Ghislain let out a small laugh as he looked down at Lowell.
He wasn't sure if the man was bold or just lacking in sense, but his curiosity was certainly piqued.
Unlike the usual idiots who whined for pity or clung to tradition, this one focused on proving his usefulness.
That alone set him apart from the others.
Moreover, he seemed fairly confident in his own abilities.
With a chuckle, Ghislain nodded toward Gillian.
"Let's keep him for now. Lock him up."
Not only had he handled administrative duties, but he'd also managed troop organization and strategy; he would likely know a lot about the war preparations and its course. Ghislain planned to interrogate him later to see if he'd really be of any use.
"Th-thank you!"
Feeling as if he'd been dragged out of hell, Lowell burst into tears of relief as he bowed his head.
It might only be temporary, but at least he'd saved his life for now.
As he was led away, Gordon, who was escorting him, whispered in admiration.
"I've never met anyone who calculates as fast as you. Being a little off is no problem if you're that quick! Teach me your trick sometime."
"…"
Gordon seemed genuinely impressed, but Lowell kept his mouth shut, saying nothing.
If he tried to play along, he might actually end up on the same level as this guy.
The sorting of personnel continued for some time after Lowell was taken away.
Many were executed, and even those who survived were visibly terrified.
Skovan couldn't bring himself to stop Ghislain. All he could do was fidget and mutter, "This isn't right… this isn't right."
"The forest guards will stay here and maintain order. My father will send reinforcements soon. For now, lock up the remaining Digald soldiers and keep a close watch on them."
"Y-yes, sir!"
With the soldiers' numbers diminished, this wouldn't be a problem.
Skovan, nervously answering, glanced at Ghislain. It seemed he'd brought them here with this in mind all along.
Once the sorting was finished, Ghislain assessed the remaining wealth and supplies in Digald Castle and took a day's rest.
The mercenaries were exhausted, and even he needed minimal rest to recover.
The journey back to Perdium Castle was slower than the chase after Tamos had been.
By the time they arrived two days later, the atmosphere in the Perdium estate was utterly transformed from when they had left.
"Woohoo!"
As Ghislain and the mercenaries appeared, the townspeople poured out to cheer them on.
They still looked ragged and worn, but their faces were filled with radiant smiles.
"The young lord has returned!"
"Long live Perdium! Long live the young lord!"
"Young Lord! Look this way!"
"The mercenaries look so cool!"
"The young lord and the mercenaries protected us!"
The mercenaries were taken aback by the unexpected response.
During their stay in Perdium, the townspeople had either ignored them or whispered behind their backs.
The mercenaries were used to such reactions; rough mercenaries were never warmly welcomed.
But seeing the genuine joy and cheers of the townspeople made them stand up straighter, pride blooming on their faces.
"Uh, well… this isn't bad."
"We were just doing as we were told."
"Didn't even know what was happening, just fought and ran around like mad. Haha."
Unlike the bewildered mercenaries, Ghislain waved casually, even smiling at the crowd, as if he was used to it.
In his past life, he had received cheers like this countless times, so there was no reason to feel flustered.
It had only been three days since the war ended, yet word of the victory, thanks to the young lord, had spread throughout the estate.
The surviving soldiers had spread the news.
At first, the townspeople hadn't believed it, but hearing similar accounts from different sources eventually convinced them.
Since they couldn't publicly share the details, the rumors grew and took on lives of their own.
— "Did you hear? The young lord was learning magic all this time! They say he's a 100th-circle mage! 100th circle!"
— "You idiot! There's no such thing as the 100th circle! No, he sold his soul to a demon. That's why he used to act crazy. People say he's like a devilish troublemaker!"
Though the rumors were absurd, people didn't care and were eager to praise Ghislain.
After all, the young lord had won the war, and thanks to him, their loved ones had come home alive.
"Young Lord, how does it feel?" Gillian asked with a grin, and Ghislain nodded playfully.
"Not bad. They can praise me a little more."
"Haha, looks like you're back to your old self now that the war's over."
It felt good.
A strange sense of elation filled him. This welcome felt different from the celebrations he'd experienced in his past life.
'Perhaps it's because it's been a while since my last welcome. It's nothing special, but I feel oddly good.'
Ghislain wondered what was different, shrugged, and waved to the people.
Gillian watched him with newfound admiration.
'It really happened, just as he said.'
When they first arrived in the estate, there hadn't been even a sliver of hope.
It was in such a poor state that he hadn't known where to begin to improve it.
— "I'll break the cycle of poverty in this estate. Not with a trickle, but with a downpour."
When Ghislain had first said that, Gillian had dismissed it as youthful arrogance.
But the young lord's bold promises were turning into reality.
