Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Time to Advance
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Okay. I've made some preparations for my eventual retirement, so it's time to get moving.
As much as I'd love to hole up somewhere safe, bide my time, and focus on developing Cain along with Luna and myself, that's not an option.
In the end, I'm the one who sets the table, not the one who gets spoon-fed.
Besides, I've decided to aim for the next title after "The Starter"—namely, "The Advancer."
That one's more likely if you steel your will and act on it.
I'll lay the groundwork with the info I've gathered, but above all, Cain's own intentions are key.
'If he doesn't realize the stage is set, everything's fine.'
He's not a god—how's he supposed to figure it out?
I caught myself rubbing my hands like some goblin merchant, startled, and shook them off as I stood up.
"I never thought I'd put Alkaido to use this soon..."
Well, as long as it's mutually beneficial, who cares?
Instead of paper at risk of tearing, I pulled out a sheet of parchment and picked up a quill to jot down a recipe.
"Leaves of the black water elder tree, flutter grass. Fragments of a young goat's first horns, mixed with gelatinous aquatic plants and white dung mushrooms."
As I recalled, nearly all were common ingredients except for one or two.
It's best to nip an epidemic in the bud, but how the hell am I supposed to do that?
They'll be preparing multiple outbreaks simultaneously—how would anyone even know?
The moment the cult spreading it finds out I knew and tried to stop it...
'Fanatics like them would render the Krueger family's shield meaningless.'
They'd come after me recklessly, consequences be damned.
To punish the one who dared interfere with their grand undertaking.
So the safest bet is to let Cain handle stopping the epidemic himself.
My best move is to prepare antidotes or countermeasures.
"Well, I'm no hero..."
The people who'll die while it spreads?
To be honest, saving everyone without any sacrifices is impossible.
My power doesn't extend that far, nor does Cain's.
But compared to a future where 80% of the continent's people perish, saving even a few more is doable.
Right now, the Evil God Cult is roaming the continent performing sacrificial rites, monsters are preying on people, and somewhere, innocents are dying from vile schemes.
I'm not omnipotent.
I'm just a fan of a novel, a game—overly immersed in its protagonist's tragic life, craving that happy ending.
"I'll just do what I can right now."
I summoned a servant and handed him the neatly rolled parchment, then spoke.
"Deliver this to Alkaido. Tell him to actively purchase and stockpile everything listed. I'll explain its purpose later."
"Heh heh, young master. The castle's main warehouse happens to have space."
He was grinning like he wanted to suck up.
That's not the kind of list that calls for flattery...
I waved him off like I wanted him gone already, then started mapping out a simple travel route in my head.
'Well, the first stop's pretty obvious anyway.'
Cain's hometown village.
If I asked him where he wants to go first, he'd definitely say there.
So we'll hit that, then head to the labyrinth city, snag a hidden relic there, and...
I finalized the route, shoved the paper into my small sub-space, and went looking for Luna.
"Hmm~ Hm~..."
She was humming while brushing the horses, looking blissfully happy...
Whoever pushed a kid like her into combat and maxed out her Bloodlust trait must be some demon from another dimension.
'Your Honor... I was just grinding for efficiency in the game...'
My conscience twinged, and I clutched my chest before clearing my throat with a hem. Luna's white ears twitched!
"Uh, wh-when... have you been... there...?"
Her face turned peachy, and she fidgeted like a tiny animal—adorable.
"Since you started humming?"
Of course, cuteness has nothing to do with teasing.
I grinned brightly, and her face flushed from pale peach to full red.
"Uwa... uh..."
"Anyway, you've handled the procedures to take all the horses out, right?"
They're spares, but also assets for the knight order.
Pocket change for the Krueger family, but warhorses are pricey—getting reported outside would be a hassle.
"Y-Yes... Registered them... with the Travelers' Guild ahead of time..."
Regular horses might not need it, but better to block headaches early.
"Good job, Luna."
I reached out, patted her head, tugged and released her soft ear, then thumbed over my shoulder and spoke.
"Wanna go watch again today?"
"...Young master... finished... your stamina training... already?"
"...Don't even ask. Mark wouldn't let me finish until he puked once this morning..."
In the end, he collapsed convulsing mid-run, so I got a leg massage and called it.
Feeling the blood drain from my face, I shook my head and smirked.
"So, not watching?"
"I-I am, though."
Honestly, confirming Cain's capabilities firsthand is a goal, but...
How often do you get to watch intense martial arts up close, vividly, with the assurance of no gruesome end?
'Later, when we're out there, I'll just be glad for the Queasiness trait.'
The day might come when I witness the cult's human sacrifices firsthand.
Without Queasiness, could a modern guy like me handle it?
Even now, I flinch when Cain's arm bends unnaturally or I hear a crack like a breaking bone right by my ear.
'I need to get used to even the small stuff.'
I coaxed Luna along to the training grounds where Cain was rolling around.
The clash of metal rings out loudly.
Sharp echoes stab at the ears, repeating over and over.
A flurry of blows flows seamlessly like water, blocked and dodged as if perfectly choreographed.
'He's improved a lot.'
It hasn't been long since they switched from wooden swords to training longswords, but he clashes fearlessly with those razor-sharp blades.
I watched Cain, drenched in sweat, teaming up with one knight against two others.
"This little guy's come a long way."
"Tough little bastard."
"Cocky as hell, but heh. Skills are solid."
