Chapter 61

"Whoa...!"

The moment he saw it, a sigh of admiration escaped his lips.

A short walk from the temporary lodging, in front of the main street of the Labyrinth District, stood a prime location within the district.

Accompanied by Rieve, Helian was greeted by a large, four-story building standing on a vast plot of land.

Given that most of the surrounding buildings were two or three stories tall, it was clear that the building in front of him was an exceptionally impressive property.

"I had heard about it, but you really went all out."

Initially, the plan was to use the funds obtained from Lateswood to rent a small shop and start trading activities, but he never expected to acquire such a grand property right away.

With this, there would be no worry about the Transfer Gate being discovered. It could be set up in a space isolated from the outside world, making it possible to establish a base of operations in the human domain.

Moreover, it was not a rental but a personal property that had been transferred to him.

It might have included the reward for the Labyrinth rampage, but he thought it was quite generous as a reward for a single request.

Perhaps securing the safety of his beloved daughter was worth this much, or it could be a sign that the matter was taken very seriously.

Probably both, he thought as he stepped into the building through the front entrance facing the main street.

"Huh? Who are you, a customer? Sorry, but we're still in the middle of renovations—"

A small man with numerous carpentry tools hanging from his waist turned around, looking annoyed at the visitor. He was about to tell the visitor to leave, saying, "Get out, you're in the way," but he stopped short when he saw the visitor's face.

"Y-Your M-Majesty—Ow!?"

The small man, who was about to call out "Your Majesty," was hit on the back of the head with a piece of lumber.

Passing by the groaning man, Galdy appeared, carrying a bundle of lumber on his shoulder.

"Hey, Boss! Is it really okay to be out and about already?"

"It's not quite a full recovery, but walking around a bit shouldn't be a problem. ...By the way, is it okay to leave him like that? He seems to have taken a critical hit."

"I just shut his big mouth. He's still getting used to his new body, but I didn't hit him that hard, so there's no problem. —Right, buddy?"

The last words were directed at the bearded, small man who was huddled on the ground, holding the back of his head.

In response to Galdy's intimidating, deep voice, the man nodded vigorously and managed to stand up.

With a prominent beard and a small but muscular build, he was one of the engineers called from the homeland of Alkymira. A subordinate of the Fifth Legion, he was, in other words, one of Galdy's men.

Currently, he was in his fully humanized form, but his original race was a High Mineral Sprite. Originally a technician in the Seventh Legion, he had transferred to the Fifth Legion because he preferred building fortifications in battlefields where artillery shells flew rather than swinging a hammer in a safe workshop.

"Don't show such a pitiful face in front of the Boss. Pull yourself together."

"Well, you can say that, Boss, but this body is really weak. If you hit me with your brute strength, I can't help but pass out..."

"My body is in the same condition. We're both weaklings. First of all, you made it through the selection battle in your fully humanized form, so you're here. No excuses."

The selection battle Galdy mentioned was a mock competition held in the homeland while Helian was bedridden.

The participants had to meet two conditions: they were not currently engaged in special missions and had high-level skills as engineers. The special rules were that they had to use weapons from this world obtained from Lateswood and fight in their fully humanized forms.

The winners and top finishers were given the right to apply to join the human domain expedition led by King Helian.

Naturally, the battles were fierce. After several sudden death group battles, one-on-one duels among the top hundred winners were held, and a few of them were called here as actual reinforcements.

Incidentally, with their racial skills sealed and a two-rank reduction in ability, many high-level monsters were confused, leading to numerous upsets and major upsets in the selection battle.

"By the way, you look incredibly suited to being a carpenter."

With a headband and rolled-up sleeves, the large man carrying tools and lumber on his shoulder looked like a seasoned carpenter. If you ignored his intimidating appearance, he could have passed as a foreman right away.

"Well, I've set up simple bases many times before. Old habits die hard. To be honest, I'm better at tearing things down."

"I'm well aware of that. There aren't many defensive fortifications that you can't destroy."

However, Helian thought that Galdy was a useful guy when he reconsidered.

He had a high aptitude for maintaining order and suppressing riots, second only to Balan. Along with his subordinates, he could build temporary housing and perform simple repairs, showing versatility in areas other than his primary role in siege battles.

