Every day, goblins die of old age. Compared to humans and other monsters, goblins have a very short lifespan. After their brief youth and longest period of adulthood, they quickly pass away.

After a goblin dies, it will first attempt to transform into a Black Knight, while the parts that cannot be transformed into Black Knights are simply thrown into the magic pool and transformed into magic insects.

In life, they toiled for the Demon King's territory; after death, they became materials for flesh and blood.

This is the meaning of the Demon King's "slave". On the other hand, in the empire, although serfs were often hungry and cold and were constantly exploited and persecuted, at least they could be wrapped in straw mats and buried in a pit after they died.

If they are ordinary people with a little wealth, they can also get a burial plot, and their descendants will come to pay their respects; as for which side is better, everyone may have a different understanding.

Ira actually still thinks the Demon King's territory is better. Perhaps this can be considered a kind of "Hall of Heroes". Although she doesn't know if souls reside here, at least there is something to look forward to after death.

Instead of placing their hopes on an illusory divine kingdom.

However, the worship of gods in this world is not so extreme. Rather than deity worship, it is more like idol worship, perhaps because the gods in this world are real...

Ah, is this something I can say?

...

Today, Ira had a rare good night's sleep, waking up almost when the sun was high in the sky—another day with no work to do, all he had to do was patiently wait.

Waiting for Casiopeia's caravan, waiting for Grand Duke Novak's caravan, waiting for the brewing of White Ball wine...

Ira sat up somewhat groggily and put on the neatly folded coat that was placed by the bed... He always wore the same coat; occasionally, Tikkap would take it to wash before he went to sleep.

But actually, it's not necessary, since the special spell on this coat prevents it from getting dirty.

"Tikkap".

As Ira spoke, he looked at the young succubus who had appeared in the room in an instant, her figure gradually solidifying from illusory to fixed. He rubbed his eyes and asked, "Did anything happen in the Demon King's territory this morning?"

Did you ask about work as soon as you woke up?

Although Tikkap had some doubts, he answered very seriously: "I don't know. I've been practicing my boxing all morning. I'm always practicing my boxing when you and the Demon King aren't training."

Ira knew this too, as could be seen from Tikkap's bandaged hands.

"I'll go ask Lady Sirina."

As Tekap said this, he stood up to disappear, but Ira waved her hand to stop him, saying, "No need, I'll go find her directly later."

"Yes! Do you need me to help you wash up?"

"No need... but could you please bring me the basin and toothbrush? Thank you."

Ira, still not used to being served, said this as he looked at Tikkap, who had reappeared after disappearing, and at the wooden basin, a tender white twig, and a small dish of white, transparent salt with some impurities that Tikkap had brought over.

"Lord Ira? Would you like me to bite off a branch for you?"

Tikkap asked this question, his cherry-like mouth opening and his pearly white teeth swaying, pointing to the small twig, but he was quickly rejected by Ira and chased away... He could come back later to collect the toiletries.

Ira, slightly more alert, put the twig in her mouth and chewed it, biting the fine fibers into tiny, brush-like fibers—this was the toothbrush of this world.

Of course, this kind of "thorn branch" toothbrush is something only the aristocratic class would use. After all, this branch doesn't taste bitter when you bite into it, and you won't get a mouthful of small fibers.

If they were commoners, they might only be able to use a rag for wiping their teeth, and they would use the same rag for several years in a row. The serf class did not brush their teeth at all, and because of the hard bread, they always appeared to be missing one or more teeth.

Ira used a twig he had bitten into into a brush to pick up some salt and started brushing it in his mouth... The powder from the thorn flowers diluted the saltiness of the sea salt, and he was already used to the way people washed themselves in this world.

The Empire is the birthplace of the thorn flower, and the thorn flower is the national flower of the Empire. Therefore, when he used to wash, there would be more thorn flower powder than salt. This crop, which can be considered a spice, is indeed good for teeth.

It can also help keep your breath fresh.

If Ira were to describe it using a crop, this brown flower, no bigger than a little fingernail, would resemble the lilac from his previous world, yet it is quite different from a lilac.

Of course, this was something only the aristocratic class could enjoy, and the difference was huge... Even for the common people of the empire, salt was not something they could use for the luxury of brushing their teeth.

Even in the Demon King's castle, monsters like lesser demons and goblins don't have the habit of brushing their teeth, so Ira's ability to wash up normally is thanks to the succubi and the others.

Of course, there's also Satan Leaf.

As for most monsters, they don't need to brush their teeth. Even if they wanted to, the Headless Knight, the Black Knight, and the Constructs couldn't help them. The insectoid's oral structure doesn't need washing either.

"Lord Ira? Are you awake?"

It seemed that Ira didn't need to go over to her; Shirina had already come over on her own. Hearing Shirina's voice coming from outside the door, Ira, who was already awake, rinsed her mouth with water from the basin and replied, "I'm awake. What happened?"

Did you ask about work as soon as you woke up?

Shirina muttered to herself, then responded with a mixture of helplessness and concern: "The hunting party this morning hunted a Water Fang Beast. We're planning to have a big meal at noon, so we thought we'd wake you up... Lady Ira, you're practically drained lately."

The word "榨" here probably refers to the act of squeezing or pressing, implying that the body couldn't keep up due to the hard work. It's truly befitting of a succubus, choosing the most easily misunderstood meaning for no apparent reason.

"..."

This is such a strange word choice, though it could be interpreted as fatigue.

Ira was also feeling a bit uneasy. He knew his body wouldn't tire, but his mind and spirit needed time to recover. Nevertheless, he said, "Don't worry, I'm perfectly healthy!"

Ira chuckled lightly, having deliberately used a phrase that could be misunderstood, but... Ira, who had only intended to make a small joke in response to "draining," found that Sirina's face had turned red because of his words.

"Understood, Lady Ira~"

"..."

Wait a minute, isn't something a little off? Why are you so calm when you say weird things, but blush when someone else says something that's not really weird? What kind of succubus are you?

Ira thought to herself, "That's what I'm complaining about..."