The battle was over.
Cleanup began right after.
For Leo, this part couldn’t have been more convenient.
He waved his hand broadly.
A Magic Array unfurled on the ground, light swirling within it.
Dozens of Skeleton Soldiers marched out from the array, their steps rattling.
The townsfolk’s gazes converged, mingling awe with a touch of fear.
These tireless, unpaid workers immediately began expertly hauling away the monster corpses.
The Rock-armored Lizard’s shells made top-quality armor material.
And the Claw Direwolves, though intimidating in name, were especially delicious when roasted.
Leo had the Butler organize a crew right away.
In the town square, they built a massive bonfire.
“To celebrate our victory, tonight, the whole town will hold a Victory Banquet!”
He announced loudly.
This news instantly ignited everyone’s enthusiasm.
The ecstasy of survival, mingled with adoration for their Lord, set the entire territory ablaze with excitement.
Flames licked at huge slabs of Wolf Meat.
Fat dripped onto the charcoal, hissing and crackling.
The rich aroma of roasting meat wafted over the entire town.
Children chased each other around the bonfire, laughter ringing out clear and bright.
The adults lifted mugs of Wheat Ale, laughing and chatting loudly, praising their wise and mighty Lord.
Leo sat at the head seat, holding a cup of Fruit Wine, taking in the lively scene before him.
He had never set out to be anyone’s savior.
But seeing the smiles he’d brought to these people’s faces, a strange warmth swelled in his chest.
This feeling… wasn’t bad at all.
Just then, the four members of the Stoneheart Squad approached, cups in hand.
At the front, Kaiden wore a solemn expression.
“Lord,” Kaiden’s voice was low and powerful.
“No need to be so formal, Captain Kaiden,” Leo said with a smile, pointing to the empty seats beside him.
“Sit. Tonight, we’re all heroes—no lords or captains between us.”
The four exchanged glances and sat down as told.
Kaiden hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words.
But Arl, always quick on the uptake, spoke up first.
“Lord, our squad discussed it.”
“We’d like… to stay in your territory.”
Leo raised an eyebrow.
This was an unexpected delight.
Shia added, “We’re just rootless adventurers, wandering all over.”
“We’ve seen your strength and kindness with our own eyes. If possible, we’d like to serve under you.”
Little mage Emily nodded vigorously at the side.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Leo.
“Lord, you’re amazing! I’ve never seen a Summoner this powerful!”
Leo chuckled.
He’d been worried about the lack of fighting strength in his territory.
The Stoneheart Squad had balanced professions, rich combat experience, great talent, and decent character.
It was as if someone had handed him a pillow when he was about to doze off.
“Since you all feel that way, I’ll gladly accept.”
Leo set down his wine cup, his expression turning more serious.
“I promise you, as long as you are loyal to this land, you will never be treated unfairly. Wages, equipment—I’ll handle it all.”
Hearing this, all four lit up with joy.
They knew they had found the right person to follow.
With that settled, Leo let his gaze wander through the crowd.
It landed at the corner of the square.
There, Irinna was gnawing on a roasted wolf leg, absentmindedly poking at a Panel only she could see.
Her expressions shifted unpredictably, sometimes frowning, sometimes sighing in relief.
Leo strolled over, cup in hand, and sat down beside her.
“How’s the taste?”
“Huh?”
Irinna jumped in surprise, nearly dropping her meat.
When she saw it was Leo, she patted her chest in relief.
“Not bad, just a little tough.”
She glanced around.
“By the way, you sure know how to throw a party.”
“We did just win a battle,” Leo sipped his wine, pretending to be casual.
“Plus, the Experience Points were great this time—I leveled up several times in one go.”
Irinna froze mid-bite.
She looked up sharply.
Her Amber Eyes went wide, staring at Leo, mouth slightly open, not even noticing the grease at the corners.
The air seemed to solidify.
Leo watched her expression, laughing inwardly.
He deliberately added, “What? Don’t you get a ‘ding’ sound effect when you level up?”
“You, you, you…”
Irinna pointed at Leo, her hand shaking, unable to form a complete sentence.
Leo winked at her, lowering his voice.
“Want to check a secret passphrase? ‘Imperial Court Jade Liquor’?”
Irinna’s mind crashed.
She answered reflexively, “A hundred and eighty per cup?”
“How’s this wine?!”
“Let me brag to you!”
The words slipped out before she realized.
Leo burst out laughing.
“Alright, fellow traveler, relax.”
“With that look, I thought I’d blurted out some world-shattering secret.”
“Damn!”
Irinna finally came to her senses and cursed.
