"Lady, come out here!!! How dare you cause me trouble!?" With a slightly exaggerated kick open of the door, my females and I entered the public affairs office at the entrance of the lord's city.
The citizens and staff, bewildered by the monster's sudden roar, cast confused glances.
It didn't matter if people stared at me now. No, rather, this was exactly what I wanted.
Attracting everyone's attention like this was much harder to manipulate than a direct confrontation.
Today, I am the enraged builder who will reclaim my property.
Don't think you can easily deal with this Ceres thing!
"God, God Beast Lord!? What's wrong with you?"
"What is this! Are you playing me!?" The familiar-looking staff member who had processed my documents a few times before ran over with a surprised expression.
I shoved the documents into his hand, and he awkwardly took them and looked at them… then suddenly his eyes widened, and he clutched his head as if dizzy.
"Lady Celestia...uh..."
"We finally finished the renovations, and now this ridiculous closure?! Is this how Ladia operates?!"
"No, no! Lord Divine Beast!"
I raised my voice so everyone around could hear me. The staff, glancing around for any signal, tried to stop me...No. I had to make a bigger scene.
"There might be some misunderstanding. We'll investigate and get back to you...!"
"Investigate what?! We clearly issued a notice that the closure would take place in three days! Even the staff have been evacuated, are they trying to drive us out onto the streets too?!"
"No! That's not true...!"
"That Lady Celestia! Bring her here immediately to explain in person!"
"Ugh, Lord Divine Beast, please...!"
This went on for a while. I ignored the staff member tugging at my sleeve, crying and continuing my outburst.
"...Lady Celestia is extremely averse to monsters... I'm afraid you, Divine Beast, simply proceeded with this matter based on some misunderstanding after seeing the building completed."
After the commotion had reached a point where even the onlookers understood the situation, I followed the staff into what appeared to be a reception room.
At this point, even nobles wouldn't dare to play any tricks. After all, there were so many witnesses.
But the phrase "averse to monsters"... does that apply to me too?
"Even though it's a monster, it's still a Divine Beast...? How could it do something so reckless?"
"That lady deeply despises monsters. She doesn't care about divine beasts or anything like that. The reason so many adventurers gather in Radia is largely because of that lady..."
"Is it some kind of human supremacy?"
"Not really. It's just... Lady Celestia certainly had good reason..."
Looking at this taciturn staff member, I felt there was more to it than met the eye... Could it be some kind of father's murder? Never mind. Right now, my building is more important than that.
"Even so, Lord, you should have explained the matter of the divine beast very clearly… I really don't understand why you're still doing this." The young employee stroked his chin, a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
If this were Earth, he'd probably be the age of a recent graduate who just passed the Level 9 civil service exam… Yes. Talking to someone like you is a waste of breath.
Let's leave this pathetic young man, who seems to have no real power, here. I should still call that woman, Celestia or something.
"Anyway, I will investigate this matter immediately and report back to you tomorrow…"
"No, please summon Lady Celestia directly. We must finish our discussion before you leave."
"Um, a noble lady cannot be summoned so easily…"
"Oh, is that so? You can act freely with citizens, but you can't even be summoned yourself. What an impressive lord."
When Claire, sitting beside me, smiled at the employee, the employee's pupils dilated in shock.
Hehehe. Our Claire is a saintess, a saintess. You have no right to make us wait to speak.
The effect of wearing a saintess's robes was indeed immediate? That gorgeous yet suffocating saintess's robes were extraordinary just by looking at them. "...Ha, I'll go ask my superiors..."
"No need." The employee, sweating profusely at Claya's smile, was about to get up when the door opened, and a woman's voice came through.
Looking at the owner of the voice—standing there was a blue-haired woman who seemed familiar…where had he seen her before?
That woman?
"I didn't expect the Saintess to visit in person. She's the one who even declined the invitation from the lord's city due to being busy…"
"...Oh dear, my master has encountered something absurd, so naturally I must intervene, right?" "...I've heard rumors, but to recognize a monster as one's master…you, Saintess, have truly done something ridiculous."
Ah.
I remember now.
It was indeed the woman I met on my first visit to the lord's city!
Hmm, back then, she also gave me a look as if I were something dirty before walking away.
Seeing that look reminded me. "...You can leave now. I'll handle things."
"Yes, yes. Understood..." The employee bowed and withdrew, a sigh of relief lingering on his face.
Yes. Thank you for your hard work. A young man around level nine. Go back and rest.
"...I expected you to come, but I didn't expect you to cause such a scene. Is it because you're a monster that you lack common sense?"
The employee had barely left when Celestia glared at me and uttered this blatant accusation.
Sensing Lisbeth was about to explode, I gently patted her to calm her down, then slowly gazed at Celestia, who sat with her legs crossed.
Her aristocratic attire and accessories exuded visible luxury.
Bright sky-blue hair, tied up in a bun and adorned with hairpins. That hair complemented her sharp features perfectly.
The smooth skin typical of nobles...is that why? She looks like she's in her twenties, but she's probably around thirty.
