The nearest town to the Ashira Wetlands.
Due to the looming threat of the active battlefield, wealthy merchants and capable citizens had mostly chosen to flee the area long ago. The only people left were impoverished families unable to afford departure, and commoners who simply couldn't sustain their lives if they abandoned their homes.
This dire situation made the town lifeless and grim, but it also made things incredibly convenient for Regulus and his massive entourage. There was no need to deliberately search for lodging or squeeze into a filthy tavern. The former estates and mansions of the fleeing wealthy were mostly vacant, and one could buy them outright for a trivial sum of money.
Shortly after Regulus settled his wives into their newly purchased, luxurious mansion, he received an unexpected guest.
In the main living room.
"This is truly a rare guest," Regulus smiled lazily, leaning back in his seat at the head of the long table. "I wonder what brings the renowned Sword Demon to my humble abode?"
One of the wives who had accompanied Regulus came forward, gracefully placing a cup of hot tea before him.
Wilhelm, standing on the other side of the table, looked incredibly awkward.
Since being slapped unconscious by this man months ago, he had had no interaction with Regulus whatsoever—not even a single word. As for getting even? It wasn't that the fiery swordsman didn't want to. But going to pick a fight with someone when he *knew* he was absolutely no match for them wasn't 'getting even'; it was just asking for another humiliating beating.
Wilhelm wasn't an idiot. How could he do such a stupid thing? He had originally planned to challenge Regulus again after his own strength improved over the years. But then he had heard the terrifying military reports about Regulus's recent record—single-handedly annihilating entire Demi-Human battalions with a wave of his hand.
Realizing the insurmountable, god-like disparity in their strength, Wilhelm had completely abandoned the idea of asking for another beating.
"I have come... to seek your protection," Wilhelm finally forced the words out, bowing his head slightly.
"Seek my protection?" Regulus raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"What happened? Tell me about it." Regulus's interest was genuinely piqued. To swallow his massive pride and ask *him* for help, the boy must have gotten into some serious trouble. And this trouble had to be something Captain Bordeaux—who valued his subordinates greatly—couldn't solve.
"Actually..." Wilhelm recounted the events that had just occurred at the camp, including the kick to Leip Barielle's stomach.
After listening to the account, Regulus carefully examined the person standing before him. He was not really a young man, but at most, a teenage boy.
"How old are you now, Wilhelm?"
"How old am I?"
"Yes."
"I'm almost sixteen," Wilhelm replied, his brow furrowing. He was somewhat displeased by the sudden change in topic, but he still answered. After all, he was here to beg for his life.
'Not even sixteen yet?' Regulus thought, looking at him. 'This means he enlisted in the Royal Army at roughly fifteen.'
In Regulus's modern view, Wilhelm was still just a greenhorn who hadn't grown up yet. His fiery, uncontrollable temper was completely understandable for a teenager thrust into a bloody war. If another two years passed, his temper should subside with age and increased experience, and he would gradually grow into a rather fine young man.
'But then again,' Regulus mused, 'enlisting at fifteen as a regular soldier of the Kingdom... the age at which a person is legally considered an adult in this world is much lower than I'm used to.'
In that case, once this war ended, he would return straight to the Capital to formally propose to Theresia and Carol's parents. And he could also hold a grand wedding ceremony for his many wives without waiting for arbitrary age limits.
Having made up his mind about his own future, Regulus looked back at Wilhelm, who was growing even more displeased by the silence but forcibly enduring it.
"Bordeaux sent you to me, didn't he?"
"...Yes."
"Although I don't really want to meddle in the Kingdom's petty noble politics," Regulus started, picking up his teacup. "However, Bordeaux left a good impression on me. So, helping you out for his sake isn't entirely out of the question."
"Thank you," Wilhelm breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't thank me so quickly," Regulus interrupted, his eyes gleaming with greed. "I'm not familiar with you, and Bordeaux isn't much different. If you want me to shield you from execution, both you and Bordeaux will owe me a favor each."
Regulus stated his absolute condition. This could be considered a highly lucrative early investment. Both Wilhelm—once he grew up and refined his swordsmanship—and Bordeaux—who would eventually enter the Council of Wise Men—were extremely useful assets. He might need them in the future.
"If it's just me, it doesn't matter," Wilhelm gritted his teeth. "But Captain Bordeaux..."
