Chapter 34- After the Victory

"We’re finally home, Master. I could hear everyone's excitement and I sensed that the sadness in the back of their mind was getting smaller and smaller."

“Well, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves for the time being. Thank you so much Galatea. Do you want to make some noise with everyone?”

When we finally returned home after cleaning up the mess at the Azul trading company, I asked Galatea about the state of the village and was glad to hear that everyone seemed to have overcome their grief and were enjoying themselves.

I wondered if she was tired from all the work, but she shook her head.

“No, I'll go in and support Noel. She probably hasn't had a chance to rest, so can you find her, Grace-sama?”

“Of course, you can rest. I’ll keep moving with my escort in battle.”

“Fufu…Thank you very much. I'll take your word for it and I'll get a good night's rest tomorrow.”

She then bowed neatly and hurriedly headed towards the kitchen. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have won this battle. I bowed in gratitude at her back.

Then I walked into the hall where everyone was making noise, carrying a bottle of fine wine that Edward had given me as a souvenir.

"Everyone, are you enjoying yourselves?”

"Ah, it's Grace-sama. Welcome back!”

“Grace-sama, let's make some noise. Oh, that’s rude. Is it true that Grace-sama can shoot a lump of iron out of his nose?”

I was greeted by warm voices as I entered the hall. This is what I've been protecting. Who said that? I'm the lord, remember? Isn't that too rude? With that thought in mind, I joined the circle of everyone.

After a while, I left the banquet, tired from fighting and negotiating with the Azul trading company and noticed that there was a light on in the room leading to the guest room.

There was Neil, who was drunk and Noel, who was doing her best to nurse him. Noel's expression was one of dismay, but also one of amusement, something she never showed me. I guess that's just the way she is with her family.

“Neil is completely drunk.”

"Oh, Master! I'm sorry I took care of him in a place like this ...... I'll take my brother to my room right away!!”

As soon as I called out to her, she returned to her usual expression. She tries to lift Neil in a hurry, but it seems that it’s impossible for her.

“You don't have to worry about it, I told you it was a tough day. You can take it easy...... but he might catch a cold here. This guy’s pretty heavy! You were trying to act cool, but I don't think you can do it alone.”

"..... Oh ...... thank you. Master.”

That’s how Noel and I carried him on our left and right shoulders. People are so heavy when they’re unconscious. I’m going to talk to her according to Galatea’s advice…. It seems that she did her best working behind the scenes of the battle.

“I'd like to thank you for all the work you've done to prepare our meals today, aren't you tired? You can go over there and make some noise too.”

“I'm not..... That's my job. Besides...... everyone is drunk over there and it’s too much trouble to deal with them. Please don't worry about it."

She chuckles at that. It’s true that as the youngest person in the village, she’s not ready to drink yet and dealing with drunks is probably still a challenge. I know Sarah and the others can easily pass it off, but I think it's still difficult for Noel.

“But… I'm glad you’re okay. It’s thanks to Neil and everyone’s hardwork, so forgive me even if this happens today.”

As I said this, I opened the door to an empty guest room. I'll just let him sleep here for today. That would make it easier for Noel to take care of him.

“Yes… Vigna-san said that my brother did a good job, but ...... I know master also worked very hard.”

“It's not entirely true at all. ...... I couldn't do anything on the battlefield. I was just keeping up with Vigna and Galatea. I even caused some casualties to my people. ...... I'm a really bad lord.”

“That’s not true!”

I smiled self-deprecatingly as I tucked Neil into bed and Noel denied it in a rare, hoarse voice. She then looks at me with an uncharacteristically serious look.

“Master is not a bad lord! You are the best lord I've ever known! Not only did you accept us when we were about to starve to death, you gave us warm food, taught us various jobs and this time, you fought on the front lines for us. If something like this had happened in our previous village, the lord would have run away immediately. You made weapons for us this time and did a lot of hard work, so we only had to sacrifice so little! So ...... please don't say such a thing even in jest."

"Noel......"

I don't know what to say to her when she says that with a serious look in her eyes. It's the first time I've seen her say something like this. I had the impression that she was always smiling and gentle. ......

I think she really admires me. I would feel bad if Bowman, whom I respected, was belittling his skills. And that's how much she values me as a lord.

“I'm sorry. I'm Grace Vermillion. I’m the best lord."

"Yes, you are. Oh, but I was really worried when  Grace-sama went to the front line. ...... I'm so glad you’re okay. I was afraid that something would happen to you......"

“Well, I’m weak, but Vigna and Galatea will protect me. As long as they're around, I'll be absolutely safe.”

“Well ...... I do worry, but I'm really glad master......."

She then hugged me with tears in her eyes. She had been treating the wounded for a long time. Maybe that's why she saw her injured friends and imagined the worst about me.

"Thank you for your concern, Noel."

I thanked her, patting her small head. It's not only Vigna, who I grew up with, or Bowman, or Galatea, who recognized me as Souzi’s successor.

It’s because of the words of Noel, who came here as a refugee and didn't know me before ...... yet fairly recognizes me as a lord, with this in mind, her respect pervades my heart.

She's really telling me that I'm the best lord she's ever had. If that's the case, I'll have to work even harder.

“Excuse me! Master. ......”

“Don't worry, it's a rough day. Besides, Noel, you’re still a child and sometimes you need to be spoiled.”

“I'm not a child anymore! But master...... I can't protect you on the battlefield like Galatea or Vigna, but I will protect the place where you come home to!”

"Oh, thank you. You have always been of great help to me."

Then I pat her on the head and leave the room. I'm at the end of my rope. I wanted to say hello to Bowman and the others, but they've already left for the workshop. I don't have the energy to keep up with their experiments, so I'll say hello to them tomorrow.

I heard that Vigna went out with Sarah. I wonder if it was a girls' night out. If so, it's probably best to leave her alone.

“I think I’ll take a look at the Souzi’s relic I got before going to bed.”

If my understanding of the otherworld increases, I’ll be able to acquire new knowledge. That way, it may be possible to avoid casualties and injuries. It might make life easier for the people.

With this thought in mind, I opened the door to my room and froze.

"Is there an Intruder ......?"

Yes, the bed was heaped up in an unusual way. What the heck, there's definitely someone hiding in there. But if it was an intruder, there's no way Galatea and Vigna wouldn't notice.

I roll up the bed, putting my hand on the gun in my purse just in case. I couldn't believe what I saw.

“Thank you for your hard work Grace, I want you to make love to me.”

“......"

My brain refused to acknowledge its existence. I took a deep breath, but it still seemed real.

In my bed, there was Vigna, her face red from embarrassment. And for some reason, she was wearing a bunny girl......

I think it was because I was tired, but I couldn't help but say what I was thinking.

“What are you wearing? What's wrong? Are you on drugs or something? Goha.”

"I knew you weren’t attracted to me, Sarah you idiot!”

The pillow hit me in the face and Vigna screamed at the same time.

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