My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 199

현질하는 영주님!-199화(199/322)

199. The Great Upheaval of Ruben (1)

After Mobile Lord and I fainted, an emergency maintenance began.

As part of the compensation, I was granted immediate completion rights for all buildings and research.

I wouldn’t be able to receive compensation for the damage caused, though.

Actually, this could also be seen as compensation for the damage.

Anyway.

Thus, we faced the Great Upheaval this time.

Makeover, evolution, redevelopment, bug.

Following those, this Great Upheaval swept through the entirety of Ruben.

“W, what is this…”

“Th, these are facilities I’ve never seen before…?”

Not only were there newly encountered facilities,

“How could they possibly build structures of this level…?”

“Are you saying these were built overnight…?”

But also upgraded existing facilities from before,

“When did Ruben get so wide?”

“Just yesterday, this was a forest…?”

And even the expanded territory of Ruben.

“Wh, what is this…?”

“No way…”

People couldn’t help but be astonished by the scenery of Ruben, which had undergone a Great Upheaval.

But that was only for a moment.

“Farmland… Ah, it’s here.”

“I didn’t recognize the bakery because it changed a bit, but this is it.”

“The smithy is doing well too.”

After that, they just took it in stride.

So, they went to their respective areas and diligently found their tasks.

After all, this was a change that had happened countless times already.

Of course, it was a sight that they couldn’t understand every time they saw it.

But now, it wouldn’t be strange to introduce the concept of familiarity.

“But is this even possible?”

“I don’t know. Don’t ask.”

Of course, whether they had become accustomed to the changes,

Or if they had simply given up,

Or maybe they were thinking, ‘Oh well, whatever happens, happens.’

Or perhaps they had realized that it was easier to give up thinking.

I don’t know what they were thinking, but the territory residents of Ruben adapted to the changed Ruben without much sense of incongruity.

It was a fortunate situation.

As the peaceful daily life of Ruben continued.

Whoosh!

A sharp tearing sound echoed in the training grounds located in the Lord’s Castle Lv.4.

Along with the upgrade of the Lord’s Castle Lv.4, the training grounds were also upgraded.

It was a training ground with amplified growth buffs and a slightly cleaner appearance.

In the center of such a training ground, Cyan’s sword embroidered the air.

Clang!

Every time Cyan’s sword embroidered the air, the air in the training grounds trembled greatly.

A black aura intertwined with Cyan’s entire body, dominating the surrounding space.

Crackle!

And Cyan’s sword brushed through the gaps.

Cyan’s sword was neither slow nor fast.

However, the single strike that was completed with it.

Rumble…!

Held some kind of grotesque power.

The surroundings where the strike passed were grotesquely distorted.

The advanced Demon Soul Asura Sword.

While wielding the sword, Cyan calmly recalled his memories.

Kyle in his memories.

Like a phantom, Kyle’s sword flashed before his eyes.

Cyan followed Kyle and swung his sword.

He completed Cyan’s sword by following Kyle’s swordsmanship.

How much time had passed like that?

The sword of Kyle in the illusion stopped.

At the same time, Cyan’s sword also stopped.

Ting!

《Following Kyle’s movements [1,000 / 1,000]》

And a notification window filled the screen.

“Hoo…”

Only then could Cyan catch his ragged breath.

But that was only for a moment.

Ting!

[Demon Soul Asura Sword (魔魂修羅劍) Advanced Progress Rate 0.7%(+0.02%)]

“Haa…”

He couldn’t help but sigh at the reappearing progress rate.

“0.02%? Are you kidding me?”

The progress rate was too slow.

He wouldn’t say anything if he was just training raw.

“Even with a +30,000% growth buff, it’s only this much?”

Haa…

Cyan couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

“If I had just trained, what would it be?”

The growth buff currently applied to Cyan was +30,000%.

One hour of training would have the efficiency of 300 hours.

So, if you divide the current progress rate of 0.7% by 300, it’s 0.002%

“Bullshit…”

It was a progress rate that could only be described as bullshit.

But it wasn’t a number that he couldn’t understand.

Having directly trained the advanced Demon Soul Asura Sword.

He knew why it had to be like this.

“It’s too difficult.”

It was too difficult.

The 1st and 2nd forms of the Demon Soul Asura Sword that Cyan had learned earlier.

