Just as Lucifer demanded the entire map of Westirifer... along with its neighbouring kingdoms, duchies, and counties... including indications of which areas are rich in which kinds of organic materials and which rivers flow through Westirifer, Wiverla immediately set to work, while Veronica went to make the announcement.
After that, another girl named Asuna approached Lucifer and said...
"Master, I am skilled in different types of gourmet cuisine."
Lucifer responded, "Perfect."
Hearing Lucifer's words, Asuna felt happy that he was pleased with her profession.
After saying "perfect," Lucifer continued...
"You are a gourmet, and I believe a gourmet is someone who eats various kinds of food and knows how to create unique dishes... So, you see, Asuna, winter is approaching Westirifer. Your task is to find me three entirely new sources of food... ones that no one knows about yet. I am giving you one full week. And after finding these new sources... I hope you also know how to prepare or cook them. Now you may go."
With that, Lucifer turned to Allen and said...
"My dear Allen, now inform all the candidates who claim to be gourmets and food critics about the same task I just gave Asuna... And yes, give them all a time limit of one full week."
Allen heard the order and began to leave, but Lucifer stopped him.
"Wait, Allen... Let them all gather first. The task I give her will be the same for everyone else in the same profession."
After Asuna's turn, a woman named Gayuri approached.
She was beautiful like the others, but she also had well-developed muscles.
She stood before Lucifer and said...
"Master, I believe I am skilled in close combat and strategy."
Lucifer replied, "Good... Currently I don't have a method to test how good your strategies are, but I can test your combat ability right here. Are you ready?"
Gayuri answered, "Yes, Master."
Lucifer asked, "What rank adventurer are you?"
Gayuri replied, "Master, I am currently S- rank... but I believe I will soon be promoted to S+ rank."
Lucifer nodded and said, "Good."
Then Lucifer called out, "Almirae."
The moment he called her name, Almirae emerged from his shadow and hugged him.
Lucifer patted her head, then gestured toward Gayuri and said...
"Dear Almirae... you see that lady over there? She wants to prove she is better than you at close combat. So go and spar with her... but be careful not to hurt her."
Having received her orders from Lucifer, Almirae walked toward Gayuri. The aura she exuded was pure death, as though she were silently declaring to Gayuri...
'How dare you claim to be better than me in front of my dad?'
Seeing Almirae, Mia, Allen, and Veronica were all stunned. It wasn't that they didn't know her... well, except for Allen and Mia; Veronica truly didn't know her.
But what was even more shocking was what she was wearing.
Almirae wore a silver-coloured gown, but the issue wasn't the gown itself. Embroidered on it were the words: "Daddy's love".
Not only Mia and Veronica felt envy... Lovertia, Mara, Gracy, Aelune, Vritra, and the others also became jealous that Lucifer had given her such a special garment with that embroidery.
Now, in front of the ducal throne, Gayuri and Almirae faced each other. At a single signal from Lucifer, both lunged forward... but what happened next was unbelievable to everyone except Lucifer.
Gayuri... an S- rank adventurer... was defeated in a fraction of a second the moment the spar began.
Veronica and Mia were thinking...
'The heck... She's an S- rank adventurer and Almirae defeated her instantly... so fast that we couldn't even register what happened.'
Then Lucifer gestured for Almirae to return to him. He took out a milk chocolate bar... one he had created himself in his free time... from his spatial storage and gave it to her whole, saying...
"It's your reward... Go back and enjoy. Tell them all that I have one for each of them too."
Almirae smiled like a teenage girl who had just received a Barbie doll set, took the chocolate bar, and vanished back into Lucifer's shadow.
Lucifer spoke again...
"So, Miss Gayuri... I think my daughter was a bit too much for you. Let's make it easier."
As he said this, Gayuri... who had been knocked to the floor... stood up again, still staring at Lucifer in a daze.
Lucifer then said, "Number 220, go and spar with her. Again, make sure you don't seriously injure her."
Number 220 approached and stood opposite Gayuri.
Gayuri, still dazed, snapped back to attention and asked...
"Young Master, what level is Miss Almirae at?"
Lucifer answered...
"Actually, I don't know her exact rank either... but I think she's around A+ rank... still one rank below you. And if you want to know Number 220's rank... she's around A- rank."
