I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 278

I received various pieces of equipment as gifts from the Nameless One, and I also purchased some.

Since I had quite a few magic stones saved up for personal use, I paid for some of the better equipment and took it.

Moreover, the Nameless One practically gave things away at prices that were a steal compared to their value. If it weren’t for the fact that he only does business when he feels like it, he’d be a truly great merchant NPC [Non-Player Character].

‘I needed a lot of this stuff anyway.’

Our team’s equipment was pretty badly damaged in the last battle.

Lukas’s [Armor of the Wraith], which he’s been using for a long time, is also in tatters.

Evangeline’s equipment loss is especially severe.

The [Golem Armor] is a rag, and the Crossroad family’s traditional spear and shield in her hands are on the verge of breaking.

Equipment is originally a consumable. Let’s not be stingy and replace it.

‘I should buy two sets of armor for the knight duo… and upgrade the specs of the others too.’

The main party and the Punishment Unit, who have been consistently upgrading their equipment, are in a slightly better situation.

However, the Shadow Unit, which has just returned, is still stuck with equipment from a few stages ago. I need to replace all of theirs too.

I was so busy spending money with all these thoughts that, even though the Nameless One was selling at a discount, I ended up using almost all of my personal magic stones. Ugh…!

As I was feeling the pain of looking at my empty magic stone inventory, the Nameless One smiled and tapped his stall with his fingertips.

“You bought a lot this time, so I’ll give you one more as a service. Choose.”

“Hey, hey! Are you really an angel?! Damn it!”

I blurted out some strange words without realizing it, but who cares! Free stuff is the best!

So, with two free pieces of equipment and nine pieces of equipment I bought with my magic stones, I finished my shopping spree of a total of 11 pieces of equipment.

It would take a lot of money and a lot of time to make this much through crafting, so I saved a lot thanks to the Nameless One. Thank you-!

“No need to thank me. Your growth and the growth of your companions is my joy.”

The Nameless One said this with a bright smile. Hey, hey! Don’t overdo it! You’ll grow wings and fly away if you keep this up!

And with that, the shopping was over.

It was time to end this free exploration and return to Crossroad.

“As we discussed beforehand, we will remain here,” Quilan said, and the Punishment Unit nodded. I smiled and nodded as well.

They will stay at the base camp for now and prepare for the construction of the forward base.

Once the teleport gate requested from Granny Coco is completed, they will help with the construction of the forward base.

“I will lead well as your senior, Your Highness,” Jackal said with a grin, putting his arm around Quilan’s shoulder. Maybe it’s because of their common ground as muscular beastmen, but they seem to have become quite close.

I asked Jackal to provide security for this base camp and to help with the overall construction of the forward base in the future.

He’s been living in this Lake Kingdom for hundreds of years, so he’ll be a great help.

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, God Hand cautiously stepped forward.

“We will also remain here.”

“Huh?”

“Verdandi’s party has not yet finished recovering, and this base camp is not yet fully stabilized.”

God Hand looked around at the NPCs in the base camp.

“We want to help the people here. Please allow us.”

“Verdandi’s party is your kin, but what about the others? Will you still help them?”

“Your Highness is a different race from us, but you helped us, didn’t you?”

God Hand gave a faint smile.

“There is no reason for people to help each other.”

“……”

I only reached out to you because I needed you.

It’s quite embarrassing to receive such a bright and benevolent answer. I awkwardly smacked my lips.

Anyway, it’s right after the end of Stage 10, which is a boss stage. There’s quite a bit of time until the next stage.

If they’re going to stay here and help stabilize the base camp, I have no reason to stop them.

However.

“But… can you handle Lily?”

“Gasp.”

Only then did God Hand’s face turn pale as he remembered Lily, who was waiting in Crossroad.

I clicked my tongue. You don’t seem like a bad guy, but you have a knack for making your lover’s heart ache.

“S-she will understand. If it’s Lily.”

“Yeah, right… she’ll understand.”

“Please, say something nice to her…”

“Do you think she’ll listen to me…?”

The image of Lily one-shotting a boss monster with a huge fireball came to mind. God Hand and I trembled in fear at the same time….

