24. CelebrationSome days ter.

  Timotea and Vionte were chatting together as they were in a clothing shop. Vionte was searching through discounted shirts and trousers. The cat girl was looking at her with a perplexed expression.

  "So... What kind of clothes are you looking for?"

  The other girl replied while still looking through the articles.

  "I'm looking for cheap and possibly durable clothes... I don't want to bring good clothes with me, as i don't know what's going to happen to me."

  "Good point."

  The cat-girl then looked around the shop as she fidgeted with her own fingers.

  "So... I was thinking Vi... Tomorrow Agamennone is going to be officially nominated Demon Lord, huh?"

  "Mh-mh... Indeed. He's getting more and more irritated as the day approaches."

  Timotea scratched her head.

  "I understand. So... I was thinking... Would it be possible for me to join you in... Your mission? I always wanted to travel around the world, and this is probably the right occasion to catch for me."

  The half-succubus, who meanwhile took a pin blue shirt to observe closer, was surprised.

  "I... I'd actually be gd should you join... Someone good at speaking nguages is going to be really useful... But... You should ask your parents first."

  The cat-girl waved her hand as to dismiss the idea.

  "I'll do that, but i don't think they have anything against the idea."

  Vionte then attempted to verify the esticity of the shirt by pulling lightly on the sides of it. Timotea looked at her with a perplexed look.

  "Are you going to test its resistance to cut too?"

  The half-succubus raised her eyebrow.

  "Obviously not, i'm not going to damage a bunch of shirts just to choose one."

  She then put the shirt in a paper bag she was carrying along. She then turned again towards her friend.

  "By the way... Mama said that the regent is not going to allow too much expenses as he's stingy, so we probably have to find a way to gain something if we want to have some fun between the lines of work..."

  "I see. But that's actually a reason for him not to refuse me if i want to join you."

  Vionte nodded, as she searched for another piece of clothing.

  "Still, don't you want some cheap clothes as well?"

  Timotea extended her arms towards sideways, as if she didn't really care.

  "Most of my clothes are cheap anyways, and i'm never been attached to then, with the exception of a couple of them, so... I don't really need them."

  Vionte scratched her chin in comtemption.

  "You know Ti... If it's a money prob-"

  "Shut it Vi. I don't want you to pity me. It is hard for you to understand that?"

  The cat-girl's tone was more of exhasperation than of anger. The half-succubus was a bit annoyed by the answer received.

  "I'm just worried and you know it. Don't escate things."

  Timotea relented.

  "Ok, let's end the conversation around this topic."

  Vionte took a pair of pants and put them on her bag. They then moved to another part of the shop, where the half-succubus searched for other clothes. She was now pensive.

  "I'm a bit worried about my pnts though, i hope my parents are able to keep up with their needs... Should i find them dead when i return i'll probably just throw away all the pretense of sanity i have and i'll go either berserk or silently murderous..."

  Timotea was put off by such statement.

  "Vi... Don't say such things. You're not that bad."

  Despite her attempt at cheering the other girl up, Vionte kept a rather apathetic tone.

  "I'm actually scared of what i'd going should such event happen, if i'm completely honest."

  The cat-girl sighed as her friend with half-mast eyes.

  "Really... I really hope you're speaking through hyperbos... You can like pnts all you want, but becoming murderous against your own family, with whom you're really close, it's... Just pin irrational. I'm sure you're better than this."

  Vionte ughed awkwardly.

  "Probably... Probably you're right... I just spoke through hyperbos but... I'd be really disappointed should such thing happen."

  Timotea rolled her eyes in exhasperation.

  "I'm sure your parents won't make it happen."

  Vionte nodded as she took a third shirt and some pairs of trousers.

  "Yeah, probably..."

  The couple then went towards the counter si that Timotea could pay for her new clothes.

  A bit ter.

  Tiberio was doing some jogging through the city. While in the midst of his activity, he casually found Ferdinando and Volframio having a conversation while eating something together at a bar.

  "I really hope this push will wake him up. He has a job to do, no matter what he thinks."

  Ferdinando was drinking a coffee as he spoke. The living armor, meanwhile, was eating a pastry.

  "True, but if you go overboard then he'll surely attempt something against you."

  The antropomorphic bull ughed harshily.

  "What! He's powerless before me, and even if he plots something, which i don't think he's able to, Vionte being there is actually a good thing. She may be cunning and may prove simpathy for the guy, but she's no murderer."

  Volframio tilted his head.

