I quickly finished my meal and headed to the Weaverpool Territory. As soon as I arrived, the guards recognized me.

​"Hero, you’ve arrived?!"

​"Yes, it’s good to see you. But I’m still in my early twenties, so you can speak informally to me."

​I believe this: even if a person becomes more successful than before, their essence never changes. Is it okay to abuse your power just because you’re decked out in luxury goods? Isn’t it not?

​That’s why I dislike being addressed with honorifics. In the first place, the Hero is a sub-role, and the main role is the Debauched Hero.

​"Oh, how could I? The Lord will be outside!"

​"I’m here to help subjugate the cult. It’s fine!"

​"Haha, yes! Keep up the good work!"

​I rode Lyn inside. A smile came to my face as I watched Lyn walk briskly, moving its legs alternately.

​’Are you happy too? Well, the guards were pretending not to know me until last time. Their perception has really changed.’

​First, I thoroughly looked around the territory. I might just spot a follower of Those Who Recite Sins. Truth be told, I don’t know how to use detection magic, but I did discover one thing while moving freely everywhere yesterday.

​’The followers of Those Who Recite Sins had black smoke around their eyes or mouths.’

​Just like the minor lord who was addicted to Kahlum. I don’t know if they were taking Kahlum, or if so, why they were fine. But I did figure out that these guys were different from ordinary people.

​"Oh my, that person is!"

​While I was looking around, the territory residents each said a word or two as they saw me.

​"The Hero riding a black horse and wearing a sword, is that the Hero from yesterday?"

​"Looks like it? Who else could it be? So cool."

​"Wow, the horse is cool too. I want to ride it!"

​"Such power from such a cute appearance? Hah, and those collarbones are insane?"

​"Kuh, I’m definitely going to become a Hero too. Just you wait, you bastard!"

​Various reactions emerged. These reactions made me feel excited for no reason.

​’Yeah, these reactions are good! Hey there, miss, if you want a one-night stand, deal? Kukuk.’

​I deliberately put on a solemn expression and walked past the people. Ah, I want to look good, even just a little. Because I’m also the face of the Ravenscoft Manor.

​I dismounted Lyn and headed to the barracks. Since I had already made an impression on the Guard Captain, there was no difficulty in entering.

Indeed, one must prove oneself. On the other hand, there are many people who sit in high positions without having proven anything.

​"Welcome, Lord Vane."

​The Guard Captain suddenly lowered his voice and greeted me. Wait, what’s that title? Flustered, I shook my head.

​"No, no. Please just call me by my name comfortably. It’s a bit... cringey."

​Actually, it was more than a bit, but I said "a bit cringey" out of politeness. At that, the soldiers nearby burst into laughter all at once.

​"Wahahahaha! Guard Captain, you got roasted good, didn’t you?"

​"I told you that title was over the top."

​"Lord Vane, ugh, even we cringe hearing it."

​"Guard Captain, so you’re single since birth... Ah, no, never mind."

​It was a noisy and cheerful atmosphere. The Guard Captain cleared his throat and shouted.

​"Can’t you all be quiet? Look at your discipline, you bastards!"

​"Ah, say!"

​"Where are you making those ass-fucking noises? Ahem, anyway, welcome, Lucian Hero."

​The Guard Captain bowed his head slightly. I bowed my head back.

​’The barracks atmosphere is free-spirited. But they still uphold what needs to be upheld. That’s cool.’

​I shrugged my shoulders and asked.

​"Is there nothing to do today?"

​"We haven’t received any reports yet. It’s strangely peaceful."

​"That’s a relief, in a way."

​"You’re welcome to rest here comfortably. The Lord is out hunting."

​"Is that so? Thank you."

​I found a suitable spot and sat down. Immediately, the soldiers swarmed around me.

​"Hero, what kind of sword is that?"

​"What about your armor...."

​"How much did you ’tune’ your horse...?"

​There were many questions, and it seemed like there would be a lot to talk about. I smiled faintly and treated them with utmost sincerity. Even though the times were different, these people were soldiers too.

​’A man should understand a soldier’s heart; who else would?’

​As we were talking, the atmosphere suddenly brightened up. What, is someone scattering flower petals?

I turned my head and saw a woman I had never seen before approaching the barracks.

​She had a cat-like face, a youthful appearance, and a stunningly well-proportioned and overwhelming physique.

With wine-colored medium-length hair and jewel-like silver eyes sparkling, the woman smiled faintly.

​The Guard Captain greeted her.

​"You’ve arrived, Lady of the Manor!"

​My jaw dropped. Lady of the Manor?

​’What, the Lord of Weaverpool’s wife is that beautiful?? Fucking insane!’

​How is that a MILF? I’d believe her if she said she was a freshman college student. That’s how youthful-looking a MILF she was.

Of course, the overwhelming bosom characteristic of MILFs came standard. She opened her pale pink lips.

​"It’s good to see you, soldiers. You’re working hard today, aren’t you? Here, I’ve made some green tea mochi, so please have some! Fufufu♥"

​She must be an Easterner. And probably of Japanese descent. In this world, Easterners either use Taoist magic, wield qi gong and ride flying swords, or imugi train.

​The soldiers whispered among themselves.

​"The Lady is beautiful no matter when I see her. So hot!"

​"Her name is Aki Weaverpool? What was her original name?"

​"I know. Uehara Aki!"

​"She’s beautiful, always has a mysterious aura, and those tits! I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum!"

​Uehara Aki. I guess I can just call her Aki. I swallowed dryly and watched her closely.

Her characteristic eye-smile made everyone who saw her smile.

​’Another one for my collection, kukuk.’

​She was a woman I really wanted. This time, I’ll NTR her! And so, I faced her. Aki looked me over as if seeing a unicorn.

