Chapter 199

After that, the Bandit King's party quickly adapted to the battle against monsters.

They were still inexperienced, allowing hits from the monsters and falling frequently, but luckily, their foes were level 10 to 20 slimes. The injuries were all minor enough to be healed with potions.

In the end, it took quite some time, but they managed to safely clear Zone 3 [Northern Fortress].

They were able to return to Crossroad by late evening.

'There were some hair-raising moments, but we managed to clear it somehow.'

I exhaled a sigh of relief as I took in the comforting summer air of Crossroad.

"We worked hard today."

Looking back at the teleport gate, I was taken aback.

All five members of Kuilan's party were sprawled on the ground. Kuilan was even leaning against the wall on the far side, retching.

"Ugh... I hate monsters and dungeons now..."

Hearing such pitiable words from a muscular giant over 2 meters tall was quite incongruous.

But there's no one in the world who finds monsters cute and dungeons as joyful as flower gardens.

One must overcome the fear that seeps into their bones and move forward. If you stand on the front lines against the monsters here, you must have that kind of determination.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 8]

- Lv.? ??? : 1 creature

- Lv.30 Acid Slime : 526 creatures

- Lv.25 Tri-color Slime : 488 creatures

- Start in : 7 days

There was a week left until the start of the next stage.

'During that time, I'll need to keep drilling these party members, training them to a level where they'll be useful in real combat.'

I thought, evaluating the five bandits' faces.

"..."

Suddenly, I thought of the other sub-parties I had been with.

'Shadow Squad.'

The Shadow Squad was an all-elf firepower team.

Two out of five had died, and the remaining three were sent on a classified mission. In hindsight, it was an excessively good team for a first sub-party.

'Dion Mercenary Band.'

The Dion Mercenary Band consisted of N-grade heroes.

They had ambition and potential, but ultimately, they all fell in the showdown with the Vampire King.

'Old Hunters.'

A group of old mercenaries brought by Jupiter.

A group of two mages and three warriors was an efficient combination, but both mages were killed. The three warriors became unable to battle again and retired.

'And now, this new sub-party...'

Their name not yet determined, I looked forlornly at the Bandit King's Penal Squad.

All of my sub-parties under my command had not remained intact. They had been injured, killed, or wiped out.

What would become of you?

Would you also be injured, killed, or annihilated?

Knowing that future, should I still employ you, command you?

Should I buy your lives for a mere pittance and control you with a leash called punishment? Is that right?

"Hey, you bandit scum."

I pulled a few gold coins from my pocket and flipped one to Kuilan and his men.

"It's encouragement money. Take it."

The bandits' faces, previously pale and downcast, lit up as they leaped up to catch my gold.

"Wow?! Thank you!"

"We'll use it well, Cashlord!"

"Buy something tasty with this and rest well tonight. But don't slack off too much."

"Yes, sir~!"

"We'll do as ordered!"

Kuilan and the party members chattered among themselves and left my mansion. Perhaps they were off to the town's pub for a drink.

Suddenly, I realized that the way people live seems similar everywhere.

They work, they clock out, they eat, they sleep.

The bandits conscripted into the penal battalion, and ordinary people living on earth. Perhaps they were spending similar days.

I glanced at the opposite side. My main party members were gazing at me with blank stares. I chuckled softly.

"Shall we eat as well?"

***

I had been away from this place for over a month, and we hadn't even had a reunion dinner since my return. Now was the time to indulge.

I requested a simple meal and appetizers from the chef.

I considered inviting other hero characters, but it was already nighttime. We decided to dine just among our main party members.

"Now, then. It's a bit late, but to celebrate my safe return to Crossroad..."

It felt a bit silly to give a toast myself, but no matter.

I raised the glass in my hand.

"Cheers!"

The party members all exclaimed 'Cheers!' in unison, raising their glasses.

In Lucas and Juju's hands were glasses of alcohol, while in Evangeline and Damien's were glasses of juice. Evangeline grumbled.

"Tsk, I know how to drink too..."

"You're underage; it's too soon for alcohol. Drink your juice."

With a clinking sound, we toasted, and each swallowed a mouthful.

Lucas gulped down his drink without a change in complexion, while Juju grimaced and coughed after just one sip. He was clearly not accustomed to alcohol.

"It's incredibly bitter! How can anyone enjoy... Urk!"

Speaking halfway, a gush of red wine flowed from Juju's mouth. I was no longer frightened by this blood joke since I had seen it too often.

"Bitter alcohol?"

Damien, who had been watching, wore a smirk filled with arrogance.

"For me, life is tough, so it tastes sweet. Heh heh..."

"No, you're drinking juice. Of course, it's sweet."

When would he ever return to normal? His dark aura seemed to be getting more intense.

"I can't drink alcohol, I can't decorate as I wish..."

Twirling her juice glass, Evangeline sighed.

"When will I finally become an adult and live as I please? Sigh."

This adolescent kid, who once didn't want to grow up, seemed to be swinging back and forth with all the restrictions of being a minor.

"Enough, take this, Evangeline."

