"Mr. Ira! And everyone! Let's go!"

Satan Ye shouted this to everyone who remained in the Demon King's territory. She sat behind Lotia, holding Lotia's waist armor, with a considerable number of headless knights and insectoids behind her.

This time, instead of bringing the Black Knights and other races, they used the Headless Horsemen, who could perfectly utilize their speed advantage, as the vanguard to open the Nether Path and ensure the insectoids' rapid march.

If they're lucky, even if the gnoll territory isn't exactly close, they can quickly reach their destination, complete their strategic objectives, and return... After all, this time the troops are planning to go directly to the gnoll territory without having to fight along the way.

Gnolls are a cunning race that fights with weapons. The strongest member is the leader of the gnoll territory, and when the leader dies, the remaining members fight each other for power.

Savagery and strength are the main themes of the gnoll territory. The troops are mainly warriors, hunters, and assassins. Their main food source is hunting rather than farming, so their numbers are not large.

There are almost no magic-based professions.

Yes, the insectoid race with its thick carapace and ability to fly, and the headless knight with its heavy armor and complete immunity to poison, are the nemesis of the gnolls.

But just in case, we brought the main force along.

"Mr. Ira! Shall we go?"

Why did you shout it again?

"Mr. Ira?"

"..."

Ira looked in Satan Ye's direction with some confusion. Besides Satan Ye and Lotia, he was also being watched by the insectoid troops preparing for the expedition, as well as the headless knights.

However, Ira seemed quite at ease... Oh, is that so? Would you like me to say something?

Realizing this, Ira nodded. He stood on the city wall of the Demon King's territory, and his voice, though not loud, carried throughout the entire army. He said, "Go, exterminate those cowardly, timid, cunning, and disrespectful gnolls."

Ira said this in a very nonchalant tone, which contained a genuine sense of "whatever," an attitude that would be extremely frightening if it came from an enemy.

But now that Ira is on their side, the mentality of all the monsters is completely different.

"Have you seen the letters written by those lowly stray dogs? They contain extremely vile and insulting words. I will not tell you the specific contents, because when you return, that contempt and insult will turn to dust."

As Ira spoke so simply, his tone was so certain, as if he were stating a predetermined future, as if he were recounting a complete history. Like a musician, he drew an arc in the air with his finger and said, "Kill them all, leave no one alive."

The moment the words left his mouth, the troops moved.

The troops... sped out!

Carrying the smoke and dust from the ground, kicking up clouds of dust, they charged towards the target of this war... no, towards this massacre, like arrows released from a bow.

"..."

"Wow~ Judging from your voice, Ira, you're the real demon king, aren't you?"

In response to Vera's words, Ira remained watching the troops depart, then reached out and tapped Vera's head, saying amidst Vera's soft exclamation, "Don't make jokes like that."

"Sigh, really, nobody here cares."

As Vera spoke, she looked at the scattered Hillina and the others, rubbing her forehead where she had been tapped, and asked with a grin, "Satan is very frank. If Isabella were just as frank, you wouldn't be stingy with your praise, would you?"

"..."

Ira paused for a moment, mentally rehearsing the scenario, then nodded and said, "Probably, but she's not the type to repeatedly call my name, hoping for praise and compliments."

That's not wrong.

"That's why I said you and Isabella are so awkward together~"

As Vera spoke, she watched the insectoids disappear on the horizon and said, "By the way, Ira, how long is your lifespan? How long is the lifespan of the governor?"

Vera said this seemingly casually, putting her arm around Ira's shoulder like a buddy.

"I'm not sure, but judging from the growth of the consuls, it seems to have been over a thousand years, in my opinion..."

This time, Ira didn't push Vera's hand away. He brought up this rather troublesome topic, touched his face which hadn't changed since he became governor, and said, "I can't be sure how long I'll live."

In other words, they are immortal beings, or extremely long-lived beings that are not much different from immortal beings.

"Ira?"

Vera called out Ira's name.

"Um?"

Iraq wondered this.

Do you know how to kiss?

Caught off guard by Vera's sudden question, Ira was taken aback: "Huh?"

"Um, I mean... do you drool when you see delicious food?"

Vera glanced sideways and changed her story.

"...Will...right?"

At this moment, Ira understood how Vera felt when he heard him speak the professional name. He looked at Vera with a puzzled expression, wondering what was wrong with her.

"I don't believe you, show me..."

No, what's there to believe or not believe in something like this? Why would I drool while demonstrating? Why are you looking like you're trying to steal my saliva? Ah... wait, is that so?

Ira, who had been looking bewildered, seemed to have figured something out. He nodded knowingly and said, "I know, you vain guy, you want to conduct research on immortality, right? After all, it's quite troublesome for a lich to change bodies, and there are risks involved."

"Uh, um..."

Vera was also taken aback, seemingly not expecting Ira to guess it. She nodded to indicate that Ira's guess was correct... and then she suddenly realized something. She only needed to steal some blood from the side while Ira was having dinner in Senata.

However, since Ira thinks it's all for the sake of eternal youth, that's fine too. It makes her actions easier later on, so it can be considered a blessing in disguise.

“You could actually have Senata spit some out for you…”

As Ira said this, he casually removed Vera's hand from his shoulder and said, "I'm going to see Senata later. You can get some blood while you're at it."

"Okay! Ira! You're my Superman! Mua~mua~mua~"

Vera made a gesture as if to kiss her... but if Ira leaned in, she would immediately back away.

——————————

In this way, I am one step closer to the Philosopher's Stone.

This is a miracle of Taiyi, capable of reviving the dead, reuniting loved ones, and building magnificent castles or prosperous kingdoms.