I turned my head towards the sound of horse hooves. Lord Weaverpool seemed to have rushed over in light attire, covered in dust.

​’No, that’s not light attire. That’s just sloppy attire.’

​He said he went hunting, but half his top was sticking out, and his pants were baggy.

​

You’d think he just came from having sex. Is that some kind of slang? Like, ’Hunting is Sex’ for him?

​Lord Weaverpool dismounted his horse, leading his subordinates.

​And he looked at us as if to assess the situation.

​"What in the world is going on?!"

​Eventually, his question was directed at the Guard Captain. Only then did the soldiers rush over, struggling to separate me and Kelsas.

​Both Kelsas and I stumbled as we walked. You bastard, you’ll be in more pain. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

​Kelsas gnashed his teeth.

​"You trashy Hero... I’ll report everything you’ve done!"

​He seems really pissed off, doesn’t he?

​"You don’t seem to have any pride, do you? That’s why you pointy-ears are like this."

​"What are you talking about?"

​"You got your ankle taken out by someone weaker than you, and you’re going to report it? Are you some kind of humiliation fetishist?!"

​As I mocked him, Kelsas’s face turned even redder. The people around us openly burst into laughter.

​At this sight, Kelsas glared with murderous intent.

​"Fine. I’ll personally handle your punishment."

​"Oh wow, you’re just a civil servant, but you sure have a lot of fucking authority."

​I sneered until the very end. Go ahead and try it. An Expert Mid-stage getting his ankle taken out by a Runner Late-stage.

​Lord Weaverpool stepped between us. He opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

​"Inspector Kelsas Comstrider. That’s enough."

​"Are you ordering me? You mere hereditary noble scum!"

​"Weren’t you the one who committed the offense first? If this goes on any further, I’ll have no choice but to file a complaint with the Imperial Palace Inspection Department."

​Lord Weaverpool’s resolute words. Although he was a villain, he was someone who spoke the truth.

​Kelsas began to glare at Lord Weaverpool. Then, as if he found something amusing, he let out a small laugh.

​"I’ll withdraw for now. But, your mask will be peeled off someday."

​"Is that so?"

​"Just you wait, fake Hero!"

​Kelsas left, spouting a lame line. He tried to act all cool, but he just looked pathetic.

​"Wooooooah!"

​The people cheered. The sudden cheers felt like they would burst my eardrums.

​Huh, was it this loud? Since most of them were men, it was boisterous.

​I couldn’t openly cover my ears, so I forced a smile. The frequency was seriously no joke.

​People started praising me.

​I just checked the quest rewards.

​[Emergency Quest ’You Can’t Pass!’ Cleared!]

​[Reward: 1000 CP Acquired!]

​[Hidden Condition: Draw Fulfilled!]

​[Your achievements are imprinted in the memories of all residents of the Weaverpool Domain!]

​The hidden condition was a draw? That’s strange. I thought I won.

​Well, as long as I didn’t lose, it’s fine.

​’Goddess, there’s no way I’d lose with you by my side, is there?’

​At that moment, the soldiers rushed at me all at once. They gave me a celebratory toss.

​"Whoa!"

​I never expected to even get a celebratory toss. The soldiers, including the Guard Captain, cheered joyfully.

​"No one even dared to think of standing up to him. You are amazing!"

​"Thank you for fighting on our behalf."

​"Waaah, Hero. Take me!"

​"The protector of Ravenscoft? No. The protector of humanity!"

​They didn’t intentionally slur ’protector of humanity’ to sound like ’protector’s dick’, did they?

​Anyway, I felt good. As I got out of the celebratory toss, Aki approached me.

​"Thank you, Hero. For stepping forward for us."

​"No, it’s only natural as a Hero. Are you alright?"

​"Yes, I just need some ice packs. Thank you, so much my heart is pounding."

​She smiled softly as she finished speaking. Up close, she was incredibly beautiful.

​I could also smell a faint floral scent. How much stronger and lewder would it get on the bed?

​Clap, clap, clap!

​The Lord approached, clapping his hands.

​"How about we go into my manor and have a party?"

​"It’s not that big of a deal. Anyone can do it. Still, I do want to rest."

​Although my injuries would heal due to regeneration, I was simply tired.

​Fighting against a high-level opponent is tough for this reason. Reacting to their movements, calculating, adapting...

​There wasn’t just one or two things to pay attention to. This kind of concentration couldn’t be exerted just anytime, making it even harder.

​"Very well. Let’s go to the manor!"

​Finally, I entered Lord Weaverpool’s manor.

First, I passed through a sturdy iron gate like a wall, then crossed a well-kept garden, and finally stepped into the manor itself.

​As I entered, guided by the Head Maid, the interior came into full view.

​It was adorned with chandeliers and decorations even more dazzling than those in the Ravenscoft Manor.

​It was a bit unexpected.

​’For a Lord with a modest image, it’s surprisingly luxurious.’

​Of course, the domain residents wouldn’t have many occasions to enter the Lord’s manor.

​Did he think that even doing this wouldn’t create a discrepancy with the image he cultivated?

​As I stood in the lobby, looking around, the Lord said something.

​"Please rest in your room for now. The Head Maid will guide you."

​"Yes, I’ll receive treatment first."

​"Ah, you can just have the servants do it."

​I shook my head. There was no need for that.

​’I shouldn’t even accept a sip of water from this guy. I don’t know what he might do, and I don’t want to owe him anything.’

​He’s someone I might have to kill someday. I didn’t want to get involved with someone like that.

​At the very least, I should make sure I have no regrets.

​I politely refused.

