"Then tell me, Lord Ashveil. What do you intend to do with us now?"
Ashveil looked at Seraphina, who was standing beside Adrian’s body with her sword still in hand.
Although the fighting had ended, the priestess showed no intention of relaxing. Her blue eyes remained fixed on him, and the golden light surrounding her weapon had yet to disappear.
Considering that he’d just killed her Lord, Ashveil couldn’t exactly blame her.
"First, I’d appreciate it if you put that sword away. We’ve already had enough fighting for one morning."
Seraphina hesitated before reluctantly sheathing her weapon. Behind her, the surviving Silvercrest soldiers were being disarmed by Ashveil’s spearmen, who had confiscated their swords and equipment.
"Will you release them?" she asked.
"Once I’m certain they won’t start another fight. I’m not interested in executing prisoners."
Seraphina glanced toward Adrian’s body. "And Lord Adrian?"
"We’ll arrange a proper burial. Whatever happened between us, I’m not leaving his corpse beside the road."
She lowered her gaze without responding.
Ashveil turned toward Rowan, who had finally emerged from the Lord’s Hall after the fighting stopped. He instructed the craftsman to prepare clean water and bandages for the wounded, then ordered the soldiers to collect the confiscated equipment.
Among Adrian’s belongings was a heavy iron warhammer that had apparently been brought along with his other weapons. Ashveil briefly wondered why anyone needed to carry both a longsword and a warhammer into a negotiation.
Perhaps the man had been planning to negotiate with someone’s skull.
Unfortunately, there were more important matters to consider.
A notification was still hovering at the corner of his vision, displaying the rewards he’d received for defeating Adrian.
The Gold Coins, Source Stone, and recruitment voucher were certainly welcome, but something about the reward system bothered him.
Apparently, killing another human Lord was considered just as profitable as defeating monsters.
Ashveil remembered the ruined Grade B territory he’d discovered in the eastern forest. If the system encouraged Lords to fight one another this early, then Adrian probably wouldn’t be the last bastard who tried to take advantage of a weaker settlement.
He dismissed the notification and returned his attention to Seraphina.
"Now, about you. What happens to a hero when her Lord dies?"
Seraphina’s expression tightened.
"My contract with Silvercrest has been severed. Under ordinary circumstances, I would seek another Lord worthy of serving the Four Gods."
"Right. And I assume I’m not on that list?"
"You command creatures touched by forbidden power."
Her gaze shifted toward Ria, who stood nearby watching their conversation with evident amusement.
Ashveil followed her eyes.
"She’s a succubus, if that’s what you’re wondering."
"I am aware of what she is."
"Oh? Then I suppose introductions won’t be necessary."
Ria smiled, clearly enjoying the priestess’s discomfort.
Seraphina ignored her and looked toward the Forgotten Kobold, which was helping Rowan carry the confiscated weapons.
"That creature also bears an unnatural presence. Whatever power you’re using to command it, I cannot approve of it."
Ashveil folded his arms.
"He’s been working harder than most people I’ve met since arriving here. He even helped us capture the mine."
"That does not make the power controlling him acceptable."
"Well, I wasn’t planning to throw him out because you don’t like his forehead."
Seraphina frowned at his response, but Ashveil had no intention of arguing about his subordinates’ right to exist.
Unfortunately, another notification appeared before the conversation could continue.
[Unclaimed Hero Detected!]
[Name: Seraphina]
[Grade: C | Tier: 2 | Level: 3]
[Hero Contract Transfer Available!]
[Cost: Source Stone ×1]
Ashveil stared at the interface.
A contract transfer?
He immediately opened the additional information and discovered that heroes whose Lords had died could become eligible for reassignment. As the victor responsible for Adrian’s defeat, he possessed the right to establish a new Hero Contract with Seraphina.
More importantly, the system didn’t require her consent.
Ashveil examined the restrictions carefully. A contracted hero couldn’t deliberately harm their Lord, betray their territory, or disclose confidential information to hostile forces. They were also required to obey direct commands within the contract’s limitations.
However, the contract couldn’t alter their beliefs, personality, or emotions.
In other words, Seraphina could spend the rest of her life hating his guts while still being required to follow his orders.
That sounded like a rather unpleasant working relationship.
"Ria, take a look at this."
The succubus examined the notification before smiling.
"My, how convenient. The Lord System has practically placed a divine heroine in your lap."
"Please don’t phrase it like that."
Ria smiled mischievously. "Would you prefer her in your bed?"
Ashveil instinctively glanced toward Seraphina and took a moment to appreciate her assets. Her beautiful face was certainly attractive, but those childbearing hips and plump breasts were particularly difficult to ignore.
Even beneath her modest priestess robes, her voluptuous figure was painfully obvious.
"...I’d probably have to be gay to turn down an offer like that."
Ria burst into laughter.
