## Chapter 922 – Otherworld Dungeon

After that, I began preparations to return.

I made a deal to receive support from the merchants’ wagons, under the condition that I would sell some of the Monster King’s skeleton first. I loaded everything up and finished preparing to depart. As expected, things progressed incredibly quickly when money was involved.

Riz-noona took charge of calculating the compensation and negotiating the contract, and as expected of a woman with a lot of money, she handled it well on her own.

I didn’t go back into the palace.

I was going to help out a couple more times, but the firepower of the Allied Assault Team was so outstanding that they were able to wipe out almost all of the remaining monsters in just three days. Besides, my wives and I had already killed a lot of them.

The number of monsters noticeably decreased, and the kingdom knights, with some leeway, even managed to capture a few ordinary monsters and brain monsters alive for analysis and research purposes.

Naturally, the paladins were furious, and an incident occurred as a result, but in the end, they seemed to have been forced to accept it, given that the kingdom knights had helped with the subjugation and that knowing the enemy’s identity would allow for a more complete response.

I, of course, warned them about the dangers of the monsters.

I warned them that if these bastards were to be released by mistake and attack the ordinary farmers living throughout the kingdom, a disaster might occur.

I’m sure they’ll listen well enough.

It’s a chaotic world.

Not only are evil demons and violent, antisocial spirits eyeing this land, but also liches and necromancers of unknown origin, as well as heretics trying to bring down evil gods all over the world… And beyond that, beings from unknown otherworlds seem to be invading.

“It’s a frightening world.”

Nevertheless, my coffers were full.

From this incident, I acquired the Monster King’s crown and skeleton, as well as decorations made of the Rainbow Orb and various rare metals. If I keep making money at this rate, I might even be able to buy a territory.

Thus, in this world of war, only those with power can secure their share.

When the situation was reasonably settled, I said goodbye to the people I was indebted to this time and returned home.

* * *

“You took a long time.”

The Saintess, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, had become an even bigger chain smoker than before. Did I make her wait too long? The ashtray was already piled high with cigarette butts.

“Yes.”
“It took a very long time.”
“But it didn’t take a month, did it?”
“It’s long.”
“Hehe, what can I do? Still, it’s good to see your face after a long time.”
“…”

I immediately went and sat next to the Saintess.

“Seeing this pretty face makes me feel so much better. Golden hair and skin as white as jade. How can you be so beautiful? Please explain.”
“…Hmph.”

I could see the corners of her lips slowly rising as I gave her such obvious compliments. She really likes it when I say things so directly.

“Is there really a need to explain? It’s only natural that this Saintess is beautiful.”
“The elves of the Elven Forest don’t even compare.”
“Speaking of which, you must have seen the elves.”
“Yes.”

I took out the report I had brought with me while talking to the Saintess, who seemed to be in a much better mood.

After returning, I unloaded the Monster King’s skeleton in the yard and began writing the report.

Of course, I only wrote the facts in the report.

What we discovered and did, from the conflict with the elves to the ending where we met the Guardian Warrior and received a reward. I wrote everything down, except for the parts about Hilde, Ari, and Vygale.

“…A lot has happened, as long as you were gone.”

The Saintess, who had been reading it, finally stopped smoking.

“More than that, assaulting an elf? It’s fortunate that it was resolved well, but this could have turned into a diplomatic issue.”
“If you think about it, they started it first, so wouldn’t we have the justification?”
“I can’t argue with that. Well, if it worked out, it doesn’t matter. The paladin is a capable man.”

The Saintess nodded and continued.

“Anyway, the Lord of Anotherworld, huh…”
“I just called him the Monster King, but the elves used that term.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be wrong.”

The meaning is similar, so it doesn’t matter.

“You made this Saintess wait, but you really worked hard. You suffered a lot. The paladin, as well as your other wives, all did their best. The final conclusion will be made when the paladin order returns, but with this, we can say that we have resolved a major threat looming over the kingdom.”
“I’m not lying when I say that if it weren’t for me and my wives, things would have been really bad.”

If we hadn’t gone and that Monster King had come out?

First of all, the knights and everything else would have been annihilated.

This is something that only the strong can catch. If the monsters advance through the collapsed army, it’s obvious what will happen.

“Yes… that’s right.”

The Saintess nodded.

