Chapter 13: Arrived at the Secret Palace.

***

"So that's my decision, Robert. Can you speed up getting the troops together and gathering the horses and valuables to take with us? We'll hide all the horse-drawn carriages nearby," Livy ordered from beside Kazuki, as Robert kneeled in front of them.

"Okay, Princess. I will organize the soldiers as soon as possible!" Robert replied.

"Thanks for your hard work, Robert."

A few hours later, Robert had finished giving his orders very quickly. All the valuables and injured soldiers were swiftly carried away by the soldiers on horses, after they had hidden the carriages in a very hidden but accessible place. As for the soldiers who had died, they were moved to a place that was more secluded from view of the street.

At this point, the soldiers had already gathered in the middle of the road, looking at Commander Robert who was standing in front of them all.

"Soldiers! We will be staying overnight at Lord Kazuki's residence! So take all valuables with you, and don't forget to bring the injured soldiers!" Robert ordered the soldiers in his firm, authoritative voice.

"We understand, sir!!" the soldiers replied in unison.

"Good! Now, let's go!"

***

They all walked through the forest and were led by Kazuki as a guide as well as a protector.

As they walked through the forest, the group encountered several monsters that Kazuki called French fries which he immediately killed before the monsters even noticed the group.

And once again, they were amazed by the power possessed by Kazuki.

'How can there be such a powerful person who is completely unknown to the rest of the world?' That was what they thought when they saw his brutality in killing the many monsters in his path.

Livy who saw this also deepened her love for Kazuki, she really really loved him!

[...It's fortunate that you have such a powerful weapon, Master.]

'Hmm~... Hmm~....'

[...Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible for you to kill the French Fry Monsters that easily]

'Stop your nonsense, can't you flatter this master of yours a bit?'

[...That's impossible.]

'Tsk!'

After some time passed, the group finally arrived at Kazuki's residence.

But the moment they saw the residence that Kazuki had, they were greatly shocked.

"There is a palace in the middle of the forest?!!!!"

"A very big and magnificent palace!!"

"Woaahhh!! Even this palace is on par with the palaces in the Capital!"

There was a lot of such talk among the soldiers, even Robert was also so shocked that he was speechless.

Glancing at Livy, Robert also saw an expression similar to hers.

“Um Kazuki… This is your temporary residence?” asked Livy doubtfully.

“Hmm...? Of course,” Kazuki said casually.

"However... Is this residence safe?" asked the girl again.

"Very safe, surely you can sense a barrier when we enter this area, right?" Kazuki asked like that because he knew that this girl had a higher magic sensitivity than him.

"You're right…" Livy muttered while looking around this area it was clear that there was a very strong magic barrier here.

Glancing at the soldiers, Kazuki invited them excitedly, "Everyone! Let's go inside!"

When they went inside, they saw that all the furniture in this palace was still very good, with very smooth walls and many paintings installed there.

Then Kazuki guided them to a floor that had a lot of rooms and beds on the 3rd floor.

Kazuki didn't count them exactly, but there were tens of rooms with hundreds of beds measuring 2x1 meters in each room.

It seems that it is devoted to accommodating soldiers in very large numbers.

"The soldiers can rest here, and don't worry, this palace is very safe, those monsters won't be able to enter this palace, I have confirmed it beforehand," Livy said to her soldiers in a loud voice.

"We understand, Princess!"

They answered in unison.

"And also may I add something?" Kazuki suddenly asked Livy and the soldiers.

"Go ahead," Livy answered calmly.

Hearing Livy's approval, Kazuki immediately pointed to several rooms and said, "If you want to find a toilet or bathroom, you can go there. There is a very large bath where you can bathe, and if you want to cook dinner, you can go to the room at the very end. There is a very large kitchen."

The soldiers became very happy upon hearing Kazuki's instructions.

"There's a bathroom! I can take a shower!" exclaimed one soldier.

"Hahahah! This is great!" said another.

"Sir Robert, I'll take the groceries to the kitchen to be cooked!" offered a third soldier.

The soldiers quickly went about their respective activities.

Glancing at Kazuki, Livy grumbled, "Kazuki, you spoil them too much."

"Kuhuhuhu... It's fine, let them have fun," chuckled Kazuki as he stroked Livy's head.

Glancing at Robert, Kazuki said, "And for you, Robert, you can stay upstairs."

Hearing the offer, Robert replied with a bow, "Thank you, Mr. Kazuki, for the offer, but I will stay with the soldiers to watch over them all."

"It's up to you where to live. Wherever I allow," Kazuki said in response.

"Thank you, Mister Kazuki!" Robert replied, lowering his head.

"Um, no problem," Kazuki said.

Livy then pulled Kazuki's arm and said, "Neee~... Kazuki~," in a playful tone.

Glancing at Livy beside him, Kazuki saw that she was hugging his arm tightly.

"Let's go to your room," Livy asked teasingly.

"Umm, Livy~... There are many rooms in this palace. You can choose as you like," Kazuki offered another room for her.

But judging from Livy's expression, it seemed her decision was unanimous.

Even Kazuki couldn't refuse. "Heishh… Alright, come follow me."

"Yeah~!" Livy exclaimed.

The two of them went to the main room that was always used by Kazuki.

***

“Was it this young man who saved you?” asked an old man, showing some pictures to a girl.

"That's right, Father! It's him!" answered the girl excitedly.

"It's amazing how he changed so quickly in just one month," muttered the old man, stroking his beard.

"I was also surprised when I found out that he suddenly became a different person in just one month... The spy in charge of monitoring him reported that he was doing very high-intensity training at his house!" said the girl with enthusiasm.

“You seem to be observing him intently,” chuckled the old man lightly.

"I promised to return the favor to him. He's a brave young man with a critical mind. I was amazed by the way he trapped the gangsters after I collected all the evidence to be submitted to the police," said the girl, giving a detailed description of everything that happened.

"Is that so... Looks like your decision is unanimous, correct?" asked the old man again, smiling.

"That's right, Father. It would be such a waste if such a smart and ambitious young man were left to rot in a cage full of disgusting dogs!" called out the girl firmly.

"Alright, do as you please. I will help you, my daughter," said the father.

"Wow, thank you, Dad!" cried the girl, running and hugging him.

Hug!

"Hahaha... Anything for my little daughter," chuckled the father, stroking the girl's hair.

"Hey, Dad! I'm not a kid anymore! I'm an adult!"

"Yes, yes... My little daughter has grown up," said the father with a smile.

Releasing his embrace, the girl walked towards the door, waving her hand.

"Dad! See you later! I'll take care of everything!"

Open...

Kreeakk...

That was what the girl said before exiting the room completely while closing the door.

Bummmm...!!