When Gayuri heard that... according to Lucifer... Almirae was ranked lower than her yet had beaten her to a pulp in an instant, she began questioning reality. But since Lucifer had given her a second chance, she took her stance as Number 220 was already ready.
At Lucifer's signal, the second spar began.
After fighting Number 220 for about half an hour, Gayuri was completely exhausted and dead tired, yet there wasn't a single speck of dust on Number 220's guard robe. They clashed again for another thirty minutes. Finally, Gayuri managed to land one single hit on Number 220... but ultimately lost.
After the spar ended, Lucifer asked Number 220...
"How was she...?"
Number 220 gave a blunt reply...
"Master, she is below average... I don't know how she is S- rank and expecting promotion to S+. In my opinion, her current suitable rank is B-."
Those words dealt heavy emotional damage to Gayuri's heart and mind, but what could she do when her opponent had clearly been toying with her... despite being two ranks lower?
Allen turned to Gayuri and said...
"Miss, you see, Number 220 is just a normal guard here... or you could say, 'a simple soldier.' If you can't even defeat her, I don't think we can hire you. But don't worry... later we will be expanding our army's military strength... perhaps you can perform well there."
Hearing this, Gayuri felt down, thinking...
'It isn't fair. There's no way his daughter is only A+ rank and that guard is only A-. Both his daughter and his guard are monsters.'
Still, Gayuri stepped aside.
Next, another woman named Joy approached Lucifer and said...
"Master, I believe I am good at forgery."
Lucifer opened his single eye and spoke...
"Lady... what a good name you have. Let's see if you can forge as well as your name suggests. Actually, right now I need candidates who are spectacular at forgery even more than I need ministers. So let's see what you can do."
Lucifer turned to Allen and said...
"Allen, my buddy... now you can go out and announce the requirements I have set for those who claim to be gourmets with knowledge of different foods. Any one of them may become 'Minister of Food and Safety,' and under that person there will be a team of twenty assistants.
After that... it will be the turn of those who claim to be good at fighting. To be selected as 'Minister of Defence and Security,' their main test is to defeat any single member of my Viper Guard. I cannot appoint anyone as Minister of Defence and Security who cannot even beat my guards.
And lastly... gather all the candidates who claim to be good at forgery. I need far more forgers than just one Minister of Forgery... I need them to forge thin copper and karatinum wires. As for the Minister of Forgery position... appoint Thomas to it.
Now go."
Once again Allen received his orders and left to carry them out.
From the remaining candidates, two more claimed to be skilled in unique dishes and gourmet knowledge. As per Lucifer's clear instructions, they also went to search for three unknown, entirely new food sources that were feasible.
After them came another lady named Krita, who claimed to be good at mining. She, her mother, and her grandmother had all worked in coal and iron mines for generations.
In response, Lucifer told her that mining, forgery, and farming were the backbone of the duchy. Candidates who claimed to be skilled in these areas and wished to become ministers in those fields had to:
- Identify current mining methods and their pros and cons
- Propose improvements
- Suggest ways to reduce casualties
Now only the last candidate remained in the ducal court.
Her name was Dorothia. She claimed to be a farmer skilled in growing different crops, fruits, and vegetables.
Hearing this, Lucifer said...
"So, Dorothia, I expect you know that our grasslands share borders with other nations, duchies, and counties."
Dorothia replied, "Yes, Young Master."
Lucifer nodded and continued...
"So, to reduce conflicts with other nations, I am thinking of alternative land for farming... and I already have a place in mind... I know where and how to farm. But since you say you are skilled in farming, I want to hear your opinions on how to farm... because I am going to tell you where."
Dorothia understood that her real test was beginning now. She said...
"I will try my best to answer your questions, Young Master. I may not be as insightful as you, but I will do my utmost."
Lucifer nodded and said...
"So, Lady Dorothia... the place I want to farm... entirely within our jurisdiction... is our foothills and plateaus. Now it is your turn to give me your valuable opinions and suggestions on how to farm and which crops to grow where."
"I am giving you two hours to think. If you cannot answer within the given time, this opportunity will be passed to others. Unlike other fields, in this area I want to hear the answers directly from individuals in front of my eyes. Your time starts now."
Just as Lucifer finished speaking, Allen entered the courtroom again and said...
