The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

"Troublesome people."

Davey made an exasperated face.

Although he had relinquished his claim to the throne and managed to ease much of the tension around him, the reality was that some members of the Rowane Kingdom's influential nobility were far from satisfied with the current situation. His influence had grown to surpass even that of Crown Prince Baris, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths.

Though a great purge had left only nobles favorable to Davey, people changed over time. The reason he knew this was because he could see an uneasiness that stemmed from his sole decision to grant asylum to fugitives of the Terraria Kingdom.

Concerns about the potential for significant international issues arose, but Davey had settled their worries by assuring them he would personally take responsibility for any fallout.

In contrast to the outrage, King Krianes had merely told him that he had done a good job, although he was well aware that such a statement could send shockwaves through the nobility. His actions were direct and bold, as if he were venting all his pent-up frustration.

The two individuals Maximus had sent for asylum were a maid named Roisa and his sister Princess Latiana. Both appeared dazed by their sudden change in circumstances.

"For the time being, stay here and make yourselves comfortable," Davey said.

"But..." Roisa said, her face clouded with concern.

Although he reassured them, Roisa maintained her worried face while Latiana remained silent.

"You'll be treated as honored guests, so no need to worry,” Davey added.

"Um, Prince Davey,” Roisa spoke cautiously.

"What is it?" Davey asked.

"I'm nothing but the daughter of a traitorous family. I don’t see a reason why you'd go to such lengths for someone like me..."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I'm not interested in Terrarian Kingdom's so-called ‘traitors.’ And it's not like I’m unaware of the circumstances."

"But still..."

"I’d prefer if you didn’t make Heins Territory seem so impoverished that it can’t even afford to host the two of you.”

Startled by his blunt words, Roisa flinched. However, she was also quite stubborn herself.

"In that case, at least allow me to work while I stay here. I’ll cover my room and board, along with the princess's share," she insisted.

"Hm… How about this, then?" Davey replied

Rosia tilted her head in response.

"Before you became a maid, you studied medicine at the academy, didn’t you?" Davey asked.

"How did you know that...?"

"I just know. Alright, here’s the deal: Heins Academy is short on graduate students in the Medical Department."

"Graduate... students?"

"It’s a position where high-performing academy students can continue their education under the direct mentorship of the faculty."

Rumor had it that screams came from graduate dormitories daily, but Davey figured he didn't need to tell her about it.

"Leave it to me!" Roisa replied, eyes full of renewed determination.

"And as for the princess..." Davey turned to Latiana. "Let’s start with a check-up."

Hearing this, she tilted her head and tapped the floor lightly with the small staff in her hand, seemingly trying to locate Davey. When he grasped her hand to guide her, she looked up, finally realizing where he was. �

"A check-up? But I’m not sick anywhere..." she murmured.

"That’s for the doctor to decide," Davey replied, guiding her to a seat. He reached for her blindfold, but she hastily raised her hand to stop him.

"It’s rather… gruesome… "

"I’ve seen worse than this on the battlefield countless times.”

"Still..."

Though she had lost her eyes, she still had the youthful looks and sensibilities of a girl her age. It was only natural for her to be reluctant to reveal herself to others. He then gently clasped her hand.

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, he removed the blindfold.

"Ah!"

"I told you, it’s fine.”

Her lips trembled in embarrassment. Her eyes were in far worse condition than expected, and Davey couldn’t help but frown at the sight.

"They really went at it with a hot iron... This is severe. The damage must have left lasting aftereffects.”

"It’s hideous, isn’t it…? Please, give my blindfold back!" Latiana pleaded, desperately reaching for the blindfold in his hand.

Instead, he continued examining her injured eyes. Her case seemed different from that of Princess Maria, the other blind princess residing in Heins Territory. While she had lost her sight due to illness, Latiana’s blindness was the result of deliberate cruelty.

Davey reached out to trace the scarred tissue around her eyes.

"Please... Please don’t..." she begged.

"Trust me. I may not look like it, but I’m the best doctor there is.”

"..."

After a moment of hesitation, she stopped resisting.

"What a psychopath..." he muttered under her breath.

“...”

She knew who he was talking about.

"The aftereffects were inevitable, but also unfortunately widespread. If I hadn’t looked at it, you wouldn’t have made it another ten years," Davey explained, channeling holy magic to heal the area around her eyes.

"For now, I’ll treat the lingering effects," he said gently.

"Thank you..." she whispered.

"Do you want to see your brother?" Davey asked.

Latiana hesitated, clearly conflicted. Her blindness was a direct result of his loss in a tournament, but it was hard to say that it was truly his fault.

"I want to see him," she admitted quietly. "I want to see my brother, but I can’t see anything... Even if he’s beside me, I can only touch him and physically feel his presence. I can’t take in his face with my eyes..."

Latiana finally broke down, tears streaming as she buried her face in her hands. Watching her cry, Davey let out a bitter sigh before gently repeating a similar question.

"If you want, I can find a way to restore your sight. Do you want to see again?"

Latiana flinched slightly at his question.

"Please... don't comfort me with empty promises. There's nothing more devastating than to build up hope only to be struck down once again.”

Davey couldn’t fathom what kind of life this fragile girl had endured to become so deeply pessimistic. She reminded him of a frightened, small animal.

