I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 185

Elise looked surprisingly okay, considering she had faced the Aegis Special Forces alone. She was covered in bandages, but the fact that she was alive was a relief.

“I’ve been living in the back alleys for a long time. I’m a master at surviving no matter what,” Elise said calmly, taking out an empty potion bottle from her pocket and placing it on my desk.

“…This, which Your Highness gave me, also helped a lot.”

I looked at it, wondering what it was. It was a potion I had given her before. Did she save it instead of drinking it back then and use it now? She’s quite frugal.

“Anyway, I didn’t come here just to check on you.”

Elise cleared her throat.

That’s right. She must have come to me as a messenger from the Winter Silver Merchant Guild. I smiled.

“Is Serenade doing okay?”

“…I don’t think it’s appropriate for a man who dumped a woman who was devoted to him her whole life to ask that. But I will answer you.”

Elise glared at me.

“She spent three days crying until yesterday, and this morning she returned to work. And she sent me here.”

She didn’t send me to cut my throat, did she?

I was a little scared for a moment, but thankfully that wasn’t the reason.

“I heard you’ll be taking the land route when you return to Crossroads.”

“That’s right.”

The stingy Imperial Family won’t let me use an airship to return. So, I’ll end up going down to Crossroads by carriage.

“The further you get from the capital, the rougher the roads and the more lax the security in the south. You’ll need an escort.”

Elise raised her hand and placed it over her chest.

“So, my mistress sent me. She told me to use me as an escort to Crossroads.”

“Huh? You, Elise?”

“Yes. Of course, Your Highness, who easily defeated me, might not be satisfied. But I think I’ll be of help.”

No, of course, you’d be a huge help. But more than that.

“If you come with me, who will protect Serenade?”

Isn’t that the problem? Serenade was safe with Elise by her side.

“There are many other excellent guards in the Winter Silver Merchant Guild. The young lady will be fine.”

She says that, but isn’t she trembling? Look at her biting her lip until it bleeds.

“…The guild has already started a joint project with the Imperial Family. Since the Imperial Family has promised the survival of the Winter Silver Merchant Guild and the family, no one would dare to touch Winter Silver.”

“Hmm.”

“My mistress said that Your Highness, who is going on a long journey, would be more exposed to danger than she is at the Winter Silver Merchant Guild headquarters.”

That’s not wrong, but…

“I don’t know why you’re so eager to take care of a man you’ve already broken up with…”

Elise grumbled. I chuckled.

“Weren’t you hoping I’d stay away from Serenade?”

“I always wanted His Highness to disappear from my mistress’s life. But when His Highness dumped her first, it’s very…”

“Very?”

“Infuriating…”

What a complex and subtle loyalty.

Anyway, they’re giving me an SSR-grade [Super Super Rare, a term used in gacha games to denote the highest rarity] swordsman as an escort, so of course, I’m grateful.

The road down is long, and if the situation at the monster front is urgent, I might be able to borrow her strength.

I just feel sorry for Serenade.

“So, when will you be returning to Crossroads?”

“Tomorrow.”

I answered, looking at my simply packed luggage.

“I plan to leave at noon tomorrow. You should join me then.”

***

Before leaving, I had to greet the Emperor, so I headed to the main palace.

But I guess the timing wasn’t right.

“Father went into hibernation a little while ago.”

Lark and Fernandes, who were talking in front of the audience chamber, waved at me. Lark pointed to the firmly closed audience chamber door.

“He’s been awake for a long time, so it seems the situation at the Otherworld Front has become quite urgent. He’s in a deep sleep.”

“He didn’t say anything to me, did he?”

Then Lark smiled.

“He told me to do well.”

“…”

“A solo path, huh? Now the Southern Front won’t be protected by the Imperial Family, or rather, the Empire. Even though there’s a three-year time limit, it won’t be easy. You’ve chosen a difficult path for yourself.”

Lark patted my shoulder.

“But thank you, Ash.”

“Yes? For what?”

“Thanks to you, we don’t have to massacre prisoners of war as human sacrifices.”

Lark’s dark blue eyes were filled with genuine gratitude.

“Even though I’m a guardian who only cares about the Empire’s safety, I’m a knight. I don’t want to kill people from enemy countries if they’re not soldiers.”

“…”

“Thanks to you, we were able to avoid meaningless killings. Really, thank you.”

