Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

In the nobility, territory is of utmost importance!

Many nobles in the Royal Capital, despite their status, have no territory. Like rootless duckweed, they could fall at any moment. Territory isn't just a noble's foundation — it's also a measure of their reserve strength and resources.

In other words, even with his low Rank, Adam with his territory is already a hundred times stronger than those nobles in the Capital who do nothing but collect their monthly stipend from the Kingdom!

A Viscount's territory, compared to modern standards, is about the size of a town. The population matches that of a rural village, complete with fields, cattle, sheep, and livestock.

Most importantly, he can form his own army! Not just a loosely organized adventurer party, but a real, officially recognized army with proper ranks!

The territorial rewards are incredibly generous! Even Kyōya Mitsurugi, the third-ranked adventurer, doesn't have a title or territory!

However, for Adam, this is still a mixed blessing!

He's already exhausted leading just a few people — wouldn't managing an entire town work him to death?

Moreover, his original wish was to return to his own world — how could he possibly spend his whole life here? Wouldn't that go against his initial intentions?

Most importantly, he strongly dislikes the nobility's rule that "privileges come with obligations", and he doesn't want to be bound by invisible noble honors!

What if one day the kingdom orders him to do something he doesn't want to do?

However, Megumin and Aqua suddenly became enthusiastic. In their eyes, Sena was here to bring them money, so naturally they should treat her as an honored guest.

"Oh my, we're out of tea! I'll go brew another cup for you!" The money-hungry Aqua started flattering her, taking away the tea set to make more tea, deciding to use the highest-grade leaves to properly entertain this 'money god'.

Hey, Aqua, aren't you being too obviously mercenary!

And have you forgotten that any tea you touch turns into pure water?

"Continuing our previous topic." Sena continued, "Regarding the territory, after consideration, the kingdom has decided to grant you this place — Axel!"

Oh ho~

Hearing the name of the familiar location, Adam's heart skipped a beat.

He admitted it — he was tempted. Initially, he wanted to refuse, but what the kingdom offered was just too good!

Axel, the Beginner's Town, was full of hidden talents, with every adventurer possessing unique skills — he really loved this place.

"Um, I have another question. May I ask why I'm being made the lord of Axel?"

"Because Lord Adam Carter has saved Axel twice, the kingdom believes your popularity and prestige in this town have reached their peak. They've naturally decided to grant this place to you as its lord."

"I see... but doesn't Axel already have a lord?" Adam asked, "I remember Axel is the territory of the great noble house of Dustiness, known as the 'Shield Bearers'."

That's right. Dustiness! Axel is one of the Darkness family's territories!

How could a territory with an existing owner be reassigned?

"Yes, the kingdom discussed this matter with the head of the Dustiness family. Though firmly against it at first, three days ago he suddenly changed his mind and agreed to separate Axel from their territory, accepting compensation from the kingdom."

Sena spoke slowly, her face showing confusion.

"..."

No need to say more.

Clearly, Darkness had helped with this, returning home to convince her father to divide the territory and accept the kingdom's compensation.

However... Her kindness weighed on Adam. Though it warmed his heart, he had no ambitions here and felt unworthy of it.

But something still puzzled him.

"Shouldn't the head of the Dustiness family handle the territory transfer? Why you, the Kingdom Prosecutor?"

It was like winning a county election, but having the police chief handle the appointment instead of the mayor — something felt off.

"The kingdom is currently holding Princess Iris's debut event, which all nobles must attend, including the head of Dustiness family. So this matter was delegated to the kingdom's inspection office."

Adam nodded, understanding.

But then Sena added coldly, "To be honest, I wasn't originally meant to come — I specifically requested it."

"Eh, why?"

"Actually, I have something to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"Please, marry me."

"Eh?"

"Please, marry me! I beg you!"

"Eh—?!"

Her words left Adam's mind blank.

A proposal?! And he was the one being proposed to?!!!

"The tea is ready—!" Aqua suddenly appeared beside Sena, breaking the awkward moment, "Please enjoy."

"Thank... uh."

Aqua smiled sweetly as she poured, but instead of going into the teacup, the liquid soaked a different cup.

"Um... that's a bra cup, not a teacup." Sena stated flatly. Even with hot water pouring over her ample bosom, her expression remained unchanged.

She was being rather cold towards Aqua.

"Oh my, I'm sorry, my hand slipped." Aqua's smile was bright, though her actions were clearly deliberate.

"Ahem, Aqua, that's too much." Adam lightly scolded her.

But Aqua was defiant, snorting, "Hmph, I'm just punishing a shameless woman."

Ah, this Goddess. Despite Sena being a guest and the kingdom's inspector here to bestow rewards, Aqua was being quite disrespectful.

Isn't she worried about retaliation?

Fortunately, since Aqua's touch turned the tea into pure water, Sena's clothes weren't stained, and nothing showed through.

The awkward scene made it impossible to continue their conversation, so Adam quickly offered to get Sena a change of clothes.

But Sena declined. Using her divine powers, she extracted the water from her clothes into a floating sphere, leaving her outfit completely dry.

The water goddess is so useful!

"Ahem, let's return to our previous topic." Adam said with a light cough, trying to hide his embarrassment, "Why me?"

"Because you're an excellent marriage prospect!" Sena declared, "You may not realize it, but your reputation has spread throughout the Royal Capital. All the nobles there see you as a promising new aristocrat."

All the nobles approve of him?

That can't be right! They're not approving of him — they're coveting his territory!

"Please, marry me!" Sena pulled out a paper from her bosom and slammed it onto the table.

