Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

Ryuu was unusually serious, completely lacking the gentleness he displayed when teaching Atina. He hadn't expected to run into Atina here during a casual day of inspection at the logging site.

"If this happens again, I'll have your senior, Hetia, have a serious talk with you. Safety is paramount. Besides, you were the one who calculated that this light rain wouldn't affect logging safety. Have I been too trusting of your professional abilities?"

Ryuka walked up to the female engineering student in charge of management. Although she was a bit short, her eyes and tone were terrifying.

"Ming, I understand..."

On the way down the mountain, Atina followed behind Ryusha without saying a word, watching the logs being transported down the mountain, some to be used for construction and some to be sold to other cities.

The branches were cut down and used as firewood. These trees, which originally belonged to the empire but now belonged to the Tartu family, had every part of them transformed into a useful contribution.

In addition to logging sites, there were also quarries and workshops, all of which were set up with the help of engineering scientists.

Apart from the tenant farmers who were "tied down" by the landlords, most of the labor force in Linhu Town joined this development project because the pay was quite good for any job.

The most lucrative job is lumberjacking, which involves a certain degree of danger. Being accidentally killed by a falling tree trunk is no joke, so the pay is higher.

Ideals and reality are never the same. Ryuka once thought that as long as she developed her territory with a reasonable approach, most things would go smoothly, but...

Because of the high pay, some residents even gave up farming and their original jobs, violating the requirement of spending half a day farming and half a day developing the land, just to earn more money.

After all, grain doesn't fetch a good price.

However, if Linhu Town's own grain production decreases, they will have to find ways to buy grain from other places next year. Not only will they lose control of their own resources, but prices will also rise. (The last part, "美呢咏呢想林空你林在在没呢......", appears to be a nonsensical string of characters and doesn't translate directly.)

If Sochi were to blockade food supplies, the consequences would be unimaginable...

The same applies to Atina's family.

After the row houses were completed, Atina's father stepped down from his position as supervisor, partly because an engineering scientist had been appointed, and partly because his health condition was not suitable for leaving the town.

Most of the tenant farmers who rented his land were attracted by the high salary and treated farming carelessly.

Atina also used her connection as a 'Ryukyu student' to get the female student in charge of logging to turn a blind eye to her, in order to earn one silver coin a day.

It seems that management in all aspects needs to be more meticulous and strict, and the bottom line of self-produced grain must not be compromised... Ryuga thought to himself, but was constrained by the current situation of insufficient talent.

Aside from engineering students, the number of people on my side who are literate and have management skills can be counted on one hand.

Although some more members of the princess's faction arrived over the past month, most were disguised soldiers now under Hetia's command and training. Linhu Town finally had an armed force of over forty people, and the cavalry equipment captured earlier had come in handy, although they didn't have enough warhorses.

Because some of the horses were used to pull carts...

"Atina, you can read now. Kania invited you to work with her, but you refused. What are you doing logging? Just tired of it?"

"I'm not tired."

Atina spoke softly, but her voice lacked confidence.

On the one hand, it's her thrifty and hardworking nature, coupled with her excellent physical condition.

On the other hand, there's the demonic sword inside her body...

Ever since the last battle, Idunir has been tempting her to use his power again. But Atina knows that if Idunir takes control of her body, the demonic sword will harm those around her.

Therefore, she left early and returned late every day, spending as little time at home as possible and avoiding contact with Ryuka and the others.

Also, one must periodically remove the 'first restriction' that prevents things from getting out of control, and offer a 'sacrifice' to Iduniel.

A ghostly girl wanders through the mountains and forests in the dark of night, leading those with ill intentions to the underworld... If Liu Xia has some free time, she can hear such rumors, but thanks to this, the activities of mountain bandits and thieves in Linhu Town and its subordinate areas have decreased significantly.

At Ryukatsu's home, Atina sat in a chair, watching the boy treat her wounds.

Actually, it wasn't necessary; Idunir's self-healing ability could heal it instantly. But Atina couldn't bring herself to refuse. Watching Ryūka gently rub the scrapes on her knee, her heart pounded wildly beneath her cold expression.

"I can do it myself..."

"Sure, you can take care of the one on your arm, and I'll help you with the one on your leg. Let's get it done quickly so we can take a hot shower at the public bathhouse, otherwise there won't be any hot water left. Oh, be careful not to get the wound wet."

Ryusha's face, covered in mud, finally broke into a smile again, while Atina was a little nervous about his serious demeanor throughout the journey.

But when she saw him smile, the idea of ​​'becoming the sword that secretly protects him' deepened in the girl's heart once again.

