Ch.134134. Manual

The first lottery winner, Hans. His name was already being talked about throughout the imperial capital.

Perhaps he was even more famous than I was right after selling all my Cordana.

‘No, not perhaps—he’s definitely more famous than me.’

The total sales amount for the Empire’s first lottery was just over 12 billion Lyra, of which 5.76 billion was paid to Hans as prize money—certainly a massive sum.

Add to that the symbolism of being the first winner, and it was only natural that both nobles and commoners were curious about his identity.

However, Hans’s current fame was more due to his own actions than the citizens’ curiosity. Though he was probably regretting what he’d done now, it was impossible to return the recognition he’d already gained.

Even while taking care of my party members, I occasionally received reports about Hans. Not out of curiosity, but to determine the right timing to provide him with bodyguards.

And that timing came sooner than I expected.

Just two days after the drawing, Hans had reached his limit.

– “Hans’s siblings came to the Imperial Bank demanding money. They were eventually forced out.”

– “His room has already been occupied by friends and relatives. Hans ended up abandoning all his belongings and is staying at a hotel. Fortunately, that makes it easier for the guards to protect him.”

– “He still talks about moving to a mansion in District 2… but he’ll likely be overcharged. What noble would sell a house at a fair price to a commoner with no connections?”

– “Lawyers, former officials, and merchant guild executives are lining up to request meetings with Hans. Oh, and word has already spread to the Adventurers’ Guild. Soon he’ll barely be able to leave his hotel.”

It felt like everyone in the imperial capital was treating Hans as prey, watching him with predatory intent.

It wasn’t as fierce as the Hero’s pursuit of Gwon Heejin, but it had an extremely sinister quality to it.

This wasn’t pressure that a powerless commoner could withstand.

The only support he had was the imperial guards. And even they would be leaving soon.

Eventually, unable to bear the stress, Hans apparently asked for help. He reportedly begged the junior officer of the imperial guard protecting him: “Can’t you keep protecting me…? I’ll pay you really, really well.”

I decided to send him two former knights.

One from the Black Iron Knights, and one from the Royal Order.

Both were veterans with over ten years of active service, and both had arm disabilities. One had a joint disorder that prevented one shoulder from rotating, while the other had sacrificed an arm to the Tetrad.

The latter was once my senior colleague.

It was Ramsey, who had once tried to plunder my Cordana along with Selin. Though I’d forgotten about it, he was someone who had sent about twenty letters of apology through Bingo.

His floppy, seaweed-like hair remained the same as before… but everything else had changed beyond recognition.

Though clearly in his mid-thirties, he looked more like mid-forties, with no trace of vitality. Now, perhaps because he was in my presence, he was just rolling his eyes with a tense expression without saying a word.

‘There’s no need to be so cautious.’

I wasn’t planning to ask him to do anything difficult.

“Ramsey, you’ve been working under the Deputy Minister of Justice?”

“What? Oh, yes. Thanks to Commander Waynelight’s help, I was assigned to escort criminals to the border.”

“That’s important work.”

“…Thank you.”

His role was to escort penal battalion members to the northern and southern borders.

His duty was to slowly travel for weeks, deliver criminals, and safely bring back those who had completed their sentences.

There must be many comfortable and safe positions available, so the fact that he was placed in such a role made me think it was very much like the commander.

Being Hans’s bodyguard would be much better than that.

“Though I call it a bodyguard position, honestly, it’s more like living with Hans. Your main duties will be intimidating troublemakers with a glare and stopping him from signing suspicious documents.”

“Yes. Um, Lord Hero, how much should I charge for protection?”

“Be reasonable. Just make sure I don’t hear any complaints.”

I meant for him to negotiate on his own. It wasn’t my place to set the protection fee.

It would probably be quite expensive, but I thought it would be better than having his entire fortune swindled by experienced con artists. With two knights of noble birth at his side, he wouldn’t be hunted so easily.

The two knights exchanged glances.

They seemed to understand they were receiving a great benefit. Ramsey was fidgeting with his hands and feet, his expression almost moved to tears.

It was normal for him to be happy, considering he’d be getting paid just for playing the role of a “neighborhood strongman.”

He might lose some face, but nobody in the current Empire cared about such things anymore. It was an era where everyone showed their true colors.

“Lord Hero, no, Lord Marquis. Thank you so much…!”

“Sure. Just be discreet.”

“…Yes!”

They bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Though they were subservient to me, they would likely change their attitude in front of Hans. Anyway, I felt I no longer needed to worry about the lottery winner’s safety. Though I’d never met him, I decided to trust Hans.

