The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

“We’ve now properly resolved our problems with the waterways.”

“A considerable amount of our funds went into this project, Your Highness. We have to put these non-lucrative and huge projects on hold for quite some time…”

“We’re not in a rush to get back our capital. Amy, what about the stones that you purchased from the Allaui Merchant Group?”

“Yes, all of them have been loaded up and stored in a warehouse nearby.”

“Alright. In three days, we should call for a few royal guards and tell them to start on the next project with the dwarves.”

Since they were done dealing with the underground waterways, it was time for them to pack the ground, the very source of dust, and create stone pathways!

Of course, stone pavements and roads were things that could only be seen in large cities. However, Davey believed that a cleaner territory would lead to better hygiene, which would in turn result in a more beautiful appearance to attract plenty of visitors and tourists. In other words, if the territory’s quality of life increased, then the natural outcome would be a significant increase in population and that would allow them to generate higher revenue.

“I will convey Your Highness’ message right away.” Although something was bothering her, Amy did not pursue the matter anymore since she could not pinpoint what it was. She nodded in agreement.

For a moment, Davey felt like he was a bit too full of himself.

The Heins Territory was huge—it was not called a vast wasteland for nothing. Even though the land was cracked and dry, if given more time and a larger number of people to manage it, the vast wasteland could turn into fertile and prosperous land. Of course, drawbacks also existed. Although Davey could control the amount of rainfall in the vast lands of his territory, because of a lack of precision, the variety of the crops that they could cultivate was also lacking. Also…

“If I make it rain every time we need it, then it will eventually cause damage to the environment.”

That was actually the most important part. If Davey continued to do that, then it was no different from long-term suicide. After all, this method would kill his surroundings and environment, as well as his goal of living a good life.

“It would be nice to have some elementalists to manage things…”

Elves were the most famous race in this respect, as they produced many elementalists. However, Davey did not have any method to entice them and drag them over to work for him, so that was out of the question. Besides, cooperating with that race was not a very appealing option to Davey right now.

“Just come inside,” Davey said leisurely, his eyes straying away from the documents that Amy had left behind. He watched a man dressed in black military uniform slowly appear as if he had been in the room since earlier. Davey then asked, “What’s the matter?”

“There’s something that I wish to tell you.”

Rinne, who was sleeping while hugging Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon on the sofa by the side of the room, slowly opened her eyes at the man’s calm answer. She could not help but tilt her head at the sudden stand-off between Jack and Davey.

“Right. You want to say something…”

Jack only wanted to say something to Davey, right? So, why did it sound like this was some kind of big deal? Just to make sure, Davey silently checked Jack’s status window. However, there were no big changes so far. Jack was still the dark elf whose real name was Aina Helishana.

“But before that, let me ask you a question.”

“Please ask away.”

“Do you have a younger or an older sister by any chance?” Davey asked as the atmosphere momentarily turned delicate.

“What do you mean…?”

“Nevermind. Right, you’ve done quite a few things for me during this time. I can, of course, listen to what you have to say.”

Jack only answered Davey with silence. He was seemingly telling Davey that he had to help with this, since he had been slaving over the things that Davey had asked him to do. Jack softly spoke up. “Yes. Then…”

“Huh? Who left this fairytale here?” Davey interrupted Jack, stopping him from speaking any further. He held out a small book in his hands and commented, “The Elf’s Lover? Huh? Isn’t this elven romance very famous in the capital these days?”

“That’s right but… I think Miss Winley has brought that here deliberately.”

“Winley? What’s so good about this?”

“It’s quite a bestseller among the nobility. I believe it’s a sweet and nice read? The existence of an elf…”

Davey was fully aware. For humans, elves were like fairies of the forest. They were a symbol of peace. But what could Davey do? That image had long been destroyed. He commented, “Is that so? I personally don’t like elves.”

“…” Jack flinched at Davey’s words.

“If one appears in front of me right now, I will grab them, strip them naked, and hang them on the gates with words ‘shameless race’ written on their body.”

“…” Jack’s silence was prolonged. He flinched even more intensely at Davey’s shocking words.

“Ah, sorry. My emotions got the better of me for a moment. What did you want to say to me?”

***

“Ahahaha! For real? Are you really into that?” A slim woman laughed loudly, making fun of the person in front of her.

“U-Ugh… S-Stop making fun of me, Kathryn.”

“Oh my. My dear imperial princess, it’s so fun to see your face turn red. You know? Kahahahaha!!!” The woman, dressed in clothes that revealed her tanned skin, laughed happily as she stroked Aeria’s head.

Goodness! Someone truly dared to stroke the head of the youngest imperial princess, who was deeply cherished and fenced off by the absolute ruler of the great empire, the Emperor? Still, the parties involved and even the maids in the vicinity did not feel anything strange about it.

A healthy and tan skin, a slim figure and fairly revealing clothing. These things were quite common in the Western Continent. Of course, the woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, looked sexy and beautiful, especially with her eye-catching amber hair tied up in a ponytail, but that did nothing to clarify this situation that defied common sense.

On the other hand, if the woman’s identity were to be revealed, people would know that she was not just some run-of-the-mill existence. She was none other than the Flaming Fox.

She had been given that name because of her red tail and ears that looked like blazing flames. Kathryn might look like a frivolous young woman but the truth was she was the object of fear in Lyndis Empire—the Empire’s Grand Duchess and one of the greatest and strongest forces of the empire.

