Chapter 81

Rezleizer's skill, "General's Virtue Slash," increases in power the more subordinates or citizens it governs, with no upper limit to its power increase, making it a broken performance.

However, it is not unlimited in use.

A significant drawback is that the backlash from the slash attack hits the skill user at a level that is not to be taken lightly.

This time, Rezleizer, who was hit directly by the skill's backlash, trembled violently and collapsed.

"Still, it's quite a minor injury, isn't it?"

Noem, who was called, said calmly.

"During a battle with demons, when I used the 'General's Virtue Slash' with the power of 7,000 people, the backlash would have shattered my entire body if I had taken it without a plan. If it were the power of hundreds of thousands, the backlash would be even greater, leaving no trace of the body."

"Noem, you're saying such terrifying things so calmly...!?"

"Still, the fact that a corpse remained suggests that the skill evolved to 'Heavenly Virtue Slash,' which improved the backlash. The backlash has been significantly reduced."

"It's not a corpse! He's alive!"

Since it couldn't be left on the balcony where the night wind was blowing, he was carried inside the castle, but even a slight touch made him scream in pain. Carrying him in a princess carry would have been even more painful due to the jostling.

Noem, who had concocted an Elixer, should have given it to him to recover immediately.

Why hasn't he given it to him yet?

"The awareness of becoming a king, the love of a maiden, these have combined to evolve Rezleizer's skill. As I believed, he possesses the qualities befitting a king."

The king, looking down at the battered Rezleizer, shed tears of emotion.

So why hasn't he given him the Elixer yet?

"Still, for Rezleizer to fully control the 'Heavenly Virtue Slash,' the problem of the backlash must be resolved. In the end, he will have to rely on Ryuya to take the backlash and Noem to heal him. You three must act as one."

"Hey! The medicine!"

Rezleizer's spasms were becoming weaker!

Finally, he forced the Elixer bottle into his mouth to promote recovery. Meanwhile, the king was addressing his other daughter.

"Compared to Rezleizer, who has shown great growth, Isabelle, you show no signs of growth."

"Yes..."

The first princess, Isabelle, who had previously been arrogant, now hung her head and looked dejected.

"I have heard that you tried to seduce Ryuya to lure the hero and aim for the throne. That is despicable. This alone clearly shows that you lack the qualifications to be queen."

"Indeed, that is true..."

The king's relentless criticism was unexpected, but Isabelle accepted it as it was. Perhaps she had been moved by seeing Rezleizer's 'Heavenly Virtue Slash.'

"Rezleizer, who protects our country, will ensure absolute safety. Compared to that, my and Zemnant's skills are far inferior. Our skills are only used to manipulate and overwork the people."

"Here's another Elixer!"

What, one Elixer wasn't enough for Rezleizer to recover?

The story continues.

"Having realized my place, I will step aside. The new king of this country is Rezleizer. I will support my sister, who has become the queen, with all my might."

"No, you should marry into another country, you."

The king, who wanted to get rid of this troublesome eldest daughter, was putting all his effort into it.

"No, Father, I have found a place to marry. The best companion to match my path."

"Hmm?"

"I wish to marry Ryuya. I want to become his third wife and support the new queen as a wife of the same man."

"What are you saying?"

Isabelle's eyes, which were fixed on me, had a strangely pink hue.

There was always a hint of seductive charm, but the allure directed at me now was different.

"I have never been scolded so seriously by anyone before. It felt like I was treated as a person of worth for the first time. If I can walk together with such a person, I will never stray from the path again."

It seems that the spanking I gave her resonated more with her heart than I imagined.

A type that falls in love easily with a different treatment!?

"...Besides, isn't it too cruel to let me suffer such a shameful experience without any consequences?"

"Huh?"

"I have been marked. If you do not take full responsibility, I cannot marry anywhere else."

The image that came to my mind was the spanking I gave Isabelle's bottom just a moment ago.

For a young woman, it was indeed one of the highest levels of humiliation.

To the point where she couldn't marry?

"Ryuya, can we talk in detail?"

"King!?"

I was gripped by the shoulder with surprising force by the king.

"Isabelle, indeed, has a twisted nature and is honest about her desires, and compared to Rezleizer, she lacks charm, but she is still my daughter. Moreover, she is my eldest daughter. As a father, I cannot remain silent if she has been marked...!"

"Wait! It's a misunderstanding! If I explain, you'll understand! I have never lived a life of shame before anyone!"

Although I stopped the first princess Isabelle's plan to disrupt the country, I was caught up in a new ambition.

◆

The next day, I finally regained my composure and visited the Adventurer's Guild (Centorian Capital Branch) again.

"Rondait, it's been a day."

"Ooh! You're here, Ryuya! Congratulations on your S-rank promotion this time!!"

As a professional adventurer, Rondait was the happiest about my S-rank promotion.

I had stopped by to greet him yesterday but immediately headed to the castle, and at that time, the deliberation was still ongoing, and it wasn't confirmed that I would become S-rank, so I could finally have a proper conversation.

"Are you free now? Can we chat a bit?"

"Any talk with you, I'll put aside any other urgent matters! Even if a large monster attacks the city, I'll put it on hold!"

If that happens, please prioritize it.

"You've become so important. I'll have to start calling you 'sir' and use polite language. I'll have to show respect."

"Please don't. I've always been taken care of by you, Rondait. I'll always respect you."

"Thanks for the kind words. So, what brings you here today? If you're here to ask me to step down as guild master, I'll have to do it, won't I?"

"There's no one else who could be the guild master here. Besides, there's only one reason for an adventurer to come to the guild. Give me a quest, please."

Adventurers complete quests to earn money.

"A quest...? An S-rank adventurer like you...?"

"Can't you give me a herb-gathering quest?"

"An S-rank adventurer gathering herbs!?"

I was scolded by Rondait.

"If I make an S-rank adventurer gather herbs, I'll be investigated by the council! Please, just sit back and relax."

"I can't do that."

Whether it's the lowest rank or S-rank, the job of an adventurer is to complete quests and earn rewards. If you forget that and think 'I'm important, so I can do anything,' your character will start to rot.

"Rather, I want to gather herbs even as an S-rank to remind myself not to forget the basics!"

"You're really a serious guy. ...But you need to show your greatness in other ways!"

Is it really necessary to show your greatness?

"...Oh, I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Why don't you make me your mistress? As the guild master of a branch, you can't refuse an S-rank adventurer. If I'm asked to be a mistress, I can't say no, can I?"

Rondait, licking her lips, had a look that was definitely not that of the prey but of the predator.

"I'm engaged, you know?"

"Whether you have a family or not, strong men usually have more than the average. Wealth, courage, and women. If it becomes known that I, a veteran of the guild, am your mistress, it will add some prestige to your name, won't it?"

"It will also label you as a playboy."

Why does Rondait always try to become my mistress whenever she gets the chance?

Isabelle is still calmly pursuing the position of my third wife.

If I were to take Rondait as well, the rumor of my promiscuity would spread to an irreparable level!

Even after marrying Rezleizer and Noem, it seems my harem will continue to grow.

However, it seems that once you become S-rank, your name inevitably becomes known, and many people try to get close to you using their charm.

Many people came to see me after I became S-rank.

Among them were some who were not desirable.