Even against precise, sharp strikes, the stronger knights have time to chat.
Well, it's not life-or-death combat—just sparring.
As I watched with a hum, the guys who'd been crossing swords with him started tempting Cain.
"Heading out to the village for drinks tonight—come with?"
"Yeah. Castle food's great, but sometimes you just crave that cheap booze vibe."
"Not... really interested."
"Hey now, don't bail. We're hitting a spot with killer whole roast pig."
Their low murmurs get lost amid other shouts and clashes, but surprising.
Seems they've gotten pretty chummy. It's heartwarming, but bittersweet—such daily life is ending now.
"Whole roast pig... sounds yummy..."
Meanwhile, Luna's drooling at the mention, groaning beside me.
I exhaled a hum, chuckled, and approached.
"Oh? A place with that good roast pig, huh?"
Silence fell for a moment, then chatter erupted.
They glanced at me, faces saying *oh, him again*, and edged away. I shrugged.
Rumor has it if you're unlucky enough to catch my eye, you end up like Harlon—chained to a pen as my document slave.
What's with avoiding me like the plague?
Maybe I should turn them all into paperwork drones for real.
"Uh... haha, it's too plebeian for your tastes, young master."
Do they think I'm some pushy manager forcing himself into the after-afterparty?
I eyed the knight sweating bullets, awkwardly smiling to dissuade me, then reached into my sub-space and pulled out a fistful of gold coins.
"I know. Eating that would be a sin against my tongue. But if my knights want it, I can at least sponsor, right?"
I dropped the coins into the hands of the startled knight who reflexively held them out, then paused—face looked familiar. I opened his trait window.
[Dave—Regular Knight of the Gold-Beaked Raven Knights]
Main Traits: [Vitality (A)] [Toughness (A)]
Hidden Traits: [Mental Fortitude (B)] [Wind Spirit (D)]
Ah, Dave.
He'd been watching Cain closely, and boosting one more ally could make things easier later.
"And this is a special gift for you, who's been getting along well with my squire."
I reached into my sub-space again and pulled out a wind attribute stone from the auction haul—a gem shimmering with ethereal sky-blue.
I placed it cherry-like atop the piled gold in his hands and smiled faintly.
"You wouldn't just toss my gift aside or sell it, right? Nah?"
He alternated stares between me and the stone, face screaming *is this young master starting some new harassment?*, then awkwardly replied.
"O-Of course not."
"Then Cain comes with me."
I nodded at Cain, who was wiping sweat from his chin with his bandaged hand. He nodded lightly.
"See you at tomorrow's sparring."
As we walked off with Dave seeing us out, a bit of commotion stirred behind.
Suddenly saddled with a pretty rock to carry around like a lady. Teasing voices about Dave drifted over.
They'll all envy you later, Dave. Just hang in there.
Smirking at the thought of his petty jealousy later, a weird realization hit.
Was I always this mean?
Or have I immersed too deep into Adelian?
'Trait window.'
[Adelian Protector Krueger—The Golden Owner]
Main Traits: [Gold Power (SS)] [Arrogance (S)]
Hidden Traits: [Queasiness (A)] [User's Eye (SSS)]
'Queasiness... decreased.'
What does that mean?
If it drops to F or vanishes, what happens to me?
As it started turning serious.
Is this the Queasiness trait too?
Or influence from my lazy old self, Kang Suho?
'I'll think it over properly later.'
It's not directly harming my body anyway.
I sat in my room waiting for Cain to wash up, sipping lime-infused water.
Faint citrus scent.
Queasiness affects the mental side anyway—sensory stuff feels fine.
Still good.
"Mm..."
I poked the sleepy-looking Luna's cheek after swallowing, when Cain returned.
"What're you thinking to make that face?"
"What kind of face?"
"The one when you crush a magic stone."
Good—villainous, huh? Success.
I grinned widely, eyeing Cain as he sat with a vaguely uneasy expression.
"Sounds like the face of a competent boss. Thanks for the compliment?"
"Your habit of twisting it positive isn't healthy."
"Maybe it's great for my mental health. Right, Luna?"
"Uh, y-yeah... probably...?"
I called for dinner, propped my chin, and tilted my head sideways.
Alright, here we go.
Not too obvious, but get the words I want straight from Cain's mouth.
"Lately I've been thinking, Cain. Aren't you stagnating a bit?"
I twirled a knife like I was losing interest.
His eyes seemed to darken slightly.
"N-No, I don't think so... He's been... working really... hard..."
No, Luna. Don't help. No excuses.
I know Cain's diligent, but right now I need to be the evil patron.
"Daily spars are fine, but it's getting stale. Don't you think?"
"True enough. No argument there. Maybe I'm stagnating, getting lazy, like you say."
Ouch. Conscience stabbing.
I slowly schooled my smile to blank and fixed Cain with a stare.
"I think we need a change. What do you say?"
"Same thought here."
This is going smoothly...
"I figure it's time to leave this castle. Sparring alone will sharply limit my growth anyway."
Even in the brightly lit room with candles and mana lamps, Cain's golden eyes gleamed brighter.
"My goal's out there, after all."
The overwhelming vibe made me open my mouth, but suddenly Cain lazily lowered his gaze and tore bread as if nothing happened.
"But first, I'd like to stop by my hometown."
"Sure."
As expected—the first destination is Cain's hometown.
That ruined village.