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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: A Visitor
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Waryong Manor.
A domain that had long been vacant, it had been less than a month since it found its new master.
Normally, no matter how quickly one gathered their people, they would be overwhelmed just adapting to a new territory… but Waryong Manor was running surprisingly well.
There were three reasons for this.
First, the residents were all long-lived, dark elves accustomed to migration.
Second, skilled Awakened slaves were demonstrating their prodigious talents at every important facility.
And third was the presence of a leader so gifted she was nothing short of phenomenal.
"Once the monster materials have been processed, inspect your equipment. There will be weapons in need of repair."
"This is a sufficient stockpile of food. Instead, we could use more cloth and metal."
"The third floor of the North Hall needs repairs. There are spare hands in the South Hall, so get their cooperation."
Sometimes on-site.
Sometimes in her office.
Sometimes with words, or with documents.
The dark elf Arsha, who gave appropriate instructions as needed, was, without exaggeration, the brains of Waryong Manor.
The experience she had accumulated ruling her clan for over a century.
Combined with the leadership talents of an Awakened One, finally blossoming now that she was in charge of a grand estate, her command was nothing short of perfect.
She had a grasp of every nook and cranny of Waryong Manor, meticulously commanding hundreds of people without a single ounce of waste.
Under her direction, every resident was utilizing not just 100%, but over 120% of their abilities.
Of course, this made Arsha busier than anyone else in the territory, but she herself had no complaints.
In fact, the opposite was the problem.
"Matriarch, I've brought you a meal."
"I'll eat after I finish this."
…
"Matriarch, perhaps you should rest a little?"
"I'll rest after I finish this."
…
"Matriarch…"
"Just after I finish this."
…
This must be what it meant to be possessed.
While not forgoing sleep entirely, she neglected things like meals and rest, dedicating herself solely to running the manor and looking after her clan.
Her people, who had urged her to rest several times only to be turned away, couldn't help but feel troubled.
That was why.
Why they ultimately deployed their final weapon.
"Arsha, want to go on a date with me?"
"Just after I finish this… L-Lord?"
"Hmph, I see. So work is more important to you than I am, Arsha."
"Th-That is not what I meant…"
"If it's not, then what is it?"
"…"
In the middle of responding reflexively while handling documents.
The dark elf matriarch, Arsha, finally looked up with a start, at a complete loss.
Her pupils trembled.
Her face was deathly pale.
Even her long ears quivered.
To his flustered dark elf concubine, the boy with black-and-white hair asked with a faint smile.
"—You've been overworking yourself, haven't you, Arsha?"
"I, well…"
"Arsha."
"…"
"What should you be saying right now?"
There was much she could have said.
That while the elven races were frail, this much was not enough to tire her.
That even if it was strenuous, this was a crucial time for Waryong Manor, and she had to endure it.
But after seeing those deep.
Colder than ice.
Blood-red eyes.
There was only one thing she could say.
"…I apologize."
"…"
"M-My husband."
"Hmm. Well, everyone makes mistakes."
A faint smile.
Only then did the boy's smile return as he reached out a hand and gently stroked Arsha's head as if in praise.
Considering the young boy's age, it was a rather ridiculous gesture, but…
Nevertheless, feeling an immense sense of relief, her tension melted away.
Dion asked her leisurely.
"It's fun, isn't it?"
"Pardon?"
"Managing our estate. Was it not fun?"
"Th-That is…"
"That is?"
"…"
She had only been working for the sake of the manor, and above all, for Dion.
Arsha couldn't bring herself to say it.
She had struggled just to feed her clan day by day, with neither money nor supplies.
But now, she could manage a territory abundant in funds, resources, and talent to her heart's content.
If asked whether that process was enjoyable or not…
"You don't need to worry about what I think. It's only natural that it's fun."
"Is, is that so?"
"Yes. In fact, it would be a problem if it weren't fun."
"…"
"Enjoying this kind of thing is proof of just how much you cherish the manor."
If one didn't cherish it, they wouldn't feel joy or satisfaction no matter how much the territory developed.
Eventually, they would be bound to abuse their power or secretly pocket assets.
In that respect, she, who rejoiced in the manor's development and the fact that her clan had the opportunity to work, was excellent.
Dion stated it plainly and smiled faintly.
"That's why I took you as my concubine, Arsha."
*Mwah.*
"!"
As if words weren't enough.
For a moment, her face flushed hot at the touch of lips on the tip of her sensitive, long ear.
Arsha tried her best to remain calm and change the subject.
"M-More importantly, are you alright?"
"What is?"
"I say this because you, my husband, have also been running around without rest lately."
Wasn't Dion the one pushing himself too hard?
To this question, mixed with genuine concern and not just an attempt to change the subject, Dion chuckled.
For Dion, who had even experienced the Calamity War, this was far from strenuous; it was practically relaxing.
But Dion didn't bother to reveal that fact.
Instead, he played along.
"Well, I am a bit tired."
"I'm sure you are. So, for the time being, you should rest a bit…"
"I guess that's why."
"Pardon?"
"—I suddenly got thirsty."
"!"
In that moment.
Arsha flinched.
The smile on Dion's face.
And his bewitchingly gleaming red eyes.
