Chapter 220 – On the Way Back to Termwills

“Good morning, Father.”

“Yes, good morning.”

After resting thoroughly to restore my energy, I headed to the Count’s mansion from morning to create an emergency underground passage.

“Where should we start constructing the underground passage? Should we begin from the study as usual?”

“Is that… the standard approach?”

“Well, you could call it a matter of aesthetic convention.”

It’s fairly close to the bedroom too. I’ll reinforce the door to make it stronger so it can be used for barricading.

I’ll use Levitation to float the bookshelf and incorporate it into a Revolving Concealment mechanism. Behind that space, I’ll form stairs leading underground and create the passage.

I’ve grown quite accustomed to this work by now – it’s simple labor involving turning the earth into Golems to carry it out, then solidifying the passage to ensure its strength.

However, while it must be usable for evacuation during emergencies, it needs to be completely separated from the Count’s mansion and the annex during normal times. That will require some ingenuity.

So I’ll create adjacent evacuation rooms – one on the Count’s mansion side and one on the annex side.

By creating a locked door connecting the two evacuation rooms, I can simultaneously establish three functions: a connecting passage, evacuation rooms, and a partition wall.

“There’s one problem. If we’re attacked and flee into the evacuation passage from the study or annex, since there are no other exits, intruders might detect the existence of the hidden passage.”

“Hmm. That’s certainly true.”

“So I’ll create a Mechanism that can trap intruders in the hidden passage.”

If there are pursuers, I’ll create corners to break their line of sight. Then immediately after turning the corner, I’ll place a Revolving Concealment hidden door leading to the evacuation room.

And beyond the corner – at the very end of the passage, the most noticeable spot – I’ll create a fake evacuation room.

“The real evacuation room can be locked from the inside with a bolt after entering. Meanwhile, the fake room – even if the door can be opened from outside, it should be designed so that those inside cannot get out without a key.”

“…I see.”

Father looked somewhat astonished. Indeed, opportunities to receive explanations while watching Magic Construction in real time probably aren’t common.

For the evacuation room, I should create a small room that can be used as a toilet so people can hide for some time. Since it’s for emergencies, it will be a simple toilet with just a small vertical hole dug.

“I’ll create a similar underground passage from the annex side as well – but since it would be troublesome if someone got trapped in the fake room, please explain this thoroughly to Mother and Daryl.”

“Yes. I’ll definitely do that. We’ll also need to store non-perishable food and spare clothes in the evacuation room.”

“For clothes, it might be useful to have disguises that would allow you to blend in with servants or commoners. Since we haven’t installed water pipes here, we’ll probably need Magic Tools for water creation too.”

“That’s true. I’ll arrange for that.”

Considering who would use this place – probably just Father, Kathryn, and Daryl – and installing Alarm Devices in both the Count’s mansion and annex should make for quite substantial security measures.

I completed the passage and evacuation rooms as planned, then checked for any defects or strength issues.

“Everything seems fine. Well, sorry for the rush, but I’ll be heading back. I have some things to take care of before departing.”

“Understood. I’ll head to the forest later too. I’ll see you off.”

“Yes. See you later.”

I nodded to Father, promised to meet again later, and left the Count’s mansion.

After finishing lunch and preparing for the return journey, Father arrived, so we decided to visit Mother’s grave once more before leaving.

We all offered silent prayers at the grave, then turned to face Father, and Harold and Cynthia who had come to see us off.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. I’ll be staying in the Barony of Silun too, and I’m concerned about things back home.”

When I answered, Father smiled wryly, looking somewhat lonely.

“You’re quite busy.”

“You are too, Father. Please take care of your health.”

“Yes.”

“Well then, Henry-sama.”

Starting with Grace, everyone bid farewell to Father before boarding the Dragon Palanquin.

“Harold and Cynthia, thank you too. Next time – I’ll probably come again in winter.”

“Yes, Theodore-sama.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

The two gravekeepers bowed deeply.

“Lindwurm.”

When I called out, the Dragon Palanquin rose into the air. I waved from the palanquin window.

As we gradually gained altitude, their figures grew smaller.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Long time no see, Kennel-san.”

