Chapter 182: Chapter 182

"Um… didn't you just rise from the grave last night?"

"Then how do you have money? I didn't see any at the grave…"

"I have it hidden away."

"Don't tell me… Do you have memories from a past life? A tycoon? Or maybe a pirate king returning to his homeland? Are we setting off to find hidden treasure now? I've read plenty of adventure books, I'm confident I'll do great!"

She was clearly excited.

"Not quite. But I have more than enough to support you for the rest of your life."

"I eat a lot, though…"

I couldn't help but chuckle. Maybe one day, we could really go on an adventure, just like she imagined. Of course, only after I'd become strong enough to protect her, no matter where we went.

Even the silver bars buried near Yublam would be enough to raise a city. And if more was ever needed, I could always turn a blind eye to Gith-Za-Rai's imperial assassination and collect some gold while at it.

Though, that would be a risky move.

"Um… please don't worry about money,"

Rubia ended up relaying my words directly to the tax officer. The tax officer widened her eyes in surprise.

"Managing finances is my duty, but are you being serious?"

"Understood. I'll draft the budget and report back."

Her financial report continued for some time. Unsurprisingly, she had better accounting skills than I did. Of course, I had no intention of killing someone useful to Rubia just to absorb their essence.

Not that I could absorb it anyway.

From experience, I knew that if someone's overall stats were too low compared to mine, even unique skills wouldn't be absorbed. If their capabilities were comparable or only slightly better in one area, the efficiency of absorption dropped significantly. Only when absorbing someone far stronger than myself could I obtain a truly noticeable benefit.

So the stronger I get… the more this skill hits its limit.

Not that I was complaining. It was thanks to this skill that I'd gotten this far. While I was lost in thought, the tax officer finished her report.

Next up was the constable, who had a dry and hardened expression. He bore the marks of torture, several missing teeth

"The next matter pertains to the captured women. The ones brought in from outside the city,” he said.

Could she be among them?

A familiar face came to mind. A young girl who had participated in the tournament under an alias, brought to me by the lord. She had trembled under my cold indifference. Rena lifted the child's shirt to reveal a back covered in lash scars—raw and torn.

Rena handled it well back then.

I found myself wondering if this timeline was continuous with the last, or if the world line had changed. I wanted to confirm it myself, but ultimately decided against it. There were more pressing matters now.

"Don't worry. It's nothing."

"Ah… okay! If there's anything you want to say, just let me know."

"I will." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel fire.net

The constable looked at Rubia cautiously.

"What would you like to do?"

Rubia let out a long breath.

"Treat them first. Let them rest. I'll speak with them myself to see if there's any way to offer compensation."

"Understood. The next matter is…"

"This city… Erast was on the verge of complete collapse." Rubia murmured under her breath.

The man who had tried to kill her, Viscount Kurk, hadn't even exploited the city properly. At this rate, the city would have fallen into ruin in less than a year, not three. It was likely that the time I visited for the tournament had been the peak of his reckless extravagance. Of course, even if they worked diligently from now on, two major disasters still loomed beyond their control.

The first was war. Even if they somehow endured the conflict with the Free Confederation, there was still the second one—the descent of the Demon Kings. That was an event no place like Erast could ever withstand. A single step from a Demon King would be enough to obliterate this small city.

Maybe I could escape with just Rubia. However, the thought of her watching the city she worked so hard to rebuild be trampled to dust left a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps I was too lost in thought. It took me a moment to realize the mood in the hall had shifted.

Something had changed.

Despite their exhaustion, every official wore a deeply moved expression as they looked at Rubia.

Were they satisfied…?

This was their first administrative meeting with her. They must have been worried whether she could handle it. Apparently, Rubia had exceeded their expectations. Perhaps it helped that her predecessor, Kurk Ray, had been such absolute garbage.

Still, Rubia had been excellent. Although I'd chimed in from time to time during the meeting, she was already a capable lord on her own. Her analysis of Erast had been surprisingly thorough and precise. The timid girl I met at the graveyard was nowhere to be seen.

Their heartfelt emotion was easy to understand.

The old magistrate Illia pounded his chest with a large fist.

