After checking today’s new YouTube upload, I logged into Deoen.
As soon as I exited the hunting ground, the trolls I had been hunting last time greeted me.
Trolls wielding clubs filled with black stripes and horns.
I swept through them with my spear and headed down to the city.
Today, the people continue to lead their lives, fulfilling their roles.
Avoiding their gazes, I wrapped myself in the robe Yena had given me and walked quietly through the city.
This place is called ‘Roton,’ one of the territories of the Empire.
Though it’s quite far from the capital of the Empire, it’s still under the Empire’s influence, so as a lawbreaker, I can’t stroll around proudly.
“Ah, brings back memories.”
There was a time I had to quietly go around, briefly called a ‘Witch.’
The real Saintess of the past just regarded me as a mere byproduct of the Celestial Race.
While that was true, once I quit being the Saintess and my power and notoriety grew, she started framing me.
Of course, after I visited her for some mental training, she quickly recanted.
That was probably around ten years after I quit being the Saintess.
“Hey, you!”
“?”
Just as I was about to enter a rarely populated area, someone called out to me.
A soldier or perhaps a knight from the city.
In terms of strength, he was definitely far stronger than the trolls I had just swept aside.
He approached me while brandishing a long sword at his waist.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s a check. They say lawbreakers opposing the Empire have been wandering around the city. I’ll need to conduct a search, so stay still.”
A knight threatening me while touching a sword emblazoned with the sun symbol of the Empire?
A soldier wouldn’t behave this way, so it seems he really is a knight.
Even the knights of the past had this kind of attitude toward outsiders.
“Should I run away?”
This lawbreaker system is a bit annoying, but it shouldn’t be a huge problem.
If caught, I’ll just have to pay a fine or be locked up.
I haven’t died yet, but they say if I do, the Empire’s vigilance will be significantly lowered for a while.
But if I run away, the vigilance will strengthen, and using the intercontinental gate within Roton will become difficult.
“Should I call Yena and ask her to come with me?”
After scrutinizing my body for a while, the knight cleared his throat and drew his sword.
“No matter how I look at it, you seem suspicious. Spread your arms and turn around.”
“May I ask why I need to turn around?”
“It’s a check. Unless you want to be cut by the Empire’s blade, you better turn around quietly.”
“……”
His intentions are painfully obvious.
Just like the last time with the sailors’ event, it seems I’ve garnered a lot of interest again.
It seems like we’re in a bit of a mess here.
“How arrogant.”
“Ah, the Empire’s sword. Looks like the Empire has quite a few swords.”
“What?”
The knight’s brows furrow at my words.
In an instant, his sword is aimed directly at my neck.
Seems like he has some mana – his movements are clean and swift.
“What do you mean?”
“Just as you understand.”
“…So, you’re a lawless one. I will judge you.”
“Is the sword supposed to judge nowadays? How’s the Empire running these days anyway?”
Isn’t the Empire supposed to be based on a powerful central authority?
But here’s a sword talking about judgment.
‘Is this the so-called strongest nation on the continent…?’
What a complete dumpster fire.
Sure, the knight is part of the nobles and has power, but he doesn’t have the authority to execute immediate judgment.
“How dare you insult the Empire.”
“Not sure who’s talking here.”
“Shut up!”
With the knight’s shout, he swings his sword away.
In an instant, his sword is knocked away with a loud “Tiiing~” and the knight’s eyes widen in surprise.
Not stopping there, he’s pushed back five steps before he can regain his balance.
“I don’t want to hurt you. So just step back.”
Lily, wielding a green spear, watches him emotionlessly.
The knight grinds his teeth, focusing his power on the sword.
A faint blue aura rises.
Weak, but there’s definitely a blade’s intent.
“How dare an outsider!”
“…Can’t do it like before.”
If it were before, I would’ve chopped off an arm by now.
The reason I hold back is I’m considering that he’s an Empire knight.
No matter how shabby the Empire’s knight is, this is the Empire’s borderland.
For now, I’m just a lawless one, but if I keep building a bad reputation, central knights might come.
‘Not sure what their level is, but… they should be stronger than rankers.’
If that weren’t the case, rankers would have taken over the Empire by now.
From what I’ve learned from Yena and the viewers, and info online, about 20% of the Empire’s strength remains undisclosed.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Let’s just keep the knight’s mouth shut and think it through.
The lawless system’s notoriety changes depending on the observer.
