Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Valkeros (3)
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Valkeros's restoration efforts had begun.
The most urgent task was rescuing the real lord and the other hostages.
The location the rat-man had revealed matched the one Bran knew.
As they walked along the sewer, Bran glanced to the side.
"Kael. You okay?"
"Yeah. It doesn't bother me at all now."
Kael nodded.
The light had returned to his large, clear eyes.
It was hard to believe that just an hour ago, he'd been wracked with a brutal fever.
"I have no idea what came over me all of a sudden. It felt like I was freezing to death."
"Hm. The outer sea's energy, maybe? Even though it didn't touch you directly."
Fortunately, both his divine power and mana were functioning properly now.
The orb floating above their heads, emitting light from Kael's creation, proved it.
Bran patted Kael's head.
"No idea right now. Tell me if it happens again."
"Yeah."
"You have to tell me. Don't tough it out, or it'll get worse."
"Ehehe... Got it."
Kael grinned broadly.
He liked having his head touched, but more than that, he was thrilled that Bran cared about him.
As they walked side by side, shoulders brushing, he felt the urge to hold hands, but he knew guys didn't do that.
Bran looked around in admiration.
"Pretty complicated layout. No wonder people can't find it."
As expected of a big city, the sewer system was massive.
Sewage from the Steel Tower flowed beside them.
Kael nodded, trying to hide his unease.
"Y-yeah. But at least it doesn't smell, so that's nice."
"That's because you're using divine power. The moment that light goes out, it'll be hell... Oh? We're here."
Just then, Bran spotted their destination and stopped.
Around the corner, two armed soldiers were pacing.
Spotting Bran, the soldiers gripped their spear shafts.
"H-hold it. No entry beyond this point!"
"Kids? You know where you are and you're messing around?"
Their movements were threatening, but their faces showed clear panic.
Behind them lay a single prototype golem.
Given the facility's importance, the lax security was likely because that golem was their main defense.
Bran muttered.
"No need to keep them alive. They're Silien's lackeys anyway."
"What?"
Before the soldiers could question it, Bran shot forward like a bullet and drew his sword hilt.
Slash!
Their heads soared to the ceiling.
The staggering bodies collapsed onto the golem.
"Eek."
"Let's go in."
Bran took the keys from the soldiers' pockets and moved on.
He could really feel the full stat boost.
Someday, crushing heads barehanded like Ilrak wouldn't be far off.
'Good thing Ilrak isn't here.'
The narrow sewer made leaving her at the Steel Tower a smart move.
If she'd come, she'd have charged ahead of him for sure.
A few more corners, and iron bars appeared.
Click.
Unlocking the padlock revealed a surprisingly clean prison.
"...W-who are you?"
"Hiiik! I can't die yet!"
About thirty people were locked inside.
Men, women, young, old—all mixed.
Most were family of the secret lab researchers.
From their reactions, they mistook Bran and Kael for Silien's men.
"Nothing like that. Everyone, get ready to go home."
"H-home?"
Bran pushed past the panicking researchers and went deeper.
By chance, targets one and two were together.
A wild-looking man with long hair and beard sat cross-legged, while a girl braided his hair.
"Customer. I'll make you pretty~"
"Mm. Thanks."
It was bewildering, but duty called.
Bran stopped before the man enjoying his salon treatment and spoke.
"My lord. We're here to rescue you."
"And you are."
Valkeros's lord, Rohart, looked up.
Unlike the others, his eyes were sharp.
Most of his hair was in pigtails, robbing him of dignity, though.
Bran said.
"Name's Bran."
"Sent by Silien?"
"Opposite."
Bran pulled a fountain pen from his pocket.
The lord's eyes widened.
The solid metal pen symbolized Chief Archmage Silien.
Something he'd never give away.
The lord grumbled.
"Take it."
Very cool response.
The girl braiding his hair tilted her head.
"Huh? We goin' now?"
"Yeah."
The lord stood, placing the girl on his shoulder.
Thrilled by the higher view, she cheered excitedly.
Click.
Bran unlocked the shackles. The lord, staring at him, extended a hand.
"Thanks."
Vocabulary worse than the prototype golem.
Bran smirked and shook it firmly.
"Don't mention it."
This time, he seemed like the real lord.
The rescue went smoothly.
Quick action meant no deaths.
Bran and Kael returned to the Steel Tower with the hostages.
"Waaah! Bro!"
"My god, Elli!"
The Linheight siblings reunited emotionally.
The girl who'd braided the lord's hair was Linheight's little sister.
