Miracle Summoner

Before long, the sky began to darken.

However, the Mountain City remained lively, with the Mountain people gradually going about their activities. It had a bit of a medieval "never-sleeping city" vibe, looking quite fantastical.

Of course, the Mountain people's liveliness was not like the all-night revelry from yesterday.

Although the Mountain people no longer lacked food or water, and could eat their fill at every meal, their mental and physical states were much improved compared to before, they clearly understood how hard-earned these things were, having lived through hardships. They knew that if they only focused on enjoyment and revelry without working hard to manage their resources, they would soon deplete everything and squander the precious resources granted by Rozen.

Therefore, after the all-night revelry, the Mountain people began to work voluntarily. Some farmed, some raised livestock, some herded cattle, and others watered and tended to fruit trees and plants, giving the Mountain City a thriving and hopeful atmosphere.

This was the right approach.

Only by managing the city well could the Mountain City continue to develop, instead of exhausting all its resources.

In this context, every Mountain person was engaged in labor with no complaints, instead wearing hopeful smiles that looked quite dazzling.

Rozen, as previously mentioned, had built an incredibly sturdy prison for the Mountain City. He had set up barriers and protections using magic and incantations, and also gifted a batch of high-level golems as prison guards to watch over the entire prison.

Since these golems did not have contracts, they still required some skill to control. Rozen taught the Mountain soldiers the basics of controlling them, enabling them to command the golems.

In this way, even without a Servant guarding the prison, with the golems there, the Mountain City was not completely without defense.

Rozen worked until evening, ensuring that the soldiers could begin to control the golems. Only then did he leave.

However, Mash did not follow him.

"I think I should have a proper conversation with Lancelot," Mash said with a serious expression, one so grave it startled Rozen a little.

Considering the relationship between Lancelot and Galahad, and remembering Mash's past actions based on Spirit Base records, Rozen couldn't help but worry.

"Please don't tell me Mash is going to kill Lancelot in the prison..."

That would be interesting.

The first knight of the Round Table, killed by his own son… no, correction, should be his daughter, dying in prison. That would certainly be a spectacle.

"Not dying for loyalty, but dying from domestic violence... Heh, why does it excite me a little?"

Thinking this, Rozen decisively left, letting Mash, with her serious face, who seemed ready to commit some great act of justice, head to the prison to have a heart-to-heart with Lancelot.

Artoria [Alter] was busy handling Mountain City's affairs in the palace, so she was unavailable.

Jeanne [Alter] wasn't out wandering either.

Bedivere was helping the Mountain people with the supplies they had brought back today. He was also dealing with some prisoners who wished to join the soldiers, which required some effort, so he was in charge of that.

Thus, Rozen was unusually without any Servant accompanying him.

No, wait, that's wrong.

There was still one Servant who had never left Rozen's side.

No, that's still wrong.

Not even half a step.

That person had been sticking so close to Rozen that there was hardly any distance between them. It was as if she was an adorable puppy, following Rozen around, quietly staying by his side. Rozen felt an overwhelming pressure.

Now, once again, it was the same.

Feeling the stunned and curious looks from the Mountain people around them, Rozen couldn't help but speak up.

"Hey, Serenity, this is kind of difficult for me to walk when you're so close."

Rozen said, smiling awkwardly at the person sticking so closely to him.

This person, Hassan of Serenity, didn't say a word, just kept pressing against Rozen like an obedient, inseparable little puppy, looking utterly cute. Moreover, with each movement, Rozen would occasionally brush up against some rather uncomfortable places, and he was starting to feel like he was about to turn into some kind of beast.

But Serenity didn't seem to realize how dangerous this situation was. Or maybe, even if she did, she didn't care and seemed happy about it. She gently spoke.

"Rozen-sama is the last Master of Humanity, a truly precious and invaluable existence. I must ensure your safety by providing close protection."

Serenity said, sounding completely serious.

"Close protection, huh..." Rozen hesitated. "But do you really need to be this close?"

"No, it's absolutely necessary." Serenity didn't back off at all and even pressed closer, like her body was bending with elastic precision. She happily continued, "Perhaps the enemies include assassins stronger than us Hassans. In order to prevent them from getting close to Rozen-sama under a state of 'Presence Concealment,' and to quickly react to any threats, I must provide close protection as the name suggests. If needed, I can also become a shield, at least blocking one blow for you, Rozen-sama."

Serenity spoke casually, yet there was an undeniable sincerity in her tone, making it clear that if the situation ever arose, she would not hesitate.

Rozen had to admit that he was happy about how much she valued him.

But...

(Do you really need to be this close? I'm being touched all over the place!)

Rozen screamed inwardly.

At this rate, he really felt like he wouldn't be able to hold back much longer.

He could only say one thing at that moment.

"How about we form a contract first?"

Rozen brought up the matter.

"Is that okay!?" Serenity's eyes instantly lit up.

It was clear that Serenity had wanted to form a contract with Rozen for a long time, but she wasn't the type to assert herself or propose her desires. She was passive in everything, even accepting things without protest. Unless, of course, as she did earlier that day, in a dangerous situation, she acted out of her devotion to protect Rozen.

Rozen had noticed this, which is why he brought it up.

The main reason being...

"With the contract, your abilities will increase, and then fewer people will be able to claim they can assassinate me under your very eyes, right?"

Rozen had this thought in mind.

The problem was...

"Then, can I form an official contract with Rozen-sama, rather than a temporary one?"

Quiet's eyes were filled with hope.

"Official contract?"

Rozen was taken aback.