With Gilbert expelled and the second unit quieted down, the movement to remove Roland from the "Golden Eagle" had subsided.
The dungeon management was going smoothly, and Roland was listening to Claria''s report about it in the guild leader''s office.
The management of the dungeon is progressing well," she said. It looks like we will be able to mine the target amount of chimera feathers, iron ore, and silver ore.
How''s the second unit doing?"
No problem. Sometimes I get in trouble with the people in the first group, but when I say, ''I''ll tell Mr. Roland,'' they quiet down.
I see."
Roland had implied to each unit that depending on the results of dungeon management, they would be given an additional budget for the next fiscal year.
Therefore, they were careful not to offend Roland unnecessarily.
(It looks like we''ll be able to handle this term for now. The problem is next term.)
The istos who challenge "The Dungeon of the Mine" will be defeated miserably by "The Guardian of the Magical Tree.
Roland''s plan was to have Arik''s team achieve success while Isto''s team continued to blunder.
In this way, he would reduce the power of the disgruntled Unit 2, while promoting reform and securing his own position.
(Now, will it work?)
Even if they fail miserably, it is unlikely that the istos will back down so easily.
If they feel their authority is about to be taken away from them, they are bound to start rampaging again.
It will be necessary to take the initiative and prepare to restructure the second unit in turn.
Preparations also needed to be made on the part of the Arik Corps.
If Arik''s unit''s position was enhanced, there was a fear that it would grow in size.
To prepare for this, it was necessary to deepen the relationship with Arik and create a mechanism to curb the authority of Arik''s corps.
(The only people we can trust are Jill and Dorwin...we can''t let our guard down until the S-class defeat squad is fully operational.)
Roland couldn''t help but let out a dry laugh when he realized that he was completely used to thinking in terms of authority.
In "The Guardian of the Magic Tree," Lillianne did all these things for me, but in "The Golden Eagle," I have to do all this internal politics by myself.
To be honest, I wanted to concentrate on my main task of cultivation as soon as possible.
On my desk, I have a grimoire and wine to boost my magical power.
On the mirror stand, an elaborately decorated makeup bottle.
The purple curtains have a mysterious pattern on them.
Lillianne was basking in the moonlight streaming in from the window with a smug look on her face in this very witch''s bedroom.
She was in bed, but all her clothes had been taken off on the floor.
Her body was enveloped in a pleasant weariness.
This was because I had just been talking about love with the man lying next to me.
Although I thought it was immodest, I was so lonely that I begged him to come over to my house.
She embraced her beloved with all her energy during their first s*xual intercourse in a long time.
After having tasted his love to her heart''s content, she had been immersed in the afterglow of the lovemaking, but now she was letting out another troubled sigh.
It was a sign that the fire of passion was still faintly smoldering inside her.
A little fanning and it would soon flare up again.
Lilianne was unable to handle the flames herself and was having a hard time holding on to them.
So she tried to reach for his shoulder as he lay next to her, hoping that the man who had just made her feel happy would make her feel happy once more.
But she stopped her hand in mid-step.
It was because she could hear him breathing quietly in his sleep.
(Mr. Roland, you must have fallen asleep.)
Lillianne withdrew her hand, feeling lonely.
Instead, she gazed wistfully at Roland''s face in the moonlight.
Tonight, with the "Golden Eagle" issue settled, they were finally able to have some time together like this.
Lately, she has been feeling especially lonely at night when she is alone.
Every night, she would spend sleepless nights in bed, watching the moonlight stream in through the window and thinking about Roland.
If I could, I would be next to him every night like this.
Tomorrow, Roland said he would not be able to come to Lilianne''s house again.
The thought of it made her sad again.
She couldn''t help but move her legs around the base of her feet.
If she won''t see him again for a while, at least for now, she puts her cheek on his arm and tries to feel Roland as close to her as possible.
(Thank you for all your hard work. But you can take a little more time off from work and relax in my room.)
A lonely night when even the slightest moonlight is hidden by clouds.
Monica, feeling helplessly sad and almost choked, made her way to Roland''s house.
(Mr. Roland. Why do you keep going to Lilianne''s place? I would have taken first place in the number of defeats. It is true that I may have met Lilianne first. ...... But why not stay by my side at least on lonely nights like this! (Mr. Roland!)
I had already confirmed with "Hawk-Eye" that Roland, Lillianne, Jill, and everyone else were home alone tonight.
In this way, "Hawk-Eye" is a very powerful stalker skill, depending on how you use it.
Monica knocked on the door of Roland''s room with the gift in her hand.
Yes," she said, "I''m Roland. Which one of you is ......, huh? Monica?"
Roland came out of his room and rolled his eyes at the sudden visitor.
Good evening. Mr. Roland."
What''s wrong? At this time of night?
I just happened to have plans to drop by, so I wanted to thank you for all your help. I brought you something from the bottom of my heart. ......"
