Chapter 216

Evan D. Sherden, straighten things out. (4)

Fortunately, the sub-quest did not occur. It only took a bit longer on the spot.

According to Melonia's explanation, Franc was a witty witch. She was supposed to become the next godmother (Melonia was the Witch Village's godmother, which is the same thing as the village chief). But one day, they stopped receiving news from her.

The witches were surprised to see that she had a daughter after marrying Duke Leonine.

"Franc was a great witch. I want you, her daughter, to be proud too."

"It's great. She picked a man and successfully gave birth to a witch."

"Isn't Evan's right? After all, today's trend is about feeling."

In an instant, a friendly mood developed between Anastasia and the witches. However, some were sad.

"I never imagined that Franc would die at such a young age..."

"It's nice to meet people who know my mother well. Thank you in advance."

"But don't forget that your relationship is between Master Evan and the people."

Evan lighted a candle between Anastasia and the other witches, who were holding hands while in tears. Considering the stubbornness of the witches he met here, it was hard to emphasize every moment.

"But you guys, do you know the name Redine?"

"Redine? Who is that?"

"So you don't know."

Since they know Anastasia's mother, Evan wanted to ask a question, but nobody could answer it. After all, Evan's mother was not from here.

When he thought about it, he learned about the witch race through my mother, but he couldn't really hear about her origin......

"She probably wouldn't tell me even if I asked her, though."

"Mother is a person who is very satisfied with her environment."

"Sure, if you say so..."

The rest of Evan's Knights also joined at the end of the story, even though the situation was completely over.

"Anyway, the contract was successfully signed. I'm looking forward to this."

"You're the first man to tie a witch with a leash called a contract. Make sure you are well aware of the weight of your words."

"Don't worry, because I have confidence in that. Now, let's go back. First, let's go to the village and bring all your luggage."

"Mmmm, Godfather!"

"Don't call a minor a godfather."

Arriving in the West, various things happened in a short time, but as a result, the number of people on the way back increased enormously.

Of course, Evan had to stop by Menaton Estate and drop some witches and some men on the way....

"Rock Paper Scissors! Scissors! Scissors!"

"Those who lost this way!"

"You'll be rotating around anyway, so don't risk your life on this. You can see the dungeon city in three months!"

"Three months is too short, let's make it a year!"

"Isn't there just one witch left over here!?"

Because they're coming out into this world, the witches all wanted to see the dungeon city more.

However, mercenaries also needed to stay in Menaton and escort the wagon for higher officials, so in the end, five witches and five servants (but they won't be servants in the future) were left here.

It was a system that created groups and rotated them every three months. Evan thought it was reasonable.

"I have to stay here..."

"Oh, no. But I have to follow Evan!"

"Selune, blame your luck."

"Anyway, after three months, you would be replaced with the next group."

But Evan was just embarrassed to see the witches crying as if the world would collapse. "If you liked me that much, it would have been nice if you told me earlier!"

"Melonia and Ctheasil, you are both going to the dungeon city."

"I'll be pleased to go there, Evan."

Shortly after this, Melonia whispered in a small voice so that only Evan could hear it.

"I don't care if I can't make a servant out of you anymore. If you want to have a hot night with me, tell me anytime."

"Even if I humiliated you earlier?"

"Exactly because I was humiliated by you."

At Evan's words, Melonia smiled and sharpened her eyes.

"I'll repay everything on the bed."

"...Well, I'm sorry, Grandma."

'Ah, Master Evan!'

After going through such a big and small commotion, it was the moment when Evan was trying to pick up the number of people returning home.

Anastasia suddenly was looking for Evan after assigning accommodations or delivering cautions to the witches who are staying in Menaton.

"What is it?"

"If my father finds out that you came to the West and left without saying hello, my father might be angry."

"...So, it's that."

For some reason, Duke Leonine loved Evan very much. He even tried to make him marry Anastasia.

Even was worried that he would have to greet him and hear that kind of talk again, but it would not be polite to ignore it at all.

"Moreover, there was a promise that if we explored the western dungeon, we would give 20% of the loot."

"Master made such a promise. But was your father satisfied with only 20%?

"I've been pretty generous for doing twenty percent."

If it were a Yo-Ma Great War Series game, there would be no such thing as 10%, let alone 20%! Anastasia smiled bitterly as Evan talked with contempt.

She was jealous of Evan because he treated the duke so comfortably.

"Then I will just say hello and come back. Is there a direct gate to the Leonine Castle?"

"We don't have such a luxurious facility. We must ride a carriage. But it won't take more than a day."

"I don't have time to waste like that. Let's run."

"Huh!?"

Evan, who ran to the end of the West in a matter of minutes, had a thing going on for traveling long distances.

"Shine, you carry the princess and follow me."

"...Shine, in that case, I'd like to be carried like earlier."

"Anastasia, you really are something."

Evan didn't hate the honest personality of Anastasia, who was embraced by Shine's arms and was enjoying it.

Evan thought he would run to Leonine's estate as is...... But suddenly, he felt a gaze and looked back, and Belois was staring at him.

