Chapter 111
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: A Guest
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Waryongjang.
Originally abandoned.
Without a single resident.
A territory half in ruins.
But after Dion became its new lord.
By enduring all manner of hardships, including raids by bandits, it had become one of the most famous small-to-medium territories near the Deformed City.
“Ah…”
“…To think Waryongjang would end up like this.”
However…
No, because of that.
Originally, four buildings gathered together.
Forming a square shape.
But now, with one side completely collapsed, it had become a ⊏-shape. Gazing upon the returned Waryongjang, the dark elves let out a lament.
It had only been a few months.
And yet, it had been a whole few months.
Far from paying exorbitant taxes, they had received many benefits, including relocation funds. For them, Waryongjang was already their home.
It was a sanctuary that offered a peaceful life unobtainable anywhere else in Odobaekryeong, a home that reminded them of the fabled land of fairies, now only a legend.
That was why they tended the garden.
Taught the slave soldiers.
And decorated the mansion.
The dark elves spared no effort in caring for Waryongjang, even with their limited abilities.
So, to see the Waryongjang they had so meticulously cared for return in a state no different from ruins, they couldn't hide their sorrow.
But where there is misfortune.
There is also fortune.
It wasn't as if there were no reasons for the dark elves to be joyful and relieved.
One was that their revered Lord and their cherished Matriarch had returned safely.
No matter how ruined their home was, as long as Dion and Arsha were safe, they could forsake dozens of territories without a second thought.
Another was that Dion had brought the Chamgeomwon with him upon his return.
Territories were things that even high-rank Awakened Ones, let alone noble families, could hardly obtain even after dedicating hundreds of years of effort.
And yet, from Waryongjang to Goemokjang, Soryujang, and now Chamgeomwon.
Before a year had even passed, Dion had acquired four territories, including a feudal domain.
Whether one was a resident.
Or an outsider.
It was an achievement that could only be marveled at.
Even more so for the dark elves, who had no one else to depend on but Dion.
And one more thing…
“…Why should we follow your orders?”
“Because you are slaves.”
“So what? You think a bunch of elves can order us around?”
“That is correct.”
“…”
“Keep this in mind. Though we may be mere elves, we have been entrusted by the Lord to manage you.”
In the time Dion was away on his expedition.
The dark elves willingly accepted the three hundred or so slaves who now filled Soryujang, which they had diligently restored.
Even if most of them were the elderly, weak, or disabled, incapable of pulling their own weight, they were now precious manpower who would work and serve Dion alongside them.
And with the half-demolished Waryongjang to restore on top of the damaged Soryujang, the more manpower they had, the better.
Especially since the supply of materials, which had been scarce, became smooth as soon as Dion returned.
Of course, not everyone willingly accepted this situation.
“Does Master mistake me for some sort of branding machine?”
“Hey, of course not. I think of you as a very capable shuttle.”
“Is it just my imagination, or does that not sound like a compliment…?”
As if it weren't enough that she had nearly exhausted the power she had just recovered while conquering the [Tower of Shadows].
Now faced with the prospect of expending her power on another 300 slaves, the Vault Keeper grumbled as she carved the brands one by one.
Even if she exhausted her power now for the branding.
In the long run, as the number of ‘subjects’ increased, the authority of the King of the Dark Grotto would grow stronger and recover faster.
That was why Dion had immediately given an order to Ketlik, who had become his exclusive merchant.
“…You mean to say I should purchase more slaves?”
“Yeah, cheap ones are fine. I just need large numbers.”
“That’s not difficult, but… ahem. The, uh, payment…?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not about to stiff my exclusive merchant on the payment for his goods.”
“Is that so?!”
“Just make sure you pay your taxes properly in return.”
“…Of course, I must.”
His joy was momentary.
Ketlik’s face soon fell into a grimace.
No matter how much Dion paid for the slaves, his lot was to return almost all of that payment as taxes.
But what could he do?
It wasn't as if he had a choice.
Ketlik, who was the first to be branded before any of the slaves, swallowed his tears and accepted Dion's order.
However, the one who was most displeased with this matter was the dark elf maid, who was now burdened with extra work on top of the handover.
“Why did you accept those freeloaders?”
“Freeloaders? That’s harsh. They’re about to become my people.”
“That’s precisely my point. Accepting residents who can't pay taxes or work properly is nothing but a loss.”
Lying on his stomach on the bed, leisurely receiving a massage to relieve the fatigue from his expedition, Dion was met with Parsha’s cold remark.
In Odobaekryeong, territories that could avoid mana contamination were precious.
Especially since the production of purified water was limited, it was common sense to carefully select each and every resident.
That was why the dark elves had wandered as nomads for so long, unable to find a place to settle.
Yet, he had filled a newly acquired territory with cheap slaves who couldn't even pull their own weight.
As his exclusive maid before being his Vassal, Parsha, who had a duty to assist and advise Dion, naturally had to say something.
Especially since a vast amount of funds was being spent on the slaves, providing them with more than enough food, clothing, and shelter.
But Dion nonchalantly brushed off Parsha’s advice.
“Don’t worry about that. They’re already earning their keep, and they’ll earn even more in the future.”
“How on earth is that possible?”
“You’ll see in due time. Right?”
“It is as my husband says.”
“…”
Was it because her advice was ignored?
Or was it because the sight of Arsha, sitting atop Dion’s back and diligently giving him a massage while answering without a hint of hesitation, was an eyesore?
Parsha, who was staring at the two with a face about three times more expressionless than usual, finally ended the conversation coldly.
