Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 110

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“It must pain you to have suffered such misfortune.”
“W-wait, you can understand Rael’s feelings?”
My father suddenly looked ready to weep, marveling that his daughter had become someone capable of understanding others’ hearts, so I promptly decided to send this man home.
When I told Thomas and his crew that they only needed to escort Evan to the Adventurer’s Guild and she would arrange her own protection to return home, Thomas protested vehemently that he absolutely refused to spend any more time with that talkative fellow.
“But Thomas, there’s one thing I wanted to ask.”
“What? You’re still not going to see off that Duke?”
“What’s with that getup?”
“Listen up, everyone! Just to the Adventurer’s Guild! Let’s do our best!”
I hadn’t meant anything by it, but when I asked about the reason for his outfit—which he boasted had three hundred leather belts—Thomas showed genuine enthusiasm. From this coastline, Seo Ilram would be reached in no time, so he’d manage just fine on his own. Besides, the whole reason he’d docked here was to deliver my father to Integrated Ilam City Hall in the first place.
“Wait, wait! Before you go, take this!”
Huh? Isn’t that the welfare card our household servants use? My father gave me a card that deposited exactly one million crowns per month, telling me to use it when I wanted to buy snacks despite my many shortcomings, and my heart swelled with emotion. Indeed, familial affection blooms through the exchange of money between loved ones. I felt an overwhelming desire to be filial right now.
“Thank you. Take care of yourself.”
“Our daughter said thank you! I think that’s the first time I’ve heard it!”
My father, overcome with emotion, continued talking incessantly without pause, while Thomas and his crew plugged their ears. I felt sorry for them, but there was nothing I could do.
“Let’s head back.”
“Yes, Mother!”
“I am not your mother.”
After giving Hubert the usual response, I carefully looked after Reina, who had released her grip on the seal’s… appendage, and returned to the Tower. Apparently, once this dries thoroughly in sunlight, we can make medicine from it within a month.
Since the weather was fair, I decided to dry Reina out on the rooftop alongside the medicinal materials for several hours until she was completely desiccated. Through the power of photosynthesis, Reina regained consciousness. The Female Informant remarked that it felt as though she had been having a long dream all this while.

The Tower was bustling from morning onward the next day. Gerth had returned, Reina had regained her senses, and Thomas had come to visit—with so many voices now filling the space, the atmosphere had grown lively. We shared breakfast in this harmonious setting, and as pending matters were being resolved one by one—such as Lakne taking responsibility for the demi-humans with explosive devices around their necks—I noticed Eugene’s complexion had grown dark. When I asked if something was troubling him, Eugene kept avoiding my gaze and apologizing.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“It’s just… I’m really sorry.”
But what exactly are you sorry about? Did you cause some accident without my knowing, like Titi does?
Titi, who had been grabbed by the collar and scolded, protested that she never caused accidents—until I reminded her that the loan shark incident from last break still hadn’t been settled. She fell silent, as she always did when she couldn’t win an argument.
“Evan, Eugene. You’re both here.”
At Gerth’s gentle call, Eugene flinched. Judging by his reaction, I wondered if they’d had a fight, so I peered over Eugene’s shoulder—only to see mysterious items being carried by the Serpent King’s Tower Officials.
“Gerth. What is that?”
“Military gear.”
The moment the word “military” left Gerth’s mouth, I reflexively grabbed Eugene by the collar. What nonsense did you put into Gerth’s head?
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry!”
“Explain yourself.”
Using my superhuman strength to the fullest, I lifted Eugene with both hands and shook him vigorously. The man confessed everything—that last night, Gerth had asked him for advice on how to build muscle.
“But I only said that weight training was easier than tactical marching!”
“Gerth! As the Market Administrator of Integrated Ilam, I have duties to attend to!”
That military gear looks like it weighs at least thirty kilograms—you madman, you go yourself!
I chose to flee for my survival, but Gerth’s quiet voice calling my name made me stop in my tracks.
“Evan.”
“…”
“Then I won’t enter the kitchen either.”
How could you do this to me? I’d already become someone who couldn’t survive without Gerth’s cooking. His threat to strike was essentially a death sentence for me.
“Why are you going this far?”
“For the 3-to-500 ratio.”
“Can’t we do this gradually?”
“It’s urgent. There are many threats around us.”
“I’d rather just die!”
“Evan. If you die, I’ll die too.”
At this sudden bombshell declaration, I squeezed my eyes shut. When Gerth took things this far, no one could stop him. If that was the case, then at the very least, I couldn’t die alone.
“I’ll go if I can go with my friends.”
“I’ve already prepared for that.”
The man smiled radiantly. Gerth had come to understand so much about me in the meantime. Looking more carefully, I saw there were four sets of military gear prepared—mine, Eugene’s, Reina’s, and Kanna’s.
“Gerth.”
“Is something missing?”
“Prepare one for Titi too.”
“As expected of Evan—so thoughtful.”
My concern for my sister might be a bit excessive, but Gerth, moved by my kindness, quickly packed supplies and created a miniature set of gear for Titi. Hearing Titi and Reina’s screams of protest, my steps somehow felt a little lighter.

