It's not the protagonist, what does it matter if you are trapped in the Shura field

Chapter 683 What do you want with our master?
In front of the clearing in the valley, Lovely and Princess Emilykes bid farewell to Yulia, who had come temporarily.

At the urging of the three princesses of Griffin, Lucas relinquished the signet ring that held the power over the Westerlands. Stripped of everything, he is now imprisoned.

"I heard that the Hooffire Empire is experiencing the same thing as Lion's Garden, right?"

“Yes…” Yulia was already satisfied with the result and did not expect Lovely to hand the person over to her. “Kid and I have accumulated some power now, and it will probably be difficult to provide assistance before we finish dealing with the problems over there.”

“You too,” Lovely nodded, “You must remember to be extra careful over there.”

Yulia went up and hugged her and her mother.

Watching the Third Princess board the magic airship, Lovely turned to her work. Thanks to Lowe's decision, she now had so many things to arrange that she couldn't possibly finish them all.

With the Ring of Authority and the Greatsword of the Lion of Sacred Power, reclaiming the southwestern territories would not be difficult. They also have sufficient military strength to block the offensive of the Temple of War on the way. The key now is to predict what actions the enemy will take.

As far as she knew, the Dawn Saintess had conquered three more countries after Mount Valai, while the Melody Saintess had occupied Aselant and was now heading towards the Black Desert and the Red River Basin.

There aren't many forces left for the Western Continent to choose from. It's said that the Yellow Sun Temple has officially accepted the invitation from the Dawn Saintess, which is bad news for them.

If you take out a map of the mainland...

With the Hooffire Empire preoccupied with internal strife, these three are the only ones most likely to show signs of expansion.

……

One of the seven independent cities on the mainland, Wuguan City.

Emerging from the teleportation portal, Rowe looked around at the surrounding scenery. The backyard of Crosie's Workshop on South Craftsman Street had almost become a dedicated teleportation platform for trade.

"You haven't been back for quite a while, have you?" Philica teased, standing beside him. "Lord of the city?"

Luo Wei pursed his lips.

The towering white stone city wall was clearly visible in the distance. He hadn't been here for a long time. Looking at the familiar scenery around him, he could still vividly recall the joyful appearance of Xiao Er and Wu Zai back then.

Thinking back, they really did cause a huge scene here back then.

Searching for the truth beneath the water, delving into the ruins of the divine war, battling the Craftsmen's Guild and the Goddess of Machines, and even getting them to create city traffic rules.

As for why the teleportation portal wasn't located in the city center, it's because the central square is strangely quiet, and Chloe's materials are often transported from there.

“However, I didn’t expect you to actually agree.” Philica smiled.

Do you think I want to agree?

Upon seeing the note that Philica had tucked behind the list, the little princess imp summoned him to the council tent for a meeting, and he knew what nonsense she was spouting without her even opening her mouth.

She had planned to bring in a surprise attack from Wuguan City long ago.

This was, of course, the result of discussions with Artana. Without the Beast God Domain left by the Mother Goddess on this land, even Vimir would not have been able to directly pull an army from such a distance. Marcus and the others arrived at the Silent Courtyard from the Uncrowned City via mass teleportation, and then stepped through the great teleportation gate connected by the power of the Mother Goddess and Vimir, thus descending onto the battlefield.

The fact that the Temple of War Gods even came to inform them was truly a source of amusement.

So, to get Wuguan City and the surrounding forces to go all out on this, whose influence or whose order would be needed to legitimately gather them together?

That could only be some unknown, uncrowned city lord.

Honestly... they actually made me owe them a favor, even though those noisy guys kept insisting that I was just repaying a favor.

"You two—"

Upon hearing the voice, Rowe and Philica looked toward the person who was speaking, and the former's gaze paused for a moment.

The other person had almost the same reaction when they saw him, their expression blank.

Philica: "?"

So, you two know each other?

This probably isn't a matter of whether they know each other or not... Hey, why is she here?!

“Hello,” the woman said, managing to regain some composure, and bowed slightly to the two of them. “I am Caroline, the secretary-general of ‘Popular Voices,’ please allow me… to take you to the venue.”

Rowe glanced guiltily at Philica.

She didn't seem to realize that the other person was the same one who had been babbling incessantly next to her tent for months.

"..."

