Ch.306306. Your Corpses

Originally, I had thought we would camp for a day before reaching Greyford from Fosville village.

But Gloria and Lucia never stopped. They took turns driving the carriage at regular intervals, and the horses recovered their strength through Lucia’s holy power.

If that wasn’t enough, they would bring completely different horses.

The march that began early in the morning could only end at the same time the next day.

[Mmm, have we arrived?]

The Dark Spiritmaster who had been sleeping on my shoulder wakes up, rubbing her eyes.

Being a soul, she doesn’t need sleep, nor should she have eye crust, but she was deliberately maintaining habits from when she was human.

I don’t know what meaning it holds, but seeing how she keeps doing this, she must have her reasons.

“Yes, we’ve arrived.”

Since we arrived at dawn, we probably won’t go to see His Majesty right away.

Since there’s a banquet prepared for the evening, they’ll likely give us about half a day to rest and wash up after our journey.

[Aww, I want to sleep more.]

The Dark Spiritmaster rubs her cheek against my shoulder. Perhaps because of my experience raising a fox and a cat, her movements are both languid and seductive.

[Deus, I want to sleep more.]

“……”

Sliding down smoothly, the Dark Spiritmaster lies across my thigh. It reminded me exactly of a cat begging to have its back stroked, but I wasn’t sure if this was her intention.

“We need to get off soon.”

Outside the window, the scenery of Greyford, which I hadn’t seen in a while, was spread out.

A beautiful city.

Despite facing many hardships and the harsh winds of tragedy, they still live like fresh fruit, full of vitality.

‘It’s a beautiful land.’

I felt like I had finally reached the end of my journey. I had seen many places until now, but what ultimately moved my heart was this familiar yet nostalgic land.

I could see people preparing for the day, rising early, as our carriage cut through the city center at dawn.

Even those who were busy moving about paused briefly to glance at the carriage, wondering who was inside.

And then.

Dong.

A gentle half-note announcing the morning.

Like the resonance created by dew falling from leaves, it was quiet but spread far.

[Ah, it’s Owen.]

Was it because it had been so long?

Though I’m not particularly fond of music, the boy’s performance felt sweet.

‘He’s grown.’

No, it’s not just because it’s been a while.

The boy must have grown through his own worries and anguish during my absence.

And now, he wanted to let me know that faster than anyone else, which is why he was performing right on time.

“He’ll wake everyone up.”

[Ahaha.]

Despite saying that, I rest my chin on the window and savor the performance of the only disciple I’ve ever acknowledged.

Naturally, during the time I was gone,

The dead would have accumulated in Greyford.

I could see them rising slowly as they listened to the boy’s performance.

Souls flying as if enchanted toward the boy performing on the road.

[A fitting return for a spiritmaster, isn’t it?]

“Indeed.”

I close my eyes slowly and lean back against the seat. Let me savor Owen’s growth as I feel my body loosening up.

A slight smile forms on my lips.

The carriage enters the royal palace smoothly, as if riding along the flowing performance.

“Time to get up now.”

The Dark Spiritmaster, who had been lying face down on my thigh, gets up with a pout.

[You didn’t stroke me even once?]

“So you were aiming for that.”

[When Bokshil and Ppokshil do this, I can’t resist and stroke them right away.]

“You’re not those two.”

I step out of the carriage, holding my staff. The Dark Spiritmaster floats up, placing her hand on my shoulder and following me.

I could see Lucia and Stella also getting out of the carriage ahead of us.

“His Majesty should still be sleeping, so take some time to rest from your journey. You’ve been in the carriage for a long time without rest.”

“Alright.”

Nodding, I hand her a book I had kept in the carriage.

“I enjoyed reading it. Thanks to you, I wasn’t bored on the way.”

[A Saintess who’s also a writer. How interesting.]

“Huh?”

Lucia is startled as she looks at the book I handed her. She might have forgotten, but Lucia was a romance writer who used the pen name ‘Luce.’

And quite a famous one at that.

She had published a new book while I was away. Being both a Saintess and a writer might not seem like a good fit, but she must have worked hard in her spare time.

