Chapter 61: Do you know how to play?

At the ruins of the Demon King’s Castle, our beloved Lord, Sieg, personally arrived to provide guidance.

Moved by the sincere speeches and opinions from the surrounding slaves, he couldn’t help but break into tears, raising both hands high.

“Militia must be physically strong. Training must be real training. Treatment must be good. Do you understand? If you do, start recruiting militia right now. Emilia, I’m entrusting this to you.”

Having hurriedly finished his speech, his perfunctory attitude was all too obvious as he muttered quietly to the silver-haired girl below who kept applauding, careful not to lose face.

“I’ll try to speak less from now on. I really don’t understand this stuff. You take full responsibility.”

“Alright then, I’ll get started.”

She didn’t refuse and accepted it willingly. The blood-red eyes reflecting silently beside her belonged to Sieg, who half-squatted, bored, drawing circles on the ground like a well-behaved kitten. Probably because there was no reason for him to be sulky anymore.

No more huffing and puffing required…

Seeing this, she stopped dawdling and sat on the square’s bench. With delicate hands, she picked up the files placed on the table, glanced over them briefly, and then put them down. Her blood-red eyes gazed at the seemingly endless line of recruits. She hadn’t forced anyone to come—she’d only offered better treatment.

No more work, three meals a day with meat, double the wages. Yet, surprisingly, so many people had signed up.

After screening back and forth, everything went well at first—until the troublesome Gerard appeared. He seemed like a man lost in melancholy, exuding a sour aura. He shook his hair and stared heavily at the girl.

Having returned from death, he had a thousand words he wanted to say, which made him quite annoying when speaking.

After all, Sieg had credited all the resurrection merits to Emilia, which made Gerard feel he had to step up.

“Hey, Emilia~ You wouldn’t be thinking of me, right~? I’m so charming, sorry to say, but include me in the militia. I’m top-tier in swordsmanship and strength. Even if I don’t have my power now, a skinny camel’s still bigger than a horse. Choosing me is the right choice.”

Sieg was dumbfounded listening to him. If he remembered correctly, the so-called talent and strength were all thanks to the Hero’s power. Gerard hadn’t trained or studied much since the Hero’s power allowed him to learn everything quickly. He’d grow muscles with just a bit of exercise.

When fighting, he’d call minor wounds “lethal injuries,” a pure symbol of a godlike cheat—no acting involved.

Frowning deeply, Sieg thought, if he gave up the Hero’s power, could there be any outstanding qualities left? He shouldn’t underestimate him.

He looked Gerard up and down seriously but saw only skin, bones, pink skeleton, and some pampered excess fat.

He was left utterly disappointed. This was worse than an average person.

Of course, Sieg said nothing, quietly observing and leaving the choice to Emilia. After all, a man of his word didn’t interfere without reason.

If she considered old feelings and allowed Gerard into the militia, he wouldn’t say a word or mock. Since they had cleared things up a year ago, Sieg’s tolerance for the girl had increased greatly.

Indeed, talking it out was the simplest way to solve problems.

“No. I will be professional and impartial. No personal feelings involved.”

It was obvious that by “personal feelings,” she meant no private revenge plots. There was no old sentiment between them anymore—they were as good as strangers.

After briefly checking on the Hero’s status, she shook her head gently.

“Gerard, you’re unqualified. Next.”

“No! Emilia, you can’t do this! I really can fight! If you don’t believe me, let me practice swordsmanship against this guy. Before, I didn’t use my full strength, so I lost. This time, I’m prepared and will definitely cut Sieg down. Let me show you the charm of a man.”

At this moment, Gerard’s mind went blank. He wanted to prove himself, win back the girl’s heart, take her away from this troubled place. Naturally, Sieg became the target of his challenge.

But Sieg looked confused, pointing at himself. “You want to fight me? Are you serious?”

Unexpectedly, the Hero was so overconfident. He looked up with a gaze that felt eternal.

Sieg stood up, stretching his limbs, and pulled two swords from his pants.

“Hero, I left you covered in wounds before. Looks like you didn’t get enough. Now you’re itching for a fight again. Fine, I won’t hold back this time. Be prepared.”

With that, he tossed one sword to Gerard without giving him a chance to refuse or back out. Sieg never declined a reasonable chance to humiliate the Hero—both for his own satisfaction and for revenge.

Gerard took the sword with trembling hands, gripping it tightly as the onlookers stepped aside to clear the area.

He imagined the whole scene in his mind, unwilling to admit Emilia was someone else’s woman now.

“Come on! You despicable scoundrel, threatening Emilia with me as a pawn, sneaking in to take advantage. Today, I will openly defeat you, take her away, and love her forever. This is my heart and my regret. Let’s see who can stop me.”

Hearing this earth-shaking declaration of love, even Sieg couldn’t help but shed a tear from the corner of his mouth. Before the duel, he asked Emilia.

Swinging the big iron sword, he flicked out a flower of steel.

“Oh? Interesting. If he wins, Emilia, will you go with him?”

“I… I don’t want to at all.”

The girl looked clearly helpless, covering her beautiful yet sorrowful face with slender hands, letting out a heavy sigh.

But immersed in his delusions, Gerard didn’t notice these details, nor did he hear those painful words. He firmly believed his own assumptions and kept trying.

“Come on.”

Full of confidence as if his previous defeat was nothing, he was soon beaten until his face was bruised and swollen, collapsing on the ground without moving. Sieg hadn’t used deadly force yet—if he had, Gerard would have been torn to pieces.

After all, Sieg cherished the Resurrection Totem. The fewer wasted lives, the better. But he didn’t hold back on words either.

“Hey, Gerard, if you can’t use the Hawk Assist, then don’t. No? You can’t use swordsmanship either? Why are you still trying that three-step starting move? Come, let me teach you. Watch carefully: Swordsmanship one, two, three, four, four A. Understand?”

He looked as if he were genuinely teaching, serious and thorough.

“Then you spin around—no, I won’t spin, I won’t spin, I’ll just… I’ll just stall with that invincible frame. Hey, one more poke, poking the enemy, stabbing the ground, stabbing the sword. See that? I teleport with a three-step move, then go straight for a cleaving strike. The opponent is already low on health! Don’t blame me for not teaching you well. After hitting, what do you do?”

Without hesitation, he lifted the girl Emilia up high and continued his instruction.

“Stop spitting out your lousy little flames. Watch carefully! Summoning, summoning Emilia, toss her onto the opponent, then go crazy grabbing his face. Then one more: Aminos! Triple grab damage, full damage taken, finishing with a strong kill. Got it? You’re clueless, playing with swordsmanship like it’s a joke.”