Beatrice lingered for another moment, staring in confusion at her reflection in the small mirror hanging on the wooden wall.

"I see. This will be very useful for slipping into Morrisen unnoticed."

She let her hair down and turned to face Ryan.

He propped himself up on the edge of his desk and decided it was time to hash out the details of her journey.

"Tell me one thing. When exactly do you plan on leaving for Ophelia’s territory?"

She answered him immediately.

"If you’ll permit it, I would like to set out this very day. That way, I can return as soon as possible."

She looked away slightly.

"Though... I suspect Helen will be furious with me for cutting our training short..."

She murmured that in a low voice, almost as if talking to herself in the middle of the room.

’Helen is always looking for an excuse to pick a fight. I suppose she’ll be ticked off regardless.’

Ryan was going to respond to calm her doubts about Helen’s temperament.

But there was a knock at the entrance door with a firmness that interrupted the flow of the conversation.

When he didn’t respond to the first knock, silence held for a brief instant.

Then Alicia spoke from the other side of the door, maintaining her usual respectful tone.

"Your Majesty, I have something of great importance to discuss regarding the village administration."

Ryan told her to come in, so she opened the door and walked to the center of the place, standing right in front of him after bowing.

Ryan asked her what she needed with such urgency.

She told him that her visit was to deal with specific matters regarding the functioning of his current government.

"Now that you are the new king of this people, it is necessary to establish a set of new regulations under your command."

Alicia explained that the situation in the village had changed radically since Ryan took control.

"You are not merely a king, but an S-rank powerhouse, much like the majority of your closest allies."

She continued telling him how that difference in power should be reflected in the settlement’s hierarchical structure.

Alicia knew they couldn’t continue operating as a simple refugee village if they wanted to survive the Church.

"As such, you are currently the most powerful beings residing in this place. You have humans, elves, and demons under your command—along with a growing number of beastmen. This is an assembly of races that has never before been seen in any nation."

She took a step forward.

"Therefore, I want your most powerful allies to be officially established as pillars. Granting them formal positions will serve as a powerful symbol for the village."

"How interesting. What you’re saying sounds promising, but what exactly do you have in mind?"

He responded with a smile. He knew the decision to delegate responsibilities to her had been the best choice, and now it was the only way to maintain control without exhausting himself with minor tasks.

"I would like to propose that you appoint Mirian and Helen as your permanent personal bodyguards."

She explained that their brute strength and agility were the perfect combination to protect the king.

"Not only due to their immense combat prowess but also because they would almost certainly refuse any position that takes them away from your side."

Ryan agreed with that observation immediately, as he knew the possessive character of both perfectly well.

’I can’t even imagine the kind of tantrum they’d throw if it were any other way...’

Ryan also thought that Alicia had truly investigated them thoroughly to understand the personalities of the girls in his group.

He was glad that she took her job as an assistant so seriously and that she had the intelligence to handle those social details.

Then Ryan asked what would happen to the other members of his group.

"Irina is the princess of the elves, and I believe she already has many duties to attend to. Elder Kenia is the most suitable person to guide her, which is why I haven’t included her in these additional plans."

Then she paused, but stared intently at Beatrice.

"What I do have in mind, however, is that Miss Beatrice should be appointed as the commander of the intelligence unit I mentioned previously."

"Commander?" Beatrice murmured with a frown, her expression showing confusion.

"Yes. I have hand-picked the finest talents among the elves and the beastmen who have sought refuge here. Every one of them belongs to the assassin class and possesses a natural aptitude for stealth."

She stepped a little closer to the demon girl.

"Since Miss Beatrice is a high-ranking assassin herself and is remarkably strong, she would be the ideal leader to oversee their training."

To Ryan, it seemed like a very interesting suggestion, but he thought about whether the other people would really agree.

’I mean, will they follow the orders of a demon?’

Beatrice was uneasy and looked noticeably embarrassed by the elven assistant’s direct proposal.

Probably she had never seen herself as a leader, let alone in a place like this.

"How can you even consider a demon like me for a position of such responsibility? I mean... I am a demon..."

Alicia responded with a kind smile and looked at the demon girl with bright eyes that seemed full of admiration.

"You are... well... you are to be my lord’s wife, and that grants you a place of high honor among us. There isn’t a soul in the entire village who would dare look down on you for being a demon."

Alicia took a step toward her to emphasize her words.

"Furthermore, everyone here knows that you fought bravely alongside my lord to save us from the Church and the lackeys of Demon King Rigal."

"Believe me, Miss Beatrice. Everyone here respects you."

Beatrice blushed deeply upon hearing that she was not seen as a monster, but with recognition.

She simply nodded her head.

Alicia stood before them, her finger on her chin as if thinking, then spoke.

"That is all for now, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave, as I have yet to decide which position would best suit Miss Karol’s magical talents."

"Wait, don’t go just yet."

She stopped and turned on her heels, waiting patiently for her king’s next instruction.

"Yes, as you command, Your Majesty."

Ryan looked Beatrice in the eyes.

"Tell me, do you really want to leave today, Beatrice?"

"Yes... unless you need me to do something else first, or you want me to postpone it. I will do exactly as you ask."

"I see."

Ryan turned his head toward Alicia, who remained silent in the same spot.

"Can you take us now to the portal that connects these lands to Demon King Rigal’s territory?"