"Master, there is a lady who claims she understands what your poem depicts and says she can vaguely grasp its meaning."
Lucifer replied, "Call her."
"And also... the two-hour time limit is over. Call those who successfully knitted themselves into the form of a small doll, just as I asked."
...
After some time, a woman entered the court and greeted Mia and the others.
Lucifer looked at her and asked...
"What is your name, lady?"
She replied humbly, "Young Master, my name is Noel."
Noel was a humble and beautiful woman. She looked like an ordinary villager, except for her round glasses and the dark circles around her eyes.
Lucifer asked again...
"So, Lady Noel, what did you understand from my poem?"
Noel answered...
"Unbiased love for all beings."
Lucifer smiled at her response and said, "Explain it more."
Seeing Lucifer smile, she realized she was on the right track and continued...
"Master, you created this poem... for the Goddess of Life and Fertility."
Lucifer gave her a bright smile and asked... in the eager tone of a child wanting praise from his parents in front of others...
"Tell me more... yes, more."
Noel smiled and said...
"Young Master, you are really very difficult to understand... On one hand you wrote this spectacular, lovely piece filled with warmth and love, and on the other hand you behave like a child..."
Lucifer replied...
"Miss Noel... I am still a child at heart. It's just that some circumstances have made me appear like a cruel monster."
Noel nodded in understanding and began:
"Master, your first line...
**'Seeds stir in silent soil'**... I think it means that life begins unseen and unannounced. A newly formed fetus doesn't know what it is or what its purpose will be. Creation doesn't need proclamation or praise... It starts quietly by her will. Here 'her' refers to our Goddess."
To boost her confidence, Lucifer said, "Perfect... now the next line."
Noel continued:
**"Breaths wait within the dark"**... means existence pauses in patience. Souls are not forced into being; they are held gently until the right moment.
**"Roots find from without command"**... means life grows naturally, not by tyranny or rigid law. This line directly opposes imposed control over fertility or existence.
**"Life answers no decree"**... means life isn't owned by any king, queen, gods, or churches... Everyone is free to live freely.
**"When the season is fulfilled"**... means time, readiness, and balance matter more than urgency. Creation follows harmony, not haste.
**"Heaven bends and birth arrives"**... means even the heavens yield to the act of creation. Birth is so sacred that reality itself makes way for it.
So basically... it means life isn't granted by authority.
Not directed by law.
Not judged by worth.
It is allowed, waited for, and welcomed..."
Before anyone could comment or Noel could say anything more, Lucifer began to clap while smiling:
clap... clap... clap... clap... clap...
And he said...
"Perfect... Magnificent... You understood it perfectly."
Hearing such high praise from Lucifer, Noel brimmed with smiles.
Lucifer then said...
"If you want, I can compose more poems on the spot... but if you agree, you have to tell me who that poem is for. But rest easy... your position as Minister of Literature is approved."
Noel was happy, but as someone skilled in literature, she was even happier to find someone who could match her wit. She agreed and asked...
"Will that particular person be someone present in this courtroom, or someone who isn't?"
Lucifer replied...
"If I tell you that... wouldn't the whole point be nullified?"
Noel smiled and said, "Okay, Master... Recite it."
Lucifer stood up, gazed at the ceiling of the court, closed his eyes, and let the words flow:
"Under twin suns, I learned warmth before light.
In quiet hands, my storms were set to rest.
When the world weighed heavy, you stood unmoved.
No crown outranks the hearth you guarded.
If heaven calls me divine, I return as a child.
Where your shadow falls, even fate softens."
As Noel heard the words, tears welled in her eyes. She said...
"Master... from your voice alone I can understand who you were reciting this for... But I still need some time to fully grasp its meaning."
Lucifer replied...
"Don't assume it... Only tell me its meaning when you are fully certain and sure. And don't tell anyone here what it means until you are completely confident you are correct."
Then Lucifer glanced at Veronica and said...
"Dear... you have also learned the basics of my selection process. Observe the candidates who claim to be skilled in knitting and select only those who seem worthy.
And Allen, you will observe those who want positions in the Ministry of Defence.
I have to go somewhere... I will return in about an hour..."
With those words, Lucifer gave them no time to respond and left the room.
The reason for his sudden departure... remains unknown.