"My, little lord. How shameless of you!"
Unfortunately, Seraphina chose that exact moment to turn toward them. Having noticed their suspicious conversation, she narrowed her eyes.
"What are you discussing?"
"Employment benefits," Ashveil replied without missing a beat.
"...Employment benefits?"
"Yeah. Your contract, salary, working conditions. Normal Lord stuff."
Ria covered her mouth, struggling to contain another laugh.
Ashveil quickly cleared his throat and explained the contract transfer before the succubus could make matters worse.
As expected, Seraphina’s expression changed the moment she understood what the system was offering.
"I refuse. I will not enter a contract with someone who commands forbidden creatures!"
"Apparently, that’s not entirely your decision."
"Then the system’s judgment is unjust!"
Ashveil couldn’t really disagree with that assessment. Nevertheless, he had no intention of allowing an exceptionally powerful heroine to wander away carrying detailed knowledge of Ashen Hollow’s defenses.
Besides, the territory desperately needed someone capable of healing wounded soldiers.
"Listen, Seraphina. I’m not asking you to worship Ria or abandon your gods. You can keep your faith and follow whatever religious practices you want. But I won’t tolerate you attacking my companions simply because you dislike their origins."
Seraphina remained silent for several moments.
"And if I continue to oppose your use of forbidden magic?"
"Then we’ll probably argue a lot. As long as you don’t stab anyone, I can live with that."
The priestess looked thoroughly dissatisfied.
Ashveil sighed before selecting the transfer option.
[Source Stone ×1 Consumed!]
[Hero Contract Transfer Successful!]
[Seraphina | Grade C | Tier 2 | Level 3]
[Class: Divine Hero]
[Specialization: Healing, Divine Magic]
[Contract Holder: Ashveil Sunday]
A faint golden symbol appeared on Seraphina’s wrist before slowly disappearing. She staggered slightly as the new contract took effect, then stared at Ashveil with an expression that suggested she was reconsidering everything she knew about divine justice.
"Welcome to Ashen Hollow."
*
Fortunately, her first assignment was considerably less controversial.
Ashveil immediately ordered Seraphina to treat the wounded soldiers, including the spearman who had suffered serious burns during the northern mine battle.
Although she clearly disliked her new circumstances, the priestess didn’t hesitate when presented with injured people.
Golden light gathered around her hands as she began treating the most serious wounds. Under her divine magic, torn flesh gradually recovered and painful burns faded, allowing several soldiers to stand again.
Even the spearman injured at the mine eventually recovered enough to walk without assistance.
Ashveil watched with undisguised satisfaction.
Having a healer was practically cheating.
Unfortunately, Seraphina couldn’t continue using her magic indefinitely. After treating several soldiers, she needed to rest before continuing.
Ashveil also learned that she possessed protective divine magic, although maintaining barriers required considerably more energy than ordinary healing.
When he asked whether she could restore Ria’s weakened power, Seraphina immediately shook her head. Her abilities could repair physical injuries, but they couldn’t replenish the ancient magical energy the succubus had lost.
Ria appeared amused by his disappointment.
"My, little lord. Were you hoping to find a cheaper way of feeding me?"
"Considering how much blood you’ve already taken, can you blame me?"
Seraphina looked between them with growing suspicion.
Ashveil decided against explaining the arrangement.
Some things were better left until his new heroine had settled in.
By afternoon, the settlement had finally returned to something resembling normal activity.
Ashveil assigned Rowan responsibility for coordinating construction and resource gathering, with food and timber receiving priority. The ruined watchtower would be inspected for repairs, and additional guards would be stationed around the settlement to prevent another unexpected visit.
Meanwhile, the six captured kobolds remained under the Forgotten Kobold’s supervision. Ashveil intended to put them to work at the northern mine once he had enough soldiers to establish a permanent garrison.
As for Seraphina, she would remain at Ashen Hollow to assist with healing and defense.
The priestess accepted her assignment without enthusiasm.
Ria, meanwhile, had already returned to the Lord’s Hall to recover from the magical energy she’d expended during the recent battles.
By the time Ashveil finished his arrangements, the sun was beginning to descend.
He finally returned to his room and sat down, feeling as though he’d aged several years since arriving in Eryndor.
Still, the past two days had been remarkably profitable.
He now controlled an iron mine, possessed several valuable resources, and had somehow acquired a Tier 2 Divine Hero.
More importantly, his inventory contained two unused Tier 1 recruitment vouchers.
Twenty additional soldiers would considerably strengthen Ashen Hollow’s defenses.
Unfortunately, there was still one problem.
Twenty additional soldiers would consume another forty units of food every day.
Ashveil stared at the vouchers for several moments before slowly closing his inventory.
"Fuck. We’re going to starve."
Apparently, no matter how powerful his territory became, his greatest enemy would always be the grocery bill.