228 Chapter 22: Unexpected Farewell

The day after the war ended.

I was watching Shelley not to use magic in my room.

And I was thinking a little about yesterday.

"I didn't know the royal castle was like that....."

It was really impossible for the royal castle to blow up.

"But isn't that good? We don't have to drag the King down."

I see. Still... Gert, how could you do that in a state of slavery?

Sure, I appreciate you beating up that fool... but the way he did it was very confusing.

He must have been locked up in jail, right? And how did you escape?

Besides, why was there a knife in his chest?

If I had been blown up with the Kings... I would have made a hundred concessions, but there was no cause of death.

There must have been a third party there.

That's right... there's someone to be troubled with for suicide...

"The collar of a slave is also a magical instrument, and the magical instrument expert had some kind of countermeasure?

"I guess so... All right, I'll report it to Master."

I didn't go out of my way to disturb Sherry's discussion, but decided to tell my master about Gert's death.

"Master... You haven't woken up yet."

A room in the castle, a room I recently rented to my master, where he slept quietly.

"Yes, I don't have any particularly noticeable scratches... Maybe he had a bad head shot."

That's what Leia is saying when she's practicing holy magic under Lina.

Instead of Leena, who went to the dungeon with Bell, she watched her master.

I leaned my neck against such a word from Leria.

"No... if it was Kite, I'd think about it and hit her."

No matter how impatient I was, I don't think Kite would have mistaken me for the force around there.

If so... is there any reason why Master won't wake up?

If you can think about it, you simply feel sleepless or overworked.

Master, I've been working all night...

With that in mind, the master's face moved with a twitch.

Then, the eyelids began to open gradually.

"Master!!

"What... didn't I die?

"What are you talking about? There are no scratches anywhere."

Oh, my God. Did you get hit in the head and your memories fly?

"Ah... I see. So... what happened to the war?

Thanks to the Master, we were able to win safely.

"No, I'm not doing a big deal. But I see... did you win..."

My Master looked a little relieved in my victory report.

Just a little bit... because there's something else I'm more concerned about.

I can't help it. I'll tell you soon.

"And... about Gert..."

"What happened?

The master who heard Gert's name rose up at an incredible speed.

Now that you've just woken up... take a little care of yourself.

"... yes. I went to the royal castle yesterday, but Gert was dead when he took the king with him."

I told my master exactly what I saw yesterday.

The master remained silent for a while.

I wonder what you're thinking... about your son's death? Or is it a compliment that you did well at the end? Or anger at killing people again?

"... is he dead?"

"Yes"

"I see....."

"... yes"

After all, I didn't know what my master was thinking.

Instead, Master said this when he thought he had opened his mouth for the first time in a long time.

"Well then... there's nothing I can miss anymore. Leo, why don't you and your wife be happy? Never leave your kids and your wife alone like me."

"Don't worry about it. I will take care of you all."

My master is my master.

He taught me not only about magic tools, but also how to live as a man.

It's just... I don't think it's a good idea to lie there and say words that people who are dying are going to say.

When I was thinking about that, suddenly my master's energy suddenly disappeared.

"Hmm. Well... then... don't worry... Leo, hang on..."

It was a real moment. When I checked in a hurry, Master's heart had already stopped.

"Hey... are you kidding me? Hey, master? Are you kidding me? Master!

No matter how hard he shook while screaming, his master would never wake up again.

"Oh no...."

Master, could you wait a little longer?

Let me thank you enough.

After a while, Elsie, who was out of town, came into the room.

"Leo-kun...."

"Elsie"

Elsie's eyes, which had entered the room, were as bright red as mine, having already cried too much.

"Is it true that Mr. Holland is dead...?

I nodded quietly to Elsie's question.

Then he turned his eyes towards the bed.

"Ah, ahh... Ho, Mr. Holland..."

Elsie, who saw her master sleeping quietly, burst into tears by the bed.

"Gu. You bought me as a slave... I was really happy. Look at it from heaven. I'll do my best to make the Holland Chamber bigger! Ugh...."

That being said, Elsie kept crying.

While rubbing Elsie's back silently, I wept again.

And two days later.

The emperor who heard of the victory came to Muldeen's realm as soon as possible.

"Thank you for coming all the way. I really wanted to go out....."

Sherry and Bell were forbidden to move any further than necessary, so they couldn't even get out.

Well, considering this unknown state of the body, there's nothing I can do about it.

