I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 163

“I have no choice but to take you by force.”

The maid-uniformed woman said this while wielding the huge coffin like a blunt weapon.

“Oh, really?”

I smiled, baring my teeth. Look at this. Now they’re openly threatening me?

Do I look like a pushover? Even though I look like this, I’ve fought countless monsters on the front lines and even defeated the Vampire King.

Alright! Let’s fight!

…Those words were about to come out, but I barely managed to hold them back. Instead, I nodded.

“Okay, okay. I’ll go with you.”

The woman seemed surprised when I said I would go along quietly.

“Really?”

“Of course. I want to meet your master too.”

I’m honestly very curious about who this person is, who is putting pressure on the merchants of the capital and why they are interfering with my work.

If they’re inviting me, there’s no reason not to go. Let’s meet face-to-face and talk.

“Hmm…”

The woman narrowed her eyes and muttered softly.

“You’re not running away. Something about you is a little different from before…”

“?”

What is this? Does this woman know Ash?

I wanted to ask, but there was no time. The woman, with the huge coffin back on her back, led the way out of the Mercenary Guild.

“Please follow me. I will guide you.”

***

I got into a carriage waiting next to the Mercenary Guild building, and we traveled south for a long time.

The carriage stopped next to a large building right by the harbor.

I looked up at the building’s sign with unexpected feelings.

‘Winter Silver, the largest merchant guild in the Imperial Capital, no, in the entire Empire?’

Winter Silver is a family that runs the largest merchant guild on the continent, with influence everywhere in the Empire.

They were a contactable guild in the game, but for some reason, they were like dummy data that never traded with Crossroads.

‘Is it Winter Silver that’s been interfering with my deals with other guilds…? Why?’

As my suspicions deepened, I followed the maid-uniformed woman into the guild building.

Even though it was late at night, the guild building was bustling with people.

The maid-uniformed woman walked skillfully through the crowd of people rushing around with documents and goods.

Even with that huge coffin on her back, her movements were like a loach [a type of fish known for its agility].

The woman stopped on the top floor of the guild building, the 5th floor.

At the innermost part of the 5th floor, there was a door made of luxurious wood, and a large nameplate was hung above the door.

It must be the room where the head of the guild stays.

Two women in the same uniform as the maid-uniformed woman were guarding the door.

These two guards also had intimidating, muscular faces.

The two guards moved aside when the maid-uniformed woman put down the coffin on her back.

Knock-knock- The maid-uniformed woman knocked carefully on the door and recited emotionlessly.

“Master. I have brought His Highness.”

A moment later, a cool, beautiful voice of a young woman flowed from inside the door.

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

The maid-uniformed woman pulled the door open and stood politely to the side. I carefully stepped inside.

The first thing I noticed was the smell of ink and paper.

The spacious room was filled with all sorts of documents. A quick glance revealed that most of them were receipts and transaction statements.

There were also many certificates for goods bought and sold by the guild.

Next, I saw neatly packaged jewels and precious metals.

As expected of the largest guild on the continent, they also traded in such high-value items. I was estimating the price of the jewels when I turned my head.

Finally, I saw her sitting at the desk in the middle of the room.

She was a young woman wearing a wrinkle-free women’s suit.

Her long hair, reaching past her waist, was a transparent, water-like light blue, and her eyes behind her glasses, as she stared at the documents, were a clear silver like freshly minted coins.

She glanced at me, put down the pen in her hand, and took off her glasses at the same time.

“Good work. You can go, Elise.”

“Yes, Master.”

So, the name of the maid-uniformed woman who brought me here was Elise.

Elise looked at her master with eyes full of loyalty and affection… and then, she gave me a blurry look like before.

Elise bowed respectfully once and quietly closed the door.

Only the woman, the head of the Winter Silver guild, and I were left in the room.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence hung in the air.

I was hesitating about what to say first when the woman sighed softly.

“It’s been a while since we’ve met, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Uh…”

I hesitated and waved my hand awkwardly.

“It’s been a while?”

“…”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. I felt cold sweat running down my back.

Damn it. I know this woman has some connection with Ash. But I don’t know the details, so I don’t know how to act.

‘Did Ash owe a debt to the Winter Silver guild?’

That’s entirely possible since that bastard was always obsessed with gambling.

Maybe he used his name as a prince to get money from this guild?

No matter how I think about it, that’s the only reason why such a large guild would call me here so threateningly.

After finishing my speculation, I nodded inwardly. Okay, let’s say it confidently.

I can’t pay, so screw you-!

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

But I realized I was completely wrong when the woman spoke next.

“My husband.”

“…”

I blinked my wide eyes stupidly. What did she say?

My… hus…

“Hus…band?!”

“Do you not like that title anymore?”

The woman had a bitter smile on her lips.

“Even if you dislike me, you still have to acknowledge it.”

“Uh…?”

“We are betrothed by both families.”

Her nameplate on the desk, which she muttered as if she was sad, finally caught my eye.

Serenade Winter Silver.

The head of Winter Silver, the largest guild on the continent, and Ash’s fiancée was this person.

“Let’s go.”

