Chapter 81

Reload quickly erased the regret of not having personally put the finishing touch on the battle.

“Come to think of it… it’s not such a bad thing.”

Yes. Debts are also connections. Whether one repays or collects, at the very least, one must see the other’s face.

“With this, I could also create a link to the Tiger Calamity or the Heavenly Flower. And above all… there’s that young Master. If I explain the situation to the Viscount, he might even be pleased.”

He cautiously approached the black-haired youth, who was conversing with the two mages.

Talos gave him a knowing look, as if to say he already understood everything.

“Don’t worry. Speak directly yourself.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

With Talos’s permission, Reload opened his mouth as politely as possible.

“Let’s leave the assassin guild aside… what do you plan to do about the mastermind behind this?”

“Mastermind? Oh… you mean Baronet Aduhn?”

“Baronet Aduhn? Ah… that wretched fellow—Fellon or Ferom… the lord of that estate? Could it be that such a petty half-blood actually commissioned those vermin? Unbelievable.”

A madman. To think a mere baronet dared to hire someone to kill a Master-level powerhouse. Even suicide, apparently, can be innovative.

“My second son died, yet absurdly, he seems to think I’m involved in that death.”

The youth didn’t bother hiding the full story. He seemed to think that Reload would figure it out anyway during interrogation.

Reload asked again, tinged with anticipation.

“Ha… truly a foolish man. Is there anything I can do for you regarding this? If you wish, I could sweep away the entire Totum Mountain Knights immediately.”

The youth shook his head.

“No need. That matter has already been handled by me and the Magic Tower. There’s no need for additional intervention.”

“I see… may I ask how you handled it?”

“Baronet Aduhn will now focus more on the Magic Tower and myself than on his own estate.”

As a seasoned political knight, Reload immediately understood the meaning behind his words.

‘He turned him into a puppet. Mind control? Or perhaps a Geas?’

“Forgive my boldness, but if that’s the case… why not take the estate directly for yourself? I believe the Viscount would willingly allow it if you requested.”

The youth’s faint smile met Reload’s gaze.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…

As the indifferent look gradually became chilling, the youth spoke again.

“I have no desire to serve under anyone yet. If I craved land, I would aim for something larger than Ferom’s modest estate.”

Reload immediately realized the mistake he had made.

‘Damn it… I blundered…!’

To become the lord of Ferom’s estate, one must, at least formally, become a vassal of Viscount Seol. In other words, he had just suggested that he, a Master, accept being a mere vassal of a viscount.

Depending on how it was interpreted, it was outright insulting.

And the youth, in response to such an affront, had subtly conveyed a warning:

“Are you sane? Rather than serving a viscount like Seol, I would expel him and take this territory for myself. If I pledge loyalty to the Marquis and demand Seol’s lands, do you think he would refuse?”

A cold shiver ran down Reload’s spine.

For some reason, he absentmindedly stroked his own neck and bowed his head.

“P-please forgive me. I never meant it that way, so I hope you won’t misunderstand.”

“I know. That’s why I’m smiling like this right now.”

“…Thank you for forgiving me.”

“…….”

Reload bit his lip in frustration, realizing all the goodwill he had built up had vanished in an instant. But the youth spoke again.

“Sir… I’m just someone who wants to live quietly.”

“…Then it will go as you wish.”

“As for what the Viscount knows about me… that’s fine. But I hope it doesn’t spread any further.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Reload obediently bowed once more, as expected.

Apparently pleased with his attitude, the youth left him one final gift.

“Tell the Viscount this: if he ever needs help, even just occasionally, he can request it through you.”

At once, the gloom on Reload’s face vanished, replaced by radiant astonishment.

“Th-that means…!?”

“It means I will help, as long as there’s time and proper compensation.”

Reload’s mental political translator whirred into action.

Tell the lord: if needed, I’ll help depending on the situation. But don’t bother me too much, or I won’t forgive you. And by the way, I’ll consider you too. You’ll be my point of contact with the lord. That alone is a huge source of power.

Power! Power indeed!!

Assisting a Master… this was a value beyond mere money.

Imagine a territorial war breaking out elsewhere. If one side has a Master and the other doesn’t? That war ends right there.

Not a metaphor—it literally ends.

Of course, if it’s a fight to the death, that’s a different story… but territorial wars are basically duels between estates, with money, lands, mines, or commercial rights at stake.

In that context, if a Master suddenly appears on your side?

Rather than wasting effort in an unwinnable fight, the smartest choice is to surrender quickly and minimize losses.

And if he is the only point of contact with such a Master…

The lord’s right hand.

And even the left, if needed.

Finally… the day will come when the Totum Mountain Knights push out the Gillathan Knights and claim the top spot.

Reload, who had understood everything perfectly despite the awkward explanation, placed a hand on his chest and bowed deeply.

“…Thank you!”

“Knights! Sword salute!!”

Shha-shha-shha-shha-shha-shha-shha!!

The knights and the guard soldiers crossed their weapons to form an Arch of Swords.

This ceremonial display—used only for the highest respects—was so rare that it left not only the citizens watching but also the knights and soldiers forming the arch completely dumbfounded. Yet…

Reload, the Knight Commander, didn’t care at all and carried on with the ceremony.

It made sense, though. From his perspective, we were worthy of such an honor, and we had given enough to be worthy of it.

“An Arch of Swords, huh? Haha… it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it has. Back in the kingdom, I got this every time there was some event involving the World Tree.”

