Clack-clack—
Unlike the early days when Rowen and I traveled alone to Greenwood Territory, we now had plenty of companions.
Inside the carriage sat Hanji, who looked more at ease than before but still glanced around nervously. Beside him was Leina, sweating coldly and keeping her head bowed.
Flanking the carriage were knights from Greenwood, escorting us protectively.
Still better than going alone.
The carriage remained silent, just like on that first trip with Rowen, but it didn't feel boring at all.
These were characters I'd painstakingly crafted over long hours in the game.
Whether they were ones who'd committed wrongs or innocently pure souls, the figures I'd only ever seen through my monitor were now breathing and moving right before my eyes—in my own carriage, no less.
Just watching them filled me with a strange sense of pride.
But why no villagers from Roan Village?
They'd gone ahead to inform the territory of the lord's death and bring back the knights.
The distance to Greenwood was too great to make all the villagers walk it.
Should be fine, right?
The lord of Greenwood—Balderic's direct territory—had died.
This news would reach her ears soon enough.
Not that I actually killed him, but no one's gonna believe that...
The lord had died at the hands of the demon he'd summoned himself, but Balderic would surely assume I'd eliminated him because he displeased me. A newly appointed captain shows up where the lord dies, and his destination turns out to be that very lord's territory.
Even to me, it fit together too perfectly to be coincidence.
Whatever... doesn't matter.
It wasn't unheard of for a captain to remove a lord they didn't like. The only snag was that the lord of the monarch's direct territory had died right after I took command.
Knowing her, she wouldn't make a fuss over something this minor.
Right?
The carriage stayed wrapped in silence, just like before, but the time passed without boredom.
We're here.
I gazed at the massive city walls coming into view far outside the window.
They dwarfed anything in the village—a whole different scale.
Finally, we'd arrived.
The place where I could claim the special-grade trait I'd been waiting for. The monarch's direct territory, now lordless. Greenwood Territory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Thanks to the escort from Greenwood's knights, the carriage passed into the territory without any inspections.
The streets bustled with life, matching the territory's vast size—vibrant and teeming.
Yet, strangely, the area around our carriage was eerily quiet.
The escorting knights, the boldly emblazoned crest of the Jin Gang Regiment captain on the carriage, and the countless eyes watching us from the roadside.
Complex emotions flickered across the faces of passersby, but one dominated: clear fear.
And they had every reason.
They were facing a being who could regard their lives as cheaper than flies.
In Haven, the title of "captain" meant terror itself.
But their deeper dread likely stemmed from the unknown.
Greenwood lay on the route past the Lord's Castle, so captains weren't total strangers here.
The issue was me—the new captain filling a vacancy after years.
A fresh face whose personality and intentions were a mystery. If I turned out to be a madman, it would spell hell for them.
Thinking of captains like Kaiser's Zhen Hong Regiment or Azellia's Zi Yan Regiment, their fear made sense.
But that was needless worry from those ignorant of my circumstances.
With Balderic potentially nitpicking whether I'd killed her subordinate lord, I had no time to play king here.
My mind was fixed on one thing.
Grab the trait fast and return to my own territory. That was all that mattered.
The carriage pressed deeper into the lord's castle, and I stepped out.
Leading the welcome was a white-haired elder in fine robes, flanked by a cat-eared beastkin in maid attire.
The elder bowed politely.
"I am Walter, steward of Greenwood Territory. I pay my respects to the new Jin Gang Regiment captain, Astra."
I nodded curtly in response.
His name and position meant nothing to me. Just rush through the formalities and get to business.
Then, the villagers I'd forgotten popped into mind.
"Ah, right. Walter, was it?"
"Yes."
"The lord of Greenwood is dead. Act as interim lord until the monarch appoints a replacement."
The steward's face flashed with unmistakable shock at my blunt words.
"The lord... has passed?"
It was like he'd been struck by lightning from a clear sky.
"Astra, may I explain the details?"
Raizenfels, vice captain of Greenwood's 1st Knight Order among my entourage, stepped forward.
Gone was the arrogance from our first meeting.
Now, he was as deferential as Rowen.
"Yes. Explain everything from the village situation."
"Understood."
As the conversation between Walter and Raizenfels wrapped up, the cat-eared maid who'd stood quietly stepped forward.
Her ears perked up as she chirped brightly.
"Hello nya! I'm Lina, guide of Greenwood Lord's Castle nya! I'll show you to your quarters nya!"
Leaving Walter and Raizenfels behind, I followed Lina with Rowen, Hanji, and Leina to our temporary quarters.
The castle interior wasn't as ornate as the Lord's Castle—rugged and practical. It prioritized function over decoration, unlike its grand exterior.
From what I recall, Greenwood's lord was obsessed with training—nothing else.
The dead lord crossed my mind.
A scoundrel who'd sacrificed his entire village to summon a demon, yet his reputation had been decent.
Even good, surprisingly.
He'd never terrorized or exploited his people with power like other lords. He'd devoted his life solely to honing his martial prowess and strength.
A little... pitiful, in a way.
I meant it sincerely.
If he'd shown even a sliver of interest elsewhere or hadn't fallen for Leina's temptation, he could've grown far stronger without relying on something as dangerous as a demon.
That was why I'd come to Greenwood.
The special-grade trait I'd awaited was right here in this castle.
Leina's a real piece of work, though.
She'd goaded a training-obsessed lord into summoning a demon.
Each of us was shown to our rooms along the corridor. Lina opened doors one by one, completing the tour.
"If you need anything else... just call for me, Lina, anytime nya!"
With that, Lina wagged her ears, bowed politely, and scampered off.
I entered the last room assigned to me.
As the door closed, the sense of total solitude hit, and I leaned against the bed.
If only Fenrir were here...
My thoughts drifted naturally to the trait's location.
Having Fenrir alone would eliminate the need for anyone else's help in securing this "special reward."
The spot wasn't some monster-infested brawl.
It demanded quick wits and agility to navigate deadly, intricate traps. Speed trumped raw power.
Tonight's perfect.
All conditions aligned. No reason to hesitate.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Hm. So, a demon was summoned, and the lord died?"
Balderic asked.
"Yes. The steward of Greenwood reported as much."
Kain replied softly.
Balderic tapped the desk documents lightly with slender fingers.
The faintest twist curled her usually impassive lips.
She was intrigued.
"And Astra's already inside that lord's castle?"
"Indeed. He just arrived by carriage."
Balderic let out a short laugh.
"How entertaining."
Astra. The new captain was one of the few who piqued her interest.
"Killing the lord already. And of all places, my direct territory."
Kain added calmly.
"Officially, it'll be recorded as death by the summoned demon."
"Death by demon, huh."
Balderic stroked her chin, her voice languid as she continued.
"I suspect Astra did it himself, but if that's the report, I'll play along."
How he'd died didn't matter.
It was tied to a captain—that sufficed.
Balderic lost further interest. The key was the vacant lordship.
"So, what's the territory's status now?"
"Astra ordered the steward to act as interim lord until you appoint a new one."
Balderic pondered briefly, then drawled.
"Acting on his own. But... whatever. Kain, look into it and appoint someone suitable."
"Understood."
Kain left, the door clicking shut.
Balderic drifted to the window, gazing toward Greenwood.
Astra, will the Haven you're in move the way I desire...?
Her reflection in the glass held a distant air.
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