"Didn’t I tell you before, Ada, that my forehead isn’t for eating?"

The first thing I saw as I opened my eyes was Ada, fast asleep with her lips pressed against my forehead.

“…Ada, I’ll wake you up,” she muttered, still seemingly lost in her dreams but reacting unconsciously to my voice.

Carefully, I laid her down and wiped my forehead, now covered with her drool, with my hand.

“Is there anyone outside?”

The scene was oddly familiar, reminding me of the time I collapsed from exhaustion. I chuckled softly at the resemblance.

Back then, even after regaining consciousness, my body refused to cooperate for a while. But now, despite having been knocked out cold by Satanail, I felt in peak condition.

‘The effect is certainly remarkable.’

The goddess’s blessing was proving to be astonishingly effective—like I was fully enhanced by a vitality potion I’d previously refrained from taking due to its side effects.

And better yet, it applied continuously without any side effects. This was certainly a reward worth appreciating.

“Rupert!”

Lost in thoughts about the blessing, I snapped back to reality at the sound of someone calling my name as they entered the room.

“How are you feeling? Any problems…?”

“I’m fine, Father. But what happened to him?”

“Satanail has been dealt with entirely; there’s no need to worry.”

I managed to calm down Earl Bradley, who was looking at me with deep concern, and then asked about the current situation. The one who answered, however, was none other than Richard.

With a firm grip on my hand, he said, “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, we might have lost him.”

“I didn’t do much, brother.”

Richard shook his head, rejecting my modesty, and said, “It’s embarrassing enough that I returned home, bringing danger to our family after accomplishing so little myself.”

“I’d have to agree with that to some extent.”

Normally, in this sort of situation, I should’ve said, ‘No, brother, it’s fortunate you’re safe,’ to keep things pleasant. Still, it was important to point out what was wrong.

“…Ahem. If you had gotten hurt, I might’ve spent my life in regret. I’m grateful we’re all safe.”

“So, now that everything’s settled, will you be returning home?”

“Well….”

Richard trailed off, hesitant to respond to my question.

 

“This incident will surely throw the empire into turmoil,” murmured Samuel, William’s shadow guard, as he assisted with post-battle clean-up alongside reinforcements.

“At least we’re fortunate. Had things gone wrong, we might have seen the same tragedy as Sleepy Barony spread across other lands,” one of his subordinates remarked.

Samuel nodded. They had been sent to keep an eye on the unusual individuals gathering at the Somerset estate, and last night, they ended up joining the battle against the night creatures that had suddenly attacked.

Normally, given their status, they wouldn’t have interfered. But the incident last night was far too large to ignore.

‘Your help was invaluable.’

Third Prince Edric had relayed the shocking details to them—the existence of dark elves trying to plunge the continent into chaos, information they hadn’t been aware of.

“Some of you should go to Sleepy Barony to assist with their recovery, while the rest of you should withdraw and prepare a report for the imperial court.”

“Yes, sir!”

After issuing orders, Samuel paused, thinking. Since the last Abyssal Cult incident, Rupert Somerset had gained tremendous renown, ascending in influence all the way to Agora.

The imperial family would not overlook Rupert’s achievements in this incident either.

‘A promotion might be possible.’

He speculated carefully about the potential rise of the Somerset count family. Once established, a noble’s rank was rarely altered, whether up or down, even for major accomplishments or mistakes. But Rupert’s feats, combined with his previous victory over the Abyssal Cult, seemed substantial enough for a promotion in Samuel’s estimation.

A marquis.

Only one step above a count, yet holding vastly different prestige.

‘If he continues like this, by the time His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the empire’s Seven Great Nobles might shift.’

Rumored to be a close confidant of the Crown Prince, Rupert seemed like a wise investment at this moment, in Samuel’s opinion.

 

“Don’t cry. Here, take this!”

Ada handed a precious picture book Rupert had made to a crying girl.

But,

“I miss my dad….”

Normally, Shelby Sleepy would’ve been thrilled to receive the book, yet now, she could only sob uncontrollably.

Ada patted her on the shoulder, trying to comfort her, but found herself crying along with her.

Their tearful sobs echoed through the estate, piercing someone’s heart deeply.

