The battle might have ended, but for Alan, it hadn''t. The issues and solutions needed before the city became safe once again would take hours. He gazed towards the room opposite his, where his close friend Asmodeus slept after the battle.

    ''That abomination caused too many casualties again...'' His mind whispered while reading through various documents and reports on the battle.

    — The princess used her magic to support the knights upon its appearance, but the initial psychic attack drove fifty-seven men to suicide, or death because of mental corrosion.

    "It seems that damned monster has learned our greatest weakness." A soft whisper echoed from Alan''s lips, his teeth clenched and eyes narrowed.

    His hands shoot, distorting his handwriting as the ink slid across the parchment.

    He couldn''t help but sigh and reach for his empty goblet.

    Putting it to his mouth and shaking the brass cup... hoping for another drop of wine to numb his current mood.

    "Akari must be waiting, should I just leave and return to her warm embrace?"

    The many aides who supported him collapsed and slept hours ago, victory a rare dish in this grey city of bitter resistance.

    "No!"

    He shook his head, the slight dizziness removing the pleasant daze from the wine, instead he exhaled and tapped the desk covered in paper, dirty inkwells and rolled parchment. The life of a knight, a far cry from being the lord of a domain.

    Jingle!

    Alan shook the small bell used to call for an assistant or maid and waited.

    A few moments passed before a young woman, barely at working age, sleepily rubbed her eyes after stepping inside with a knock.

    "M-My lord... forgive me." Slurred words, her sleepy state like a breath of fresh air for the gloom, and exhausted Alan.

    "Sorry for waking you again, Lucy. Can you get me a pot of tea, then I will let you get back to sleep."

    The cute brunette with freckles across her nose suddenly shuddered, a sense of awareness appearing in her soft gaze, before she straightened her back and apologised in a weak, trembling voice. "Forgive me, My Lord. I didn''t mean to arrive in such a—"

    Alan leaned on his palm, crushing a pile of documents with his elbow, while his lips curled into a warm smile. The lovely maiden who shuddered like a deer standing before a hungry wolf made him chuckle.

    "Lucy, all is forgiven. A pot of tea, and maybe a light snack, and I will forgive you."

    "Understood, My lord!" Lucy yelped with a renewed passion and rushed out the door, with soft steps, still trying her best to avoid disturbing him.

    ''A good maid, her mother passed from an attack a few weeks ago... I hope she can settle and doesn''t resent me.''

    "What should I do, Ryuji?"

    Although he played the part of confident knight, hero of the people and Lord of Grimholt, Alan could sense his limits. The ache in his bones, the pain of his muscles and his numb mind that couldn''t create a path forward, no matter how glorious he could become in battle.

    ''I am not suited for ruling... my brother is outstanding.''

    How Avandar could still rule Grigor in his cursed and poisoned state caused Alan''s respect and adoration for his brother to soar into the heavens.

    Alan himself would be praised as a great lord by the people of Grimholt, those who would be dead, or executed without his pardon and acceptance.

    Though he faced great pushback from the nobles, for using criminals and the homeless as knights and soldiers—he believed in his fellow Grigorian people. His choice turned out to be what the kingdom needed, lowering their crime rates and the number of people starving.

    ''Though a few of the criminals couldn''t adapt, most of my knights were doomed, a group of misfits in the beginning.

    But after fighting together on the brink of death and disaster many times, the knights formed a bond with Alan and this city, which guaranteed freedom if they served for ten years as its defenders.

    "Phew..."

    Knock!

    "Lucy, you may enter."

    Her knowledge and intelligence made her precious and unique among the populace of Grigorian Kingdoms.

    Although far weaker than the other heroes, the clothes and other items she made for the poor and new entrants became Grimholt''s speciality items.

    Her ideas and craftsman brought wealth and jobs, along with a desire to become part of the system.

    This led to more citizens becoming knights and their wives joining Akari or the chef Ryo, learning basic skills, different from the summoned heroes with limited adaptability. Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire

    The people native to this land could learn any skill with effort.

    ''Though with Lumina''s fall, that limitation is fading and even Ryo learned how to wield a sword recently, he seems to be courting a wealthy merchant''s daughter who fell in love with his cooking.''

    As Alan brushed away the soft raven locks of his wife, he leaned down and gently kissed her belly button.

    His movements prompted the petite and beautiful girl to stir and roll over.

    She wrapped him tightly inside her embrace like a snake around its prey. But such an act caused Alan''s weary expression to soften. Even the thoughts of dread and misery vanished for the moment.

    ''Maybe it was a coincidence, or perhaps fate, that I became best friends with Ryuji, and met this wonderful woman...''

    Alan wasn''t concerned about being manipulated by those above anymore because... he was happy.

    There was a flicker of sunlight, but in his future wife''s embrace, Alan started to sink into a world of dreams. In that dream, he saw a small blond boy, with dark eyes like Akari, who chased after a pair of girls with fluffy ears.

    A blurred figure stood opposite him, with smilier golden hair, a tall and muscular body paired with his stupid but lovable smile.

    "So it seems your son is crazy about my girls..."

    Alan in the dream snorted, before he replied with a sarcastic tone. "Are you complaining? You chased every Grigorian woman alive!"

    "Haha~ true... but this isn''t so bad, after everything. Right, brother?" The handsome man, a head taller than him, patted his shoulder.

    His thick curved horns, one eye with black sclera and a blue pupil, the other like a normal human and the scar across his chest resonated with Alan''s emotions.

    "Even now, you don''t blame us... you kindhearted fool!"

    "Hahaha! I am just someone who loves fighting, blood and women. Plus, these looks drive my beloved women mad with desire."

    That''s right... He was always like this.

    "Tsk! Then don''t be stingy about my boy!"

    Alan''s dream faded.

    He wanted to hear more... to know what that man had to say, as if he might vanish should his eyes open, a mirage created from his own desires.

    "Don''t go... brother." Alan''s voice echoed in the chamber, his hand reaching for the sky as sweat dripped down his body and a feeling of emptiness and dread filled his stomach.

    "D-Darling, are you alright?" A gentle voice cooed.

    Her soft body wrapped around him, stroking his sweaty bangs out of his face, rubbing away the grime and tears.

    His vision blurred as something ached inside him, but Akari''s warmth calmed him down enough for the dreadful thoughts of despair to disappear.

    "I-I''m fine. I''m sorry to wake you."

    Akari''s hair was messy, covering parts of her face and highlighting her dishevelled nature, yet to Alan she was the most beautiful goddess in the world.

    "I hope we have a son with your eyes, Akari." Alan smiled.

    The image of his best friend lingered, creating a warning in the depths of his mind.

    "Oh, Alan~ me too!"