"As I was saying, may I ask you both—do you know why the Empire launched this war?"

Avel paused her smooth narration, catching the two listeners off guard. Their expressions froze, then twisted into something peculiar.

An aggressor and a defender sat together, discussing the war’s origins—a truly surreal scene.

"Is it because years of calamities left the Demon Race resource-starved? They had to invade others to plunder supplies and divert domestic tensions, right?" Isaac asked hopefully, glancing at Joshua. After a moment’s thought, Joshua gave the most rational answer based on available intel.

"Spot on. But that’s only part of it, Holy Maiden. You likely don’t grasp the power struggles within the Empire." Avel took a sip of coffee, chuckling lightly. "Truth is, this war began because the Demon Lords forced His Majesty the Demon King to prove her strength."

"Though the Court acknowledges and supports His Majesty’s power, ‘Demon King’ remains an abstract title to both old and new Demon Lords. They demanded a war to test her true might. If strong—they’d pledge loyalty. If weak—they’d seize the throne."

"Some arrogant fools even believed they could pass the Court Trial themselves." Avel snorted, clearly disdainful of such overconfidence.

"Compared to past Demon Kings whose powers could shatter heavens, His Majesty’s abilities aren’t exceptional. But her governance skills and physical potential surpass every predecessor."

"The Court knows this. But Demon Lords only see the present. To them, she’s just a rookie who took the throne decades ago."

"That’s why His Majesty blitzed Falmond at the war’s start, capturing the Healing Saintess. This lightning strike crippled the Holy Empire’s defenses. Had she consolidated gains, half the Empire would’ve fallen." Avel swirled the dregs in her cup, silencing the two with a raised hand as their faces darkened.

"Yet such tactics drained the Empire terribly. Even victory wouldn’t yield enough spoils to fill our void."

"So His Majesty withdrew her main forces, merging with Demon Lord reinforcements."

"To the Demon Lords, it seemed a chance to plunder human lands. In truth, it was His Majesty’s trap."

"If we win, the central army—having fought hardest—can legally seize the Demon Lords’ spoils: fertile lands, resources, everything. They’d grumble but comply."

"If we lose, the warmongering Demon Lords lose their best troops, strengthening His Majesty’s rule. A prolonged war might even force weakened Lords to join her faction."

"A no-lose deal. Or it should’ve been." Avel sighed.

"So Noah was never meant to be a mere prisoner in your plan. You want us to take her back to the Holy Empire—to remove this instability?" Joshua deduced from Avel’s sigh, while Isaac still processed the revelations.

"Precisely. If His Majesty treated the Healing Saintess as a common captive, matters would be simple." Avel’s bitter smile matched her unsweetened coffee.

"To the rigid, bloodline-obsessed Court, His Majesty could enslave her, take her as concubine—even wife—and face no objection."

"But making her Queen? Mother of the Empire? That changes everything."

"That tentacle-monster pervert wants to marry Sister Noah? ...Ow!" Isaac blurted, understanding only this part. Predictably, Joshua pecked her head.

"Wah! Joshua, what did I do wrong?" Isaac whined, tears welling.

Joshua wanted to argue—but she’d never seen the Demon King. And why capture busty Noah unless... *pervert* might not be wrong. She fell silent after the peck.

"No matter. You’re technically enemies of the Empire. Misunderstandings about His Majesty are natural." Avel shrugged, smiling warmly. Her grace won their reluctant goodwill.

"Still! Badmouthing someone others revere is rude." Joshua cleared her throat with a wing-flutter, apologizing to Avel. "Sorry for the spectacle. Please continue."

"Right. Marrying an enemy nation’s Saintess wouldn’t just cost His Majesty the Court’s support—it might push neutral Demon Lords to challenge the Court Trial."

"And during wartime, what would your leaders do if they heard their captured Saintess became the Demon King’s Queen?"

Joshua pictured it instantly: "Pour in troops. Push our forces back to the Demon King’s Castle. Demand Noah’s release."

"Exactly. You’d see it as a national insult—and retaliate fiercely." Avel rubbed her temples, pained. "A few warmongering Demon Lords don’t care. But this would shatter His Majesty’s rule. As Executor, I must prevent it."

"One question," Joshua frowned. "Your Demon King isn’t foolish. Even if she wanted Noah, she wouldn’t announce a new Queen mid-war, would she?"