Having survived the turbulent period when proper specialized jobs were scarce and they had to do everything, his subordinates were versatile. Especially when it came to simple physical labor, there was a mysterious sense of reassurance that "If I leave it to him, it'll be fine."

"I thought you would take command and let the summoned engineers do the work."

"Ah, maybe someone like Balan or Eltina would, but I prefer to get my hands dirty. I actually enjoy doing the work myself. Isn't that right, Boss?"

"Why did you mention me?"

"Huh? Well, Boss, you're always on the front lines, aren't you? You could just sit back and watch us do the fighting."

...Ah, that's what you meant.

Helian understood Galdy's point. However, there was a significant difference between Helian and Galdy.

In the game era, Helian was the type who aimed to maximize combat power using <Secret Arts> and <Royal Army>. He didn't play a safe game by commanding from the throne to avoid death penalties but took risks to aim for the highest score.

Now, he was on the front lines to maintain [Loyalty] by putting his body on the line, not because he was a true field commander like Galdy.

...In other words, I was thought to be in the same category as a musclehead.

Feeling a bit shocked, he noticed that Rieve's gaze was sharper than usual. Her piercing look was directed at Galdy. It seemed that even though she understood the nature of Galdy's familiar attitude and tone towards the master, it still made her uncomfortable.

To change the atmosphere, Helian asked about the whereabouts of another legion commander who was not present.

"By the way, where's Seres? I don't see her."

"Oh, she's been holed up in a room on the second floor, conducting some kind of experiment with local materials—"

A dull explosion echoed.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a room with a black smoke billowing from an open window was visible.

"...That room, right?"

"Yep."

Soon, Seres appeared at the window.

Using a simple wind spell to ventilate, she was wiping soot from her cheeks and muttering curses like, "What is this? It's ridiculous," "Why does it saturate with such a low amount of magic?" and "It's way too fragile." She was holding a half-broken beaker in her left hand.

"Oh, Young Master."

Noticing their presence, Seres called out.

However, realizing that speaking from a higher position—second floor—was impolite, she hesitated, opening and closing her mouth several times before finally rushing out of the room and down to the front entrance on the first floor.

"Good work. ...The black smoke hasn't completely cleared, but I assume there's no fire, right?"

"Yes, please rest assured, Young Master. I've taken care of the basic cleanup."

"Thanks. The research on using local materials is one of the important matters, but I can't afford to have the base turn to ashes. Also, we'll be interacting with the local residents in the future, so be careful not to offend them early on."

"Yes, sir."

Seres answered, shrinking slightly.

As the Fourth Legion Commander responsible for research in peacetime, she had a tendency to lose sight of her surroundings when her research enthusiasm got the better of her. Knowing this, Helian thought it was important to set a clear boundary at the beginning and used somewhat strong words. However, seeing her hang her head, he felt a bit guilty.

...Maybe I was a bit harsh, but a little support is okay. She's working hard. Yeah.

Helian justified it to himself and spoke.

"However, I don't dislike your enthusiastic attitude. If you have any results, report them to me. I look forward to hearing good news."

"...! Yes, Young Master. I have a suitable test subject here, so I'll show you results right away, yes!"

Seres clenched her fist and replied. Helian nodded in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the large man carrying lumber muttered, "I hope he's not talking about me as a test subject..." but everyone except Seres pretended not to hear.

"Alright, how's the progress? It looks like you're focusing on renovating the shop area."

"Yep. The residential part is almost done, but the shop area is about sixty percent complete."

"We're carving defensive spells while working, so it's taking a bit longer. It will take a bit more time to fortify it—"

"Wait a moment."

A disturbing word caught his attention.

Fortify? What does that mean?

"...Galdy, Seres. I did say that this facility would serve as a base of operations in the human domain, but I didn't mean to turn it into a combat fortress. Do you understand that?"

"?, Of course, sir."

Seres answered with a puzzled look, and Galdy nodded behind her.

It seemed they understood the meaning of the base, but why did the word "fortify" come up?

"Ah, when I say fortify, I don't mean to make it overly elaborate. Given the time constraints, we'll just set up traps to repel intruders this time."