Is this woman really the lord's wife...? Isn't the age difference too big?
The lord looks at least forty... Surely his face doesn't look for someone in their forties?
"Haha. I may lack common sense, but there's a reason."
"Say something about divine beasts and monsters when you're angry... In the end, that's all you've got." Although Celestia's sharp tongue was the one that started the accusation, strangely, it wasn't annoying.
I thought she was just a stubborn old woman who hated monsters, but she turned out to be a beauty, even tolerating such a sharp tongue... Looks like I'm ultimately an incurable male.
What's more, what really makes my heart flutter... is those eye-catching, voluptuous breasts above her dress.
Beneath such beauty... are breasts comparable to Claire's!
Wow... upon closer inspection, they are indeed top-tier, on par with Claire and Ladia!
The manager, who's been practically invisible lately, has actually made it into the top three!
Hmm... impressive.
There are three of these busty women in one city, let alone a whole country.
...Suddenly, I became curious about this woman's status bar...Let's try out the Mystic Eyes I've been practicing lately.
...Name: Radil Neb Celestia
Race: Human
Level: 52 (12800/164000)
Title: Frost Witch Guardian of Radilia
Age: 42
Female Record: [Husband: Radil Bell Albert] [Childbirth Record: 1]
...Huh?"
"Huh?" The Mystic Eyes I've been practicing lately are linked to the status bar.
Even so, suddenly showing that terrifying look is too much. I pretended to rub my eyes, then activated the Mystic Eyes and opened the status bar...Seeing the terrifying status bar, I immediately rubbed my eyes again.
Wh-what?!
Level 52...!?
Guardian of Radilia!?
Frost Witch!?
I thought it would only show "Lady of the Lord"!?
What is this?! "Can't monsters talk? Please say something!"
"Ah, no... that should be said by the lady. Why did you confiscate the building that the lord bestowed upon me..."
Stuttering, I checked the status bar again.
Good heavens... is this real? What exactly does the lord's wife do? Uh... I was thinking of slapping her because she was rude, but that might kill me.
She's even higher level than Bivora. Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine!
"It seems the lord has some misunderstanding. We have never received any documents indicating a change of ownership of the building from you." Just as I was shocked by Celestia's status window, the lord's wife glared at me with sharp eyes and began to speak. "Since the building belongs to the lord, shouldn't it be dealt with accordingly? But when I was preparing to auction it off, I discovered that you have blatantly occupied it. Unauthorized alteration is a crime."
"What are you saying? The lord's permission goes without saying, but when were all the relevant documents submitted?"
"Oh dear, I am the final approver of the land and building, but I have never received any documents. Lying will also incur perjury charges."
Uh, uh…? What's going on?
Calm down. Celestia's status window isn't the point right now.
My submitted documents were never processed…?
The final approver is the lord's wife?
It's a bit strange that this woman, not the lord, is the final approver… Come to think of it, hasn't the lord mentioned this to his wife?
"It seems we must see the Lord to reach an agreement. Please come with me to the Lord's residence."
"Oh dear. That won't do. The Lord is currently inspecting the terrain and monster situation around Radia, touring nearby villages. It's expected to take 2-3 weeks."
...Huh?
The Lord isn't here?
Wait, what's going on?
Could this woman... be trying to mess with me while her husband's away...? "So, you can talk to me. I haven't received any reports from the Lord, and no relevant documents have ever been submitted to me. You're nothing but a criminal who seized the Lord's buildings. Understand?"
...This bitch is getting a good look at her.
I think I understand the situation. The lord's wife, who despises monsters, plans to scheme against me, a monster, while the lord is away... How exactly does she intend to end this...? Does she think that as long as she drives me away or makes me a criminal, she can always find a way to cover it up when the lord returns? "...When the lord returns, he will know that this building is indeed under my name. Could you please wait a moment?"
"That won't do. The law must treat everyone equally, without exception."
"Ah, I see. No exceptions, huh..." Stop pretending. What's the law worth in this aristocratic society? Just look at your current behavior. It's all about playing favorites. "So, if it's the Lady of the Lord... I think it's the Countess? Countess Celestia would be punished if she committed a crime, wouldn't she?"
"Of course. Though it's unlikely."
"You've really never heard the Lord mention anything about this?"
"Of course not. If the Lord had given the order, would I have issued such a detention order?"
"If this is proven to be a lie, what will you do? Kneel down and kowtow to me in apology?"
"Ha! Is this questioning me? It's absolutely impossible, but if I'm truly lying, I'll do it."
Alright. In that case... is there any other way besides having the Lord confirm it himself?
"Yes. Then let's go check on the Lord's situation."
"...? Didn't I say? The Lord isn't at his post right now..."
"Enough. Let's prepare to depart. Liz!"
"Yes, I understand, Master~"
Just after calling Liz, swirling smoke rose around me, and I transformed into my Malboroughini form.
As I completed my transformation and bent down, Lisbeth and Claire immediately leaped onto my back. Lisbeth then reached out her hands to Celestia, who was staring at me in astonishment.
"Hey, yaa ...