She ran into his arms.
"You hurt anywhere? They didn't hit you or anything, right?!"
"No. The lord played with me. It was fun."
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
"But I like being with bro better. Don't work anymore. Stay with me."
As she buried her face, Linheight bit his lower lip.
For sewer captives, the hostages seemed well-fed and healthy.
Silien probably wasn't benevolent, but the outcome was good.
"Thank you. Truly."
"We got our father back thanks to you! He was our only family..."
It wasn't just Linheight who was happy.
Researchers from the third basement hugged and tearfully reunited.
Kael rubbed his eyes with his sleeve.
"Sniff. So glad."
"Tch. Scenes like this ruin my appetite."
Ilrak grumbled, but it was obvious bravado.
Turning away, she wiped her face lightly.
"Sob... sob... Must be age. These scenes make me tear up."
The rat-man sniffled too.
He stood beside Bran in thick cuffs and shackles, wearing the lord's ill-fitting clothes.
The more you look, the funnier he gets.
Bran called him.
"Hey. Bentley."
"Squeak."
The rat-man's name was Bentley.
Quarter ratkin blood—someone Bran never met in the original world.
Bentley turned with a fawning smile.
"Wh-what is it, milord...?"
"You said you weren't Silien's subordinate from the start, right?"
"Yes. He was my employer, not master. Met that witch just three months ago."
"What'd you do before coming here?"
"Embarrassing... Traveled conning people. Couldn't reuse identities, so wandered the continent."
Bentley hung his head.
Under truth serum, it rang true.
A ridiculous petty crook, but it made sense.
If he'd been deeply tied to the Abyss, Bran would've known.
Especially with such a flashy name.
'What to do with this guy.'
Bran scratched his head.
He'd planned to execute him, but crimes weren't that severe.
No unauthorized atrocities, and those were botched anyway.
Silien's polar opposite idiot.
His terrible acting had tipped off the Steel Tower anomaly quickly.
Transformation ability, huh.
Bran nodded, decided.
"Fine. I'll spare you."
"Squeak! R-really?!"
"Yeah. But punishment's due."
"P-punishment? What...!"
"Forehead out."
Bran beckoned with a finger.
Then flicked his middle finger—the classic forehead flick.
Bentley's eyes bulged.
"Th-that's it? For real?"
"Private sanction. Empire inquisitors handle the rest."
"Sniff. If I live, I don't care. Thank you, milord!"
Never thought I'd see joy at "Empire inquisitors."
Bentley eagerly presented his head.
"Hit me!"
Shiny forehead, perfect for flicking.
Stats boosted just hours ago, hard to gauge force.
Still, enough pain for a lesson.
Middle finger uncoiled.
Crack.
Sound like splitting bedrock echoed.
Something definitely broke—not imagination. Kael covered his mouth.
Thud.
Bentley's eyes rolled back as he faceplanted.
"Squeeeak, squeebebebeb...!"
His limbs convulsed like a marionette with epilepsy.
The hit spot was deeply dented.
Steam rose from his pants. Kael freaked.
"Hiiik! D-did he die?"
"Probably not."
He's breathing, at least.
Checking Bentley, Bran added uncertainly.
"...Maybe."
If wrong, oh well.
He'd memorized the intel. No huge regret.
Better dumb than dead, though.
Mimicry's rare even in Return Lord's world.
Well managed, it'd be useful.
'Use what I can.'
Abyss isn't omnipotent.
Not yet.
End them before completion—that's Bran's goal.
Reviewing plans mentally, then.
"When suits you."
The lord approached silently with a cryptic question.
"Wh-when?"
Ilrak flinched.
His eye level matched hers, subtly intimidating.
"Me. Forgot the subject."
His hair still in pigtails.
Stroking his beard, the lord continued.
"Steel Medal. You need it."
Steel Medal.
Awarded to those devoted to Valkeros.
Included gold and citizenship—the best commendation prize.
And this time, from the real lord.
'No reason to refuse.'
The ceremony was three days after rescue, at evening.
Originally a month later, but Bran's request expedited it.
Good place, but couldn't stay in Valkeros forever.
"Ugh, still busted. What a pain that bitch was."
"Y-you fought here... So high up..."
Kael and Ilrak were awed.
Ilrak at battle scars, Kael at the sky-high view.
Back at Steel Tower's summit.
High winds felt refreshing.
"Ahem. Everyone?"
Sudden cough from ahead.
Turning, the MC stood awkwardly, with Lord Rohart and attendants.
