Preparing For The Defensive Battle

I woke up in a pitch-black room.

I felt remarkably refreshed.

Yesterday, I’d collapsed into bed after exhausting my mana, but apparently, that had caused me to level up again.

At this rate, I should be able to finish installing the remaining intercom extensions today.

I strode energetically into my office, where Karan-san was reviewing some documents on the sofa.

“Good morning, my lord. Are you feeling better already?”

“Yeah, one night’s sleep and I feel completely refreshed. That herbal tea they gave me before bed must have worked wonders. I’m feeling much better than usual.”

Karan-san lowered her gaze to the documents.

“Yes, I’ve received a report about that. Apparently, it was a special tea containing an herb called Bregant.”

“As soon as I drank it, the exhaustion just melted away. I have Setia to thank for feeling so energetic today.”

“With future needs in mind, I’ve already asked Setia to search for more Bregant today. Having that tea available should prove invaluable in maintaining your health, my lord.”

I brought up something that had been concerning me.

“In that case, please assign Bumps to accompany her as a guard. You know how people are afraid of the Wuran Tribe, right? I don’t want her getting into danger again like she did before.”

“Will you be all right with your construction work?”

“I can manage with Gustav as my only assistant.”

“Understood. Setia’s medicinal herbs may eventually become indispensable to you, my lord. As a precaution, I’ll have Bumps accompany her.”

Now I could concentrate on my work without any worries.

There wasn’t much time left until the full moon. Time to work hard again today!

Perhaps because my abilities had improved, I managed to install all the remaining intercom extensions before noon.

I’d used up quite a bit of mana, but I still had some to spare.

I really was growing stronger every day.

At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before Kinoshita Construction Company was listed on the stock exchange.

Oh, wait. This other world didn’t have a stock market.

Or did it?

Joking aside, I thought I’d simply grown accustomed to making the extensions and installing the wiring. It was as though my body had memorized the work.

Lunch tasted especially delicious today!

I was in an excellent mood as I ate.

“I’m feeling absolutely fantastic!”

“How wonderful for you, my lord…”

Aine, who was serving my meal, looked rather bored.

“What’s with that reaction…? Does it bother you when I’m feeling healthy?”

“Not exactly, but… I must admit that you’re much more attractive when you’re weak and helpless, my lord.”

“That’s terrible!”

“What’s wrong with that? Whenever you’re having a difficult time, I devote myself wholeheartedly to caring for you.”

Well, when she put it that way, I supposed she had a point.

“Then again, I might end up collapsing again tonight.”

Aine’s eyes suddenly gleamed.

“As completely exhausted and helpless as you were yesterday?”

“Yeah, that’s a possibility. After all, I’m going to install security cameras this afternoon.”

“Security cameras?”

“Explaining them would be a hassle, so I’ll show you the real thing later.”

“Do your best, my lord. And in return, if you end up completely helpless again, I’ll do absolutely anything for you♡”

Aine looked far too seductive as she smiled and licked her lips.

After thinking about what I could do to help defend the fortress, I’d decided to install security cameras.

If General Paimon could monitor the enemy’s movements in real time, issuing orders would become much easier.

The cameras were high-resolution, so they should provide reasonably clear images even in the dark, but installing lighting would probably be a good idea too.

Unlike monsters, humans couldn’t see well at night, so lighting would also be useful during combat.

I’d need to install monitors to display the camera feeds as well…

There was plenty of work to do today.

What I really wanted was to build my bathroom, but for now, protecting lives had to come first.

After all, I couldn’t enjoy a bath if I didn’t survive.

Over the following days, I worked tirelessly, installing security cameras all along the fortress walls and gates.

I kept pushing my mana to its limits, so every evening, I ended up completely unable to move.

The soldiers watched curiously as Gustav carried me around on his back.

They didn’t seem to understand what I was doing or why I kept exhausting all my mana.

But that would all change tomorrow.

All the preparations were complete.

If I connected the wiring tomorrow morning and got the camera feeds displaying on the monitors, then surely…

Although I was utterly exhausted, I felt deeply satisfied.

When I was carried back to my room today after depleting my mana yet again, Aine and Setia immediately caused a tremendous commotion.

Aine’s eyes grew moist as she began panting excitedly, while Setia assumed her usual expression straight out of The Scream.

“Ohhh, this is terrible♡”

“He’s going to die! My lord is going to diiiiie! Is there a doctor anywhere in the fortreeeess!?”

At times like these, I was grateful for Karan-san’s composure.

“Aine, stop getting excited and take off our lord’s shoes. Setia, prepare the herbal tea.”

The two immediately got to work, and I was finally able to catch my breath.

“Phew, Setia’s herbal tea really does work wonders. I’m already starting to feel better.”

“I-I’m s-s-so glad. I’m happy my medicine was useful.”

“Tch. I wish I could wipe out every last Bregant plant. Then our lord would stay completely helpless…”

“Aine, you really seem determined to have your backside whipped. I’d be happy to give you ten lashes if that’s what you want.”

“N-no, certainly not! I love comforting our lord when he’s completely helpless, but becoming a helpless wreck myself is a little…”

“Then restrain yourself. That aside, my lord, you’ve been pushing yourself far too hard day after day. I recognize the usefulness of the intercom system, but are these security cameras equally remarkable devices?”

I nodded weakly.

Once again, I was so exhausted that even speaking was difficult.

“You’ll understand tomorrow. More importantly, could you get me a jelly drink from the cabinet? I don’t think I can manage a proper meal.”

It was better than eating nothing at all.

The full moon was almost upon us. I wanted to do everything I possibly could before then.

Karan McWell’s Report

After discussing the matter with General Paimon, we reached a consensus that the usefulness of the intercom system was immeasurable. Although it has yet to be deployed in actual combat, the dramatic improvement in communication efficiency will undoubtedly revolutionize our tactics. I firmly believe that the upcoming defensive battle will prove our predictions correct.

Furthermore, the subject under observation, Takeru Kinoshita, appears to be planning something else. Although I am concerned about whether his mana reserves will be sufficient, his accomplishments thus far have given us every reason to have high expectations.

However, Takeru Kinoshita appears to have a tendency to push himself too hard. We must take care not to place excessive demands upon him. I humbly submit that he will require more attentive care in the future, including greater consideration for his emotional well-being.