I Was a Loner, but My Class Got Summoned to Another World…

After visiting the rest of his creatures, Logan finally stepped into his castle. The first to greet him was Leonard, who had plenty to report—from updates on the city's progress to news about the heroes now residing in the kingdom. Many of them had bought homes within the country and were making use of the teleportation arrays to travel to the labyrinth.

"So, is it worth it to keep the heroes here?" Logan asked, curious about whether they were adhering to the kingdom's rules or causing any trouble.

"There have been no issues so far, Your Majesty. We did, however, receive a notice from other kingdoms urging us to ensure the heroes continue their training. Notably, the Kingdom of Elris has requested to send Theron to check on the heroes' progress. Of course, he'll need your permission to enter our borders," Leonard explained.

"Oh, that guy… Fine, give him what he needs to pass. If he can keep the kids in shape, it'll benefit everyone," Logan replied, recalling the strict commander who had once regarded him with open contempt during their first meeting.

"Now, onto the next issue," Leonard continued. "We need to discuss the new cities being built. Should we construct walls for them as well? I believe it would be wise to plan the infrastructure before the settlers arrive."

As he spoke, Leonard looked through his terminal—a translucent screen projected above his hand by the crystal embedded in his ring. This ingenious creation was another of Marie's innovations, part of her ongoing efforts to condense the functionality of a computer into the form of a simple ring.

"Sounds good. Have the basilisk and moles help—I'll inform Digger and Silis so they can send their best to handle whatever's needed," Logan said while adjusting the position of his legs, comfortably seated on his throne.

"Right. I'll get the builders started on it," Leonard responded, tapping away on the translucent keyboard of his screen. Despite having never used a computer or tablet before, he was becoming remarkably adept with the new technology. "One more thing related to this: should we expand the magic train network to the other cities?"

"I wouldn't mind, as long as we have enough gold for it… Then again, expanding it would create more jobs, right? Check our finances—I'm fine with it. We can recover the investment later," Logan replied with a nod, considering the potential benefits.

"Well, that wraps up the most urgent matters, Your Majesty. I assume you'll want to try the train later? It's functioning perfectly now. Not only has it become a major attraction for the city, but it's also indispensable for commuting, especially as the city's size has increased," Leonard added, pulling up a map that displayed the city's recent developments.

Logan, still recovering from his fatigue after visiting his beasts, realized just how much larger the city had grown since he'd last seen it.

"You managed to accomplish all that in two weeks? How about Scarlet? Was she affected?" Logan asked as he gently patted his bracelet, the creature within responding with vines that softly caressed his skin.

"Nothing of the sort," Leonard replied confidently. "We worked hard to ensure she wasn't disturbed. The dome remained the same size—only the outer sections were expanded." He proceeded to show Logan the improvements, which included new areas for the Goblins and Warks, as well as space for the growing population.

"Nicely done, Leonard. I'm glad to have your help with this—it looks neat and orderly, far better than anything I could've managed," Logan said with an appreciative smile, momentarily wondering if he could get a ring like the one Leonard used.

"It wasn't just me. I've hired staff to assist with the expansion and to address any issues we might face. Please make time to meet them when you can," Leonard added, finishing his report as others waited to speak with Logan.

At Leonard's signal, the castle doors opened, and three individuals entered the room. It was Ruben, Marie, and Bobby, who had been collaborating on several key projects.

"Hey there, you three. I keep hearing about the fascinating ideas you've been working on. I just hope we're paying you enough," Logan greeted them warmly, addressing the heroes who were pivotal to the kingdom's growth.

"No need for thanks. We're simply helping this city become a place where we can all live comfortably. Honestly, I doubt any other kingdom would provide us with the resources or manpower to achieve what we've accomplished here," Bobby said, speaking earnestly despite having only just met Logan.

"Relax, Bobby. While Logan does sit on his throne, he's just like us. Right, Logan?" Ruben teased, patting his friend's stiff shoulder in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"That's right, Ruben. We're essentially equals. But if you ever decide to build your own kingdom, do consider the immense amount of work that goes into it," Logan replied, rubbing his temple as though feeling the weight of his responsibilities.

"I still have so much to research… I doubt I'll have enough time before the war," Marie added softly, her voice carrying a tinge of worry.

She had yet to find a moment to speak to Logan alone, and now that she saw him again, embarrassment crept over her. Something about him seemed different—he carried himself with more confidence that hadn't been there just a few weeks before.

What caught her attention most was the way he held his gaze steady when he looked at her. He didn't glance away after every few seconds as he used to, making her heart flutter with admiration.

"So, what brings the three of you here? I hope it's to test that train I keep hearing about," Logan said, his voice tinged with excitement.

"About that—sure, we can try the train… though, honestly, it's lost its novelty after the thirtieth ride," Bobby admitted with a grin, pausing to let the others speak. "But I'd really like to hear your take on it."

"I actually came to give you some new gear," Ruben began. "And also gear for some of your monsters. I hope you can equip them so the soul equipment can grow with them, hopefully keeping them safe in the future."

"As for me…" Marie hesitated slightly before continuing. "I also wanted to give you some things…"