He had anticipated the war and achieved a miraculous victory. With the Rune Stone still in their possession, rapid development of the estate was within reach.
He was curious to see how far this young master could go.
'It's been a long time since I felt this excitement.'
At first, he'd sworn loyalty to repay his debt.
But now, it was beyond that—he wanted to see the future Ghislain envisioned.
***
After passing through the cheering crowd, they reached the front of the castle, where an even more surprising sight awaited them.
"The young lord has returned!"
A knight shouted in a booming voice.
Lined up on both sides of the path were all the estate's soldiers.
Ghislain hadn't anticipated this either, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Raise your weapons!"
A knight, fully armored, drew his sword and shouted, and the soldiers raised their spears forward in a show of honor.
Over a thousand soldiers formed a line, creating a breathtaking sight.
Though the soldiers were still grimy from the war, their spirit was impressive.
"Waahhh!"
The townspeople, who had followed Ghislain's group, cheered once more.
Ghislain moved forward slowly.
Behind the lined soldiers were the knights of Perdium.
Though not many in number, these were the estate's core forces and most proud class.
Those who had once ignored and dismissed Ghislain had all come out, none missing.
"Glory to the heir of Perdium!"
The lead knight raised his sword to his chest and shouted.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The other knights followed suit, repeating the motion and the words.
"Glory to the heir of Perdium!"
It was the highest honor a knight could bestow upon a respected leader.
Upon hearing of the young lord's return, everyone had gathered voluntarily to show their respect.
A moment of silence fell, then a tremendous cheer erupted from the soldiers.
"Waahh!"
"Glory to Ghislain Perdium!"
The Battle of Perdium was a historic achievement.
Defeating an overwhelmingly superior force and winning a seemingly impossible war was an undeniable feat.
The only thing left was to celebrate this exhilarating victory and honor its hero.
The young lord was no longer the estate's troublemaker or black sheep.
The negative rumors of the past faded away, losing all meaning, as everyone joined in giving their heartfelt respect.
The calls that began with the knights and soldiers spread to the townspeople once again.
"Yeahhh! He's the best!"
"Long live Ghislain Perdium!"
"Goddess, bless the young lord!"
"The sword that protects Perdium!"
"The true Wolf of the North!"
The mercenaries, already thrilled at the initial welcome, now looked even more flushed.
To be honored alongside knights! Though the knights' salute was meant for Ghislain, the mercenaries felt they shared in his praise.
"Ahh, good to be alive."
"Such a warm welcome."
"Feels amazing, doesn't it?"
As Ghislain looked at the excited and joyful faces around him, he closed his eyes.
'This really is different.'
He'd received countless cheers and praise in his previous life, experiencing even grander victory parades.
As the Mercenary King, he was treated like royalty wherever he went, with anyone he met.
But in the end, it had always left him with bitter loneliness and emptiness.
He'd saved, protected, and fought for others…
But nothing in that life had been truly his own.
He'd already lost his beloved family, friends, and townspeople.
Nothing could fill that void.
But now, things are different.
These people, with their worn faces, smiling brightly and waving.
This wasn't the grand and glamorous celebration of his past, nor was it filled with as many people or refined appearances.
"…"
Compared to the grand praise of his previous life, this modest gratitude touched him much more deeply.
"Oppa!"
"Young Lord!"
Elena and Rachel came running, waving their hands with smiles.
The servants following them waved and greeted him warmly as well.
Their faces held no fear as they looked at Ghislain. They knew the young lord had changed.
"Oh, young lord! You've finally returned!" Homerne approached, wiping sweat from his forehead.
The man who had always nagged and scolded Ghislain was now smiling warmly.
"It certainly wasn't just luck that you found the Rune Stone. I've heard the rumors to exhaustion."
"You're like a beast on the battlefield. I thought you only knew how to fool around, but perhaps you've been training?"
Albert, usually so cold, was smiling as well, and Randolph couldn't hide his look of pride.
Then, from inside the castle, the person Ghislain missed and felt the most sorry toward slowly walked out.
"Welcome back. You've returned safely."
Zwalter, more joyful than anyone, welcomed his son with a smile.
Ghislain suddenly felt a lump in his throat, drawing in a deep breath. He couldn't think of anything to say.
At this moment, he felt a satisfaction he'd never experienced in his previous life.
Because now, the wish he'd longed for and dreamed of all his life had finally come true.
'The reason I returned.'
The people he loved were welcoming him. It was a sight he had only ever dreamed of.
He had returned to protect them.
Now and forever, for all of them.
Now he could say what he'd wanted to say all along but had never had anyone to say it to.
Ghislain, wearing the brightest smile he had never shown in his previous life, spoke.
"I'm home, Father."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]