Chapter 90: Tying Up Loose Ends

Morning, at the dining table within the castle.

Two girls were covering their faces, red up to their ears. Of course, they were none other than Eve and Teruria.

Eve, for one, was embarrassed for kissing Axel. Although she had simply followed Beatrix’s suggestion, actually doing it was still too much for her, it seemed.

Teruria, on the other hand, only realized too late how “aggressive” she had acted while half asleep. Such a fact made her feel embarrassed to death and unable to look Axel in the eyes.

As for Beatrix, who instigated Eve and ended up instigating Teruria too…

“I did it with good intentions, helping out my niece… I have no regrets.”

Although she pleaded as such, Axel still made her kneel beside the dining table. He did indeed get a hectic wake-up thanks to her—especially convincing Arianne that he wasn’t doing anything inappropriate to Eve or Teruria. That took quite some time and energy.

As for Navi, he drifted off to Teruria’s side after the morning mess. Although he did present Axel with a new quest:

[

Quest: Helping Out Mother-in-Law!

Requirements:

– Rebuild 3x frontline fortresses of Witcheria Dimension

– Optional 1: Make love with 10x Witches

– Optional 2: Survive

Rewards:

– New System Function: Army Deployment

– Optional 1: Contraception (Passive Skill)

– Optional 2: Recipe Upgrade Ticket (x10)

]

Of course, Axel could tell Navi was messing with him—not just from the title, but especially with the first optional requirement and reward. Although it did pique his interest, doing that not only put his life at risk, but he’d rather not be unfaithful to his two “current” wives.

At the very least, he’d want to get permission first before doing the deed.

However…

[Fuhehe, wonder how long you’ll be saying that~?]

Navi’s chuckles were ominous, making Axel wonder if there was something wrong with the people in Witcheria.

As soon as breakfast was over, Axel released Beatrix from her punishment. Then, he gathered everyone in the “throne room” and addressed each of their duties.

“First, Arianne,” he started. “You will focus on defending the walls against not just zombies, but other monsters. If push comes to shove, I permit Eve to use the holy bullets.”

Arianne nodded firmly. “I understand. Then, regarding training the knight order and welcoming refugees if they come…?”

“For training, do as you see fit, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of others’ duties,” he replied. “As for refugees… welcome them, but have the bandits keep an eye on them. Don’t trust them too easily.”

“Noted.”

After Arianne, it was Cherry’s turn.

“Your duty is to take inventory of the food in the cold storage,” he explained. “I’ll add more food later, so your task is to ensure it lasts at least a month.”

“Y-Yes, Sir Axel. I’ll make sure food is not a problem until your return!”

Those were the two primary concerns. As for the rest, Beatrix was tasked with watching over workshop production. Teruria served as the emergency contact and system user while he was away. Any issue the others couldn’t handle, she’d resolve through the system.

For Eve…

“I want you to make a draft of laws for our settlement. Can you do it?”

They had been living freely until now. Although they maintained order, if they planned to welcome more people and refugees later, laws were essential. Without them, they’d turn into a rowdy, chaotic group with too much power in hand.

“Laws…”

Eve looked puzzled but nodded quickly. “I understand, Sir Axel. I’ll start on it right away.”

After that, he chose random people from the group and assigned various tasks: a fire brigade, someone to check the waterways, someone to try farming in a small area, and several more.

It took roughly ninety minutes before he finished giving out commands.

Once that was over, he began doing what he promised.

First, adding food to the cold storage.

To start, he placed the entire cold storage into his inventory and took it out immediately. Doing that made all the pooled “dirt” and “wastewater” vanish in a flash.

After that, he replaced the block of ice at the far end with a small pedestal holding a blue crystal ball. This was a cryogenic crystal, a naturally occurring mineral that released cold as long as its mana remained.

Of course, Axel loaded it with as much mana as it could hold. It should last them a year, not to mention just one month.

With the risk of flooding gone, he could add even more food. Meat, vegetables, and fruits filled the shelves. The sacks of grain stayed outside the cold compartment as usual, but their quantity increased tenfold, piled up to the ceiling.

“…Looks like I overdid it,” Axel hummed.

Judging by the quantity, the food he left should last half a year with their current numbers.

Of course, that would be cut down if they welcomed refugees, but nothing to fret about.

Rather, the problem was the Pouncer if the camp’s population went past fifty. Although Axel was sure the walls were tall enough to block the zombies, the Pouncers were powerful.

He made sure to let Arianne take note of it.

After that, he went around creating a small walled area just outside the northern wall. The experimental farm was set there.

Doing this and that, going here and there, time quickly slipped by.

Soon, it was noon.

And finally, it was time for Axel to leave.

“Husband… be careful.”

Teruria, who had to stay behind, could only pray for his safety.

“Sir Axel. I’m sure you’ll return safely. When that happens… I…”

Eve, on the other hand, seemed to be planting a flag—a death flag. Axel reacted quickly, blocking her lips with a finger. Although he didn’t believe such things could determine his fate, it wasn’t wrong to be cautious.

Then, he leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

The next moment, the little girl blushed madly before turning around and running away without saying anything.

“Hehehe… too innocent,” Axel chuckled.

“Sir Hexel, son. Are you ready to depart?”

Queen Wisteria stepped forward to confirm. Axel nodded firmly.

“Yes, Queen Mother. I’ve already done what I needed to do. We can leave anytime.”

Wisteria smiled and extended a hand, passing a small trinket to him. “Then here, use this. This is a return scroll, and it is set to the coordinate of Witcheria.”

“So this is…”

The scroll looked no different from a roll of yellowish parchment. Even the ribbon tying it was nothing special.

After hearing how to use it, Axel turned to the girls—all looking uneasy—and smiled.

“Then, I’ll get going.”

Without waiting for their replies, he unrolled the scroll, activating it instantly.

A bright flash of light covered his entire body.

And then… he disappeared.

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