It was still around lunchtime so Arnold decided he would get through the guild work for a few hours.
The work was surprisingly simple even though they're going through the most precious time for a start guild. He was able to breeze through the work but just because it was easy to take care of it doesn't mean it'll be fast, unfortunately.
His trip with Ersa was cut short. Honestly, it wasn't a good time for them to meet up with how busy she is at the Branding Centre so he didn't insist on touring the compound that much today. With the exception of a few things, he's satisfied with how things turned out there.
Tourism skyrocketed more than this city has ever experienced in decades. That's all that really matters to him.
But he did tell her to come to the palace in a few days for the big meeting. No one can deny that she deserves to be at that meeting.
In any case, he hasn't seen Liz at all in the past few hours since they came here. She's somewhere in the palace but hasn't pestered him with anything lately.
Concerning the incident with Rina, he told Caerwyn to drop everything she's doing and guard Rina for the day in case she gets another bright idea to visit that madwoman.
He can understand her frustration, but he wants her to hold on for a little longer. He already checked and confirmed that her father is alive and well so Serz wants her to work with them willingly, and not just use her father as a bargaining chip just yet.
While he knows he's strong, going in blindly against an organization that might have other nutjobs demihumans like Hessinia or artifacts that can pose a threat to him, isn't very smart. He wants to assess the danger a bit more before making a move.
"What the hell did Josephine order that costs us a hundred-thousand gold coins?" he furrowed his brows while reading through a proof of payment scroll.
That's five times the amount of money his sister sent to his city a few months ago. Since it was signed off with the Guild's signature, it must be guild related and not personal expenses.
He's always been finicky with money, even back when he used to manage Misteltein's finances to ensure everyone had the best equipment at the best price. Back then they got the very best prices since they were a famous guild but he couldn't help but think the merchants are overcharging them right now because they just started out last year.
Then again, maybe it's his love for money that makes him so paranoid.
'I wish time moved faster so that my crystals can make it onto the market already.' He groaned inwardly.
Speaking of, they can start preorders soon. Maybe within the next few weeks.
Anyone on the list of "priority clients" will be able to order sooner so his pockets will be heavier in less time than even that.
A knock came from the office door just as Arnold was humming to himself, imagining the mountains of gold that would soon flood his treasury.
"—I am very sorry to disturb you, My Lord," Bethany said as she slipped inside, bowing politely. "Her Majesty and Lady Victoria have returned."
"?"
He blinked, putting his pen down. He'd been so deep in work he hadn't sensed either of them enter the city.
"They're freshening up right now," Bethany continued, "but they asked whether you were too busy for visitors…"
"It's alright." He closed the ledger and rose from his chair. "I'll head downstairs in a minute—"
He didn't finish.
The door slammed open with the force of a battlefield kick, making Bethany jump back with a squeak.
Victoria stood in the doorway—not in her usual maid uniform—her brown hair slightly tousled from travel, a soft cream blouse tucked into a navy pleated skirt.
She stared at him for one heartbeat—
Then she charged.
Before anyone could speak, she leapt forward, nearly knocking him back into his chair as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
Her scent—fresh soap and cold wind—hit him just as she pulled him down into a kiss so deep he almost forgot to breathe.
Her tongue pushed into his mouth without hesitation.
Bethany made a mortified choking noise and slapped both hands over her face.
"How are you even taller than the last time we met?" A mellow, amused voice drifted from the hallway.
Roseria, dressed in a simple lavender gown that made her look far more like a gentle noblewoman than the Empire's Empress, walked in with regal ease—in sharp contrast to Arnold's hands, which were very indecently squeezing Victoria's buttocks and the other in her opened cleavage as she clung to him like a starving cat finally reunited with its owner.
Victoria didn't even break the kiss, exchanging saliva like money for water in a desert.
Roseria sighed, smiling fondly.
"Honestly… at least let him breathe, dear."
Victoria broke the kiss, wet eyes staring down at him while her hot breath blew against his face.
"—Welcome back." She said with the cutest smile he had ever seen her make.
**
The three were now gathered in the dining room, a feast sitting before their eyes despite it only being lunch.
Servants lined the walls, while the inside of the dining room had decorations of pelts, hides, armor, and other things you would expect to find in a noble household to make it stand out from the ordinary rich.
"You were cute just a few months ago now you look like an old man, even without a beard."
Roseria pulled Arnold's cheek. Both women were sitting at his sides, with Victoria's feet getting a little too playful under the table. She took off one heel and was massaging his crotch. Focusing on this conversation without throwing her on the table is going to be very difficult.
He won't be getting any sleep tonight…
"Ahahaha…" he laughed it off awkwardly, "I'm sure this is as far as I'll grow so I won't look more unrecognizable when we're apart again, Miss Roseria."
"Mm, it's very unfortunate how there just isn't enough time or convenience for us to spend time together. Jurius hasn't been home for a while so there's no one else at the palace for me to spend time with, except for the concubines, that is. But I don't like spending time with them as they're so stiff and overly polite, never daring to show me any opposition in any arguments. Frankly, it's boring."
