79: Welcome to Litalside
“My master. Litalside is in sight. If you open the window, you should be able to see it.”
Following Samarkand’s words, I opened the window. And gasped.
“Whoa…!”
The view was breathtaking.
A city wall, nestled between two mountain ranges.
Beneath it, a sea of red-tiled roofs.
From the mountain on the right, a river flowed through a coniferous forest, its surface sparkling in the sunlight, feeding into a shimmering lake.
To the right of the road, several large windmills turned slowly in the breeze, surrounded by golden fields.
To the left of the road, a wooden fence enclosed a pasture, dotted with brown animals. A white flock in the distance… sheep, perhaps.
And in the gaps, vibrant flower fields bloomed, their sweet fragrance carried on the wind.
A white line, like a contrail, streaked across the sky… a dragon. One of the dragons of the Lital Mountains.
The knowledge I had of this place merged with the scenery before me, forming a complete image of Litalside in my mind.
Incidentally, the excellent view was due to the angle of the road. It was designed to be curved, allowing for early identification of approaching cargo.
And this carriage displayed not the emblem of the Sixth Army, but the emblem of the Listrea Kingdom, indicating that we were simply part of the Demon King’s army. While we were renting a royal carriage, horses and all, it was also to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After a few more turns, the road straightened out, leading directly to Litalside.
Our carriage followed the road into the city.
We arrived at the hotel. A beautiful, three-story wooden building with dark brown beams contrasting against the white plaster walls and a charming red-tiled roof.
Staying at the fortress would have been free. But I’d chosen a private hotel, paying out of my own pocket, for three reasons.
One: I wasn’t sure how far I could trust the lower-ranking members of the Dark Knights.
With my current security detail, I would be safe from any trouble caused by low-ranking soldiers. But what I feared was… ‘accidentally killing them in a scuffle.’
And what if they came to the hotel? Well, weeding out the fools who would attack a civilian hotel was part of my job.
Two: It was an opportunity to contribute to the local economy.
An economy stagnated when people stopped spending.
And I was the enemy of the economy. I earned a supreme commander’s salary, but with few opportunities to spend it, it just kept accumulating. This was partly because my days were filled with the simple joy of doting on my cute subordinates.
So, it was my duty, my obligation, to loosen my purse strings on occasions like this.
That was probably an exaggeration.
Three: Since I was here on business, I wanted to do some sightseeing.
No explanation needed.
Supreme commanders had a great deal of autonomy. Unless they were under direct orders from His Majesty, they had the authority to devise their own strategies, command their own troops, and act independently.
As long as their actions were not deemed detrimental to the interests of the Listrea Demon Kingdom.
We had plenty of time, and I fully intended to use it to devise my own strategies, command my own troops, and act independently.
Staying in military barracks wasn’t exactly conducive to sightseeing.
I checked in, dressed in my casual attire—my Lord of Disease regalia, minus the mask, staff, and shoulder cloth. Well, Liz handled the check-in.
The polished wooden floors were immaculate. My Japanese instincts compelled me to check the corners for dust, and they were spotless.
While my attention was mostly on Liz, the receptionist was also a polite, beautiful woman.
It was worth it, indulging my selfish desire to stay at a nice hotel.
Liz led us to our rooms.
“Master, we’ll be in this one.”
“We’re right next door, so don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”
“Understood.” I nodded to Samarkand and Harken.
I followed Liz and Rebecca to my room.
“This is the best room.”
“I see.”
It was indeed a nice room.
Spacious, with a plush carpet, upholstered sofas, and rather luxurious furnishings. As someone who lived in a mansion and had stayed in the royal castle’s guest rooms, I was less impressed by the luxury and more charmed by the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling.
In any case, it was a nice room.
“By the way, there’s only one bed.” It was a large bed, though without a canopy. The white sheets were perfectly taut, a testament to the pride and dedication of the housekeeping staff.
“Yes. You’re the only one staying in this room, Master.”
“…Liz. You know what I’m about to say, don’t you?”
“…Yes. I do. I’ve been the Lord of Disease’s vice-commander for over a year, after all.”
“I’m still new, so I’m not sure…”
Liz looked at Rebecca with an expression of pity, as if gazing at an innocent lamb about to be slaughtered. Or perhaps I just knew exactly what she was about to say.
“Master is going to order us to sleep with her.”
“What?”
“Liz, your understanding is shallow.” I shook my head.
“…Huh? My apologies. Is that so?” Liz looked at me, her expression one of utter disbelief.
“That’s right. You’re overthinking it, Liz.” I said to a relieved Rebecca.
“What I am ordering my second and third in command is to provide close-quarters, round-the-clock protection, prioritizing the safety of the first in command.”
“Am I the only one who thinks Liz’s understanding was perfectly accurate and profound?”
“I see. Then, Rebecca, the method is up to you. Provide a solution that fully satisfies the aforementioned conditions.”
“…Liz and I… sleep with you… in the bed…”
“Hmm. Indeed, that would significantly increase my safety. Liz, what do you think of her proposal?”
I asked, my tone serious. Liz cut me down with a single word.
“This is a farce, isn’t it?”
“If you put it that way, this conversation is over.”
“It can be over.”
“—And?”
“…Oh, so we’re continuing.” Liz sighed.
“Rebecca, if you want to risk your life and position to resist, I’ll support you.”
“It’s not worth risking my life over something like this.”
“As expected of Rebecca. Well, I’ll go cancel the other rooms.”
“I’ll do that. And it’s unnecessary.”
“Why?”
“We’ve booked the entire hotel.”
“Wait, what about the bill?”
“It’s covered by the Sixth Army’s budget, with a subsidy. And we got a discount for booking the entire hotel and forgoing some of the services. It’s about the same as a normal stay.”
“I see. This is a big hotel. What are the room assignments?”
I decided not to worry about the money.
I’d left all the arrangements to Liz, and besides, the luxury of being doted on by my personal maid was priceless. That was what my supreme commander’s salary was for.
And I trusted Liz’s judgment.
“Rebecca and I have a room, and Samarkand and Harken have another. Booking the entire hotel was mainly for security reasons, but the disinformation unit will also be using it in rotation.”
“So, I’m alone? How lonely.”
“You could try to be more aware of your position as a supreme commander.”
“If being a supreme commander means being lonely, I wouldn’t be here, Liz.”
I was a supreme commander. Commander of the Sixth Army.
But even so.
Before that, I was a human who loved cute girls.
“Besides, I’m the type who dies of loneliness.”
“You really are a delicate little bunny, aren’t you, Master…”
“And always in heat, just like a bunny.”
“Rebecca, how can you speak to your superior, who is demanding you sleep with her under the guise of bodyguard duties, with such insolence?”
“Did you just say ‘guise’?”
“Master, if you lay a hand on Rebecca, I’ll be angry.”
“So, it’s okay if it’s Liz?”
“No, that’s not what I said. …I’d like you to recall the fact that I can kill you in less than a second.”
“I’ve never forgotten.”
I sat on the bed.
“I know I’m the weakest.”
Then I smiled.
“But I’m still a supreme commander, and I’m tired from the journey, and I’d like a little comfort and healing.”
“…You’re incorrigible, Master.”
“Indeed.”
Liz and Rebecca sat down beside me. I wrapped my arms around their waists and hugged them both.
