Tilea's Worries

In the Underground Empire of the Evil God’s army…

Located beneath the restaurant Belm, it spans an area comparable to an entire town. It houses various facilities, including the General Staff Headquarters overseeing information, logistics, and operations, as well as treasure vaults, armories, food storage, and the barracks of various division commanders.

In one such room, the Vampire Corps’ garrison—classified as lower-middle rank in terms of accommodations—three people and one woman were seated across a table.

I want to kill her so badly!

Alhas Edim glared at the woman before her with a seething rage. Her two primary subordinates, Darf Gaderio and Cas Friegen, stood beside her, equally furious.

The woman facing their murderous intent with a calm demeanor was Kikka Ki Mercato, a third-rank subordinate. Kikka had boldly come alone to this meeting, without her own subordinates.

“So, have you understood the terms?”

“You dare set conditions for my master… don’t be ridiculous! It’s your duty as a subordinate to serve with your life!”

Cas, overcome with rage, approached Kikka. To the loyal Cas, Kikka’s attitude was utterly unacceptable. In his fury, he drew his sword, ready to strike.

“Cas, hold back.”

Darf grabbed Cas’s shoulder, stopping him from lunging.

“Darf, don’t stop me. I can’t tolerate this insolence any longer—”

“Cas, be quiet.”

“Edim-sama, but…”

“Just stop it. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

My words made Cas sheathe his sword.

“That’s right. Edim-sama wants to negotiate.”

“Ugh, damn it!”

Cas stomped the ground in frustration at Kikka’s words.

I was even more furious than Cas. To be humiliated by a lower-ranked subordinate like this.

But I couldn’t kill her right now.

There was a reason.

In the middle of preparations for diplomatic negotiations with the Demon King’s army, this vixen had concocted a diabolical scheme.

The trouble started with Jeje’s execution.

Jeje had failed repeatedly—the most significant being the pendant incident. My anger had reached its peak, and I was done keeping such an incompetent subordinate.

I decided to execute Jeje without much thought… but it was a huge mistake.

Kikka had interfered at every turn.

Using her superior, Ortidiot, effectively and sometimes involving Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama, she blocked the execution.

Underestimating her because she was a third-rank subordinate was my initial mistake. Somehow, Kikka had gained the favor of Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama. Mentioning their names made it difficult, even with my authority as head of the Vampire Brigade, to execute this vixen easily.

So, I sought to find evidence of her wrongdoing that Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama would accept. Any sign of treason would suffice. I wanted to gather evidence to topple her and then execute her.

During my investigation, I uncovered a shocking truth.

The Vampire King incident caused by Ginieu.

The investigation revealed that Kikka was the instigator. Looking back, Ginieu was a subordinate of Zebura, and thus under Kikka. Ginieu, being as foolish as he appeared, thought he acted on his own, but that wasn’t the case.

Kikka had manipulated Ginieu from behind the scenes, using his foolish nature to her advantage. While we were preoccupied with dealing with Ginieu, Kikka had built her own subordinate army.

Kikka’s own subordinate army…

This was clearly a breach of military law. It violated the first article of the Internal Regulations set by Tilea-sama: “No unauthorized increase of subordinates.”

Kikka had violated Tilea-sama’s regulations. I immediately tried to execute her based on this evidence. However, Kikka countered by threatening to start a riot if I tried to execute her.

This was very bad!

Kikka was still my subordinate. If she started a riot, I would be held responsible for the mismanagement of my subordinates. Considering killing her and her subordinates before they could riot was another option, but that was also tough.

I didn’t know how many subordinates Kikka had or where they were. If I killed Kikka, her subordinates would immediately start uprisings everywhere. Such a disturbance would inevitably reach the General Staff Headquarters. Another issue with subordinate management would be my second strike. Another failure would be the end for me.

I looked at Kikka, seething with rage.

Kikka continued to speak with a triumphant expression.

“My demand is simple. Ensure the survival of Jeje-sama and myself. Also, guarantee that we won’t be subjected to any unjust actions.”

“You dare! We know you were behind Ginieu’s foolishness. You should be executed after a military tribunal!”

Cas slammed the table, shouting.

“Yes, and if that happened, Edim-sama would also be held accountable.”

“What!? Edim-sama has nothing to do with this. You’re the mastermind!”

“What are you talking about? Cas-san, you seem to be quite dense. A leader has responsibilities. If it comes to a military tribunal, I will report that ‘it was under Edim-sama’s orders.’”

“You would lie like that!?”

“Yes, and I would do so convincingly.”

Kikka smiled.

Her attitude was infuriatingly smug.

“You insolent wretch!”

“Cas, stop it.”

“But Darf, I can’t forgive this vixen!”

“Stop. We can’t resort to force now. Don’t make things worse for Edim-sama.”

“Darf, if we give in, this vixen will get her way. If we’re afraid of a riot, we should torture her to find out where her subordinates are hiding.”

“Cas, Kikka’s loyalty to Jeje is genuine. No matter how much we torture her, she won’t talk. It’s a waste of time and will only cause more trouble for Edim-sama.”

Darf and Cas argued over how to deal with Kikka.

Emotionally, I agreed with Cas. I wanted to torture her and deal with her through sheer force. But now, I needed to stay calm. I stopped Cas and listened to Darf’s reasoning.

“Cas, stop it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Really, adventurers are so hot-blooded.”

“You dare!”

“Cas, hold back! And Kikka, stop provoking us.”

“I apologize. Let’s continue the negotiation. With such hotheaded people, I must emphasize: my subordinates are scattered across various areas, but they lead normal lives. You won’t find them through an investigation. Also, if I don’t contact them regularly, they’re set to attack major cities. So, don’t even think about killing me.”

