Chapter 67: 66

Crossroad city center. The temple.

Having been transported here since dawn, I was getting my left arm treated.

"I'm not sure how you came about this injury."

The temple's priest and Rank-R healer, 'Saintess' Margarita, finished treating me and wrapped my arm in a bandage.

"Every single bone in your left arm is shattered. Thankfully, you gave yourself first aid with a potion, so it didn't lead to a life-threatening injury."

Ouch.

After tying me up in a cast, Margarita, who had stepped back, let go of my arm.

"Even after the treatment is completed, you won't be able to use your left arm as before. Your grip strength will decrease, your wrist may stiffen, among other problems."

"Is that so..."

I gritted my teeth.

The price of the 000 fumble was hefty. Should I be grateful I'm not a combatant?

"Anyway, absolute rest is needed. Come to the temple once every two days to get treatment."

"Understood, Saintess. Thank you."

After fiddling with my immobilized left arm, I asked a question.

"Is Evangeline okay?"

"Her shoulder injury is a bit severe, but if she doesn't strain herself, she should recover soon. She's an exceptionally sturdy person."

She is a SSR-Rank Tanker. Her recovery ability is incomparable to my frail one. Or is this the difference between a teenager and someone in their 20s?

After expressing my gratitude to Margarita, as usual, I generously put a donation in the donation box and stepped outside. Lucas was standing there.

"..."

Seeing my left arm in a cast, Lucas's face was a complicated one. I smirked.

"What did I say? I came back in one piece... ouch!"

The jerk suddenly hit my left arm. Sparks flew in front of my eyes. Argh!

"It's fucking painful! What are you doing, bastard!"

"You're not exactly in one piece, are you? Stop bragging."

Sure, but that doesn't mean you should hit my injured area! If you have a complaint, use words, you jerk!

As I was about to flare up, Lucas made a face like a rain-soaked puppy.

"What reckless act did you do this time, My Lord..."

"Ugh."

Stop making that face! I haven't done anything wrong but I'm feeling guilty!

"Next time, absolutely do not do anything so reckless."

"Alright, alright..."

After casually reassuring Lucas, I asked about the most important matter.

"Did the defense battle go smoothly?"

I hadn't received a detailed battle report yet. Lucas slowly nodded.

"As I could not cause any harm to you, My Lord, I commanded to the best of my ability."

"Oh, you too..."

Lucas explained to me the general flow of the defense battle.

He said that within 15 minutes of the start of the battle, Damien had sniped all three of the magic stone golems.

He finished off the most troublesome foes so easily? Is this what they call a good match-up...?

For the next six hours, they systematically annihilated the remaining nearby entities.

After completing the cleanup of the remaining golems, it seemed salvation had finally arrived at the mansion.

"Even the slightest carelessness in battle could result in unpredictable damage, hence why we concluded it meticulously. I apologize, my Lord, for the delay in rescue."

"There's nothing to apologize for. You did a great job."

I patted Lucas's shoulder and asked cautiously.

"Any casualties?"

Lucas glanced around the temple. He could see soldiers receiving treatment inside.

"There are 14 with serious injuries, and 128 with minor ones."

"...Any fatalities?"

"None."

I froze at his response.

To my stiffened self, Lucas emphasized once more.

"There were no fatalities, my Lord."

"...Ha ha."

For the first time.

For the first time, we cleared a stage without any human casualties.

Laughter flowed spontaneously from within me. I covered my mouth with my hand and gave Lucas a playful elbow jab.

"You did a great job, Lucas! No fatalities... Incredible. You might be better at this than me, buddy."

"Don't say things like that."

Lucas maintained a serious expression.

"While you were gone...everyone was anxious."

"Huh? Were they worried because I went alone?"

"No."

With downcast eyes, Lucas spat out his words with difficulty.

"Everyone who stayed here... without confidence... they trembled in anxiety."

I blinked my eyes. What was he saying?

"When you're with us, my Lord, confusion disappears. We can follow your orders with confidence. But yesterday, as soon as you left..."

Lucas trailed off his words.

"Everyone... didn't know what to do..."

"..."

Many thoughts raced through my mind.

If it was because my commands were precise and efficient, that would be good.

However, I thought about the possible side effects of my passive skill, the 'Unyielding Commander.'

'My passive effect provides immunity to mental status abnormalities...'

I initially thought it simply protected against status abnormalities inflicted by the enemy during battle.

But that wasn't the case. People around me not only didn't experience fear or confusion, they also remained mentally stable.

Simply by being nearby, their minds seemed to find peace.

'What am I, aromatherapy?'

However, looking at it from the other perspective, it meant they became unsettled when I wasn't around.

'Is this just fostering dependency on me...?'

It was a pleasure to be relied upon. But the side effects were something to consider.

I remained silent. Hmm~

Well, I don't know for now.

"But anyway, we've successfully cleared the stage! No fatalities! Evangeline and I returned alive!"

I shouted with gusto, giving Lucas's back a hearty slap.

"Everything worked out just fine, Lucas! No need to worry. I won't be wandering off on my own from now on."

"Yes, my Lord."

Lucas gazed at me with eyes as deep as wells.

"I am your guard. From the moment we met until now, always."

"Uh, yes..."

