Chapter 188: A sudden surprise

A patrol squad of eleven soldiers marched past in tight formation, their synchronized steps steady and disciplined as they slowly moved out of sight.

Lydia stared, stunned for a long moment, secretly shaken. So many elite armored soldiers like the ones before... The baron actually commands this many? They’re no weaker than the elite troops of great nobles. I’ll have to be careful... If I ever get on his bad side, I’m finished.

Elite forces under nobles were usually domineering and ruthless, never sparing a glance for commoners like them.

"You’ll stay at the winery for now. Once new houses are built in the territory, you’ll be given priority."

Phield never hesitated to reward skilled individuals.

"Thank you, my lord." Lydia nodded obediently.

"Oh, right. Since you can treat injuries, I’ll assign you a room on the first floor of the winery as a clinic. As for consultation fees, we’ll set them together."

"Um... a clinic? Not a church?" Lydia looked confused.

In this era, churches also served as hospitals—that was part of why the Church held such deep influence.

"Nightfall Domain doesn’t follow the Holy Light, so there’s no church here. Once we have a Divine Chosen aligned with the Holy Light, I’ll consider it seriously."

Lydia nodded in agreement.

After handling the remaining trivial matters, Phield stretched and let out a long breath as the sky darkened. "I’m exhausted. Time to head back to Starnight Castle and sleep."

"Mm." Ashina nodded repeatedly. Her crimson eyes suddenly narrowed, and she gave a sly, mischievous smile. "My lord, I’ll head back to the castle first. I’ve got a surprise for you—just act like you normally do."

"Now that, I’m looking forward to."

Phield rode his warhorse at a leisurely pace toward Starnight Castle, giving her time to prepare.

—

Inside Starnight Castle, Ashina changed into a more revealing maid outfit. Her toned abdomen and slender waist were boldly displayed. With a wicked grin, she slipped into Phield’s room, mischief gleaming in her eyes.

"Heh heh heh... There’s no way he’ll guess I’m hiding under his bed. Once he falls asleep, I’ll launch a night raid!"

With a nimble roll, Ashina slipped beneath the bed.

Before she could fully revel in her plan, stealthy footsteps echoed from the hallway.

"Damn it, Phield comes back and doesn’t even come play with me first. He needs to be taught a lesson."

Charlotte cracked the door open, peeked inside, then quietly entered.

Walking to the desk, she thought for a moment before stuffing the novel on the table into her collar. "You’re not allowed to read this. Confiscated."

Listening to the footsteps, Ashina recognized Charlotte by scent and shook her head in irritation. That traitor... stealing from the lord? I’m definitely reporting this.

Charlotte wasn’t done yet—she wandered around the room restlessly.

"Heh heh heh... Maybe I should hide and ambush Phield too." She suddenly slapped her forehead, struck by inspiration.

"Pfft—" Ashina almost lost it, silently praying. Please don’t hide under the bed.

She usually maintained a cool, aloof persona—if she were seen like this, it would be social death.

But Charlotte decisively dropped to the floor and crawled forward like storming a bunker, slipping under the bed.

"Whoa!"

She nearly screamed upon seeing a patch of pale white—then froze when she realized it was the usually composed Miss Ashina.

"I’m catching a mouse," Ashina said in a firm, unquestionable tone. "Possibly a magical one."

"Ah?"

Even Charlotte wasn’t that dumb. She returned an awkward look. "I’m... mopping the floor."

Silence followed. Neither could find anything to say.

"Maybe... we should just leave?"

Before either could move, the window was suddenly pushed open. Rosalia climbed in, hands and feet working together.

"I’m back! Did anyone prepare tea for me?" Fresh from hunting—having slaughtered a batch of undead—Rosalia had reverted from her loli energy-saving state back to her normal form. "Huh? No one’s here? Did he go off with that naughty little dog Ashina again? Hmph. Well, it is spring. The next three seasons will be my time to shine."

Ashina’s face darkened, clearly annoyed, while Charlotte struggled to suppress her laughter.

Rosalia was about to sit down when her eyes caught sight of something under the bed—a snow-white wolf tail sticking out.

"Heh heh heh... Leaving me out of something this fun? That’s like a ball without music—completely dull."

Her eyes narrowed as she smiled strangely. With an elegant motion, she lay down and rolled under the bed.

"Damn it!" Ashina jumped in shock. "What are you doing here?!"

"Obviously gathering for a body—mmph!"

Rosalia tried to say something inappropriate, only to have her mouth quickly covered by Ashina.

"You two, get out. I’ve got serious business to handle."

Ashina lightly pressed her pale toes against them, trying to push them out.

"No way! You’re too greedy, demi-human. Humans aren’t so easy to bully."

Charlotte clung tightly to Ashina’s long legs.

Rosalia put on a delicate act. "Don’t kick my stomach. If my vitality is damaged, I won’t be able to bear Phield’s child in the future. He’ll go crazy."

"Oh, shut the hell up. Your stomach is for food, not babies." Ashina was overwhelmed with things to complain about. "And you’re the biggest tank here—what are you afraid of? You can take two stabs and be fine."

"You get out."

"Don’t use divine power, hey!"

"That’s because you’re only first-tier, dog-head. Weakness is a sin."

"It’s a wolf! Once I evolve, I’ll beat you back into infancy—no, into liquid."

"Can someone give humans a little respect? Stop squeezing me!"

"Argue all you want, why are you pulling my clothes?!"

The quarrel escalated rapidly until it turned into a full-on fight.

—

Phield pushed open the door and froze, staring in shock at the bed that looked like it was about to flip over. Clothes, skirts, and stockings kept flying out from underneath, while the three of them shouted insults at each other’s entire family lines.

"...Damn. That’s one hell of a surprise. At least come out and fight—I could’ve enjoyed the defeat animations."

He covered his face, unable to watch. Three idiots are already this chaotic... If more lively ones show up in the future, how am I supposed to survive?

Closing the door, Phield sat at his desk and calmly began drafting the Phase Three Development Plan for Nightfall Domain.