My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 216

216. Reversal (1)

Sian stood there blankly for a while.

The fuss Mobile Lord was making just now.

No, could this even be called a fuss?

He was muttering to himself and then suddenly fainted on his own.

A real farce.

It was more appropriate to call this a farce or a tantrum rather than a fuss.

Sian touched the turned-off smartphone screen and ran Mobile Lord.

[Extended maintenance is in progress.]

[Some services are unavailable during the maintenance.]

[We apologize for any inconvenience.]

But as expected, Mobile Lord did not run.

Only a notification window saying extended maintenance appeared, and then it returned to the black screen.

“What is it, really?”

It was an incomprehensible situation.

How long had he been standing there blankly?

“Ah, whatever.”

Sian shook his head.

It was the first time he had heard of extended maintenance, but…

It didn’t seem like it would take long.

Maybe it would be over by the time he returned to Ruben.

“It’s not like 500 million gold is going to disappear.”

Sian put his smartphone in his pocket.

#

Another day passed with the extended maintenance still in progress.

Even though the extended maintenance wasn’t over yet, so what.

Everything to do here was finished.

Elan Dur’s slush fund was safely received.

Amelia, who had broken down, was fortunately fixed.

Those who were injured could now move their bodies.

“Let’s go back.”

It was time to return to Ruben.

The preparations for returning to Ruben were made quickly.

And soon, they were about to depart.

Sian approached the four old men gathered in the distance.

It was Wigo, Bonita, Maxim, and Toma.

“Thank you for your help in many ways.”

They were Hans’s old colleagues who had helped with this matter.

“Without your help, this would have been quite difficult.”

It was not an empty compliment; without their help, this matter could have been a disaster.

Of course, Sian and Amelia were the ones who ultimately resolved the issue.

However, their help was significant in the process leading up to that result.

“Kuhahaha! No need to mention it.”

“It was great to meet Hans and his colleagues after a long time!”

“We are the ones who are grateful. Thank you for giving us old folks wonderful memories.”

“I had a lot of fun too.”

Maxim, Toma, Wigo, and Bonita replied in turn to Sian’s gratitude.

And had this incident already become a memory?

“Hey, Maxim. Remember when Avenew risked his life against the knights?”

“Nonsense! I would have been fine even if you hadn’t helped!”

They were smiling and chatting, their faces full of wrinkles.

Sian took out a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to them.

“This is a small token of my appreciation.”

It was a voucher with the reward for this task written on it.

It was a voucher that had been prepared separately when the slush fund was received.

“It’s alright, Your Excellency. We promised from the beginning that we would not receive a reward.”

“That’s right. We didn’t start this for some reward!”

Well, Sian knew that they had helped without receiving a reward.

So he knew that he didn’t have to give them a reward.

“Please accept it as a small token of my appreciation.”

However, Sian did not withdraw the hand holding out the voucher.

They couldn’t refuse when Sian went this far.

Just as Sian’s outstretched hand was about to become awkward.

“Hoho. Since Count Sian is saying so. I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Bonita stepped forward and took the voucher Sian handed over.

“Bonita, even so…”

“What about it? His Excellency is specially taking care of us. It would be more rude not to accept something like this.”

Bonita glared and subtly checked the amount written on the voucher.

At that moment.

“······!!”

Bonita’s face instantly stiffened.

At the same time, her mouth dropped open, and her expression was filled with shock.

“What’s wrong?”

Wigo slowly approached, noticing Bonita’s sudden reaction.

Soon, he checked the amount on the voucher.

“······!!”

Wigo also froze on the spot.

“What is it?”

“What’s going on?”

Soon, Maxim and Toma approached them.

And as expected.

“······!!”

“······!!”

Maxim and Toma also froze on the spot.

Everyone was staring at the amount written on the voucher, frozen in place.

That was because of the amount written on the voucher.

[10,000,000 G]

The amount was a whopping 10 million gold.

“I, is this right…? Is the number written here… right…?”

“10 million gold? 10 million? Not 1 million? No, not 100,000?”

This was too much.

It was a reward that was too excessive, to the point of being insane.

No matter how dangerous and difficult the request was.

What kind of request in the world would give 10 million gold as a reward!

“Th, the first time I’ve received a reward like this…”

Even Wigo, who was called the Mercenary King, had never seen this amount of money before.

Even if divided among the four, it was an amount that could be received at 2.5 million gold each.

And based on the Charlotte Empire, the average monthly living expenses for a family of four was about 30 gold.

2.5 million gold per person was an enormous amount of gold that could allow them to live without working for 6,944 years.

Moreover, that was based on a family of four, so if they were alone, it was enough money to live without working for 27,777 years.