How did she manage to rise to the position of department head?

Caroline, her husband Colin, was the reason the artisans were exposed. The reason Zorman and Icarus lost was because they failed to meet the basic needs of this married woman... After the incident in Uncrowned City, Rowe released her and entrusted Shadow Lodge to take care of her.

I never expected to meet you here.

The moment Caroline saw him, she was reminded of the unbearable months of imprisonment. She looked up, her face flushed with embarrassment, and her body tensed slightly.

As the three walked past the shop window, Luo Wei saw the sword that could stand upright at any moment, and his face darkened slightly.

No one would buy this stuff if it were just sitting here...

Caroline naturally saw it too, and her arms unconsciously hooked around her body lines as she turned her head away in embarrassment.

Philica gave them a suspicious look.

"Do...do you want me to tell you about the current situation in Crownless City?" Caroline asked hastily after passing the workshop and arriving on the main street.

Without waiting for the two to say anything, she began her introduction on her own—the current Crownless City is governed by a coalition of multiple organizations, each with its own functions and powers. The "Public Opinion Voice" organization she belonged to was one of them. Major matters were discussed at the Craftsmen's Union Meeting, and the final decision rested with the independent executive officer.

Isn't this just a coalition government system?

However, this does prevent all power from being concentrated in one organization, as was the case with the old artisan guilds, and can be seen as a result of learning from historical lessons.

As for democracy, it's still too far removed from the world's reality.

"When did you join this organization?" Philica asked, but her question was about Caroline herself. "And what were you doing before that?"

“I... joined the organization when it was first established, and before that... I had a less-than-respectable past.”

"Oh?"

Philica gave Rowe a meaningful look.

“I wasn’t exactly presentable before either,” she smiled enigmatically, “maybe our experiences are somewhat similar?”

"Really?" Caroline glanced at her. "I didn't realize someone as beautiful as you would..."

It’s over.

Seeing Caroline looking over, Philica continued to smile expressionlessly.

"Can we talk about this unpleasant past? Consider it a way to encourage each other."

"This...this..."

It’s over.

This is such an old news story... how could it explode today? He never expected that Philica would be traveling with them, who knew that the two of them would meet under these circumstances.

The two then chatted for a few more minutes.

Philica's gaze fell upon him like a needle's point. "It seems we have a lot in common."

Luo Wei listened to their discussion with a forced smile, and finally boarded the railcar from South Craftsman Street to the meeting place on North Craftsman Street.

"Here we are, right here."

After escorting the two inside, Caroline did not follow them in.

The outcome of the meeting was uneventful. It was simply a vote on whether to continue supporting the Five Princesses of Libra. With representatives from the Lake Elves, Wild Elves, the Dragon Clan of the Mountain of Caesars, the Neutral Kingdom of Mount Kali, the Demon Kingdom, and the Dwarf Kingdom all raising their hands in unanimous support, Marcus, sitting in the main seat, raised his hand and then looked at Lovi, who was seated with Philica standing behind him.

So you really had to go this far?

After sighing, Luo Wei also raised his hand.

Lovely had already arranged the meeting agenda here; all she needed was for the city lord to come and express his opinion, and also to witness the authenticity of the meeting's vote.

Passed unanimously.

After the meeting, the representatives of each faction got up to leave. Before everyone had left, Marcus put his boots on the table. At this moment, the mecha girls Bena and Domi appeared at the same time and immediately started bickering.

"You really have the guts to come all this way," Marcus scoffed.

"After all, you've managed this place so well, haven't you?" Luo Wei shrugged, glancing at the mecha girls who were arguing like elementary school students.

Marcus: (Hooffire Empire profanity*)

As for Philica, there was nothing to say between the two marshals, after all, they had argued enough in the past. Marshal Dong only glanced at her before turning his gaze away with a sneer.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been enjoying all the riches and luxuries here,” Marcus sneered. “Anyone who causes me trouble, I’ll smash their head in.”

“Indeed,” Rowe glanced at him teasingly, “from a worthless life to a dictatorial tyrant, your style is starting to develop in the direction of a playboy middle-aged man.”

"Humph."

Marcus doesn't want to mention how much blame he's taken for him.

“Those guys have prepared a welcome dinner for you,” he said, crossing his burly arms and glancing down at you. “Go or not is up to you. Just finish your work and get out of here.”

