My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 82

§ 82 – Rebirth of Ruben (1)

Amelia stood blankly, as if in a daze.

The soldiers weren’t much different.

“W-what is that…?”

“Ruben? That’s Ruben…?”

“Ruben would never be like that…?”

The soldiers also stared at the scene Amelia was watching with disbelief.

To a complete stranger, it would have been a shocking sight, but not for Amelia and the soldiers.

They had faced similar scenes three times already.

This was the fourth time.

So now, they should have been used to it, even able to brush it off.

Krrrrrrrr…

Kwakwakwakwakwang!

Kwaaaaaaaa─!

This time, not only Ruben but the entire Forest of Darkness was being turned upside down!

A cataclysm? A transformation? Evolution?

There were no words to describe it.

Ruben was being reborn.

That was the best way to define it.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Amelia and the soldiers were speechless.

The carriage heading towards Ruben had already come to a stop.

Right then.

“Are you kidding me with this impromptu maintenance?”

A furious voice came from one side.

Looking over there.

Sian was getting out of the carriage with a deep frown.

And in Sian’s hand was something small.

Sian was manipulating that something, shouting.

Amelia and the soldiers’ gazes naturally turned to Sian.

Whether he knew of their attention or not.

Click. Click.

“Aren’t you going to wake up now?”

As if waking up a passed-out Mobile Lord [a game character or feature], Sian tapped the smartphone screen repeatedly.

Was this even plausible?

He had exchanged 3 million gold for special enhancement.

But this Mobile Lord passed out before even doing the special enhancement.

In short, it was a 3 million gold scam.

Of course, the exchanged Fame Points wouldn’t disappear.

But weren’t they currently locked up right now!

Click click.

Sian continued to tap the smartphone screen.

But as expected, the Mobile Lord wouldn’t start.

To be exact, the screen wouldn’t move past the ‘Loading…’ message.

Then finally.

[Emergency maintenance is in progress. The service is unavailable during maintenance.]

[Maintenance details: Stabilization of runaway Karma]

[We apologize for any inconvenience caused.]

“Damn it!”

Sian shouted roughly and turned off the smartphone screen.

This time, it wasn’t temporary maintenance, but an emergency maintenance notice.

But whether it was temporary maintenance, or emergency maintenance, or whatever.

This was not it.

Not like this.

Wasn’t this the same as the Mobile Lord running away for maintenance!

He couldn’t just let this go.

He had to get maintenance compensation no matter what.

Of course, he didn’t know what they would give as maintenance compensation…

Sian shouted loudly at the turned-off smartphone screen.

“I’m as angry as if I lost 30 million gold!!”

Of course, there was no way the passed-out Mobile Lord could hear him.

But Sian shouted as if he wanted someone to hear him.

“I’m as angry as if I lost an SSS-grade equipment set [the highest possible grade of equipment]!!!”

The frustration in his heart still didn’t subside.

Sian turned his head sharply.

And shouted at Amelia, who was staring blankly at him.

“Amelia!”

“…Y-yes?”

Amelia snapped back to her senses at Sian’s shout.

Looking at him.

Why was it?

Sian seemed very… angry.

Why was he angry?

Did he really have a fight with someone in the carriage?

But with whom?

Whether he knew Amelia’s question or not.

Sian shouted at Amelia.

“I’m as angry as if I lost 300,000 Fame Points! Did you hear me clearly?”

“Yes, yes…?”

Amelia couldn’t figure out how to respond to this.

First of all, she didn’t even know what 300,000 Fame Points were.

‘Didn’t he say he was as angry as if he lost 30 million gold at first?’

She thought he had said he was as angry as if he lost an SSS-grade equipment set a while ago.

“……”

What on earth was he talking about!

Amelia really didn’t know what to say.

Sian turned his head back and forth, scolding the blank-faced soldiers.

“You guys listen carefully too! I’m as angry as if I lost a top-tier growth support package, and not only the Master Package but also the Grand Master Package!”

He wasn’t sure if those even existed.

Sian muttered the last part quietly.

And as expected.

The soldiers didn’t know how to respond to this either.

Whether he knew their feelings or not.

Sian put his smartphone in his pocket.

“Just wait and see if they don’t give proper maintenance compensation after running away for maintenance!”

He would really gather 100 million gold and blow up the Karma or something.

Sian breathed heavily, panting.

Then he calmed his excited heart.

