"Oh ......!"



　I was amazed as soon as I saw it.

　A dozen-minute walk from the temporary lodging. It is located in front of the main street of the labyrinthine district, a prime location in the district.

　Helian, who came on foot with Levee, was greeted by a large four-story building standing tall on a vast site.

　The surrounding buildings were mostly two or three stories high, indicating that the building in front of them was more than adequate.



"I'd heard about it, but I'm surprised they were willing to pay so much for it."



　My original plan was to rent a small store to conduct my merchant activities with the funds I obtained from Latticewood, but I did not expect to suddenly acquire a property of this magnitude.

　With this, there is no need to worry about being discovered even if we set up a teleportal. As a space isolated from the outside world, it can be made into a base of operations in the human realm.



　Moreover, it is not a rental property, but a personal property that has been transferred to you.

　It may be a reward for the "Dungeon Stampede", but I think it is a very generous reward for a single request (quest).

　It could be that he was willing to pay such a small amount for the safety of his beloved daughter, or it could be an indication that he was taking the incident very seriously.



　Thinking in a corner of her mind that it was probably both of them, Helian stepped into the building through the front door facing the main street.



"What?　Who are you, a customer?　I'm sorry, but we're still renovating..."



　A small man with a number of carpentry tools hanging from his waist looks back at the visitor as if he is bothering him. He was about to tell the visitor to "get out of my way," but then he saw the visitor's face and choked on his words.



"Wa-we-guh!



　The little man was about to say, "King," when he was hit in the back of the head by a square timber.

　Galdi, who was carrying a bundle of square timbers on his shoulder, comes out from the side of the man who was fainting in agony.



"Hey, chief!　Is it safe to walk out now?"

"I'm not fully recovered, but I can walk around a little. ......By the way, can we leave him alone?　It looks like you took a critical hit."

"I just let him close his mouth. He still doesn't seem to be used to my body, but I didn't hit him that hard, so it's no problem. --Right, buddy?



　The last word is for the bearded little man cowering in the back of the head.

　He nods his head and manages to get to his feet in response to this bass-heavy questioning, which is perfectly suited to his vicious, mafia-like features.



　He is a small man with a fine beard and thick muscular arms, one of the engineers brought in from the Alkimaira home country. He is a member of the 5th Legion, in other words, a servant of Ghardi.

　Although he is now fully humanized, his original race is that of a "high ranking mining elf (high dwarf)". He was originally an engineer belonging to the Seventh Legion, but he transferred to the Seventh Legion because he found it more suitable for him to be building castles in battlefields under fire rather than swinging a hammer in the safety of his workshop.



"Don't show your pathetic figure in front of the general. Put on your best face.

"No, you say that, boss. I'm so weak. If you hit me in the head with your stupid power, it's no wonder I'm in agony. ......

"I'm in the same boat when it comes to my body. We're both poor. First of all, you're here because you won the selection process with your fully humanized body. That's no excuse.



　The selection tournament that Ghardi is referring to is a certain mock tournament that was being held in the home country while Helian was in bed.

　The participants must not be currently engaged in special missions and must have a high level of skills as engineers. Two special rules were established: the use of world-standard weapons obtained from RATESTWOOD and the fact that all participants must fight in fully humanized form.

　The winners and top finishers were given the right to apply to join the expeditionary force led by King Helian to the human realm.



　Naturally, the battle was fierce. After several rounds of group battles in the form of Sudden Death, a one-on-one battle to the death was fought among the top hundred winners, and a few of those who won the right were actually invited to this event to join the expedition as additional members.

　As a side note, the higher ranked demons were more puzzled by the difference in ability (demerit) of being forced to fight in a fully humanized form with their race-specific skills blocked and being two ranks down, and there were numerous downgrades and big gold stars in the selection battle.



"I don't care what you look like, but you look terrific in a carpenter's outfit, don't you?"



　Wearing a headband and rolled-up arms, with tools in his hands and a square timber slung over his shoulder, the big man (Gardi) looked like a genuine carpenter. If only one could ignore his vicious physiognomy, he could call himself a master carpenter right now.



"Well, I've set up a simple base many times, you know. I've done it many times before. I'm better at breaking things down.

"I'm familiar with your side. There is no defensive position you can't destroy.



　But then again, Galdi is a handy guy, Helian thinks.



　He is second only to Balan in terms of his ability to maintain public order and to suppress rioters, and he has shown aptitude in many other areas besides his main role in the siege, such as building temporary housing and doing simple repair work on houses with his subordinates.



　They are versatile, as they have lived through the period of upheaval when they had to do whatever they wanted to do, a time when there was no satisfactory preparation for proper professional jobs. Especially when it comes to simple heavy work, there is even a mysterious sense of security, as if to say, "Leave it to him, he can handle it.



"I had thought that he was taking command of the project by entrusting it to the engineers he had called up.

