Chapter 81: 10. Ghosts Live in the Ghost Mansion
"You're... leaving, you say...?"
Queen Sharfria couldn't believe her ears.
"Yeah, we can't exactly keep living in the royal palace, right?"
"I-I know, but... Hiiing."
She muttered cutely, forgetting her status as queen entirely.
Siu burst out laughing without realizing it.
Thank goodness this was the queen's private office, with only the royal maid chief present besides them. If any of those stuffy old ministers had been around, they would've cleared their throats with disapproving looks. Of course, even those men and women treated each other a bit more casually here, since it was practically a private space.
"You're not even a candidate anymore. We need to find a place to live and start preparing properly."
"Mm, true enough."
Not just in Palania Kingdom, but heroes were rarely housed in royal or imperial palaces.
Some did live there due to special circumstances, but most rented places in the capital or nearby cities. A few even claimed their own territories and settled there.
"Ugh, it's still such a shame. If only that child had gotten engaged to you, Sir Siu..."
That child.
It went without saying—she meant her firstborn, Princess Sharina.
A princess's fiancé had every justification to live in the palace.
Siu was practically her lover, but as queen without royal blood, Sharfria couldn't officially take a man. Even if everyone knew it as common knowledge, until the palace formally announced it, they were strangers in the eyes of the law.
"You just got her engaged not long ago. You can't say things like that."
"Hehe. Is that so?"
"Huh?"
Sharfria flashed a knowing smile full of conviction.
The princess was the spitting image of Sharfria in her youth. She hadn't inherited the bust size or golden blonde hair, unfortunately, but her personality and tastes were identical. There was no way she'd be satisfied with a man from this world.
"Mm, that's a scary smile you've got there. Anyway, we'll head out in about two hours."
"Two hours... Got it. But you'll find a place in the capital, right?"
"Of course. No reason to leave the city. And..."
Siu trailed off with a grin.
"And...?"
"I've got to prepare for the clan."
"The clan..."
The queen nodded emphatically.
Being close to Siu, she naturally knew his plans.
Her help as queen would smooth things out, and it had come up during pillow talk after they'd consummated their bond.
"Right. You said you'd grow as strong as possible, as fast as possible..."
Sharfria's expression darkened.
His growth benefited Palania Kingdom too, so she couldn't just cling to him. Siu had infinite potential, but leaving it untapped meant he wouldn't grow.
"Still... leaving right after coming back feels too harsh..."
It had been a full six months since they'd last met.
State affairs kept her busy, and she thought it improper for a queen to abandon duties for personal feelings and visit the Hero Academy. Plus, she knew one day wouldn't satisfy her once they reunited.
Yet here he was, departing after just one day.
"Mm, that's why I gave it to you extra hard last night..."
"Eek! Th-that's true, but...!"
The maid chief, listening quietly beside them, smiled faintly.
Siu had visited the queen's bedroom around 9 p.m., and they'd emerged at 10 a.m.—over twelve straight hours of debauchery, going all night and into morning.
Even the maid who'd knocked to wake her had heard the moans. The chief knew the queen hadn't slept properly, judging by her yawns.
Even in the stable period, she just gave birth... ♡
Recalling something Siu had said in the past, the maid chief blushed and shivered.
"Sir Siu... Can't you stay a few more days? It's only a few days..."
"Sorry, Sharfria. I want to, but I've already told everyone. Can't back out now that I'm the party leader, right?"
"I... suppose."
"I'll visit often. Stay over often too."
"...Haa, fine. No helping it. You have to come often."
"Thanks."
Siu placed a hand on the queen's desk and leaned in slowly.
Their faces drew closer.
Sharfria flinched and glanced at the maid chief. Even with her, such intimate acts in front of others embarrassed her. Fortunately, the sharp-eyed chief had already turned away, so Sharfria relaxed and closed her eyes.
"Mm..."
"Smack."
"...Mmm♡ Kiss. Kiss♥"
The light kiss ended, their faces parting.
Perhaps too brief—Sharfria's face filled with regret. They'd barely slept four hours, reveling in hot reunion all night, yet her love only grew more aching.
Was it her mother's devoted love toward her father?
"Ugh."
