Ch.180180. What on Earth Has Happened?

KWEEEEEK-!

While dealing with the remaining monsters in the Death Forest, I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

“Jawil Wilson.”

“Y-yes, sir?”

“Is the hero of Kataria territory already tired?”

“…We’ve been hunting without even stopping for a meal for half a day. Even heroes are human.”

“Oh my, now you’re calling yourself a hero? Meanwhile, Lucien, the real hero of Kataria, didn’t even receive any cheers.”

“W-we received cheers together when we arrived in the carriage.”

“Those cheers were probably meant for you.”

Jawil Wilson flinched before sighing, seemingly giving up.

“Anyway, there’s almost no possibility of another monster wave occurring, so why are you in such a hurry to clear out the monsters in the Death Forest?”

“Because I’m going to eliminate every single monster in the Death Forest from now on.”

“In such a hurry?”

I spread my arms wide with a broad smile.

“Once all the monsters are cleared out, I’ll open up paths for walking and cut back the overgrown weeds and branches.”

“Don’t tell me you’re turning the Death Forest into a tourist attraction?”

“Yes, and by then, this place won’t be called the Death Forest anymore, but the Miracle Forest, or perhaps the Lucky Forest.”

Jawil Wilson’s mouth fell open.

“Young master, you have a talent for making things grand.”

“Think about it. For decades, or even centuries, this place has been inaccessible to ordinary people. When we open it up, won’t tourists flock here?”

“I suppose so…?”

“Plus, we need to create a proper tourist destination so that visitors to Lake territory will come back again.”

“It’ll just get crowded with more people. Why go to such lengths?”

I shook my head and looked at Jawil Wilson with a pitying expression.

“What are tourists? They’re money, plain and simple.”

“But you’re already rich, young master.”

“Does all the money from tourists’ pockets come only to me? No, it will flow to the people living in Lake territory, naturally making the territory more prosperous.”

“…If the Death Forest really changes as you say, people from all territories will indeed flock here.”

“Dangerous curiosity is naturally attractive.”

Jawil Wilson stared at me intently, seemingly moved, then his eyes lit up.

“What if we set up restaurants, taverns, and even inns where people can stay?”

“Not a bad idea. I’ll proceed with construction while minimizing damage to the forest.”

“We need to clear out all the monsters first. But how long will that take?”

“I should start spreading rumors among monster hunters that the Death Forest, after the monster wave, is no longer a dangerous place.”

“Trying to get the job done without lifting a finger?”

“Once monster hunters hear rumors that the Death Forest no longer has strong monsters like before, they’ll be dying to hunt here.”

“Because dangerous curiosity is naturally attractive?”

During our conversation, another monster charged toward me.

I easily sliced it in half with my Raiden Sword and continued speaking.

“Exactly! But to make that happen, we need to thoroughly investigate whether dangerous monsters still remain in the Death Forest.”

As I moved deeper into the forest, I beckoned him to follow quickly. Jawil Wilson hesitated and sighed.

“…Young master, this is all well and good, but couldn’t we take a short break first?”

*

“Young master, I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

After finishing our hunting and investigation in the Death Forest, I returned to my study, and Dennis followed me in immediately.

I hung up my Raiden Sword and sat down in my chair.

“Did your shopping go well?”

“Yes, thanks to you, young master.”

Dennis placed a money pouch on the desk.

The pouch still looked quite full.

I slightly furrowed my brow.

“How many outfits did you buy?”

“…Two outfits, sir.”

I pushed the pouch back toward Dennis with my fingertip and spoke.

“Are you joking? Buy at least ten outfits.”

“It-it’s fine. It’s not like I don’t have money—”

“I’m doing this because I feel sorry toward Enna. I was rough with her, and I even said I kidnapped you.”

“I heard everything from Enna last night. She said if you hadn’t told her you kidnapped me, she probably wouldn’t have returned…”

“Did you also hear about her being bitten by a zombie?”