"Do not leave me behind, especially when you venture into dangerous places."

In response, I patted Lucas's head. Oh, my faithful dog. He's so worried just because his master left once.

"How are the other party members? Are they all safe?"

"Yes, everyone's okay. Damien bled a little from his eyes later in the battle, though..."

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"What, seriously?!"

"He said he was fine. He's getting treated at the temple right now."

That's a relief. I should visit once his treatment is over.

Everything seems to be wrapping up nicely. I cracked a smile.

"You did great, Lucas."

"You accomplished great things as well, my Lord. Please, rest today."

Sighing, Lucas pointed towards the castle walls.

"I would prefer to stay by your side, but I must take care of post-battle arrangements so you can rest at ease."

"Ha ha, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, my Lord. I'll see you later."

With a bow, Lucas headed for the castle walls.

Watching Lucas grow distant, I eased myself into the carriage parked in front of the temple. Boy, I need to get home and lay down.

***

We certainly won the battle, but the stage clear announcement hadn't appeared yet.

There must still be some of the smashed golems crawling around in the mansion.

Because they are not living creatures but stone brutes, this happened.

The soldiers are searching and confirming kills.

Once that process is finished and the last one is defeated, the stage clear announcement should appear.

'I guess it'll end today.'

In the lord's mansion, the inner courtyard.

Sitting comfortably in a small pavilion, I enjoyed the sun.

Spring is definitely nearing. The day was fairly warm.

Tiredness had yet to fully fade, and I was nodding off in the sunlight when.

"Why not take a nap inside instead of doing this here?"

A sulky voice reached my ears.

Blinking my eyes open, I saw it was Evangeline. She stood in the courtyard, her body wrapped in bandages and leaning on a crutch.

"Considering your age, you might catch a chill and get arthritis."

"Hey, I'm not that old. You're in your teens and you're boasting about it?"

Unbelievable. Youngsters these days... Ugh.

"Evangeline."

Having crossed the garden, Evangeline plopped down next to me.

Her platinum blonde hair, bathed in spring sunlight, sparkled like sand-gold.

The color of gold was the color of the SSR grade, so just seeing it sparkle unknowingly made my mood brighter.

... Could this be a case of Gold-Fever?

"Surprised you made it to the dawn alive."

Evangeline, who had been staring at the sun in the southern sky with sleepy eyes, shrugged her shoulders.

"I thought I'd never see this sunlight again."

"I apologize for making you go through all this just as you were preparing to leave."

This stage had been one series of surprises after another. I couldn't have imagined it would cause so much trouble.

"After you have received all your treatments, take your time to recover. Rest as much as you want before leaving."

"I'm not leaving."

"...What?"

At this unexpected comment, my heart dropped.

I looked squarely at Evangeline. But the young girl's face was resolute.

"I thought about it all night. I want to inherit the Margrave title."

"Do you... understand what that means?"

I spoke hurriedly.

"It means you would be inheriting the duties of the Cross family. It means you would have to protect this place for the rest of your life!"

"I know."

"Your father wanted you to leave this place. He wanted you to live freely, as you wish."

"I'm sorry, but I still haven't fully forgiven my father. Disobeying his will is the last act of disobedience I can commit."

Evangeline nodded slightly.

"I'm a stubborn mule, after all."

I smiled bitterly. This girl...

"Senior, I... want to understand my father."

Evangeline's gaze drifted toward the southern fortification in the distance.

"His feelings at that time. His thoughts. His actions. I still don't fully understand."

The place her father had once stood and defended.

Her gaze towards the front line was firm.

"If I stand in the same position as my father, perhaps then I would understand. The inner thoughts of that stubborn old man..."

"... "

"I'm sorry for going back on my word, but!"

Evangeline smirked wickedly.

"I want to inherit the title and regain the authority over the territory. As the rightful heir to the Cross family."

"Evangeline..."

"The resentment and responsibility you're trying to bear... I'll share it with you."

Evangeline confidently pointed at herself.

"I keep saying this, but I'm the top of the academy. I can hold my own in a fight."

Of course. She is the noble SSR grade, after all.

"I'll grow taller in the future. I'll become much cooler."

She will. A few years from now, she will be a gallant knight.

"Above all, I'll become stronger. Both as a knight and as a person."

Yes. After going through her third job advancement and acquiring her ultimate skill, she, equipped with an upgraded exclusive set of equipment, will indeed become the strongest tank.

"So, just say one thing."

"What's that?"

"Let's fight together from now on."

Evangeline rose from her seat and stood in front of me.

Despite her diminutive stature, she stood confidently, bearing a remarkable resemblance to a knight.

"I'll protect this city right beside you."

"..."

The most powerful SSR-ranked tank, Evangeline Cross, was asking to join my party first.

There was no player in the world foolish enough to reject this proposal.

Facing Evangeline, who wore a confident smile, I returned her grin and responded.

"No."

"Ha-ha. Alright then, I look forward to... wait, what?"

"I said, no."

Evangeline's eyes widened in surprise.

Her expression revealed she never dreamed of rejection.

I thrust my index finger towards her surprised face and shouted.

"This city is already mine. I can't give it back!"

Seriously, I mean it.

Do you know how hard I worked to secure this place? How could you ask me to give it up?! Do you think I've gone mad?!