Chương 439: Chapter 412. Rewarded Whether You Like It Or Not!

" So, what is the plan going forward then? I mean, if I'm not going to be fighting, there must be something else that you want me to do, right?" After taking a few moments for everyone to calm down somewhat, I asked the first question that popped into my head to Warrick. With him saying that me working on my Business is best for everybody. While I don't mind that, I don't think the other Nobles would be too happy with them having to add to the war effort while I sit back and relax at my desk.

Warrick nodded his head to my question and began to answer me." I planned on having you work on the Logistics side of things for the Army."" What do you mean? Like... Delivering the supplies?"" No, I mean you'll be in control of picking routes and deciding on supplies for everyone."" Isn't that really important though? Won't the Dukes and others have issues with me controlling the supply of food?"" Whether they like it or not, doesn't matter, I'm their King and they'll enact My Commands to the letter.

However, to lighten any grudges they might have... Some of Roseland Products menu items might help out."" We can probably do that. I'd need to see what the current surplus is at."" The reports are already on your desk, Matthew. I made sure to keep the most relevant reports for when you came back!" Just as I was thinking about my next few steps, Emily was quite happy to inform me that she's been keeping track of it all and leaving the up-to-date reports on my desk for when I returned. This made things easier for me.

All I'd need to do is review what we have and see what the Army's numbers would look like. From there, I could hire some extra hands to help produce more and meet the requisite amount... Granted, we wouldn't be producing all of the food... The Governments of Diablos, Darkheim and Bestia would be producing the bulk of it, I'd just be offering some of our dairy products to add to the morale on the battlefield." Hey, Matthew... Come back down to Gaia, we'll discuss all of the finer details at a later date."" Huh?

Ah... Sorry..."" It's fine, but relax, I'll schedule a meeting once we've gathered all of the reports. Most likely, the Nyx Royal Family as well as the Mars Royal Family will want to join us when we do."" Why?" I was confused by why they'd take time out of their day to meet me... I mean, I technically had their daughters in my care, but they should have way more pressing matters with the war coming quicker and quicker. Warrick and Aqua looked like they had given up to some degree."

You know, Matthew, I can't tell if your callous or not most days."" Callous? I care about other people. It's just with the war and everything, is there really time to check up on me? Don't they have a bunch of things to look after? I know I do need to meet up with King Leonard, but I'd figure I'd need to go and visit him instead of the other way around." Aqua sighed as she seemed to think I wasn't thinking about how anyone in this situation feels. I do...

To some degree, but there's more pressing matters right now." I assure you, Matthew, everything is right on schedule, even better than that now that you're back safe and sound in Paradise. Everyone was affected by what happened at the Summit. Some worse than others, Alan lost an arm to that explosion, you know?"" What!?" I was shocked to hear about King Alan, I looked to Alice who looked as if she wanted to say something to Warrick." Why!? How could that have happened!?

I set up Barrier after Barrier to stop you guys from getting hurt!"" It wasn't enough, Matthew. But even with that, the arm itself is still around. It's been put on ice."" Ice? Ah... I see... That's why."" Yes and no, they are hoping you could reattach it, but Alan's been adamant that he wants to thank you for what you did. He's actually argued about burning the arm. Aria and Andrea smacked some sense into him however. Oh... You'll be meeting Andrea as well."" Doesn't she hate Humans?"

I looked at Warrick and Aqua, who were explaining everything in a relaxed, matter of fact manner. But I seemed to recall King Alan and Queen Aria mentioning that Queen Andrea wasn't a big fan of Humans or Elves. I looked at them both for an answer, but it looks like it just clicked in their heads that I'm not a Demon. I quickly turned to Alice who quickly looked away from me. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation." Alice? Mind explaining?"

Alice continued to look away, until she finally took a breath and decided to explain a few things." First and foremost, no one blames you for my Father losing his arm. We're just thankful that both my Mother and Father were able to make it back home... Alive. My Father and Mother have repeatedly stated that they were quite worried about you in their personal letters to me. To the point where they were asking me for any updates on your situation, even though I only knew as much as they did.

Yes, my Father did lose the arm, but he's not too concerned about it, he's ambidextrous after all. As for reattaching it, we plan on writing into a Contract that you'll receive payment for your help."" You don't need to pay me for reattaching his arm, I'll do it for free. It's a simple Spell for me after al-"" No! You will receive a contracted payment!" Alice began to glare at me like a tiger looking at prey... What did I say? Alice seemed to realize what she did, and she took a breath."

