Hearing Arcueid's words all the accompanying Daemons lowered their heads and quickly entered.
It seems she mostly only has some other Daemons helping her run the territory. I don't blame her, their loyalty is far easier to guarantee, and they are extremely competent.
I could spot those three Daemons from that day in the group along with a few others I haven't had the chance to actually meet after naming them.
Lalatina, Megumin and Moss weren't present but that's expected.
All the Daemons greeted me with a bow.
"You don't need to bow."
Thankfully they all listen and straighten themselves.
"These are all the Daemons in charge of monitoring and enforcing your will upon your territory My Lord." Arcueid commented.
I gave her a nod.
Arcueid was basically at the head of command excluding Lalatina and Megumin. Arcueid, Lalatina and Megumin are all right under me, though they each have their own departments they oversee.
Arcueid along with monitoring everything is also somewhat involved with the Foreign Affairs Department which has Moss at the head.
Lalatina and Megumin each had their own roles as well.
These guys though… I had no clue what they do. I really am a negligent ruler huh?
Arcueid gestured to the three Daemons I've already met. "They are part of the Department of Defense, they work directly under Megumin."
I nodded in understanding.
"They are part of the Department of Internal Affairs. They supervise local governments like villages scattered about your territory." I see, it's good that those villages aren't being given free rein.
Though they do pay a tax in return for my protection. Being under the rule of a Demon Lord is protection on its own after all.
Arcueid then pointed to a group of Daemons from Megumin's lineage.
"They make sure everyone is following the laws we have in place." It makes sense that Megumin's battle junkie lineage is in charge of that.
"And then there is the Department of Defense which Megumin is in charge of and the Department of Intelligence which Lalatina is in charge of."
"Yeah, I already know what those two get up to so you can skip over their departments."
Arcueid nodded. "Very well."
Arcueid pointed to a more bulky Daemon. "He is in charge of the Department of Infrastructure."
Ah, so he is the one who is building and expanding everything.
Good to know.
She then pointed to a lone figure standing in the corner of the room. "And then Agriculture is being directed by her."
I gave the Daemon a nod. "Very well. Thank you for introducing me Arcueid."
"Whatever you wish for I will do My Lord."
I shook my head in exasperation.
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I looked to the side to see my date for the evening.
I had promised Ingvild a date a little while back and I am now holding up to that deal.
I have neglected Ingvild far too much since she usually just hangs out in my territory. According to Glenda she doesn't want to seek me out since she doesn't want to bother me.
She really is a kind girl. But life is cruel after all she was basically enslaved and forced to do someone else's dirty work.
That thought only made me more determined to seek out strength. In the end strength is what matters, no one can force you to do something against your will if you are stronger. Morals and rules are determined by who is stronger, after all look at the Demon Lords. They each have territories where they are basically worshiped as gods, Luminous is literally worshiped as a god.
Strength is all that matters in the end, though I don't want to lose myself in the pursuit of it.
But I always have Odin to count on to keep me sane.
I swear I could almost feel Odin smile happily.
'Odin will always be there for the Master.'
'I know you will, thanks Odin.'
It's crazy to think that she has been with me basically my entire journey as a Daemon. At first as just the Extra Skill: Sage, then the Unique Skill: Cursed Sage, and then finally her current self.
Having a partner isn't too bad.
"Ah! Can we go try that?!" I heard Ingvild ask in an excited tone.
I looked towards what she was pointing at, it seems she wants to try a burger. Rimuru managed to recreate a bunch of food items from Earth in Tempest, along with the stuff I got him from the Jujutsu Kaisen world he has had a relatively easy time.
Something I have benefitted from as Arcueid and Raiden can easily replicate them with my knowledge and work on spreading them throughout my territory.
"Yeah sure we can check it out."
Ingvild gave me an excited smile before leading me towards the stand. It's nice to see that she can take joy in even the smallest of things, or sad depending on how you look at it.
"Ah! Welcome Lord Felix!"
I gave the Goblin manning the stand a nod. Rimuru has all sorts of stands and shops all around Tempest, partly in preparation for the Festival and partly because he wants the residents of Tempest to have easy access to good food.
He really does spoil them.
"And hello to you too Miss?" Said the Goblin.
"Ingvild!" She beamed.