"Sharfria?"
"J-just now... the baby moved..."
"Ah..."
Fetal movement usually started around five months. But nearing six, hers hadn't stirred. Priests confirmed no issues, but worry lingered.
Now, finally, a kick.
"......"
"The baby's cheering you on, Daddy... ♡"
"I'll do my best and come back."
"Yes♥"
Today was just house-hunting, but Siu felt renewed fire in his heart.
Comrades, women, child, family. More to protect solidified his resolve to safeguard this world. For that, he had to hustle.
Definitely need to secure a house first.
More precisely, a mansion to serve as future clan headquarters.
He wanted to form the clan immediately, but it wasn't possible yet.
Clans started as casual gatherings of like-minded heroes but evolved into RPG guild-like organizations. The Holy Bishura Empire's hero department mandated registration to curb abuse.
The requirements weren't too strict, but Siu couldn't meet them yet. So, he'd buy a building ahead and live there until ready.
"This the place?"
"Yeah. I marked it earlier."
"Whoa..."
At Siu's words, his party members gawked at the massive mansion before them.
On the capital outskirts, but the grounds were vast. Multiple annexes besides the main building, which was huge itself. The rear was hidden, but it towered at least eight stories.
"Nice. No owner, and the price is a steal..."
Elaine, who'd visited the agent with Siu, looked incredulous.
"......"
Hildear wore a different kind of disbelief.
"S-Sir Siu."
"Yeah?"
"Must we... really stay here?"
Her anxious, worried voice puzzled the other four women. They'd never seen her so uneasy. Sure, the academy had no real threats, but her demeanor was off.
"......?"
"Lady Hildear, do you know something?"
Scout Rozalin's question made Hildear stiffly turn.
"This mansion... it's famous. For... ghosts."
"...Monster?"
The natural question slipped out.
But she shook her head.
"No one knows."
"What? No one?"
"Ghosts are said to appear, but no one's seen them. Just endless weird phenomena."
"Hmm, intriguing. Don't worry, though. I've got this."
Elaine thumped her chest confidently.
Her soft breasts jiggled, snaring Siu's gaze. He smiled warmly but coughed to refocus everyone.
"Right. With a saintess in our midst, what's to fear? This isn't official, but our party's first mission is ghost-busting this place."
"Exorcising the mansion's ghost."
"Sounds good."
The party brimmed with confidence—all except Hildear and alchemist Nina. The latter was timid and non-combat anyway, so caution was expected. But Hildear...
Is this really okay...?
Abandoned for about ten years.
Having lived in the capital a while, she'd heard the rumors plenty. A mansion this size left empty that long meant either unbeatable ghosts or costs too high for profit.
Neither boded well. The former obvious, the latter implying complications. Even with Saintess Elaine, unease gnawed at her.
"Let's go, everyone."
But she couldn't block her lord and party leader as his guard knight.
A guard knight's duty is protecting her lord. Her beloved man...
Steeled, Hildear followed Siu.
"Garden's huge too."
Han Siu's hero party formed up before entering.
Goldkin warrior Rishir tanked front, Hildear rear, guarding Siu. Elaine, scout, and alchemist flanked him. Siu's own strength protected them.
No orders given, but Hildear's ghost talk had them alert for spectral tricks.
"......"
"......"
The ghost's ploy struck fast.
"The distance..."
"Isn't shrinking."
Ten minutes into the garden, they were still mid-center. The mansion door seemed farther, not closer. The entrance gate was nearby behind them.
"This isn't good."
Elaine frowned.
"It's only 4 p.m. Not even night, and it's affecting us outside without notice? Proof the ghost's strong."
"Hilde. Ever hear of attacks outside the mansion?"
"...No."
Siu pondered, chin in hand.
Same for him. Ghosts dwelled inside, phenomena too. Winter made 4 p.m. dark, but this was blatant.
Damn. What is it? Never heard of this in the first run.
This was the base for S-rank hero Slicked-Back Sage's clan back then. Famous in Palania, tales abounded. But he'd easily cleared the ghost.
Siu had visited a few times, impressed. Post-regression, scouting clan spots, he eyed it as perfect.
Now trouble already.
Is my luck finally running out...?