264 The main body has secured employment.

A full night's rest, and I woke feeling refreshed.

I was worried I'd still be unwell today, but that concern proved unnecessary. Good.

For now, I'll go request the position I thought of during the meeting with the Divine Word Church—just to see if the Demon Lord will grant it.

Well, a title with no real duties, that’s fine.

"Want to get a job, Shiro-chan? Then take the Tenth Army—manage it for me."

Huh!?

I casually said, "Just give me some random role," and suddenly got handed an entire army.

Why did this happen?

No, seriously—why?

"Why?"

"Right now, Balt is reorganizing the military, but there's no commander to lead the troops. The Tenth Army is still in the middle of formation—no soldiers have even gathered yet. So, we can't afford to leave capable personnel idle!"

A figure lounging on the desk, eating sweets, says something.

Regarding the fact that the leader of the Demon Army is the one who plays the most.

"By the way, the Ninth Army was taken on by Black-chan."

The Administrator taking charge of the First Army.

That's definitely unnecessary, isn't it?

From a combat effectiveness standpoint, a Legion Commander alone is sufficient.

Well, if that's the case, I'd be in the same position.

"Ah, really. So few usable personnel. I did pull some from their self-imposed seclusion, but almost none are capable in battle. They're excellent as bureaucrats, though."

Where did the concept of meritocracy among demons go?

No, well, that makes sense.

If politics were decided by brute strength, the human standard of living wouldn't be sustainable.

Reality is meritocracy ().

“Anyway, I’ll have Balt deliver the list of unassigned soldiers later. You can handle the regiment formation on your own.”

“I’ve never done something like this before.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’ll figure it out.”

Became regiment commander by default.

And the Demon King is clearly using me as a plaything.

I only expected a title without substance—but how did this happen?

Still, I accepted it. Or rather, I was forced into it. So I can’t back out now.

The Demon King is having a private office built for me inside the fortress. He’s serious about this.

So easily, without intent, I’ve taken a position.

I do have the designation of candidate for D’s subordinate, so I’ve been treated as a trainee until now.

More like being promoted to section chief while still in training.

A little different, though?

I have no memory of being an adult, so I don’t know anything about companies.

To those struggling with job hunting in Japan.

The Demon Army is seeking capable personnel.

Salary is guaranteed. Working hours are reasonable. Life insurance is not provided.

Please come for an interview.

We are waiting.

Ah.

Perhaps it was a mistake to casually mention it to the Demon Lord as if I were just doing it out of obligation.

But upon further thought, having a personal legion that I can freely command might not be a bad idea.

Most matters were handled through the sub-entities, so I never paid attention.

When controlling sub-entities, it was always done in secret.

Now that I have a legion, I can operate openly and perform tasks in the public eye.

Whether this offers real advantage remains unclear.

Still, if I’m going to create a legion, I’d prefer to include familiar faces.

So I asked: Would you two like to join the Vampire Child and Oni-kun?

"Academics require my attention."

"Let me consider it for a while."

Rejected.

What an outrage.

I thought at least one of them might join. Seems my feelings were unreciprocated.

Damn it.

For now, Fermina-chan is under my authority—she’s been forcibly enlisted.

She was raised with elite education. She can manage military operations and administration.

Thus, she was appointed Deputy Commander.

After the decision was made, I informed her later. She responded with a vague smile and acquiesced.

Hmm. She was probably internally flustered, but managed to conceal it—quite the noble skill.

That vampire over there shows everything on her face. I should learn from that.

Later that night, I told Balt, who brought a large stack of troop lists and other documents, that I wanted to pull Melia from his command.

I was refused, with the request dismissed outright.

Apparently, Melia had already reached a level where she could command a full division. She would be appointed commander of the Fourth Division in the near future, replacing Balt.

Balt, now freed from his current duties, would oversee the Demon Lord’s personal forces. His workload would remain unchanged.

Balt is seriously overworking himself—nearly reaching Mach speed—but he won’t die, will he?

His face looks like that of a corpse. More than Melia, even.

I felt sorry for him, so I cast a vitality-enhancing spell.

Hang in there, Balt.

Stay alive, Balt.

The next day, my personal office in the Demon Lord’s castle was completed. I devoted myself to organizing the documents Balt had handed over.

Half a day to compile paperwork for a new division. One day to build the office. Balt’s administrative capacity is maxed out.

He could probably handle everything alone now.

Ah, if that continues, Balt will overwork himself to death.

But could you please stop bringing new paperwork at such a pace I can’t keep up?

How much longer, Balt-san?

Something like that, just glaring at documents, and days pass in an instant.

Sitting in the same chair the whole time—my back and buttocks ache.

Also, closing my eyes and reading through vision spells left my eyes strained in an odd way.

Not regular eye strain—something like magical eye fatigue, perhaps.

And my hand hurts from writing so much.

To injure a god’s body this severely—desk work is truly formidable.

I caught a glimpse of Balt’s burden.

Appointing Fermina as deputy commander was a good decision.

I couldn’t have won this battle alone.

Having Fermina-chan as a capable secretary was truly a relief.

Now, the paperwork is not yet fully completed, but I must proceed to another battlefield.

The second meeting with the Divine Word Church.

D: "Paperwork is exhausting."

Hell: "Keep pushing through."