As we disembarked from the Dragon Palanquin, Kennel, the butler of the Silun household, greeted us.

Before returning to Termwills, we planned to stop by the Barony of Silun just like before.

“Old man, it’s good to see you looking well.”

“Ashley-sama, your complexion looks even better than before.”

Kennel narrowed his eyes as if looking at something dazzling.

“We stopped by before returning to Termwills.”

While part of it was to pay respects since it’s between the Count’s territory and Termwills, I had another purpose this time.

“Would that be the item we discussed?”

“Yes. The details are as I communicated via the Communication Device.”

In Ashley’s hands was a potted Evil Weed – not Harvesta, but another individual brought from Termwills. This was to show Kennel the actual specimen.

“Hmm. Let me take a look.”

Receiving the pot, Kennel stroked the docile Evil Weed and observed it from various angles.

If we’re going to utilize Evil Weeds in the future, it’s better to lay the groundwork early. I had already explained the general idea to Kennel via the Communication Device, but seeing is believing.

“I see… This is indeed quite docile. When I was young and working in the fields, I got bitten by these fellows many times…”

“It seems they become accustomed to humans if you raise them from seeds using Water Magic. We’re continuing experiments regarding crop cultivation using Evil Weeds.”

Kennel nodded, looking impressed by Ashley’s words.

“My, my. Evil Weeds have long been disliked… But could they become Guardians of agricultural crops?”

“I’m hoping for that too. I think we should have results by early autumn.”

Kennel nodded with a gentle smile.

Well. Judging from Ashley and Kennel’s Communication Device exchanges, the Barony of Silun seems generally peaceful… but just in case, I’ll create an underground passage and evacuation room here too. Better safe than sorry.

“—Coexistence with friendly Monsters, is it?”

Beryne from the Adventurer Guild’s Silun branch was also invited to the dinner table.

Since Ashley and I are engaged, and considering the future, the policies I advocate will inevitably concern the Barony of Silun too. So it’s necessary to properly communicate our intentions.

Bringing the potted Evil Weed also served the purpose of making this reasoning easier to understand.

“That’s right. The Kingdom of Verdugal is also moving forward with such policies. I’m not too worried about the Adventurer Guild’s side, though.”

“Indeed… Stories like adventurers drowning at sea being saved by Sirens and falling in love are quite popular among them.”

Beryne smiled wryly.

“So you’re saying the Monster’s temperament becomes milder depending on the environment? Judging from the Evil Weed, that seems correct.”

“Yes. I thought showing actual examples would be quicker than lengthy explanations. Besides, she’s a Lamia too.”

When I introduced Irmhild, Kennel and Beryne’s gazes turned toward her.

“I’m honored by the introduction. I’m Irmhild the Lamia.”

Irmhild sat up slightly straighter, looking somewhat shy, then smiled bashfully and bowed. Kennel and Beryne seemed surprised, perhaps not having expected this, their eyes widening.

“Um. Should I release the Humanization Spell?”

She tilted her head slightly, looking at Ashley and me.

“Yes. It would be quicker to show the old man.”

With the head of household’s permission, Irmhild moved slightly away from the dining table and released her Humanization Spell.

“This is… astonishing. I see. Indeed… she’s quite a gentle young lady.”

“There are many things you can’t understand unless you actually interact with them.”

“That… I’m keenly aware of that, since I have more opportunities to speak with adventurers these days.”

Kennel smiled wryly like that.

“Um, if it’s alright, I’d like to play a song for you.”

Irmhild took out her Lute, apparently wanting to begin performing. Well, that makes sense. If she wants others to understand her, this is probably the fastest way for her, and an area where she has confidence.

“That… sounds interesting.”

“Indeed.”

Beryne laughed cheerfully while Kennel nodded with a serious expression. Of course for Kennel, but this might be Beryne’s first time meeting a Lamia too.

“Well then…”

Irmhild smiled and began her performance.

The simple sound of the instrument and her clear singing voice. The two immediately became captivated by the melody, listening intently. Yeah. This is going quite well.

Though we had some trouble in the Count’s territory, things seem to be progressing smoothly in the Barony.