Chapter 58

This is the epilogue of Chapter Two.

---

It seems I had been asleep for a full two days.

I finally woke up on the third day, and by the fourth day, I was able to have a proper conversation. It wasn't until the seventh day that I could move my body while lying in bed.

Compared to the reckless actions in the capital of Ratestwood, it should have been a much lighter burden, but the consecutive activation of secret arts from a state of halved vitality was apparently a rather reckless act.

Perhaps the result of this was due to the cumulative effects of staying up all night for consecutive days, the sudden mental fatigue from the heavy pressure I was burdened with, the fatigue from the unfamiliar journey, and the constant tension during the days in Sheilds.

After that, there was one more incident, but Helian and the others managed to reunite with Gardi and return to the surface. It is said that Shion and the others also completed the entire process without losing a single person after completing the ritual. Despite the troubles, they successfully accomplished the border lord's request.

With the stabilization of the dungeon and the declaration of the end of the situation, the residents who had evacuated from the sealed-off dungeon district returned. The dungeon rampage was treated as a minor incident, and the border city Sheilds is gradually regaining its peace.

Now, Helian is looking at the <Record> on the <Virtual Window> he opened on the bed.

"......"

With a furrowed brow, Helian repeatedly reads the <Record>. Once he acknowledges that the content he has read is not a mistake, he opens the <Authority Virtual Window> and mutters an oral command.

"Transfer Gate: Installation"

In response to the mutter, a sphere emitting a faint light appears. The light sphere of the created transfer gate is floating beside the lying Helian. When touched, it displays a normal list of transfer destinations, including the capital of Alkymira, Agartha, and the homeland of Ratestwood.

"......Successfully installed the transfer gate, huh."

In one corner of Helian's vision, which is still lost in thought, the <Record> of the dungeon exploration displays the following information after the defeat of the Blue Knight.

---

- Successfully destroyed the symbol of the territory.

- Successfully annihilated the first faction in the territory.

- The [Dominance] in the territory exceeds the standard value for a small territory.

- Territory Authority Opened: Installation of the transfer gate in the territory is now permitted.

---

Even when checking the territory information in another <Virtual Window>, there was almost no change in the [Dominance] distribution in Sheilds, excluding the dungeon district. However, it was recorded that Alkymira had more than 50% of the [Dominance] in the dungeon district.

This was not due to the citizens' evaluation of the dungeon rampage and exploration. There was also a need to handle it as a minor incident, and Helian's achievements were not widely announced. Moreover, with that level of achievement, it was impossible to immediately gain more than 50% of the [Dominance]. This 50% ratio almost perfectly matched the first faction's ratio confirmed after the recent negotiations.

In other words, as stated in the <Record>, Alkymira had taken it.

By annihilating the first faction and taking all the [Dominance] they possessed. And the first faction was not the border lord Glen Gardiner, as previously speculated, but the Blue Knight encountered suddenly in the dungeon. Given this situation, it is likely that the second faction, which holds 40% of the [Dominance], was the border lord.

Thus, Alkymira, though limited to the dungeon district, gained a large amount of [Dominance] through a method of 'military invasion' that was not originally planned. This now allows for the instant transfer of personnel from the homeland of Alkymira, and it is also possible to return the brought army commander to the homeland. It also makes it easier to import and export goods, and represents a significant advance towards establishing an activity base in the human domain.

"......What exactly was that Blue Knight?"

The image that comes to mind is that of a superhuman knight clad in blue armor. Upon reflection, it was an abnormal existence. Despite being a melee combatant, it could cast powerful magic without incantation and revive without the usual means. It possessed unknown abilities to Helian. There are a few similar examples, such as Reifa, who manipulates unique summoning magic never seen before, and the border lord, who, despite being considered a 'human' with no combat ability, possesses high combat power. So, in that sense, it is not a new issue. However, when combined with the combat ability of an army commander, it becomes a serious matter.

Its true identity is completely unimaginable. Even when calmly considered, it seemed to be a unique individual in this world, which is similar to [Tactics Chronicle]. The guardian of the border city, which protects the human domain, is equivalent to a lower B-rank. Even the fairy dragon, a common enemy of the human race, which was deployed in the battle against the 'Demon King,' is only B-rank. Yet, the peace of the human domain has been maintained for several hundred years, and humans have maintained their prosperity with their own strength.

In this historical context, the Blue Knight, a myth-level threat, is inconceivable. It is clearly abnormal and does not fit into the known historical background and situation. It felt like an 'alien' in this world.

--- Yes, just like us in this world.

"Sir Helian, the tea is ready."

Helian, who was lost in thought, hears Reeve's cool voice. She is already standing beside the bed. Helian dispels the transfer gate, which is in the way, and tries to sit up.

"Ah, please stay as you are. I will assist you."

Reeve places the tea set she is holding on the side table and promptly inserts her right hand behind Helian's back.

The act of helping someone to sit up without causing them any burden may seem simple, but it requires a certain level of specialized skill. Thanks to Reeve's assistance, Helian was able to sit up without any pain. There is no skill called 'assistance,' but it is probably interpreted as an extension of skills like 'etiquette' or 'service.' The exact mechanism is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is simply a result of Reeve's loyalty.

