Chapter 252

Evan D. Sherden, Becomes the Knight Commander. (2)

The news of the Sherden Dungeon and the Pellati Dungeon opening up quickly spread throughout the cities and the world.

Of course, it was meant to be. The majority of the explorers who lived off of the Dungeon's loot had to go out of the city looking for other jobs, and the rest of them had a great attachment to the city, or were too well established to move their homes.

"So I agree that we have to disseminate information to bring people back. Only..."

"I know what you want to say. That means there's going to be a lot of chaos right after the Dungeon opens."

"That's right."

Shine nodded. However, Evan smiled lightly and simply shrugged.

"There are plenty of people who will act rashly in any case. Usually, those people cause accidents. My father and Count Melto knew that and decided to publish the truth."

"To write as a sacrificial quantity. Would you be the first to take the risk of lurking in an open dungeon and filter it out?"

"If you come back alive, you'll be blessed. I'm sure there's a price."

"That's a cruel way of saying it."

Evan didn't mean to deny it. Although they were necessary for the city's maintenance and revival, the city's rulers did not intend to trust and rely on those who would simply ignore this position and move freely according to their interests.

"You don't need an uncontrollable, driven force motivated by selfish desires. We are busy just paying back the people who have protected the city over the years."

"That's right. But... they're really only the old people."

Of course, most of them were in a dangerously precarious situation, and they were desperately waiting for the Dungeon to reopen. Their financial strength had deteriorated to the point where some of them were close to starving to death.

But it was not the same story for others, who had felt affection for the city itself and had persisted in it—those who cared for and loved Sherden regardless of its merits and demerits. Sherden cared for and loved those people in return, as well.

The latter also supported them in both material and immaterial ways. The Brotherhood Corporation also established a mercenary guild to hire them and actively assist them with mercenary work by information lines.

"How's it going with you? Since Maybell is so busy these days, I receive fewer reports now."

"It's all still the same. The mercenary guild... loyalty in the field is increasing. I think it's going to become a cult."

"The Marquis just stepped up and did what he should do. That's it, but if you do it too openly, you'll see the difference."

"I'm not moving for self-interest, so what's the matter? We all respect the Marquis and your predecessor."

The Brotherhood Corporation's influence was growing remarkably.

Not only did he successfully fill the vacancy of the Bayern Chamber of Commerce and establish a line with other countries, but he also added his own business units to the extent that he made Beipeka, a commercial country, nervous.

"So it's getting harder and harder... Brotherhood Corporation wasn't supposed to be this big..."

"Huh, that's why Maybell's influence is growing day by day."

Maybell D. Solayu was the co-chairman of the Brotherhood Corporation with Evan and the deputy.

Surprisingly, she was appointed as a baroness not long ago. She contributed significantly to the development of the Silk Line and the dungeon city in the process of planning and carrying out new businesses.

As a result, the merchant association gained tax benefits, and the nation was relieved that it had placed the giant merchant bank under its control, albeit indirectly. They were in a mutually beneficial relationship. Evan didn't plan to grow the Brotherhood Corporation at Sherden's expense.

"...But isn't it strange how Maybell treats me these days? Should I say that she's avoiding me, or that she hasn't been touching me like before?"

Evan's expression as he was talking about Maybell became a little strange. Initially, Evan hated (pretended) whenever Maybell clung to him, but he became a little disappointed as the physical contact decreased these days.

The same was true for Evan's birthday party, engagement ceremony, and the Knights' founding ceremony. At other times, it wouldn't have been weird to run towards Evan, but she was just crying from afar!

"It's not strange at all. I read sister Maybell's psychology accurately."

"Does a butler learn that these days?"

"Yes, to give you a brief explanation, it's a stage where affection and desire have grown so much that it's hard to control."

"Oh, no, I don't think so."

If it's true, Evan would be too scared to stand it!

"Sister Maybell is 22 years old, sir. At this point, why don't you show us the tolerance of the nobility? You're going to take Belois beside Arisha, anyway."

"Hey, that's... Uhm..."

Arisha, Belois, and Evan had reached an agreement two and a half years ago, so it was possible...

Evan decided to nod gently because he was so trashy when he spoke.

"...I'll think about it."

"If it's too late, they'll move on. I think it would be better for you to move first."

"You brag about it a lot..."

When Evan was seriously considering immature revenge, someone knocked on Evan's door. It was Belois.

"Your letter has come from far away."

"Who? Grandpa Leo? Is he coming back with Aria?"

Evan asked this with a lot of expectations. Aria was the only one who had the ability to control the boundaries of the dungeon city of Merdin because, at this point, she had reached the extreme ability to deal with the power of space as a priestess.

It wasn't just that. It would be very reassuring if the Arpeta couple would come back at this time when the Dungeon is about to open again. With such expectations, Belois declared mercilessly to Evan, who opened his eyes wide.

"It's from Bernard."

"Chew."

Evan clicked his tongue outright. Bernard, who had left for the ancient forest with Illoin and Rose, sent letters every few months.

