Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Fixed-Term/30 Days
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Sylphia Evergreengrove.
She's not a bad pick for a party member at all.
Even if you assume one spot rotates out once a month, there's no one else with her level of versatility among all the candidates worth adding to the party.
If things go south, just drop her next month. Besides, she's graduating in half a year anyway.
But the problem is...
She's part of the student council.
I stared straight at Eve, and she shot me back a sullen look.
"Sylphia's my knight. She's also a candidate for royal guard."
"However, she hasn't sworn the royal guard oath yet."
"...Ugh. There are circumstances. Sylphia needs to rack up enough achievements to become my royal guard! You know that!"
"I do. She has to defeat Isolde Cruel. Didn't she even agree to be a test subject for my potions for that? So what's different about this?"
"That was me asking for your cooperation as the head of my own faction. This is transferring her allegiance entirely to you! Don't bare your fangs at my knight!"
"Fangs...? That's harsh."
"It is! You viper with poison dripping from your fangs!"
"Hmph. For the record, a viper's fangs mostly inject venom after biting. The fangs themselves aren't laced with poison."
"...Really?"
"Mm."
"Oh..."
What, has she ever met a viper? Eve seemed intrigued by the trivia and nodded along. When I hurt my back, I binged D/Z SAGA with documentaries playing in the background.
Jack-of-all-trades. Master of trivia. That's this super ultimate smart guy, Yi Young-jin, for you.
"You know how water snakes hunt? They snap the fish's neck first, then guide it into their mouth and tear it apart."
"...Fascinating. Nature's profound."
Soon we were deep into a chat about water snake hunting when a polite cough came from the side.
"Ahem. So... what about me...?"
"Ah, my apologies. We were discussing Sylphia Evergreengrove's future plans."
"Hmph. I've never said I'd join even once."
"I have no intention of changing Sylphia's affiliation either."
"If you two hate it that much, I won't force it... But you're misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding...?"
"I only add people I've personally approved to my group. The last spot is temporary—replaceable anytime."
"Then why? We could just stick with five, right? Why add Sylphia to the open slot?"
Eve tilted her head, demanding more explanation.
This much should be fine to tell Eve and Sylphia. I explained that the staff grants a skill to expand the party, and the benefits scale with more members.
"Wolfram... you said six is the limit?"
"Yes. What, did you think I'd unite thousands of mages for some grand revolution?"
"...Honestly, yeah."
"Hmph. Then why cheapen such a power by mentioning it?"
"...Fair point. If I were you, I'd form a mage battalion led by grad students like Zolf, portal straight to the palace from Jefrin, seize the nobles in a flash, and claim the throne. If I got in the way, you'd stir trouble in Jefrin first to keep me buried in all-nighters for three or four days. Then dispatch Rudika Hassan Shadow for the assassination. Congrats, you're the new emperor."
...What? Is she insane?
Where does she get these terrifying ideas? I never even thought of that.
Look at Sylphia—she's trembling, pale as a ghost, staring at me. I wouldn't do it. Throne's useless anyway.
"Eve. That joke went too far. Mentioning the throne..."
"I know. Tch. I only said it because you have zero interest in it, and Sylphia would die before spilling secrets. ...I'm a bit tired too. Pretend you didn't hear that."
"Fine, I will. Save it for when you have the power to back it up."
"...You're not telling me not to?"
Me?
Why would I? I've seen your endings a dozen times—you're the best of the current Loengrins.
I'm all for Emperor Eve von Loengrin. No reason to oppose.
"The throne suits you perfectly."
"...Ugh."
Eve's face flushed bright red.
Ah... That was what Kelters said while wiping blood from her face after saving her. Slipped out.
"A-anyway, enough flattery. It's fixed-term, so obviously there are harsh terms? Like unconditional obedience to your orders?"
"S-such indecency...!"
What are you talking about?
It's plenty fair.
"Join my party, and you get these benefits, that's it. If you want out after a month, I'll release you from the contract. No initiation fee if you join me on three expeditions. We cover all expedition support costs. In exchange... yeah. As a temp, your share of rewards will be slightly reduced."
...Honestly.
Even saying it myself, it's a bit harsh.
Like hiring an intern: full work, low pay. Room and board provided, but feels like grunt labor at 80,000 rin a day.
Eve and Sylphia's eyes went wide at my words.