“Wow… I never thought I’d be treated like this in my life.”

“Even from my side, it feels… not bad to be honored like this.”

“I just feel embarrassed…”

Anyway, with the grand ceremony complete, we departed West. By the time the outer walls of West looked like a thin line in the distance, we exchanged farewells.

Sodin spoke with a wistful tone.

“Honestly, I’d love to stay another two or three months… but it would be a problem if I were gone too long. My research aside, the Cardinals won’t even look at my papers—they’d probably just die otherwise… tsk.”

I laughed and teased her.

“If you’re so reluctant to leave, why not just set up your lab at my place?”

Sodin’s eyes went wide.

“…Huh? That… actually works? Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”

Huh? What kind of reaction is that?

“Well, I don’t really interact with the people at the Magic Tower anyway… so I could just set up a lab outside, right?”

“…You’re serious?”

“Of course I’m serious. Ah, did I scare Oma into being a butler for no reason? My bad.”

“What?”

“Ah, nothing. Forget it. I should start preparing for the move as soon as we get back.”

“What about your grad students? Aren’t you supposed to check their papers?”

“Grad students?”

“No, the ones you called Cardinals or something.”

“Oh, them? Of course they’ll come here instead.”

“What?”

“It’s fine. Cardinals are the type to come when called, leave when told, and even die if commanded.”

“…They don’t complain?”

“Cardinals… talk back? Well, if they don’t want to get an Academic rank, they can refuse.”

“…They’re demons.”

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, it’ll probably take two or three months to move. So, during that time, put up a lab building next to the mansion. I’ll cover the cost.”

“Well, looks like you’re setting up the Magic Tower at my house.”

“That’s fine too. Independence isn’t a big deal.”

“Sigh… alright.”

“And…”

“Hmm?”

“Even during the moving week, try to stop by the Central Magic Tower occasionally. Ah, there’s still a lot I need to teach…”

“Hmm? Sure, why not.”

“And, this… is a gift.”

Sodin pulled a thick book out of her pocket-space and handed it to me.

“These are the arranged spells I worked on during my time at the mansion. They’re detailed, so you should be able to master them on your own.”

Talos, seeing the book, clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Wait… you? I kept seeing lights in your room every day and wondered what you were doing… so you were making this? Haha, seriously meticulous. Even angels can’t resist when someone’s this dedicated…”

“Absolute Command: Cardiac Arrest.”

“Gah!”

“Then, I’ll be going. See you later, Sword God.”

With that, Sodin kicked Talos one last time—who clutched his chest and rolled on the floor—then immediately hugged me before disappearing in a flash. Probably a teleport.

I stared blankly at the book in my hands, then nodded slowly.

“Hmm… looks like she really wants to meet an angel.”

Then Shia and Scala, walking beside me, looked at me like I was trash.

I could maybe understand Shia sometimes, but seeing Scala—still in her brainwashed state—react like this was a first.

“Why?”

“…Nothing. Just thought, well… this life’s probably doomed.”

“…Sword God. I shouldn’t presume to tell you, but… maybe you should get checked by a priest soon… perhaps you’re under some curse that makes you oblivious…”

What are they even saying?

“Haha. I should probably get going too. When you come to the Central Tower, don’t just check on your girlfriend—stop by my lab too. I’ll gladly offer a cup of tea.”

Girlfriend? They mean Sodin, right? Makes sense. Female, so indeed a girlfriend.

Even after Talos teleported us back to the mansion, the place became incredibly quiet…

“Oh, you’re back? You must be tired. I warmed up some water for you.”

“Y-Yes… M-Master.”

“You’re back! Master! Shia!!”

“M-My siblings insisted on greeting you… we’re not slacking. We’re all working hard.”

“Master. Shia. I need to talk to you about the mansion’s upkeep.”

“Master, Mistress. You’re here. Just say the word and I’ll have a meal ready.”

“Scala, you came!?”

“Sis!”

“You all! How dare you not greet the Masters first!! My assistant… no, my training must’ve been inadequate!!”

…so it hasn’t calmed down. Wow, it’s noisy.

Then, Shia and I went back to resting.

Why? Because there’s nothing else to do. Money? Plenty. Meals? Provided. Mansion upkeep? Taken care of…

Truly, a life where you could spend the entire day just breathing and no one would complain!

I still spent some time studying magic and learning Sodin’s arranged spells, so it wasn’t completely meaningless…

“Bring me food.”

“Bathe me.”

“Dress me.”

…Shia was literally playing. Hard. With full effort.

Watching her float in the lake, you couldn’t tell if she was a human or some humanoid aquatic plant.

And after about a month of this nonstop playing, Shia got tired of it—just as expected.

“Sword God~!”

“Why, aquatic plant?”

“I crave chaos! Bring me turmoil! Offer me destruction!”

“You’re a Demon Lord, right?”

“I am, but!”

I snorted.

“Ah, I figured as much. So, what do you want?”

“An adventurer must have adventures! Let’s go to the Adventurer’s Guild!”

“Really? Alright, let’s do that then.”

Then, Scala, who was attending Shia, ran back to the mansion and brought along Illeia and Selan.

“Master. We’ll accompany you.”

Shia shook her head.

“No. I currently lack enough Sword God essence. This time, it’s just the two of us. You’re just in the way, so step back.”

“……!”

“……!!”

“……!!!”