"Ah. Maybe with Balan or Ertina, but I'm more comfortable with physical exercise. It's easier for me to do things by myself. Isn't it the same for you?

Why is my name mentioned there?

"Huh?　That's because, General, you're always on the front lines. Why don't you just leave the fighting to us and watch from a height?



　......Oh, that's what you mean.



　Helian understood Gardi's point. However, the nature of Helian's argument is very different from that of Ghardi's.

　In the game era, Helian was the type who aimed to maximize his power (merit) by using and . He was not the average (better) type of player who commanded from his throne, being wary of death penalty (disadvantage), but the type of player who swallowed the risk to get the highest score (best).

　And at the moment, he is only out in the field as one of the objectives to maintain [loyalty] by keeping his body on the front line. In this sense, there is a clear difference from Gardi, who is a genuine field man.



　......, or did you think I was the same kind of a brainiac (Gardi)?



　I was shocked, and then I noticed that Lieve standing next to me had a sharper look in her eyes than usual. Her fierce gaze pierced through Gardi. It seems that Gardi's familiarity and tone of voice towards the Lord, even though she knows it's the way it's supposed to be, makes her feel uncomfortable.



　In order to change the mood, Helian inquires about the whereabouts of the other corps leader who is not present at the meeting.



"By the way, where is Ceres? He is nowhere to be seen.

"Yes. He's been holed up in a room on the second floor for a while now, doing some kind of experiment with local ingredients..."



　There was a deafening explosion.

　Turning my attention to the source of the sound, I see a room with black smoke billowing out of an open window.



"...... that room?"

"Hey."






　Soon Ceres appeared through the window.

　She was using simple wind magic to ventilate the room and said, "What's this? She was swearing and wiping her sooty cheeks, saying things like, "Are you kidding me? In his left hand, he was holding a half-destroyed beaker.



"Ah, young master!"



　Celes eventually noticed our presence and called out to us.

　However, my brain wondered if it was rude to continue speaking from the second floor, that is, from a higher position than the Lord, and Celes opened and closed her mouth repeatedly for a while, and finally ran out of the room and came down to the front door on the first floor.



"Thanks for your help. ...... the black smoke hasn't fully dissipated yet, but it's not going to start a fire, is it?"

"Yes. Yes. I've cleaned up the mess at least a little.

Please. We consider the research on the use of local materials as one of our important issues, but we can't let the proposed base site be burned to ashes. Besides, we will have to deal with the residents of the surrounding area. Please refrain from doing anything that might cause their displeasure.

"Yes, sir."



　Celes answered with a shrug.



　In peacetime, she is in charge of the research field, but she has a tendency to lose sight of her surroundings due to her love of research. Knowing this, Helian thought it was important to give her the first nail in the coffin, so he used a few strong words, but he felt guilty when he saw her drooping down.



　......It may be naive, but it's okay to at least follow up. You're doing a great job. I'm sure you're doing a great job.



　Helian makes such excuses in his mind and opens his mouth.



"But I don't mind your enthusiasm for research. But I don't dislike your enthusiasm for research. I look forward to the day when the good news arrives.

"......!　Yes, young master. I have just the right experiment here, so I'll get the results right away, yes!



　Ceres responded with a clenched fist. Helian nodded in satisfaction.

　In a corner, a large man carrying a square timber was blurting out something like, "I hope you don't mean me as the experimental subject ......," but everyone except Ceres pretended not to hear it.



"Well, how is the work progressing?　From the looks of it, they're concentrating their staff on renovating the storefront area."

"Hey. The residential part is almost finished, but the store part is only 60% finished at best.

"We're working on a formula for intercepting intruders, but that's taking a little time. It will take a little more time to fortify..."

"No, wait a minute."



　I heard a disturbing word.

　What's fortification?



"...... Gardi, Ceres. I have indeed said that this facility will be a base of operations in the human realm, but I do not intend to turn it into a battle fortress. Do you understand that?"

"?　Yes, of course.



　Celes answered with a vacant look on her face, and Ghardi, standing behind her, nodded his head in agreement.

　It seems that they understand the significance of the base, but then why the word "fortification" is used?



"Oh, we don't intend to fortify it in such a flashy way. There is a time constraint, so this time we will only set up traps to intercept intruders.

"Intruder prevention. ...... what exactly are they?"

Yes. First, we stop the intruder's movement with a lightning net that is activated along the perimeter of the building as soon as the intrusion is detected, and then we capture the intruder with a gravity-based closed ward while the intruder is still in motion. Once the intruder's movements are stopped, we detonate the chain explosion mines that are placed inside the closed wards, and as a precaution in case the chain explosion mines are breached, we have an automatic interception mechanism that uses a volley of "Flame Javelins" to intercept the intruder. --"

"No, no, no, wait, wait, wait a minute!"



