Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: End of the Prelude
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I glanced at the system message and nodded.
This was a mid-game system event in Eve's route.
Kelters' final class was [Royal Knight], and the step right before that was [Royal Guard].
Once this happened, you'd get the Royal Guard title, and favorability with the entire academy's 'Eve faction' would go up.
But Nefti was my Royal Guard now, so what did that mean?
My faction...? Did something like that even exist?
Hmm. No clue.
No clue, but good things were good, right?
"Looking forward to working with you, Nepthelian."
"I shall devote my utmost loyalty to you, my liege... Yes. I will serve you faithfully."
"Mm."
Hearing her call me 'liege' was a bit embarrassing.
What was the word for it? I knew this was a mishmash fantasy world blending medieval concepts and timelines, but my sensibilities hadn't time-traveled back with me.
"Don't call me 'liege.'"
"But isn't a Royal Guard and their master bound by that? I believe it's enshrined in the national law."
"......"
Okay, that was true.
What to say?
Ah.
"Nefti."
"...Yes, liege."
"Once we leave Jefrin, won't there be a lifetime of days where you call me 'liege'?"
"That's true."
"The time you can call me 'senpai' is only about a year and a half from now."
"......As expected of senpai! Cherish the time you have now. Time isn't an infinite resource. That's what you mean, right?!"
"......Mm. Exactly."
As I said that, Nefti looked up at me with her round eyes sparkling.
I'd just thrown something out there, but it landed perfectly.
Good thing she was simpler than I thought.
On the way back.
Nefti started walking right next to me, pressed close.
"Don't you think it's hot?"
"The sea breeze is cool, senpai."
"......Well, yeah."
"Plus, if senpai with his stamina of 2 trips while walking, this Royal Guard has to offer her neck on the block."
What?
That wasn't wrong, technically.
"Besides, protecting senpai is my duty."
Fine, whatever.
I made you my Royal Guard, so handle it yourself.
The funny part was, at this moment with Nefti stuck right to my side...
I felt no discomfort from walking at all. It was astonishing.
It was actually more comfortable than walking on my own.
This was the Royal Guard's special ability.
When Nefti stayed within a certain distance of me, it positively influenced my actions.
In the original story, it let Kelters cover for Eve's weaknesses, giving the pure mage a bit more mobility.
For me, the eased movement was incredibly grateful, but in reality, it apparently manifested as her supporting me like this.
Not great for actual combat.
"Camp's coming up. Let go."
"Aw. A bit longer..."
"Let go. That's an order."
"Ugh... Yes."
Nefti released me with a swish and nodded with an "Ah."
"Oh right, senpai."
"What now?"
"...Here. I'd be grateful if you took this."
With that, Nefti removed the necklace from around her neck and handed it to me.
"What's this?"
"My late father made it for me when I was little. I used it as a talisman to get through tough times."
"A treasure, huh."
"...Hehe."
"So. Why give a rare treasure like this to me?"
"My dream came true—going from village guard in Gluco to Royal Guard. So I don't deserve to wear it anymore."
She said that and handed me the necklace with a bright smile.
Sheesh.
She had this habit of overthinking everything sometimes.
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Huh?"
"I clearly said my path is the same as yours."
"...Y-Yes."
"So why put a gap between the path you see and the one I see?"
"Uh, um...?"
"Don't think following my goals denies your dreams. That's foolish thinking."
I said that and placed the necklace back in Nefti's hand.
"Giving up something to gain something else is the way of second-rate lives."
"Yes... Senpai."
Nefti put the necklace back around her own neck.
And then.
"...Didn't you say camp's right ahead? What're you planning to do sticking even closer?"
"Hehe. Isn't it nice, senpai? Let's deepen the bond between lord and vassal!"
By evening, everyone had gathered at camp.
Milmyu and Rudika had caught animals or foraged a ton of greens, and Nefti wouldn't even think of leaving my side.
Finally, Eve—who'd returned at some point—was prepping game she'd hunted with Patrasche.
"...Why am I doing this?"
"Hahaha. It's for an old friend's child. Isn't this a good experience?"
"Ugh, ugh... Eek. Blood splashed on me."
The butchering had been decided by rock-paper-scissors, and skill played a big role. Pure mages couldn't help it. Blame your low skill stat.
Anyway, the meat was cut a bit crookedly, the edges a tad burnt, the veggies cooked haphazardly, and I had no idea how she'd handle all those fish...
She'd even set traps weaving holy spears, black crystals, and fireballs here and there to keep monsters away at night,
But honestly, Rudika the Abyss Dagger handled all that, so relax. Though a faint bloody scent lingered from the status effect somewhere.
Whatever the case, we safely enjoyed our seaside dinner.
Just as meat hit everyone's plates and cool drinks made the rounds.
"I have a quick announcement during dinner."
Nefti, in her sporty swimsuit, cleared her throat with an ahem.
All eyes turned to her, and she pressed right up against me.
Hey. Hey. Too close.
Nefti beamed, stuck to my side, and thrust out her left arm in a V-sign.
"Nepthelian here has become Senpai Wolfram's Royal Guard!"
"Ah, you've made up your mind! Congrats!"