  "Are you sure, after that cheap shot you took at her by reminding her of her... Selfishness, simplifying the matter?"

  The minotaur massaged his own head.

  "Well... Maybe i went too far that time... But it doesn't change anything. Still... If the guy manages to become a great ruler, i wouldn't mind losing my position, as long as he serves the kingdom."

  Volframio continued to eat the pastry. He was skeptical.

  "I really doubt it."

  "I actually mean it."

  As they were talking, the anthropomorphic lizard approached the duo. He looked at Ferdinando.

  "You are the horned guy on the tv, right?"

  Ferdinando was confused by the sudden question.

  "... Yes? I think?"

  Tiberio smiled.

  "I've heard your speech on tv. I've found out my cssmate is the demon lord! But since he... he's quite a jerk, actually, i wanted to tell you that i'm willing to teach him everything that he needs to become a good ruler."

  Ferdinando looked at Volframio with a perplexed look.

  'What is this guy thinking...'

  Volframio was also confused.

  'He's a moron.'

  The anthropomorphic bull looked back at the lizard with an inquisitive expression on his face.

  "And what do you know about being a ruler, exactly?"

  Tiberio giggled in confidence.

  "I know a lot of things about being a ruler! A ruler must be strong, to defend his subjects, good, to help his subjects, chivalrious and honest, to show that he's genuinely better than the others. He also have to be morally superior, courageous and... A people person, and a women person."

  The duo was not impressed in the slightest. Ferdinando gred at him.

  "Sure... You're very knowledgeable indeed..."

  The anthropomorphic lizard smiled.

  "Hahaha, i knew that!"

  "I was being sarcastic, you dolt."

  Tiberio was saddened. The regent however, was thoughtful.

  "Still... Someone like you might be useful after all."

  "Indeed. You can use him to keep tabs on his majesty while he's away, so you can monitor his growth or his subversive potential."

  Ferdinando frowned at the armor's statement.

  "Why do you have to steal the words from my mouth? I was waiting for his intentions to be clear."

  The armor ughed.

  "I wanted to be sure that we were on the same wavelength."

  Ferdinando rolled his eyes.

  "Why do you think that i'm stupid?"

  "Why should i think you're not though?"

  The regent groaned.

  "Why do i still hang out with you?!"

  The armor shrugged.

  "Because otherwise noone would be willing to hang our with you."

  Ferdinando gred at Wolframio. The former, however, then scratched his chin.

  "True. I aknowledge that i'm not the most... Pleasant man to be around. Who cares though."

  "Huh..."

  Tiberio was left hanging by the regent as he'd been distracted by his friend.

  "... So... What about my usefulness?"

  Ferdinando looked again at the anthropomorphic lizard.

  "Yeah... That... So... As this excuse of a living being, sensu tu, as said, i have a task for you, since you're so willing to participate. So... Your task is to monitor your cssmate and make sure that he doesn't misbehave, that he doesn't do anything that could harm our kingdom's reputation, or something stupid out of spite. You also have to contact me frequently, possibly without letting anyone know about your task. Do you think you can do it?"

  Tiberio nodded.

  "Sure. I won't fail you, mr. TV!"

  Ferdinando put a hand on his face in annoyance.

  "I hope yo do well. I've expectations for you."

  Tiberio smiled, before waving his hand at the two of them and leaving them on their own. Volframio giggled

  "You have expectations for him? What kind of expectations do you have? You've been purposefully vague, it was btant!"

  The regent joined his hands, putting his elbows on the table and interlocking his fingers.

  "It's true i've expectations from him. Abysmal ones, but expectations nonetheless. He may prove himself surprisingly useful, after all... And even should he fail, we are not going to face any real consequence. He's a candied cherry."

  Volframio was confused.

  "A candied cherry?"

  Ferdinando swiftly dismissed the question by waving his hand.

  "You know, the cherry on top of the cake. But there's not really any cake, only the cherry, so..."

  Volframio shook his head.

  "You're not cut for funny discussions, just give up."

  Ferdinando kept his cool. He cleared his throat.

  "Still... I hope Agamennone is not going to do anything stupid, like insulting someone in power or mistreating people for no other reasons rather than 'i'm in a bad mood.'"

  Volframio finished his pastry.

  "You're right. He'd definitely do that. That man has no concept of respect."

  Ferdinando also finished drinking his beverage.

  "True. We'll just have to hope that the girl makes him behave well."

  Volframio put his arms on the table.

