After I finished informing Zwei-san about her promotion to Duke-class, Alice’s teleportation magic whisked us away once more. We arrived in a fairly large city—another one I was seeing for the first time.
"Alice, is this city by any chance one of Megiddo-san’s?"
"You caught on quickly, didn't you?"
"Well, there's a ridiculously huge colosseum right in the center of town..."
Yes, although it was my first time visiting, there was a super-huge colosseum in the heart of the city with a sense of scale that felt completely out of place. It served as the city's obvious symbol. I had heard that the cities Megiddo-san ruled featured giant colosseums, so it wasn't hard to guess.
Since we had come here, the next people being informed of their promotion to Duke-class were likely the War King’s subordinates. Agni-san, the head of the generals, was a given. The other was probably... Ozma-san? When I saw him at the Six Kings Festival, he had easily stopped Pandora-san’s attack; he definitely had an air of hidden power about him.
While I was trying to predict the new promotions in my head, Alice sent out two Hummingbirds.
"Visiting them in person is a pain, so I called them here. If we went to the colosseum, that Red Gorilla would likely pop out immediately and be a noisy nuisance, is all."
As usual, Alice was harsh toward Megiddo-san. Just as I was thinking that, Agni-san and Ozma-san appeared soundlessly. As expected of those at the Six Kings' Executive-class, they arrived in an instant, which caught me a little off guard.
"Sorry for calling you both out so suddenly."
"No, it is no problem."
"But what’s going on? I can't quite fathom why you'd call us out alongside Miyama-kun."
Both Agni-san and Ozma-san seemed a bit bewildered, clearly not understanding why Alice had summoned them. Indeed, since they hadn't been told anything beforehand, it would be difficult to realize this visit was specifically for their promotions.
"Well, it's like this. How should I put it... Hey, you, 'self-proclaimed middle-aged man,' don't think you can talk your way out of this anymore. I saw your performance in the battle in the God Realm perfectly. I'm sure you understand, but I'm having you become a Duke-class, is all."
"A-Ahaha... Well, I don't have any complaints about that. In fact, I thought you'd tell me sooner... Ah, so that’s why you called Agni-chan, too."
"Yeah. I've revised the standards for the Duke-class while I was at it, so I'm raising about two people from each faction. Therefore, Agni-san, I officially recognize you as a Duke-class High-ranking Demon as well."
With a wry smile, Ozma-san readily accepted the news. Agni-san was momentarily stunned by the sudden announcement, but after a second, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much. This is the greatest honor. I will continue to strive so that I never bring shame to that title."
"Congratulations, Agni-chan. Shall we go report to the Boss afterward? I’m sure he’ll hold a massive banquet to celebrate."
"Yes! My strength is not yet on par with Ozma-sama's, but I believe it must be fate that we were promoted to Duke-class at the same time! Therefore, please marry me."
"Wait, what? How does the conversation lead to that? No, I really don't think being promoted to Duke-class has anything to do with marriage."
"I see... I understand. Then I will propose to you again another time."
"I don't get the feeling that you understand at all..."
Ozma-san returned a troubled smile to Agni-san, who had proposed with fluid, practiced ease. It wasn't that he disliked her, but... what was it? It was just a hunch, but Ozma-san seemed to view Agni-san more like a younger sister or a daughter, and he didn't appear to consider her a romantic prospect.
Actually, I couldn't be certain, but I had a feeling Ozma-san was simply bad at handling romance in general.
"Um, Ozma-san... so you have things you're bad at too."
"Ahaha, honestly, I have more weaknesses than strengths. At the very least, when it comes to these kinds of topics, I don't feel like I could ever win against Miyama-kun. I’d actually like to ask for your advice."
"If you're okay with me, then anytime..."
"I appreciate it. Let's talk again while having a drink."
Ozma-san had the air of a confirmed bachelor, but based on his tone just now, I suspected he simply found the topic of romantic relationships difficult to navigate, just as I’d guessed.
"However, at the very least, there is no doubt that I have taken a lead over Epsilon with this."
"Agni-chan? Please, for my sake, don't say things that will provoke Epsilon-chan. I mean, provoking her about combat power is totally fine, but please stop provoking her with things involving this old man... Seriously..."
Come to think of it, I remembered hearing that Epsilon-san was also making advances toward him. I didn't know what kind of approach the cool-headed Epsilon-san would take, but judging from his look of utter exhaustion... it must be quite the intense pursuit.
Serious-senpai: The classic setup of a middle-aged man being flustered by young girls pursuing him... Wait, no, both Agni and Epsilon are well over ten thousand years old... What exactly defines 'middle-aged' in this world?