“T-t-this… where did you get it?”

I point with my eyes at Gloria beyond her, as Lucia blushes while looking down at her book.

“The Captain of the Royal Guard gave it to me. Said to read it if I got bored.”

“Gloria!”

Lucia immediately goes to confront Gloria in embarrassment. I exhale a breath mixed with fatigue as I stretch my stiff body.

‘I am tired.’

[I’ll give you a massage.]

Stella, who had been with Lucia, says with a bright smile. In the past, I would have said it wasn’t necessary, but…

“Please do.”

After receiving her massage once, my thoughts changed. Stella was a masseuse of considerable skill.

These Saintesses are quite diligent with their side jobs.

One is a writer, the other a masseuse.

[I-I’ll do it for you too!]

“Not you.”

The Dark Spiritmaster tried to join in, but she would probably just press down without any technique.

My body felt like glass right now, so I was reluctant to let anyone but a professional like Stella touch it.

“Deus!”

At that moment.

A man opens the palace door and comes out. Wearing pajamas with just a cloak over them, he was the ruler of this land.

Orpheus Luden Griffin.

“Your Majesty.”

I thought he would be asleep at this early hour, but it seems he might have stayed up all night waiting for me, as his skin looked somewhat dry.

I immediately kneel on one knee and greet him.

“Spiritmaster Deus Verdi. I’m late, but…”

My words were cut off.

His Majesty Orpheus pulled me in and embraced me roughly.

“My friend, my dear friend!”

“……”

I thought only Darius would treat an adult man like this.

But His Majesty Orpheus tightens his arms, as if unwilling to let me go.

“You don’t know how heavily it weighed on me that I couldn’t protect you.”

“Others are watching. Please maintain your dignity.”

“Hahaha! You’re still the same! Exactly the same!”

He pats my back vigorously and then steps back. But his hand still rested on my shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re safe. I wish you knew how much joy it brings me to see you again.”

“I can feel it sufficiently.”

I slightly turn and point to the carriage right behind the one I arrived in.

“The Princess is there. She seems to be asleep with a friend she made at the academy.”

The carriage carrying Elenoa and Aria remained motionless, as they hadn’t woken up yet despite our arrival.

He was about to go to Elenoa’s carriage but paused and glanced at me.

“I heard about Fosville village and the bishops. And about that crazy drug, the Golden Flower.”

“……”

“It was extreme, and you know it was an overreach of your authority.”

Summary execution and burning down the entire village was certainly not something I was authorized to do.

“But I trust you. You must have had a good reason for such actions.”

The king’s bright smile pierced my heart painfully.

It must be a pang of conscience.

It wasn’t a good feeling.

After Orpheus went to see Elenoa, I looked back at the entrance and saw another person waiting for me.

“Spiritmaster.”

A boy already shedding tears. Though only a few months had passed, he seemed to have grown taller.

“Owen.”

I smiled slightly at him and extended my hand.

“That was a good performance. You’ve worked hard.”

“Spiritmasterrrrr!”

I embrace the boy as he runs toward me crying, and stroke his head.

Now.

I truly felt that I had returned completely.

* * *

That evening.

Many important figures attended the grand banquet.

Golden lighting, luxurious food beyond measure, noble individuals engaged in conversation with wine glasses in hand.

‘He’s gone to great lengths to announce my return.’

It was a scene that showed how much effort King Orpheus had put into announcing the perfect return of me, the Spiritmaster.

“I heard from Erika that you’ve returned. I’m truly relieved.”

Elan Bright, Erika’s father and the head of the Bright family.

“I knew you wouldn’t die easily. I don’t know what happened, but I seem to have bet on the right horse.”

Giltea Zeronia, head of the Zeronia family, offering a handshake with his thick hand.

The heads of the two families that have cooperative relationships with me also made sure to attend.

The smiles on their faces clearly showed that they valued having me as their backing.

And they didn’t try to hide it.

“Thank you.”

I was also cordial to them. After all, most of the information about the Wellington Company that Erika gave me came from these two families.

