Crossroad city center. The temple.
Having been transported here since dawn, I was getting my left arm treated.
"Im not sure how you ca about this injury."
The temples priest and Rank-R healer, Saintess Margarita, finished treating and wrapped my arm in a bandage.
"Every single bone in your left arm is shattered. Thankfully, you gave yourself first aid with a potion, so it didnt lead to a life-threatening injury."
Ouch.
After tying up in a cast, Margarita, who had stepped back, let go of my arm.
"Even after the treatnt is completed, you wont be able to use your left arm as before. Your grip strength will decrease, your wrist may stiffen, among other problems."
"Is that so..."
I gritted my teeth.
The price of the 000 fumble was hefty. Should I be grateful Im not a combatant?
"Anyway, absolute rest is needed. Co to the temple once every two days to get treatnt."
"Understood, Saintess. Thank you."
After fiddling with my immobilized left arm, I asked a question.
"Is Evangeline okay?"
"Her shoulder injury is a bit severe, but if she doesnt strain herself, she should recover soon. Shes an exceptionally sturdy person."
She is a SSR-Rank Tanker. Her recovery ability is incomparable to my frail one. Or is this the difference between a teenager and soone in their 20s?
After expressing my gratitude to Margarita, as usual, I generously put a donation in the donation box and stepped outside. Lucas was standing there.
"..."
Seeing my left arm in a cast, Lucass face was a complicated one. I smirked.
"What did I say? I ca back in one piece... ouch!"
The jerk suddenly hit my left arm. Sparks flew in front of my eyes. Argh!
"Its fucking painful! What are you doing, bastard!"
"Youre not exactly in one piece, are you? Stop bragging."
Sure, but that doesnt an you should hit my injured area! If you have a complaint, use words, you jerk!
As I was about to flare up, Lucas made a face like a rain-soaked puppy.
"What reckless act did you do this ti, My Lord..."
"Ugh."
Stop making that face! I havent done anything wrong but Im feeling guilty!
"Next ti, absolutely do not do anything so reckless."
"Alright, alright..."
After casually reassuring Lucas, I asked about the most important matter.
"Did the defense battle go smoothly?"
I hadnt received a detailed battle report yet. Lucas slowly nodded.
"As I could not cause any harm to you, My Lord, I commanded to the best of my ability."
"Oh, you too..."
Lucas explained to the general flow of the defense battle.
He said that within 15 minutes of the start of the battle, Damien had sniped all three of the magic stone golems.
He finished off the most troubleso foes so easily? Is this what they call a good match-up...?
For the next six hours, they systematically annihilated the remaining nearby entities.
After completing the cleanup of the remaining golems, it seed salvation had finally arrived at the mansion.
"Even the slightest carelessness in battle could result in unpredictable damage, hence why we concluded it ticulously. I apologize, my Lord, for the delay in rescue."
"Theres nothing to apologize for. You did a great job."
I patted Lucass shoulder and asked cautiously.
"Any casualties?"
Lucas glanced around the temple. He could see soldiers receiving treatnt inside.
"There are 14 with serious injuries, and 128 with minor ones."
"...Any fatalities?"
"None."
I froze at his response.
To my stiffened self, Lucas emphasized once more.
"There were no fatalities, my Lord."
"...Ha ha."
For the first ti.
For the first ti, we cleared a stage without any human casualties.
Laughter flowed spontaneously from within . I covered my mouth with my hand and gave Lucas a playful elbow jab.
"You did a great job, Lucas! No fatalities... Incredible. You might be better at this than , buddy."
"Dont say things like that."
Lucas maintained a serious expression.
"While you were gone...everyone was anxious."
"Huh? Were they worried because I went alone?"
"No."
With downcast eyes, Lucas spat out his words with difficulty.
"Everyone who stayed here... without confidence... they trembled in anxiety."
I blinked my eyes. What was he saying?
"When youre with us, my Lord, confusion disappears. We can follow your orders with confidence. But yesterday, as soon as you left..."
Lucas trailed off his words.
"Everyone... didnt know what to do..."
"..."
Many thoughts raced through my mind.
If it was because my commands were precise and efficient, that would be good.
However, I thought about the possible side effects of my passive skill, the Unyielding Commander.
My passive effect provides immunity to ntal status abnormalities...
I initially thought it simply protected against status abnormalities inflicted by the enemy during battle.
But that wasnt the case. People around not only didnt experience fear or confusion, they also remained ntally stable.
Simply by being nearby, their minds seed to find peace.
What am I, aromatherapy?
However, looking at it from the other perspective, it ant they beca unsettled when I wasnt around.
Is this just fostering dependency on ...?
It was a pleasure to be relied upon. But the side effects were sothing to consider.
I remained silent. Hmm~
Well, I dont know for now.
"But anyway, weve successfully cleared the stage! No fatalities! Evangeline and I returned alive!"
I shouted with gusto, giving Lucass back a hearty slap.
"Everything worked out just fine, Lucas! No need to worry. I wont be wandering off on my own from now on."
"Yes, my Lord."
Lucas gazed at with eyes as deep as wells.
"I am your guard. From the mont we t until now, always."
"Uh, yes..."