“I’m sorry, humans. Because of us, you have suffered wounds that will never heal.”

Lowering her head, Sifris spoke to Baron Sleepy’s widow, her voice thick with guilt.

The betrayal from her kin, Satanail, had harmed innocent humans, and Sifris felt personally responsible for the suffering it had caused.

If the allied forces hadn’t come to the Somerset estate, this tragedy in Sleepy Barony might never have occurred.

But,

“Please, raise your head. It’s not your fault.”

“No, it is our fault.”

“My husband died fighting those who invaded our land, not at your hands.”

—Please, do not dishonor my husband’s final moments. He upheld his duty with honor.

The baroness’s expression was resolute.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t saddened by her husband’s death and the devastated barony. Yet, what mattered most was ensuring their sacrifice hadn’t been in vain.

For that to happen, she needed to become strong, to prepare for the future ahead instead of wasting time in resentment or hate.

“In the name of the Mother World Tree, I swear to you, we of the Crimson Warden will do everything we can to help your land recover.”

Sifris stepped closer to the baroness and touched her forehead to hers—an elven gesture symbolizing the sincerity of one’s vow.

“If you would do that, I would be forever grateful.”

In this time of peak harvest, the ruined Sleepy Barony faced a severe crisis. Although the imperial court would likely grant tax exemptions and aid once they learned of the incident, it was uncertain how long it would take to rebuild the land.

With the elves’ help, perhaps the barony could recover sooner than expected.

 

“We’re heading back now.”

“You’re leaving already? Wouldn’t you like to stay a bit longer?”

Alexander and the Zion Order knights had already prepared to depart, bidding Rupert a final farewell.

Despite the recent events and lack of rest, Rupert sincerely wished to delay Alexander’s departure.

But Alexander shook his head.

“If we linger in comfort, the suffering of others across the empire only grows.”

As a unit directly under the saintess, the Zion Order knights usually dispersed across the continent, handling separate tasks.

Some prevented forbidden research, others hunted creatures tainted by demonic energy. Being a Zion knight meant dedicating oneself entirely to defending the suffering.

For them, this battle was just another task in their endless fight, and Alexander made it clear they would return immediately.

Rupert, perhaps after his encounter with the goddess, felt a new respect for them. While he’d managed to remove a continent-threatening danger almost incidentally, these knights spent their lives fighting tirelessly in unseen corners.

“May your future be blessed with fortune.”

“All as our Mother Goddess wills it.”

As Alexander led the knights away from the land, it was time to return to daily life.

‘I should go home, but for now, I’ll stay and help the Crimson Warden with the reconstruction of Sleepy Barony.’

That was the response Richard had given when Rupert asked if he’d be returning home.

Like Sifris, Richard also felt a sense of duty toward the ruined Sleepy Barony, and Earl Bradley agreed, permitting his decision.

So now, Richard, Sifris, and the Crimson Warden were engaged in the recovery efforts in the neighboring Sleepy Barony.

‘At least you’re close by now, so visit often.’

‘I will, Father.’

‘And I wouldn’t mind an elf daughter-in-law. Honestly, with your rough looks, having such a beautiful bride….’

That conversation was cut short by the flushed faces of Richard and Sifris, but Rupert had a feeling that their family might soon grow.

“Thank you for your hard work, young master.”

“Back already?”

“Yes, and since there was stockpiled inventory, it didn’t take long to gather what you requested.”

“Thank you, as expected of the head merchant.”

“We’re partners, after all.”

To support the neighboring barony’s recovery, Rupert had entrusted Esteban with the task of securing essential supplies.

“Are the artisans and workshops unharmed?”

“Yes, we moved the artisans to the safest location, and the workshops remain untouched.”

“Then we should quickly print the next volume of Van Helsing.”

“What?”

Just as things had settled, Rupert’s sudden insistence on printing the book surprised Esteban.

“Remember the last time an incident occurred?”

“Oh!”

Esteban’s words made Rupert realize.

“When rumors spread that the Abyssal Cult incident resembled scenes in Iron-Blooded Alchemist, sales skyrocketed. This time, it’ll cause an uproar again.”

Rupert agreed, though he couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

Now, it seemed people might begin scrutinizing his every work as if it were a prophecy.