He was delighted when he first received the letter, but now he was not satisfied at all because Bernard only talked about how cute his daughter was.

"It'll be the same this time, but just read it...... What, you're coming back? Really?"

However, the letter he received this time was written with a lot of different contents. It said that he would return to Sherden once his daughter matured enough to travel.

Evan read the letter and couldn't believe it, so he rechecked it several times. There was no change in the letters, but he still couldn't believe it.

"I read it right, didn't I?"

"That's right. I've also delivered a letter to Ms. Hannah. But the moment I finished reading the letter, I was sure you'd be happy."

"He's coming back with good timing. I'll be reassured in many ways if he stays in Sherden."

Perhaps Bernard himself knew it and was trying to get back to Sherden, even if he was pushing himself too hard. If so, Evan would be grateful.

However, Evan thought about collaborating with Horta to make an accessory for Bernard's daughter, Eir, and found another letter sheet. There were two postscripts. The first was a mysterious phrase.

"Where..."

'P.S. - I'm bringing a guest. She's very precious, but she says she really wants to see Sherden. But it seemed to me that she just wanted to meet you.'

"What does that mean?"

"Simple, sir. The elves are finally starting to go after you."

After hearing the words, Belois somehow began to burn with fighting spirit.

Both Illoin and Rose were so obsessed with Bernard that they didn't care at all about bringing Elves from the ancient forest! Elves who were already interested in Evan even before they met them!

"Bernard, you're really...... I can't afford to let my guard down."

"Who the hell do you think he's bringing? ...Lua? Why are you making a foxfire?"

"I'm training. I thought it was time we needed training."

"Hey, Belois, do that by yourself when you're not here. It's hot."

For more than two years, Evan and other members of the Dungeon Knights have been unable to enter the Dungeon, but they had developed and honed their abilities by following Evan's thorough instructions.

Jhin and Belois all grew up with certainty, but especially noticeable growth, because they were able to train their weaknesses and strengthen their abilities day by day, and the power was increasing significantly every few months.

And Belois' foxfire ability made that fact very evident. Previously, the number of foxes increased only when the power was greatly enhanced by God's blessing in the Dungeon, but Belois trained herself and increased the number on her own.

There were now as many as fifteen.

"I honestly thought the foxfire would end with nine hounds."

"Nine? Why?"

"Sorry, it was just my intuition speaking..."

As one could see from contents such as hot spring villages, the Yo-Ma Great War Series had many Asian references, but it was not at all reflected here.

Evan turned to the rest of the letter's postscript, avoiding Belois' gaze toward him with his head tilted.

"P.P.S. - Leo must have been sucked into the magic world like Aria. Not too long ago, we gathered Aria's power and barely managed to communicate. So, the communication was cut off at the time when I asked him to get Helleubina."

Why would Leo go there? Evan started to feel a cold headache. Of course, he couldn't imagine anything wrong with them falling into the field, but there was no guarantee that they would be able to come back!

"When grandpa comes back, I'll seriously study how to enter the magic world."

Although the concept of a hybrid system appeared in the Yo-Ma Great War Zero, it was a foreign war that was far from the series' progression.

Except for Yo-Ma Great War Zero, the series did not show how to go to the magic world throughout the main scenario and DLC. Of course, it might have been after Yo-Ma Great War 5, but that was not an easy way. However, Leo had somehow done it!

"I didn't expect a letter from Grandpa Bernard to surprise me three times."

"Leo always does something beyond our imagination. In that respect, you resemble him."

"He must have gone because he wanted to."

In any case, the idea of getting Aria's help to lift the bonds that covered Merdin must be put to a clean end. As Shine said, the fastest way was to grow Lin and Lan.

"I wish the dungeon would be opened for that."

"Master."

Then, again, someone was knocking on Evan's office. It was Diona this time. She also could not raise her Dungeon level because of the Dungeon's closure.

Shine and Belois, who formally joined the Dungeon Knights, worked to assist Evan while he was busy at work.

For reference, Evan had now neatly abandoned his plan to connect Dain and Diona. It was unfortunate to learn that Diona, who looked mature, was younger than he thought. No matter how much he looked at it, a ten year age difference was too much.

"You're a bunny girl again, Diona."

"Even if I get into the Dungeon, I don't want to give it up. More than that, Master, please be happy."

"Is the Dungeon open?"

"...Like, it's not."

Diona took a letter out of her arms. It was stamped with a familiar seal.

"His Majesty the King is calling."

"Ah..."

Evan sighed for a moment, but Diona's following words turned him pale.

"His Majesty the King is hosting a lavish tea party himself. Prince Evan, Baroness Maybell D. Solayu, and three guests, including her Royal Highness... there's no mention of your fiancé, Arisha. Probably on purpose."

"Tea, tea party......?"

"...Why are you reacting like that, Master?"

Diona tilted her head because she didn't understand his reaction, but Shine and Belois, who had been with Evan for an overwhelmingly long time, understood the reason very well.

Apparently, Evan was going to start worrying again!