​"No, I’d like to go to the cathedral to get familiar with the area."

​The Lord tilted his head.

​Then he exclaimed in admiration.

​"The cathedral? Ah-ha! That’s where the capable priests are. I understand."

​First, I was guided to a room by the Head Maid.

​It was a room in the furthest corner of the first floor, past the lobby. I didn’t know what the other rooms in the manor were like, but this one was very bright and clean.

​"Hmm."

​While settling into the room, I observed the Head Maid up close.

​She had long, dark brown hair in an undercut, with the back tied in a ponytail.

​

Faintly glowing yellowish-green eyes, and a maid uniform that fit her perfectly.

​On top of that, an armband signifying her as the Head Maid, and a C-cup glamorous figure that exuded a body scent with every movement.

​’Overall, she has a strong cold beauty image. If I get close to her, will she be a tsundere?

Plus, she has a great body, and even though she’s not a MILF, I still want to get close to her.’

​She was definitely worth it. She must be close to the Lord.

​I decided to ask a few questions.

​"Are you close with the Lord?"

​"What do you mean by that?"

​"Oh, nothing. You look young, but you’re already the Head Maid, so I thought you must be either very capable or close to him."

​She might have been flustered, but I continued smoothly.

The Head Maid replied without any change in her expression.

​"We are quite close."

​"Hmm, the Lord seems like a very good person. Do you follow him well because of that?"

​"A good person, you say... If there’s anything you need, please let me know. Please rest comfortably."

​The Head Maid avoided my direct questions about the Lord.

​As she left the room, the lingering scent seemed to disappear.

​"Kyah, a cool beauty is good too, you know."

​

One thing I learned from this: the Head Maid might not be close to the Lord after all.

​This meant she wasn’t the Lord’s closest confidante, and perhaps less likely to frequently suffer directly at his hands.

​

In other words, even if I couldn’t get much information, I could potentially win her over to my side!

​Tch-tsut!

​Suddenly, Goddess appeared.

​"Oh, Goddess?"

​"Is this where you’ll rest? Isn’t it shabby?"

​"I’ll have to be content with this for now. By the way, are you staying here?"

​"No, didn’t you see the statue when we passed by earlier?"

​A statue?

​I tilted my head, trying to recall.

​Ah, right. The statue in the plaza before we came to the manor grounds?

​"Yes, it’s probably the Lord’s face."

​"There’s something in that statue. Use the Dust of Truth."

​Goddess disappeared again. But why there of all places?

​’Is it a hidden piece? Thank you, Goddess. Heueung!’

​I only strapped on my sword and immediately went outside. My thigh was already healed.

​I decided to look around a bit outside. It was definitely wider and more bustling than Ravenscoft.

​Occasionally, I saw craftsmen trying to sell what they had made.

​"For those with spinal injuries who can’t afford treatment! With this one assistive device, you can move easily!"

​"This is a silencer. It’s essential when firing a gun or bow."

​’No matter what, it’s not as good as my hometown. There’s a unique charm there.’

​

​First, I went to the statue. On the surface, it seemed like nothing special.

​It was just an old-looking statue with nothing particularly unique about it.

​"Isn’t it magnificent?"

​"Ugh, what?"

​A passerby suddenly approached me. The man chuckled and looked up at the statue.

​"It’s our Lord’s statue. He’s like a guardian angel who saved and protected our declining domain."

​"Certainly... he’s a magnificent person."

​Even as I replied that way, I scoffed internally.

​’If that kind of guy is a guardian angel, then Alpa must be a normal person.’

​Once alone again, I slowly examined the statue. Then, after looking around, I sprinkled the Dust of Truth.

​Sasak, Sararak!

​The sprinkled dust made contact with the statue, causing a change.

​A thick, viscous energy emerged from the statue, then instantly transformed into a potion.

​Curious, I snatched it. I was astonished.

​[Intermediate Enhancement Fluid]

​Type: Special Item

​Description: Enhances one random item you possess, excluding your best item.

​「With this, your hands won’t slip.」

​’Holy shit, this is an enhancement fluid, isn’t it? Though it’s a random one.’

​You just need to apply it to your body. The moment you apply it, a random item will be enhanced by one stage.

​To think I could get something like this, which you normally only get by going to the capital region or hunting magic or alchemy-type monsters.

​As expected, a hidden piece is a hidden piece!

​’Let’s try it once.’

​I swallowed dryly and applied the enhancement fluid to my body.

A pale golden oil-like substance flowed over my skin and instantly vaporized.

​[Enhancement Fluid Used!]

​[’Raiburn Coat’ Enhancement Successful!]

​Oh, the coat got enhanced. I immediately checked its specs.

​[Coat of the Lightning Dominator]

​Rarity: Masterpiece

​*Unique Passive Effect ’Lightning Immunity’: Grants immunity to lightning attribute.

​*Unique Passive Effect ’Increased Evasion Distance’: Increases distance when rolling or dashing.

​*Unique Effect ’Magnetic Field Levitation’: Forms a magnetic field to allow slow flight.

​*Unique Effect ’Lightning Aura’: Increases speed by 50% with an aura made of lightning.

*T&C applied.

​「The power left behind by the original owner still remains.」

​As it was enhanced, its performance also increased.

​’Kuh, this is fucking good, isn’t it? Now I won’t lose to anyone who uses lightning!’

​

I grinned and headed towards the cathedral. Given the time, there weren’t many people. The moment I opened the door and stepped inside.

​"Haaang♥"

​A sound that shouldn’t have been heard reached my ears. My eardrums pounded along with my chest.