"Just let me know if you have free time then I can open my schedule for a few days." He replied and awkwardly picked up his glass and drank the juice.
Yeah, it's a mystery whatever happened to that fool. Yes, just a mystery…
"How are things going around my land?" he changed the subject to focus on a more serious topic.
"Lots of people being allowed into the city and farmlands have presented some problems, as expected so I will need Her Majesty's help to resolve that." Victoria's feet didn't stop moving even as she spoke with a poker face.
Roseria nodded, "I have the free time so we can get started on that tomorrow at the earliest. On the business side of things, a few of my connections are willing to start branches in the city by the time your crystals appear on the market. I sent the proposition to Lunaria via a messenger a week ago so that she could prepare a few buildings that are vacant."
"Oh, that was fast."
"The water supply network in this city will have to be redone as well or at least cleaned. I can't fathom how everyone has been able to survive with all the filth in the water. They must have dumped a lot of corpses in the sewers back during their little revolution against the previous city lord."
Yes, from what he heard, that revolution was a bloodbath. Two factions were in a war, one that sided with the city lord and the other that didn't. Unsurprisingly, the nobles were on the city lord's side but quickly changed their tune when he was executed.
The most surprising thing out of what he heard is that the bloodbath didn't result in his family's deaths so they managed to make it out at least.
Roseria continued, "Anyhow, I heard that Duchess Isolde von Berthlaith will act as your mediator in order to sell your crystals. Honestly, I question your decision as she's not exactly suitable for such a task, being a duchess only in marriage and name but not through merit or skill. Who knows what might end up happening if no one is there to instruct her."
"Do you have anyone better in mind? I won't get rid of her but more middlemen are more than welcome."
He was planning on getting one for every nation so that Isolde doesn't have to travel around too much. Contracts have already been signed and promises made so he can't just kick her off the boat.
"There are many who would exceed expectations without instruction but the only thing I worry about are their intentions. I've met Isolde on several occasions, business and casual, and know that she's not a scheming, conniving, greedy rat who will steal from right under your nose. She's loyal, street smart and obedient. Those are her only qualities, however, as she is still learning how to manage her own territory. Her husband did most of everything when he was alive."
"I only care about her political influence and household name so rest assured a middleman is all she will ever be."
"I understand that but someone else should be her superior to ensure she's doing her job correctly. It's not rare for nobles and businesses to use middleman for products but that does not mean the job is easy. She can't report to you directly as you will be busy with other things that are important to this city's sustainability. Nor can she report to Miss Lunaria who needs to administer the city alongside you." Roseria placed a hand on her chest, "If you permit it, I shall assume the role of overseeing your intermediaries. I can guide them, correct their mistakes, and ensure your name is never misused."
"…Are you offering because you're bored, Miss Roseria?"
She blushed at the question, "I am only looking out for you! This won't affect my day-to-day life in the slightest since this is just a supervisor role. As you know, being an empress is basically the same but unlike my husband, I have far less things to supervise."
"I appreciate your eagerness to help. It's just I don't want people to think I'm abusing our relationship to make you do things for me…"
Normally he doesn't care but with the recent events, Roseria's reputation will tank and she will face many hardships by associating herself with him.
"Let them think what they want, dear. I was serious when I said I will be there for you for the rest of the city's restoration and be by your side once it prospers."
Her answer wasn't unexpected but still it made him smile a bit.
"Thank you…"
She smiled softly then raised an eyebrow, "Victoria, is something the matter? You seem a little fidgety."
"I-It's nothing really…" saying so, she stopped playing footsy with Arnold.
Roseria, like Olivia, is a very religious woman and considers the dining table a gathering for Melis' children, with Melis sitting somewhere, as if dining alongside them. That's why every believer prays before eating, to acknowledge that God is with them at the table, close enough to hear them.
If she finds out the two of them are being like naughty kids, she'll give them an earful.
"Where is your advisor, dear?" Roseria changed the subject, "She's normally supposed to be by your side while you work in your office but she wasn't there when we found you."
"Lunaria has some important business to take care of. I'm sure she'll be back soon."
He said that but he's still anxious if the two will survive.
Speaking of his trusty advisor, he was curious about something. How did she teleport to Selia's side right after the two parted ways? This all happened before he found out there's a teleportation block around the forest so he wasn't sure how long that was up.
Did she cast the teleportation block herself? No, that can't be the case. The weakest teleportation block spell, that only covers a small area and expires after a few minutes, is Ninth-Rank. Whereas, the strongest one that can engulf an entire city is Sixteenth-Rank.
Lunaria is only a [Magician], a Common Class. This brings limitations. She can't cast beyond Fourteenth-Rank spells, realistically—a limitation that was put in place to force lazy players to ascend their classes through endgame progression.
The Forest of Wails is a massive forest so you would need to be an ascended category like Epic or Legendary to surpass your limitations.
