The four lords of the human kingdoms were meeting once more in the Pocket Castle, as they always did monthly. Since they had joined Luka, organizing meetings to discuss the political situation had become trivial when it required a great deal of preparation in the past. The only minor inconvenience was that additional work was necessary to guarantee each kingdom's ministers could correctly reign in their lord's stead. That way, they could spend time protecting the world with the hero without having to be concerned for their own realms.

Furthermore, it was not the only thing that was different from the past. From the four lords, only one was still fully human: The San Ilia King had to be transformed into a cyborg to survive, the Grangold King had his proto-human blood awakened, turning him into a strange magical golem, while Sara had her succubus blood also forcibly awakened. While she could change between her human and monstrous form at will, her mentality, her behavior, and her senses were all affected.

And of course, the situation at large had also changed: While humanity and monsters were at peace following the Great Disaster, a mix of mistrust and fear from the human population pushed a lot of monsters out of town after the attacks from the Monster Lord's armies. It was their duty to prevent unrest and limit conflicts, but they could only do so much without the fear of being accused of favoring one side over the other. And then those last weeks were marked by strange supernatural phenomenon: Black Snow falling over several towns, random tremors, mutated crops and livestock... Each and every one of them were events that disrupted the inhabitant's daily lives and further sowed concern for the future. It felt like the prelude to the end of the world.

Right now however, all four lords were just trying to enjoy a small impromptu tea party together. They needed rest as much as anyone, if not even more in these trying times, and there was nothing more relaxing than forgetting their duty for the sake of socializing and discussing the latest rumors in the Pocket Castle in a small room, while drinking tea and eating biscuits.

"A lot has changed recently."

Sara turned toward her senior. "Are you referring to the perception of the succubi after their latest spree, or about how the castle is now emptier as almost everyone is working in daytime?"

"A little bit of both." The Grand Noah queen sipped from her drink. "But I was honestly thinking more about the growing reputation of the hero Luka at large. His legend started less than a year ago, after all."

"Indeed. We are not the only ones who got to appreciate and to recognize his helpful nature. He is well known through the streets of San Ilia as the one who helped save the town against the invasion of mermaids." The mecha-pope frowned. Or, more accurately, the expression of his biological part and his shift in tone made it clear he was frowning. "This is a mixed blessing, as people are trying to use his face as a standard to rally in their crusade against monsters."

"Ironic, considering he's one of the more welcoming humans…"

"Fortunately for us, Sabasa is less affected by this rising hatred against monsterkin. Vampires even opened a popular pub in the main street. For the hero himself… His reputation was made when he helped me recover and saved the kingdom from the Lilith Sister's devious plans. I'd just wish my ministers would stop trying to pressure me into marrying him. There is still a war going on, and yet most of them already want me to have children with him."

"I suffer the same issue…" The Grand Noah queen emptily stared at a wall. "I even had to fire a few after reminding them daily that between the ongoing war and the political turmoil it would create, involving myself in any way with the hero is the last thing I should be doing."

Sara discreetly blushed.

"We considered using the hero in a campaign for discrimination against monsters. We didn't manage to find an appropriate plan yet. The population must not feel betrayed by us or by the hero by showing our proximity with some monsters."

"Also, As much as it pains me to say so, I am worried about his abilities as a public speaker. He would need proper training first, and I am worried he would do a gaffe. He's not exactly the sharpest tool in the drawer."

"And fortunately for us, he's better intended than most heroes that lived through history if the records." The San Ilia king sighed. "It turns out, the word hero might be in a dire need of a definition change."

"Strange. Don't take it personally, but a few years ago you considered heroes a gift from Ilias against the hordes of monsters."

"Since then, I had the possibility to discuss with the legendary hero Heinrich. While the man in himself is definitively hero material, I found out that a lot of his actions were kept out of his story or were embellished. Now I wonder what exactly is and isn't true in all those stories that didn't always depict heroes in the best of light."

"You could have asked. We have records about it. Mostly related to law enforcement."

"I'm not sure destroying the image of past heroes for the public's eyes would be a great idea. In any case, this only gives us more reason to appreciate the job Luka has done so far. Even if today, some people would wish for him to upstage us, he's sensible enough to know how bad an idea it would actually be. Reigning over a kingdom is quite different from saving the world."

"I just wished the people also took at heart the message that it is possible to be at peace with monsters. The mermaid queen's daughter is trying to atone for what happened and is helping people, and she's not the only monster who's trying her best to diminish the negative effects the Monster Lord's assault had on their reputation. Some are just genuinely good people."

"Then it is our duty that the herculean tasks undertaken by the hero don't end in vain. We shouldn't stop supporting him just because some less than savory individuals decide to use his name as a flag for their crusade of hatred."