　What the hell do you people think you're fighting? How much interception capability do you want to give to a mere store run by a newbie merchant?

　It's true that the Maze District is not as safe as the Chuo District, the heart of the city, but an interception system that can obliterate any unintentional intruder without leaving a single piece of flesh behind is a form of over-defense. The doors of stores that welcome customers are being transformed into gates of hell.



"...... Huh. That's not true, Ceres. That's why they call you a smart ass. Even Herian is appalled."



　Levee, her hand on her forehead, said with a sigh.

　Oh," Helian cheered inwardly.

　The eyes of Alkimaira and a close aide of the king.

　I'm sure you can speak for my feelings when I hear about the excessive defense mechanisms...



"If you incorporate a flame javelin or something like that, there's a good chance it will catch fire. There are many wooden buildings around here. Switch to something like a Tempest Arrow."



　--They didn't give it to me.

　I mean, you wait a minute, Levee.

　Is fire the only thing you need to worry about now that you've explained it to me?

　There's a lot more to it than that. There's an even bigger problem.



"I'm not gonna make the mistake of misplacing the scope... Who do you think I am? I mean, you're the one who's the main one calling me a <>, Leve."

"I'm asking you to pay attention to the slightest possibility. I wouldn't go to the trouble of choosing a fire-based technique when there are other options. Am I wrong?"

"Unlike Elle, I am better with fire than with wind. You know that. The most important thing is to make sure that the unauthorized person who tries to sneak into your precious store is eliminated, so the Flame Javelin is more appropriate in this case than the Tempest Arrow, which I'm more familiar with.

"Everyone knows that is the most important thing. However, if you are to install a flame javelin under the precondition that it will not cause any damage to the surroundings, it would be an advanced technique that only you, among the personnel here, can perform. If you're working on it at the same time as your research, isn't that having a negative impact on the progress of the renovation work?"

"Don't make it sound like I'm dragging my feet. It's not as if I'm dragging my feet. I'm not behind schedule, and I'm completing the tasks I've been assigned within the specified time. If you doubt me, I can submit the roadmap.



　Rieve and Ceres argue and argue and argue.

　Helian, who overheard this too good to be true conversation, felt a dizziness different from that of the secret recoil.

　Levee agreed with what Ceres said as a matter of course, saying that everyone could understand, but Helian himself could not follow or understand the radical thinking.



　With her hand on her forehead, which was in dull pain, Helian stopped the two women from continuing the exchange.



"Both of you, let's stop playing around," she said. And Ceres, Galdi. As for the defense mechanism, for the time being, we only need a capturing device, not an interceptor. That will save a lot of man-hours."



　No need for annihilation. As long as we can defend ourselves. The refurbishment workers all looked at each other when their master said that, but the interceptor system, a destruction mechanism, was put off by a single word from the crane.



　Having prevented the pathetic loss of life, Helian continues to hear about the progress from Gardi and the others, and learns that the living quarters are almost complete.

　The only part that is not yet completed is the private room for the master (Helian), and most of it is still awaiting the delivery of the interior decoration (interior), such as a canopied bed and paintings that are currently being painstakingly produced, which are dignified and befitting a king. When Helian heard this information, he immediately decided to move out of his temporary lodging and move in here.

　As the head of the state, it is the king's duty to take care of the furnishings, but this is not his castle. The living environment where he can spend his time without worrying about the eyes of other guests or employees of the inn is much more important than the furniture which is not suitable for his size.



"So, I'm going back to get my personal belongings. You guys go back to work."






　The three legionnaires, especially Lieve and Celes, were concerned about the lack of a suitable environment to receive the king, but they accepted the opinion that it could not be helped if it was the word of the Lord.



　However, Celes, who had been communicating with Levee secretly through their eyes, managed to secure a canopy bed in the time it took for Helian to leave the inn and return, and set it up with the help of the engineers.



"............"



　When Helian opened the door to his new room, he saw the huge bed, which was very assertive, and fell into silence.



"......This kind of thing is called dis communication, isn't it?"



　I'll talk to Leifer next time about how to deal with my subordinates.

　Helian writes this in his mental notepad and begins to unpack his personal belongings with a deep sigh.







　　　　+ + +







"......What didn't you like about it, general?"

"I don't know. Don't look at me, you simpleton. ...... What's that look? Is it really my fault?　Are you kidding me?　Don't tell me that Rieve was right, I should have used other attributes. ......"

"Hey. It didn't seem that way to me. Does the boss have any idea what's going on?

"No, no. I don't get it. Rieve would have looked like he didn't get it either. I don't understand what the king's aide doesn't understand.

"Is that right? ...... sir, the commander of the 4th legion. I don't think it's your fault, so can you please stop mumbling with your head down? It's just plain scary.



　All the remaining refurbishers tilted their heads and groaned, but in the end, no answer was forthcoming.