Then she quickly covered her mouth, guiltily glancing around.
Seeing no one noticed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She leaned in close to Leo, whispering even softer than a mosquito.
“You… you too?”
“What else?”
Leo spread his hands.
“You think people here naturally talk about gaining Experience Points from fighting monsters?”
Irinna completely relaxed.
She slumped back, letting out a long breath.
“Oh my god… scared me half to death. I thought I was the only unlucky one.”
“Same here.”
Leo nodded in understanding.
The two exchanged a look, seeing in each other’s eyes that bittersweet excitement known as “meeting a fellow from your hometown in a foreign land.”
“Fellow travelers meet, tears in their eyes,” Irinna sighed.
Now, when she looked at Leo, her eyes were filled with a heartfelt warmth, as if seeing a long-lost family member.
“By the way, what level are you?”
“Just hit thirty-nine.”
“Wow, that high? I just reached thirty-three after that last fight!”
Irinna’s face was full of envy.
“Your class is too easy! You just stand in the back, summon a horde of underlings to swarm the enemy, and barely lift a finger yourself.”
“Unlike me, a poor mage who has to cast every fireball by hand.”
“You don’t get it. We Summoners use up tons of mana, okay?”
Leo couldn’t help but retort.
“And I’ve got talent. Most people playing Summoner are weaker than dogs in the early game.”
“You’re a mage—by late game, you’ll be world-destroying. What’s there to complain about?”
“That’s late game! Right now I’m stuck in early game!”
Irinna grumbled.
“And my System isn’t quite like yours. It keeps giving me all kinds of weird, compulsory quests. I have no choice but to do them.”
“The Protagonist System, huh? I get it.”
Leo gave a knowing nod.
“You even know about that?”
Irinna was even more surprised.
“Of course! I’m a hardcore veteran of this game. After you babbled for a bit, I figured it out.”
Leo looked smug.
Now Irinna’s gaze changed completely.
“Boss! Boss, take me with you!”
She hugged Leo’s arm without hesitation, fawning shamelessly.
“So you’re the legendary plot master! No wonder you’re never fazed.”
“Ahem, let’s keep it low-key.”
Leo was a little embarrassed by her sudden enthusiasm.
“So… you must know the original plot, right?”
Irinna asked cautiously.
Leo nodded.
“More or less. There’s no way I’d just wait for my territory to be wiped out and then turn evil, right? That’d be stupid.”
Hearing this, Irinna finally relaxed.
Her biggest reason for coming here was to see if she could prevent Leo’s descent into darkness.
After all, given her System’s annoying tendencies, once Leo turned dark, she’d be forced to fight him as the ‘Hero of Justice.’
Yeah, right.
Going up against a top Summoner who could call up dragons and undead armies at will?
She wasn’t that suicidal.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Irinna patted her chest.
“To be honest, I came here mainly because I was worried you’d repeat the old path. I really don’t want to fight you—I’m scared.”
“I can tell,” Leo shot her a glance.
“You make for a pretty cowardly protagonist.”
“So what? Staying alive is what matters most!”
Irinna said righteously.
“Anyway, what’s your plan next? Going to be an Overlord here?”
“Pretty much. Farm a bit, slay monsters now and then, live a comfy little life.”
Leo thought for a moment, then asked, “What about you?”
“Me?”
Irinna’s face fell.
“My System’s Main Quest is to report to the Mage Academy in the Royal Capital!”
She looked utterly miserable.
“It’s mandatory—I have to go. Boss, you’re my only family here now, you have to look out for me.”
She gazed at Leo with pitiful, hopeful eyes.
“How about… you come with me? We can watch each other’s backs.”
Leo paused, fingers tapping his wine cup.
Go to the Academy?
There was nothing for him to learn there. Worse, he’d be putting himself under the noses of all those nobles in the Royal Capital—definitely more risk than reward.
But when he turned and saw the hope shining in Irinna’s eyes, he saw the reliance of someone who’d found a kindred spirit, mixed with fear for the uncertain road ahead.
In this strange world, having a fellow traveler around… might not be so bad.
He suddenly smiled, a little helplessly.
“Alright.”
Leo shrugged, his tone light.
“We’ll just come up with new identities and sneak in, no problem.”
“Really?” Irinna’s eyes sparkled.
“My word as a gentleman.”
“As unbreakable as a four-horse carriage!”
Irinna excitedly gripped Leo’s hand.
“Boss, from now on, you’re my big bro!”
Looking at the shameless “protagonist” before him, Leo couldn’t help but laugh.
Still, with a fellow traveler by his side, this crazy transmigration life suddenly seemed a lot more interesting.