They made her ears perk up involuntarily.
"Th-Then I will fetch some water, so if you'll just wait a moment…"
"You know, Arsha."
"…"
"You know what I want right now."
The boy spoke lightly, a grin on his face.
But his gaze allowed no refusal, not even the chance to look away. Frozen under it for a moment.
At the end of a whirlwind of emotions—embarrassment, bewilderment, agitation—she finally, as if in resignation, slowly raised a hand…
—and with trembling fingers, she grasped the bandage wrapped around her neck.
*Rustle.*
Despite how tightly it had been wound.
The bandage came undone all too easily.
And what was revealed was a long, slender nape, like that of a doe.
Her skin, which should have been flawlessly smooth, still bore the faint marks of teeth.
Dion approached her.
He pressed his face close to her neck.
Like a beast savoring the scent of a delicacy before devouring it, the feel of his sharp nose gliding along her skin made her long ears tremble.
Arsha reminded herself.
This was her duty as a concubine… no, as the head of her clan and a resident, to help the tired boy recover his strength.
It was by no means an indecent act.
*Thump.*
But why?
The breath warming her nape was hot.
The sensation tickling her skin was so very soft.
It made her heart pound as if it would burst, involuntarily recalling the sensations of 'that day.'
And so, as the boy's nose finally lifted, replaced by the touch of his teeth against her skin, she unknowingly clenched the hem of her clothes.
*Knock, knock.*
"Young Master, are you in here?"
"…?!"
It felt like her heart had dropped.
That was what Arsha felt upon hearing her daughter's blunt voice from outside the door.
Startled, Arsha reflexively pushed Dion away.
Or rather, she tried to.
But that was merely her wish.
Dion, far from being pushed away, spoke casually with his mouth still pressed to her neck.
"What is it?"
"There is a visitor who wishes to see you, Young Master."
"A visitor? Who?"
"They seem to be just a peddler, but they claim to be an envoy of the Guild."
"The Guild?"
"Yes. What would you like to do?"
"Hmm… Alright. I'll be there soon, so offer them some hospitality."
"Understood."
Only then did Dion slowly pull his teeth away from Arsha's neck, who had been holding her breath.
Then he smiled faintly and whispered in her ear.
"Too bad. Let's continue this next time."
*Mwah.*
"…"
And so…
After placing a kiss on the tip of her long ear.
The boy put on his mask and left the room.
Arsha, who had been frozen stiff, finally raised both hands to cover her face a long while later.
"Haaah…"
If Parsha had opened the door and come in just a moment ago, how would she have faced her daughter?
She let out a sigh, trying to cool her beet-red face.
Embarrassment and tension.
Along with a deep sense of relief…
…and a flutter of anticipation, the reason for which she herself did not know, for the 'next time' Dion had mentioned.
* * *
"Ahem. This was a sudden visit, so thank you for agreeing to see me."
"…"
"Ah, I haven't introduced myself. I am Naru, an envoy of the Guild."
"…"
"The reason I've come is none other than…"
"…"
"…Um, my lord?"
The rabbit-eared boy with a lute on his back.
Naru quietly lowered his voice.
He had been relieved to finally meet Dion after nearly being turned away at the gate.
But Dion had simply been staring at him since he entered the reception room, not saying a single word, which made Naru anxious.
He looked himself over, wondering if something was wrong.
Then it hit him.
He finally realized what a mess he looked like, covered in dust from clinging to the guards' legs.
"Um, is my shabby appearance perhaps offending you?"
"No, I just didn't expect the visitor to be you."
"Pardon?"
"It's funny how the world works, isn't it?"
"…???"
Dion chuckled at Naru's bewildered expression in response to his cryptic words.
He had been certain someone would come.
He had set things in motion with that conviction.
But for that someone to be this boy was something even Dion hadn't anticipated.
Even The Voice wouldn't have predicted this.
Because…
'I was just wondering how to meet him, and to think he'd just waltz in on his own.'
…this seemingly clumsy visitor was the very person Dion needed to meet in the Deformed City.
Someone just as important as Arsha, whom he had taken as a concubine…
No, in a way, a being even more important than her.
And so, thinking how amusing this had all turned out, Dion asked with a constant smile.
"So, what's your business? If you're looking to be hired, I might consider it, depending on the wage."
"Ahem, to be frank, I'm here to make a proposal to you, my lord, on behalf of the Guild."
"A proposal?"
"Yes. We have what you want, my lord."
"And what is it that I want?"
"Information that can make you money… To be precise, you're looking for jobs you can take on, aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, it's obvious from your actions thus far, my lord."
Naru spoke confidently to the strangely cheerful-looking Dion.
Why had Dion taken a loss selling slaves only to Ketlick, and gone around hunting bounties?
The reason was simple.
It was because there was something more to gain than what he lost.
And what Dion gained from dispatching bandits and hunting bounties was clear.
Fame.
No, to be more precise…
"Whether it was subjugating bandits or hunting bounties, it was an advertisement, wasn't it? That you can handle any job that pays."
"…"
"The White-Masked Young Master, no…"
Credit.
Wasn't that Dion's goal?
Naru, speaking with conviction, looked straight at the mask Dion wore and finished his sentence.
"—Young Master Dion Unlight."