Wolf looked up.
Above him hung a grand chandelier, studded with glass, gold and silver, and jewels.
The stone floor had been polished to a mirror-like sheen—so smooth it felt unreal to Wolf, who spent most of his days walking on uneven dirt roads. The stairs, with intricate carvings at every turn, looked as though they led to heaven itself.
And the portrait of Grand Duke Hairyl Logue Rifalas, which hung on the landing—one might have called that a god.
He had lived in the royal capital for years, but he had never seen a sight like this.
For Wolf, born and raised in the countryside, it was beyond anything he'd ever seen.
Suddenly, he became self-conscious about his appearance. He had worn his best jacket and trousers, he thought, but the surroundings were not on that level at all.
"Ah... I forgot to change my underwear."
As he stood there, vaguely regretting his blunder, a servant appeared from deeper within the mansion and led the country bumpkin frozen in the entrance hall.
Wolf, who had defeated Motherbarn, had been invited to the Rifalas estate. He'd refused at first, but the village head had convinced him after hearing the whole story, and he'd reluctantly agreed to come. He didn't think Hairyl was the type to use his power to destroy a small community, but to anyone who didn't know the Grand Duke personally, defying his authority was terrifying.
He was led to the baths.
He washed off the sweat, and when he came out, clean clothes had been folded and left for him.
He slipped them on. They were incredibly light and not at all stiff. They felt like clothes from heaven.
Guided by the servant, he was shown to a large reception hall.
"Please wait here," he was told, and so he did. The first to appear was a guard soldier with a short spear.
Two words floated into his mind: Execution.
He wanted to run, but then his gaze was stolen by Anri, who appeared next, wearing a dress.
She was beautiful in her battle gear, but she was even more beautiful in a dress. The simple white dress made her look like a single, pure lily. If he had one critique, it was that the neckline was cut quite low. Her chest quivered, threatening to spill out at any moment.
Finally, Hairyl appeared, settling into a chair so luxurious it could have been a throne, and spread his arms wide.
He called Wolf's name.
The former adventurer forgot to bow and instead stood at attention.
Beside Hairyl, Anri stifled a laugh.
"The defeat of Motherbarn—splendid work," Hairyl said. "Name your reward. I promise you the finest treatment I can offer."
"No. I... I was just focused on rescuing Lady Anri."
"You want no reward?"
"Yes."
Wolf answered firmly.
Hairyl stroked his mustache.
"Your lack of ambition is remarkable. Well, that's fine. In that case, I have a request of my own."
"...? If it's something I can grant..."
"Would you consider serving under me?"
"...You mean, serve the Rifalas family?"
"I'll treat you well. I'll prepare a salary equivalent to an A-rank adventurer."
Dallas, who was present, stared in disbelief.
Even Lymat let out a low whistle. "Cor, that's a proper offer that is," she muttered.
In military terms, that was an unconditional captain-equivalent rank. And that automatically came with a pension—enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Building a house in the royal capital was no longer a dream. For a retired D-rank adventurer, the offer was incredibly generous.
But no one objected.
Except the man himself.
"It's a generous offer, but I must decline. I've retired. I intend to live quietly in my village. That's my wish."
"Your strength is recognized by everyone. Myself included."
"Wolf-sama," Anri spoke up, "Father—His Excellency—has taken a true liking to your abilities."
Even so, Wolf's resolve didn't waver.
"My only duty is to make sure my daughter has a place to return to."
"Stubborn man."
"Forgive me."
"Very well. It's regrettable, but I suppose it can't be helped. Still—please allow me to grant some kind of reward. If I send my benefactor away with nothing, it would shame the Rifalas name."
"Then... would you consider buying out the Peddler's goods whenever he comes to our village?"
Wolf explained his reasoning. The Peddler had given him a Steel Sword, and he'd always planned to repay the cost one day. But the Peddler would probably refuse payment if offered directly, so he wanted the Grand Duke to secretly purchase enough goods to cover the debt, always prioritizing others' happiness.
That proposal was so like him. Hairyl was so moved by his selflessness that for a moment, he was speechless.
