Chapter 304
Chapter 304
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: O Captain! My Captain!
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"Ah, right. Rishir. I forgot to mention this. It seems your master stopped by Bondalles."
It was a name that suddenly came up from Rona's mouth.
"What? Master Pamon?"
Rishir blankly spaced out for a moment before jolting back to his senses.
"You mean our master? The dark elf with the beaming smile, who's a total rascal?"
A total rascal.
Rona wryly smiled at that last description, hesitating before answering.
"I couldn't ask her name directly or confirm her appearance, but it sure looks like she visited Fienne's mansion."
"What do you mean... Could you tell me more details?"
"It was around the time the city was starting to buzz with talk of the expedition. There were so many outsiders trying to meet Fienne that they were practically handing out numbered tickets."
Rona shook her head as if just recalling it made her tired.
"While dealing with visitors day in and day out like that, your master showed up too. Very discreetly."
"Discreetly?"
"Yeah. Suddenly, there was a note on Fienne's desk that hadn't been there before. I think that note was—"
"Master!?"
Rishir cried out involuntarily.
The moment he read the note, it was as if her uniquely lively voice echoed in his ears.
"Rishir's master!?"
In that instant.
The air in the room stirred.
"E-everyone?"
Rishir lowered his stance like a beast tamer surrounded by wild animals, warily scanning his surroundings.
The stern archmage and even the aloof high elf.
Everyone present perked up their ears and swarmed toward Rishir all at once.
Rishir's master.
They were helplessly drawn in by the magnetic pull of that tantalizing phrase.
Just what kind of being could the master of that enigmatic existence be!?
"Sir Elon! Is it safe for us to read that note!? Doesn't the writing rise like a mirage, or make you forget how to breathe!?"
"What!? If so, could that note be something like a grimoire of succession—"
"Is that true!? The master of Rishir who compiled a grimoire of succession—"
"A note suddenly appearing on the desk... Could it be matter creation magic from long range!?"
"Or perhaps a transcendental power interfering with a secondary dimension by overlapping space-time— There are records of ancient transcendent beings using such forces—"
"Even if the First Hero was the hero's master, I wouldn't doubt it for a second—"
"What!? The First Hero is Rishir's master!?"
Rishir gained a new realization.
Ah.
Expectations could turn into madness once they crossed a certain threshold!
Rishir was appalled by how casually they spouted such outrageous claims.
What on earth did they think someone else's master was!?
"Everyone! Please, calm down! My master isn't anything like what you're imagining! She's actually an utterly ordinary person!"
She showed compassion and interest to a mere bastard, opening a new path for him.
Rishir shared his master's wholesome tale with them.
To make them understand just how normal she was!
"What!? She abandoned you after just a week!?"
"?"
They understood just how unfathomable Rishir's master was.
"So, Rona—"
After the commotion died down.
Rishir composed himself and asked Rona.
"What happened with our master?"
A faint tremble colored his voice, impossible to hide.
In this place, the one who wanted to meet 'her' more than anyone was undoubtedly Rishir himself.
'Master Pamon...'
Rishir recalled Pamon's expression from their parting.
A master sending off her still-immature disciple.
What stood out first in that face wasn't anxiety or worry, but a deeper faith and expectation.
Some might call it irresponsible.
But.
To Rishir, that attitude from his master was nothing short of grateful.
For it was the first faith and expectation a worthless bastard had ever received.
Rishir asked himself.
Was he truly ready to live up to his master's faith and expectations?
"..."
Rishir felt the weight of his sword.
He felt the beings in his inner world.
He felt the gazes focused on him.
At last.
Rishir nodded.
The disciple was prepared to reunite with his master.
"Here—"
"...!"
Rona handed him a new note.
Rishir steadied his trembling heart and checked its contents.
"...!!!"
Rishir's eyes widened at the note's opening line.
The moment he'd mentally prepared for reunion with his master, another abandonment declaration!?
'Long-range ultra-high-speed abandonment...!!!'
Rishir writhed in deep despair.
"Aah... Even after growing this much, am I still utterly under the power of abandonment...!!!"
"Rishir...?"
After venting dramatically to ease his disappointment, Rishir checked the rest of the note.
"..."
That lively voice seemed to ring out again.
A smile returned to Rishir's lips once more.
He carefully folded the note and tucked it into his bosom.
"Rishir?"
"Yeah?"
"This is the gift mentioned in the note."
With cautious movements.
Rona placed a small box in Rishir's palm.
"This is..."
Ha!
Hahaha!
Rishir burst into laughter he couldn't hold back upon opening the box.
It was laughter born of pure joy.
An elixir.
Seeing the gift conjured a vivid image of his master in his mind.
Rummaging through the fake hero family's warehouse for a suitable present for her disciple.
Inside the box, along with the elixir, was one more small note.
Rishir eagerly read its contents.
A rune was drawn at the end of the note.
When Rishir infused it with mana, it began to glow.
And then—
Her lively voice flowed from the note.
Along with it, Rishir laughed as he summarized the contents.
Expecting so much from her disciple that she ended up worrying for him instead.
Having reunited with his master through the note, Rishir smiled contentedly.
'Master is the same as ever.'
She was still the greatest supporter, showering her disciple with more faith and expectation than anyone.
Rascal-level, even.
Afterward.
Rishir reread the note, forming a bold smile.
If his master's faith in her disciple was so infinite that it turned into worry—
Then easing that worry was the disciple's duty.
It's okay if you're lacking?
Now your master can teach you tons?
'No, Master... Now it's time to inherit the throne...'
Inheritance of abandonment.
For that, Rishir resolved to fulfill his master's wishes.
To show more than what she expected—
So, what was beyond what his master expected?
"Gasp...!!!"
Rishir startled in shock.
"Rishir!?"
"What happened!?"
Those nearby who had been watching him fondly voiced their concern.
"Right, I was a mage!"
"?"
"Urgh...!"
Pain clearly etched across the dark elf's face.
Pamon.
She was currently writhing in fatigue and agony.
'Why is this happening...'
Even amid this, Pamon suffered from a dreadful sense of unreality.
When she had delayed reuniting with her disciple and left the city, she never imagined something like this would occur.
-Damn it, Pamon...! Get a grip!!!
The grimoire urgently roused its master with a desperate voice.
"Duran..."
Pamon forced a feeble smile.
"I think... I've failed..."
-Damn it, cut the weak talk!!!
"No..."
Pamon slowly shook her head.
Drip.
Drip.
Her movements sent droplets falling to the wet floor.
"I know it best... This is as far as I go—"
Pamon's words cut off there.
Her arm fell limply to the ground.
-That's not for you to decide! Enough, lift your arm again!!! Before Lady Lavella calls!!!
"Shh~ What if the real master comes?"
"Did you call me?"
"Ah, Master~"
Pamon raised her arm again as if nothing had happened.
Pamon had arrived in the night forest at her master's summons.
Now, she was kneeling with her arm raised as punishment.
The crime: abandoning her disciple.
"How could such a child come from..."
Her master looked to the heavens, ashamed without a shred of pride.
Yet Pamon was smiling.
"Master."
Her voice brimmed with conviction and pride.
This would surely bring even her master a beaming smile without reservation!
"I think I've found it. The clue to destroy 'that thing'—"
"..."
"Master?"
The forest night averted its gaze awkwardly.