  "This or you can always abort this pn."

  Ferdinando rolled his eyes.

  "I'm not aborting this pn. He'll wander through the world and will learn proper behaviour in the way."

  The living armor wasn't really convinced.

  "If you say so..."

  The duo then got up and left the bar.

  ---

  That Evening.

  Valentina was in her office in the city brothel, looking at some financial documents. As she was compiling one of them, the door was opened. It was Fr?nze, who entered the room.

  "Were you calling for me, miss? I noticed a couple of missed calls."

  The demoness looked at her.

  "Yes, i was. I have something to tell you. Please, sit down."

  The human woman sat down as she was told to do.

  "Tomorrow is the day. The demon lord will be officially recognized. And the day after that is the day he'll leave. I'd like for you to come together with me tomorrow, as i'll introduce you to the regent and to your future companions."

  Fr?nze nodded. She, however, was nervous.

  "Ok... But... Do you think i'm good enough for this job? You know... The whole fleeing from my country and such..."

  Valentina looked at her with a stern but warm look.

  "Listen... Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has fears, everybody has moments when they are not sure of the course of action they've taken. If you think you've mismanaged your previous... Job, let's call it this way, then the next time you'll do better."

  Fr?nze sighed.

  "I know but... If i only arrested that woman and her partners sooner. If i only mobilitize my men sooner to go against their men and kick them out of the baronate..."

  Valentina raised an eyebrow.

  "Tell me then... Why did you flee in the first pce?"

  The swordwoman averted her gaze.

  "I... I thought... That i was not in a good position... Like... What if that woman had my men under her control? How much support does that woman had? Was she connected to someone powerful? I was thinking about all these question, when really her and her cronies were a small, manageable threat."

  Valentina interlocked her fingers. She had her arms on her desk.

  "In my opinion, an excess of caution is still preferable to an excess of recklessness. You may have been... Confused by the situation but... You were not paralyzed by fear. You just preferred pying safe rather than charge in into the unknown. It's easy to judge people's actions after the events unfolds, isn't it?"

  Fr?nze nodded weakly.

  "I know..."

  "Let's change the topic. Tomorrow you'll meet the demon lord."

  The human girl caressed her own head.

  "Yeah... I'm a bit nervous, honestly."

  The demoness dismissed her worried, waving her hand in the process.

  "Don't be. He's not pompous at all... It's rather approachable... When he's in good mood. Sadly, he's very votile... He's harmless though."

  "So... How should i behave with him?"

  "Just be yourself. And maybe you want to keep some distance between you two... He doesn't enjoy a stranger acting like a buddy with him."

  "Noted."

  "One st thing. My daughter told me that he can't speak the lingua franca. But i'm also sure that my sweet thing is attempting to involve a friend of hers who's good with nguages. She's a good girl, if a bit hot-headed sometimes. She's the one who is not going to create problems. She'll may stand her ground a bit too much sometimes, but usually her point of view is not going to be unreasonable."

  "Ok... I'll do my best to communicate despite the nguage barrier then."

  The demoness smiled.

  "Nice. Said that, with him there's going to be my daughter Vionte. You've met her, right?"

  "Yeah... The one that threatened us..."

  Fr?nze was nervous. The succubus shrugged in an attempt to calm her down.

  "That's definitely her. She's mostly a sweet girl but... She has a lot of dark tendencies she's trying to smooth over and that sometimes emerge. I feel bad by saying that but... Be wary around her, especially if she seems annoyed. I'm sure she's not so stupid to take out one of her companions, but be sure she's going to retaliate should you rub her the wrong way for too much time. Also... should she act strange or... A bit unhinged at times... Just assert yourself over her, even if should you be a bit aggressive to do so."

  Fr?nze was a bit perplexed.

  "I'd rather avoid to reach such kind of confrontations..."

  "So does she, yet sometimes it still happen. But this is the type of problem you shouldn't worry about before it appears."

  The swordwoman nodded, not really convinced by the demoness' words. After a moment of silence, the demoness spoke up again.

  "How's your new job then? Are you or your friend having problems?"

  The other woman thought for a moment about the question.

  "It... Could have been worse, but it could also have been better... Oktavian is trying to stay sober most of the times, but he sometimes still gives in. On the other hand... We're attempting to understand how to manage the guild. The rules are simple enough but our predecessor wasn't the... Most diligent guy. There are things that don't really add up, but... We're getting accustomed rather fast. Yet... I don't really know if Oktavian is ready for such activity. What if he returns being an alcoholic? The guild's going to be in shambles."