"Wolfram... You wrote that proposal yourself? Not Milmyu? Or Nefti...?"
"I did. Why bring up Milmyu?"
"No way something that generous came from your head!"
Harsh much?
"We're giving her three expeditions' worth of experience in a month, full support, constant buffs? And a reduced cut of rewards—but still a cut? Heavens... There must be hidden poison clauses."
Eve glared suspiciously.
"My lady, is that really such a big deal? It's not bad."
See? Even Sylphia says so.
"It's a chance to join the expedition tracing the great ancestor's footsteps."
"The great ancestor—you mean the first emperor?"
"No. Forget I said that."
"Yes. Forgotten."
Eve frowned at Sylphia's question, lost in thought. Then she glanced at the staff on my belt.
Ah.
Right.
That staff Eve has... I got it solving Hark's quiz dungeon.
"And if I have to slay... over five hundred monsters..."
...Plus,
The clue for Eve's promotion exam came from my subtle hint about Hark.
"Mm... Ahem. No choice then. Sylphia getting stronger helps me too. Sylphia, if you're okay with it... join Wolfram's group for a month. Your call."
"...U-um. Well."
Sylphia squeezed her eyes shut, deliberated, then answered.
"Wolfram."
"What."
"Even if I join your banner... my noble spirit will never be tainted. Got it!?"
"..."
Why's she shaking with indignation?
Then don't join.
"So you're in?"
"Gh... D-do what you want!"
"Won't contract unless you say it yourself."
"T-to humiliate me like this... You're no human!"
"Then don't."
"...I-I will..."
"Louder."
"...I will then... I will..."
Hm.
Small, but the system accepted it.
And the buff I'd truly hoped for came through.
A sense of omnipotence fills me, as if I could seize everything in this world.
I declare it.
Right now, I am the strongest.
Anyway, she pissed me off, so...
"Too quiet, Sylphia. My skill won't trigger with that volume."
"I said I will!"
"Loud enough, but lacks reverence for the leader. Try again politely."
"...U-ugh... I-I'll do it..."
"More respect."
"I-I'll join... Just let me..."
"Good. Welcome to the party, even if temporary."
"...S-such humiliation... I'd rather die..."
Tears welled in Sylphia's eyes.
That happy, huh?
Sylphia followed me to the convenience store, still trembling.
"Sit."
"..."
She glared through teary eyes, sat, and I shrugged.
Why's a half-year-from-graduation senior acting like a kid?
"Came empty-handed?"
"...Y-you just said follow!"
"I did. Here."
"...What's this?"
I handed her a notebook and pen from item creation.
"Fancy stationery and notebook. Not cheap... Extortion?"
"No. Drop the suspicion habit. Even temps... I don't bully comrades."
She blinked blankly, then nodded.
"Right. Everyone around you was smiling."
"Get it now?"
"...Were you always like that? Maybe I misjudged. Fine. So, what with these?"
"Pay upfront first, no?"
"Extortion after all...?"
"No. We cover the advance. Before next expedition... jot down what I know."
"...?"
She still hasn't caught on.
"Didn't you say defeat Isolde Cruel and become Eve's royal guard? Obvious what to study."
"No way. You know how?"
"Of course. How to beat Isolde Cruel? Naturally."
"...Ridiculous. Isolde Cruel's never lost once! How could you know?!"
"No one in current fourth-year knight division can beat her. But against Eve? Regina Cielra? Rudika Hassan Shadow? Think she'd win?"
"...No."
She's top fourth-year knight by setting, heroine in her route—but not easy.
"Ready to take notes. Starting lesson on Isolde Cruel's fatal weakness. First, her Jewel Sword's traits..."
"Ah... Wait before you start."
"What? Need prep?"
Stamina 3 me can wait. Plenty of leeway!
I nodded, and she held out her hand.
"That thing... You haven't given it yet."
"What?"
"...What you—no, your group wears. The... badge."
"Right."
Forgot that.
"F-fine if you don't want to. I'm temp, leaving in a month anyway. Yeah, expected."
"Here."
"...You're giving it?"
What're you saying? Obviously.
Temps are party members too.
Sylphia fiddled with the badge I gave, pinned it to her chest. The wolf's eyes turned turquoise, matching hers.
"...Good. Looking forward to it, even if short."
"Mm. Same here."
After that, I began the Isolde lecture, and Sylphia didn't complain once.