“It was a very serious matter. As soon as otherworld structures are observed in the future, I will have to discuss with the royal family to organize subjugation forces in cooperation with the kingdom knight master knights and the magic tower.”
“You really have to do that. Those bastards don’t care about people or elves, and they turn them into their own kind. I witnessed it myself.”
“It’s a very terrible thing…”

She shook her head as if she was tired of hearing the story.

“By the way, hasn’t the palace disappeared yet?”
“Yes. It didn’t seem to have disappeared when I left. Of course, all exploration was stopped by the time I left, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Hmm… is that so.”

It hasn’t disappeared yet.
As expected, there are no rules, and it seems to be random.

That is the otherworld.

“Anyway, the blessing you gave me before I left was very helpful. Thank you.”
“Hmph, that thing?”

The Saintess smiled faintly as I made a subtle sexual joke.

“If you want, I will give you blessings whenever this Saintess has time. I am very pleased that it was helpful.”
“Ah, I already have an erection.”
“It’s troublesome here, so please bear with it.”
“Ah, but Saintess. The elves said that the World Tree is the root of this world.”
“What?”

When I briefly told her the story I had heard from the Guardian Warrior, the Saintess frowned and replied.

“That’s nonsense. Do you think this world is so easy that it was made from a single tree?”
“That’s what I thought, right?”
“That’s the problem with elves. The entire race believes in such absurd stories. Of course, there are no humans who believe in it, so there is no major conflict, but…”

As expected, it’s a nonsensical story.

“It would be a big problem if humans believed it.”
“Fortunately, no human groups that believe in the World Tree faith have been found yet. However, if such a faith spreads to humans, we will have to take action. But, you received a World Tree sightseeing ticket?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… keep it for now. You might use it someday.”

I don’t really expect it.

“Then, since I’ve heard the report roughly, let’s move on to another story. The Order’s Holy Relic Exploration Team sent a report.”
“What is that?”
“It’s an exploration group directly under the Great Temple. It’s a group made up of paladins and theologians. Rest for a while since you’ve been through a lot. I’ll explain this matter next time.”
“Yes.”

The work never ends.

“More than that… you said you acquired an otherworld artifact.”
“I’m keeping it for now.”
“I want to see that next time too.”
“I’ll bring it and show it to you.”

I have to show you this too.

“Well, then… Paladin. I’ll call you next time, so go back and replenish your strength. This is an order.”
“I understand.”
“And…”

The Saintess hesitated a little, but told me to rest well until she called me next time.

“Yes. Call me on my day off.”
“…I’m a little ashamed that this Saintess is a lewd woman.”
“Hehehe, what’s the point now?”

I stroked her head once and returned home.

Let’s get some rest.

* * *

After returning home and resting, I concentrated on training while watching Risha’s research. My body became stronger with the manifestation of Sword Flame and Heavenly Demon Tap Dance, but I decided to test the details with Karin later.

I also met with wizards and merchants who coveted the Monster King’s skeleton, and I entrusted this matter to Winia and Riz-noona.

Riz-noona had excellent abilities in economic matters, so she negotiated and bargained very skillfully while dealing with the merchants, and spent time raising the prices of the spoils in that way.

If things go well, we can sell everything for a huge price, leaving only a portion to donate to the Order.

“Risha. Have you found out anything about the orb?”
“Hehehe, of course.”
“Oh!”

After coming home and experimenting with appropriate equipment and tools, I was able to achieve results quickly.

“I haven’t found out the details, but I was able to find out about its characteristics.”
“What is it?”
“Look.”

Risha put the orb down and brought her fingertip to its surface.

ㅡChiiiiik!
ㅡJiiiiiing!!

And in an instant, a black flash occurred, similar to welding. I thought it was going to split it, but there was no damage at all.

“It’s not damaged? In my opinion, a transparent force field was created. It can be said to be the same as the shield used by the Monster King.”
“No way!!”

ㅡSeureung!

I immediately drew Vygale!

“If I feed this to Vygale, will it gain that ability!!”
“Hmm… I don’t know about such interactions yet, but if that guy reacts, there will definitely be something. There’s no harm in trying, is there?”

Good!

“To find out something like this…! As expected of Risha!!”
“Hehehe! It’s natural for me!”

I immediately went up to the first floor and called all the women in the house, and after they all gathered, I put the orb on the table and brought Vygale, which was vibrating like crazy, to it.

ㅡSararararak!
ㅡChwarararak!!

Then, like an evil octopus.

The dark energy from Vygale’s blade stretched out like tentacles and wrapped around the orb.

“This bastard!!!”

I’ve never seen anything like this before!!!