"Don't be afraid. Besides, I'm not a demon enough to call the wounded."

"Thank you."

"So, are you okay with the injury? Shelley wrote to me, but you got hurt enough to lose your magic skills, right?

"Yes, I was fatally wounded in battle with the brave... and now I'm deceived by creative magic."

"Is that... okay?

"I don't know."

I really don't know. I don't think the creator in trouble will leave me alone if I die, but the situation where the magic keeps decreasing even now I'm talking like this is quite dangerous.

"Really... I'm really sorry about this."

The emperor, who realized that I was in bad shape, lowered his head deeply towards me.

"Raise your head. I can't help it this time. I was also alarmed."

"But... this war ended up placing only a burden on you. This must never happen as a country. I'll make sure you get a reward that's commensurate with the damage."

"Thank you."

I don't think you'll hear anything you say here, and that's what I told you for now.

Besides, I think this war was more of a battle between reincarnated people than between nations...

"Yet... even Leo the Stone will be safe against the brave."

"That's right. The man who could defeat the Demon King would have died if I were alone."

"... I see. So, what happened to the brave man? Did you kill him? Or did you take him prisoner?

"No, I'm dying, but I didn't kill him. Besides, he's not a prisoner, he's sleeping in the kingdom now."

"Kingdom? Did Leo send you?

"Yes, Kate will be in trouble if she dies."

"Sure, if you don't let the brave lord be king, you won't be in trouble as an empire."

Yes. The kingdom will be very unstable from now on. Without brave men at such times, the kingdom will never be a nation.

"Ah, and Elaine has inherited the throne."

"Hmm? What does that mean? What happened to the king?

"Dead."

Did Leo kill you?

"No"

I thought killing was one way to do it, but I didn't even think about killing it right away.

So, the princess?

"No, it's Gert. I blew up the school."

"The researcher? Didn't he abandon the Empire?

"Yes, but... I think he tried to atone for his sins at the end."

I don't know Gert's true intentions, but I did it for my master.

I see. Now your master has been rewarded a bit. "

"... yes. That's right."

"Hmm? What's wrong? Did something happen to Leo's master?

"Actually... Master, he died yesterday at noon. I don't know the cause of death, but it's probably overwork."

After that, I was checked to see if there were any strange wounds on the master, but nothing in particular was found.

So... after all, isn't that the most important reason you've ever been forcing your body to do this? That's what happened.

Maybe Master... he was forced to live.

So I finally cleared up Gert...

"That's right... The Empire has lost its poor man."

"Yes, I agree."

"Alright, Master, let's do the funeral in the Imperial Capital. One of the Empire's craftsmen, one of the Empire's top chambers of commerce, died for the Empire. The Emperor himself must convey his gratitude."

The Emperor himself has been a brave man ever since.

Well, I suppose it's only natural that Master contributed as much as Grandpa did.

"The truth is, I wanted to do it... but it's helpful. I have to dive into the dungeon from next week."

"Dungeon!? You're diving in that body?

The emperor had an incredible face.

It is common sense in this world that no healthy body will challenge the dungeon unless it is fateful.

"No, it's because of this body. I'm going to meet someone who can tell me more about my condition."

"Do people live in dungeons?

"Yes, he's a wonderful man who's been alive for a thousand years."

If you ask me, Creator, have you lived for a thousand years in the same race as me?

I wonder what it looks like...

"Thousand years... I'm sure Leo will be able to help you."

"Yes, but... it's going to be hard for you to go deep into the dungeon with this body."

"That's right... Shall we get Damien out?

"No, I'm fine. I have a lot of strong allies."

I see. Well, Leo's knights won't be a problem. But if you need any help, don't hesitate to tell me. "

"Thank you."

"Never mind. Hmm. Well then, I'll go back to the Imperial Capital."

"Huh? You've just arrived. At least stay overnight."

I hurried to stop the rising emperor from really going home.

I mean, I've been here for three days, and I haven't been here for an hour and I'm trying to turn back.

I wish I'd seen Sherry before I went home.

"No, I have to go home and write some post-war paperwork. I have to do all this myself. I will also prepare for Master's funeral."

"... I see. Thank you very much."

Understanding that the Emperor was busy, I bowed my head straight down.

"Oh, Leo, be careful with the dungeon."

"Yes, I'll be there as soon as I get well."

I see. Then let's talk about the wedding. "

"Wedding... that's right. I understand."

Yes, I was going to get married by the end of the year.

Marriage...