Even if they started spending it right now, they could spend it for 27,777 years.

It was money that they could never spend in their lifetime, even if they indulged in every luxury.

“It’s a small token of my appreciation.”

It was a reward that could never be called a small token of appreciation!

A shocking wave of astonishment washed over them.

Sian chuckled.

Well, Sian knew that 10 million gold was excessive.

To be honest, it was an excessive amount to set as a reward.

But Sian didn’t hesitate.

As mentioned earlier, their help was significant in this matter.

Above all, Sian had earned a whopping 520 million gold.

It was gold that he would not have been able to earn without their help.

What was 10 million gold compared to that?

“H, how can we accept this…”

“W, we can’t accept it…”

But it didn’t seem to be the same for them.

“I, in this case… it’s difficult to ask for a favor…”

Finally, Bonita muttered quietly.

At the same time, Maxim and Toma didn’t know what to do.

It seemed like they had something they wanted to ask Sian, using this request as an excuse.

“Feel free to speak.”

Sian said to Bonita as if it was okay.

Bonita made an awkward expression and continued.

“W, well… we also want to go to Ruben… once.”

I wondered what it was.

Sian chuckled.

“What, is that a difficult request? Let’s go together right now.”

Sian turned to the carriage where the others were waiting, as if telling them to follow.

#

Elan Dur’s mansion located in the eastern part of the Empire.

And Isabel’s office located in that mansion.

A heavy silence hung there.

A silence that was more than heavy, suffocating.

In reality, the chief manager, Lerrit, felt like he was suffocating.

His head was deeply bowed.

In his peripheral vision, he could see Isabel sitting on the sofa in the office.

To be exact, the sofa for receiving guests.

Isabel’s face was no different from usual.

Her posture and expression were perfect.

The dignity emanating from her very being was a refined elegance that was both gentle and graceful.

However, her eyes were not.

Her lips were also trembling.

“Tell me… tell me again.”

A chilling voice pressed down on the entire office.

Lerrit couldn’t open his mouth rashly.

He seriously doubted whether he should open his mouth.

But if he didn’t open his mouth, it could lead to even greater anger.

“Miss Roswell and Master Nathan… are currently in a coma.”

Isabel’s trembling lips were bitten tightly.

Lerrit lowered his gaze and continued.

“Count Holland has managed to keep them alive, but…”

Even if they wake up, it would be difficult for them to lead a normal life.

And they would no longer be able to continue their lives as warriors.

Lerrit couldn’t bring himself to add the rest of the words.

He couldn’t continue speaking any further.

He felt like his head would be cut off if he said the wrong thing.

Once again, a heavy silence descended.

“The slush fund. What happened to the slush fund?”

Isabel’s voice was heard once again.

Lerrit bowed his head deeply and continued his answer quietly.

“It was… taken.”

“Taken?”

Isabel’s expression twisted.

That was because the slush fund was something that could never be taken.

And Lerrit knew that fact.

So he didn’t even know how to explain this situation.

But he couldn’t keep his mouth shut forever.

“Th, that is…”

Only then did Lerrit report in detail what had happened at Avenew’s house.

After a story that was neither too long nor too short.

Crack!

Isabel’s hand, which was clutching the teacup, contorted.

Clang!

Soon, the teacup broke, and shards of glass scattered everywhere.

The shards of glass that had not yet scattered scratched Isabel’s palm.

Drip… drip…

Bright red blood flowed down Isabel’s hand.

A gruesome silence pressed down on the entire office.

The atmosphere, distorted by anger, suffocated.

“How…”

A certain voice was heard through the silence.

It wasn’t Isabel’s voice.

It was the voice of a woman with hair the color of white lilies, sitting across from Isabel.

A woman who exuded both a bright and calm atmosphere.

It was Cardinal Rachel of the Holy Empire, the leader of the Twilight Sect [a religious order], and it was Rachel who had disappeared after being involved in the Succubus incident in the past.

Rachel looked at Isabel with a calm gaze.

“It seems like you’re in a rather difficult situation. How can I help you?”

Rachel continued with a look of pity.

Then, Isabel’s gaze, which was so cold that it had frozen over, turned to Rachel.

“The insignificant position of a Cardinal.”

And Isabel’s next words followed.

“Don’t delude yourself into thinking I’ll spare your neck.”

Rachel shuddered involuntarily at the chilling anger in those words.

“I apologize. It seems I’ve spoken out of turn.”

Rachel quickly corrected herself, her beautifully braided white hair swaying as she did so.

Isabel stared at Rachel, silent.

Rachel, who had sent a letter requesting a meeting with Kai.