"My apologies. Very well. If that is your wish, I have no choice. I'll buy so much that the Peddler's wagon becomes a first-class carriage."
He smiled.
The gesture had the force of a Grand Duke showing his power.
The audience ended.
Hairyl concluded with these words:
"One day, your strength will become known to the world. Someone will come who desires your power more than I do. People will cry out for your help. That is certain. And when that day comes... what will you do?"
Wolf could not answer immediately.
A mere D-class adventurer like himself could not possibly reply.
The words felt heavy, as if touching some truth about the world.
"Consider that your task until we meet again, Wolf. …And if you want my daughter, you're welcome to her. If that is your wish."
Hairyl withdrew from the audience chamber.
His retainers left as well—along with Lymat and Dallas.
Only Wolf and Anri remained.
"Wolf-sama, I—"
Anri confessed everything.
The condition for her father's permission to marry Wolf had been to slay a dragon nesting in the mines.
That she had never actually been kidnapped by a dragon—that had been a pretext to lure Wolf to the capital.
And that all of it was her fault.
"I'm so sorry."
Her beautiful golden hair hung down.
Her lips pressed together, struggling not to cry.
(Now I'll surely be hated by Wolf-sama...)
The princess of the Rifalas family felt her heart twist painfully.
But she'd rather confess than continue deceiving him.
Having glimpsed his pure heart, Anri had realized for the first time just how terrible her actions had been.
Wolf raised his hand.
She knew it from the shadow of his movement.
He's going to hit me.
How long had it been since she'd been struck?
Perhaps not since she'd broken her father's treasured vase as a child.
Bracing herself, Anri waited—
But the hand that descended was placed gently on her golden head.
He ruffled her hair.
It felt a little nice, and Anri felt her cheeks grow hot.
"Wolf-sama?"
"I'm glad you're safe."
"That's all?"
"Lying isn't right. But you apologized. That's enough for me."
Wolf smiled.
That smile alone made Anri feel as though released from everything weighing her down.
Her heartbeat was clearly audible.
It grew louder, until she felt almost embarrassed—as if the sound were spilling from her ears.
She'd been smitten with several gentlemen before.
But never had she felt so strongly about anyone.
"I'd like to see you again."
That was all she could manage.
What she truly wanted was to hold him back.
But she also knew that Wolf's will was unwavering.
"If you ever come to Nikaras, please do visit our home. I can't promise a proper welcome, but—"
"...Yes! I'd love to."
Anri's eyes sparkled.
At that moment, the Princess Knight made an unshakable decision.
Three days had passed since Wolf returned from the Rifalas estate.
The defeat of Motherbarn, the audience with the Grand Duke—so many things had happened so quickly that Wolf was thoroughly worn out. Even the enhancement magic worked by [Great Hero (Legend)] apparently hadn't been able to cure that.
He slept all day and still felt tired. He couldn't muster the energy to do anything on the second day. It was only on the third day that he finally regained the will to go to his fields.
"Hm...?"
The first thing he noticed upon leaving his house was the sound of stakes being driven.
He'd been vaguely aware of it even while inside—but it seemed someone had moved into the village. A crowd had gathered not far from his home.
Pushing through the onlookers, Wolf found someone he knew well.
"Lady Anri!!"
There she was—the Grand Duke's daughter herself, holding a massive wooden mallet in both hands, a twisted headband wrapped around her brow, hammering in the posts of a house.
When she saw Wolf, her eyes sparkled along with the sweat on her face.
"Wolf-sama, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon—wait, no. What is all this?"
"You can't tell? I'm building a house."
The voice came from another direction.
Lymat was there, chin resting on the end of the mallet's handle, raising a hand listlessly. "Blimey, it's just what it looks like, innit?" she said.
Behind her stood Dallas, having shed his robe.
"Building a house... Wait, you mean you're going to live here?"
"Yes!"
Anri answered with a brilliant smile.
Dallas provided the explanation.
"Precisely—this will be our 'Blue Brigade' headquarters. We intend to use this as our base to protect villages troubled by magic beasts."
"'S more efficient to operate out of Nikaras than keep going back to the capital," Lymat added, though it was clear she wasn't thrilled about it.