Serenade got up, picked up a suit jacket hanging on the hanger, and draped it over her shoulders without putting her arms through the sleeves.

“The atmosphere here isn’t very good for celebrating our reunion.”

Serenade walked past me and led the way out of the room.

I stared blankly at her back as she walked away, making the sound of her heels, and then I quickly followed her.

***

Swoosh…

The gentle waves that came to the bow of the ship scattered, creating foam.

I was on a luxury yacht owned by the Winter Silver guild.

The white, sleek yacht was gently cutting through the sea, making a large circle around the harbor.

The lights of the harbor and the city twinkled not far away.

It seems like I’ve seen this city from the sky, the ground, and the sea all in one day. I wonder if I’ll get a challenge achievement for that.

‘No, no, stop with the crazy gamer thoughts for a second!’

I shook my head. This isn’t the time to open the system window to see if I got an achievement! Stop escaping reality!

‘I heard a hint that I had a fiancée. I heard it, but…’

I never thought I would meet her on the first day I came to the capital. I wasn’t ready for this!

Lucas didn’t tell me the details, so I don’t know exactly what kind of relationship we have, and most importantly.

Serenade is Ash’s fiancée.

The relationships with the people of Crossroads are the relationships that ‘I’ have built.

But this woman is someone who is betrothed to marry ‘Ash’, not me.

And it’s not just any relationship, it’s a lover…

‘I’m just possessing this body, but she’s the lover of the original owner of this body.’

Honestly, I have no idea how to deal with this.

I may be a professional at conquering monsters… but… women’s hearts are very difficult for me?!

Click. Click.

Then, Serenade approached me from behind, making the sound of her heels. When I glanced back, she was holding a cocktail in each hand.

Serenade held out the light blue cocktail in her right hand to me.

“I brought you what you always drink.”

“Ah, thank…”

I was about to say thank you, but I quickly shut my mouth.

Act like Ash, act like Ash? Act like Ash!

Clink!

I snatched the glass and chugged the cocktail in one go.

It was quite strong, and my insides heated up instantly. Kaaah! Goddamn hell yeah!

I threw the empty glass out of the yacht with a flourish.

Sorry for littering, sea! But I think I look like Ash now?!

“…”

Serenade’s eyes widened and she froze, surprised by my sudden bizarre behavior.

I was sweating cold sweat. Was that too much?!

“Um… you must have been very thirsty. Would you like another drink, my husband?”

“No, it’s okay. That’s enough.”

I waved my hand, trying to act nonchalant. If I drank another one like that, my esophagus wouldn’t survive.

But maybe it’s thanks to the alcohol, the tension in my body has eased. Should I try to act like Ash with the help of the alcohol?

“Hoo.”

Serenade, who was leaning against the railing next to me, sighed softly and took a sip from her glass.

“You went to the front lines and came back to the capital, but you didn’t say a word to me.”

“…”

“It was the same when you left. You didn’t say a word to me. I thought I was used to being rejected, but… isn’t it a little too much?”

Serenade’s silver eyes glanced at me gently. I tried to smile nonchalantly.

“Were you worried?”

“I’m always worried.”

Serenade muttered, swirling the cocktail glass in her hand.

“I’m always anxious that you might break your promise.”

Promise? What promise did Ash make?

I was curious, but I changed the subject. There was something I had to ask.

“So, is that why you interfered?”

“Interfered? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re the one who made all the architects and guilds I contacted back out, right?”

Serenade scoffed.

“Ah, that? Of course, that was something I had to do.”

“What?”

“We promised that our Winter Silver guild would provide you with the best commercial services. Other flies shouldn’t interfere.”

I was speechless.

So, what is it?

“I will select the architects for you. I don’t know what kind of business you’re trying to do in Crossroads, but our Winter Silver guild will handle that business as well.”

Is she saying that she didn’t want me to contract with other guilds, so she took action first and blocked them…?

“If you leave these things to me, I will take care of everything, so please just tell me what you need from now on.”

“…”

“Tell me how much money you need as well. Whether you use it for gambling or whatever, I’ll lend you as much as you want. And if it’s something we handle in our guild, just tell me. Whether it’s alcohol, jewels, or anything rare, if we can get it, I can give it to you.”

Why is she doing this?

I hesitated and asked carefully.

“What do I have to give in return?”

“…You’re pretending to forget again.”

Serenade’s water-like hair was ruffled by the soft sea breeze. It was like waves rippling in the air.

“Our family’s request has been set from the beginning, hasn’t it?”

Serenade, after letting out a long sigh, looked up at me with clear silver eyes.

Why is it? Her eyes were desperate and also sorrowful.

“To give our Winter Silver family, a lowly merchant family with nothing but money… the grace of the Imperial Family.”

The grace?

It can’t be the Star Silver (星銀) [a fictional metal that kills vampires], so is it the Holy Grace (聖恩) of the Imperial Family? If so…

“Your… Imperial seed.”

Serenade’s long, slender fingers gripped my sleeve tightly.

“Give it to me.”

I was horrified and my eyes widened.

Seed…

Seed, seed, seed, seeeeed?!