Each of them had a clear goal.

The 1st form, Asura Heavenly Slaughter (修羅天殺), pursued the mysteries of cutting (斬).

The 2nd form, Extinction Heavenly Asura (滅天修羅), pursued the mysteries of stabbing (衝).

But the advanced Demon Soul Asura Sword that he was training now.

Its goal was ambiguous.

It was as if it contained the mysteries of mixing two things, cutting and stabbing.

Therefore, it was right to see this as a form (形) that mixed the previous two forms (式), rather than a single form (式).

Was that why?

“What am I supposed to do…?”

The difficulty was beyond description.

And that wasn’t the only problem.

Cyan slightly lowered his gaze and looked at the sword in his hand.

An SSS-grade sword that seemed to contain the darkness of pitch black.

The deep darkness contained an aura that seemed to cut through anything.

However, the end of the blade.

It was slightly damaged.

It was because it couldn’t withstand the advanced Demon Soul Asura Sword that Cyan was training.

“Semir said there wouldn’t be a problem using it for the time being, but…”

He also added that if this state continued, it would eventually break.

Even if he wanted to repair it, Semir said he couldn’t touch it.

“I guess Morcru also said he couldn’t touch Kyle’s sword.”

I don’t know what kind of sword Kyle used.

In the end, the thing he was worried about had finally happened.

So, he had to strengthen the SSS-grade sword.

As Cyan grew, he needed to upgrade his equipment as well.

But.

『 (50,000,000 G)』

[Current Gold Holdings] – 321,430 G

“Haa…”

Why is it that only sighs come out?

Originally, there were 430,000 gold in the inventory.

But 110,000 gold was deducted for maintenance costs, and it ended up like this.

So, to express the current situation in one word.

“If you want to strengthen it, try spending money!”

That’s exactly what I could say.

Mobile Lord had fainted, so I couldn’t hear it.

If he was awake, it was definitely the timing to be sarcastic like this.

“… Damn it.”

Cyan muttered quietly at the overwhelming emotion.

And he let out a deep sigh at the unchanging reality.

It’s really an absurd situation, but…

The reality before his eyes.

“Ting! When you’re stuck in progress, try spending money—just kidding!”

Cyan shouted out loud.

He wanted to prepare a toilet and soak his smartphone in it.

But what’s the point of Mobile Lord fainting?

And well, what can I do?

“I have to save money again…”

Cyan trudged out of the training grounds.

But this time, there was no strength in his steps.

The blank expression seemed as if his mind and soul had left.

His body limped powerlessly like an empty shell.

“You want me to keep looking at Elan Dur’s ledger?”

Amelia asked, tilting her head.

Cyan slowly nodded.

50 million gold to build .

And the strengthening funds needed to strengthen it.

The only way to raise that enormous amount of money at once was, of course, Elan Dur’s slush fund.

“It’s not difficult, but… Why suddenly? Until recently, you said it wasn’t urgent, so let’s take our time.”

Amelia asked again, tilting her head once more.

“That’s… it’s become a little urgent now.”

“Yes? It’s getting urgent?”

“I need some gold.”

Cyan’s answer followed.

Amelia tilted her head again.

“You need gold?”

That’s because she couldn’t understand Cyan’s words.

As the expression says, Amelia couldn’t understand Cyan’s words.

Well, the more gold, the better.

Even if there is a lot, it was always necessary.

Money was such a thing.

This was an immutable truth of the world.

But Cyan was not.

Cyan alone was an exception.

Other people might, but Cyan should never have said such a thing.

First of all, Amelia had earned 8.3 million gold from this business trip alone.

In addition, the gold extorted as war reparations was a whopping 150 million gold.

150 million gold.

It was an enormous scale that Amelia had never seen even when she was in the Brahe Merchant Guild.

Of course, she had seen scales in the units of 100 million.

But she had never actually seen it piled up like this.

A transcendent amount that had no meaning in metaphors such as a family of four.

He has such transcendent gold.

He needs gold again?

“What are you─”

At that moment.

A terrible thought flashed through Amelia’s mind.

A truly horrific thought that she didn’t even want to imagine suddenly came to mind.

Amelia’s cat-like eyes widened greatly.

They were directed solely at Cyan.