"Do not leave behind, especially when you venture into dangerous places."
In response, I patted Lucass head. Oh, my faithful dog. Hes so worried just because his master left once.
"How are the other party mbers? Are they all safe?"
"Yes, everyones okay. Damien bled a little from his eyes later in the battle, though..."
"What, seriously?!"
"He said he was fine. Hes getting treated at the temple right now."
Thats a relief. I should visit once his treatnt is over.
Everything seems to be wrapping up nicely. I cracked a smile.
"You did great, Lucas."
"You accomplished great things as well, my Lord. Please, rest today."
Sighing, Lucas pointed towards the castle walls.
"I would prefer to stay by your side, but I must take care of post-battle arrangents so you can rest at ease."
"Ha ha, Ill leave it to you."
"Yes, my Lord. Ill see you later."
With a bow, Lucas headed for the castle walls.
Watching Lucas grow distant, I eased myself into the carriage parked in front of the temple. Boy, I need to get ho and lay down.
***
We certainly won the battle, but the stage clear announcent hadnt appeared yet.
There must still be so of the smashed golems crawling around in the mansion.
Because they are not living creatures but stone brutes, this happened.
The soldiers are searching and confirming kills.
Once that process is finished and the last one is defeated, the stage clear announcent should appear.
I guess itll end today.
In the lords mansion, the inner courtyard.
Sitting comfortably in a small pavilion, I enjoyed the sun.
Spring is definitely nearing. The day was fairly warm.
Tiredness had yet to fully fade, and I was nodding off in the sunlight when.
"Why not take a nap inside instead of doing this here?"
A sulky voice reached my ears.
Blinking my eyes open, I saw it was Evangeline. She stood in the courtyard, her body wrapped in bandages and leaning on a crutch.
"Considering your age, you might catch a chill and get arthritis."
"Hey, Im not that old. Youre in your teens and youre boasting about it?"
Unbelievable. Youngsters these days... Ugh.
"Evangeline."
Having crossed the garden, Evangeline plopped down next to .
Her platinum blonde hair, bathed in spring sunlight, sparkled like sand-gold.
The color of gold was the color of the SSR grade, so just seeing it sparkle unknowingly made my mood brighter.
... Could this be a case of Gold-Fever?
"Surprised you made it to the dawn alive."
Evangeline, who had been staring at the sun in the southern sky with sleepy eyes, shrugged her shoulders.
"I thought Id never see this sunlight again."
"I apologize for making you go through all this just as you were preparing to leave."
This stage had been one series of surprises after another. I couldnt have imagined it would cause so much trouble.
"After you have received all your treatnts, take your ti to recover. Rest as much as you want before leaving."
"Im not leaving."
"...What?"
At this unexpected comnt, my heart dropped.
I looked squarely at Evangeline. But the young girls face was resolute.
"I thought about it all night. I want to inherit the Margrave title."
"Do you... understand what that ans?"
I spoke hurriedly.
"It ans you would be inheriting the duties of the Cross family. It ans you would 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 wish."
"Im sorry, but I still havent fully forgiven my father. Disobeying his will is the last act of disobedience I can commit."
Evangeline nodded slightly.
"Im a stubborn mule, after all."
I smiled bitterly. This girl...
"Senior, I... want to understand my father."
Evangelines gaze drifted toward the southern fortification in the distance.
"His feelings at that ti. His thoughts. His actions. I still dont fully understand."
The place her father had once stood and defended.
Her gaze towards the front line was firm.
"If I stand in the sa position as my father, perhaps then I would understand. The inner thoughts of that stubborn old man..."
"... "
"Im sorry for going back on my word, but!"
Evangeline smirked wickedly.
"I want to inherit the title and regain the authority over the territory. As the rightful heir to the Cross family."
"Evangeline..."
"The resentnt and responsibility youre trying to bear... Ill share it with you."
Evangeline confidently pointed at herself.
"I keep saying this, but Im the top of the academy. I can hold my own in a fight."
Of course. She is the noble SSR grade, after all.
"Ill grow taller in the future. Ill beco much cooler."
She will. A few years from now, she will be a gallant knight.
"Above all, Ill beco stronger. Both as a knight and as a person."
Yes. After going through her third job advancent and acquiring her ultimate skill, she, equipped with an upgraded exclusive set of equipnt, will indeed beco the strongest tank.
"So, just say one thing."
"Whats that?"
"Lets fight together from now on."
Evangeline rose from her seat and stood in front of .
Despite her diminutive stature, she stood confidently, bearing a remarkable resemblance to a knight.
"Ill protect this city right beside you."
"..."
The most powerful SSR-ranked tank, Evangeline Cross, was asking to join my party first.
There was no player in the world foolish enough to reject this proposal.
Facing Evangeline, who wore a confident smile, I returned her grin and responded.
"No."
"Ha-ha. Alright then, I look forward to... wait, what?"
"I said, no."
Evangelines eyes widened in surprise.
Her expression revealed she never dread of rejection.
I thrust my index finger towards her surprised face and shouted.
"This city is already mine. I cant give it back!"
Seriously, I an it.
Do you know how hard I worked to secure this place? How could you ask to give it up?! Do you think Ive gone mad?!
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