"...Shall we go together, Lua?"

"It's an honor, sir. I will be happy to go with you."

"Ah, only Belois gets to go!"

"Huh, I'll yield for you this time. But it'll be my turn next, Belois."

Evan put Belois on his back, ignoring all the noise in the background.

Unlike Raihan, Belois was ridiculously light, so Evan was a bit puzzled when he carried her, but the fragrant scent of her flesh gently coming from behind proved her existence.

Evan got a little embarrassed, and he said something he didn't even think about.

"...Would you like me to carry you like the princess?"

"No, sir."

Since she was on his back, her face was not visible. But somehow, Evan could tell that she was embarrassed.

"I'm very envious of the princess, but... I want to save a little for the future."

"Oh, oh, yes."

"Yes, so this is enough for now."

Why was Belois able to make Evan's heart flutter with even the simplest choice of words?

He tried to fix Belois onto his back while pretending to be calm. Raihan took care of himself, and he let him hang on him, but he cannot provide such an unkind service to Belois.

"Master, I'll head off first!"

"Ah, Hey! Wait!"

At that time, Shine, who held Anastasia, started running. Evan held Belois tight and followed behind him.

BAM!

"...Master, are you okay?"

"Lua... If it hurts, tell me."

"I will put a defensive barrier first."

"Sorry."

"Damn, you came so quickly! Come on, come on!"

"Oh, okay."

"Anastasia is also here! Welcome."

"Father..."

The decision to greet Duke Sorde L. Leonine had been an excellent choice.

As a bonus, it was an excellent choice that Evan had stopped by without all the other Knights.

"Huh, you left all your other men behind? Why?"

"I came just to say hello on my way back to Sherden."

"This damn guy, I was trying to prepare a banquet, but it's all messed up now?"

Duke Leonine, who finally met Evan again after a long time, looked very happy. And he looked even happier when Evan took out a bunch of gold coins and monster by-products, which was 20% of the loot he got from the dungeon.

"It's just 20%, yet it's so much? It will be a great addition to the estate of our land. It seems that I have stayed for quite a long time without knowing it."

"Yeah? Right...... Also, there is something else I would like to give you."

"What is it? Is it an engagement with Anastasia?"

"Someone else already likes the princess."

Evan said that as he tried to avoid looking back at Shine.

However, it seemed that Anastasia had made a mistake. The duke jumped up on the spot and pointed at Shine.

"Is it you!"

"Huh!?"

"No way, he's just a noble man's subordinate! What the hell is this about?!"

"Oh, Father! Calm down!"

"I can calm down after slicing his throat!"

Evan would have been angry if he was the duke as well. Evan knows Shine's true value, but in the Duke's opinion, Shine is a servant that seeks a princess with the status of heaven!

"Keep calm, sir. Shine is still holding on well."

"Even my daughter likes him!? Ugghhh! What is this?"

"......I can't, come on!"

While Evan pulled a sedative injection from his arms to stop the duke's high blood pressure, Anastasia restlessly and suddenly found a breakthrough in the situation and shouted.

"Eh, I met witches!"

"...What?"

At that moment, curiously, the duke stopped his seizure. Maybe Evan's sedative took effect right on time.

"Witch...? Witches, I know?"

"My father also knew that I was a witch. Evan told me the path I must take. It is also thanks to him that I met the witches."

"...Wait."

The duke sat in place and rubbed his forehead.

He looked at Evan once, Anastasia once, Shine once, Belois, who was just standing there, and finally, looking at Anastasia again, he said.

"Even so, you mean that it's this guy and not Evan? Even though Evan helped you this far?"

"Yes, father."

"I'm going insane."

Hmmm, Duke Leonine leaned against the chair while sighing. He was thinking about something with his eyes closed for a while, but he thinly opened his eyes and began to speak once more.

"Let's talk about him later? Instead, I want to talk about witches now. Yeah...... Did anyone know about your mother?"

"Yes, there were people who grew up with her. I heard a lot of stories about her, too."

"Oh, my God."

The duke's face was showered with complex emotions that were difficult to read. There were regrets, sorrows, a little unbearable joy, remorse, and things like that.

"Could... Could I meet them too?"

"Some of them decided to stay in Menaton. If you see them... I'm sure they will be very happy."

"Woo..."

The duke exhaled a long, thick sigh, picked up the brandy bottle he had left at the edge of the desk, and then let it go.

"No, no. Evan, don't think you've won with this. Selling memories doesn't mean you can win the next place of the duke."

"I have never even thought about that."

"I really want to make you the next duke."

"I have already turned that offer down."

"Yes, that was impossible... So......"

He said this with a bitter smile.

"Anastasia, I'm looking forward to it. I'll go visit them sooner or later."

"Yes, father!"

"Yeah, then go ahead. I have to think by myself."

The duke looks to shake his hand toward the party while holding a brandy bottle again. Maybe he just didn't want to drink in front of the kids. Evan thought that he was a very easy person to read.......

"Shall I not talk about the Devil Rune then?"

"Ugh, this guy."

"I don't know how many times I've heard of this today."