﻿\setgamedatatitle("Margaretta_03")

\text("Caym")
Thanks for the meal.
\endtext

\text
Even as a Demon Lord, there are things that have to be done
every day.
\endtext

\text
Most of the administrative work is left to Risbell, but in
the end, only Caym has the authority to give final approval.
\endtext

\text
If everything in the labyrinth could be handled just by
lounging around on the throne, he'd do it all day, but
that's not how it works.
\endtext

\text
Besides, Caym is close to the soldiers, so the regular
troops often come to him for advice.
\endtext

\text
When he deals with each of those one by one, dinner
sometimes ends up being later than expected.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
(Well, if I don't do some work now and then, Risbell will
get on my case.)
\endtext

\text
Today was another one of those days where dinner ended up
late.
\endtext

\text
After finally finishing his meal and leaving the tavern,
Caym decided to look for Margaretta.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
(Heh heh heh, tonight for sure, I'm going to pin that woman
down. I'll make her moan plenty for me.)
\endtext

\text
With those fantasies in mind, he tried to guess where she
might have gone.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hm?
\endtext

\text
Where could Margaretta be?
\endtext

\text
As Caym wandered around, he noticed voices coming from the
office.
\endtext

\text
Just a little while ago, Caym had been facing a pile of
paperwork in that very office.
\endtext

\text
Honestly, desk work is a pain, but if he doesn't do it,
Risbell will scold him.
\endtext

\text
So, even though he hated it, Caym had to deal with the stack
of documents.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
(One of them sounds like Risbell... but who's the other?)

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
The biggest problem with the Demon Lord's army is simply
that we have too few troops for the territory we control.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
I think we should leave the already subdued Hados a bit thin
and concentrate our forces on the areas we're currently
invading.
\endtext

\text
Caym stepped into the office.
\endtext

\text
Inside, Margaretta and Risbell were huddled over a map and a
diagram of the labyrinth spread out on the table.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
But our enemies aren't just those three countries. There are
also adventurers who hear about our army and the underground
labyrinth and try to sneak in.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Sometimes, they can be even stronger than soldiers from
those three countries. If we leave things unguarded, it
could be dangerous.
\endtext

\text
Margaretta argued that they should concentrate their forces
at the front lines and strengthen defenses there.
\endtext

\text
Risbell insisted that even if defenses are a bit thin, they
should keep watch over the entire area.
\endtext

\text
Both opinions had their own merits.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Hmm, adventurers, huh. That's true. In a cramped labyrinth
like this, those types can be even more troublesome than a
group of poorly trained soldiers.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
I've heard about how much trouble they can cause back in my
days as a mercenary before I came here.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
That's right. It's more troublesome to have a few skilled
adventurers sneak in than to have a group of soldiers break
through.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
I've never been on the attacking side, but I see... For
them, this really is a labyrinth to be conquered...

\endtext

\text
Margaretta seemed to understand Risbell's point, nodding
deeply several times.
\endtext

\text
Now that the conversation had paused, this was the only
chance.
\endtext

\text
It felt a bit awkward to butt in, but Caym decided to force
his way between the two.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ahem, ahem. Margaretta, do you have a moment?

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Oh, it's you, Caym. How long have you been there?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Eavesdropping on two women? That's a pretty bad hobby,
Caym-sama.
\endtext

\text
The moment he spoke up, both Margaretta and Risbell jumped
in surprise.
\endtext

\text
Then, in perfect sync, they both turned to face Caym.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
I wasn't eavesdropping! I was just reading the room and
waiting for your conversation to wrap up.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
That still sounds like eavesdropping to me.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I told you, it's not! Anyway, more importantly, Margaretta―

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
No, you can't. We're in the middle of an important
discussion about the labyrinth's security. Please wait until
we're done.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Now, now, Risbell. I could use some time to gather my
thoughts on this matter as well.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Besides, I'd like to hear the opinion of Caym, who's in
charge of the labyrinth. Could you give us a moment?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Well, I don't mind... but we don't have much time, you know?

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
I know. So, Caym, let's hear what you have to say.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hmm, my opinion? In that case, why don't we talk it over
slowly in my room?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Excuse me?
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
Pardon me... Oh, Risbell and Margaretta are here too?
Perfect timing.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
A report from the sentries. Looks like we're under attack.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ugh, what a pain. Seriously, people who can't read the room
are such a hassle. Risbell, you take command.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Take command...? And what will you be doing, Caym-sama?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Didn't I just say? I have something important to discuss
with Margaretta. Adventurers are nothing for you―you could
handle them with a flick of your finger―
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
No, I'll go too.
\endtext

\text
Hearing that from Margaretta herself, Caym was left at a
loss for words.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hey now.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
If I don't prove useful at times like this, I have no right
to call myself a member of the Demon Lord's army.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Spacchio, lead us to the area where the report came from.

\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
Got it. Demon Lord, Risbell, you two wait here for the good
news. We'll take care of this in no time.
\endtext

\text
With that, Margaretta followed Spacchio out of the room.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
............
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Um, Caym-sama?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
What is it?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Could it be that you're a little uncomfortable around
Margaretta-san, Caym-sama?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
...Is that how it looks to you?
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Just a little.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Haa...
\endtext

\text
Risbell's concerned gaze stings a bit right now.
\endtext

\text
Caym slumped his shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

\endtext