The Castle Is Mine (Part 2)
"Alright, let's begin the meeting."
We found a suitable conference room and settled in to start the discussion.
"First off... administrative work. This is the most important thing. You need operational capability to maintain a castle. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to leave this task to the nuns."
"W-what did you say!"
Reika’s jaw dropped.
"Don't be so surprised. Who else is going to do it if not you sisters? You know how to read and write, and you have an understanding of administration."
"Ugh... that’s! Hey! Do you have any idea how many of us there are!"
"Don't worry. I’ll assign people to handle the grunt work. From now on, just follow the head maid around and take over the duties here."
"Haa... fine. I’ll give it a try for now."
"If you run into any difficulties, let me know."
That was how we divided the work. But damn it, as the meeting went on, I realized there wasn't a single manual for anything related to administration.
"Fuck."
They literally said there were no work forms or manuals. Is this for real?
"Vanessa. Are you telling me there really isn't anything?"
"They claim it’s all stored in their heads."
"God dammit!"
Work! Administrative work! Information about it existed only in the heads of the people doing the job! How could it be this terrible? Well, I guess it makes sense, considering manuals aren't even followed properly in the modern world!
Does this mean I actually have to start by creating a work manual?
"Ruby."
"Ah, yes."
"There’s plenty of paper and pens here, right?"
"Yes... D-don't tell me?"
Ruby looked at me as if she were anxious. She was right.
"From now on, follow the nuns and the head maid around, write down everything related to the work, and organize it."
"Y-yes?! W-what about my original duties! That’s ridiculous!"
The timid mage had become more assertive after being rolled around like a logistics officer. It was unfortunate, but Ruby was the only one who could organize this.
"It can't be helped... please just do it for now. I can only make the manual if you do that, Ruby."
"You're too much!"
"Just hang in there a little. You have better stamina than you did when you were human, don't you?"
"You don't even have sex with me that often..."
"I will! Tell me if it's hard! I'll replenish your energy!"
"...Then I'll work hard."
Whatever the case, they all become obedient once I have sex with them...! I don't know if that's a strength or a weakness.
Anyway, we continued to discuss how to handle the work while distributing tasks during the meeting. My soldiers were all taking turns getting comfortable rest, but the executives had to keep rolling no matter what happened.
Damn it, the Demon King has conquered a castle, and instead of exploding with ambition to burn the world, I’m worried about making manuals and forms. It’s truly astonishing.
After deciding to work the human-born executives like that, we moved on to the next agenda.
"I would like to help with the administrative work, but I fear there will be too much to do."
"Yes. That is correct. Saintess, please don't worry about this side of things. Just focus on what you need to do from now on."
"I am aware. Capturing the hearts of the humans in the barony. Isn't that what this Saintess must do right now?"
"That is exactly it."
"For now, I intend to use the angels and pixies as discussed."
I talked with the Saintess for a while. Her plan was as follows: spread the word that there will be a major announcement soon to gather the humans in the square, reveal her true identity there, and condemn how evil the angels in the center are.
Of course, the humans wouldn't easily believe that the angels were evil. That’s where Liliel and the lewd anal angels come in.
"Liliel. You just need to trash the Great Heaven there."
"Understood. Leave it to me. I will properly expose just how evil the Great Heaven is."
The angels stationed in the center are demons in angel's clothing. They have a plan to swallow the human world, and not only did they oppress and try to kill the Saintess, they even killed countless nuns.
Liliel will become a righteous angel who felt disillusioned with such an evil group of angels and decided to help the Saintess. If she says something like that, the humans will believe it.
"And Serineu. You guys also need to act like angels."
"Okay!"
On top of that, even the visually adorable pixies will join in and argue that we must join forces to drive out the angels. Pixies are cute. They look like fairies at first glance. If they come out in neat clothes and agree with the Saintess, public opinion will naturally tilt.
"If this Saintess appeals to their sense of injustice while doing so, surely all the humans will have no choice but to change their hearts. Hehehe. Leave it to me. Capturing the hearts of humans is simple."
The Saintess laughed confidently.
"Hehehe, I trust you. Still, since you were a Saintess of a church, you naturally have that kind of charisma."
"Just trust this mother."
"Yes!"
She’s the boss of charisma.
"Haa... it’s a bit strange. To think our church's Saintess was someone like that."
"Irene. If you had lived in the Goddess Kingdom, you would have thought like me too."
"Is that so?"
We finished the meeting like that.
"Then, begin work deployment!!"
"Ugh..."
"Haa..."
Everyone looks really tired. But I am, too.
"Kyahahaha!"
"Catch me if you can!"
"Kyahahahaha!"
The sound of the pixies' laughter echoed.
"Kerururuk!"
"Keururuk!"
And the goblins and imps running excitedly through the hallways. This castle is a completely different environment from the dungeon. In short, it’s a wonderland. That fact stimulated everyone’s curiosity.
"Hehehe, these guys."
Some were hiding inside closets, while others were hiding behind doors, having fun. There were so many rooms that hide-and-seek was also popular.
"They are cute, though."
