That day, I was occupied with administrative work in the Audience Chamber.
The mountains of documents showed no sign of receding, despite how much time had passed.
Clerks scattered throughout the room were likewise racking their brains. Faced with a staggering workload, they struggled to keep their pens moving.
When another clerk entered and added a fresh bundle of documents to the pile on the desk, he cast a sympathetic look toward his colleagues before withdrawing.
The clerks reacted in their own ways to the new addition, but they soon regained their composure and returned silently to their tasks.
This scene had long since become part of our daily routine.
The mental strain on those who worked so earnestly every day must have been immense. They labored solely to lighten my burden, and for that, I owed them my gratitude.
(Of course, mere gratitude isn't enough...)
I scanned the room, observing the clerks. Whenever I spotted someone on the verge of exhaustion, I spoke to them briefly before teleporting them directly to the Nap Room.
I then took over their remaining tasks myself. Waiting for them to collapse before acting would be far too late. Unlike me, they were not immortal; a healthy lifestyle was a necessity for them.
Knowing they would find it difficult to rest while I remained at work, I made a point of proactively forcing them to sleep.
Scratching my temple, I looked back down at the paperwork.
(A troublesome state of affairs, indeed...)
Large-scale wars across the continent had plummeted compared to former times. International bonds had grown so strong that some nations were effectively merging.
On the other hand, small-scale conflicts and petty crimes were on the rise. Corruption cases were also becoming increasingly frequent.
I had implemented various countermeasures, yet a fundamental solution remained elusive.
(Perhaps I need to make an example of someone, after all.)
And yet, I doubted how effective that would truly be. There are always those who will commit Evil Deeds, even when the world itself is at stake. The damage would only mount, with little hope for significant results.
Policing every individual was unrealistic. It was far more effective to dispatch experts from the Demon King's Army to infiltrate various organizations.
While time-consuming, it allowed us to proceed without causing an uproar. I had done this many times before, and the results were always concrete. Every organization required a periodic purge.
My goal was to cultivate an environment where those with a strong sense of justice could flourish, eventually reaching a point where my intervention would no longer be necessary.
As I sat lost in thought, the door was thrown open with a flourish. Grom strode in gallantly, straightening his back as he offered a greeting.
"Demon King-sama, good morning! It is a truly refreshing morning, is it not?!"
"You’re quite early. Our meeting isn’t until noon."
Grom nodded gleefully at my remark.
"As one of your loyal subjects, Demon King-sama, it is only natural to have time to spare! After all, I am the Second-ranked Demon King!"
He spoke with immense pride, pressing a fist to his chest. Satisfied with himself, he surveyed the chaotic state of the room and raised a hand toward me with anticipation.
"If you wish, shall I assist with the administrative work?"
"Yes, I would appreciate that."
"Understood!"
Grom briskly took a seat at one of the desks and began processing documents at a speed that literally left afterimages. The surrounding clerks watched in stunned silence, awed by his ferocious pace. When they finally snapped out of their daze, they hurriedly resumed their own tasks.
As his Eight Arms moved in a blur of activity, Grom murmured happily, "Still, this is quite nostalgic. Sitting at a desk by your side like this, Demon King-sama—it brings back memories of the old days."
"...You’re right."
I paused, turning my gaze toward the window. Beneath the clear blue sky, the vast cityscape of the Royal Capital stretched toward the horizon.
It was only natural to feel nostalgic. These days, we operated in separate lands.
Five hundred years had passed since the defeat of the Hero, Claire Baton.