Kathryn was also a pure-blooded beastfolk, who, in terms of power and strength, was only beneath Emperor Deorte, the man hailed as the Empire’s Strongest Sword. This was no different from saying that she ranked at the top of the master-level forces in the Lyndis Empire.

But despite Kathryn’s status in the empire, the beastfolk still suffered and endured from countless contemptuous and disdainful looks. The reason? Simple. She was only a single person. She had more freedom than most because she was the empire’s grand duchess. Even so, she was just a single force with little to no power other than her personal strength.

“Oh my. My dear imperial princess, look at how fair your skin is! How can you hide this cute face of yours for such a long time?”

“U, ugh… that tickles. Stop it.”

“Hehehehe. Look at how soft and tender you are! Huh? Did you know about how many rumors are flying around in the empire right now? From what I heard there’s a long line of those nobles’ sons waiting to see our dear imperial princess’ face. However! I will make sure to knock those heat-crazed punks down a peg one way or the other!” Kathryn pinched Aeria’s soft cheeks, smiling broadly just like those middle-aged uncles as she hugged Aeria tightly, “You can smile now, what a relief. Truly a relief, Your Imperial Highness.”

“I’m very grateful for your concern, Kathryn.”

“By the way, that guy’s really amazing, huh? He healed a disease that even the Holy Empire has given up on in just a few days.”

“Is… Is that so?” Aeria tried to reply nonchalantly, turning her face slightly away from Kathryn.

The older woman rubbed her chin while deep in thought, murmuring, “It’s quite hard to see someone so capable somewhere else. And that’s not all, he turned around as if nothing happened after taking away the heart of our dear imperial princess.”

Aeria realized that Kathryn was making a serious error in judgment. She quickly said, “That’s… that’s not it.”

“Huh? What’s not it?”

“I… I… It’s because… I did not fall for him because he treated my disease… He had already saved me before that…” Feeling that this was a very important point, Aeria wanted to make things clear about her crush on the prince named Davey O’Rowane. Her feelings for the prince had formed long before they met in the empire. She cried out, “This… This is very important!”

“Ah…”

Kathryn seriously considered kidnapping this cute and adorable little princess and taking her to her mansion. She asked, “Your Imperial Highness, do you truly like that prince?”

“That… That…” Despite admitting it, Aeria still was embarrassed. All she could do was lower her head as her face turned a bright red.

Kathryn laughed at Aeria. She had not seen this sight for a very long time. “Oh my, what should I do with this cute little princess?”

“Pl… Please stop.”

“Your Imperial Highness, would you like me to give you some advice? There’s a way for you to capture a man without fail.”

“There… There is?” Aeria immediately raised her head, revealing wide-open eyes. It was safe to say that she was seriously considering whatever method it was that Kathryn would say.

Kathryn had never met this prince of a small nation that had cured Aeria of her illness, since she had been at the borders doing an imperial inspection when everything happened.

“From what I can tell, that prince is either too considerate or just not interested. If we followed your pace and waited for progress to happen, then we'd both get wrinkles by the time something happened, am I right? Besides, that prince left without any hesitation. And with His Majesty, the Emperor, an extreme daughter-loving father, he will definitely not push for an arranged marriage.”

“Th… Then…”

Kathryn grinned when she saw Aeria’s tearful expression, saying, “If that’s the case, then there’s only one good method that will work for you.”

“Plea… Please tell me!”

Seeing Aeria answer resolutely as if she would willingly do whatever it took to get the prince, Kathryn pulled Aeria out of her arms. Kathryn shook the girl and conveyed her thoughts as they were, no holds barred, “All you have to do is mate with him.”

“Huh?”

A short silence ensued.

“Mate with him, eat him up. It’s better if you can get a baby in your stomach. Will he even throw you away if his child is in your stomach? ‘Course not. What more, a child with an imperial princess?”

“What?!”

“My dear princess, whether they’re men or women, people like that act. The sacred act of union between two bodies is the goal of all living things. What I’m saying is that no one is superior or inferior when it comes down to that. Besides, our dear princess has this cute face, who can deny that? If I were you, I would wear my negligee[1] and infiltrate his bedroom right away!”

“Kathryn!”

“Well, it’s up to you where you want to eat him up. You’ll feel good wherever you are, anyway…”

“Wh… Whaaaa?!”

“Keep this in mind. Those wicked and dirty men? They’ll die when they hear that beautiful voice of yours. In that respect, we can call Your Imperial Highness’ voice a living weapon…”

“S… S-S-S-Stop it!!!” Aeria screamed, her face turning a few shades darker than the shade of red from before.

Who in their right mind would say something like that to a member of the imperial family? However, the problem here was Grand Duchess Kathryn’s free and unreserved thoughts and advice were so intense and forward that Aeria could not accept them at all.

***

A chilly silence hung in the air.

—I think it’s because your expression is too stiff.

Davey immediately shut up when he heard Perserque chuckling at him.

It was not just some petty joke. In fact, what Davey had done was a test of sorts. If Jack had noticed it, then he would get results.

—What’s your reason?

Just as Davey had mentioned before, those pointy-eared bastards were very snobbish and arrogant. That was why he did not like them. Well, to be exact, he just truly did not like the elves. So, what was his reason? Because they were vegetarians? No, of course not. Was it because they were a very strict and meticulous race? Well, that was one of the reasons, but it was still not the main reason why Davey hated them.

1. A sheer and see-through long gown, intended for wear at night and in the bedroom. ☜