"We all agree. Still, it doesn't save us from working toward preventing it."

The small assembly fell silent, and discussed a few rumors like the upcoming tournament at the colosseum or the behavior of their own ministers. After a while, The Grand Noah Queen dusted herself.

"Well, I apologize but I must leave now, but I have to directly lead an investigation following a grievance about the disappearance of one of the more prosperous farmer's cattle. Apparently, his beasts are nowhere to be found."

Sara raised an eyebrow. "A whole herd disappeared?"

"Around a hundred heads if the information I received is correct. Opinions so far are divided on the cause. From chaosization to monsters without forgetting the possibility of a magical experience gone wrong… Everything has been considered." She sighed. "Those matters sure can be annoying… I wish you well."

She got up and left the remaining trio behind her. The Grangold King emitted a long buzzing noise that sounded like a drawn out sigh.

"I wish I could still deal with the populace's grievances directly. I miss those times where I could directly interact with my people without having them run away or be treated as a war weapon…"

"I don't." Sara shook her head left and right. "I really don't. I don't know what's the worst with those I have to deal with: The fact that I sucked dry several hundred people that way, or the fact that people kept coming because they wanted to get a taste of my succubus' skills at the cost of their own lives? Or maybe it is the fact that they keep doing it as of today?"

"I… Cannot answer that indeed."

Sara shivered. "As much as I'm happy that my people still acknowledge me as an authority figure after all that happened, I wished I also didn't have to deal with obscene requests daily."

"…I suddenly feel slightly more comfortable about no longer dealing directly with the issues my people suffer. What about you? You used a mechanical look-alike to replace you, and somehow nobody noticed?"

"…Some people did. Let's just say we're keeping herbs and phoenix downs behind the counter and make sure that there's always a healer around since an unfortunate incident happened. Also the new model is more stable and doesn't fall apart to reveal its insides should it stumble."

"Ouch."

"It was managed and cleaned rapidly, and we only needed to pay a small sum to buy their silence. Still, we're a little more careful from now on."

"Thank you. Now I no longer feel bad about myself."

"What's that even supposed to mean?!"

"That as a golem who can project himself at several places at the same time, I do not have to resort to cheap tricks of this nature."

Sara started feeling very lonely as the golem and the cyborg were ignoring her for the sake of their umpteenth pointless feuds.

"Well." Sara got up and made a small reverence. "I apologize as well for leaving you alone, but I have a few things I wish to discuss with my ancestor. I wish you well."

The Sabasan princess left the place without further ado, ignoring the two "men" who were once again debating the benefit of being transformed either in a golem or in a cyborg. She herself had her own lot of issues since her monster blood awakened, and that debate's resolution was pointless anyway. She made her way to her own room and changed herself into her armor. Maybe travelling a bit and a small discussion with Sphinx would calm her instinct…

Mephisto and a few of her students were examining the enclosure where most of the cattle was located before disappearing in mysterious circumstances. She drew several magic symbols around which shone for a moment, sighed, and got back to the house.

It was one of those issues that would normally be dealt with by a lower ranked minister and his entourage. However, it reassured the population that the queen would sometimes come to take care of the issues herself.

The queen was currently discussing with the farmer in his small mansion. The stone building wasn't particularly big, but it was practical, done for someone who wanted to pass his legacy rather than to show off his wealth. When Mephisto entered, she could tell her superior was tired while the man had apparently been ranting for several minutes already.

"-And I apologize your majesty, but I cannot stress this enough! This might just be one of the numerous herds to provide meat for the people of Grand Noah, but it's my whole and only source of income."

The queen instantly turned to Mephisto when the yoma entered the room. "Did your investigations yield any results?"

Mephisto bowed. "I have managed to gather several clues as to what could have happened. However, I will need some time to further analyze it in my laboratory."

"Very well." The Grand Noah queen got up. "We will get sure you will be able to maintain your business in the meantime. We will contact you as soon as we get the result."

The man kneeled. "Thank you my queen! You're too good for this world!"

The duo left the small manor, and teleported away as soon as they stepped out. They arrived in the small council room that was adjacent to the throne in Grand Noah's castle. The queen sighed.

"Let's not beat around the bush. It is one of Luka's cook, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"…And it was yesterday's meal, wasn't it?"

"Indeed. As well as the next five ones. If anything, we could congratulate them for planning ahead, but I wouldn't take the risk to encourage this behavior further."

The queen emitted a displeased, inelegant groan that lasted for several seconds. "Please solve this at the best of your abilities. Once you'll get the full details, make sure to find a compromise that would punish the culprit without risking to compromise our food supplies."

"I will."

"Thank you."