“Try it! We’ll surround them and wipe them out immediately.”

“Cas, you’re so simple-minded. The Vampire Brigade has 347 members. It’s impossible to quash riots across all areas. And you’d have to do it swiftly to avoid detection by the General Staff Headquarters. It’s impossible. Give up.”

“Grr…”

“And there’s more. Until the riots are suppressed, my subordinates will spread all sorts of slander about Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama. Of course, they will praise Edim-sama, so don’t worry.”

“What!?”

“Yes, my subordinates will shout things like ‘Tilea is incompetent, Camilla is foolish. Long live Emperor Edim!’”

Kikka spoke as if it was amusing.

What on earth is she thinking…?

If such riots broke out in Tilea-sama’s territory, we’d be finished.

“Are you insane? If a riot breaks out, not only the rioters but all of us will face severe punishment.”

“I don’t care. Without Jeje-sama, it’s hell anyway. I’d happily face death.”

Kikka’s eyes showed she was serious. If we killed Jeje, she’d immediately start a riot. The same would happen if we killed Kikka. There was no way to stop it.

“…I understand. I’ll meet your demands as much as possible.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your wise decision.”

“Yes. So, Kikka, there’s no need for a riot. Hand over the list of your subordinates.”

“You must be joking… The list of subordinates is our lifeline. If I hand it over, Edim-sama would immediately kill Jeje-sama and me.”

“No, that wouldn’t… happen.”

“Edim-sama, I’m not a fool. Stop this childish negotiation. It’s pathetic.”

“Grr…”

Kikka looked at me with mocking eyes.

There wasn’t a trace of a loyal subordinate in her gaze.

“You insolent wretch! Hand over the list. I’ll tear you apart!”

“That’s scary. I might become desperate.”

Kikka’s rude behavior made Cas snap, and he tried to attack.

Darf was desperately holding him back, but Cas’s anger was so intense that he might break free and kill Kikka.

N-no…

If we kill Kikka, there’s no way to stop the riot. I’d be dragged before Camilla-sama as a traitor.

I shuddered.

“S-stop. Please, stop. I beg you.”

Tears welled up. The thought of being seen as a traitor by Camilla-sama filled me with despair and terror.

I tearfully stopped Cas.

Then we worked out the details with Kikka.

Basically, we couldn’t touch Kikka or Jeje. Kikka, being a merchant’s daughter, was excellent at negotiations. We were completely outmaneuvered.

“And one more thing, Edim-sama. I’d like you to approve a separate unit with a certain degree of authority.”

"You want a position after extracting so many concessions already?"

"This is also for self-defense. The higher the position, the more I can do."

"Only primary subordinates can be captains. How dare a third-rank subordinate like you try to stand on equal footing with us!"

"Cas-san, I understand that. I'm not that audacious. Jeje-sama will be the captain, and I will serve as vice-captain."

"You have some nerve! How is that not audacious?"

"Cas, that's enough. Kikka, I will assign you to the Emore District in the east."

"Apologies, but such a remote area would be inconvenient if something happens. I’d prefer to manage half of the western district."

"What? The western district is the core of the Evil God’s army. We can't hand over such an important area!"

"I'm only asking for half."

"...Fine."

"Edim-sama, are you sure about this? If we give her this much power, she'll only get more arrogant."

"...It's fine."

"Hehe, thank you. Then, for the unit led by Jeje-sama... we should call it the Goryo Guard, after the old word for imperial tomb guardians."

With a heavy heart, I pretended to go along with Kikka's demands. Kikka seemed pleased with how things were going.

"Just to be clear, my actions might have seemed rebellious, but I have no intention of slacking off. Despite everything, after Jeje-sama, I respect you the most, Edim-sama."

Kikka said this as she left the room.

After walking a few steps, she turned back with a smile.

"Oh, one more thing. Even if someone orders Jeje-sama to execute me, it won’t work. If I die, Jeje-sama will be devastated. And when that happens, no matter what he says, I’ll make sure to drag Edim-sama down with me."

She left with those parting words, wearing a triumphant look. Her face full of victory and pity for me, who had to surrender in the negotiation.

"That wretch! She dares mock me!"

Overcome with rage, I swept the papers and items off the table.

"Edim-sama, please calm down!"

"Damn it! Darf, what should I do?"

"The hidden subordinates are a severe issue. For now, we must pretend to comply."

Darf agreed with my assessment. As frustrating as it was, there was no other move to make.

"Darf, are you willing to tolerate that vixen's behavior?"

"I am boiling with anger as well. But, Cas, stay calm. If you act rashly, it will only cause more trouble for Edim-sama!"

"I... I understand. Poor Edim-sama…"

Cas wept over my situation.

"Edim-sama, as discussed earlier, we must comply for now. But I will secretly investigate her organization."

"Darf, is that possible? It’s easy to increase subordinates. If she wants, she could multiply them exponentially. The investigation will be difficult."

"No, I don't think so. If she increases her subordinates beyond what she can manage, the General Staff Headquarters will notice. She must know the consequences of angering the Evil God’s army leaders."

"I see. How many subordinates do you think she has?"

"Probably twenty or thirty. We’ll find them and eliminate them. Then, we’ll deal with her."

It’s a good plan. As expected from my right-hand man.

"Darf, I’m counting on you."

"Leave it to me. However, Kikka is cunning. I will handle the investigation with Milio. Stirring things up carelessly will only backfire."

I entrusted Darf with the hidden subordinates’ investigation. With Darf, there shouldn't be any mistakes.

That vixen, I will never forget this humiliation. I will surely drag you into the depths of hell.