"No need, I'll just wipe it with hot water when I get home," Atina shook her head.

The public bathhouse was open every evening, with limited hot water costing two copper coins per use. Although it only offered showers, the steamy environment attracted quite a few people.

Although the main consumers are still students and soldiers in the capital, as their income increases, the people are gradually changing their lifestyles.

But Atina felt that she should save the two copper coins if possible.

"It's okay, it's on me today~" Liu Xia gave a thumbs up, treating everyone to a bath, as if the two of them were the men.

"Your skin is much fairer and smoother than before. It seems you're growing up. You can't neglect hygiene when you're still growing."

Over the years, Atina transformed from a withered and frail woman into a stunningly beautiful young woman. This remarkable change made Ryuka understand why so many people are fond of the "raising a child" and "little sister" trope.

However, Ryuka still finds it hard to see her as any other girl, but rather as the girl next door, so she can be quite carefree at times.

Atina thought that her improved health and skin were partly thanks to Iduniel, but still shook her head in refusal.

"No need... I'll just wipe it off when I get back."

"You're all covered in mud, you'll get sick if you don't wash properly," Liu Xia joked. "And if you don't bathe for a long time, you'll smell bad."

I need to gradually change the town's hygiene habits.

Atina wasn't afraid of getting sick, but the talkative Iduniel spent all his time boasting in his mind about how lucky he was to be her host... including the fact that he wouldn't get poisoned or sick...

However, Liu Xia's next sentence made her a little nervous, and her brows furrowed imperceptibly.

"Does it smell bad...?"

"Hmm..." Ryuka rested his head on top of Atina's head, lowered his head and sniffed the girl's light golden hair through the air.

Atina was a little nervous. She would boil water every night and wipe herself down, since logging was hard work and she didn't like being dirty.

When Ryūka approached her, her hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, and her shoulders stiffened.

Shut up, Idunir! It's not like that at all! The girl muttered to herself...

It smelled of rainwater mixed with earth, a little wood chips, and then the unique scent of a young girl. If Kania was a gentle, sweet, and slightly milky aphrodisiac fragrance, Hetia was rosewater mixed with a cocktail.

Atina, on the other hand, has a subtle floral scent that is barely perceptible, mixed with the aroma of grass.

But the boy straightened up and grinned mischievously.

"Ugh, it stinks~"

Atina lowered her head, her hands clenched on her knees, and her cheeks, which were not visible, quickly turned red.

Today... I'll just spend two coins to get it washed...

Chapter 4 Magic: From Beginner to Going Astray

"Speaking of which, did you get your hair cut? It looks great."

Atina paused for a moment at Ryusha's words, her fingers brushing against her hair. In the last battle, Atina was beheaded by the light wheel, and her body was repaired by Idunir, but her hair seemed to be a little shorter.

So Atina has been wearing a hat and headscarf lately, and after so much time, her neatly cut hair has finally grown back into its original shape.

Noticed, the girl pinched the tip of her hair, remaining silent. (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the previous sentences.)

"I...I'll go back to get my change of clothes." Atina lowered her head and got up to leave.

Had she gone too far with her praise? Ryuga blinked, grabbed her bathroom gear, and headed to Hetia's manor.

"I'm not coming to tonight's meeting. I'm going to take a shower."

"Why is it so dirty... No, no, what about 'after' that?"

In the single office, Kania was rubbing her messy hair, lying on a pile of documents and reports with a 'workplace smell' on her face, looking at Ryuka with dissatisfaction.

“Stop for one night? It won’t make a difference if we stay one more day. Oh, right…” Ryuga suddenly remembered something and briefly shared her thoughts from the day on food and the meticulous management of her people with Kania.

"Ugh? This is so troublesome~ Are you trying to make me work overtime? You went to take a shower by yourself! My skin is getting worse!!!"

Kania puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, but Ryuka pinched and tugged them.

"It hasn't gotten worse, it's still so smooth and tender. You're a witch, you're naturally beautiful and won't age, right?"

"That also requires magic replenishment! I've been spending so much time with Hetia lately, I haven't had you all to myself in ages! And you've given me extra work, my Ruka~ Aren't you going to make it up to me?"

Kania started to whine and cling to Ryusha's collar.

"Have you been acting more like a spoiled child lately? Is your goal to overthrow Autus? Just bear with it."

"Then... next time~ I want to try being treated like Hetia~"

Kania suddenly leaned close to Ryukatsu's ear and whispered those words, her warm, wet tongue licking Ryukatsu's ear.

"You're really... terrible. It depends on my mood~ Just bear with it until then." Ryuka grinned mischievously, patted Kania's butt, and then left the lord's manor.