  The demoness giggled.

  "There's a limit about what i can do. I'm not that familiar with the guild and i have no idea who can be a good repcement for your friend. Still, to motivate him, you can always tell him that it he performs poorly, that would affect my own reputation, so... If he doesn't want to be punished by yours truly... It's better if he does well..."

  Fr?nze was a bit tense after hearing such words.

  "I'll make sure to tell him."

  Valentina nodded.

  "Ok girl. I've said everything i needed to tell you. We'll see each other again tomorrow. Goodbye."

  "Goodbye."

  The swordswoman nodded, before standing up and leaving the office.

  The next afternoon.

  At the castle, a lot of people were inside the throne room, ready to celebrate the demon lord. Said demon lord, dressed in his purple tunic, however was in a nearby room, speaking with Ferdinando. He was annoyed.

  "Where's the food!?"

  The regent was rather calm.

  "There's no food. This is not really a party. It's more of a Q&A session. You just have to say something and not screw up. If they ask you something, then you'll reply to them. It's not a long event, so there's no reason to get appetizers for the audience."

  Agamennone rolled his eyes.

  "Who cares about the audience, i want the appetizers! That's literally the only decent thing in stupid events like this one! Why am i even here if i get nothing out of it!"

  Ferdinando crossed his arms.

  "Well, get used to it, because this is literally how your job will be most of the time."

  The young man's left eye twitched from the sheer annoyance.

  "A job i've never taken! A job you've enforced on me!"

  "A job you have nonetheless."

  The regent then took a paper from a pocket of his button-up shirt and gave it to Aganennone.

  "This is the speech you're going to say. There are also some guidelines for the most probable events. Read it and stick to it."

  Agamennone was not pleased by that order. He swiftly read the paper given to him.

  'I, Agamennone... Bh bh lies bh... Bh other lies bh... Biggest lie on the paper.'

  He then read the st part.

  'If someone asks any question about your rule, the answer is always: "i'll leave such burdens to the regent, as he's more expertise than me.'

  Agamennone returned the paper to Ferdinando.

  "Forget that i'm going to follow your script for MY speech! You either leave me make my own speech or you can speak for yourself!"

  Ferdinando raised an eyebrow.

  "You, making your own speech? Last time you did that you made clear you have genocidal intents."

  The regent made a smug face, making the demon lord angry.

  "AGAIN WITH THIS STORY?! YOU ALWAYS CONVENIENTLY LEAVE THE PART WHERE I WAS BEING ARRESTED FOR A CRIME I DIDN'T COMMIT! HOW MUCH PEOPLE LIKE TO SPIN TALES TO THEIR OWN ADVANTAGE..."

  Ferdinando was unfazed.

  "Calm down. Someone so temperamental will only scare his subjects."

  He then handed down his paper again to Agamennone.

  "Rehearse the speech while you can. You have around ten minutes to do so. Now i have to go, as i also have to prepare myself."

  The minotaur then left the room. Seeing that, Agamennone used some magic to burn the paper.

  'No speeches left.'

  "You've defied the regent's orders, now what will you do?"

  Agamennone turned around, finding Vionte behind him with a disapproving look on her face. The demon lord crossed his arms, annoyed by her expression.

  "I'll tell this unwanted audience that i'm not interested in ruling them and that they should not search for me for any reason whatsoever."

  The half-succubus sighed.

  "Don't you fear possible repercussions from them? You know... Angry mobs are really dangerous..."

  Agamennone looked at her with an irritated expression.

  "Well, i can't lie convincingly. Even if i say things like: 'I love you all!' or 'I'll do my best to help the nation grow' it will be obvious that those words are empty, because i either tell them with an apathetic voice or because i'd act like a caricature if i try to sound convincing."

  The half-demoness became pensive, tapping her index finger on her cheeck. Meanwhile the demon lord started wandering through the room. He went to the window, looking down.

  'That's too high, i'd disintegrate should i jump from there.'

  And then he went away from it. He made a very emphatic desperate expression, sighing loudly.

  "Why you and your mother have forced me to come here! You could have just said that i didn't want to come. Yet you two have conspired against me!"

  Vionte gred at him.

  "Don't make such idiotic statements. You had no choice in the matter from the moment the regent outed you in TV. If we didn't bring you here the army would have done it, and it would have done it in a very unpleasant manner."