"......It smells good."

"Yes. Today, I have brewed tea leaves from Houmi. They have a high effect on fatigue recovery and a refreshing flavor. I believe you will be satisfied."

While explaining, Reeve pours the tea with a smooth movement. Behind her, her silver tail sways. She is currently in her demon form.

This is in response to her direct request to be in this form to maintain vigilance while Helian is immobile. It might be a bit troublesome if other guests or staff see her, but Reeve would not make such a mistake. Personally, it makes it easier to read her emotions, so he decided to allow it.

"Here you are."

The tea set is placed on the side table next to the bed. Helian picks up the cup with intricate gold work and takes a sip. The flavor that envelops his tongue and the pleasant warmth that goes down his throat are irresistible. While tilting the cup, he absentmindedly gazes at the tail swaying behind Reeve.

"Your tea is always delicious."

"I am honored."

Reeve bows with a blank expression, but the speed of her tail's movement increases by 20%. As a result, the tail, which was swaying, now vibrates. Despite her composed face, the instinctive movement of her tail evokes a feeling of warmth. Perhaps due to the calming effect of the tea, Helian's royal mask slips, and he inadvertently smiles.

"---"

As he tightens his expression, Reeve lets out a hoarse voice. Her cheeks are slightly flushed.

"Is something wrong?" he asks, but Reeve responds with a cool, "Nothing is wrong."

Her attitude seemed somewhat cold, but since her tail's movement has not changed, she is not upset. Helian continues to savor the tea and asks casually.

"By the way, what about Gardi and Ceres?"

"They are heading to receive the rewards for the dungeon exploration. It is said to be a prime location on a major street leading to the central district, a rather good property."

"Indeed. A prime location on a major street. I look forward to seeing it."

The quest for the dungeon exploration requested by the border lord. The demand made at the time was a facility to hide the transfer gate, which would be treated as a shop. It was originally a house, so it needs to be renovated into a shop, but it is said to be the size of a small mansion. It is certainly an extravagant building for a new merchant to set up a shop.

In any case, the immediate goal of installing the transfer gate and obtaining a facility to hide it has been achieved much earlier than expected. Even if it were to be done as quickly as possible, it would take at least a month, and normally, it would take more than half a year. This is a significant achievement, far ahead of schedule.

However, the process was not satisfactory. The plan, which was carefully devised, stumbled from the beginning, and its correction was difficult. Unexpected events continued, and he was repeatedly forced to make choices, and each time, he had to deal with them flexibly to somehow make ends meet. He was also helped by luck. At least, he cannot boast that he accomplished it with his own strength. But---

"There is no need to achieve everything with one's own strength. What is important is to take responsibility for the results... or something like that."

He mutters this, recalling the words he received from Reifa. Now that he thinks about it, he might have been a bit too rigid. Since coming to this city, he has not had any peace of mind.

No, if he thinks about it, it was even before leaving the country. He had to carry the country, he had to do something himself, he had to work hard alone, and he had to keep telling himself that. He had to continue being an excellent king to avoid being betrayed by his subordinates, driven by a compulsion.

...It's not even a laughing matter.

He laughs at himself for not being able to use Reifa's advice and for taking on everything alone. Even without the dungeon rampage and exploration, it is not hard to imagine that he would have eventually collapsed under the weight of his burden.

It's a ridiculous story, even to himself. Looking at Reeve standing next to him, he thinks so from the bottom of his heart. Because there was someone who served him so loyally, right by his side.

He has not even found an ideal image of a king to aim for, so there is no such thing as being an excellent king.

"Sir Helian?"

"Don't worry. It's just a monologue."

He responds to Reeve, who tilts her head slightly. When he looks at her, her head is very close to his, as if she is trying to hear him. It is close enough to touch with his hand. This reminds him of a scene in the bedroom.

And, as if to recreate that scene, his right hand moves. His palm, which rests on Reeve's head, gently strokes her silver hair, as if petting a dog.

"---!"

With that, Reeve stiffens. Her head, hands, and even her tail stop moving. Her thoughts must have stopped as well. She is in a complete stop state.

At the same time, Helian also comes to his senses. He looks directly at his right hand, which is on Reeve's head, and petrifies. An indescribable silence falls.

"......"

--- It's bad. It's bad, bad, bad, bad. I completely messed up. Perhaps because her head was in such a good position, or because it reminded him of the scene in the bedroom, he touched Reeve's head without any warning. If this were modern Japan, it would be a scenario where a male student touches a nurse. It's completely out of bounds. It's not much different from the outrageous harassment he committed in the bedroom after the rebellion. He needs to smooth things over. Otherwise, he will offend Reeve. But he cannot come up with an appropriate excuse on the spot. In a panic, his thoughts move his mouth.

"Ah, by the way, we need to give you a reward for this. Your work this time was truly remarkable. I want to reward you for it."

He says this while still keeping his hand on Reeve's head. Once he starts talking, he loses the timing to let go. As a result, a ridiculous scene is created where the king is talking about rewards while his hand is on his subordinate's head. He cannot stop now. He feels like crying a little at his own clumsiness and waits for Reeve's response like a criminal awaiting trial.

"...N-no. During the rebellion, I failed to protect you, so I do not deserve