I Became The Tyrant Of A Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 65

Crossroad City. The temple.

I was transported here from dawn and am now receiving treatment for my left arm.

“I’m not sure how you sustained such an injury.”

The head priestess here, an R-rank healer known as ‘Saint’ Margherita, finished the treatment and wrapped my arm in bandages.

“All the bones in your left arm were shattered. Fortunately, you had emergency treatment with potions, so it didn’t become a fatal injury.”

Squeeze.

After tightly securing the cast, Margherita took a step back and released my arm.

“Even after the treatment is complete, you won’t be able to use your left arm as before. There will be various issues, such as reduced grip strength or stiffness in your wrist.”

“I see…”

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

The price of a 000 fumble is high. I should be grateful I’m not a combatant.

“Anyway, absolute rest is required. Come to the temple for treatment every other day.”

“Understood, Saintess. Thank you.”

After wiggling my tightly bound left arm once, I asked,

“Is Evangeline alright?”

“Her shoulder injury is a bit severe, but she’ll recover quickly if she doesn’t overexert herself. She’s quite robust.”

As expected of an SSR-rank tank. Her recovery is incomparable to my weak one. Or is it the difference between a teenager and someone in their twenties?

After thanking Margherita and, as always, generously placing a donation in the offering box, I went outside to find Lucas waiting.

“…”

Lucas had a complicated expression as he looked at my casted left arm. I grinned.

“What did I tell you? I said I’d come back in one piece… Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

That bastard suddenly poked my left arm. Sparks flew before my eyes. Aaaah!

“That hurts like hell! What are you doing, you jerk!”

“You’re not in one piece. Stop being so boastful.”

Why poke the injured area? If you have a complaint, say it with words, you punk!

I was about to get angry, but Lucas had a look like a beaten dog.

“How much did you overdo it again, my lord…”

“Ugh.”

Don’t, don’t make that face! I didn’t do anything particularly wrong, but I feel guilty!

“From now on, absolutely, do not do such reckless things.”

“Okay, I got it…”

After roughly placating Lucas, I asked about the most important matter.

“Did the defense go well?”

I hadn’t even received a proper battle report yet. Lucas slowly nodded.

“I did my best to command, so as not to bring shame upon you, my lord.”

“No shame, it’s…”

Lucas explained the general course of the defense battle.

Within 15 minutes of the start of the battle, Damian had sniped and taken down all three magic stone golems.

He finished off the most troublesome ones so easily? Is this a matter of compatibility…?

After that, they methodically annihilated the remaining melee units over six hours.

After finishing off the remaining golems, they came to the villa for rescue.

“If we had fought the battle carelessly, we wouldn’t know what kind of damage we would have suffered, so we finished it thoroughly, which is why the rescue was delayed. I apologize, my lord.”

“What are you apologizing for? You did great.”

I patted Lucas’s shoulder and cautiously asked,

“What about the casualties?”

Lucas looked back at the temple. I could see soldiers receiving treatment in the sickbeds inside.

“14 seriously injured. 128 lightly injured.”

“…Any deaths?”

“None.”

I froze.

Lucas emphasized once more to me.

“There are no deaths, my lord.”

“…Haha.”

For the first time.

For the first time, we cleared a stage without anyone dying.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I covered my mouth with my hand and nudged Lucas with my elbow.

“You did great, Lucas! No deaths… wow. You’re better than me, man.”

“Please don’t say that.”

Lucas had a serious expression.

“While you were away… everyone was anxious.”

“Huh? You were worried because I went alone?”

“No.”

Lucas lowered his eyes and spoke with difficulty.

“Everyone who remained here, they lost their confidence… they were filled with anxiety.”

I blinked. What is he talking about?

“When you are by our side, the confusion inside disappears. We can confidently follow your orders. But yesterday, as soon as you left…”

Lucas trailed off.

“Everyone didn’t know what to do…”

“…”

Many thoughts crossed my mind.

It would be nice if it was because my orders were accurate and efficient.

But I wondered if it was a side effect of my passive skill, ‘Indomitable Commander’.

‘My passive effect is immunity to mental status ailments…’

I thought it simply prevented status ailments from enemies during battle.

But that wasn’t the case. The people around me were not only immune to fear or confusion, but also became extremely mentally stable.

It seems that just by being near me, their minds become peaceful.

‘No, am I some kind of aromatherapy?’

But conversely, it also means that they falter when I’m not around.

‘Is this perhaps just increasing their dependence on me…?’

It’s nice that everyone relies on me, but the side effects are something to consider.

I groaned. Hmm~

Well, I don’t know for now.

“Anyway, as a result, the stage was cleared cleanly! No deaths! And Evangeline and I came back alive!”

I shouted energetically and patted Lucas’s back.

“Everything worked out, Lucas! There’s nothing to worry about. From now on, I won’t be leaving alone.”

“That’s a promise, my lord.”

Lucas stared at me with deep, well-like eyes.

