Chapter 139: The Married Queen's Mother-Daughter Donburi Feast
Inside the carriage heading toward the capital.
As the kingdom's capital came into view in the distance, Siu felt the tension drain from his body.
"Haa, I'm beat."
A natural sigh escaped his lips.
The other party members felt the same way, even if they didn't voice it.
This fourth mission their party had taken on had been incredibly grueling.
Unlike the tension they'd felt, the first mission had gone smoothly and yielded tremendous results, followed by two short but fruitful ones. This one stood out even more by comparison. It almost felt like the leader had chosen it deliberately to heighten the party's tension.
But no one blamed him for it.
"I'm just glad the village is at peace now."
"Yeah, tell me about it."
The fourth mission had been neglected for quite some time.
The reward was meager, but as heroes, the sense of fulfillment was profoundly satisfying.
"Siu, are you heading out on another mission right away?"
"Nah. We've done three back-to-back, so we should take a break."
They'd rushed for about two weeks straight, so rest was essential.
"I see. In that case, I'll head to the Holy Empire for a bit."
At Elaine's words, Hildear and Rozalin's eyes lit up despite their exhaustion.
One less woman meant more time allocated to them—a simple truth.
They'd received plenty of Siu's semen in their wombs during this mission, but women in their prime had insatiable libidos. They wanted to roll around in bed with him all day if possible, but time didn't allow it.
"Got it. How many days?"
"I'll use a gate, so four days should be enough."
"Alright then. Let's make this break about a week."
A week might seem long, but they'd dive back into missions afterward.
Siu himself might be busy with other matters during the rest period.
"A week, huh. Then I'll visit my hometown too."
It was Rishir, the Goldkin warrior serving as the party's tank.
"Iropan Kingdom?"
"Yes, that's right."
Her homeland was the Iropan Kingdom in the northern continent.
A mix of rugged mountains, vast forests, and plains, over half its population consisted of non-humans. Living amid such diverse races had forged Rishir's strong endurance.
"Sure, go carefully."
"Thank you."
Her voice was stiff, but that was just the Goldkin nature—she was genuinely grateful to Siu.
Goldkin were one of the races male heroes avoided.
Even in female hero parties, they could perform, but until reaching the top tiers, treatment was inferior to male-led parties.
That's why Siu's party—where she wasn't ignored and could send ample money home—was perfect for her. The only downside was still being a virgin, but that was unavoidable for Goldkin unless with her own kind.
"Come to think of it, this'll be your first time back since leaving the academy, right?"
"...Yes."
Rishir was usually taciturn.
She tried to brush off Saintess Elaine's comment casually, but it drew the party's attention.
"Goldkin homeland—Tenehil Territory, right?"
Elaine, well-versed in northern geography, clapped her hands.
Not all Goldkin lived there, but most did.
Many non-human races in Iropan numbered only in the thousands.
They clustered in one or two territories, forming villages.
"Yes."
"Tenehil... the place with all those pretty ores. We should visit together sometime."
"Good idea."
Siu nodded in agreement with the saintess.
"If we have time, we should visit everyone's hometowns."
His gaze swept over the party members one by one.
Elaine's hometown was the Holy Empire's capital—they'd already visited. Her "family" was just some papal clerics and her benefactor nun. They'd exchanged greetings last time.
Hildear's was Palania Kingdom, but her real home was Rubelstone Territory. They'd met her mother, Guard Captain Lubblestone Countess, but her sister Claudia was there. It was a meeting to look forward to.
"My hometown's Grimzon."
Rozalin spoke up before Siu could move on.
Grimzon was a major battlefield on the southern front.
Knowing her circumstances, everyone nodded silently.
She'd mentioned her scout unit comrades' graves were there.
"We'll visit them all eventually. Let's see, Nina's hometown... hmm, Hamedori Village in Slav Kingdom? We'll go there too... huh? That's everyone?"
Gwen wasn't official party, but from Palania too—her family's old territory was too ancient to remember, now given to other nobles. Hardly a "hometown."
Amid the warm hometowns talk, Rishir spoke awkwardly.
"My hometown... do you have to come...?"
"...?"
Her unexpected attitude puzzled everyone.
The usually stoic, quiet Rishir balking at her hometown felt off.
But Siu knew why.
"Rishir."
"Yes, hero."
"You didn't say, but... I know your situation."
"......"
Flustered, Rishir fell silent.
"The others don't know. Just me. I shouldn't butt in, but let me say a few words."
"......"
"You need to take more pride in yourself. It wasn't your fault, right? And you gotta shove it in those folks' faces. Don't you think?"
"...You really knew everything."
"Haha, yeah, somehow."
Rishir went quiet again.
She didn't know how he knew, but his words hit home.
Goldkin were rare on the continent, so it wasn't widely known, but Rishir's appearance was atypical for her kind.
Typical Goldkin had angular, rough, unpolished statue-like faces.
Rishir was different—round, almost like a human with metallic skin.
Her looks leaned more human than Goldkin.
That's why she'd faced open ostracism from some villagers.
Not everyone, and her top combat skills helped. She had supportive family too. Still, it influenced her coming to the academy.
'From a human perspective, it's that uncanny valley thing. Kinda off-putting.'
The discomfort when something's almost human but not quite.
That's why he'd shown her photo to the party beforehand.
Thankfully, no one felt major unease.
'If possible later... nah, too soon. No need to hype it. Can tell them then.'
"...Thank you, Siu."
"No need. We're party."
Rishir gave a faint smile, barely noticeable.
The warm carriage soon reached the capital.
Passing the gates, the carriage skipped the palace and headed straight for Siu's clan mansion.
Mission reports could wait; they all just wanted to crash on soft beds.
Siu, as leader, felt it most, but so did everyone.
Of course, the mansion wasn't empty.
"You're back!"
Gwen Washidishi, the resident ghost, greeted them first—barefoot, rushing into Siu's arms like a pet or daughter. Even exhausted, he chuckled.
"You good?"
"Yeah! I've been fine. Getting used to the body, researching with the royal alchemists."
Gwen had passed the suitability test in the Holy Empire.
Her homunculus body was incomplete for necromancy, but her innate knowledge helped with alchemists on body upgrades. No major results yet.
"Take it slow... nah, work hard. Then I'll reward you."
"R-reward? Got it! I'll do my best!"
Gwen perked up at "reward."
Siu wanted her to go slow, but her prior words changed his mind. Full commitment seemed better.
'Her sex drive's off the charts.'
The maids followed Gwen.
"Welcome home, Siu."
"W-welcome back!"
Alchemist Nina and academy scout Ash were there.
Swordswoman Baek Hye-yeon was out on mission with another party.
Excluding Gwen, these were all post-academy recruits. Siu had prospects but no time since graduation.
'Time to recruit a few.'
For future clanmates, trust was key.
Second: femininity, looks, body.
Third: combat power.
Beauties were plentiful; he wanted an eye-candy harem clan. Combat could be trained with his regressor knowledge.
'Those who graduated with me...'
Gwen snapped him from thought.
"Um, hey... I really wanna try kissing today..."
"Sorry, Gwen. Too tired now. After sleep."
"Ah! S-sorry!"
Gwen fled behind Nina.
Siu smirked, feeling like a pet owner, then organized the lobby.
Elaine volunteered to help, but he stopped her, urging rest—she'd done less in mission than others.
"Put this in storage... ah, this to that room."
"Yes, Siu."
"And this..."
After sorting loot and rewards, Siu finally crashed in his room for sweet sleep.
He woke near evening and headed to the palace.