Apparently, we had unknowingly defeated one of the Demon Lord’s generals.

It was a special type of monster known as Kissinger of Yomi.

Specters like Kissinger lack a physical form and can only be harmed by magical attacks or weapons imbued with magic.

They’re classified similarly to wraiths and ghosts, but their difficulty to defeat is much higher. I’d never encountered one myself.

Or so I thought. As Icicle recounted the events, faint memories started resurfacing.

The monster she described—a legless creature with a human-like appearance—was vaguely familiar.

If my memory served me, there had been a particularly strong-looking monster that had charged straight at me… I think.

My memory’s a bit hazy due to the tension and pressure of the moment, but I’m fairly certain it happened.

So that thing was one of the Demon Lord’s Ten Fingers—imbued with a fragment of the Demon Lord’s power.

“Incidentally, if the wielder of one of the Demon Lord’s fingers dies, the finger returns to the Demon Lord’s hand. So, it’s likely they’re already scouting for a new candidate for the Ten fingers,” Icicle explained.

It seemed the Demon Lord’s Ten fingers weren’t permanently defeated upon their destruction; they could easily be replaced.

Wait, so how is this war supposed to end?

In theory, it would end if the Demon Lord was defeated… but the Demon Lord is essentially the king of all monsters.

Could such a powerful creature really be defeated?

“Also, the Demon Lord can store magical power in the fingers. Essentially, we are merely borrowing that power,” Icicle added.

Apparently, the Demon Lord grew stronger each time all ten fingers returned to them.

It was a frightening concept: an opponent who becomes progressively stronger.

This sounded exactly like the kind of story where the heroes end up fighting the same enemy multiple times.

Ivy would undoubtedly handle it without issue, but even she might struggle against a fully empowered Demon Lord with all their fingers restored.

“Mii!”

Ivy, however, declared it would be an easy victory.

It seemed I had no reason to worry.

“Regardless, you insignificant lot could never hope to match—”

“Hey, Bruno! Sorry to keep you waiting! The meeting with the lord is ready!”

The Insect Queen (self-proclaimed) Icicle tried to say something, but her words were drowned out by Rey’s distant shout.

“Were you saying something?”

“Hmph! Nothing of importance!”

…That “hmph!” and formal phrasing—this was the first time I’d ever heard someone talk like that in real life.

It turned out that Viscount Batten, who governed Für, had heard about the commotion in the mysterious forest and had come to the town himself.

As the vassal of Marquis Endlord, he was evidently quite proactive.

Thanks to Rey and Logan acting as intermediaries, we were granted an immediate audience with him.

“You must be Bruno, and this charming young lady is Ivy, correct?”

Viscount Batten was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

Unlike Marquis Endlord, he lacked an air of intimidation. His friendly demeanor and cheerful smile reminded me of the kind of guy who volunteers to clean up the neighborhood.

He was also remarkably humble, bowing slightly even when addressing Ivy and me. Ivy, delighted at being called charming, wore a very satisfied expression.

“So, Viscount Batten, may I ask how you intend to resolve this matter?”

“Ah, Lord Logan. We plan to dispatch the knights to stabilize the forest and deal with any remaining monsters in the area…”

The viscount began explaining his resolution to Logan in a lengthy and formal tone.

Since “Viscount” is a title used among nobles, and Logan was addressed as “Lord,” it meant Logan held a rank higher than the viscount.

Wait a second…

Had I been casually addressing a count or someone of similar rank this whole time?

Was that okay? Would I get arrested for disrespect?

Also, why was someone like Rey apprenticed to a figure as legendary as “Dragon Knight” Logan?

Rey had mentioned having multiple mentors. Could all of them be extraordinary figures?

As I nervously speculated, the conversation turned to its final topic: the treatment of the Insect Queen, Icicle.

Currently imprisoned within Ivy’s barrier, her fate was being debated. Logan suggested executing her as quickly as possible.

“Mii!”

For some reason, Ivy interrupted.

Both Logan and the viscount turned to her, surprised.

“Mii, mii mii!”

“…Bruno, what is Ivy saying?”

Deciding to act as a pure interpreter, I set aside all personal thoughts and translated Ivy’s words exactly as she said them.

“Ivy says… she wants to take Icicle as her disciple.”

“What!?”