Lord Botis is comforting a lonely snake.
"Yeah, well... that really is your fault, Batin." "Huh!? I—is that so!?" "You haven't been paying much attention to her lately, have you? You've been completely obsessed with that 'automobile' thing you got from the human world. No wonder she's sulking." "Ugh...!" "Do you realize? If you don't give a pet enough attention, they get lonely and shut themselves off emotionally. The closer the bond, the stronger that reaction becomes." "......Yes." "The same applies to human relationships. You hold a position of some standing, after all; you really ought to show a bit more restraint." "Y—you're right. I suppose I did get a little carried away. I'm sorry, Belladonna, for neglecting you." "Well, she's just sulking a bit; it's not like she actually hates you. Just make sure to give her proper attention from now on, okay?" "Thank you, Botis. I'm sorry for the trouble." "Oh, I actually find mediating between pets less stressful. They don't have a hidden side; they're always honest about their feelings. Dealing with humans is a different story entirely." "Are humans really that troublesome?" "That lot—especially the politicians—are incredibly devious. If you let your guard down for even a moment, there's no telling what they might demand. In their legends, they call *us* 'demons,' but I honestly think *they* are the real demons." "To hear a master diplomat like yourself say that... Humans really are terrifying, aren't they?" Humans have a tendency to overestimate and fear others more than necessary in interpersonal and international relations; it seems that even these beings from another realm share that same trait...