"Yes! From now on, [I'll become an outstanding Royal Guard who protects senpai like family or more!]"
"I see. Hehe. Thank you."
"Huh?"
"Because that means you're [Wolfram's Royal Guard—and by extension, someone who protects me too], right?"
A very faint shadow crossed Nefti's face at innocent Aila's words.
Weird. Where in our earlier talk was that?
"Well, Royal Guards are officially recognized guardians by the imperial family, but you can't expect them to protect from every threat, right?"
"Senior Rudika?"
"Mm. Rudika thinks this: Instead of lurking in shadows to nip crises in the bud, the Royal Guard won't have to work hard."
"......I-I see. Senior Rudika thinks that way."
"But?"
Something's off.
It was evening, but summer—so warm—yet it felt freezing here.
Strange weather? No such terrain effect in the natural haven I remembered.
"Looking forward to it! Protect me and Wolfram, Nefti!"
"......Yes. As senpai's Royal Guard, I'll do my best."
"Don't worry. If it's too much, Rudika will help. Nefti."
Their words were all heartwarming, so why was my body shivering?
"I-I'm neither fiancée, nor Royal Guard, nor assassin..."
And why was Milmyu choking up while staring at us mid-bite?
Dinner ended.
But even after eating by the sea, the mood felt awkward somehow.
This was a problem.
Of course, Aila—who completely ignored the air—was smiling up at the sky.
"Nice island."
"Isn't it."
"Yeah. How did Wolfram find a place like this?"
Great question.
"Indeed. Then let me tell you an interesting story. It'll be pretty thrilling."
Everyone gathered in groups around the bonfire, enjoying the warmth.
Dinner was done, but too early for tents.
Stories from worldly adults were always a hit in situations like this.
"Good. Seems you're ready. Let's begin. What do you all think of this natural haven?"
"Pretty island. Makes me want to come back."
"Yes. Really nice island."
"Awesome island. Makes me want to come alone with someone."
"Rudika thinks so too. Good place. Head to the center, and it's full of great training fodder."
"......Yeah. Monsters even my mana can't laugh off."
......
Nefti, Aila, and Milmyu answered normally, but Rudika and Eve?
Whatever. Everyone agreed it was awesome.
"That raises a question. We warped here, but where is this island in the real world?"
"......"
Everyone tilted their heads at my words.
Eve spoke first.
"Mm... Southern islands?"
"No."
"Ah, then east?"
"No."
After a few back-and-forths, I shook my head at all their guesses.
"No idea. Where the heck is this island?"
"Jefrin."
"Huh?"
"Past the southwest jungle from Jefrin, along the coast, an hour by boat. That's this haven."
"......"
"Fun, right? Rudika, how long to push through southwest with your skill?"
"Running steady? Four days or so."
"Exactly. Just that much. Straight shot from central to southwest? Four days. Jefrin's an island. Tiny compared to the continent. Yet no one's set foot here... in three hundred years. You six are the first visitors in three centuries."
"I see..."
"Yeah. We know nothing. Stray a bit from Jefrin, and it's a treasure trove."
I stopped there.
Stimulating kids' imaginations was an adult's job.
"Golems in the Eastern Forest. Foes in the Sleeping Mountains. Snow fairies in the tundra, dragons in the desert. Stray a little off-path, and islands like this pop up. ...We call it a place of learning, life-defining, yet know zilch about Jefrin."
"......Yeah. We know nothing."
Eve picked up my words, and we all fell into thought.
At the end of that silence, Eve broke it again.
"...I see. So that's the hidden reason you—no, we all—came here."
......?
"To show a new world, wake us from mistaking the jar's water for the sea...? Arrogant of you, Wolfram."
"Wasn't my intent."
"So don't crawl through life—stand and die. That's the message, Wolfram."
"I said it wasn't my intent, how many—"
No, really, it wasn't.
I just opened my mouth to loosen the awkwardness between you all...
?
"Fine. Yeah. Can't argue after seeing this. This time, Eve von Loengrin yields a step. Wolfram."
"......?"
"From semester-end ceremony, [Jefrin all restricted area access] eased for Wolfram von Loengrin et al.: Aila Trista. Rudika Hassan Shadow. Milmyu von Sabre. Nepthelian. The following four."
Eve declared.
"As expected. As Royal Guard, I'll serve loyally."
"First group officially adventuring in Jefrin..."
"......The four under Wolfram here. Including Rudika."
"Yeah. The start of our rebellion against the old order!"
I see.
Student Council approval made it solid.
I planned to adventure with them anyway.
Now to schedule thoroughly.
"But conditions. Can't fully release."
"Say it."
"Adventure at least every two weeks. Report in writing."
"......Two weeks?"
"Yes."
Hey, Eve.
Do you know my stamina stat?
"Understood. Not hard. I'm the Royal Guard."
No, you're the Royal Guard. I'm the stamina-2 weakling?
"Rudika's fine with a week?"
I'm not?
"Senpai. Let's power through together!"
Powering through kills me.
"Come on, Wolfram. Next adventure spot? Time to spread rebellion's wings!"
......
......
I'll break those wings and die right here.