Chapter 200

Because He’s the Strongest
After returning to the mansion, I introduced Logan and Thomas to Raul and Natalia, told them we’d be guiding the two of them to Helios Village, and also explained that we’d figured out what Guush eats.

Since Logan and Thomas are retired knights, they said they’d stay at an inn in the capital, but I pushed through by insisting that since they’re involved in the new project, they should stay at the mansion.

Even so, they absolutely refused to lodge at the mansion, so we compromised and arranged for them to stay in the knights’ quarters.

“Ah, Logan. Raul’s the strongest among the beastkin, so if you wanna spar with him, today’s your chance,” I said, and Logan’s eyes gleamed.

“That’s more than I could hope for. Please allow me the honor of facing him.”

Meyer suddenly said, “I’ll call Captain Kyle,” and ran off.
… Maybe I shouldn’t have opened my mouth.

At the Knights Order’s training grounds, a crowd had gathered.
Some were in casual clothes, so even those off-duty must have come to watch.

“What’s going on, Meyer?” I asked, glancing at the off-duty knights.

“You’ll see,” he replied coolly.

… Could it be that Logan is actually strong?

Logan wore a chest guard, but no arm or leg armor.
And instead of wooden swords, it looked like they’d be using real blades in a mock battle.

After bowing to each other, the match began.
Neither moved right away, watching carefully for the other’s opening—until Raul suddenly lunged in. Logan deflected it with ease.

The clash of blades was quick and sharp.
A stir ran through the crowd as they realized Logan could keep up with Raul’s speed.

I couldn’t even follow their sword movements with my eyes.
Most knights are blown away instantly against Raul, after all.

From there, neither gave an inch, the ring echoing with the crash of colliding steel.

If this dragged into endurance, Raul would surely win. He can fight at horse-speed, after all. But then Logan suddenly slipped behind Raul to land a strike—only for Raul to block and send him flying instead.

A healing mage rushed over to Logan.
He was definitely strong… but Raul really is something else.

Fortunately, Logan hadn’t broken any bones. After receiving healing treatment, he was soon walking again, and he and Raul shook hands warmly while exchanging words.
That was quite the sight to witness.

The next day, we rode toward Helios Village.

I asked Logan if his body was alright, and he said he’d bathed twice yesterday and once this morning in the dormitory’s hot spring. His bruises were gone and he felt no fatigue at all. Looks like he’d become a hot spring convert already.

Still, he muttered to Meyer and the others that it was too much luxury. “If only we’d had this back in our day…”

Thomas was also glad he’d volunteered. On top of the baths, the head chef had hurriedly made sweet rolls for them when he heard they were coming.

We left the capital early, so we arrived at Helios Village before sunset.
We decided to rest that day and hold discussions the following morning.

I was guided to a room on the third floor of the assembly hall. Inside were a bed, table, and two chairs. Each time I came, the interior seemed more furnished. I wondered if they weren’t stretching themselves too thin. I’d ask Saphid about it tomorrow.

The next day, we had breakfast with Logan and Thomas on the first floor of the assembly hall, then went outside with Saphid leading the way.

“Have all the villagers’ homes been completed?” I asked.

“Yes, they’re finished. No one lives in the assembly hall now,” Saphid answered.

“In the room I borrowed, there was a bed and table—did you put those there for me? You’re not straining yourselves to furnish it, are you?”

“We bought the mattresses, but the bed frames, table, and chairs were all made by us. They’re simple and I apologize. Thanks to the troll subjugation reward, we had plenty left over after preparing for winter.”

“That’s perfectly fine. Furniture is expensive, so I was just worried you might’ve diverted winter funds. Keep prioritizing the villagers, alright?”

“Thank you.”

While talking with Saphid, we reached the site with the huts and warehouse. He opened the warehouse door.

“Here we’ve stored Guush hides and fur. On the right are the stripped hides, in the center the softened fur, and on the left the unprocessed ones.”

“I’ll buy all the fur. As for the hides, I’ll purchase only what you don’t use yourselves.”
“Do you mean we can use the hides ourselves?”

“Of course. Make shoes, coats, gloves… whatever you need. If you can’t make them, I’ll buy them off you.”

“Thank you. Then we’ll use the hides ourselves.”

What do you think about this chapter?