Anyway, the maintenance had been done.

And there was nothing Sian could do right now.

With his mind somewhat calmed.

Sian calmly raised his head and looked at the distant scenery of Ruben.

Krrrrrrrr…

Kwakwakwakwakwang!

Kwaaaaaaaa─!

The entire Forest of Darkness was being turned upside down beyond Ruben.

Faintly, even screams could be heard as echoes of the forest…

It seemed like the people of Ruben were very surprised.

Well, still.

The things he had paid for were being built on time.

Sian looked at the scenery with satisfaction and slowly turned his head.

Then he called Amelia, who still had a blank expression.

“Amelia.”

“Ah, yes.”

Amelia snapped to attention and answered.

Sian asked Amelia.

“There won’t be any problems with the westward trade trip now, right?”

Amelia nodded as if it were obvious.

“Of course. The situation in the west has stabilized. And above all, the reputation of our Ruben Brahe Merchant Guild is incredibly good. I think it’s best to go only to the west for the time being.”

“Good, good.”

Sian nodded very satisfied.

Then he spoke to Amelia again.

“Then prepare for the next trade trip as soon as we return to Ruben. Anyway, the output will be about three times more than last time, so be prepared. Oh, right. I won’t be going this time, so keep that in mind. Oh, right. I wonder how long it will take for the buildings to be completed. Hmm…”

“Yes…? The next trade trip?”

Amelia tilted her head for a moment.

Of course, they had to prepare for the next trade trip.

Amelia didn’t intend to end it with just this one trade trip.

And well.

It was possible that Sian wouldn’t come along anymore.

It was a little disappointing… but well.

There were no problems with the escort if there were Ruben soldiers.

But the next trade trip as soon as they returned to Ruben?

Usually, they would take a break after finishing a trade trip.

They had to maintain things.

And they also needed to rest their bodies, which had been exhausted by the trade trip.

Above all, they needed time to gather the supplies for the next trade trip.

Well, that was the general situation.

There were cases where they went on a trade trip right away.

When there was too much inventory piled up.

Or if they were short on gold right now─.

Thud.

Amelia’s thoughts stopped.

Because of the thought that had just popped up.

“N-n-n-n-n-no way…!!!!”

Amelia’s expression twisted in horror.

The mouth that had opened wide couldn’t be closed.

The chilling feeling of facing an unknown existence that should not exist consumed Amelia’s mind.

Amelia slowly looked at Sian.

No.

It couldn’t be.

How much money did they make from this trade trip!

It was 8.3 million gold.

A whopping 8.3 million gold!

It was truly an astronomical amount that was so absurd that it wouldn’t be strange to call it astronomical.

But this situation now.

Especially Sian’s expression right now!

Please. God, please.

Please, let this terrible thought that comes to mind not be reality.

If this tragic thought was really reality.

Amelia didn’t think she would have the courage to live in this world anymore.

Amelia looked at Sian with trembling eyes.

Sian subtly avoided Amelia’s gaze.

And finally, Sian’s mouth opened.

“Almost all used up─.”

Thud.

Before Sian could finish speaking, a sound of something collapsing was heard from somewhere.

Looking over there.

Amelia had collapsed to the floor like a doll with its strings cut.

#

The capital of the Empire, Darkan.

And the Imperial Palace located in Darkan.

“Your Highness. Princess Elena has come to see you.”

“Let her in.”

Crown Prince Conrad replied immediately to the Chief Secretary’s report.

The Chief Secretary bowed slightly and stepped back out of the office.

How much time had passed like that?

Click, the door of the office opened and a woman revealed herself.

Long hair neatly braided in the back.

Blonde hair resembling sunlight.

It created a bright atmosphere by itself.

However, unlike that atmosphere, the impression itself was quite cold.

Was it because of such contrasting atmospheres?

The different charms were further amplified.

Lightly, taking a step.

Elena von Charlotte.

Conrad’s younger sister and the Empire’s princess.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Elena, who stood before Conrad, showed her respect.

Although Elena was Conrad’s younger sister, Conrad was the Crown Prince.

The second-in-command of the Empire and the next emperor.

Even Elena was not someone to be easily treated.

However.

“Anyway, that stubbornness. I told you to just call me older brother when we’re alone.”

“…… I understand.”

Elena reluctantly answered.

Conrad shook his head.

Elena was always like this.

She could show a slightly cute side as a younger sister.

