Starting with the defeated female knight

Even disregarding the possibility that the Thousand-Legged God had become a base vehicle, he still had a lot of things to deal with.

First, there's the task of cleaning up the battlefield.

Although the God of a Thousand Feet has been defeated and the core of the gray fog has been taken underground, the gray fog has not yet dissipated. It has only begun to show signs of fading and is estimated to take some time to return to normal. Even so, based on the previous situation, there will probably still be some monsters remaining inside.

Besides the gray fog, although he had already plundered the core of the Thousand-Legged God, the remains left behind were by no means worthless. If possible, he would definitely try to recover them for research and use.

Moreover, although they won the battle and performed admirably in all aspects—except for Uri—many problems were still exposed, which they will have to address after they return to rest and celebrate.

Besides these, the next operational plan for Dawn City, the arrangements and actions for the investigation team, and the analysis and research of the core of the Thousand-Legged God...

There are too many things to deal with.

Okay, let's take it one step at a time.

Thinking this, Green turned his gaze toward Dawn City.

Shortly after the battle ended, news of the victory spread, and Dawn City gradually became lively again.

After all, this was the first external battle since the founding of Dawn City, and the opening battle involved both a demonic tide and ancient gods. To win without even suffering casualties was indeed something to celebrate.

Of course, they weren't the only ones celebrating.

In fact, although they were taken aback by Green's final move, after regaining their senses, the investigation team and the members of the Dawn City Guard responsible for fire support all cheered.

It wasn't just for victory, but also because of defeating the ancient gods, proving oneself, realizing one's grand dream, fulfilling the gods' demands, or perhaps for some other reason...

There are so many things to be happy about.

After their triumphant return, they were naturally warmly received by the people of Dawn City.

Not to mention the church and the magicians' association, even the nobles unusually ignored the factor of bloodline and celebrated with the city's residents.

This is a victory that belongs to everyone.

Green was also very pleased, feeling a sense of accomplishment, much like the fruit trees he had planted had finally borne fruit.

But it didn't take long for him to feel relieved.

“I’m telling you, the little girl is right.”

"You didn't see it! That ancient god was so huge, the adults didn't even glance at it. It was only Lady Cecilia who made a move, and she beat it to pieces..."

"But then, as soon as that ancient god transformed into a child, tentacles immediately sprouted, and the earth cracked open..."

"I have a feeling it was intentional? She must have known adults liked little girls, that's why she acted that way, just to please them..."

"Croak, since the master turned that Thousand-Legged God into a loli, he'll definitely drag her back to be..."

Snapped.

The top started spinning.

As it turns out, sometimes being too approachable isn't good either.

Especially after the stereotype was formed, even though Green found the source of the rumor in time and turned it into a spinning top, he still couldn't stop the matter from fermenting, and it even became more and more turbulent.

But you can't entirely blame the people of Dawn City, since in their eyes, you really can't completely trust what the tentacles say.

As for the reason?

"Does Your Excellency still refuse to admit that you are a god?"

"Ah, well then, there's no other way but to continue calling him 'sir' for now."

When a tentacle looks like a god, feels like a god, does things like a god, and even functions like a god, then what is this being if not a god?

Since this deity is unwilling to even acknowledge his own identity, any other words he utters must be carefully considered.

However, after showing off his ability to "swallow the centipede incarnate", some of Green's stereotypes were further reinforced, and even the investigation team began to accept them.

Are you guys out of your minds?!

【......never mind】

After the violent shaking, the tentacle sighed and thought to itself, "A little girl is fine, she's better than the fat bear in white socks."

Otherwise, if they keep denying it, who knows what kind of outrageous things these people will come up with for him.

Thinking this, he decided to ignore the rumors for the time being, and then raised his head slightly to look at the blonde beauty who was fast asleep in front of him.

Elise lay slumped over her desk, a hint of weariness on her face. Her usually neat and elegant hair was slightly disheveled, scattered across the surface. Combined with her relaxed expression and slightly disheveled clothes, she possessed a unique charm compared to her usual elegance.

Although she had not appeared or participated in the entire battle, Green knew that the defense was so easily successful because of her contribution.

In fact, her role could be considered second only to Cecilia's.

After all, the operation of Dawn City cannot be separated from excellent management. Even Green was a little overwhelmed to operate so many projects at the same time in such a short period of time. If it weren't for Elise's help, even if a similar effect could be achieved in the end, there would definitely be many problems in the process.

【Thanks for your hard work】

Get some rest first.

Although they had already won, and there were celebrations outside.

But after spending this time together, Green also realized that Elise was actually not very good at or resistant to lively occasions.

Given the hard work and overtime she's been putting in for days, letting her sleep a little longer is clearly a better option than waking her up to celebrate.

Although he didn't intend to wake her, after looking at the hardwood table where she was lying, the thin clothes she was wearing, and sensing the temperature outside, Green still felt that it wasn't really appropriate to let her sleep there.

