The Demon King's Paladin Part 2. All Out War.

Chapter 406. Returning To The Mansion

" Lord Matthew!"

/ Thump! Thump! Thump!/

For the 5th time since we started the walk to the mansion, we were stopped by the nighttime guards of the city. It was actually something I enjoyed seeing each time, since they all look quite grumpy and sad, until they see my face and then they brighten up. Of course, they can't help but run up to check on me. At first, they all look concerned with all of the dried blood and singed parts of my clothes and skin, but I've healed up so it's nothing to be worried about, I just need a shower. After answering the guards' questions, we were able to finally make it to the front door of the mansion. I went to open the door... But...

/ Click!/

" Ah... Right... It's like 3 in the morning, isn't it?"

The door was locked... I'm so used to it being unlocked whenever I would come back, either from the farming, hunting or even after my travels. But I've never tried arriving back home so late at the night. Even with the Wyvern, it was only around midnight by the time we made it back to the city.

/ Knock! Knock! Knock!/

I knocked on the door a few times. Usually, we have 2 employees work as a skeleton crew for the house.

/ Creak.../

However, the face I saw was somewhat shocking.

" L... Lord Matthew!"

* Squeeze! GRIP!*

" Janet... Can't Breathe..."

* Release...*

Janet opened the door, it was strange since as the Head Maid, she should be sleeping now, since she's in charge of the daywork instead of the nighttime work. Her pink shoulder length hair was all frazzled as if she hadn't kept up with maintaining it for some reason. It makes me somewhat worried. Regardless of that thought, Janet still gripped me tight, but she released enough of her grip to where she wasn't going to break my spine. It looks like I'm not the only one that's nervous.

" You... You're here..."

Janet had tears coming down both sides of her big light pink eye. It rattled me a little. Since she's begun working as the Head Maid here at the mansion, Janet has been acting the part. She's been calm no matter what issues had come up and the only time she's ever really changed her expression was when she was dealing with her family, or not agreeing with me about mandatory days off. But now... Her eye is half full of warm tears and she has a giant smile on her face. IT was like I was being held by my own Mom, back when I was a kid. Granted, the fact that pretty much every adult Demon I run into is taller than me helps with that. Janet is around 8 1/2 FT tall so she more or less towers over me. She still looks like she can't believe I'm here.

" I am, Janet. I'm safe and I'm back."

" But... What happened to you? How did you get back? You look so skinny now? Did... Did they starve you?"

" Well, they only fed me stale bread and water, so kind of? I've been eating a good number of vegetables and fruit on the way back though. As for what they tried to do, it'll be easier to explain it when Sarah and Anna are here. They failed at what they wanted to do though because of my Job."

" Ah! Right! Queen Lily could feed you... But don't worry, Jim will make sure that you'll be able to eat your fill starting tomorrow! So, because you're a Paladin you were able to resist whatever they tried.... Thank the Gods."

Janet was quite happy to know that I wasn't completely starved. Along with that, the news that their plans failed also brought her joy. She released me from the hug as she was more relaxed now. Everything was going great... Until she noticed something I forgot about...