​"Oh my, are you the Hero?"

​"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady. I am Lucian Vane of Ravenscoft."

​Ah, introducing myself like this makes me feel kind of cool.

Aki gave an eye-smile. It seemed to melt away any hatred or wariness.

​"It’s good to meet you! I’m Aki Weaverpool. Hero, please have one too."

​"Oh... mochi. I’ll eat well!"

​Though mochi is just rice cake. When I ate it, a green tea aroma wafted out, and then a chewy texture dominated my mouth. I wanted to join in the even more harmonious atmosphere.

​’This is happiness and peace!’

​However, it didn’t last long. Someone came running urgently.

​"Gasp, pant! Guard Captain! Guard Captain, ugh!"

​"The Lady is here too, why are you making such a fuss? What’s wrong?"

​"Something terrible has happened. An inspector from the Lord’s Audit Council has arrived!"

​"...What? They said they’d come tomorrow?"

​Suddenly, something happened. The Lord’s Audit Council was a state institution that inspected territories throughout the entire empire. An inspector from there actually held immense power.

While Lords were nobles who inherited their positions from their ancestors, these people were civil servants who entered the imperial palace by taking direct examinations.

​"Damn it, the Lord is out hunting right now and isn’t here!"

​For some reason, they were flustered.

​’The Lord’s Audit Council should only monitor whether lords are doing anything improper. But why would they specifically come all the way here? Unless it’s a friendly lord.’

​Many questions arose. I had never seen this kind of setup before. Why were these people so restless? Just in case, I stood up.

Then, accompanied by soldiers, a huge white horse neighed as it entered. A tall man was riding on it.

Surprisingly, his race was Elf. Pointy-ears, huh? Something felt uneasy.

​’Huh?’

​Moreover, five lights were visible on his solar plexus.

Fuck, Expert Mid-stage?! I was speechless. Expert Mid-stage was another level entirely.

The Inspector looked around and frowned.

​"Where is the Lord of Weaverpool?"

​"Yes, he’s currently out hunting!"

​"He’s slacking off."

​"Huh?"

​"I heard the Weaverpool Territory is in a terrible state. And they’re even receiving outside support? Yet he’s hunting at a time like this? Is this the time for that?"

​"Th-that is...."

​"A territory’s fate is determined by the level of its Lord."

​The Guard Captain froze. The soldiers, too, all bowed their heads simultaneously as if they were criminals. The Inspector cast a cold gaze around. Then it stopped on Aki.

​"What’s this even? Isn’t she an Easterner, worse than a beast?"

​"Sh-she... is the Lady of the Manor."

​"She might be a Lady to you, but is she a Lady to me too?"

​From his gaze to his tone, to his entire aura. He was the kind of guy who could freeze a furnace solid. I didn’t like him from the start.

The Inspector dismounted his horse and approached Aki. Aki was just trembling and bowing her head low.

​"S-sorry."

​The Inspector looked her over for a moment. He sighed briefly.

​Slap.

​Suddenly, the Inspector slapped her cheek. Aki shrieked and collapsed. It happened in an instant.

​’That crazy bastard?’

​The Inspector looked down at the fallen Aki and said, as if savoring his words.

​"They said Easterners smell of garlic or soy sauce, and it was true. Even if you try to cover it with green tea scent, it’s meaningless. And... hah, to think she can’t even hold her mental center."

​The Guard Captain intervened hastily.

​"Inspector, even so, that’s too much...."

​

Bam!

​This time, the Inspector kicked the Guard Captain in the knee. This guy’s completely out of control.

​"I am above your Lord. Can’t you read the room?"

​Everyone around him bowed their heads low. No one dared to think of resisting. As if he were the supreme being.

​’Can I beat such a strong bastard? Me, as I am now...?’

​If I were to estimate the chances, they’d be close to zero. The difference between Runner Late-stage and Expert Mid-stage was that great.

I bowed my head and closed my eyes

An idiot pig-dog who, even when unreasonable things happened, far from raising his voice, just passively conformed.

​’Let’s step up. Why is a Hero a Hero?’

​As I was about to step forward, the Goddess stopped me.

​’Goddess. There are times when a man must fight even knowing he will lose. And I won’t lose either.’

​I don’t remember it well, but I’d been to the Lord’s Audit Council a few times in the game. There were errand quests.

The people there had a typical flaw. That guy, for sure.

​’You die, I die! Kikiki.’

​Answering cheerfully, I stepped forward. I shouted so the Inspector could hear.

​"Isn’t that going too far? Among people from the same land."

​The Inspector turned to look at me. A scathing sneer spread across his face.

​"Oho, what’s this brat?"

​"Brat? You have no manners. I am Lucian Vane of Ravenscoft."

​"That remote territory? I even forgot it still existed."

​"Being an elf with such a bad memory, are you going to keep being a civil servant?"

​At my words, the Inspector’s ears twitched. He must be feeling disgusted.

​"It seems you want to die, speaking to me, a civil servant."

​"What, are you the Shinsengumi from the Edo period? Randomly committing violence, and you call yourself a civil servant? Bullshit, you’re just abusing your power."

​"Huhu, indeed. It’s good to teach the lowly their place."

​Seureureung! Pat!

​The Inspector drew his sword. It was a rapier that was longer and wider than expected.

And in his left hand, an estoc. A very elven appearance.

​"Uh, Hero. We’re fine, so...."

​The Guard Captain tried to stop me. I shouted for everyone to hear.

​"Everyone, step back!"

​"But...!"

​Even Aki stepped forward and shook her head. I looked at the Inspector and said.

​"If you want it, I’ll give it to you. Come on, Mr. Civil Servant Wannabe."