Perhaps because she had a strong perception of being a princess, she was too rigid.

“Even if you’re a member of the Imperial Family, you need a little flexibility. Men also like that side of women. If you only show such a strong side, there won’t be many men who like you.”

Of course, there were plenty of people who wanted to marry a princess.

Besides, she had a great appearance, so there was almost nothing to worry about.

Still, it was true that he was worried as an older brother.

“Anyway, I’ll marry someone that His Majesty or older brother picks for me, so I don’t think I need to worry about it.”

It was an unfortunate reality, but that was the reality.

The fate that a princess had to bear.

And Elena had no intention of blaming that fate.

If she enjoyed the rights as a princess, she had to bear the obligations for it.

It wasn’t just the position of princess.

The daughters of prestigious noble families were generally like that.

The fate of arranged marriages.

This was the world of nobles.

A ruthless world where only interests were intertwined, let alone love or romance.

That’s why Elena should have been married a long time ago.

The reason why she hadn’t married yet was simple.

“As I’ve said many times, I won’t push for a marriage with someone you don’t like. His Majesty has always said that too.”

Because both the Emperor and the Crown Prince cherished Elena.

Frankly speaking, there had been several marriage proposals.

And Elena was thinking of choosing a suitable partner and getting married.

In the first place, Elena had never felt love.

And love was just a temporary emotion anyway.

Couples usually lived by building affection.

That’s why Elena didn’t care much about arranged marriages.

As long as it could help the Empire and the Imperial Family.

But the Emperor and the Crown Prince strongly opposed it.

They said she was too good to send away.

Of course, it was useless even if it was a son-in-law.

Then why did they bring up the marriage story in the first place?

“I hope you’ll be with a man you truly like.”

To be exact, they must have known Elena’s true feelings.

Well, anyway.

“What did you call me here for?”

“It’s not something else… I called you here because I wanted to ask you for a favor.”

Elena nodded at Conrad’s words.

Anyway, Elena was currently enjoying the rights.

But she was not bearing the proper obligations.

Elena felt responsible for the rights she enjoyed.

Therefore, she was doing what she could as a princess to help the Imperial Family and the Empire as much as possible.

In that sense, now.

Elena had no intention of refusing Conrad’s request either.

But.

“I want you to deliver this letter to Sian Elandur.”

“…… Yes?”

This request was somewhat… strange.

Elena stared blankly at Conrad.

And one letter held in Conrad’s hand.

Elena accepted the letter in a daze.

And when she checked, the seal stamped on the letter was not the Imperial Family’s seal.

It wasn’t even the Crown Prince’s seal.

“The Holy Empire…?”

The Holy Empire, Lutea.

It even had a seal symbolizing the Saintess [a holy figure in the Lutea Empire]?

As expected, Conrad continued to speak.

“It’s a letter from the Saintess to Sian Elandur.”

“……?”

Elena’s mind was suddenly confused.

The Saintess is sending a letter?

No, putting that aside in the first place.

“Why does older brother have this…?”

Why did Conrad have this letter?

Soon, Conrad replied.

“Recently, I had something to ask the Saintess regarding demons. I received two replies, and one of them is that. She asked me to deliver it to Sian.”

“……”

Elena was speechless for a moment.

The demon.

The demon that disappeared a thousand years ago has been resurrected.

It was a fact that was not known because it would cause confusion, but Elena knew it.

It seemed that Conrad had asked the Saintess something about demons.

The Saintess sent this along with the reply.

‘No, even so.’

Why send it to Conrad?

She could just send it directly to the person named Sian.

As if knowing Elena’s question.

Conrad slowly opened his mouth.

“She said that if she sent it herself, he would definitely ask for money.”

“…… Yes?”

Elena tilted her head.

“I understand it vaguely… but I don’t know the details because I don’t know the contents of the letter. Well, I also received help from the Saintess this time, so I’ll repay her. Go and deliver it.”

But Conrad just chuckled.

He didn’t give any other explanation.

Elena quietly looked down at the letter.

A letter to be delivered to Sian Elandur.

Elena knew Sian’s name.

First of all, she couldn’t not know the name Elandur.

And the rumors about him being a scoundrel and a parricide.

He was the one chosen by the Zodiac Sword [a legendary weapon].

And even called the hero of the west this time.

In short, he was a man whose truth was unknown.

She had to deliver this letter to such a man.

Elena asked Conrad again.

“But why me…?”