It was a marriage document bearing both her signature and seal, along with the kingdom's seal. It would become binding as soon as Adam signed and submitted it to the Royal Office!

It seemed she, like those nobles, had set her sights on him.

"Ah!" Aqua let out a small shriek as Sena slammed the table. The water sphere she was holding wobbled and spilled.

"Coincidentally", it soaked the Marriage Application.

The atmosphere grew tense.

"Did you do that on purpose?" Sena was naturally perceptive — she wouldn't have become a Royal Prosecutor at such a young age otherwise.

She had noticed the blue-haired woman's repeated targeting.

"Oh no, I was just startled." Aqua maintained her bright smile.

"Ahem, Aqua, come sit here." Seeing the intense confrontation between the two, Adam quickly pulled Aqua to sit beside him. Then he said to Sena, "I'm sorry, Miss Sena, but I cannot accept."

"Why?"

"Because we've only just met, haven't we?"

"But I—"

"No buts. You just said you're only considering me for my reputation and now for my noble status. That's not how things work. Not to mention that you would be committing a crime if you forced me to marry you."

He considered softening his words by suggesting a future possibility, given her beauty, but that would be disrespectful to Darkness first and foremost.

Plus, Aqua was right beside him. She would likely deliver a〚God Blow〛to his head, even against her will.

She would never allow her beloved chosen hero to venture down the dark path of harem!

Instead of giving her false hope, he firmly rejected her using the law — something a royal prosecutor couldn't possibly violate.

Sure enough, after hearing his explanation, she simply sighed in disappointment.

He couldn't understand her rush to marry. At only twenty, why not enjoy her youth instead of trying to settle down so quickly?

True, she was free to make her own choices, but marriage meant both people had to follow the same rules of "you're no longer single, so behave yourself". Especially in a world where there were still certain restrictive behaviors for women of noble status.

Her desperate manner reminded him of Luna, the Adventurers' Guild receptionist.

They shared many similarities — beautiful faces, good figures, perfect qualifications — yet somehow remained single. Unlike Luna though, if Sena could smile more and be less forceful, she'd likely have plenty of suitors.

After completing the territory handover, Sena left.

"How dare she say such things!"

"Yes, it was quite shocking."

Aqua complained, with Megumin agreeing beside her.

Despite the unpleasant moments that had annoyed Aqua, she was still excited about the outcome.

Now that Axel was Adam's territory, surely she could get free high-grade bubble wine in town?

This girl's thought process was truly peculiar.

Soon after, Kazuma came running in from outside.

"Carter-senpai! Carter-senpai!" He shouted as if something major had happened.

Adam was in the first-floor hall when Kazuma burst in.

"What's wrong, Kazuma? Why are you so flustered? Weren't you supposed to be exploring the dungeon with Taylor and the others?"

"Taylor had something come up suddenly, so the exploration was canceled! But never mind that..." Kazuma explained briefly, then asked, "I heard that Carter-senpai has become the lord of Axel, is that true?"

"Oh? How did you know?"

"Because the news has spread throughout Axel! That royal prosecutor who came to deliver the reward for Successfully Intercepting the Mobile Fortress Destroyer and Saving Axel also announced that you had become Axel's lord!"

Hearing his quick explanation, Adam's brows furrowed slightly.

He hadn't intended for this news to spread — it might create distance between him and the adventurers of Axel, something he desperately wanted to avoid.

"Is it really true that Carter-senpai has become lord?!"

"Well, it's just as you said — I've become the lord." Adam replied directly, choosing honesty over concealment.

"Wow, that's great!" Kazuma's eyes sparkled with excitement. Though he seemed genuinely happy, Adam suspected he might have ulterior motives.

But since he only frequented the Succubus Cafe, which was already free, his enthusiasm seemed peculiar.

"Oh right, Carter-senpai, let's go collect the reward from the guild!" Kazuma suddenly remembered, urging everyone to visit the Adventurers' Guild for their reward from intercepting the Mobile Fortress Destroyer.

"Ah yes, the reward."

Sena hadn't distributed it earlier since all of Axel's adventurers had participated in the mission, not just Adam. The reward needed to go through the Adventurers' Guild for proper distribution based on individual contributions.

However, it was certain that the 『Hero』 Party would receive the lion's share.

{T/N: A lion's share is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe an unusually large portion.}

"Well then, shall we go?" Adam called out to the three.

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The streets of Axel were bustling with adventurers heading to collect their rewards.

As Adam's group passed by, cheerful greetings rang out from all directions.

"Yo, Lord!"

"Hello, Lord!"

"Going to the guild too, Lord?"

"Wow! The Lord must be getting a huge reward, right?"

"Of course he is! He was the commander who led us against the Mobile Fortress Destroyer — he deserves a generous reward!"

Word of Adam becoming Axel's lord had spread like wildfire.

To his relief, the adventurers treated him no differently despite his new noble status. They remained as casual and playful as ever.

This warmed his heart.

"Yes, the reward should be substantial." He nodded, raising his voice, "And to celebrate becoming your lord, I'll share one-fifth of the Hero Party's reward with everyone!"

One-fifth (1/5) — this fraction held special meaning.

Everyone knew that adventurers split their rewards equally. Since the 『Hero』 Party had five members, Adam was essentially giving away his entire share.

And this wasn't just any reward — 1/5 amounted to a small fortune!

"Everyone! Let's go collect our rewards!"

"YEAH!!!" x N

With Adam leading the way, Axel's adventurers marched together toward the guild to claim their bounty.

The already vibrant atmosphere in the Beginner's Town soared to new heights!

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