The Goblin nodded with a smile. "Ingvild then."
Hehe, I can't wait to see Rimuru's reaction to seeing Ingvild Leviathan. Hearing about fictional characters being real is one thing, but seeing them in person is another.
Ingvild and I quickly gave our orders.
I pointed to a couple of benches on the side. "Why don't we wait over there?"
Ingvild nodded. "Yes!"
What an excitable girl.
Once we took our seats I decided to ask Ingvild about what she's been up to. I know bits and pieces but not everything.
"So have you enjoyed your stay in my territory so far?"
"Yes! Everyone is so nice! Saeko occasionally comes by to play her violin while I sing." Huh, I didn't know that. Well good on them.
Ingvild continued on. "Raiden comes to listen to me sing." That's probably her Dragon tamer abilities at work.
"Arcueid makes sure I have everything I need, Lalatina occasionally stops by along with Megumin." Hmm well it doesn't really surprise me that those three don't care all that much. They don't strike me as the type to make casual friends.
"What about the Dragons? I'm sure they would enjoy your music." I comment.
Ingvild nodded. "Yes, I sing for them from time to time, apparently it helps in their training according to Porunga."
Interesting.
"Other than that I just train."
I looked at her in confusion. "Train?"
She nodded. "Strength is something that is always useful in this world. Whether it is to defend yourself or otherwise. If something bad happens I'd like to be able to help my friends, and having strength helps me achieve that."
Huh, well she's wiser than I thought.
"That's a good way to think. Though you are fairly strong already." I'd put her at around Kurumi's level, and Kurumi has only grown stronger and stronger since I first named her.
Ingvild's Unique Skill Kraken is also incredibly powerful if used right.
Everyone has been growing stronger. Saeko and Raiden are beginning to approach the raw energy levels of Arcueid, Megumin and Lalatina as well. They are still a ways off but they are getting there.
Ingvild nodded. "Indeed, I'm stronger than I ever imagined possible." She clenched her fists. "But I still feel like I need to do more, I need to repay everyone's generosity."
Ah, so that's what this is about.
"Haha, there's no need for that. But if you are that determined then just being in my territory is already helping. People on your level aren't as common as you think, you are capable of fending off most threats as you are now."
Ingvild didn't look convinced. "Really?"
I nodded. "As you are now you are stronger than the Ex Demon Lords Carrion, Frey, and Clayman."
Ingvild's eyes widened slightly. "Really?!" Demon Lords are considered big shots to those who don't know that the strength of each Demon Lord varies a large amount when compared to each other.
"Yup. Though don't let that get to your head." Those three are pretty weak compared to the True Demon Lords but Ingvild doesn't need to know that.
Ingvild and I continued to chat while we waited for our burgers to finish being cooked.
It didn't take long before we each had our food in hand, I ended up getting a burger with two patties, cheese, lettuce, and some grilled onion.
Thankfully most of the base crops from Earth also exist in this world or can be replicated with the right knowledge so this tastes just like home.
"Mmm~!" Ingvild moaned out.
"This is incredibly good."
I ignored her erotic moan and nodded. "Yup, one thing Rimuru takes super seriously is the quality of food. That guy does not mess around."
"I have not heard much about this Rimuru, but if he is your friend and he has done all this he sounds like a wonderful individual." Ingvild commented.
"Yup, look around. He's made a successful country where Monsters can be happy and don't have to live with a constant threat to their survival."
When you think about it like that, Rimuru really has done something quite grand. Even if he had knowledge from his past life and a super computer in his head.
I haven't really done much to change the world, and I'm fine with that. Rimuru saw something wrong with this world and wanted to change it, where I have adapted and embraced this new world.
"This is all in preparation for the Festival right?" Ingvild asked.
I nodded in response. "Yup, normally you wouldn't see nearly as many food stalls or games all around. You are planning to attend right?"
"Of course, you asked me to after all. I'm most looking forward to the concert."
"Haha, well I hate to burst your bubble but I'm fairly certain that Rimuru just used a bunch of music from our previous lives as reference." I wouldn't be surprised if I heard an anime opening or two.
"That will also be quite enjoyable to listen to."
I nodded along. "Indeed, from what I've heard they have all been practicing for this performance for a long long time.
Ingvild nodded. "Then I'm sure their efforts will bear fruit."
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