Anyway, that’s how it went.

I left the five members of the Punishment Unit and the three members of the Shadow Unit at this base camp, and only Junior and I returned.

“I’ll come back often! If anything happens, come back right away using this! Got it!”

I said as I stepped into the teleport gate.

My party members, Jackal, Verdandi, Granny Coco, and even the Nameless One waved goodbye to me.

No, what’s with that look like you’re seeing your eldest son going back to the city after the holidays!

“Sunflower seeds… were delicious…”

“I suddenly miss the meat pie from the lord’s chef…”

“Fresh fruit and honey too…”

And they’re subtly mentioning what they want to eat! Hey! Do you think I’ll buy it for you just because you said that?!

……

…Sunflower seeds, meat pie, fruit, and honey? Is that all? Is that it-

Flash!

***

As soon as I returned to Crossroad, I sent Junior back to rest. I went straight to the smithy.

“Hmm. So, those things happened at the base camp…”

After I told Kellybay what had happened, the old dwarf started packing his bags immediately.

“I should go back soon too. The base camp won’t run smoothly without a blacksmith.”

As soon as he said that, the other blacksmiths around him stiffened and then threw themselves at Kellybay’s arms and legs.

“No, Master! Where are you going! You haven’t finished teaching us your secrets yet!”

“I still don’t understand how to make dwarven steel!”

“You haven’t even finished teaching us about the molds, and you’re leaving!”

“We won’t let you leave until you teach us everything-!”

“You leech-like humans?! You’re trying to suck me dry!”

I watched the smithy turn into a chaotic mess with a satisfied smile. Good job, blacksmiths. Don’t let him go.

“Um… Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

I looked down when I felt a small hand tugging at my pants. There was a small boy with a small build.

A young N-rank mercenary with messy hair covering his eyes. It was Hannibal, whom I had assigned as Kellybay’s assistant.

“If Master Kellybay returns to his original place… could I possibly go with him?”

“……”

I was speechless for a moment, then I lowered myself to match Hannibal’s eye level.

“It’s not far, but it’s dark, damp, and monsters often appear. You have to risk your life. Will you still go, Hannibal?”

“It’s okay! I… I still want to learn more from Master Kellybay.”

I stared into Hannibal’s eyes, which were shining brightly from under his messy hair, for a long time, then I gave him a smile.

“If you get permission from that old man, let’s do that.”

Anyway, Hannibal is too young to be a combatant.

If he learns even one skill that can help him by Kellybay’s side, it will be beneficial for Hannibal and for the front lines in the long run.

I lightly patted Hannibal’s messy hair with my hand and then stood up.

Now Kellybay was throwing the blacksmiths who were clinging to him with judo throws. What are you doing?

“…I had something to request.”

Re-adjusting the equipment I bought from the Nameless One today.

And upgrading Evangeline’s Crossroad family spear and shield to SSR-grade exclusive equipment.

This is something only Kellybay, a magical blacksmith, can do, so I was going to request it today, but judging by the looks of it, it’s not going to happen today… I’ll request it next time…

***

The next day. In front of the teleport gate at the lord’s mansion.

Kellybay, who hadn’t slept a wink all night and had been teaching the blacksmiths his skills, arrived with his luggage, looking haggard.

Behind him, Hannibal was smiling and pulling a cart. The cart was filled with farewell gifts that the other blacksmiths had made all night.

They’re all vicious blades and metal lumps. These people’s tastes are so consistent.

“By the way, is your back all better?”

The reason why Kellybay stayed in Crossroad in the first place. Wasn’t it because his back went out when he fought the World Serpent Jormungandr? Are you fully recovered?

“It was all better… but I overdid it yesterday, so it seems to have flared up again…”

“Come whenever you’re in pain. I’ll let you use the temple for free.”

“Every time I come, I feel like I’m going to be torn apart like this, do you think I’ll come back?!”

Kellybay shouted, then immediately cried out in pain, saying, “Ouch, ouch, ouch,” as his back hurt.

Hannibal patted the old dwarf’s back with his small hands. Kid, he’s just exaggerating. What level is that old man?

