Evading the Hero’s Party with Full Effort

Chapter 104

Ch.104 Equality Won’t Kill If You Shoot Gently!

Pisa’s manor.

Smaller than my previous estate in the capital—though ‘small’ only by noble standards.

With dozens of rooms, it was hardly modest.

“The holy water, relics, and scrolls are sufficient.”

Giovanni’s paperwork looked good—except for one issue.

“What about mercenaries…? Can’t we hire any?”

“It’s tough. Ever since the Demon King died, most mercenaries retired.”

I clicked my tongue at Giovanni’s reply.

“That’s unfortunate.”

Reports confirmed mercenary numbers had plummeted.

Consequently, hiring costs had skyrocketed.

With Pisa Trading House’s funds depleted, I couldn’t spend lavishly like before.

“Well, can’t be helped. By the way… when’s the wedding?”

“Ah? I’m discussing it with Ellis, but her father-in-law-to-be isn’t thrilled.”

Ellis’s prospective father-in-law was the former Baron Pisa—the previous lord of Pisa before I bought the domain.

“Hmm… Is he unhappy about your status?”

Giovanni scratched his neck, giving an awkward smile.

“Heh… can’t be helped.”

“He’s not even a noble anymore—just a commoner. Why act like this?”

“Probably…”

Giovanni’s bitter smile faltered.

“Since I’m from a local commoner family, he thinks we’re mismatched.”

Ah. The former lord, who once ruled Pisa, likely struggled to accept Giovanni—a man whose family had served his lineage for generations—as a son-in-law, even in his fallen state.

Given his strong pride, that made sense.

But dismissing Giovanni was an insult to me as his lord.

I had to intervene.

“I’ll handle this myself.”

“No. I should earn his approval myself. If I force the marriage through your—no, ‘brother’s’—influence, he’ll resent me forever.”

Watching Giovanni’s sheepish smile, I fell silent.

If I stepped in, the ex-baron would have no choice but to surrender.

But if the engagement was coerced, would a forced marriage truly change anything?

Perhaps I should act quietly…

Just then—

Knock knock.

No one was expected—so I called out:

“Who is it?”

“M-my lord… a noblewoman wishes to see you.”

Giovanni and I exchanged glances at the unexpected reply.

“A noblewoman?”

“Yes. I’ve seated her in the reception room, but she didn’t give her family name.”

Who could it be?

I knew a few noblewomen from business, but those were strictly professional ties—no one would visit unannounced.

“Did you cause trouble again?”

Giovanni eyed me suspiciously.

I rubbed my temples.

“Trouble? Stop talking nonsense!”

Giovanni shrugged.

I glared at him, then racked my brain—but no names came to mind.

‘Who’d visit a bachelor noblewoman during such chaotic times?’

And ‘noblewoman’ usually meant a married noble—why would one seek out an unmarried man like me?

“So this time it’s a married woman?” I snapped at Giovanni, who was lazily opening his eyes.

“Why accuse an unmarried man? Forget it.”

I headed for the door.

“Come with me.”

We entered the reception room—and three elves stared at me with utter disgust, as if I were street trash.

A golden-haired elf and two Sand Elves.

‘What… what’s wrong with them?’

Their murderous glares made my shoulders tense—until a familiar white-haired girl dashed over and clung to my pants.

“Brotherrrr!”

“A… Aria?”

I was stunned.

“You’ve been well?”

Aria and Lady Icira Frosthold—unexpected guests.

But… why were they here?

Dragons like Aria were supposed to vanish from the game after the peaceful conclusion of the ‘Dragon War’ DLC.

Unless they’d died in battle and resurrected as undead dragons—but that wasn’t the case.

“Glad to see you again, you pervert…”

“Nah… I trust my brother.”

Nephert and Nekhuf whispered—but I heard them.

“I heard everything, you brats.”

Aria rubbed her cheek against my leg.

“Hehe! I missed you!”

I hadn’t missed her, but seeing her after so long was nice.

“You’ve been well?”

She nodded vigorously.

“Yeah! How about you?”

“I’m good too.”

As I ruffled Aria’s adorable hair—

“How dare you corrupt such a young Hatchling? To make improper promises to an innocent child… you’re utterly shameless!”

‘What? What promises? Shameless about what?!’

Before I could react—

Slam!

Mia slammed the reception table and stood up.

Thud. Thud.

She stormed over, eyes blazing, and grabbed my collar.

“Is it true?! Did you trick an innocent Hatchling into some twisted promise?!”

“What?! What are you talking about?!”

I was baffled by her absurd accusation.

“What?! Hans, is this true?!”

Lady Icira’s furious gaze pinned me.

“What promise did you make to Aria?!”

“I don’t know! I genuinely have no idea!”

I protested in confusion—while Aria innocently sucked her finger, watching us.