Lark’s large hand, like a pot lid, patted my back. If you’re really grateful, pat me gently!

“Well, then, I’ll return to the front lines! To clean up the battlefield and hold a real victory celebration party. So, I plan to leave today. What about you, Ash?”

“I’m leaving at noon tomorrow.”

“Haha. I thought we’d have a hard time gathering, but we’re all scattering right away.”

Lark spread his arms wide towards me and Fernandes.

“Come here, both of you!”

Fernandes and I reluctantly approached Lark. Lark hugged us tightly with his arms as thick as marble pillars.

“It’s a fraternal hug! See you again, brothers!”

“Kuh-huh-huh.”

“Kkueeeek.”

After the fiery hug, Lark left the main palace without looking back. I thought my waist was going to break. Ugh.

“…”

Then, I felt a subtle gaze and turned around to see Fernandes glaring at me with narrowed eyes. I chuckled.

“What’s your complaint this time, our second brother?”

“A solo path, huh? Is this all you came to the capital for, little brother?”

I frowned at his sudden words.

‘You were the one who brought me here in the first place…’

But well, Fernandes is right.

Originally, when I came to the capital, my plan was to bring more support troops from the Imperial Family.

I was planning to take about twice the number of support troops currently dispatched to the Southern Front.

I was confident that I could control that much without encroaching on my command.

But the opposite result came out. I ended up refusing the Imperial Family’s support troops, and there would be no more support troops coming in the future.

I even kicked away the chance to form a good relationship with the military powerhouse, the Northern Kingdom.

For me, who was always complaining about the lack of troops, these were things I shouldn’t have done.

But.

“What are you talking about? I’m getting a lot!”

I grinned, and Fernandes frowned as if he didn’t like it.

‘Yeah. I got a lot.’

I secured the cooperation of the largest merchant guild in the Empire, received donations from several nobles, learned the secrets of the Emperor and the princes, and even got to borrow an SSR-grade swordsman character. I got a lot of things.

Most of all… I made a firm decision for myself.

Who I will live as.

And how I will live.

That alone made coming to the capital worthwhile.

“You’ve always been impossible to figure out…”

Fernandes shook his head.

“You’re overly sharp at times, then suddenly act like a thug. You listen well, then you mess everything up. You haven’t changed… Sigh, you were just cute when you were young.”

Fernandes sighed and waved his hand.

“Okay, go down safely. I’ll let you use the troops I’ve already lent you for the agreed-upon period, so don’t worry.”

Oh, I’m really grateful for that. Actually, I would have been in trouble if they disappeared right away.

“I’ll stay here in the capital and work hard to protect this country. As always.”

“Okay. Work hard. I’ll gratefully use the troops. And please do less border inspections.”

“Well… I can’t promise that.”

Fernandes, as the head of the secret service, gave a sinister smile. I snorted and turned away.

That’s when it happened.

“Oh, and. The one who’s your aide in the Southern Front… Aider.”

“?”

I turned around with wide eyes. Fernandes muttered expressionlessly.

“It’s best not to trust that immortal bastard too much. He’s a swindler.”

“What…? What are you…”

Without further explanation, Fernandes walked away and disappeared into the hallway. I stood there blankly.

“…What is it? What is he talking about?”

Come to think of it, God Hand said he received a secret order from the central government.

– To keep a close watch on Lord Aider, the aide…

That means Aider is someone the Imperial Family is also keeping an eye on.

‘Aider is an immortal? Don’t trust him? A swindler?’

Why?

He’s a game director, isn’t he? He’s the guy who helps me, for better or worse?

Why is the Imperial Family keeping an eye on Aider?

‘Ugh, why don’t you give me an explanation instead of just throwing out hints!’

What am I supposed to do if you just tell me not to trust him out of the blue! Damn second brother!

***

It was the last evening in the capital.

I had told Elise that I was leaving, so I thought Serenade might come to see me one last time. But there was no word from her.

So, I ended up having my last dinner with Alberto.

When I suggested that we have dinner together as guests, not as master and servant, Alberto refused, but he couldn’t resist my persistence.

We sat facing each other and ate. Other servants waited on us. Alberto was embarrassed but seemed happy.

“I’ve been working in this palace for 50 years, but this is the first time I’ve had a seat like this, Your Highness.”

“Enjoy it, Alberto. It’ll be hard for both of us to eat in this palace for a while.”