What''s this? It''s an old wine, isn''t it?
Roland''s eyes light up when he sees the bottle of wine.
Yes, sir," he said. I hope it suits your palate. ......
Not only does it suit my palate, it''s my favorite. Thank you."
Monica had already researched Roland''s favorite brands.
Also, this one: ......."
Monica presented Roland with a basket of bread and meat.
All of them were foods that went well with wine, and all of them were Roland''s favorites.
Roland''s face broke into a smile.
Monica was relieved to see Roland''s face.
He looked a little tired when he walked out the door, but he didn''t seem annoyed.
This would be the next step.
''Um, Mr. Roland, if you don''t mind, would you like to celebrate now?
What? Celebrate?"
Yes, Mr. Roland, you''ve come a long way and I haven''t had a chance to congratulate you.
Speaking of celebrations, you haven''t had yours yet either. You''ve just won first place in the number of defeats.
Monica felt a warmth in her heart knowing that Roland remembered her first place in the number of defeats.
We''re all busy and can''t really get together, but I thought we could at least celebrate together ......."
That''s fine, of course. ......
(I''m not sure I want to go out for a drink now)
It is a reasonable distance from here to the bar, even the closest one.
Even though it was an invitation from a cute subordinate, I was hesitant to go out any further with my tired body.
Mr. Roland. If you don''t mind, I''d like to go to ......."
Hmm?
How about we celebrate at Mr. Roland''s house?"
What? At my house?
Yes, sir. Of course, if it''s okay with Mr. Roland. ......"
(Please, Mr. Roland, don''t say no.)
Monica prayed and pleaded in her mind.
''Uh, yes. That''s fine."
Roland remembered that his room was not very tidy.
He wondered if he could give a girl to such a room, even if she was his subordinate.
Monica sensed Roland''s uneasiness.
She said, "It''s all right. I don''t mind if the room is a little messy. My room is always messy.
What? Really?"
Yes, I do. So please don''t mind me."
Hmmm, well, if you insist.
(It''s going to be busy for a while yet. (I''m going to be busy for a while yet, and I feel sorry for her if I don''t reward her for all her hard work. I''d better celebrate while I can.)
I understand. Go on up then."
Thank you!"
But I''m really going to have to cut you some slack on the mess.
I''m fine. I''m sure my room is more cluttered than yours."
Monica walks into Roland''s room as she says this.
Roland''s room was not as messy as she had expected.
There was only a bed and a sofa with some clothes scattered about.
(That''s good. (This much is perfectly all right.))
I wondered what I would do if it was too dirty, but this much is no problem with a little tidying up.
It wouldn''t spoil the romantic mood.
Mr. Roland, I''ll prepare the dishes.
Oh, thank you. I''ll clean up the room.
The two of them split up and began working in the kitchen and in their rooms.
Monica put plates and glasses on the desk, Roland folded clothes, and they sat down on the sofa in front of the desk.
Monica put the plates and glasses on the table, Roland folded the clothes, and they sat down on the couch in front of the desk.
Congratulations to Roland on his appointment as head of the "Golden Eagle" guild.
They toasted with a glass of wine and chatted amicably over snacks.
They also discussed the dungeon strategy for the next term.
I hear that the second unit of the "Golden Eagle" will be in charge of the "Mining Dungeon" next term."
Oh, yes," he said. I am going to order them to attack the ''mine dungeon.
But is it okay? We will be the ones attacking the "dungeon of the mine" next season, you know. With all due respect ...... to that ......, I''m afraid the current ''Golden Eagle'' can''t compete with us."
I agree. They will fail miserably against you."
Are you sure? If he loses to us after having been appointed guild leader, he will have no position in the guild. ......
I''m like, "Oh, okay. It''s fine. Don''t worry about it. You guys should go ahead and attack the dungeon as hard as you always do.
Roland huffed afterward.
Don''t tell anyone else what I just said.
Yes, of course."
Roland was relieved.
Monica would never tell anyone else.
I don''t want to say it too loud, but I''m putting you guys in a position where I know they''re going to lose."
Really?"
Yes," he said. The truth is, I don''t want to send them to this pointless competition either. But I don''t have a choice, do I? Otherwise they would get in my way. I wondered what the hell they wanted, since they were always complaining, ignoring orders, and defying me. I didn''t think they wanted me to ask them to fight a losing battle.
Roland felt his heart weakening.
Normally, he would never complain to his subordinates like this.
Maybe it was because he was drinking good alcohol and had a pretty girl to talk to, but the truth was that he was fed up with his job at the "Golden Eagle.
''I hate to say this, but they chose their own path of self-destruction. They deserved it."
Roland said this and then scratched his head as if trapped in self-loathing.
Huh. What am I doing? I can''t believe I''m giving a budget to a subordinate who is trying to destroy himself. Maybe I shouldn''t have accepted the position of guild leader of the Golden Eagle after all.
