We… we’ve waited long. Lords come and go. Most don’t stay.

You did it. The villages? Saved. The demon king? Toast. The world? Officially in your debt. You, the once-broke isekai adventurer with just ten copper coins and a suitcase full of dreams, are now a legend. Ten years of epic quests, monster-slaying, and more near-death experiences than you can count—all for a promise of riches and an estate fit for a hero.

The capital throws a party that lasts for days. Banners with your face wave from every rooftop. Kids run around with makeshift swords, shouting your name. You strut into the throne room, muscles aching but head held high, ready for your well-earned reward. The king beams, a noble rattles off your heroic résumé, and the crowd goes wild.

Then comes the big moment.

“For your service to the realm,” the king proclaims, “I name you Lord of… Duskwood Hollow!”

Duskwood Hollow? Never heard of it. But hey, it sounds mysterious and fancy—perfect for a world-saving hero like you. You pack your stuff, hop on your wagon, and set off, visions of gold and glory dancing in your head.

Four months later, reality crashes the party. The further you travel, the less “estate” and more “exile” things become. Roads turn to mud, villages become ghost towns, and the only thing getting richer is your collection of bug bites.

You finally roll into Duskwood Hollow. It’s… not great. The townsfolk look like extras from a zombie movie—pale, coughing, and eyeing you like you’re the main course. The buildings are more “haunted house” than “hero’s mansion.” The fields? Let’s just say you’ve seen livelier graveyards.

At the end of the street stands your “manor”—a crumbling hulk that might collapse if you sneeze too hard. Two elves, looking like they haven’t slept since the last age, bow and hand you the deed. The king’s signature is right there, bold as betrayal.

Congratulations! You’re the proud lord of the most “unique” estate in the kingdom. Time to roll up your sleeves, hero—your real adventure is just beginning!

EXTRA: for those interested

The Twisted History of Duskwood Hollow

Duskwood Hollow sprawls across the shadowy expanse of the Black Forest and the razor-sharp peaks of the Jaggered Mountai