Thanks to that, I was able to find Fosville village, which was trying to cultivate the Golden Flower, and launch a surprise attack.

“So, are we cutting ties with the Wellington Company like this?”

“Ahem, that’s a bit difficult.”

Naturally, the two family heads subtly inquired about my future actions.

Investigating the Wellington Company meant I intended to be hostile toward them.

Since the company had wide connections, they were hinting that they hoped I would deny it, but…

“You should pull out quickly.”

“Hmm.”

“I need to contact my family.”

I had no intention of letting it slide, so I simply advised the two families to find another company.

At that moment.

“May I interrupt for a moment?”

A tall man stepped between us. The two family heads’ expressions hardened, showing displeasure, but I asked them to give us some space.

Naturally, the tall man and I ended up facing each other.

“Spiritmaster, I’m truly glad you’ve returned. I’m Victor Wellington of the Wellington Company.”

“I don’t think I need to introduce myself.”

“Ah, of course not.”

As he bowed with his hand on his chest, I clicked my tongue.

“I received your gift well. You’re quite bold in your actions.”

“A merchant always lives by speed, doesn’t he?”

Just a few hours after I entered Greyford, the Wellington Company had sent quite lavish gifts rather discreetly.

And I accepted them.

Since I didn’t reject their bribe, Victor Wellington probably thought there was room for negotiation with me, which is why he came looking for me.

“I was going to visit you first.”

“Haha! I’m honored! But I can’t take up your precious time, Spiritmaster. Just call for me anytime, and I’ll come.”

Victor Wellington smiled brightly.

He was a young businessman who had taken over from his retired father.

Handsome appearance, a refreshing smile that showed his gums, neatly arranged blonde hair.

He seemed to know well how to build rapport with people.

“No, I’ll visit your company. I just wanted to give you advance notice today.”

“Pardon? What do you…”

Even he seemed to have trouble understanding what I was saying.

“I’m saying I’ll personally come to destroy the Wellington Company.”

A passing servant offers wine. I take a wine glass and let it moisten my lips, and a sweet aroma envelops my nose.

I was in high spirits.

The wine tasted exceptionally delicious, partly due to Victor Wellington’s distorted expression.

“What… what do you mean?”

Blood vessels popped out on his face as he gritted his teeth. For a merchant, he was terrible at managing his expressions.

Though he was older than me,

He perfectly matched the image of a vigorous businessman.

“I’m saying I’ll follow the Golden Flower distribution case to the end and completely destroy your company.”

“H-huh… Spiritmaster. Did you perhaps not receive the gift I sent?”

“I received it well. On the day I visit, I’ll make sure to wear the boots you sent.”

The boots that both the Dark Spiritmaster and Stella praised for their good sense. Somehow they knew my foot size perfectly, and the comfort was excellent.

“You received that and still say this?”

You took my bribe.

Are you okay with that?

Do you want to die together?

To these implied questions, I gave a slight smile.

“Of course.”

“……”

“Struggle hard. After seeing the dance of drug addicts, ordinary dances don’t excite me much anymore.”

Now he was taking every provocation. Victor, who thought I would be favorable since I accepted the bribe, had completely lost control of the flow from the start.

“There are quite a few nobles and religious figures connected to the Wellington Company. We also have places we support through donations.”

“What a cliché excuse.”

“I mean we have many allies. Even with your solid position, Spiritmaster, if our company fights tooth and nail, we can at least smear your reputation.”

“Anything else?”

“…We have direct contracts with the royal family. Exposing my wrongdoings could be seen as proving the incompetence of the royal family.”

“Interesting.”

If I attack them, they’ll cling to me one way or another.

To this, I asked him indifferently.

“But are you okay with that?”

“…Pardon?”

I was genuinely curious.

“You don’t have time for this. My footsteps are heavier than you think. If you want to even have time to mourn, you should prepare from now.”

“Do you… do you really need to see our blood to end this?”

To him, who was biting his lip and glaring at me with hatred, I gave a faint smile.

“No.”

To avoid misunderstanding,

I declared clearly.

“It will end when you become corpses.”