Arnold isn't sure how many ranks she's mastered but regardless, it's impossible for her to be the one responsible for the block. She has to be at least Seventh-Rank since she is able to teleport like Lauran. Fourteenth-Rank should be her limit since her class was pretty clear to him when he checked.
Then, could it be an item? Selia is apparently in possession of many Star-Class items so that's not impossible.
So far, there are three options:
1. A spell or skill
2. An item
3. The least likely—an emergency summon request.
Basically, the third one is a sort of teleportation summon meant to summon players that respond to an emergency. Whoever receives it will instantly teleport to the user's side. Since it isn't a skill or spell, but rather the system's function—it ignores all teleportation blocks. That said, there are limitations so it's not exactly a surefire way to bypass blocks.
"She must have handled all the important stuff before leaving but I'm sure she did not finish everything."
"Yeah, she was in a hurry but made sure she wasn't behind on any important work. That leaves the miscellaneous work."
He's going to finish his guild work first before diving into the other stuff. It's going to be a long week.
"I'll come by your office later and help you out."
"You need to rest, Miss Roseria. You just came back from a long journey."
"I can rest tonight." She pushed.
"…Thank you."
She chuckled with a smile.
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics, like Victoria and Arnold's wedding. Honestly, he wants to postpone that for a bit (as in years) since it will require all his attention. His hands are too full right now. That being the case, he let the women do the talking instead.
After a while they finished their lunch and left the dining room. Victoria, knowing he won't have time to fool around with her at the moment, said she has some other work to attend to so the two parted ways.
Arnold and Roseria reached the great hall.
"It's funny how it feels like I haven't left home." she broke the warm silence, "Maybe I am just that used to walking the halls and gardens of a palace. Take this as a sign that your city is finally starting to show progress, fufu. But when I'm out there helping people and solving whatever problems they may have, it feels like my youth when I served food to the homeless from the back of our kitchen."
"Wasn't Miss Roseria born into nobility?"
"Yes, but my parents recognized that I was capable of helping and connecting with others from a young age so they never interfered in what I did outside of lessons and work. I gained work experience like that, but could not continue helping my community when I was married off to His Majesty, who had taken a liking to me during a party."
She then changed the subject, "Al, what kind of king do you want to be?"
He stopped and turned to her.
"Domineering? Feared? Kind? Ruthless?"
"I want to be a fair king."
To that, she smiled, "You say it so simply, yet fairness means something different to every ruler who has ever sat on a throne."
Her eyes drifted to the high ceiling, then back to him.
"For some, being fair means mercy. For others, it means punishment without hesitation. And for someone like you… I wonder which side you lean toward. Because you are neither cruel nor naïve, Al—but you are certainly not gentle."
She wasn't criticizing.
If anything, it was the observation of a woman who had watched him grow, who knew exactly what kind of man he was becoming. She was his second mother, who treated him like a son--tucking him into bed when he visited the imperial palace at a boy, making sure he's fed properly, reading stories to him, bathing him when he was a child, picking clothes out for him.
This bond of theirs only lasted throughout his childhood so it's been long since they were so close, but he could still remember those days fondly and vividly.
Anyone would assume she's his mother hearing all this, but their hair and eyes just don't match.
He almost forgot about everything that happened so far.
Does he have the courage to tell her...?
"And what kind of husband do you want to be to your wives?" her sweet voice echoed in his distant mind.
Arnold didn't answer immediately.
Roseria watched him with the same gaze she used when she evaluated nobles at court—soft, but sharp enough to see through silk, silver, and lies.
"You can rule a nation with strength, but a home and a family require a different kind of power. One you've never been taught, Al."
She repeated the question. "What kind of man do you intend to be… to the women who have already decided to follow you into hell and back?"
"Why are you asking me this exactly?"
"This is something I wanted to ask you even before your marriage with Olivia was cancelled. Siana and the rest may not be my daughters but I want to know if they can be left in your hands." She leaned forward and pointed at him, "Don't pretend you don't remember all your womanizing and the complaints those girls threw around. I know you aren't a bad person but you must respect women, Al."
That's a stretch. The ones who actually fell for him can be counted on two hands and wouldn't even be a tenth of all of them.
Arnold looked to the side, rubbing his neck. "…I'm not that irresponsible anymore."
And besides, he genuinely loves Siana and Victoria. Elizabeth is still a "maybe" since their relationship is still new. Rafaela is a "not sure" since it's her destiny to prevent Ragnarok.
"Mmhmm," she hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Words, dear. Words mean nothing without action—"
A voice interrupted her from the far end of the hall.
"Well, well. My, my." The tone was sweet, but the implication was sharp.
Arnold and Roseria turned as Siana, dressed in simple casual clothes and carrying a little basket, stepped through the open door. Her straw hat dangled loosely from one hand.
"So the rumors were true," she said, smiling innocently. "My future husband and king was a womanizer who broke countless hearts in his pursuit of a harem."
She took off her straw hat and smiled at the two, "Welcome back, My Lord."