◇ ◆ ◇

“Ugh, it’s so heavy! Ugh!”
“I’m going to destroy Brandenburg!”
Reina Letem was scheming civil war, but Eugene Brandenburg simply trudged forward in silence. With sins weighing on my conscience, what could I possibly say in my defense?
“H-hey, Evan, if it’s too heavy, I-I can help carry it.”
But why does Kanna seem so accustomed to this? Eugene’s a soldier, so that makes sense, but what about her? When I sent her a look of admiration, Kanna bashfully explained her upbringing once more.
“O-our home is at 4,000 meters above sea level.”
Right, that’s true. Just carrying schoolbooks up and down that slope every day would condition anyone’s legs. Even with military gear on, a mountain path like this would feel like a leisurely stroll.
“I appreciate the thought. But this is for my three generations and five hundred years.”
“Y-yeah, let’s do our best.”
When I nodded, Kanna grinned widely and fell into step beside me. Gerth, the seasoned drill instructor leading the way ahead, carried all the cooking utensils and portable stove up the mountain path, so I couldn’t afford to complain about my meager burden.
Besides, anticipating that Gerth would prepare meals during our march, strength surged through me from nowhere. If we were cooking outdoors with a stove and cast iron wok, the menu would surely be fried rice. I hoped it would be fried rice. Spicy, salty, and tangy if possible.
“Phew.”
About an hour had passed since we left the Tower and began ascending the Northern Mountain Path. Since we were walking anyway, I figured it would be good to scout the neighboring territory of Laga, so I adjusted our direction accordingly. With typical marches covering about twenty kilometers, we could survey the outer regions of Laga and return.
I didn’t know until I learned about it myself, but Laga was apparently famous as a granary in the old days. Most of the population were farmers, but recent years brought successive poor harvests, and the farmers who left became adventurers attempting to conquer Serpent King’s Tower.
One way or another, business wasn’t thriving and the population was declining, so as a lord, he must be desperate for anything—whether it’s attracting a train station or otherwise. This is just speculation, but it’s possible that because Third Princess Sera is backing Ilam, Cecilia recruited the Lord of Laga as a counterbalance.
“Human society, truly.”
“Aah!”
While lamenting how managing Serpent King’s Tower was simple and painless, but the Imperial Court was a headache just thinking about it, a loud clang echoed from somewhere. Hearing Reina’s scream alongside it, I wondered if she’d smashed her head into a blind tree, but then my own head rang with a clang as well. Rocks were falling from the sky—someone was causing trouble. This was the moment I understood why Gerth had insisted on safety first and made us wear steel helmets.
“Gerth!”
When I urgently called for Gerth, he calmly inverted his steel wok over his head and opened his mouth as if practicing theory through action.
“Tactical march.”
“Eugene Brandenburg, you bastard!”
How much did you run your mouth to Gerth?! I demanded to know how much of Brandenburg’s rampant hazing practices he’d revealed, but Eugene, having abandoned all hope, pulled out an entrenching tool from his pack with a relieved expression.
“Dig if you want to live.”
Fine, let’s all survive first and then I’ll kill you. To take fewer hits, I used an ice drill to bore into the ground and quickly constructed a foxhole. After repeating the process of all of us huddling inside, gripping our helmets and crouching down several times, we were covered in dirt and battered.

“Let’s take a break.”
“Squawk! I can’t walk anymore, squawk!”
“I’m starving!”
Gerth’s timely complaint gave everyone permission to drop their packs and collapse onto the ground like the dead. Not a single muscle wanted to move. I needed to roast Eugene thoroughly, but my body had no strength left in it.
“I’ll prepare a meal. Everyone rest.”
Dust clouds rose everywhere, yet Gerth remained pristine and immaculate. Even during that storm before, he’d emerged unscathed—he must have some related skill. Or perhaps his skin and clothes had the structure of lotus leaves.
“Eugene.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“I’m really sorry.”
Your apology comes too late. I will kill you.
Once I made my resolve clear, both Reina Letem and Titi backed me up with their support. Eugene, you’re a dead man.
“I’m genuinely upset about this. Why don’t you have any complaints about Gerth, who’s actually doing the work?”
“It’s not that I have no complaints—I just can’t voice them.”
“Do we have any business killing the Serpent King?”
“Why are you spouting such nonsense when you don’t even look the part, squawk?”
“You’re right… I’ve made a mess of everything.”
That bird is subtly cutting me off with words. Probably relying on my backing, but where does that sycophantic nature of his come from?
“Mother! Father! The food supplies have arrived!”
“Hey, you’re calling her mother—say that quickly.”
“I am not your mother.”
“Pfft!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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