Mephisto disappeared while the queen took a few minutes to refresh herself and enjoy a last cup of tea before the time to deal with grievances officially started. Like her fellows, she had mixed feelings about them. A part of her enjoyed having to deal with different issues than usual while getting to know more personally the people that were toiling under her, while another considered it a loss of times spent dealing with inanities.

She sat on her throne, the guard nodded, and soon enough the first daily request arrived. It was a noblewoman who had judged necessary to bring both a haughty attitude and her children with her. Two teenage boys that were looking at the decor. Her clothes were richer-looking than the queen's, to the point of looking gaudy.

"Greetings." Her noble accent was ringing wrong to the queen's ears. "I am here to complain about the depraved spectacles given at the colosseum. Those poor children have had to deal with scarring experiences after that elven harlot defeated a gladiator and she… urgh! She had her way with him! In front of everyone, too!"

The queen inwardly sighed. The layout of the upcoming exchange was already fully drawn into her mind for being a too frequent occurence, even as of today. "I apologize that your children saw that against your will, but most fights in the colosseum that involves monsters end that way. Did they tell you how they went in?" The two teenagers didn't seem particularly traumatized, more ashamed of their mother than anything else.

The woman scoffed. "They were accompanying me! Are you suggesting that they entered there illegally like lowly thieves? We're a responsible family."

"You deliberately brought them to see a monster fight a man, in spite of the fact that you knew and were likely warned of what you would end up seeing?"

"Well, I judge that I was not warned properly! Reinforce your warning system for next time! We shall not endure such an obscene spectacle again!"

So far, everything played out accordingly to what the queen planned. She joined her hands under her chin and gave the sweetest smile she could muster. "Very well, I will make sure that the large posters at the entrance will magically draw everyone's gaze to get sure the message will not subtly escape them, while our announcer repeatedly warns everyone."

The woman nodded happily, before frowning when she realized the queen was not so subtly mocking her. "Heurgh, are you really the queen of this kingdom? Children, we're moving to Lady's Village! There I will find my place!"

"I sincerely hope that neither you nor your children will mind the neighbors."

The woman left in a huff. While the queen briefly fustigated herself for her lack of tact, she was also a renowned ruler for her assertive attitude against this type of nonsense. And while it was true the nature of the shows at the colosseum could be surprising, people were warned of what they would expect to see when they entered, and they were expected to act accordingly.

She might have a responsibility for the show's content, but it was up to the people to decide if they wanted or not to watch it.

Save for that unwelcome surprise, today's grievances were unremarkable for the queen, being mostly centered around the small conflicts between the humans and multiple monsters communities… The first mistake one would make would be to lump every monsters into the same category when the differences could be huge. Mixing succubi and elves for example was a disaster that one of her predecessor committed and paid the price for.

She ended her day in the company of the village chieftain of Yamatai. The village was acting mostly independently from the region's capital because of its isolated location, but it didn't prevent both leaders to gather and discuss business over a cup of tea from time to time.

"I wish I had participated more in the colosseum in my youth. I would have enjoyed fighting in the arena."

The queen raised an eyebrow. "Fighting… Or losing?"

He gave a small enigmatic smile as an answer. "Is it important?"

The queen chuckled. "No. I guess not." They spent several minutes silently enjoying this moment of tranquility before the queen started addressing him again.

"You seem to do better than the last time I saw you. Things improved that much since then?"

"Oh, yes. There was that hero who came help us and since then, the gods are once again listening to us… Maybe you've heard of him. Small man with purple hair and a red cape…"

Luka, of course… It was as if every solved issue in this world came back to him. The hero had done more in a few months than most could hope to accomplish in their lifetime.

"Yes. I'm currently working with him."

"Mmmh. In that case, you should always keep an eye out on him. The one who looks for troubles only has to look up to find them raining upon him."

The Grand Noah queen raised an eyebrow. "Proverbial wisdom?"

"I remember this one from my uncle." The village chieftain emitted a small, raspy laugh. "I always remembered him saying that when you meet someone, you should always act in the way he expects you to, even if it's not in your nature. It's the best way to take them off guard. Then he left the village and disappeared, bringing tears to everyone… Until we learned he only left to visit Succubus Village where he had an accident."

"…I can totally imagine that happening."

The Village chief finished his tea, got up and bowed. "I thank you for being an accommodating host for these old bones, and I wish you the best for your future. Farewell."

"I only wish you the same."

A few minutes later, the Grand Noah Queen was back into the Pocket Castle. That day had not been particularly exhausting, and yet, she felt tired. On her way back to her room, she saw Mephisto admonishing one of the chief, two healers working on one of the kitsune that wounded herself training, and a pile of requests aimed at the hero asking for his help. If anything, her colleague was right when saying that people who solved troubles were bound to attract more.

Well, it was the spice of life after all.