“Yes. Only then did I understand why my wife had left me.”

I smirked at Dennis, who still looked dazed as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Now don’t ever separate again and treat her well.”

“Of course! But, young master, did you know from the beginning that Enna was a zombie?”

“Huh? No, why?”

“The way you told her you kidnapped me, and according to Enna, you spoke so calmly as if you knew everything.”

“I was surprised too, but I restrained myself for your wife’s sake. If I had made a fuss, she would have been anxious.”

Hearing my words, Dennis was startled and bowed deeply again.

“I’m sorry. You care so much about us…”

“If you’re sorry, take that money and buy clothes for your wife right now.”

Dennis attached the pouch to his waist and nodded.

“Thank you, young master. I won’t forget your kindness.”

“By the way, is staying in the mansion uncomfortable?”

“For me, since I used to live in the mansion here, there’s nothing particularly uncomfortable, but I haven’t heard my wife’s opinion yet.”

“You’ll need to move to a different bedroom tomorrow. I asked Padericks to relocate your bedroom.”

“What? The current bedroom is already spacious enough for two…”

“The floor where your new bedroom will be located mostly has storage rooms, so people rarely come and go in the evening. You understand what I mean, right?”

Dennis thought for a moment, then his face turned bright red.

“I don’t know how to thank you for your consideration, young master.”

“You’ve been apart for a long time, so you need some intimate time together.”

Dennis, who had been smiling gently, suddenly turned serious.

“Young master, is there really a way to turn my wife, who was bitten by a zombie, back into a human? If it’s a lie to give me hope, please be honest with me.”

“Give hope with lies? What about the backlash when the lie is exposed?”

“Then is there really a way to turn my wife back into a human?”

“There is, though it will take some time.”

“C-could you tell me specifically how long it might take?”

I can’t even predict how strong the dark mage currently is.

According to the original story, in about six months, Serion Rykus and his companions will head to the Western Continent.

At that time, I’ll briefly join them to prevent Rio from being bitten by a zombie and further develop a cure.

‘That way, the story will flow naturally, and I’ll get the cure—killing two birds with one stone.’

I crossed my arms heavily and spoke.

“It will take about half a year.”

“Ah… that long.”

“As they say, haste makes waste. Don’t be impatient. I promise I’ll turn Enna back into a human.”

Dennis, with reddened eyes, continued.

“…Young master, may I ask why you’re showing me such consideration?”

“Are you curious about that?”

“To be honest, you and I met because of the war between the Parseche family and Cardrian, didn’t we?”

“Does it feel like I’ve done too much for you in such a short time?”

“Yes, it does.”

“We’re comrades now. Resolving your concerns is part of being a comrade.”

The study had grown quiet.

Dennis, still with reddened eyes, placed his hand on his chest.

“I swear I would gladly give my life for you, young master.”

“Put that away. I’m the first to hate dangerous things.”

“…Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, go now and shop properly. If you bring back money again, expect me to unleash my thousand-strike energy on you.”

Remembering being beaten with a wooden sword, Dennis shuddered and clenched his fist.

“I’ll buy every piece of clothing in Lake territory today!”

“Good, leave right now!”

I slapped the desk with my palm, and Dennis left the study with a determined expression.

At the same time, Padericks entered the study.

“Young Master Leonard Alphonse has come to visit.”

It wasn’t long ago that I saw him in Alphonse territory, and now he’s visiting Lake territory again?

If he keeps visiting, the sensitive Evander Alphonse will surely suspect something is going on. Does he even think things through?

I sighed deeply and leaned back in my chair.

“Tell him to come in.”

Just then, a man entered the study.

To be honest, I only recognized him as Leonard a moment later.

A skeletal frame that looked like it could collapse at any moment.

His face was half-emaciated, and his pupils were dilated as if his soul had left his body.

“What on earth happened to you?”

I stood up in shock, and Leonard walked in with difficulty and spoke.

“Please save me…”