In other words, if no one’s watching, it doesn’t happen.
You know the saying, right?
No witnesses, no assassination.
“I’m sorry.”
“Who’s saying that?”
At the moment the spear and sword are about to clash,
“Stop! Stop!!!”
“Stop it! Stop it!”
A small young child comes racing through the alleyways.
Numerous little somethings circle around her.
The knight looked at the situation with wide, torn eyes.
“…Lord Leo?”
“Wh-what are you doing?! Stop right this instant!!”
“Marquis?”
Leo? The Leo I know?
And a marquis at that?
Now that I think about it, unlike his previous mage attire, Leo, dressed like a noble, glares at the knight before turning to me.
“Phew! Lady Lily! I finally found you.”
“You found me?”
“There are many spirits in this city. They are my eyes.”
“Oh.”
So it wasn’t an assassination.
—
“…This city is Lord Leo’s territory?”
“Technically it’s co-owned… It was a favor from the Empire a long time ago. It was for something related to spirits.”
Leo invited me into the marquis’s private quarters and handed me a teacup.
It was a delicious drink made from cherries.
Leo sighed and rubbed his head.
“I’m sorry. He’s my manager, but I don’t really manage things well. I almost left him to his own devices. Anyway, I apologize for my knight.”
Leo bowed his head.
I waved my hand, indicating it was fine.
Honestly, becoming an outlaw was easy; I just had to avoid the country, but the intent was clear, so I overreacted.
“No, Lady Lily’s response was valid.”
“But it’s amazing. A user as a lord.”
Usually, guild members settle in guild castles, but I’ve never heard of someone governing land handed over by the Empire.
Especially a marquis.
Leo chuckled with a laugh, scratching his head.
“A little surprising, right? I didn’t really expect this either. Taxes are coming in! Knights too, well, it’s not great. But anyway, it’s good.”
“Oh…”
I totally understand now why everyone’s calling him Leo.
‘He must have received this territory due to his abilities.’
Leo munches on desserts on the clean table, then suddenly exclaims and looks up.
“Wait! We need to go select our mock team!”
“…Can I pinch you just once?”
“Eh?”
Before receiving an answer, I moved.
His cheeks puffed out.
His sparkling amber eyes were quivering.
“What? What’s up, Lily?”
“Heh. Cute.”
“Eh?”
I let go of my hand.
Leo, dazed, was holding his cheek.
Looks like this level won’t trigger a penalty.
Or maybe it won’t change until I log out, since it’s been a while.
“I’m sorry. You’re just so cute. I’ll cover the knight duties with this.”
“…? No? I should be the one to reward you…”
“That’s enough.”
I’ve been through enough of that kind of thing.
It’s more advantageous to touch a cute nymph’s cheek.
■
“This is the desert.”
“Right? It’s so hot, I always have to keep the air conditioning on.”
Thanks to Marquis Leo’s help, I easily used the continent gate and arrived in the neutral city ‘Runeos.’
Since it’s a city built in the desert, everyone was wearing light clothing to cope with the heat.
Leo was also wrapped in the Ice Spirit.
The Ice Spirit was wrapped around him like a polar fox, which was quite adorable.
By the way, I’m a celestial-human hybrid, so I can handle significant temperature differences.
“Um, I’m thinking of starting the broadcast soon; is that okay?”
“? Yes! No problem.”
While eating the shaved ice made by the Ice Spirit, Leo nodded.
-Day of selecting mock siege war teams.
The title was simple.
[Lilha!]
[Lilhahiriarahir]
[Lilha]
[Oh]
[Oh Leo]
[Whoa, what the hell, why are you with Leo? For real, Leo is cute today too, I love Leo!]
[You’re with Leo!]
[Lilha]
[Lilhe~]
[rlhlrh (means Lilha and Leha)]
[lolololololol]
[Are Lilha and Leo on the same team?]
[If they’re together, it’s 2v4, definitely possible]
[lol for real]
“Lilha~ Nice to meet you all.”
“Nice to meet you too. Leha!”
With Lilha’s now natural greeting, Leo waved his small hand up and down.
“I hope I get to be on a team with Lord Leo.”
“Oh! Me too! I feel like I’ll be on a team with Lady Lily…”
“Lady Lily!!!”
A familiar loud voice echoed from afar.
It was Yena.
[Yena appears lol]
[Love triangle ON lol]
“As much as I believed in you, I believed in Leo too…”
[lololololol]
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