"Bordeaux won't mind owing me a favor for your sake," Regulus smiled knowingly. "Moreover, he was the one who actively sent you to me. When he made that desperate decision, he must have already been fully prepared to owe me a debt."
"..."
Wilhelm fell into a heavy silence, realizing he had just sold himself and his captain to a monster.
But just then, the parlor doors opened.
"Husband," Carol walked in, her expression serious. "A group of heavily armed soldiers has arrived outside the mansion. They are demanding entry, saying they want to search for an assassin who betrayed the Kingdom, joined the Demi-Human faction, and attacked the frontline commander before escaping."
Carol glanced at Wilhelm as she conveyed the information.
That was an incredibly severe charge. Wilhelm's expression instantly darkened into absolute despair. The treasonous hat placed on his head meant that not only would he be executed if caught, but it would also likely bring total ruin and disaster to his entire family back home.
Regulus couldn't help but shake his head. Given Leip Barielle's petty, vindictive temperament, it was no wonder he wasn't appointed the supreme commander despite his higher noble rank. The man was a petty tyrant.
"They arrived quite quickly," Regulus noted casually. "Carol, go tell them there is no assassin here. If they refuse to listen and try to force their way in, beat them all up and throw them onto the street."
"Won't that be taking it too far?" Carol asked, though her hand rested comfortably on her sword hilt.
"Not at all. I am a guest of the Kingdom. If there's a problem with my security measures, have their superior, Lord Leip, come to me personally to complain."
"I understand."
Carol smiled, a somewhat helpless but satisfied expression on her face. She had absolutely no intention of defying Regulus's decision. Besides, she had zero good feelings for the greasy commander mentioned by those soldiers anyway.
As Carol departed to handle the nuisance, Regulus turned back to Wilhelm.
"I can solve everything for you right now," Regulus said softly. "However, I do know Leip Barielle a bit. He definitely won't let you off that easily. Even if I protect you today, he will find a way to trip you up or frame you on the battlefield sooner or later."
"Thank you. I will engrave your kindness in my heart," Wilhelm, unsure how to respond to the looming threat of Leip, could only make a firm promise of loyalty for the immediate rescue.
"Of course, you need to remember this kindness," Regulus leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dark whisper. "But I don't want someone who owes me a massive favor to die prematurely before repaying it. I don't do losing business."
"What are you trying to say?" Wilhelm frowned, sensing a chilling shift in the atmosphere.
"When facing an unrelenting threat that will continuously try to kill you..." Regulus tilted his head, his smile turning wicked. "Don't you think making that threat disappear without a trace is a very good method?"
"Make him… disappear!"
Wilhelm looked at Regulus in sheer, unadulterated disbelief. What was he suggesting?! To assassinate the frontline commander of the Royal Army?!
Seeing Wilhelm's horrified reaction, Regulus simply leaned back and smiled warmly, as if he hadn't just suggested high treason.
"Our conversation for today ends here," Regulus dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "You must be tired from sprinting all the way here. Go find an empty room in the servant's wing and rest."
Wilhelm turned to leave, his mind reeling.
"Oh, and Wilhelm?" Regulus called out. "The rooms in the backyard and the second-floor guest rooms are already occupied by my wives. They are absolutely restricted areas. Be sure to pay close attention to where you walk, or someone might genuinely die."
"…"
This was a blatant warning, and no matter how Wilhelm heard it, he knew it was absolutely not a joke. He swallowed hard and quickly departed the room.
As the doors closed behind the young Sword Demon, Lycoris, who had been quietly pouring tea, wrapped her arms around Regulus from behind.
"My dear Husband, are you inciting that poor boy to assassinate that commander named Leip?" she asked, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"I merely pointed out a highly feasible, practical method," Regulus replied innocently. "Whether Leip will actually trouble him later, or if Wilhelm will adopt this specific suggestion, is still entirely unknown. So it probably doesn't count as incitement in a court of law."
Regulus turned and pulled the beautiful mage into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Hmph hmph~" Lycoris giggled, tracing a finger down his chest. "Based on what I just heard, keeping my mouth shut about your little schemes will be very, very expensive, you know."
"Oh?" Regulus smirked, his hand trailing up her thigh. "However much you want, I will definitely satisfy you."
"You said it, you know." Lycoris's face flushed a brilliant red as she leaned in for a kiss.
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