  Agamennone raised an eyebrow.

  "Really? I doubt it."

  "You're free not to believe me."

  She then put a hand on her hips.

  "Still, what are you going to when the regent will find out that you've disposed of the script? He'll be angry at you."

  The man scoffed.

  "I'm angry at him all the times..."

  The girl frowned.

  "You know as well as me how your dynamic's power is distributed. You're not on an equal level and you know it. Yet you still antagonize him."

  Agamennone pointed his index finger at the woman.

  "Mine's a statement. And wasn't i an asset he could not dispose of?"

  "Yes, but as long as you're alive he may not care what happens to you. Still... I kinda admire you wanting to be true to yourself... Even if you're rather... Moronic in your application of the concept."

  Aganennone remained unfazed.

  "Thanks..."

  In that moment Valentina entered in the room, with Fr?nze following her. The tter was wearing some comfortable clothes.

  "When did you became engaged? You're squabbling like a married couple would..."

  The demoness giggled as she said that. While Vionte was just perplexed and weirded out by such statement, Agamennone reacted vehemently.

  "I'M NOT TOGETHER WITH HER!"

  Fr?nze looked at Valentina with a confused expression, with the tter giving her a knowing look. Meanwhile Vionte noticed the human woman and recognized her, blushing.

  "Y-you are the girl i've threatened... I-i'm so sorry... I-i'm rather ashamed of myself."

  Agamennone smirked.

  "So you've threatened a girl, huh? Your diplomatic skills are really great..."

  The half-succubus gred at him.

  "Don't act so high and mighty when you would have done way worse than me."

  Valentina cleared her own throat.

  "Oh... I'm sorry to end your fun, but i've something to tell you: This girl, a fine woman called Fr?nze, will accompany you in your job. She's a decent bodyguard, even if a bit cking in the magic department. I hope you can get along well."

  As the demoness ended talking, Fr?nze took a step forward.

  "Nice to meet you. I'm Fr?nze. I'm happy to work with you two. And... I... Accept your apology, miss Vionte."

  The human redhead extended her arm towards Vionte, who shook her hand. The swordswoman then did the same to Agamennone. The tter shook her hand after he spent some moments looking at her hand. The man then looked at his housemate.

  "What did she say?"

  "She said that she's happy to work with us and that she accepted my apology, more or less."

  The demon lord was perplexed.

  "Are you sure?"

  Vionte didn't like the comment.

  "Yes."

  She then turned towards her mother.

  "Mama, the idiot there has decided to anger the regent to make a statement through the destruction of the script the regent wanted him to follow for his speech."

  Agamennone frowned

  "I'm not an idiot"

  "You are indeed one."

  Valentina giggled, amused by their childish squabble.

  "There's nothing i can do, sweety. Your friend here has to deal with the consequences of his actions."

  Agamennone gred at her.

  "We're not friends!"

  Vionte sighed in annoyance hearing that, but she didn't reply.

  The demoness then looked around noticing that Ferdinando was returning.

  "You know... You speak of the devil and the horns appear."

  She then signaled Fr?nze, who was passively observing everything around herself, to leave. As Valentina left the room, she gave a condescending pat on the regent's back, annoying him. The regent then turned towards the demon lord.

  "Shouldn't you be rehearsing the speech?"

  Agamennone crossed his arms in a somewhat confrontational stance.

  "I've dedided to improvise for my first speech. Still, shouldn't you also prepare yourself?"

  Ferdinando seemingly remained indifferent to the tter's statement.

  'I really want to crush his head with my bare hands... Why we have to depend from him!'

  "Fine, you do you. As long as you don't compromise my image. And be sure that i'll tell everyone that your speech is... Only yours... As for why i've returned, it's because i forgot to give you this."

  Ferdinando gave another paper to Agamennone. The tter read it.

  "Throne examination report: The throne is imbued with two spells: The summoning spell and a basic automatic transtion spell."

  The demon lord crumped the paper and threw it behind himself. He was perplexed.

  "Really? All this time just to confirm things we already know? These people must be utterly incompetent."

  While Vionte rolled her eyes in annoyance, Ferdinando snorted, turning around and leaving the room, only to stop for a moment in the process.

  "Ah... Just one more thing... A friend of yours has willingly wanted to join you in your future tasks. He says that he wants to shape you into a fitting ruler."

  Agamanennone snapped. He pointed his index finger at the regent while moving the other arm wildly.

