Chapter 193

Evan D. Sherden, Training the Core (1)

As soon as Evan returned to the dungeon city, he started to build a proper workshop inside the Knights headquarters.

There were so many empty spaces inside the headquarters anyway. Evan decided to renovate the basement to install a metallurgy workshop, except for Horta's and Ella's rooms, the craftsmen would take care of making their own apartments. It shouldn't take too long because Ella was hard at work building her own space.

"Wow, she looks so unique!"

[Don't come in here, pestering mini-humans!]

However, her work was hindered because of the little children who were excited to have a glimpse of the exotic Dwarf species. Lin and Lan were the leading members, but the other kids were no different.

"She's as tall as us, but her face is as pretty as Aria's!"

"How strange! She's very pretty!"

"Is that my sister? Is this my sister?"

[Hey, go away, you little punks!]

"And, again, there are more girls around Captain. Urgh..."

Ella had been captivated by Evan's tempting offer and inadvertently stamped the contract, but her attitude toward other humans was still cynical and suspicious.

Ella won't hang out with other humans much anyway since she couldn't communicate with them. Evan did not reveal Ella's presence to others, other than the Dungeon Knights.

"She is a real dwarf......"

There was only one other person who knew Ella's existence, and it was Anastasia L. Leonine, who was Evan's guest at the Knights headquarters for the past few days and was bound to leave the city today.

A day later and Evan would've been able to hide Ella's existence. However, Anastasia and Evan regularly shared many secrets; one more wouldn't make a difference.

[Why the hell is that woman glaring at me!? Oddly enough, I can sense nature energy from her.]

[She must be a Druid.]

[Evan knows unique people, that must be natural since he is a prophet.]

Anastasia being a Druid made Ella less wary of her, since her presence brought the tranquility felt in nature, Ella's natural habitat. Anastasia glanced back at Evan, holding her hands tightly together, perhaps even more moved by him.

"I didn't expect you to bring a dwarf. Master Evan, you are quite mystifying..."

"Keep her existence a secret, not even the city knows."

"Yes, you can trust me."

Evan asked Anastasia, who was looking at Ella with wonder and amazement.

Since Anastasia had enjoyed her date with Shine during Evan's absence, she was satisfied. Thus, she agreed with him.

"I am happy that now we can produce weapons made of mana metal."

"Haha, the next time you come, we'll be finished with the first production."

"I'll be waiting. ... I'll be waiting for Shine's next dispatch as well."

Anastasia wanted to stay in the dungeon city for the rest of her life, if possible, but now she bore the responsibility of governing a region.

Anastasia played a crucial role in the stable mining of mana metals if she could manage and develop Menaton properly.

"Yes, what about Matthew?"

"My father keeps his word. He doesn't know about the mine."

Mana metal mining was monopolized by Brotherhood Crystal, an affiliate of the Brotherhood Corporation.

There would be no rumors of it. The residents of Menaton were basically on the side of Brotherhood Corporation, as the Brotherhood Corporation positively improved Menaton's poor conditions.

"Our secrets will one day be revealed. You have to build up your strength by then."

"I'll do everything I can. Thanks to the contract with Brotherhood Corporation, recruiting soldiers will be easier now."

The Lord (Lady in this case) of the governed territory had the right to recruit and train soldiers through recruitment or conscription. Thanks to the Brotherhood Corporation's financial power, Anastasia was already smoothly captivating the hearts of the residents struggling with the sterile environment of Menaton.

It would not be too difficult to recruit and train soldiers to guarantee a comfortable life for them. ...More than anything, Anastasia herself had the power, so it should be easy to manage the troops.

'Especially the Druid class, it is talented in strengthening a large number of troops temporarily. Her ability is perfect for Menaton's unique environment.'

Moreover, Shine reported that Anastasia had a sharp combat sense. It would be unwise to underestimate her, especially since she managed to reach level 27.

"When the mana metal trade stabilizes, and your forces are secured... please contact me again then. I'll visit you."

"... I'll be waiting for that, too. I want to meet other witches, as well."

It was not just mana metal that Evan wanted from the Duke's territory. The relics of a witch had never been found before. The Devil Rune must have been asleep in the Duke's territory.

Evan planned to lead the Dungeon Knights himself to the Duke's territory as soon as Menaton was stabilized. The Dungeon Knights were soon going to be officially announced, so it would be possible soon.

"Princess, it's time to go."

"Oh, Shine... Thank you. I'll go out soon."

While Evan and Anastasia were having their farewell, Shine's voice called out from the outside. Their bond had grown enough to make them want to see each other off. Anastasia was content with that.

"Master Evan, then let me take my leave."

"It was a pleasant time, Princess Anastasia."

"Me too. ......I shall always remember you made me an honorary member of the Dungeon Knights."