"Sigh...men...is Ryuka getting tired of him...?"

Kania rested her chin on her hands, looked at the office door, and pouted.

For the first few days after their return, they were incredibly enthusiastic, but lately it seems they've reverted to their old ways, teasing and taunting each other to keep things in suspense. While that wasn't so bad, seeing how Ryūka torments Hetia always makes Kania feel a little envious.

It's all the witch's bloodline's fault! Kania thought to herself, then took out a few books from the drawer.

Some were black market magic books that Kania had asked Kira to buy for her, along with Kira's dark magic notes, and others... were some indescribable books...

After returning last time, Ryusha put Kira in charge of trade between Linhu Town and the outside world. Kania felt a sense of closeness to this girl with heretical blood.

The two quickly became best friends, and Kania often asked Kania to buy her things when she went out. At first, it was just jewelry and perfume, but gradually it became more open…

Kira was a smart woman and had long realized that the relationship between the group was probably something else entirely, but she didn't say anything and just focused on doing her job.

"When should we bring her in too? Although it's happier to have Ryuka all to myself, the magic power boost will be faster with more people around~"

Kania flipped through the 'strange knowledge' in the book, determined to give Ryusha some 'surprise' next time.

"Oh, so that's how systemic magic works... Hmm, the magic emblem that prevents pregnancy is..."

"Have you been waiting long?"

After they came out, Ryusha took Atina and headed towards the public bathhouse.

Appearing at the front desk were twin girls with contrasting personalities, Evelyn and Elena. The two currently lived with Kira and worked at the bathroom reception desk during the day.

"Hello, Mr. Ryūka."

"Brother Liuxia! You're here so early today~ There aren't many people yet~ And you can use the hot water as much as you want~"

Evelyn was more lively and cheerful, while Elena was like a polite and introverted young lady; neither of them looked like serf girls at all.

Ryūka, who often came to shower, was already quite familiar with the two of them. Evelyn chatted lively with Ryūka, talking about what her sister Kira had bought for them during the last trade. Elena, on the other hand, smiled quietly, glancing at Ryūka every now and then, her face slightly flushed, lost in thought.

"This is Atina. You're about the same age, so you should be able to become good friends."

Ryuka smiled and introduced Atina to the two of them, hoping that the introverted Atina could make more friends of the same age.

"Brother Liuxia, if I had to say, the four of us are all about the same age! You're only a year and a half older than us!"

Evelyn laughed and joked, then warmly took Atina's hand and introduced her to the public bathroom, even secretly telling her which stall had a hotter and more comfortable shower.

Evelyn laughed and joked, then warmly took Atina's hand and introduced her to the public bathroom, even secretly telling her which stall had a hotter and more comfortable shower.

As for Elena, although she didn't say much, judging from the way they exchanged glances, she and Atina seemed to get along better.

"Wow~~~ That feels so much better!!! Much more comfortable than the old church bathroom! And I don't even need to light a fire and boil water myself~"

"It's all Sister Luminova's fault... She fell asleep while boiling water and almost burned the pot... Last time she cleaned, she also poked a hole in the roof... Sigh! Mr. Ryūka..."

Before they were seen, their voices preceded their arrival. Stepping out from behind the curtain were Sisters Luminova and Lindsay. Luminova remained as carefree as ever, but upon seeing Ryūsha, she paused for a moment, though she quickly regained her composure.

"Hey! Little Liuxia! What a coincidence~"

“‘Mr.’ and ‘Little’ don’t need to be added, right…” Ryuka greeted the two of them with a smile.

Since their last return, the two nuns haven't seemed to leave the church much... They appear to be doing repairs and cleaning, but judging from Lindsay's exhausted appearance, she's probably the only one busy...

Lindsay's orange hair was wet and stuck to her forehead, and her glasses were fogged up. Perhaps because she had just taken a shower, Ryuka felt that her face was even redder.

Luminova, on the other hand, was not wearing a nun's headscarf; her long white hair was piled on top of her head, and water droplets clung to the long eyelashes of her emerald green eyes.

"Oh~ another adorable child! Hey! What's your name! Want to join the church choir? Joining now will get you four eggs~ But since you're so cute! Hmm... a special bonus! How about eight eggs for you!"

Upon seeing Atina, Luminova rushed towards her with great enthusiasm, startling the girl host of the heretical demon sword.

Chapter 5 What Atina Cares About

At that moment, Idunir's voice echoed in Atina's mind.

"Ugh~ What's wrong with this guy? He has such an annoying aura. Should I kill him? Is it okay to kill him?"