“But what promise?!”

“Explain why these dragons are here if you didn’t make such a promise!”

“How should I know?!”

Mia and I turned to Icira.

“I came because you promised to reunite with Aria.”

“Oh…”

“Oh…”

Now I recalled… we had made that promise when parting.

But—

“What does that have to do with making ‘improper promises’ to Aria?!”

The three elves subtly turned their heads away.

***

“Sage, forgive us!”

“Brother, sorry for the misunderstanding!”

Mia and Nekhuf knelt so deeply their bodies nearly flattened against the floor.

I glared at Nephert, who was casually eating an apple nearby.

“You thought I was a criminal too? Why aren’t you kneeling?”

Crunch…

“That’s the reputation you’ve earned yourself.”

She wore a shameless ‘not my fault’ expression.

I jerked my chin toward Nephert.

“You too—kneel.”

“What?!”

Mia’s icy glare silenced her protest.

“If I say kneel… you kneel.”

Perhaps it was Mia’s High Elf authority—

Nephert reluctantly knelt beside her.

“Sage, we were wrong. Please… forgive us.”

Mia and Nekhuf bowed their heads.

“Hmph!”

Nephert knelt but turned her face away.

“Mommy, why are they kneeling? What did they do wrong?”

“That’s right, Aria. Don’t you ever do that.”

“Huh? Did they wrong Brother?”

Aria tilted her head, pure curiosity in her eyes.

To avoid explaining, I handed her a snack from the reception table.

“Aria, want to try this?”

“What is it?”

A glass jar filled with chocolate candies.

I carefully placed one in her palm.

“It’s chocolate candy. Try it—it’s very sweet.”

She popped the black candy into her mouth—

“Mmm! Sweet!”

Her eyes sparkled like gems.

“Go ahead and eat as much as you like. Oh—want a tour of Brother’s house?”

“Yes! Yay!”

As I patted the beaming girl’s head, I called to Giovanni in the corner.

“Giovanni, show Aria around the manor.”

I smiled, passing Aria to him—better to avoid her witnessing any anger.

“Ah? Understood. Miss Aria, I’ll give you a tour. Lady Icira, shall I escort you as well?”

Icira waved a hand.

“No. I have matters to discuss with Hans. We’ll meet later.”

“But Mommy, come too!”

Uncomfortable being left alone, Aria pleaded with shining eyes—until Icira’s reptilian eyes gleamed.

Aria shrank back.

“Hiiing… You hate only me.”

Her face crumpled into a pout.

I handed Giovanni the candy jar and whispered:

“Use this to cheer her up.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible.”

Giovanni shot me an exhausted look.

“Hey! You only call me ‘lord’ when it suits you! Come, Miss Aria. Look—more chocolate!”

Giovanni lured Aria out with candy.

The moment the door closed, I glared at the elves.

“What on earth were you thinking about me?!”

They avoided my eyes—except Nephert.

Icira stood and fixed them with a cold stare.

“I’m curious too—what vile fantasies did you concoct about my daughter?”

Mia and Nekhuf squirmed—

“We’re the wronged ones! Given his usual conduct, our suspicion was natural!”

“My usual conduct? What about it?”

“You’re dating the entire Hero Party! And Selena too! Of course we’d suspect something!”

Nephert’s outrageous claim left me speechless.

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Suddenly, scorching heat flooded the reception room.

“Elf. I won’t ask twice. What depraved thoughts did you entertain about my daughter?”

“We assumed… he made improper marriage vows to the Hatchling!”

‘What kind of monster do they think I am?’

“Hey! You insane pervert elves!”

Aria was cute, yes—but I’d never seen her as a woman!

And with dangerous women already chasing me, why drag a dragon into this?!

“How dare you imagine such filth about my daughter?!”

Crash!

Icira’s shout shattered every window—

Boom…

The ground trembled as if in an earthquake. I rushed to calm her.

“C-calm down, Icira!”

“But, Dragon Lady—given his track record…”

Then Icira stared straight at me.

“Now that I think of it… didn’t you try to separate that red-haired disciple in the lair too?”

Nephert, sensing an ally, perked up.

“Yes! That was definitely Lady Leah! And he accepted Miss Mia’s Elven Vow too! He’s no ordinary lecher—that’s why we suspected him! He’s the guilty one!”

As Nephert ranted, I grabbed ‘Equality’.

“Sage! Even you wouldn’t kill over this!”

“Brother! Look at me and hold back!”

They grabbed my arms to stop me.

“I won’t let go! Equality won’t kill if you shoot gently!”

“How does that make sense?! It’s a divine weapon that grants equal death to anyone!”

“Have you ever been shot? I’m telling you—it can be gentle!”

Just then—

Icira interrupted, latching onto my words.

“Equality? Hans… do you possess Equality?”

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