Why would a Cardinal of the Holy Empire want to meet Kai?

Her curiosity piqued, Isabel had agreed to talk.

“Are you mocking me right now?”

“Of course not. How dare I do such a thing?”

Rachel offered a gentle smile.

Isabel glared at her coldly.

A moment of silence hung in the air.

“But I was serious about being able to help you.”

“You helping? A Cardinal who was exiled from the Holy Empire?”

“Oh my. You knew?”

Rachel feigned surprise.

Isabel fixed Rachel with a hard stare and said,

“Get out now. Unless you don’t value your life.”

Isabel rose from her seat.

The blood dripping from Isabel’s hand stained the floor.

Isabel turned her back sharply.

And just as she was about to signal Lerrit with her eyes, Rachel’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Wouldn’t you like to get rid of Cyan and Reuben?”

Slowly, she turned her gaze back.

A small smile graced Rachel’s face.

The white hair resembled a pure white lily.

The smile seemed to bloom in harmony with her radiant aura.

But why?

Isabel didn’t find the smile radiant.

Rather than radiance, she sensed a certain evil lurking beneath.

“Would you like to hear my story?”

A certain ugliness that seemed impossible for someone who claimed to believe in God.

#

“It’s the Lord! The Lord has returned!!”

A great shout went up, and the inside of Reuben became a flurry of activity.

Soon, the gates of Reuben swung open, and Reuben’s soldiers rushed out.

And before long, someone pushed through the ranks of soldiers and stepped forward.

Reuben’s guard captain, Lucas.

Lucas hurried toward Cyan.

He seemed to have been eagerly awaiting Cyan’s return.

After all, Lucas was originally a knight of the Brahe family.

He would naturally be more curious than anyone about this matter.

Cyan slowly moved towards Lucas.

“Welcome back, Lord! How did the matter you went to resolve…?”

As expected, Lucas asked, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

Cyan nodded lightly and replied.

“It’s been resolved well. There were no worrying incidents.”

Only then did Lucas let out a sigh of relief.

Then, he looked around, peering here and there.

“Where is Amelia…?”

“She was following behind… Ah, she’s coming over there.”

Cyan pointed to Amelia, who was just appearing.

The Forest of Darkness was inaccessible to carriages.

They had to walk the final stretch, hence the slight delay.

Lucas turned his gaze, following Cyan’s finger.

Cyan also naturally looked at Amelia.

And perhaps sensing their gazes,

Amelia also looked at Cyan and Lucas.

And Amelia, who made eye contact with Cyan, gasped.

“Ah!”

For a moment, Amelia was startled and quickly averted her gaze.

Then, her face turned bright red, and she hurried her steps.

Lucas, who was watching her, tilted his head.

“Did something happen? Did you two perhaps, fight?”

“No. I told you it was resolved well. And fight? Why would I fight with Amelia?”

“But why is Amelia…?”

“I don’t know. She’s been like that ever since, avoiding my eyes.”

Cyan also tilted his head and looked at Amelia.

Amelia didn’t even glance in their direction and quickened her pace.

Her hurried steps grew faster, and soon she disappeared into Reuben.

It was truly an incomprehensible sight.

“She must be tired and wants to rest quickly. The journey was arduous.”

Cyan dismissed it casually.

Lucas was also puzzled but didn’t ask any further.

“More importantly, Lucas. Has anything happened in Reuben?”

“No. Nothing in particular has happened. Occasionally, ogres have attacked in groups, but…”

Ogres that have undergone demonization [corrupted by demonic energy].

The fact that such ogres attacked in groups was anything but ordinary; it was a huge deal.

“Thanks to Captain Kendrick and Leah buying time, we were able to use the Singijeon [Korean hwacha, a type of multiple rocket launcher] to fend them off without taking much damage.”

But in Reuben, it wasn’t considered that special.

“Hmm… Ogres forming groups is happening frequently these days.”

Ogres who don’t usually form groups.

The strongest predator on land doesn’t form groups.

That was something only weak beings did.

The fact that such ogres were forming groups meant only one thing.

There was a being in the ogres’ territory that they had to group up to confront.

“I also recognized that fact and conducted a search deep inside the Forest of Darkness, but I couldn’t find any other anomalies.”

Lucas also recognized that fact and searched, but he said there were no other anomalies.

But that wasn’t something that could be easily dismissed.

‘A demon?’

That possibility couldn’t be ruled out.

It seemed Cyan would have to investigate himself.

“What about Elandur?”

“He also hasn’t shown any particular movements. I told the soldiers to strengthen their guard in case he sent spies, but… there were no peculiarities in this either.”