Still, Wolf wasn't satisfied. He protested with gestures and all.
"Is this really all right? What does the Grand Duke—His Excellency—have to say?"
"Father said this: 'Take Wolf-sama as your example and learn from him.'"
"His Excellency seems rather taken with you, you know," Lymat said with a shrug. "Why not take that commission then, eh?"
Apparently they'd already gotten permission from the village head. And if they were going to protect the villagers from magic beasts, the people were all too happy to welcome them.
Anri took Wolf's hand.
She smiled like a flower in bloom.
"I'll be in your care from now on, Wolf-sama."
Wolf scratched his head, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Summary:
Wolf returns to his village after refusing the Grand Duke's generous political offer, only to find Anri building a house nearby with Lymat and Dallas to establish their Blue Brigade headquarters. The confession scene where Anri admits her deception and Wolf forgives her with a gentle head-pat creates the emotional core of the chapter. But the Grand Duke's final question—what Wolf will do when the world inevitably comes seeking his power—hangs unresolved over the quiet resolution.
Trivia:
Wolf's core motivation throughout the chapter is providing a place for his daughter to return to—this is why he refuses all rewards and political power.
The condition for Anri's father to permit marriage to Wolf was slaying a dragon nesting in the mines, which Wolf already accomplished earlier in the arc.
Anri's kidnapping story was entirely fabricated as a pretext to bring Wolf to the capital and introduce him to her father.
The "Blue Brigade" is being established in Nikaras as a permanent base to protect villages from magic beasts, not as a temporary arrangement.
Lymat is clearly reluctant about the whole plan but goes along with it anyway, showing her dry, grudging personality.
The enhancement magic from [Great Hero (Legend)]—Wolf's daughter—couldn't cure his exhaustion from the rapid succession of events.
The Grand Duke's offer of captain-equivalent rank plus pension and housing in the royal capital was an extraordinarily generous offer for a retired D-rank adventurer.
The chapter ends the "Dragon Slayer Arc" and the author notes the next arc—"The Strongest Hero's Dragon Slayer Arc"—will be only one chapter long.
Notes:
• Wolf - A 42-year-old former A-rank adventurer now operating at SSS-rank levels, he retired to Nicalas Village to raise his daughter, Reminia, as a humble farmer and craftsman. Though soot-stained and calm, this protective, curly-haired father possesses immense, beyond-human strength. A pragmatic, understated mentor, he leads by example, balancing quiet devotion with the quiet authority of a seasoned guardian.
• Rifalas - Job: Grand Duke title holder; Relationship: Henri's family; Note: Noble house.
• Hairyl - Grand Duke and Lord of Rifalas, older brother to King Murad and a powerful mine operator ruling 15% of Lexenil. A formal, extremely busy royal, he is the devoted father of Henri and Anri. Driven by genuine concern for his daughter’s safety, he arrives with private soldiers to execute a desperate rescue mission, balancing his heavy political responsibilities with deep paternal instincts.
• Anri - A beautiful half-elf princess knight and daughter of Grand Duke Hairyl, she is a B-rank adventurer, Captain of the Blue Brigade, and frontier vigilante. With blonde hair, pale skin, and a slender, muscular frame, she carries an aristocratic bearing. Recently rescued after being carried off by a dragon, she is Wolf’s devoted fiancée, possessing absolute confidence in his strength.
• Dallas - A B-rank knight, adventurer, and mage, he serves as Anri's attendant and Lymat's companion. Clad in black robes, he wields wind magic like Silphine Guard and Zin Vitt Fin. Though nervous and prone to visible stress in tense situations, he is a capable combatant who works alongside Wolf. He speaks casually, often displaying more emotion than Lymat, and was involved in the ruse regarding Anri's kidnapping.
• Lymat - A young, B-rank knight and mage serving under Henri. With pale green curls and narrow eyes, she is a pragmatic, observant attendant who uses far-seeing goggles for reconnaissance. Skilled in swordsmanship and respectful in speech, she acts as a capable adventurer. Working alongside Wolf and Dallas, she is increasingly awed by Wolf's abilities, though remains suspicious of his secret knowledge of dragons.