"Intruder countermeasures. ...What exactly do you have in mind?"

"Yes. First, we'll stop the intruders with a <Lightning Net> that activates along the perimeter of the building when an intrusion is detected, and then capture them with a gravity-based containment field. Once they're immobilized, we'll detonate <Chain Explosive Mines> laid inside the containment field. As a backup in case they break through, we'll set up an automatic defense system with <Flame Piercing Spears>—"

"Wait, wait, just wait a moment!"

What are you planning to fight against? How much defensive capability do you want to give to a simple shop run by a new merchant?

While it's true that the Labyrinth District has worse security compared to the Central District, a defense system that would obliterate any intruder without leaving a trace is excessive. The shop's door might as well be the gate to hell.

"...Sigh. That's going too far, Seres. That's why you're called a smart fool. Even His Majesty is exasperated."

Leve sighed and put her hand to her forehead.

Oh, Helian thought inwardly.

As expected of the King's aide and the Eye of Alkymira.

She articulated the feelings of those who heard about the excessive defense system—

"<Flame Piercing Spears> could cause a fire. There are many wooden buildings around. Use <Wind Dust Arrows> instead."

—But she didn't.

Actually, Leve, wait a moment.

After hearing the explanation, are you only worried about the fire?

There are many other issues. A much bigger problem.

"There's no way I'll make a mistake that could cause a fire. Who do you think I am? Besides, 'smart fool' is mostly what you call me, Leve."

"Be mindful of even the slightest possibility. There are other options, so there's no need to choose a fire-based spell. Isn't that right?"

"I'm better at fire than wind, unlike El. You know that. The most important thing is to eliminate intruders who try to sneak into Young Master's important shop. <Flame Piercing Spears> are more suitable in this case because I'm more familiar with them than <Wind Dust Arrows>."

"Everyone understands that the most important thing is to eliminate intruders. However, if we set up <Flame Piercing Spears> without causing any damage to the surroundings, it would be a high-level technique that only you can do with the current personnel. Considering that you're also conducting research, it might be affecting the progress of the renovation."

"Don't say it like I'm holding you back. There's no delay in the schedule, and I'm finishing the tasks assigned to me within the specified time. If you doubt me, I can submit a roadmap."

Leve and Seres continued their heated debate.

Helian, who heard their excellent conversation, felt a dizziness different from the backlash of Secret Arts.

Seres casually mentioned "the most important thing," and Leve agreed that anyone would understand it, but Helian himself couldn't follow or understand her extreme thinking.

Putting his hand on his aching forehead, Helian stopped the two women who were still arguing.

"Both of you, that's enough. And Seres, Galdy. For now, the defense system should only be for capture, not elimination. That should significantly reduce the workload."

No need for annihilation. Self-defense is sufficient. The renovation workers looked at each other, but with the king's word, the elimination system disguised as a defense system was canceled.

Helian, who prevented a potential tragedy, continued to listen to Galdy and the others about the progress and learned that the residential part was almost complete.

The only unfinished part was the private room for the merchant, which was mostly waiting for the delivery of interior decorations, such as a canopy bed and paintings currently being made, to give the room a royal touch. Upon hearing this, Helian decided to move out of the temporary lodging and into the new place immediately.

In the homeland, it was the king's duty to be particular about furnishings, but this was not his castle. A living environment where he could live without worrying about the eyes of other guests and the inn's staff was much more important than furniture that didn't fit his status.

"Anyway, I'm going back to get my belongings. You all continue with the work."

The three legion commanders, especially Leve and Seres, were concerned that the environment was not yet suitable for the king, but they had to accept his word.

However, Seres, who communicated with Leve through eye contact, managed to secure and install a canopy bed with the help of the engineers before Helian returned from the inn.

"......"

When Helian opened the door to his new private room and saw the enormous, assertive bed, he fell silent.

"...Is this what they call a communication breakdown?"

I should consult with Reifa about how to deal with my subordinates.

Helian wrote this in his mental notebook, sighed deeply, and began to unpack his belongings.

---

"......What didn't you like, Boss?"

"I don't know. Don't look at me, simpleton