"Ah...!"
The lord's hair and beard were neatly trimmed.
Steel crown symbolized Valkeros's ruler.
In sewers, he looked like a beggar king; now, lordly dignity shone.
Realizing formality, they straightened.
Shwish!
MC sighed relief, unrolled golden scroll.
"Bran! Kael! Ilrak Zarheim!"
Voice clear, as expected of top retainer.
Shwish!
Scroll closed, MC stepped back.
"Commencing medal ceremony for these three contributors!"
Venue shabby, but formal.
Meant for audience chamber, but repairs ongoing.
Bran preferred this.
Where he beat Silien, now enjoying view calmly.
Step.
Lord approached grandly.
"Bran. Thanks for devoting yourself to Valkeros."
Finally.
Game's longest line.
Pentagon medal, Steel Medal, glowed red in sunset.
"You are this city's hero."
Rohart bowed.
As Steel Medal pinned to Bran's chest, applause erupted.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Not loud.
Wind drowned most.
Frankly, modest for saving from doom.
No roaring cheers, no fireworks.
'Perfect.'
Fine by him. He wanted this. Key people all here.
Clapping Bilmoリス beamed.
"Knew you'd pull it off. Steel Tower summit smells like this, huh!"
Blind elf blacksmith Bilmoリス.
Closed forge for this—rare for nonstop hammerer.
Staring at them intently, he smacked lips regretfully.
"Still, wish I could see now. Should've cared for my eyes more."
"Indeed. We'll find a way to restore your sight."
Neighboring Leodorn spoke.
"Ah. Just said it. No need to mind!"
"Heh, I owe my life to your weapon. Ask for anything; I'll support fully."
Leodorn smiled kindly.
Not wrong.
He turned to Bran.
"Best day."
Back to White Silverpine suit usually, but today restored first-meet shirt and pants.
Swamp carriage retrieval outfit.
"Enjoy, friends."
Leodorn eyed them, Gatsby-toasting gesture.
"We earned it. Right?"
Indeed.
Emotional Kael bit lip.
Suddenly, soft voice echoed.
"Miss. Face too stiff."
Familiar.
Glancing, classic maid outfit woman stood gracefully, hands clasped, back straight.
"Recall happiest moment. Hugging those two at bedtime. Lighten heart. Cool the heat—"
"Sh-shut up...! Quiet!"
Ilrak's ears reddened.
Freude, Silien raid MVP.
Thought she couldn't come; invitation brought her flying.
Golden tail swaying under maid dress drew eyes.
"Th-that tail? Snakekin?"
"Hush. Flame Lord's head maid."
"Gasp. Flame Lord means...!"
Even lord's aides hushed, showing her status.
Thanks, Freude. Repay later.
"You all look great!"
"Bro, sis! Congrats!"
Others too.
Linheight and sister, grateful researchers.
All true connections, no pomp.
"Sorry."
"Huh? For what?"
Lord suddenly spoke.
Stoic face, but eyes full of regret.
"Hero commendation too modest."
"Haha. It's fine."
Bran smiled.
Full pomp, he'd have refused.
Enhancing hearing, distant Steel District noises rode wind.
"You idiots! How many times I gotta say meet deadlines!"
"Safety! Safety! Safety! Start work!"
"Yes. Thirty thousand crossbows. Not three thousand... Screwed."
"Get tasty chicken skewers!"
Surprisingly normal.
No doom, no fateful battle—just dream talk.
Ignorant citizens lived daily lives.
Like when two freed slave boys and ragged-cart old man entered city.
Bran said.
"This is good."
What he fought for.
True value's in the ordinary.
First smile on lord's lips.
"Is it."
Nice smile.
Shaking Bran's hand, lord moved to pin Kael's medal.
As medal recipient Bran bowed slowly.
City of Fire and Steel. Valkeros salvation successful.
Shadow of destruction retreats from the city.
Miraculous feat! Your benevolence will endure and be told for ages.
Mood-lifting message.
Game's major episode end punctuation.
No extra rewards, but fine.
Already got plenty for efforts.
Savoring finale afterglow, then.
However, this is not your greatest achievement.
"Huh?"
Companions were by your side.
Companions you led here.
You twisted their fates and guided them to new paths.
Roots deep and wide. Qualified for next realm.
Unfamiliar content.
First even for Bran, who'd saved Valkeros with most characters.
Roots? Next realm?
What—stunned, then.
Playable character 'Nameless Hero's second unique trait unlocks.
"What."
New Trait: 'Throng of Weeds'