''So... you just went in alone?''

''Yes.''

''Don't you know how dangerous that is?! At least let us know beforehand!''

''There were safeguards—''

''I don't care! You dummy!''

One thing I clearly didn't consider before jumping into the fight with the hydra is my team's reaction. Beyond causing them worries, it might have been quite irresponsible of me.

Now, of course, not everybody cares about it all that much. Mister Slen and the doc don't seem to feel anything, while Smiley is still Smiley—he's a good boy. Similarly, Ash is simply Ash.

Hah, let idiots be idiots. So dramatic for a reckless lass.

Even if you say that, Nova, I clearly felt your presence nearby when I fought the hydra in the snowfield. It's not very convincing.

But that also marks the last member who is not angry over this mishap. From below, Kyomu is mildly concerned, Skely is deeply concerned, and Ariel is furious.

After spending a good half an hour trying to defuse the situation, I finally get to express my next move.

''Ahem... anyway, so we now have the entire Zircon to ourselves.''

''Congratulations.'' Kyomu calmly says, starting the clapping.

''Congrats! Yay...!''

Oh, since Ariel is kind of sulking right now, the energetic voice belongs to Sikare instead. She is quite happy with her share of hydra 'goods,' as she calls them.

The others still seem suspicious of her, but I guess it'll be resolved sooner or later. It's the same thing with Kyomu—it's just a matter of time.

''So, I have this idea,'' I speak. ''Since we finally have free reign over all of Zircon, I think we should begin to build up our territory. As of right now, this vast forest remains undefended and deserted, and it wouldn't be hard for hostile forces to lightly come in and harm our land.''

Previously, they were the ones needing to protect themselves against threats within Zircon, but now that I've gotten rid of most wild beasts whose cooperation can't be earned, the responsibility to defend our sovereignty falls onto us.

Of course, I'm wary of demons and potentially even the empire, but more than anything, I want to finally let the world know of our existence as a dominant force.

''In other words, expand our military... and seize power.''

At the prospect of this proposal, many start to feel excitement, while others sigh in relief as if waiting for this.

''Does anyone have an objection?''

'''' ... ''''

In a matter of seconds, we have a unanimous vote.

And so, the project begins.

----------------------------------------

''Eh... isn't this too tall?''

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''No, it's not tall enough, even.''

''Who are we showing it to, though? It's already higher than the clouds...''

''To everyone? I'm pretty sure the folks in the empire can see it now.''

As I feel the screeching wind pass by, the conversation between Sikare and Ariel flows into my ears.

It has been a week or so since the construction of the main tower commenced. I decided to put it in my home area, West Zircon, to maximize the intimidation factor toward the empire.

I was expecting the building alone to take months or even years, but somehow... it's almost done already.

Peeking past the tattered cloud mattress, I see the faint silhouette of the academy and the city around it. To think that I now stand above everything...

''How do you like it here, boss?''

From behind, the Witch of Calamity pops out, grinning proudly. In response, I give her a nod.

Sikare's specialty is golem arts. Golems are practically moving non-organic structures, to put it simply. So, she is actually quite good at building stuff. That, combined with the doc's mysteriously superb intelligence, makes for unreal features in the tower that I frankly did not expect.

For example, there are several floors where the space inside them can expand and morph randomly, floors where the floors themselves can turn into gruesome monsters with thousands of eyes, or floors where they loop back to the original entrance if an outsider is trying to climb further, etc.

Oh, and did I mention that the tower itself is a living creature?

Not technically 'living,' per se, but it's a hybrid of golem and... whatever the doc was cooking these days. He told me he had collected a sample of the dark energy from the crater created by Nuf's attack a while ago. Then, he must have done something to it. I'm honestly not sure.

I decided to call it 'The Tower of Horrors.'

Either way, these features are great, and although not as strong as Neveah's defense system, the tower can still do its job properly.

In addition, we have also established further measures to defend Zircon in case of an invasion. Since the forest is mostly empty anyway, we figured we might as well throw some mobs like golems or dark slimes in there first—that's the basic one. Some more advanced ones might be the artificial zombie swamps or haunted spots and such.

It works out perfectly as Sikare—the main producer of these creatures—is extremely content with her rewards for the occasion. She said earlier that those hydra guts would allow her to make 'crazy mad' potions.

I'm a bit concerned, but it's probably fine.

All is going well, all things considered. Even the demons and the cult have been quiet recently.

For now...

[Horror Lord: Summon horror the way you want. CD: 240 hours. (5/6)] [Unique]

[Cooldown: 17:03:14]

Less than a day until another horror.

*****

''Hah... hah... oh my god...!''

''Keep your legs moving.''

''Ugh...!''

Astra Academy, nighttime.

Under the flickering lights of the running track, a lone girl trudges along the lines, burning the last of her stamina in agony.

Bianca's icy blue eyes follow the heroine's back. Despite that, she doesn't have any particular thoughts about her. Sure, she has a seemingly unbreakable will, but the soldiers of Cecil also have that.

'Why am I doing this...'

Perhaps, Bianca has more important work to do than this. She shouldn't be wasting her time coaching Claire, who already has a mentor following her at all times. In fact, she is currently floating beside Bianca right now.

The talks have already dried up a while ago.

While Skylar is an intriguing figure, the duchess senses something familiar in her. If anything, both she and Claire are a bit similar to... probably not. Since Skylar doesn't touch the subject, Bianca decides not to press on it.

''Hah... hah...! T-That's thirty!''

''Good job.''

After finishing the exercise, Claire flops down to the floor, massaging her tired legs almost desperately. Seeing this, Skylar hovers over to help.

''You did excellently, my child.''

''Thanks...''

''...''

Although in a miserable state, the heroine seems to be anticipating her growth, bearing that unique, hopeful look on her face. The Duchess of Cecil lightly remembers what Claire said when she was trying to convince her to do the job.

''I-I want to be like Silaerob!''

''Yes... I actually love her a lot. Like, her aesthetic and whatnot... e-excuse me!''

Once again, Bianca takes herself back to those piercing slit orange eyes that she saw the other day. Of course, it makes sense that Silaerob would be somewhere inside the heart of the empire, but perhaps the image of hers as an ordinary maid...

'No, it's pretty convincing?'

Nevertheless, even if there were some sketchy details about Silaerob, Bianca's instinct tells her to trust this person regardless. Her instinct has never betrayed her. Ever.

So, she decides to follow it this time, too.