There were a few carts outside protected by mercenaries belonging to the Brotherhood Corporation. They were carrying commodities, including daily necessities, traded for the mana metal.

Evan could foresee the change that Anastasia is going to lead Menaton to.

"Princess, please take care of yourself."

"Shine... too far."

When Shine bowed politely to Anastasia, a couple of steps away from her on the wagon, Anastasia stretched her hand out of the cart window, with shy, plump cheeks.

"What?"

"Hoo."

Shine had accompanied Anastasia to the wagon and waited for it to leave. She complained and held her hands out of the window.

To the Druid's aptitude to deal with the forces of nature, the witch's Mana Sword was added so that it could be activated more simply and quickly.

"Huh?"

"Phew."

Strangely, a slender tree branch from her sleeves popped out like a stem and held Shine's body together.

"P-Princess?"

"Shine always tries to stay away from me."

She pulled Shine's body toward the cart when she clenched her fist. Shine couldn't resist the physical force, but that wasn't the real reason; it was Anastasia's lonesome voice resonating in his head.

Finally, the two faced each other over the cart window. Shine was much taller than Anastasia, but the cart seat was so high that Anastasia and Shine were on the same level now.

"Shine, you gave me all this power. Thank you."

"Why are you holding me to show your gratitude? And it wasn't me, it was yours and Belois' efforts."

"Two people planted the seed, but I was able to sprout because Shine watered it."

"......."

It was a bit of a shame, and both were blushing. But none of them wanted to let go.

Evan decided to leave and give them their space.

"Shine, for now..."

"... Princess..."

Their voices were heard until Evan entered the building. Soon Shine ran in with his cheeks flushed red, so Evan could guess what had happened.

"It's a good time."

"Because you ran away first, Master! I wouldn't have been fooled if you were with me!"

"Shine, I would have stopped it if you said no."

"That.. that. What I mean is, Master...."

Shine fumbled, blushing his cheeks. Perhaps the shocking incident between the Princess and him had rendered him speechless.

Evan tapped Shine on the shoulder and laughed.

"Good luck, though, but don't make any progress in the relationship further now. You'll regret it when you have something you can't handle."

"Well, you have never had any relationship with a woman. Are you telling me not to enjoy the cake when you have never tasted it?"

"I've foreseen it."

"Dear Master, that word has been stuck on your tongue for some time now."

Evan did not answer it but raised his finger and pointed somewhere. In the corner of the lobby on the Knights Headquarters' first floor, a child was hiding behind a pillar and staring at Shine.

"Vice-captain..."

She was Marie. The case had already begun.

Shine shook his body instinctively. Evan smiled, feeling amused.

"Do you want me to lend you tough waist support? Let me know whenever you need me."

"Well, I don't need that!"

[No, I think you will need it.]

As soon as Anastasia disappeared, a ghost girl appeared, after a long time. But perhaps because of her mood, her face seemed emaciated.

[I might stab Shine in the face.]

"Ah... the ghost girl must be capable of inflicting terrible damage."

Seeing Shine and Anastasia staying together for a few days, she must have been the most hurt.

Furthermore, her afterlife grudge was that she had never experienced a real date when she was alive. Evan could sympathize with her if she decided to "kill" Shine right now.

[So, Master, may I borrow Shine for a day? I want to go on a date, too.]

"Shine hasn't had the proper training because he has followed Asha. Now, are you going to interrupt him?"

"Hmm, Asha."

"Ugh!"

They have progressed a lot in Evan's absence.

It should be like that. The two had spent more than a day exploring the Dungeon together. And they had been together for more than two days with Evan's permission!

"Let's just stab him, Ghost Lady."

[Shall I?]

"I'm going to curse you, Master. You are involved with way more women than I am."

"Hah."

Evan snorted at Shine's words. And he said something very impressive.

"You've already been doing that. It doesn't hurt much, just a bit itchy."

"..."

Evan waved to Shine, first entering the headquarters.

Belois, who was waiting behind him, stood by him. Serena, who was resting on the sofa, was already clinging to him. Just in time, Arisha, who was coming up from the underground training camp, was seen smiling softly at Evan.

....but the three women were exchanging sharp glances at each other without being noticed by Evan. It was a pandemic.

[Master, there are too many women eyeing you.]

"Oh, then stick to Master instead of me, he'll enjoy a spirit lady's eyes as well......."

At the murmur of the Ghost watching the scene from behind, Shine replied in a feeble voice. But the Ghost laughed at him and clung to his back.

[No, Shine's the best for me.]

"...Yes, thank you. Then, shall we go play for a while?"

[Wow, Shine is the best!]

Shine was in a hurry to put Marie off his trail, or maybe....it was to stop the Ghost from stabbing him in the back.