Chapter 193

Chapter 193

That evening, as the released glow of sunset blanketed the world.

And at last, after the lengthy journey.

The shape of Fortress City began to enter my sight.

Its Crossroad!

Never did I think the day would come when this terrible monster front line would be a welcome sight!

Though Id been away just over a month, it felt like Id been gone much longer. Perhaps it was because I had experienced so much.

So many tasks must have piled up.

I have to go dungeon exploring, check the equipment I ordered, reexamine the city management plan, establish an advanced base, recruit and train additional characters...

So damn many things to do!

But I guess I can rest at least today.

The journey from the Imperial Capital to here took a full three weeks. Theres a reason the word poison () is in the term fatigue, right? I must make sure to recover from it. (TL Note: Quick explaination, the word Fatigue is , is derived from two Kanji. Its (), which means leftover, and (), which means poison. Basically, one must rest after traveling so the fatigue doesnt kill you.)

As I approached the citys north gate, the hero characters and soldiers came out, stood in line, and greeted me.

Welcome back, Your Highness. We are truly pleased that youve returned safely.

Reina, an imperial officer standing in front with her fifty soldiers, bowed to me.

As both Acting Commander Lucas and Margrave Successor Evangeline came out to greet me, it seemed Reina, being the highest-ranking person, acted as the representative.

Captain Reina, everything has been well in my absence?

Of course, Your Highness. As long as there are enemies to fight, we will always do our job.

You mean monsters when you speak of enemies to fight?

Are there any other enemies on this front?

Reina responded with a sly smile.

What a sly old snake. I know from Lucas that you tried to kill Margarita at the temple.

But she seemed to have behaved herself since then.

I could see Margarita standing perfectly fine over there. Lilly was also there. I waved at them.

Have you all been well?

Margarita and Lilly bowed shyly, smiling at me. They seemed to have been getting along well.

After greeting the other heroes and soldiers, I entered the city through Crossroads north gate.

Anything unusual to report, Captain Reina?

Nothing much. We fought a defensive battle ten days ago, but we managed to repel them without any significant damage.

I had already checked the stage result window for the defensive battle, and I also heard a report from Lucas on the way. Its a relief they handled it well without me.

Reina paused for a moment before continuing.

I also sent a rider to the Imperial Capital ahead of Your Highness.

The messenger had been much faster than us, who came by carriage. I gestured with my chin.

What did they say?

Not much has changed. They told us to support three more defensive battles and then return.

Were there any other instructions for you?

Well... there was something like Dont cause any trouble.

Reina smiled knowingly.

Sure enough, Fernandez had changed his instructions after the incident at the Imperial Capital.

So thats why Reina hadnt attacked Margarita and had behaved herself.

Im counting on you for the remaining three defensive battles, Captain Reina.

I will do my utmost, Your Highness.

Though I couldnt fully trust them, the magician and her subordinate soldiers were top-notch.

I needed to grow my troops to defend this place while they helped with the defense.

As I stepped into the city, citizens who had been engaged in their daily work flooded the streets to greet me.

"Lord!"

"Youve returned, Lord!"

"We thought youd never come back!"

"Why wouldnt I? This is my home."

With a chuckle, I waved back at the citizens. It didnt feel too bad being treated like a lord.

Enjoying the citizens hospitality, we first headed towards the prison located on the outskirts of Crossroad.

Normally, it served as a resting place for mere drunks and petty thieves, but today was the time to use it as a proper jail.

"Alright, lets go in~"

We stuffed the captured bandits into the prison cells.

The bandits were pale as ghosts. They probably thought they were going to be executed. Haha, such naive fools.

"Watch them closely. Double the guard forces."

"Yes, Your Lordship."

Leaving the prison, I dismissed the soldiers in the citys central square. You guys need a break. How long are you going to follow me around?

The rest went back to their lodgings, and I headed to the lords mansion with Lucas, Evangeline, and the escort forces that had followed me down from the Imperial Capital.

...

Oh, dont look at me like that! Just try living here for a week? Your dry sensibility will become moist?

Thats when Lucas, who had been shaking his head behind me, whispered.

I told you, my lord. While you were gone, Evangeline was the one who lost her mind the most among us...

I collapsed weakly onto the bed.

Transparent, soft-colored frills and lace fluttered and covered my head. I mumbled dispiritedly.

Ill really... never leave my place again, guys.

One became a spinach-tomato creature, one turned into a delusional teenager, one became a dog, and one became a florist interior designer, randomly remodeling others rooms.

How had they all gone insane like this? It was all my fault. I vowed never to leave them behind again.

"Phew, Im glad its only my room thats like this. If the whole house were like this, I dont know how Id deal with it."

I sighed deeply and muttered, and then,

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three people in front of me glanced at each other, carefully gauging the situation.

Feeling a chill run down my spine, I asked quietly,

"Did you... mess up other places too?"

Aider stepped forward, chuckling awkwardly.

"We didnt do all of them! Just the entire guest room, dining room, reception area, and about two places on the mansions exterior?"

"Youve wrecked more than half of them!"

As I leaped from the bed, spitting fire, Evangeline hastily held up her little finger.

"You promised not to get angry, right? Promise?! And besides, it will be my house again in three years! What if I just paint it to my liking in advance!"

"Consider the tenant too, you landlord brat-!"

No, I was the one who bought the rights to this house from you in the first place! Its not like I might give it back in three years; its my house now! What are you doing to someone elses house!

***

Anyway, so.

I had dinner in a cheerfully decorated dining room, remodeled in a flower garden style, along with the guests staying in the guest rooms also remodeled in the flower garden style.

Before the night grew too deep, I left the mansion, accompanied by Lucas and Aider.

Peeking out from behind us, Evangeline, in her pajamas, asked,

"Where are you going, senior? Youre not running away because youre angry, are you?"

"No..."

"Youre not going to sleep at an inn because you dont like the room, are you?"

"I said no..."

As I adjusted my shoes, Evangeline, who had been mumbling behind me, bowed her head deeply.

"Im really sorry, senior. I didnt know youd hate it this much..."

"..."

"Ill take responsibility for the interior and restore it. So please dont be mad..."

"Evangeline."

Exhaling a faint sigh, I turned around with a bitter smile and looked at Evangeline.

"You can change the room however you like."

Evangelines eyes widened. I shrugged.

"Im relieved that there were no major accidents in Crossroad while I was gone. Thats the most important thing."

No one died, no one was seriously injured, and the city remained intact.

How fortunate that was.

"As long as you and your colleagues are unharmed, and this city is safe, you can change the interior of the room however you like."

Compared to a burnt-down mansion, a mansion filled with flowers, lace, and frills is much more beautiful.

I grinned broadly.

"So dont worry too much. I wont hate you or anything for something like this."

"Senior..."

Evangelines eyes welled up with tears, her face filled with emotion.

Yeah~ But Ill have all that flower garden style interior torn down by tomorrow.

I was certainly glad that the city and my comrades were safe, and the interior design was just that, interior design. However, I was looking forward to seeing your face scream in horror at the interior, which would be demolished tomorrow.

Unaware of my inner thoughts, Evangeline, smiling broadly, asked me, So, where are you going now?

To the prison.

In the hands of Lucas and Aider, there was plenty of food. I grinned.

Im going to show our prisoner friends the taste of Crossroads food.

It was time to begin negotiations with the Bandit King for his recruitment.