Alberto smiled bitterly at my words.

Alberto had been pushed to a minor position as the manager of the detached palace, despite holding the title of chief steward. He was also quite old.

Moreover, it seems he had stopped the soldiers to protect Serenade at the victory celebration party. He had made himself unpopular with the higher-ups.

So, Alberto had already submitted his resignation.

Alberto would be leaving the Imperial Palace at the same time as I left tomorrow.

“What are you planning to do after retirement, Alberto?”

“Well, I’ve lived in this palace my whole life. I don’t have a house, family, or anything outside.”

“Then you can start building them one by one.”

“Huhu. That will be the joy of the rest of my life.”

After the meal, dessert and tea were served.

I said to Alberto, who was quietly savoring the tea.

“Alberto, would it be okay if you postponed your retirement plan a little?”

“Yes?”

“You’re still healthy enough to work, aren’t you? There’s a place that needs you.”

I took out a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it to him. Alberto received it, bewildered, and I grinned.

“Let’s work our butts off for a few more years.”

***

The next day. Morning.

The new building purchased by the Winter Silver Merchant Guild.

Since the original building had been reduced to ashes, the Winter Silver Merchant Guild had quickly purchased a nearby building and started using it as their new guild building.

The guild was busy.

They were busy moving into the new building, busy figuring out the quantity of the burned goods, and busy preparing for the new business in cooperation with the Imperial Family.

Serenade, sitting at her desk in the guild master’s office on the top floor, was also busy.

She was wearing her usual elegant women’s suit and glasses, and she was quickly processing documents with a pen in her long, slender fingers.

Except for her shorter hair, she looked the same as usual.

Elise approached Serenade and bowed deeply.

“Then, I’ll be going, mistress.”

Elise was carrying not only a sword case on her back but also two large bags.

She was going to accompany Ash to the Southern Front, so it would be a long journey.

Serenade gave Elise a faint smile.

“Okay. Go, Elise. We said our goodbyes yesterday, so let’s skip it today.”

“…Mistress.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really okay?”

Is it okay to let Ash leave without even seeing his face?

That’s what Elise was asking.

“…Yes. Of course.”

Serenade lowered her gaze back to the documents.

“Go quickly. Take good care of Prince Ash.”

“…Yes, mistress.”

Elise hesitated for a moment, then bowed once more and left the guild master’s office.

Serenade bit her lip and continued to write with her pen.

Knock knock.

Then, there was a knock, and someone opened the door and came in. Serenade looked at them, puzzled.

“Excuse me, Countess Winter Silver.”

The one who came in was an old gentleman in a neat suit – Alberto. Serenade’s silver eyes widened in surprise.

“Alberto?”

“I’ve come with a letter of recommendation from Prince Ash.”

Alberto approached and politely placed the paper he was holding on Serenade’s desk.

“He said that since you’ll be doing more business with the Imperial Family, I, who was the chief steward of the Imperial Palace, would be of help.”

Serenade unfolded the paper. It was a letter of recommendation written by Ash himself, recommending Alberto as an advisor to the Winter Silver Merchant Guild.

“You’re very welcome, Alberto!”

Serenade smiled brightly and reached out her hand to Alberto.

She was already busy and tired, so Alberto, who was the housekeeper of the Imperial Palace, would be a great help.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I look forward to working with you too, Miss Serenade.”

Serenade immediately tried to discuss the business related to the Imperial Family with Alberto, but Alberto raised his hand to stop her.

“Business is good, but Miss Serenade, there are many moments in life that will never come again.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think you should be here right now.”

“…”

“Prince Ash will be leaving for the South soon. Is there really not a single word you want to say to him?”

Serenade stammered and lowered her head.

“But… His Highness has already broken off our engagement…”

“So?”

“We’re no longer engaged, and we’re not lovers. How can I…”

“So?”

Alberto smiled kindly.

“Are you going to give up that easily? You’re the head of Winter Silver, the largest merchant guild in the Empire? If there’s a product you want, are you just going to let it go quietly?”

Serenade looked up at the old butler with trembling eyes. Alberto said with conviction.

“Life is short, young lady.”

“…”

“Run. Run in the direction you really want to go.”

So,

She threw down her pen and documents, left all the piled-up work behind,

And burst out of the office – Serenade started running.

To the south gate of the capital.

To the place where Ash was preparing to leave for Crossroads.