Chapter 16. Rumors Spread That I’m a Wise Lord, Even Though I’m Just Supporting My Favorite Character
About 90 days have passed since I regained the memories of my past life.
In that time, the environment surrounding me has changed significantly.
First, when I wake up early and run around the grounds, the young maids have started sending me high-pitched cheers.
Before, this would have been absolutely unthinkable.
“Kyaaaaah! It’s Cain-sama!”
“Cain-sama, working up a sweat, you’re so cool! I got eye contact!”
“Wonderful! Please look this way!”
Th-this is bad… Honestly, I’m so happy I can’t stop grinning.
Including my past life, I’ve always been a virgin and was never popular with girls.
“…Brother Cain, you’re smirking too much.”
Servia, running alongside me, had her mouth set in a pout.
“Whoa!? For me, who’s devoted only to Servia, to do such a thing!”
Not good. I slapped my cheeks and steeled my resolve.
Servia, saying she wanted to train with me, had been joining me for my early morning runs every day.
Could there be any greater happiness than working up a sweat with my absolute favorite heroine?
“But it’s wonderful that everyone has come to understand how amazing you are, Brother Cain! You’re now the guardian deity of the Schwartz Territory, you know.”
“I think that’s a bit too exaggerated a nickname, though…”
“That’s not true at all. Brother Cain, you are truly a god! A GOD (goddo)!”
Servia puffed out her chest, looking endlessly proud.
My reputation skyrocketed after I subjugated the A-rank Magical Beast that had been troubling the domain’s people.
After that, because I continued to exterminate high-rank monsters that the Adventurers’ Guild couldn’t handle, some people even started to revere me as a guardian deity.
…Honestly, it’s awkward.
I’m only doing this monster extermination for my own level grinding and to be happy with Servia.
And yet, I was being treated like a saint who puts his body on the line to fight monsters for the sake of the people.
“…What in the world is going on?”
I couldn’t help but grumble.
However, the fact that so many high-rank monsters were appearing even though the main game story hadn’t even started was concerning.
…Perhaps this is a New Game Plus world.
From the second playthrough onwards, the difficulty increases, and rare monsters appear more easily.
If that’s the case, in the worst-case scenario, Hero Abel might be at the maximum level of 99 from multiple playthroughs.
A chill ran down my spine.
My level has risen to 23, but at this growth rate, I won’t stand a chance.
In another nine months, if I’m not at least level 70, I can’t see a path to victory…
I racked my brains.
The most optimal way to level up is to subjugate high-level monsters.
I’ll have to do a subjugation marathon by making boss monsters respawn using an exploit.
For that, I need necromancy that can revive corpses, but…
“Kyaa! Cain-sama, do your best!”
“Whoa!?”
When I passed nearby, the maids made a huge fuss as if they’d encountered an idol.
Because of that, my thoughts were interrupted.
“You girls, you mustn’t disturb Young Master Cain. Young Master Cain is the knight of knights who charges down a thorny path for loveeeee!”
“Yeeees, Lancelot-sama!”
At Lancelot’s roar, the maids nodded, their eyes turning into hearts.
… “The knight of knights who charges down a thorny path for love”? What the heck is that?
I was receiving some strange high praise from Lancelot.
“Young Master Cain! To think that you started the medicine selling business in order to organize a Private Army to protect the people of the domain… This Lancelot is moved to tearsoooooo!”
Lancelot rushed over, bringing his overly passionate face close.
“Whoa!? Lancelot!?”
Lately, every time I do something, he shouts, ‘This Lancelot is moved to tearsoooooo!’, so it’s a bit annoying.
Honestly, I feel like Lancelot is more of a hindrance to my running…
For example, when I went to report the Blood Bear subjugation to the Adventurers’ Guild, Lancelot somehow tagged along and praised me to the high heavens in front of the adventurers, which made me extremely uncomfortable.
I understand he’s happy about his disciple’s success, and I’m grateful for it, but still.
“W-well, whatever, this is good timing. Alright Servia, shall we take a break soon?”
“Yes, Brother Cain.”
There was something I wanted to discuss with Lancelot too, so I stopped running and wiped my sweat.
Another thing that has changed significantly recently is that the medicine selling business has become a hit.
The Apothecary siblings, Ash and Lil, have been creating top-quality medicine using the rare plant materials Servia summons.
I’ve been selling it through a merchant from the Atlas Empire, an acquaintance of Father’s.
If I sold the medicine within the kingdom, there’s a risk that the source of the rare materials would be investigated, but if I channel it to the Empire, that risk is low.
Since I’ve acquired a decent amount of funds this way, I decided to use it to create a Private Army.
“Lancelot. The items I asked you to order are arriving today, right?”
“Yes! That is correct!”
Lancelot bowed deeply with utmost sincerity.
“To think that at the tender age of fifteen, you would conceive of such a thing… Young Master Cain, you are a terrifyingly promising individual.”
“…You think so?”
I’m just using the game’s strategy guide as is… Is this not common in this world?
“You are too modest. Normally, even if one thought of it, they couldn’t execute it. To think of changing the very nature of an army… I have truly underestimated you!”
In the game “Apocalypse,” there were elements of domain management and warfare, and you could organize a Private Army.
The issue here was how to create the strongest possible army.
Fierce debates raged online, but the conclusion reached was that using a certain expensive item obtainable in the latter half of the game was the most logical approach.
I had Lancelot place a bulk order for it.
“Lancelot, I want to organize the strongest army. Will you lend me your strength?”
“Hah! To throw away your private fortune for the sake of the domain’s people… What a noble aspiration! This unworthy Lancelot will assist you with all his might!”
“A Private Army for the people of the domain!? As expected of Brother Cain! Truly a wise lord! The guardian deity of the Schwartz Territory!”
“Huh? For the people…?”
Lancelot and Servia were greatly excited, having misunderstood something.
It’s all for the sake of protecting my absolute favorite heroine, Servia, though…
Are they thinking I’m creating a Private Army for the people? I hurriedly tried to clear up the misunderstanding.
“No, this is so I can be happy with Servia…”
“Thank you, Brother Cain! I’m so happy!”
“Are you saying that the happiness of the people is your own happiness…!? Kuuuh! This Lancelot is moved to tearsoooooo!”
“Dwah!?”
Overcome with emotion, Lancelot embraced me.
“We are also happy to be able to serve someone like Cain-sama!”
“Wow!? I just heard an amazing story! I have to spread rumors about Cain-sama at the tavern again!”
The gossip-loving maids were frolicking.
It looked like incorrect rumors about me were going to spread again.
“No, that’s a bit different!? I’m just doing it for myself!”
“I’m moved to tearsoooooo!”
It’s no use. He’s not listening!
“Changing the subject, Brother Cain. Actually, today, Eris Onee-sama is going to accompany me to town to buy some clothes for me. She said that while calling merchants to the mansion is fine, strolling through the town would also be fun.”
“I’m glad that Eris Onee-san and Servia are getting along. I have things to do so I can’t go with you, but…”
I spoke with Servia while pushing Lancelot away.
The merchant I ordered the items from is coming, so I can’t be away from the mansion.
“I understand. Next time, I’d love to go to town with you, Brother Cain.”
“Ah, aaah! Of course!”
Seeing Servia smile like a blooming flower made my heart pound.