After the battle, Akira gathered his loot, securing the cores of three wyverns and one elder lich. As he collected these valuable items, he had a nagging feeling that he was forgetting something important. He looked around, scanning the battlefield, and then, upon seeing the dead goblins, remembered his own goblins and the need to gather strong monster meat to feed them. He then collected all the wyvern meat he could harvest. He also collected several goblin cores to increase their numbers.
Considering the elder lich core, Akira thought about summoning an elder lich but was interrupted by Alfred. "Master, an elder lich is a high-ranking monster and would require a vast amount of mana to summon. Given your current mana pool, it's not feasible."
Akira acknowledged this fact. As night fell and people began setting up their camps, he realized he was too exhausted to make the journey home immediately. He used earth magic to construct a small dome and slept inside it, finding a modicum of peace and safety.
The next day arrived, and preparations to leave were in full swing. Lord Leonard appointed several guards and citizens to assist Lord Henry in running the town. Though the number of people was small, it would suffice for the time being. Lord Henry, already plotting, thought of using his wealth to acquire more slaves and citizens. All the monster loot scattered around was enough to cover his losses.
Akira's stomach growled, reminding him of Jarvis's delicious cooking. Deciding to sprint home despite the attention it would draw, he dashed past the soldiers and adventurers. In half an hour, he reached his home, where Jarvis greeted him.
"Master, I'll prepare a bath for you immediately, and then you can have a good meal," Jarvis said.
Akira accepted Jarvis's offer. While the warm bath was being prepared, Akira went to the Treant seedling, watered it, and infused it with mana. The seedling was growing well. Alfred commented, "At this rate, it will soon develop a face, arms, and legs, and then it will detach itself from the ground."
"That's amazing," Akira replied, pleased with the progress.
He then checked on his goblins, who were as sharp as ever on guard duty. Jarvis called out, "Master, the bath is ready."
In the kitchen, Akira placed the wyvern meat on the counter. Jarvis saw the meat and understood what Akira wanted for his meal. Akira then enjoyed the warm, invigorating bath, feeling refreshed afterward. When he went downstairs, Jarvis informed him that the meal would take a little more time.
Akira sat on the front stairs of the house, absorbing the calm and silent atmosphere. Suddenly, he heard horses approaching. Recognizing Lord Leonard's caravan, he hurried back inside to avoid being seen without his mask.
Lord Leonard, passing in front of Fate's property, looks at the strong goblins standing guard behind the gate and says to himself that he should make adventurer Fate his ally and use his talent to fullest. He further says that he would rise the ranks of nobles with the help of him.
Jarvis called out that the food was ready, and Akira ate to his heart's content. Jarvis then fed the goblins. Akira then went to the backyard to sit, starting a conversation about the battle and the revolver with alfred.
"What do you think about the battle and the revolver?" Akira asked.
Alfred replied, "The revolver is a success, but Master, you need to do more. Imagine if you had a long-range sniper rifle. You could have eliminated the lich and wyverns from a safe distance. A sniper rifle would have been more powerful, and its bullets faster. The revolver is a good weapon at medium range and against a few enemies, but against a larger number, an automatic weapon would shine more."
Akira nodded, reflecting on his narrow survival. "I survived this time because of luck and the help of other mages. If it weren't for them, I'd be dead right now. I'll be more cautious from now on."
-
Akira then thought about collecting his reward for the raid and cashing in the two wyvern cores, planning to keep the third for future use. As he decided to head to the city. He stood up and then Jarvis approached him from behind.
"Master, if you have time and don't mind, can I ask you something?" Jarvis inquired.
"Sure, no problem," Akira replied, curious about what Jarvis had on his mind because it was rare for Jarvis to ask questions to Akira.
Jarvis hesitated for a moment before asking, "What happened in the raid? How was the town? Were there any survivors?"
Akira's expression grew somber as he recounted the events of the battle. "The raid was intense. We faced a formidable lich and its army. Unfortunately, there were no survivors in the town. The lich absorbed the life force from all the people. The town itself didn't take much damage, except for a few burnt houses and broken walls."
Placing a reassuring hand on Jarvis's shoulder, Akira continued, "I'm sorry, Jarvis. It was a terrible sight."
Jarvis nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude and sorrow. "I'm glad you made it back safe, Master. I'm really grateful to you. Your goblins saved me, and you gave me a place to live."
Akira gave a small, appreciative smile. "I'm glad you're here, Jarvis. You've been a great help."
With their conversation concluded, Akira set out for the city. Meanwhile, Jarvis returned to his room, the weight of the conversation heavy on his heart.
Once inside, Jarvis closed the door and leaned against it, his emotions welling up uncontrollably. The memories of his friends and the people he had grown up with flooded his mind. He could see their faces, hear their laughter, and feel their presence as if they were still there. Tears began to stream down his face as he sobbed, the sorrow he had held back for so long finally spilling over.
For a long time, Jarvis cried. He cried for the lost lives, for the town that had been his home, and for the innocence that had been brutally taken away. Each tear carried the weight of his grief, and he let them fall freely, unburdening his soul. He cried until he had no more tears left, his body exhausted from the emotional release.
As the sobs subsided, Jarvis sat up and wiped his eyes, his face set in a determined expression. He knew he couldn't change the past, but he could shape the future. He had been given a second chance, a new home, and a purpose. With renewed resolve, Jarvis decided that he would no longer let the past hold him back. He would honor the memory of his friends and the people he had lost by focusing on the future ahead.
Jarvis stood up, feeling a sense of clarity and determination. He straightened his clothes and looked at himself in the mirror, a new sense of purpose reflected in his eyes. He would support Akira in every way possible, and together, they would build a future where such tragedies would never happen again.