"Heh, I didn't expect you to start showing some human touch."

"Get out of here, get out of here."

Lovi didn't intend to expose his attempt to cover up his shyness, and Philica also pulled her mecha girl away from the side.

at dinner.

When Rowe met Vanessa, Elfa, and Dundee again, he didn't act awkwardly. But what was a little surprising was that Marcus, who had told him about it, didn't come.

Only after asking did I learn that the guy had always strictly adhered to military discipline, and that thuggish demeanor was purely for show. It's no wonder that the security in Wuguan City is so stable now.

"Come on, Rowe, let's drink!" Camesh said, patting his belly and laughing heartily. "It's so nice to see you again! Haha!"

After clinking glasses with him, Rowe teased him mercilessly, asking him how the development of the dwarven ruins was progressing.

"Hmm? Ruins?" The dwarf king Kamesh scratched his belly. "What ruins?"

The demon Gittichu listened and laughed.

“You’re still as sharp-tongued and sarcastic as ever,” he said.

"Hmm, I didn't expect you guys to actually mass-produce that magic gun after the Goddess of the Machines battle," Luo Wei teased him. "Who exactly are you planning to use this thing against? Can I not be a little harsh?"

He still talks like that.

The sarcasm is half-joking, and even if it contains a hint of approval, you won't be able to tell.

The lords of the various factions had already experienced this, so there was nothing more to say. Kittichu patted him and laughed as he punished himself with a cup of wine.

At this moment, Dundee furtively pulled Luo Wei aside, "I told you last time about the girl I'm pursuing..."

Hearing that this guy had lured someone into the sewers before and was now asking him for advice, Luo Wei broke out in a cold sweat.

"Let me tell you, I suspect that time really left a deep impression on her! How could an ordinary person think of meeting at a place like that?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Luo Wei replied perfunctorily.

"Quickly, teach me, do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?" Dundee said with a serious expression, "I feel like I'm just one last push away...!"

"Then try telling her about the troubles you came to me about."

Lowe patted him on the shoulder and then walked away.

Sincerity is the ultimate weapon.

Dundee: "...!"

Lowe took a sip of juice and then saw Vanessa standing some distance away on the other side.

He slowly lowered his head, then smiled and raised his glass to the other person.

Perhaps, as she said, the feelings these lords had for him, who had fought alongside him, were indeed something that could not be bought with the title of city lord alone.

He was strolling around the ball with nothing to do when Caroline came up to him and approached him.

"I...I don't know if I can ask you for a favor."

"What."

"I..." She hugged her arms slightly nervously, "Only you know about me, but I don't yet... I don't know if I should..."

"……what?"

Luo Wei didn't understand what she was saying for a moment, although he was just trying to restrain himself from thinking about it.

"So... I'm still..."

"oops--"

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

Philica came over from the side, having changed into a beautiful dress that she wouldn't normally wear. She had clearly done some makeup and dressing up, and gently took Rowe's arm.

"What do you need from my husband?" she replied with an air of perfect elegance.

Caroline paused for a moment, then turned and left somewhat sullenly.

Gittichu and Elfa also noticed the situation.

However, throughout the entire ball, Philica never let go of Rowe's arm, maintaining a composed and confident stance while engaging in conversations with all sorts of people.

"..."

Luo Wei was momentarily stunned by this treatment.

After the banquet, the two entered the guest room arranged for them by the venue, which had a shared living room. It was only then that Philica let go of his hand.

She turned around, looking at him with a slightly sharp expression that was both enigmatic and difficult to decipher.

"I don't want to dwell on what you did in the past or what kind of perverse sense you had."

"...You already knew?"

“This kind of thing,” she said, arms crossed, “can’t you just pinch her stomach lightly to verify it?”

She then gave a soft chuckle, making Luo Wei feel somewhat embarrassed. It was too much to ask an older woman to guess her thoughts.

“I don’t care about what you’ve done,” she said with a knowing smile, “but if you get seduced by this kind of ambiguous woman halfway through, I’ll feel very awkward.”

"Since you insist on getting your way—"

She slowly bent down, her fingers gently reaching inside, and removed the innermost layer of her clothing, handing it to him.

Then she chuckled softly:
"Take it, use it as you like."

(End of this chapter)