"We're not frenemies," Maou stated firmly. Clearly that was the most important thing to take away from that entire paragraph.

There was a lot Maou wanted to say about his view of Lucifer's role back in Ente Isla, but he stuffed meat in his mouth to avoid saying anything stupid. He bought himself time to choose his words carefully as he chewed, then swallowed.

"You were always one of my most valued subordinates. Trusted, too," he said plainly. That was what mattered when you were a king leading an army of demons and one fallen angel. "That's why I made you a general. I thought that was evidence enough that you belonged in my castle."