It was truly absurd, but.

It was truly unspeakable, but.

If it was Cyan, whom Amelia had been watching, perhaps…? The thought came to mind.

But even so, it didn’t make sense.

That’s how transcendent 150 million gold was.

Amelia opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

Her trembling eyes turned to Cyan.

“D, d, d, did you spend all that money…?”

Even as she asked, she thought it wasn’t.

She kept thinking, ‘No, he wouldn’t.’

And why?

Really why?

“…”

Why doesn’t Cyan answer!!

He had to say no.

He wouldn’t do that.

What do you take me for?

He definitely had to say that and get angry.

That was normal, common sense, conventional, universal, standard, and average.

But… but…

Really why?

“…”

Cyan kept his mouth shut and didn’t say anything.

To be exact, he was avoiding Amelia’s gaze.

Even at that moment, Amelia did not let go of the thread of hope.

There’s no way he spent all that money.

There must be some left.

“How much… do you have left?”

“… 320,000 gold.”

What the hell─ no, what are you saying?

Amelia covered her mouth with both hands.

Her pupils shook as if there was an earthquake in the unbelievable reality.

Sway.

A severe dizziness occurred, and Amelia’s body swayed.

Soon, Amelia collapsed into the chair as if falling.

“No… it can’t be… this must be a dream…”

Amelia’s trembling eyes were denying reality.

And Cyan was looking at such Amelia.

Cyan couldn’t say anything.

Even if he had a thousand mouths, he really had nothing to say.

“Ha… haha.”

Only a hollow laugh came out.

Cyan himself was dumbfounded by the current situation.

No, wasn’t that so?

It was 150 million gold.

Not 15 million gold, but 150 million!

Even though he poured all that ridiculous money into it, damn it.

He’s short on money.

He spent so much money, but he still needs more money.

‘Isn’t he crazy?’

This was definitely crazy.

Whether Mobile Lord was crazy, or Cyan was crazy.

One of them was definitely crazy.

Or maybe both of them were crazy.

This didn’t make sense at all.

It couldn’t be, and it shouldn’t be!

It wasn’t even just Cyan’s problem.

Conrad, who wanted to restore Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Cyan said that 150 million gold was needed to restore the swordsmanship.

The truth was that 150 million gold was needed to ‘open’ it.

If you want to build it, you need an additional 50 million gold.

‘How can I tell His Highness that it’s not 150 million, but 200 million…’

How can I say this!

I couldn’t say it at all.

If I said it, it wasn’t a joke, but as it is─.

“Haa…”

Just thinking about it made me sigh.

But well.

That was only Conrad’s situation.

I had to solve Cyan’s urgent situation right now.

To do that, I needed Elan Dur’s slush fund.

So, the first step to finding that slush fund.

Thud.

First of all, it seemed like I had to fix the broken Amelia.

A nation built by those who worship God, the Holy Empire of Lutea.

The Holy Empire, where those who wield powerful divine power gather, was a powerful nation that could be said to be the second strongest power on the continent along with the Charlotte Empire.

And now.

The Papal States, which can be said to be the core of such Lutea.

‘Why is she like that again today…’

Laura sighed inwardly.

Laura, a priestess of the Holy Empire.

And Laura, who assists the saintess, Aria.

In Laura’s eyes, a woman was reflected.

A woman with brilliant platinum blonde hair and a transcendent beauty that made her wonder if she was human.

“How could you do that to me?”

It was none other than the saintess, Aria.

Aria was sitting in her room, muttering something.

“You’re really a bad guy. You’re a bad bastard!”

The words that were barely audible were so harsh that they were vulgar.

But to Laura, who knew Aria’s nature, it didn’t sound that strange.

And looking at it…

It seemed like something was bothering her.

Laura approached Aria, who was sitting sullenly.

Then, she tidied up Aria’s platinum blonde hair, which had been slightly disheveled while she was angry, and said.

“Our saintess. Why are you so fierce today?”

Then Aria shouted as if she had been waiting.

It seemed like something was bothering her after all.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Cyan! Isn’t he too much?”

“Yes? Young Master Cyan?”

“Yes!”

Aria answered, panting.

“Why is Young Master Cyan?”

And Laura wondered at Aria’s appearance.