Cyan nodded at Lucas’s continued report.

Unlike the previous ogres, there was no room for disagreement.

The Heavenly Watchtower Lv.7 was monitoring Reuben without any gaps.

There was no way to avoid being caught in that surveillance net.

Unless they sent a Master’s knight as a spy, it was impossible.

But there was no way they would send a Master’s knight as a spy.

“Hmm… I see.”

It was right to assume that Elandur wasn’t showing any particular movements.

‘This is too strange.’

That’s why this was quite strange.

A moment of thought.

“Any other special matters?”

“No. There aren’t.”

Cyan nodded and opened his mouth again.

“You’ve worked hard. Go to Amelia quickly. You must be curious about what happened.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be on my way.”

Lucas bowed slightly and immediately ran towards where Amelia had disappeared.

“W, what is this…!”

“A territory? This is a territory?!!!”

At the same time, a voice came from behind.

It was none other than Hans’s companions, shouting as they looked at the scenery of Reuben.

That side could be left to Hans.

It was a part that Cyan didn’t particularly need to worry about.

Cyan was lost in thought again.

And he replayed Lucas’s report from just now.

“Elandur isn’t showing any particular actions…”

To be honest, this was quite unexpected.

To be precise, it shouldn’t be like this.

By now, the events that happened at Aveness should have been reported to Elandur.

Not only was the slush fund taken away by Cyan,

But the news of Roswell and Nathan’s deaths should have been conveyed as well.

That’s why Elandur couldn’t just stay still like this.

He should have flipped out and attacked Reuben right away.

If not that, he should have at least started a territory war.

“But he’s not taking any action?”

This was strange, quite strange.

What on earth was he plotting?

What on earth was he doing?

Cyan’s thoughts grew deeper and deeper.

Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

“Should I just start a territory war first?”

Thinking about it this way… it wasn’t a bad idea.

Why bother waiting until Elandur attacked?

Elandur, who wasn’t taking action for an unknown reason.

It seemed clear that he had some kind of scheme.

It seemed like he was waiting for some preparation or time.

Perhaps he didn’t have the funds to start a war because the slush fund was taken away this time.

In short, Elandur could be said to be in an ‘unprepared’ state.

“There’s no need to wait for him, is there?”

Was there a need to wait for that?

Was there a reason to wait until Elandur finished preparing?

In the past, there was no choice.

Reuben was hopelessly lacking in the power to confront Elandur.

Conversely, it was none other than Reuben who had to buy time and prepare.

But not now.

Reuben had enough power to confront Elandur.

It would be different if Elandur was in perfect condition.

But now that he was messed up in many ways, there was enough possibility.

The situation was reversed.

Above all, Sun Tzu, who wrote *The Art of War*, also said:

‘As a rule, all the masters of the world struck first.’

Didn’t he say this?

Of course, I still don’t know what *The Art of War* is, and who Sun Tzu is.

Well, anyway.

“I really need to think about this seriously?”

Of course, war wasn’t something that could be done easily.

War wasn’t something that could be done simply by having high combat power.

And even though he was messed up, Elandur was still Elandur.

But.

[Current Gold Holdings] – 521,345,000 G

What is impossible in front of this astronomical gold?

“In that sense, when will this maintenance end?”

Mobile Lord, who fainted while doing extended maintenance.

I thought it wouldn’t take long.

There was no other news until I came from the South to Reuben.

“What’s going on?”

Cyan took out his smartphone from his pocket.

The screen of the smartphone was still dark.

I was wondering if the maintenance hadn’t ended yet.

《Le, let’s calm down… I have to calm down.》

Suddenly, a small notification window popped up in one corner of the screen.

Rather than a notification window, it was a phrase.

It was a small phrase in the dark smartphone screen, so small that you wouldn’t notice it if you didn’t concentrate.

《You mustn’t know that the maintenance is over.》

《Ke, keep it as quiet as possible, pretending not to know.》

The phrase continued to change and flowed quietly.

And it was a phrase with a somewhat familiar tone.

《We need to conserve our strength.》

《Until we can withstand that ridiculous causality.》

“What is it?”

《Until then, be as quiet as a mouse─ Hi, hic…!!》

The phrase changed and showed a look of horror at Cyan’s sudden words.

It was just a simple phrase, but somehow the emotions contained within were felt without filtering.

A moment of silence.

《E, emergency extension… no, extension emergency. No, we will be conducting an emer-gency extension maintenance.》

《Tring! The connection to the server has been lost…yo.》

A loud notification window popped up, and the screen turned off with a flick.

“……”

Somehow, Mobile Lord’s tricks were developing day by day.