He's the most moved of all…

With blood stirring in his heart, he knelt on one knee, saying, "During this meeting… it felt as though I was seeing the late Count once again. Allow me to formally pledge my loyalty. I, Magistrate Illia, will serve you with all my heart, my lady!"

"We pledge our loyalty!"

"We pledge our loyalty!"

Had this been coordinated beforehand? Everyone knelt with one knee and pressed a fist to their chest as they looked upon her.

"Accept it. They're swearing loyalty. Hurry."

This was where Rubia belonged. Not discarded, violated, and left to rot like filth.

Seeing her back in her rightful place filled me with pride.

"Everyone, please rise. I'll do my best to become a worthy lord. These are difficult times. Please lend me your strength."

"You'll help me… right?"

"You don't even need me now. Maybe I didn't need to wake up at all."

"T-that's not funny…! Today really felt like a dream… Are you sure it's not?"

Rubia glanced into the air, biting her lips. She seemed about to cry.

Then, a translucent status window appeared above Rubia's head.

[Rubia's Affection increased by 2!]

[Governance Level established.]

[Current governed domain: Erast]

[Governance Level is determined by the development of your territory and the trust of those around you. Higher levels grant various effects.]

Rubia's time as Erast's lord had officially begun. She only needed to act with justice and benevolence, without dealing with anything impure. I would make sure her path remained in the light—I would handle all of it.

A short while later, the loyal officials withdrew. Only the guards Magistrate Illia had personally vouched for remained outside her chamber. I had already confirmed that there were no threats in the keep. I could leave for a little while.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh… but I was hoping we could have a celebration tonight…"

She sounded disappointed.

"A celebration? Didn't everyone have enough of that already?"

"Just the two of us… that was the plan!"

Whatever kind of celebration she had in mind, her heart raced as she said it.

Probably because of her Affection level.

It had been earned through our shared time together, but it still made me feel a bit guilty, as if I were deceiving her.

I was going to interrogate Kurk Ray. It'd probably get messy, but it shouldn't take long.

"Okay. I won't sleep until you return, so please, come back."

Leaving her behind, I slipped into the shadows of the corridor and exited the keep.

The armor I'd picked up didn't fit right, maybe I'd chosen something too big.

What Rubia bought me fit much better.

It hadn't even been custom-made, and yet she had chosen a set that fit me perfectly. She had a good eye. After I dealt with Kurk Ray, maybe I'd ask her to get me another set. I should deserve at least that much after today's work.

Outside, the cold and darkness were sharper than expected. Biting wind howled and remnants of the flood had frozen solid. It comforted me that Rubia was somewhere warm tonight.

The prison wasn't far.

"Hey, you're outside again? You're supposed to stay in for another hour. It's freezing."

"Pfft. I'd rather be cold than listen to that lunatic groaning inside. He's completely lost it."

Two guards chatted outside the prison. It was obvious who they were talking about.

I tapped the backs of their necks lightly and knocked them both out. Then I stepped inside.

Just as they'd said, low moans echoed from within. I killed all of the prisoners except for one.

Kurk Ray lay in the cell, his limbs bound. However, fear and mistrust coiled around him far more tightly than the ropes.

As the door creaked open, he said, "You…! Are you here to rescue me? P-please, free me!"

Who does he think I am?

At this rate, the interrogation could go easier than expected, without any torture needed. Aside from his groaning, the cell was quiet, perfect for a conversation.

Where should I begin…

The small worm symbol inked on his neck bothered me. Ask the wrong thing about Necron, and a dark, venomous curse would likely bite through his throat. It was a terrifying prospect. Revealing anything about Necron meant death—a truth hidden even from its own members.

They must've hand-picked the ones who wouldn't talk…

Still, there was plenty else I could learn.

"I have some questions. You don't need to say anything about Necron."

"Ah, yes! Of course!"

"How did you become lord again?"

"Y-you know all of this already… I didn't even want to become lord…!"

"You told me to! You said I had to, after killing my brother… Please, let me live!"

He didn't say, but only one thing came to mind.

"So then, you know who we are?"

Suddenly, a sharp spear blade shot up from the stone floor beneath us.