Meanwhile, Agni-san was surprised, but I don't know if it's just her character or not, but it seemed like she just solemnly accepted it.
[Ahh, don't worry about it, I will be raising Lillie-san to Duke-rank too. Or rather, I'm going to adjust the overall Peerage rankings. We're raising a few people from other camps as well.]
[...I- I see, so that was the case. H- However, is it really alright to raise me to Duke-rank?]
[Ability-wise, you're quite qualified. Rather, we've already decided things here, so I won't accept any objections.]
[Ahh, yes... I understand.]
I see... I don't know if it was because she herself had said or not... but Camellia-san really seemed to be easily pressured.