***

Naturally, lottery tickets were still selling like hotcakes.

The second winner would emerge the week after next. Or the prize would roll over.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to oversee the second drawing.

“Lord Hero. Lord Ordellon and Deputy Commander Kairos have just arrived in the imperial capital.”

Because I was about to depart for battle.

The moment the Beast King notified the Demon Lord’s Castle that “humans from the Empire have arrived to survey gold veins,” Bynessa of the Tetrad would immediately fly to the beastkin territory. My plan was to defeat her and then proceed directly to the Demon Lord’s Castle.

I couldn’t promise when I’d return to the imperial capital, but delaying would only make the Demon Lord’s army suspicious, so it was best to hurry. If things went wrong, we might have to launch a proper invasion of the Demonic Land and engage in months of brutal fighting.

‘This is no time to be fixated on lotteries.’

I sighed, thinking I should finalize my departure time.

As early as tomorrow evening, or at the latest, two days from now.

As I’d already informed the commander, I planned to leave quietly without any departure ceremony. Since everyone was distracted by the lottery, I thought I could leave the imperial capital without attracting attention.

‘The Saintess has learned horseback riding, so there’s no need to make special accommodations for her. Katie should be excluded because it’s too dangerous… No, that’s not right. Even if she’s weak, she has her uses.’

While I was reviewing each party member, someone requested communication through magic.

It was Ember, who was guarding the marquis residence.

I had planned to contact her right before departure, but sending regards in advance wasn’t a bad idea either. Though Ember and her father were managing the marquisate well without my input, I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.

Yes, goodbye. I didn’t want to create too solemn an atmosphere.

“It seems a bit earlier than expected. And that Saintess… Gang Hannah, she’s in a pitiful situation.”

“There’s nothing pitiful about it. I checked recently, and she can cast holy magic while riding a horse.”

“My goodness, that quickly? Oh, she’s from a dangerous country, right? I heard there are 20,000 people like Gwon Heejin there. Is that why she adapts so well?”

“It’s not 20,000 Gwon Heejins, it’s 20,000 types of coins. Though I suppose it amounts to the same thing.”

Ember seemed to be deliberately avoiding the main topic.

She appeared to be intentionally ignoring the fact that I might soon launch a surprise attack on the Demon Lord’s Castle and face the Demon Lord in battle. She even brought up the lottery.

But after a while, Ember finally got to the point.

“Erick. Actually, I contacted you because there’s something I really wanted to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Do you plan to stay involved in state affairs during your expedition? I mean… if the imperial palace requests your advice when something happens, will you respond even during the expedition? Knowing your personality, I think you would.”

“If circumstances allow, I probably would.”

“I thought so. But Erick, how about suspending your role as chancellor at least until the mission is over? I’m just suggesting this out of concern.”

“……”

I didn’t need to ask why she was making this suggestion. She probably wanted me to focus on fighting the Demon Lord’s army.

The Demon Lord, naturally, possessed power approaching that of a calamity.

The fact that he controlled the Demon Lord’s Castle alone left no doubt about his might. Unlike the Hero who suddenly receives the Goddess’s blessing and becomes powerful, the Demon Lord rises to power through fierce competition (essentially civil war).

Though he might not compare to the calamity that swept through the Empire, that was no reason to underestimate him.

Because I had never once won against the “poison” that had infected the Empire. I was just improvising to prevent collapse.

Naturally, there was no guarantee I would win against the Demon Lord either. Facing such a powerful opponent while also engaging in politics was certainly arrogant.

“You’re right.”

“Erick…?”

“I’ll do as you say. He’s not an opponent to be taken lightly. I hadn’t thought of it, so thank you for pointing it out.”

I meant it sincerely.

Of course, I’m quite good—no, very good—at lying, but I had no reason to lie to Ember. One of the reasons I felt affection and intimacy toward her was that I didn’t need to put on an act with her.

I genuinely intended to focus solely on battle after departing.

However.

‘I can’t just leave like this.’

As soon as the communication ended, I picked up my pen.

I planned to leave notes on how to respond to potential situations that might arise while I was away from the imperial capital.

Scenarios like the emergence of private lotteries, discussions about the treasures in the Demon Lord’s Castle vault, or the appearance of someone like Hans. It was appropriate to leave at least brief instructions on how to handle such situations.

Even to me, it seemed like an extremely petty thing to do. I wondered if this was really something a Hero should be doing.

But it was a necessary precaution for the current Empire.

Without taking such measures, the Empire might turn into another Demonic Land while I was off vanquishing the Demon Lord.