“You’re not offended, are you?” Eugene asked.

“O-of course not. You saved me, and I misunderstood you, sir. I am not offended at all,” Ortos responded with a stutter. He had already recovered considerably, perhaps because he possessed strong tenacity as an orc and due to the mana stones. However, judging by the way he stole glances at Eugene, it appeared that the aftermath of the beating still remained.

“I forgot myself after hearing such nonsense. I apologize, Sir Rodrick,” Eugene said.

“I-it’s completely fine,” Ortos responded with a forced smile. However, it only made him look even more miserable. It was hard to believe that he was the only descendant of the lords who ruled over the archipelago throughout history.

“Excuse me, sir,” Ortos spoke up.

“What is it?” Eugene responded.

“What will happen to me now?” Ortos asked. Even though he was the only descendant of the Rodrick family, he was a lord only in name over an island that had long been neglected by Brantia. Moreover, Eugene wasn’t Brantian, but a knight from the mainland.

Ortos was not so foolish as to be ignorant of the fact that his fate lay in Eugene’s hands.

“What do you mean? You’re going to be the lord here,” Eugene responded.

“Ah, as expected. I’ll have to live as a prisoner for the… Kwegh?!” Ortos was stunned by Eugene’s response and flared his nostrils. “M-me? The lord of Rodrick?” he asked.

“Why? Is there a problem? Your family originally lorded over the archipelago, right?” Eugene asked.

“That’s true. But...