“I am your escort. From the moment we first met until now, and always.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Don’t leave me behind. Especially when you go to dangerous places.”

Instead of answering, I ruffled Lucas’s hair. Oh, my puppy. He’s so anxious and trembling because his owner went out for a bit.

“What about the other party members? Are they all safe?”

“Yes. Everyone is fine. Only Damian, he pushed himself a bit too hard in the latter half of the battle, and his eyes were bleeding…”

“Huh, really?!”

“He said he was fine. He’s receiving treatment at the temple now.”

That’s a relief. I should visit him after his treatment is done.

It feels like everything is mostly settled. I smiled.

“You’ve worked hard, Lucas.”

“You have also accomplished great things, my lord. Please rest well today.”

Lucas gestured towards the ramparts and sighed.

“I would like to stay by your side, but I need to take care of the aftermath of the defense battle so that you can rest comfortably.”

“Haha. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes, my lord. Then, later.”

Lucas bowed his head and left for the ramparts.

Watching Lucas walk away, I got into the carriage waiting in front of the temple. Ugh, I need to go home and lie down.

***

We clearly won the battle, but the stage clear announcement hasn’t appeared yet.

It seems that some of the broken golems are still crawling around near the villa.

Since they are not living creatures but stone lumps, this kind of thing happened.

The soldiers are searching and confirming kills.

Once that process is complete and the last one is taken down, the stage clear announcement will appear.

‘I wonder if it will be over by today.’

The lord’s mansion. The inner garden.

I’m sitting on the edge of a small gazebo, basking in the sun.

It seems that spring is approaching. The weather is quite warm.

I’m still feeling the fatigue, so I’m dozing off in the sunlight.

“Instead of doing this here, why don’t you go inside and sleep?”

A brusque voice was heard.

I blinked my eyes open and saw Evangeline. She was standing in the inner garden with bandages all over her body and using crutches.

“Considering your age, senior, you might catch a cold and get sick.”

“Hey, how old do you think I am to be treated like a grandpa? Are you showing off that you’re a teenager?”

That’s absurd. Anyway, these young people these days… sigh.

“Oof.”

Evangeline, who had crossed the garden, sat down next to me with a hop.

The platinum blonde hair of the girl, bathed in the spring sun, sparkled like gold dust.

Gold is the color of SSR rank [Super Super Rare, a high ranking in games], so just seeing it sparkle makes me feel good.

…Is this gold worship?

“To think I’d live to see the morning. It’s amazing.”

Evangeline, who was squinting and looking at the sun in the southern sky, shrugged her shoulders.

“I thought I’d never see this sunlight again.”

“I’m sorry for making you go through this on the day you were finally going to leave.”

This stage was a series of unexpected events. I never imagined it would be such a near-death experience.

“Get all your treatment and recover slowly. Rest as comfortably as you want before you leave.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“…What?”

My heart sank at the sudden words.

I turned to face Evangeline. But the girl’s small face was resolute.

“I’ve been thinking about it all night. I’m going to inherit the Margrave title.”

“Do you… do you know what that means?”

I said urgently.

“It means you’ll inherit the responsibilities of the Cross family. It means you 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 wished.”

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t completely forgiven my father yet. Going against my father’s will is the last act of disobedience I can do.”

Evangeline shook her head slightly.

“Because I’m a contrarian.”

I laughed in disbelief. This kid…

“Senior. I… I want to understand my father.”

Evangeline turned her gaze to the southern ramparts in the distance.

“His feelings at that time. His thoughts. His actions. I still don’t understand them well.”

The place where her father once stood and protected.

The girl’s gaze towards that front line is firm.

“If I stand in the same position as my father, then I’ll understand a little. That stubborn old man’s true feelings…”

“…”

“So, I’m sorry for going back on what I said!”

Evangeline smiled mischievously.

“I want to inherit the title and regain the authority of the territory. As the rightful heir of the Cross family.”

“Evangeline…”

“The resentment and responsibility that you are trying to bear… I will bear it with you.”

Evangeline confidently pointed to herself.

“I know it’s awkward to keep saying this myself, but I’m the top of the academy. And I’m a pretty good fighter.”

Of course. Because she’s the supreme SSR rank.

“I’ll grow taller in the future too. And I’ll become much cooler.”

She will. In a few years, she’ll become a tall knight.

“Above all, I’ll become stronger than I am now. As a knight, and as a person.”

Yes. After her 3rd job advancement, learning her ultimate skill, and equipping her upgraded exclusive equipment set, she’ll become the strongest tank.

“So, just say one thing.”

“What one thing?”

“Let’s fight together from now on.”

Evangeline stood up and stood in front of me.

Even though she’s so small, she looks quite like a knight standing there so confidently.

“Then, I’ll protect this city with you by your side.”

“…”

Evangeline Cross, the most powerful character among the SSR-rank tanks.

She’s asking to be accepted as a party member first.

There’s no player in the world foolish enough to refuse this.

I smiled back at Evangeline, who had a confident smile, and answered.

“No.”