Looking at it, it seemed like Aria was angry because of Cyan…

But as far as Laura knew, there was no reason for that at all.

No, in the first place, Cyan was grateful, so there was no reason to be angry.

It was none other than the earrings and necklace that Aria was wearing now.

Cyan had given her those accessories that made Aria’s transcendent beauty stand out even more as a gift.

Thanks to that, the letters of love for Aria had doubled.

Above all, there had been no meeting between the two since then.

So, after Cyan visited the Holy Empire the other day.

The two had never met or contacted each other directly.

So, there was no particular situation to be angry about.

“How can you not contact me even once!”

It seemed like that was the problem.

Only then could Laura understand why Aria was angry.

Laura smiled slightly and poked Aria’s cheek.

“Is that why our saintess is so angry?”

“I’m not angry! Why would I be angry because there’s no contact?”

She looked like she was angry to anyone.

“I’m just… wondering what he’s doing.”

Aria continued.

Laura didn’t bother to correct that fact.

“Then why don’t you contact the saintess first?”

“Me?”

“Yes. If you’re curious about what Young Master Cyan is doing, you can contact him first.”

“… No. Who would worry about me?”

Aria turned her head away.

Laura couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.

A moment of silence.

“No, but Laura. If there’s no contact to this extent, doesn’t that mean I’m not even in his mind?”

Aria raised her head again and asked.

And well… it was a somewhat valid point.

Of course, I wondered if it was possible to say that she was not interested in Aria.

Having met Cyan in person.

It was a story that was possible enough.

“There are cases where contact becomes less frequent with women who are interested.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Because they’re embarrassed to contact you.”

“But other men send me useless letters all the time, saying they’re interested in me?”

“That’s…”

Laura lost her words.

Because it wasn’t wrong.

“Y, Young Master Cyan doesn’t seem to be. And maybe… he’s busy with work?”

“No matter how busy you are, you can contact me once.”

“That’s true, but… he must be very busy because he’s having a title ceremony this time.”

“Title ceremony? Who? Cyan?”

Aria widened her eyes.

I wondered how she could be so beautiful even when she was surprised.

“… I didn’t know.”

It seemed like I had brought up the story wrong.

“But why doesn’t he contact me?”

“Th, that’s…”

What am I supposed to do if you ask me?

Laura thought for a moment, but didn’t bother to say it out loud.

And why didn’t Aria know the fact that Laura knew?

Why didn’t Cyan say anything to Aria in the first place?

Couldn’t he have told her about such a happy event?

“… You’re a bad bastard.”

Aria muttered in a tearful tone.

If I left it like this, it might really be a wound.

Laura shouted in a hurry.

“Ah! Then why don’t you take this opportunity to visit him in person?”

“Visit… in person? Who? Cyan?”

“Yes. It’s been a long time since you two met. The situation at the Papal States has stabilized a lot. Wouldn’t it be nice to go to the Charlotte Empire on this occasion?”

The Papal States had been noisy with the demon of lust, Rushuria, the other day.

Fortunately, with Cyan’s help, Rushuria was defeated.

Cardinal Rachel had run away, making the investigation of the incident difficult.

But now that it has stabilized to some extent.

It wouldn’t be bad to go to the Empire as Laura said.

But.

“Wouldn’t you think I’m being clingy…?”

Aria hesitated and said.

And Aria is clingy.

What is this nonsense?

No, if Aria was clingy, what man would refuse?

“Uh…”

But Cyan might be a little different.

“Well, if you came to congratulate me on the title ceremony, right?”

“Title ceremony?”

“Yes. I heard that he’s receiving the title of Count this time, so he’s having a title ceremony. Then that’s fine. Wouldn’t it be nice to go to the Empire in time for the title ceremony?”

Aria listened to Laura’s words quietly.

“Title ceremonies are important events for nobles, right?”

“Of course.”

“Would Cyan like it if I congratulated him?”

“Of course! If the saintess goes in person, people will raise Cyan’s status a lot, right?”

It wasn’t wrong.

Aria has the most powerful divine power in the history of the Holy Empire.

That transcendent beauty radiated light in itself.

She is invited to various events and banquets, but Aria rarely shows her face.

Because she would only ruin the image of the saintess if she went for no reason.

People who know know the reason.

Well, anyway.