“Speaking of which, you seem to have something to request from me.”

Kellybay, who had straightened his back, perhaps because of Hannibal’s hand massage, winked at me.

“Once the base camp is stabilized, I’ll take your request as a priority, so don’t give it to anyone else and just wait a little. Got it?”

“I was going to leave it to the smithy in this town since your back doesn’t seem to be good.”

“My back is my back, and your work is my work! Don’t you dare give it to anyone else! I’ll come back and destroy everything!”

Kellybay threatened me, spinning the hammer in his hand. Haha, if you come to Crossroad one more time, you won’t be able to go back to the base camp forever…

Hannibal gently pushed Kellybay, who was spitting fire from his mouth, and he disappeared into the teleport gate with a flash!

I waved my hand as I watched the dwarf blacksmith and his assistant disappear.

After the two of them disappeared, I turned my head and looked to the side.

“Lily?”

Flustered.

Lily, who was quietly approaching the teleport gate, pulling her wheelchair wheels, trembled at my call. I crossed my arms and smiled.

“What are you doing?”

“……”

Sweat. Sweat, sweat.

Lily, who was sweating, rolled her eyes and looked at me.

“Well… the base camp repairs and the construction of the forward base. Wouldn’t it be helpful to have someone with a deep understanding of alchemy…?”

“……”

A bundle of alchemy-related luggage was hanging behind the wheelchair. I let out a low breath.

Lily, who hates dungeons, is volunteering to be dispatched.

“Is this the power of love…?”

“No, it’s not that!”

“It’s too late to deny it now~ You’ve come too far, haven’t you~?”

I shrugged my shoulders, humming a song on the spot. Okay, you guys aren’t some kind of star-crossed lovers, so what kind of heart would I have to stop your romance?

“Go and have a good time.”

“I told you it’s not that!”

Lily shouted and pulled her wheelchair into the teleport gate. Flash!

I chuckled and gave her a thumbs up.

If you guys are happy, then it’s okay…

***

With the Punishment Unit gone. The Shadow Unit gone. Kellybay and Hannibal gone. Even Lily is gone.

Crossroad became quite deserted. I felt a strange emptiness as I looked at the empty hero formation window.

‘Let’s get to work.’

Repairing the damaged walls and defensive equipment from the last defense battle,

Paying condolences to the deceased.

Ordering new equipment. Hiring new mercenaries. Checking the materials stockpiled for the construction of the forward base…

There was no end to the work. I focused on administrative tasks for the first time in a while.

It was the morning of the week after the end of the defense battle.

The weather had gotten quite chilly, so I was sipping hot coffee and starting my morning work when.

“Lord!”

Director… and Lord’s aide, Aider, came running and reported.

“Sir Lukas has regained consciousness!”

“…!”

I immediately jumped up from my seat and left the mansion.

There are several prisons in Crossroad, and the place where Lukas was imprisoned was the central prison. It was the deepest and strongest facility.

When I entered the lowest underground prison, there was Lukas in a spacious solitary cell, his limbs bound by chains.

He was still wearing his blood-soaked armor from the last battle, and [Karma Eater] was wrapped around his right hand. He had been locked up here in that state for over a week.

“My Lord!”

A bright sense of relief flashed in Lukas’s eyes as he recognized me.

The beast’s traces were gone from his handsome protagonist’s face. He had his usual golden retriever-like, kind-hearted face.

I, standing in front of the prison, gave a short command to the guards.

“Open it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Squeak-

The prison door opened.

I strode inside and headed towards Lukas.

Lukas, with a brightened face, looked at me and opened his mouth.

“My Lord! I’m glad you’re safe! The last battle ended without any major problems…”

Slap-!

Without listening, I swung my hand with all my might and slapped Lukas’s cheek.

The slapped cheek turned bright red. Blood droplets dripped from Lukas’s burst lip.

“Huh…?”

Lukas slowly turned his head, which had been turned away, and looked at me in a daze.

“M-my Lord…?”

“Hey.”

I grabbed Lukas by the collar,

“I told you not to use beastification.”

I gritted my teeth and spat out.

“Do you hear people’s words as dog shit, you bastard?”