“I am relieved to hear you have a plan, but please do not forget that the territory could go bankrupt if the slaves fail to earn their keep.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“…As long as you understand.”
After Parsha left with that final piece of advice and withdrew.
Dion let out a smirk.
“Looks like Parsha’s seriously ticked off that I left her behind on the expedition.”
“…It is my fault for not raising my daughter well.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I find it amusing how she’s being extra blunt because she’s relieved we’re back but doesn’t want to show she was worried.”
“Amusing, you say?”
“Yeah. I never knew Parsha had such a cute side to her.”
“…”
Arsha’s expression turned peculiar.
Charming.
Or cute.
Even she, her own mother, couldn't say such things about her daughter, whose facial nerves seemed to have gone on strike, even as a white lie.
How was she supposed to take Dion’s words, spoken as if he found Parsha unbearably cute?
Even with her long life, she had no idea.
But Dion was being sincere.
‘It’s a side of Parsha I never saw before.’
In the second timeline, when he had made her his Vassal.
After Arsha and her clan were annihilated.
Parsha had become incomparably colder, crueler, and more thorough than she was now.
Her expression was less stoic and more emotionless. It had reached a point where the automatons of the Prayer Faction felt more emotive.
Of course, even that version of Parsha was a precious Vassal to Dion, but…
Dion could say with certainty.
She was much better now than when she lived solely for revenge.
At the very least, the current Parsha wouldn't meet an end where she threw her own life away for vengeance, as she did in the second timeline.
That itself was proof that their destiny was heading down a different path from the second timeline.
“Besides, Parsha’s advice isn’t wrong, is it?”
“That is because my daughter is still ignorant of many things.”
“Right, so I’ll have to show her what an amazing new father I am.”
“…”
“You can do it, right, Arsha?”
With a twist.
While still lying on his stomach.
Dion simply flipped his body over.
Arsha, who suddenly found herself sitting on his stomach, flinched as she felt a hand touch her leg.
But it was only for a moment.
The fingers that had been tickling her smooth calf slid up and came to a stop on her bandaged thigh.
She slowly leaned down, pressing against Dion, and replied in a whisper.
“—If it is what my husband desires, then gladly.”
As if satisfied with her answer.
Dion smiled warmly and pulled her into an embrace.
Just as Arsha felt his breath on her ear and gently closed her eyes, awaiting the touch that would follow.
*Swoosh.*
From a shadow in the corner of the room, a young girl popped out.
“Master, an urgent visitor… What are you two doing right now?!?!”
“Just a married couple enjoying some quality time.”
“W-well, as the king’s heir, you must of course produce many successors, but still, how could you be so shameless…!”
Her face beet red, the Vault Keeper stammered while covering her face with both hands, then shrieked.
“Anyway, an important guest has arrived, so you must come out at once!”
“A guest? At this hour?”
“I have not received any report of a visitor today…?”
It was already late in the evening.
The Labyrinth’s light had dimmed, and the mansion was beginning to be lit, one by one, with mana stone lamps.
Who would suddenly visit at this hour without an appointment?
As the couple wondered, the Vault Keeper, with her head turned to the side, answered curtly.
“Your maid said that if it's a guest from the House of Vlad, you would know.”
***
Travel.
The act of moving to another region.
An act that would make one keenly aware that leaving home meant hardship, whether it was getting lost and starving to death in the mountains.
Or stopping by an unfamiliar town only to be robbed of all your possessions and sold into slavery.
Or meeting a monstrous end at the hands of monsters or endemic diseases.
Of course, that was a story from the time of the Old Kingdom.
Since the establishment of Odobaekryeong.
The meaning of travel had changed.
A journey that originally took months could now be completed in a flash by crossing a few Gates.
But no matter how easy and fast it had become, the greater the distance, the greater the risk, and the higher the chance of getting caught up in unexpected incidents. This remained unchanged.
Even more so since a journey of just a few days could become a life-or-death gamble if the Gates were to close.
“I cannot say it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time… so I suppose I should say it is good to see you again, White-Masked Young Master.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Knight Lilit.”
“Please, speak comfortably. How could I accept such honorifics from my lady's savior?”
A female knight in red armor.
A distant relative of the House of Vlad.
And Elise Vlad's personal guard.
The reason Lilit couldn't help but sigh as she recalled her journey to the Deformed City was this.
After Elise's previous attack, she had barely recovered from the brink of death and was planning to take a trip for convalescence.
But due to Elise's sudden order, she had to put all her anticipated plans on hold and come to this remote place out of the blue.
But this, too, was the duty of a trusted aide.
Lilit continued to speak calmly.
“It would be proper to ask how you have been… but it seems you have been through a great deal.”
“You could say that.”
Dion did not bother to deny her observation.
The fact that he had started the war in the Deformed City was already widely known throughout Odobaekryeong.
Above all, just looking at the half-destroyed state of Waryongjang, trying to pretend nothing had happened would only be pathetic.
“In any case, I am glad I seem to have arrived before it was too late.”
“Hm?”
Too late for what?
As Dion tilted his head in confusion, Lilit spoke in a solemn voice.
“I, Lilit of the Crimson Knights, in order to repay the debt of saving my lady, will serve under your command until this war is over.”
“…”
“…?”
And so…
A long silence followed.
As Lilit, sensing the strange atmosphere, wore a puzzled expression.
Dion, looking as uncomfortable as if he’d received an unwanted gift, bluntly revealed his thoughts.
“No, I don’t need that.”
“What?”
“Hmm. A little while ago, you would have been a great help, but now I have three dozen high-rank Awakened Ones.”
“…What???”
“I’m grateful for the sentiment, but would you mind returning now?”
“…”