After thinking for a moment, he gently rolled up her body with his tentacles and dragged her toward the bedroom.

It's very light and soft. Despite its mature demeanor, its body is surprisingly not very plump, even a bit thin. Wrapping it up feels like holding a kitten, and occasionally you'll feel its little paws gently rubbing against you, as if you're dreaming of something wonderful.

With the battle over, Green's attention was largely focused back on his work. Combined with the improved precision he had gained through training and the understanding and rapport he had developed with Elise, he was able to put her on the bed and cover her with a blanket without waking her.

However, just as the tentacles were about to withdraw, he suddenly saw that the pair of pale green pupils had opened slightly at some point, and were staring at the tentacles in front of him through the few strands of hair hanging in front of his eyes.

"...Did you win?"

Yes, we won, and we won beautifully.

"That's good."

Elise gently moved her body, closing her eyes due to excessive fatigue, but at the same time she reached out and grabbed the tentacle in front of her, pressing it to her face, continuing to communicate with Grimm in this way.

"I don't like this bed, it's too hard."

I'll get you a better one later.

"Ah."

She nodded gently, feeling a soft, warm touch on her face.

"But it seems I won't need it anymore, since I'll be going back once the gray fog dissipates."

It's okay, I can prepare it first and keep it for you, so you can use it directly when you come back.

Are you so sure I'll come back?

[Uncertain, but better safe than sorry]

A moment of silence.

Just when Green thought she was about to rest, her pale green eyes opened again, and she said something inexplicably.

Are you just going to let me leave like this?

"Or rather, don't you want to leave me here?"

I miss it so much!

Green readily admitted it.

Of course I want to keep you here, I'd even like to use my tentacles to bind you to my side for life.

But I know you have your own things to do, and I'm already very grateful that you've been able to help me so much.

Perhaps he really could keep her here, without even needing to use any means. He could simply find a reason, such as asking her to stay as an ambassador, as a hostage, or even more bluntly, say that he has taken a liking to her. He could keep her here easily, and she herself might not even resist.

but......

Why do we have to make a choice?

The tentacles wriggled gently.

The defensive battle is over, and I should be able to enter a period of relative peace. I can manage on my own.

I've heard that if you weren't there, things would probably be in complete chaos back home.

Go back and take care of your business. If you decide you don't want to continue, or if you have some free time, come work for me.

I welcome you anytime.

The tentacles gently caressed my cheek, leaving a warm and soft sensation.

Its light green eyes gazed silently at the tentacles before it, then slowly closed after a moment.

"What about the others?"

The Mage Guild plans to stay. Uri said she'll contact their leader once the magic tide subsides to build a magic tide observation and research station here, with them acting as the garrison team.

But I think she's talking nonsense. She's just trying to freeload and cause trouble. I'm already considering how to restrict and restrain them.

At the very least, that writing observatory they're using—that thing that sounds like a giant bomb—must be dropped outside of Dawn City, the farther the better.

“That’s right, these mages should be thrown into the wilderness and left to fend for themselves.”

It's clear that Elise harbors a great deal of resentment towards the mages.

"What about the church?"

Regarding the church, some people plan to stay, while others need to return.

[This was also agreed upon by the church leadership before I arrived. They said that if I could confirm that they had no malicious intent, they would leave some people to deal with me, and the rest would go back.]

"You seem to know everything about the church's movements."

"What else? I've already lured their chief knight away, it would be strange if they weren't angry with me yet."

"You knew all along?"

She poked the soft flesh of the tentacle with her finger, causing it to wriggle, before speaking.

"Then, where is my sister?"

She decided to stay.

"Oh."

Elise was not surprised by this answer at all.

After all, even disregarding Edith's certain behaviors, Elise could easily deduce the other's choice from their shared reactions.

"Did you know that any feeling, when amplified several times, is no different from pain?"

She gently stroked the tentacles in front of her, murmuring to herself as if in a dream.

"So both I and that child loved to cry when we were young, because for us, even the slightest bump or bruise would feel like torture to an ordinary person."

"Edith is too young and hasn't even interacted with many people, so she has no idea what that means..."

"And then there's the family. She doesn't know, and neither do you. What exactly is a family...?"

"It's disgusting..."

"More disgusting than the ancient gods."

Elise knew her words would probably sound very strange to Green, but she wasn't going to explain.

It was as if she didn't want to explain what it meant for a nobleman with the blood of glory to be able to fall asleep without any defenses in front of the ancient gods.

Exhausted, she stopped speaking, but gently tightened her grip on the tentacles like a pillow, her breathing gradually becoming long and deep.

Night had fallen outside the window, and for the first time, celebratory fireworks lit up the night sky, a testament to the development of gunpowder.

It was dazzling and exceptionally brilliant.

In this small room, the girl, who had temporarily forgotten her glory and pain, held the tentacle in her arms.

I slept more deeply and soundly than ever before.