Think about it for a second, Matthew. In return for healing Sarah and Uncle Warrick, you were given a Noble Title as well as a Fief and a Wife. Bestia would look cheap and miserly if we couldn't offer you something of equal value for healing our King."" But... What would I even ask for? I don't particularly want anything from Bestia?""

That can be worked out later, for right now, the Contract isn't so much about the actual reward, it's more about proving that our 3 Countries truly are in an Alliance moving forward to fight the Elves together as equals."" Ah, so you want to show your citizens that the Alliance will be beneficial to them? That makes sense. But again, wouldn't I need to actually have a reward put into the Contract, so they know it's something that's feasible and not for show?"" We will work that out later, as I said.

What's important now is to just prove that Diablos and Darkheim are here to help. If worse comes to worse, we can just simply state that your reward can be given out at the end of the war."" We don't even know when that'll happen though?"" For someone who was willing to do this for free, you sure are focusing on the reward, you know?"" Well, the last time I trusted a King and Queen to give me a modest reward, they made me a Marquess and married me into their family.

I was expecting something more like an uneventful job that paid well and a house I could live in." Grip." You sound disappointed about how that played out, My Love." Sarah grabbed me by my hand and began to tease me immediately after Alice's complaint. Though I guess now I could be honest about it." To be completely honest, I was at first."" Huh!?"

"!"

"!" Sarah was shocked by my confession. Oh... Not just her, it looks like everyone was. Judging by their reactions, it looks like Warrick and Aqua share the title of most shocked along with Sarah from my words." Bu... But..."" Relax, Sarah. I said "at first", didn't I? Once it was explained why you guys did it, I thought and still think that I'm the luckiest guy in this world. I wouldn't want to live my life since that announcement any other way...

Well, maybe I wouldn't want to be captured for 2 months, but it happened."" You..." Poke. Poke. Sarah poked me in the cheek, it looks like I scared her a bit. I turned back to the rest of the room to see that they were all breathing a sigh of relief. I guess they thought they were looking at the destruction of my Marriage for a moment? But that's never going to happen. At least Anna remained calm, as she sat on my side, though I did notice a few of her eyes were glimmering.

Looks like the ones she uses to tell if someone is lying. Something tells me tonight is going to be filled with them trying to punish me... I wonder why?" Continuing on, for Mom.... Well, Andrea. She's a bit... Well, she does hate Humans and Elves."" Great. Will she even let me heal him?"" Yes, my Father has worked very hard to convince her that you're "one of the good ones", Matthew." I could only rub my forehead... I mean, I guess it's a start?

Though this did make me somewhat curious about the situation in Bestia." Just wondering... What is the opinion of most of Bestia about Humans?"" It depends on the Beastmen. In general, though, the Catkin are more ambivalent towards Humans while the Dogkin view them in various negative ways."" Any reason?"" The Dogkin used to be hunted for one reason or another around 2000 years ago. The Catkin were able to avoid it for the most part.

Not only that, but the Catkin and Dogkin have a long history of fighting each other, so the Catkin don't really view the hunting as a problem for them. As for the other kinds of Beastmen, it depends on that individual. That and feelings are quite susceptible to change, so who knows if they hold that position for long?"" That kind of reminds me of someone."" I seem to recall someone saying we would move past all of that?"" Doesn't mean I can't bring it up from time to time.

You know you reminded me of our meeting from back then when you said I need to take the payment, right?"" Well, it's important. Being too humble can be mistaken for arrogance, Matthew."" I'll keep that in mind, Alice." Despite what we were saying, the mood was quite light in the room now. Everyone looked like they could tell that at this point, Alice and I were joking with each other." The food is rea- King Warrick! Queen Aqua!?"" Ah, this reaction will never get tiring."

Aqua said something strange to Warrick as Jim walked into the living room and was shocked to see the King and Queen sitting on the couch... I wonder what it was about? I guess it's an inside joke of some kind? Either way, it'd be rude not to ask it at this point..." So, Warrick, Aqua, would you like to have breakfast with us?" Warrick was quick to answer my question." Well, we already did, but I could use a light snack before sparring."" Sparring? What? Back at Blackstone?""

No, here, I'm going to see just how out of shape you are." Warrick was all smiles, but I could think of better ways to spend my time than being repeatedly struck by his dulled sparring sword... I mean, come on! I just got back here!