I’m working my ass off to completely take over the castle, but soldiers like these don't really need to worry about that. They just play happily. It’s the reward for winning a big battle. The work shift and the rest shift are taking turns playing like this. Well, they need to get used to the structure of the castle, anyway.
The ones who aren't playing are off doing chores.
"Yes. To collect taxes, we deliver the official documents stamped with the Baron's seal to each village, and then they pay the set amount..."
"How much is that set amount?"
"That is a portion of the harvest or production..."
"Haa."
I’m really going to go crazy.
All the work is being done in a haphazard way. Nothing fits together properly, so my head is already starting to throb. How is there not a single thing that is accurately organized in a document?
"Haa... haa... Demon King. Here is today's summary."
"Well done."
Ruby, who looked visibly exhausted, handed me the document. I read through it.
Maintenance of the castle is done by requesting the construction guild in the city, writing a contract, and then paying the fee... well, that’s a given. Lights-out and lights-on times are strictly distinguished. Well, there’s no electricity anyway.
Cleaning has to be done every day. Restaurant operations also involve paying the guild to buy ingredients and then hiring a cook from the guild to handle the cooking. This is already under a long-term contract. I’ll have to look into the cancellation procedure.
"I’m going to need a cook from now on."
Not only that, but I also need a head of the kitchen who can buy ingredients or judge quality. But who should I entrust this to?
Damn, I need so many people.
Recruiting talent is urgent. Aren't there any capable and pretty maidens anywhere? Oh, there are. Over there at the convent. I’m thinking of having Reika invite the nuns soon. I’ll have to ravish them all, make them my servants, and put them to work on administrative tasks.
Originally, I was going to create a medical unit with the nuns. But that’s not possible anymore. The place the nuns need to go isn't the medical unit, but the headquarters unit.
To handle the massive amount of administrative work, the nuns are essential.
"Oh. I have to capture the hearts of the residents as quickly as possible."
Currently, the Saintess and the angels, along with the nuns, are preparing a speech to persuade the humans.
I have to do that quickly and put the Saintess at the forefront. Only then can I operate the castle properly. From one to ten, there isn't a single place that doesn't need humans. The Demon King's castle family alone cannot operate the barony. Because this is the human world.
"Saintess! How is it! The speech!"
"Ah...! Don't worry! You’ll be able to start soon!"
That is truly the best news!
"Finally...! I trust you! Please do a good job!"
"Just trust this mother!"
"Yes!"
I only trust the Saintess!
"Hehehe, you look very happy."
"Of course. If the Saintess steps to the front, won't the labor shortage be resolved a bit? We’re acting cautiously for now, but if the Saintess steps up, there will be no need for that."
"Of course. It will surely be so. Ah. And. The labor shortage is a bit severe, but... once the news that this Saintess is here spreads, all the nuns from all over the place will gather. You can just use them, so don't worry."
"The nuns!"
If the anti-angel faction nuns from all over the country flock here, I won't have to worry about labor anymore!
"Please, I hope that happens...!"
Operating a castle and a territory is really no joke. It’s on a different level from fighting wars while operating a dungeon. If I don't get used to it quickly, it will collapse. No matter what, I have to master this work quickly.
"Kha!"
And so, I ran hard to take control of the castle while waiting for the Saintess's speech.
—Murmur, murmur.
People gathered in the square like clouds.
It wasn't an execution, so I wondered what the sudden commotion was, but since the Baron's servants had been shouting for days that there would be a major announcement, I couldn't help but come out.
Most of the people who came out here were thinking the same thing.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Who knows?"
"Ah. More than that. I heard there was a commotion at the Baron's castle the other night..."
"There must be something going on. My friend works at the Baron's castle, and he hasn't been able to leave work."
"That’s crazy."
The residents were chattering busily. However, a significant number of them were having ominous thoughts. They say there is some kind of monster-like existence in the unexplored area now. Most of the soldiers who went out to catch it didn't return, and those who did only babbled while terrified.
When the angel descended last time, I thought we were finally saved, but according to rumors, the angels didn't return.
In such a situation, a major announcement? It’s incredibly unsettling.
"I’m somehow anxious... could something big have happened to the barony?"
"Maybe a conscription order will be issued."
Just then.
—Puuuuuuuuuuu!
A loud trumpet sound was heard from over there. It was the news that the Baron had arrived. The chattering residents stopped talking and waited for the lord to come.
And the existence that stood on the platform installed in the square was.
"Oh?"
"Oh, oh?"
"T-that person is...?"
Truly beautiful. She was a blonde woman with a heavenly beauty that seemed to literally emit a radiance. And next to her, as if escorting her, beautiful angels who were nothing short of holy followed.
"A-angel?"
"Messenger of heaven..."
"Ah, Goddess..."
Even the residents who hadn't learned much could realize it. That the most holy and beautiful beings had descended here. Feeling the piety and faith welling up in their hearts, the residents focused on the woman standing on the platform.
"My name is Cecilia. I am the Saintess of the Goddess Church."
A beautiful voice echoed in their ears. The existence standing on the platform was the Saintess of the Goddess Church.