It''s not your fault, Mr. Roland.
What?
There are people like that everywhere who want to strangle themselves. So you don''t have to feel responsible for them losing, being embarrassed, or getting hurt.
Monica ......"
Roland felt a little more at ease.
''Thank you. You''ve made me feel a little more at ease."
''No, no. It''s nothing compared to what Mr. Roland did for me.
Ha, ha. It''s a great honor for me to hear you say that. Well, anyway, back to the point. There is no need to go easy on them. In fact, don''t let your guard down or feel sorry for them and let them catch you flat-footed. All you have to think about is your own success as an adventurer.
I understand. Then, I''ll beat up the people of the second unit to a pulp.
Yeah, come on.
I''ll take out anyone who drags Mr. Roland down.
Ha-ha. Thank you. You really are a good, honest girl.
Roland gave Monica a look as if he were complimenting a good student.
Monica felt comfortable with Roland when he treated her this way.
（Monica felt comfortable when Roland treated her this way. I don''t know what to do. I want to stay like this with Roland-san forever.)
In fact, I would like to continue our good student-teacher relationship like this for a long time.
However, if I keep quiet, Roland will go to Lillianne or Jill.
(You have to make up your mind, Monica. It''s okay. If you imitate Euphine, I''m sure even Roland will be ......)
''Mr. Roland, you''re out of booze. Go ahead."
Monica pours liquor into Roland''s glass.
''Oh, thank you.''
Roland savored the wine Monica had filled for him to his heart''s content.
Phew. It''s still hot, isn''t it?
Monica took off her jacket and put on a thin, sleeveless garment.
Roland almost lost all sense of reason at the sight of her.
Roland was almost overcome by the sight of her, for the bulge that peeked out from her thin garment was no less than Jill''s. He was surprised to see that Monica was wearing a sleeveless jacket.
What''s wrong?"
Monica asks, curiously looking at Roland''s face.
She then bends forward and assumes a position that makes it easier for Roland to see her breasts.
''Eh, no, it''s nothing.''
Roland hurriedly looked away from Monica''s breasts.
Monica then continued to touch her shoulder, her arm, and sometimes her breast against Roland''s arm.
Roland, too, seemed to be not too thrilled with this kind of play, and he even touched her shoulder.
Monica was so embarrassed that her face turned red every time she touched or was touched by Roland, but on the other hand, she was relieved.
Apparently, she did not dislike herself on a physiological level.
At least it means he''s not the type who doesn''t like to be touched on his body.
(Thank goodness).
Monica was relieved from the bottom of her heart.
If she had been rejected at this point, she would have never recovered.
Now it remained to be seen how far she would be able to respond to her feelings.
Oops. It''s already that time of night.
Roland checked his watch and was surprised.
They had been talking and before he knew it, it was midnight.
I guess it''s time to call it a night," he said. I''ll take you home.
Roland noticed that his body was shaking.
（Oh, no. I must have had too much to drink.)
Please take it easy, Mr. Roland. Let''s have a little more fun.
Monica takes his arm and tries to get him to sit on the couch again.
After a little more time, Roland will have a hard time telling Monica to go home.
''No, but you, I think it''s time for you to go home: ......
I would be totally fine. I''ll be fine."
No, but ......
If you want, we can stay the night.
What?
Roland looked at Monica as if seeing her face for the first time.
''Don''t worry, I''m an adult now.
No, no matter how mature you are, you ......
It''s fine," he said. It''s okay if you get a little ruffled. Or, Mr. Roland, do you not want to be with me?"
No, it''s not that I don''t like it or anything. ......
Well, I like you, Mr. Roland."
Monica said with a blush on her face.
Monica, I''m in trouble. ......
''Of course, I know that Mr. Roland is dating Ms. Lillianne. So, I''m fine with that ......2 second."
What are you talking about? Just chill out for a second."
Ugh, Mr. Roland. Can''t you just please like me?"
Monica asked tearfully.
''Sorry. It''s not that I don''t like you. I mean, I love Lily. She helped me when I was having the hardest time. That''s why I want to take care of her."
Ugh, gosh."
(If I knew that Roland was having a hard time, I would run to him and support him in any way I could. If I had to do this, I should have told Roland-san that I loved him earlier. I wish I could rewind time and go back to when I met Mr. Roland.)
For a while, Monica continued to sob on the spot.
Roland did nothing but watch by her side.
When the tears eventually dried up, Roland picked Monica up in his arms.
Are you okay? Can you stand?"
Yes," he said. Um, Mr. Roland. I''m sorry about today. I''m sorry I was so selfish.
It''s okay. I''m sorry too. I didn''t know that you were that preoccupied. Now, let''s go home today. I''ll walk you home. Tomorrow you should be the same person you are today.
Roland drove Monica to her home and they parted without incident.
<>