“I want to go, but I have something urgent to discuss with His Majesty…”

That’s not what she was asking.

Even if Sian was an Elandur, Conrad was the Crown Prince.

If there was something he needed, he could just call him to the Imperial Palace.

Does it make sense to go directly?

Even Ruben…?”

It was the first time she had heard of the territory.

It seemed to be a territory located in the Forest of Darkness.

A princess is visiting the Forest of Darkness?

Elena quietly looked at Conrad.

“Ahem. Sian has done a great job this time, so… I feel sorry to call him.”

As he said that, Conrad subtly avoided Elena’s eyes.

Well… it wasn’t wrong.

Still, it seemed like there was something fishy.

To be exact, there seemed to be something else.

“Do you have another purpose?”

“Oh! Another purpose? How can my personal feelings be involved in the affairs of the Empire?”

Conrad started to get angry for no reason.

Elena looked at such Conrad and slowly nodded.

It was hard to pursue him further when he said that much.

“Do I just have to deliver the letter and come back?”

“Well, not necessarily. You can take a break and come back slowly. Think of it as a trip, and slowly look around what kind of territory Ruben is…”

“Wasn’t it urgent?”

Then Conrad hesitated.

But that was only for a moment.

“It’s just urgent to deliver the letter. It’s not urgent after I deliver the letter.”

He quickly changed his expression and replied.

Elena shook her head once and got up from her seat.

“Then I’ll leave right now.”

“I’ll attach Sir Yale and the 2nd Royal Knights Order as escorts.”

The 2nd Royal Knights Order is the Crown Prince’s direct knights order.

Even Sir Yale, the commander of the 2nd Knights Order, was a Master intermediate level expert.

There was no problem even if it was the Forest of Darkness.

“Oh, and I didn’t tell Sian, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

Elena made a suspicious expression.

But Conrad just gave a sly smile.

“Then go quickly.”

Elena left the office with a bewildered heart.

#

Sian examined the passed-out Amelia.

Was she quite shocked?

No matter what he did, Amelia didn’t wake up.

So he wondered if there was something wrong with her body.

But the sound of her soft breathing was fortunately not like that.

She just seemed to have passed out from shock.

Still, he thought he should take her to Ellie once.

Sian took the passed-out Amelia and entered Ruben.

Arriving at Ruben like that.

“W-what’s going on!!”

“Is it a demon’s attack!!”

As expected, it was a mess here too.

Well, while they were doing their usual work, Ruben suddenly turned upside down, so it would be stranger if they weren’t surprised.

Even this time, Sian wasn’t in Ruben.

Because of that, the confusion of the territory residents seemed to be even greater.

Sian entered Ruben with the soldiers.

“Oh? It’s, it’s the Lord!”

“The Lord?”

“Where? Where?”

The territory residents who found Sian shouted in surprise.

It spread like an epidemic throughout Ruben, and eventually everyone in the territory knew of Sian’s return.

And.

“Looooord!!!”

“Ruben is strange!!!”

The territory residents rushed out to Sian!

And they started shouting as if they were telling their parents.

“Look over there! It’s just! Just doing that by itself!”

“Even the Lord wasn’t here this time!”

“Isn’t Ruben really alive?!”

Sian burst into laughter without realizing it.

They should be getting used to it little by little now.

Well, considering the amount of money he poured in this time, it was understandable enough.

‘It will take some time for the buildings to be completed.’

The scenery was like Ruben was being completely reborn.

This was even more so because he had upgraded all the facilities to Lv.4 this time.

It would probably take about 2-3 months.

But the time left for Sian and Ruben was about 5 months.

‘Hmm…’

Should he buy instant completion tickets with the remaining gold as soon as the emergency maintenance is over?

But it would cost a tremendous amount of gold to instantly complete all those facilities…

That was when that thought came to mind.

Ding!

Suddenly, the smartphone’s notification sound rang.

‘What is it?’

Could it be that the maintenance is already over?

Sian checked the smartphone in his pocket.

And.

[Due to excessive Karma runaway, the maintenance time is expected to be longer.]

[We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the long maintenance.]

[We are providing information on the compensation for the emergency maintenance, so please refer to it.]

Below that, there was an item about maintenance compensation.

《Instant completion tickets for all facilities and research purchased before the maintenance.》

“…… Huh?”

At that moment.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa─!!!

Throughout Ruben…

A huge storm began to rage.