I held out a small wrapped box I had prepared in advance. Evangeline's green eyes widened.

"What's this?"

"You asked me to buy it, remember? It's a gift set from the pastry shop in front of the Imperial Academy."

Evangeline's downcast face instantly brightened.

"Wow! Really?!"

It was what she had asked for before I left for the Imperial Capital. I had remembered to bring it.

"I've been dying to eat this! Yay!"

As Evangeline excitedly tore open the packaging, I handed out gifts I had bought in the capital to the other party members.

"I've brought each of you a gift as well. Here, take it."

It wasn't anything grand. Just souvenirs I picked up while I was in the Imperial Capital.

For Lucas, I gave a decorative string to tie on a sword; for Junior, a book related to elemental magic; and for Damien, eye drops neatly packaged.

Lucas, Junior, and Damien all seemed as though they had rarely received gifts like these, their faces brightening as they laughed and tore open the wrapping.

Meanwhile, the chef brought out the food, and we chatted away as we ate.

"..."

Watching my happily feasting party members, Evangeline suddenly asked, "Senior, are you tired?"

"Huh?"

I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. What?

Without eating her meal and munching on the snacks I gave her, Evangeline tilted her head, "You seem unusually tired today. After all, you've started working right after the fatigue of travel hasn't even worn off."

"Do I? Do I look tired?"

"In fact, since you took command here, you've been ceaselessly warding off monsters, and preparing for the next defense battle as soon as you returned from the Imperial Capital. It must be exhausting."

"..."

"Monsters will keep coming endlessly. If you keep working like this, you might collapse from fatigue someday."

I forced a smile and put my fork down on the plate in front of me.

"If I said I wasn't tired, it would be a lie."

I had already fought in numerous defensive battles. How many waves of monsters had approached the walls, aiming for us?

This time it was slimes, but what monster would appear next?

They were countless, and even grew stronger. It was frustrating and overwhelming in the face of a grueling battlefront. However,

"But enduring this monotonous repetition is what it means to be an adult."

It wasn't because I was an extraordinary person that I could endure this.

In reality, everyone in this world was managing to do it.

The pattern of human life was the same everywhere. Work, go home, eat, sleep, and repeat endlessly.

The ordinary office worker, the game streaming broadcaster.

The mercenary fighting monsters, the lord managing the city.

Surviving by defeating the boring tasks that didn't change every day, and the enemies that kept coming – that was life.

"And..."

I suddenly looked out the window. Through the dense greenery, I faintly heard the sound of cicadas.

"There is an end."

It was already the height of summer.

I first came to this city in late winter, so almost half a year had passed.

Once the three-year campaign ends and the fourth year's spring comes, the game will end.

This seemingly unchanging daily life... it will eventually come to an end.

"I hope not to regret that last day. So even if I'm tired and struggling, I aim to face every day head-on."

Whatever ending awaits at the end of this campaign...

To meet the end without regret. To live my best life every day.

I've resolved to do so.

"..."

My party members quietly watched me.

I felt a little embarrassed and gave them an awkward smile.

"Ahem! Anyway, if you get tired, say so! I'll give you a vacation at least. Got it?"

I'm not such a tyrannical lord. I'll manage your condition, at least. If it's tough, make sure to tell me in advance, okay?

Lucas was staring at me intently when he quietly opened his mouth.

"Your Lordship, if you ever feel so weary that you can't bear it, please let us know."

A considerate smile formed at the edge of his lips.

"I will gladly massage your shoulders."

Evangeline, Junior, and Damien also spoke in turn.

"Then I'll do the feet! Foot massage! When I massage, my fellow Academy Knight classmates all love it to death!"

"I'll prepare a healthy drink for you. Let's see, there should be some spinach in the kitchen..."

"I, I can use recovery magic on your tired eyes..."

They didn't just speak; they actually jumped up from their seats and surrounded me.

"Huh?"

I broke into a cold sweat. What are you guys doing?

Squawk.

"Choke?!"

Lucas and Evangeline grabbed my shoulders and feet and began massaging.

Damien started casting recovery magic, and Junior was concocting a suspicious drink on the spot.

"No, wait a minute! Ow, damn! Stop it, you brats!"

In the end, I suffered a terrible fate, having my shoulders and feet squeezed in agony, recovery magic poured into my eyes, and being forced to swallow a spinach drink.

You brats! You're making me more tired! Stop it now!

***

A few days had passed.

Kuilan's party quickly became proficient in battling monsters. They reached a point where they could successfully undertake autonomous exploration without much difficulty.

They were now at a level where they could function as a sub-party.

Even the bandits who had been recruited as regular soldiers were trained enough to be used as combatants.

Reina, who was indeed the captain of the Imperial Magic Troops, had them quickly whipped into shape with her intensive short-term tutoring.

Suitable defensive equipment was installed on the walls to prepare for the Great Slime Battle, and the gallows for the kill zone were densely deployed on the plains after a long time.

Preparations for the defense battle were progressing smoothly.

In the blink of an eye, time had passed, and now –

[STAGE 8]

- Start in: 1 day

Only one day was left until the next defensive battle.