  "YOU'RE COMPLETELY WICKED. THAT'S THE WORST THING YOU COULD HAVE DONE, YOU BASTARD! I'LL HAVE YOU GRILLED AND SERVED TO THE CITIZENS! AND THAT GUY, WHO IS NOT MY FRIEND AND WILL NEVER BE AS HE'S A COMPLETE, UNREPENTANT IDIOTI WITH A MORALITY FETISH, WILL BE CONVERTED INTO CLOTHING OF DUBIOUS STYLE!"

  As he left, the regent smirked. Meanwhile Vionte turned towards Agamennone.

  "I can't really say that i'm pleased to have to work with him too but... Your reaction is... A bit too intense, in my opinion..."

  The man abruptly turned towards her.

  "You're the one talking, after you shown all that hartred towards a guy too..."

  The half-succubus frowned.

  "Are you really comparing the two situations? I thought you were smarter than this... Be gd i know that you're not being serious, otherwise i'd sp your face so hard your head will literally start spinning."

  The demon lord turned his head in the other direction.

  "Do... You think there can be any accident while we travel through the world?"

  The indigo-haired girl scoffed.

  "I'm not helping you murdering anyone."

  Agamennone was perplexed.

  "Who mentioned murder."

  The woman also got confused.

  "Weren't you implying it? With the accident thing?"

  The demon lord remained silent for a moment.

  "... Yes... I was..."

  The half-demoness rolled her eyes

  "I knew it! You're so predictable..."

  The man became defensive

  "I'm not predictable. I just prefer to apply the most effective method to solve a problem."

  "... Sure... Now... Haven't you a speech to make? The clock's ticking..."

  "Yeah..."

  Some minutes ter.

  The regent was in front of a rather big audience in the throne room. Next to him, Agamennone was already annoyed by the situation. He turned his head to his right side, seeing Vionte, still in the adiacent room, on the doorframe, encouraging him by giving him a smile and a thumb up. The regent, meanwhile cleared his throat.

  "Welcome, dear citizens. I'm here to introduce you to our new ruler, Demon Lord Agamennone. Originally i wanted to help him writing his speech, but he wanted to... Impress you with a speech of his own. Also... He's... Peculiar... But i've talked too much. It's time for our Demon Lord to introduce himself."

  Saying that, he left the stand in front of the throne and signaled Agamennone to go there, which he did. At the stand, the demon lord looked at the crowd in front of him in a disinterested manner.

  "So... I'm here. I didn't want to be here. I'm noone's saviour, i don't care not about you and i have no reason to help you since you basically kidnapped me. However, since i'm stuck here without my consent, i propose that i tolerate you all and you tolerate me, without interfering with my life like the moving bresao there has done. That's all. Also... If a guy called Tiberio is here... I hope you choke on a bone. Any question?"

  The crowd was confused, but after a moment the majority of it started to boo at him. Agamennone didn't care, and seeing that there weren't any questions, he left. Ferdinando put a hand on his face, resigned to the fact that the demon lord has just infuriated his own subjects. Meanwhile Vionte approached the demon lord. She was disappointed.

  "Straight to the point, huh? Still... Angering anyone is not a smart thing to do, and you know it."

  Agamennone rolled his eyes.

  "Yeah, i know. But i wanted to make things clear. I'm noone sve. I didn't want to be here. I'm not happy with my current arrangement. They had, and still have, no idea about how stressful my life is right now. They don't care about me other than for my title, so why should i care about them?"

  The half-succubus interrupted his rant.

  "I understand. I... See your point... But i think this is one of those situations where there's not a right or wrong, and i also see our citizens' point, which is also my point, after all. But your actions are the same as bringing explosives in a construction site in which they're starting to build a house. You've preemptively shot down any possible cooperation between them and you, and now you'll have to work hard to gain their trust again. And that happened because you vented out at them in the worst possible manner."

  The demon lord turned his face to the other side.

  "You're not wrong..."

  Vionte sighed.

  "I'll let you think about your current situation. Now let's go home. At least you can get some time for yourself before we leave this pce tomorrow."

  The duo then left the celebration. Meanwhile the regent was at the stand, attempting to calm the audience down.

  "Well, we're stuck with him. Disposing of him would be completely useless and we've no other choice than to guide him in the right way. I understand your outrage, as that guy has more than once tested my own patience, but our hands are tied. So stop compining and see the bright side: He has no interest in ruling, and that means that i'm still in charge. And i've never let you down."

  The crowd cheered at the minotaur's words.