Episode017 The Lord Enters the Sanctuary
—Ding‑dong.
Again?
It’s gotta be those two.
I tossed a chip into my mouth and checked the gate camera with the remote.
…Bartos and Elishua.
And next to them—
“…Who the hell is that pretty boy?”
On the screen stood a well‑dressed blond man, looking like a prisoner being marched to the gallows.
“Z‑Zect‑sama… t‑today we have…”
Bartos’s voice trembled.
“We have brought… Lord Gustav von Felsen…!”
“…Hah?”
(Why!?
I said I wasn’t going to the castle!)
The gate opened, and Gustav entered the property while hiding behind Bartos like a terrified junior priest entering a holy temple.
“M‑my deepest apologies for intruding… Master Zect…!”
“You don’t need to be that formal.
Also, shoes off.”
“Y‑yes, at once!!”
(Why is he taking his shoes off like he’s performing a ritual? This is scary.)
The three sat stiffly on the edge of the sofa.
I, still in pajamas, placed cola in front of them.
“So? What do you want?”
Gustav swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and spoke.
“…Master Zect.
First, allow me to express my deepest gratitude…
for saving Felsen.”
“I didn’t save anything.
I didn’t do anything.”
“—!
That very *inaction*, that sacred silence, is precisely what—!”
(What kind of interpretation is that? Terrifying.)
Tears welled in Gustav’s eyes.
“Since the ‘Gray Winter’ three years ago, Felsen has lived in fear—
of demon shadows, of war’s memory…
But thanks to your doctrine of ‘silent deterrence,’
our land has regained miraculous stability!”
(I literally scribbled on a piece of paper.)
At my feet, Tama let out a soft sound.
“Mrrp.”
“…What, Tama? I didn’t spill the cola.”
She hopped onto my lap and tapped my arm with her tail.
“Mrrp. (This entire territory is in chaos because of you.)”
Gustav leaned forward, reaching for my hand.
“Master Zect…
Please… grant us further wisdom…!”
“No no no, stop.
I’m bad with people.”
“—!
My deepest apologies!!”
(Why is *he* apologizing? Now I feel like the bad guy.)
Still trembling, Gustav continued.
“Felsen is quiet now…
but we do not know when that silence will break.
The demonfolk are silent.
Neighboring territories are silent.
It feels like… the calm before a storm…”
(I don’t know, man. Why are you telling *me* this?)
“Please…
Master Zect…
Guide Felsen’s future…!”
“Nope. Too much work.”
“…………”
The room froze.
Bartos turned pale.
Elishua clasped her hands like she was praying.
Gustav looked like his soul had left his body.
(It’s not my fault.
It really *is* too much work.)
Tama scratched my knee lightly.
“Mrow. (Your phrasing!)”
I cleared my throat.
“I don’t move.
That’s my optimal state.
So… do whatever you want.”
Gustav’s eyes widened.
“…Do… whatever… we want…?”
(Oh no.
He misunderstood again.)
The next moment, Gustav slammed his forehead to the floor.
“Y‑your will is absolute!!
Master Zect has granted us *autonomy*!!”
(It was just a “leave me alone” declaration…)
Bartos burst into tears.
“We shall carry out Master Zect’s divine intent!!”
(Don’t carry it out!!)
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