At a glance, she resembled Aeonitia, but that girl had changed considerably from how she used to be. Davey vividly recalled how she had stormed into his office not long ago, slamming her proposal on his desk with bold determination and demanding his approval.

He knew people could change. Those who had been pushed down by something external could also be uplifted by that very burden.

"Getting betrayed because of hope and falling into despair, huh…” Davey muttered, his gaze fixed on her. Latiana turned her head away and quietly put her blindfold back on.

"I'm sorry. I want to be alone.”

"Alright. For now, just got some rest.”

Even if he told her he could treat her eyes on the spot, he knew she likely wouldn’t believe it. For now, the only option was to get prepared and proceed without hesitation once he was prepared.

* * *

"Not going well, I see."

Perserque perched herself on the edge of Davey's desk, her attire as casual as ever. It clearly wasn’t what she had promised to wear.

"I told you, no negotiations," Davey said flatly.

"I only played fair—I won at rock-paper-scissors," she replied mischievously.

"What?"

"Today’s loser is Illyna,” she giggled while covering her mouth. “Expect something special. I even included a little gift.”

Davey suddenly stood, but she pushed him back down by the shoulder.

"How about you finish what you’re working on first?" she said in a firm tone.

Caught between instinct and reason, Davey ultimately let reason win.

"Fine... Since there’s plenty of time.”

He returned to the blueprints in front of him. Perserque picked up one of the sheets.

"Artificial eyes, huh? I see they’re bionic.”

"Yeah. I’m trying to let Princess Latiana see again. And while I’m at it, I’ll make a pair for Princess Maria, too," Davey explained.

He knew losing sight was a profound hardship.

"But her nerve endings are dead. Connecting them back together might be harder than making my body was.”

"If you really believe that, you're mistaken. Making your body was way more difficult.”

She chuckled. She stayed by his side until the work was finished, ensuring he didn’t overlook anything. By the time he wrapped up, he had lost track of time focusing too much, and it was just before sunrise. Davey dragged himself toward his bedroom, exhausted.

The night sky felt unusually dark. As he walked down the silent, empty corridors, he opened the door to his room. As he entered, the faint scent of sweetness greeted him.

In the quiet darkness, Davey noticed a lump under the blankets. Approaching it slowly, he lifted the covers.

"Kyaaa!" a startled voice cried out as the figure inside hastily covered herself with her arms.

"You kept your promise, huh?" he said with a grin.

"Davey..."

Hiding under the blanket was none other than Illyna, dressed in a black bunny-girl outfit just as promised. The outfit was made of fine mesh and black fabric. The white rabbit ears, fluffy white tail, and white cuffs on her wrist especially caught his eyes.

Her face flushed red as she looked up at him. "This is... more embarrassing than I thought..." she said.

"Wow..." Davey let out an involuntary exclamation.

Though they had been married long enough to be entirely comfortable with one another, her outfit still made her feel embarrassed and awkward. She fidgeted nervously, looking as though she wanted to disappear.

Illyna had always been adamant about wearing clothing that covered her legs. Now, in fishnet stockings with a bunny outfit, it was only natural for her to feel exposed. She instinctively tried to hide her legs, but the gesture only made her seem more alluring.

"I heard you lost the game.”

"I-I let myself lose! I just... wanted to show you quickly and get it over with!"

"Sure, if that’s how you want to frame it," Davey teased.

‘Whatever helps you sleep at night.’

Under normal circumstances, Davey would’ve believed her. But right now, Illyna looked so embarrassed that it made her usual bold and affectionate self almost seem like a lie.

It reminded him of their first night together.

The bunny ears perched on her head gave off the feeling that they would twitch at any moment.

"I can handle most things," she mumbled gloomily, "but this is just… too much…"

Her outfit was indeed quite revealing.

"Humans on Earth go around in shameless clothes like this, but w-why?!”

"You picked it out, didn’t you?"

"Easy for you to say! It seemed different when I wasn’t wearing it!"

Her outburst left Davey staring at her in puzzlement. He wondered if this was really enough to get her worked up as much as she used to.

But then…

‘Wait. This feels different from what I’ve seen in other situations and media.’

He then realized.

"Wait a second… Don’t tell me… you’re not wearing anything…” he said in a voice filled with disbelief.

This made her face turn even redder, as if it might just burst.

"Sh-Shut up! Perserque said this was the way to do it!"

Perserque.

‘I won’t forget what you did for me…’

Recalling how she had said that he could look forward to what was to come, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Illyna, trembling with embarrassment, gathered her resolve. She stood up, hugged him, and threw herself onto the bed with him.

Lying atop him, she looked down with eyes reddened almost like a rabbit’s. She quivered her lips as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t. Finally, after a while, she spoke up.

"Please… Please don’t eat me…"

Those four words delivered a shock through his body.

"Mister h-hunter…”

He wondered if this was what a rabbit from a fable would be like.

As Davey stared at her in stunned silence, she awkwardly made an excuse.

"Perserque said… this was the way to do it…"

"Wow…"

Her contradicting actions and words made Davey just lose his mind in an instant.

ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts

Editorb’s Thought

Illyna is embarrassed btw, if the author didn't make it clear enough. I guess we should just be grateful Davey didn't go full Elmer Fudd in Looney Tunes and say he was hunting wabbits