The seafood in this world was actually quite similar to the seafood on Earth. The so-called Purple Sea Cucumber was somewhat like a sea urchin, except its spines were soft, somewhat akin to rambutan.
"Deploy some succubus maids for... uh, clam digging? Is that what it's called?"
Satan Ye, while eating a shrimp that resembled a jumping fish, repeated Yila's suggestion. The aroma of the barbecue made her squint in delight. She said, "Actually, Mr. Yila, you can just talk to Hilena directly."
Satan Ye's tail wagged enthusiastically as if her trust in Yila reached its peak in a very short time. She said, "You can also talk to the little fairies directly about deploying magical creatures. There's no need to ask me every time..."
However, this wasn't because of Yila's special status... or rather, it wasn't just because of Yila's special status. What was special was Satan Ye, a Demon King who had no real concept of power and responsibility.
"No way!"
Yila said sternly while eating a seafood skewer. The other magical creature leaders present... Yes, Mr. Lime had told everyone about the barbecue, so everyone came over, preventing it from being a scene with just two people and a maid.
"Come on, there's no such thing as 'no way'~ Ah, this is so delicious."
Vera interjected, holding skewers in both hands, and showcasing them to Yila. She said, "Everyone does this, and no one thinks anyone would harm the Demon King."
Yes, unlike the Empire and indeed the rest of the world... this place might truly be a fantastical realm.
"No need, to worry, Mr. Yila, we, understand, your, good intentions."
The Mechanical Leader, who was eating a skewer - or rather, stuffing roasted clam meat into his head for Mana absorption - said this.
From another perspective, it could also be considered *eating*.
"That's right. Even the patrols by the Headless Knights don't need to be reported, yet no one believes the Headless Knights would harm the Demon King."
"Black Flame Headless Knight" said this. It was the first time Yila heard her speak, and the first time he realized that the Headless Knight was a female. If that was the case... she either had a chest binder or her chest armor didn't need special design due to her meager figure in life.
The black flame replacing her head spun and roasted a piece of clam meat. This... might also count as eating?
"I brought my juniors without reporting to the Demon King... This is the Demon King Territory; it doesn't need to be as constrained as the Empire."
The towering Beetle Man said this, while the little spider girl he brought along for the barbecue curiously lifted her head, wondering why her uncle and his colleagues mentioned her.
"...."
Indeed, having a barbecue together... felt like a family gathering, with the closest family members who didn't need etiquette.
Yila, understanding this, didn't know what to say. He scooped some clam soup, instinctively spooning a ladleful toward Satan Ye's mouth.
"Ahm~"
Demon King...
Yila calmly watched as Satan Ye contentedly drank the clam soup. He still didn't know what to say. This situation had occurred before... Isabella sometimes asked him, *"Can't you just let me go? Can't you let me handle this myself?!"*
And he would simply cover personal grudges with official business—explaining the answers to *"Why do I have to XXX"* and *"What benefits does XXX bring"* to Isabella.
Because Isabella was the King, and Yila could not, and didn't want to, go over the King's head.
"There are ample shellfish resources around the Demon King Territory, and since there hasn't been large-scale collection before, it's safe to harvest them. Is there a little fairy willing to lead this? Just take some lower-tier magical creatures."
Yila asked, and the five little fairies eating to their heart's content looked at each other. One little fairy volunteered, saying, "I'll do it!"
Because she had no other fairies assisting her, she spoke very briefly.
Yila looked at the little fairy standing on the table. He gently picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth and said, "Then, Hilena, persuade two or three succubi who can use wide-range charm spells, ones that can penetrate a certain depth of sand, to assist her."
Hilena: "Yes!"
"...."
Hilena's mouth twitched because Yila's tone carried a strong *command* intent. She instinctively responded as she would have to the previous Demon King, saying something to alleviate the awkward atmosphere: "What I mean is, leave it to me!"
This was much more typical, and precisely because of this, Yila didn't like giving orders very much.
"Then it's decided. Remind the goblins to watch out for high tide and be wary of magic beasts along the shore. Throw back sea creatures that are too small."
Yila said this while finishing wiping the little fairy's mouth free of oil.
"Mission will be accomplished!"
The little fairy said cheerfully, flying back to her friends, causing a round of envious and excited chatter because Yila helped wipe her mouth.
"Why throw back the small ones? Not that I'm questioning you, just curious."
The Ghost Glasses Girl asked, adjusting her glasses with an unsoiled palm and looking at Yila with curiosity... It seemed like the idea of *"even tiny mosquito legs are still meat"* crossed her mind.
"This ensures that the beach's fauna won't diminish too rapidly. Though this can't be completely avoided, it's similar to releasing small fish back when fishing."
Yila said this, then looked around at everyone's expressions, realizing that in this world, they didn't release small fish. Poor little fish... *How pitying.*
"Mr. Yila, I have something to ask, and since everyone's here."
Satan Ye said, not forgetting her original purpose of inviting Yila to dinner... Had she known Mr. Lime would invite everyone, she wouldn't have called Yila herself.
"If I wanted to reclaim lost territory, would you help me?"
Reclaiming lost territory clearly meant disciplining rebellious magical creatures first, then taking back areas originally under the Demon King's rule from the Empire's hands.
If Yila were to help, it would mean opposing the Empire.
"...."
The atmosphere grew tense. Everyone awaited Yila's response or his anger; however, the only one who seemed entirely unconcerned was Vera, as if she had already seen through everything.
"Sure, if we can ensure the magical creatures' military discipline..."
Yila said it very lightly, adding, "As long as we can ensure that after unification, the Empire's civilians and magical creatures have equal status, I can contribute to the Empire's downfall."
"...."
"???"
"!!!"