Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: True Energy Adept
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With the meal time over, we were now gathered in the room.
We sat around on the sofas, munching on tea and snacks brought by the servants.
I'd been too aware of the eyes on me during dinner to ask, but now I finally inquired about what had happened while I was unconscious.
"Jenia, how many days was I out?"
"Your Highness was down for three days. Sir Daniel, who subdued the adventurers, treated your wounds."
It seemed we'd ended up indebted to the church after all.
"What happened with the cleanup while I was out?"
Jenia nodded once before replying.
"All the adventurers except those we couldn't subdue were handed over to the church for interrogation and treatment. The dungeon break happened sooner than expected, so the effect was halved. The outer guards took care of every monster that leaked out."
"And the remaining heretics?"
"The two who infiltrated the Magic Tower left no traces of dark magic, but under drugs, they confessed to being heretics. Three out of the four adventurers were heretics too—we've sealed their mana and thrown them in prison. All surviving heretics from the battle were turned over to the church, in exchange for sharing information."
"Neat and tidy. Did Grandfather tell you?"
"The Magic Tower stuff came from the Tower Master, and Lancelot visited the Adventurer's Guild."
I shot him a 'what's this about?' look, and Lancelot rubbed under his nose.
"No big deal, friend."
This guy was still at it... Ignoring Lancelot, who clearly had plenty of teasing left in him, I continued.
"Those three heretics are in the basement now?"
"Yes, mages are guarding them in shifts. We're recruiting a torture specialist separately."
We couldn't exactly torture them ourselves without drawing eyes, but it should be fine.
"Veronica, when you have time, sneak off to play with Grandma—I'll tell Grandpa for you. Oh, and get healed up after. Jenia will handle the finishing touches."
"Really? Thank you, Apostle!"
Veronica beamed innocently at the news of a new convert.
Welfare had to come first, of course.
I let out a sigh and leaned back into the sofa.
The marquisate had nearly suffered massive damage, but this outcome... it was the best possible.
I praised everyone and flashed a grin.
"You all, it must've been tough—good work. With everything wrapped up, go wild for the rest of the trip!"
I pulled gold coins from my subspace pouch and tossed them high into the air.
Everyone burst into laughter, shaking their heads like they couldn't stop me.
'Yeah, what's the big deal? This is happiness!'
Nothing beat a rich family!
Our trip to the marquisate was drawing to a close.
In the meantime, I'd visited the Magic Tower, debating excitedly with the mages and consulting Grandfather.
By distinguishing objects that needed physical force from those that only induced illusions, I'd slashed the mana cost of my new spell dramatically.
Pouring mana in like an idiot before—my mana circuits holding up was a miracle.
I'd picked up illusion magic from the illusion mages too. Once mastered, I could probably replicate smells, sensations, and sounds.
High-level opponents would likely see through it, but that was on me to overcome.
I named this spell "Illusion Magic."
Naming sense? ...Sorry, but isn't it straightforward?
Lancelot tagged along at first but got bored and registered at the Adventurer's Guild under a fake name.
He'd wheedled the guild master into faking his identity or something... Now he was the guild's rising supernova.
Jenia and Veronica had gained some healthy weight, their faces glowing.
Grandma's playtime course was apparently the "ultra-secret beauty regimen that hooked the Emperor."
I chuckled in disbelief and looked up at the sky.
The world was still peaceful. I wanted to protect it.
Waiting for someone to save me? With all I held, that wasn't an option.
I'd been given too much: a solid family, exceptional talent, great friends, a loving family...
Things my past life couldn't dream of were now mine.
Gazing at the sky, I spoke.
"Not sure if you can hear me, but... thank you. There must be a reason you gave me so much. My surroundings are too beautiful to live selfishly. So I'll earn my keep."
The clouds parted slightly, the moon shining brighter for a moment before returning to normal.
'What... the...? Did it really hear? Ugh, embarrassing.'
Once the surprise faded, embarrassment flooded in.
'Damn, early morning sentimentality... No way it heard, right?'
Half-doubting, I asked the sky again.
"Um... can you really hear me...?"
Silence from the quiet heavens.
"Yeah, figured. What was I even doing?"
Just a coincidence, then.
After my cringey moment turned sentimental, sleep evaded me.
I stepped outside and wandered.
'Might as well practice Illusion Magic over water.'
The ripples on the surface, underwater depths, reflected light—water added complexities perfect for honing skills.
As I walked, I heard something slicing through the air.
-Whoosh! Swoosh! Slash!
There was Jenia, diligently swinging her sword under the moonlight.
Her ponytail swayed, catching the light, her pursed lips hinting at impatience.
After a long session, she planted her sword in the ground, sat, and buried her face in her knees.
Facing the lakeside, the bright moon and its reflection couldn't reach her—she'd hidden herself in shadow.
She looked so pitiful that I approached and draped my outer robe over her.
Startled by the sudden warmth, Jenia looked up.
"Jenia, what's wrong?"
I sat beside her, her eyes brimming with half-formed tears.
She rubbed them fiercely.
"Ah, no... Your Highness. It's nothing. Just sweat in my eyes from sword practice."
I grabbed her wrists as she scrubbed roughly.
Her strength outmatched mine, yet they fell helplessly. I chuckled.
"You'll hurt your eyes. It's fine—let it out."
Anyone could see she was bottling it up. I couldn't just leave her.
Emotions surging again, she sniffled.
"I just... feel so weak and useless. I couldn't help when Your Highness was in danger... And this weird skill blocks my mana gathering... What's talent worth if I'm still useless?"
Tears streamed as she spoke. I wiped them with my hand.
Jenia lifted her face trustingly into my touch, looking vulnerable.
So I comforted her.
"Don't worry. Who's strong from the tutorial? This is still just the tutorial stage. Trust me—you're a cheat character. No sweat."
At my playful tone, she let out a small laugh.
I took both her hands.
"Mana? I'll help with that."
"Huh? How?"
Gathering mana, I split it into thin threads and infused it into her body.
She jolted at the warm energy.
I grinned.
"Not just anyone can do this. Focus on your dantian."
As a fellow reincarnator, Jenia got it instantly and concentrated on her mana core.
She breathed deeply, eyes closed. Bored waiting, I practiced magic.
Dangerous? I'm no bold risk-taker.
But my mana control, honed since infancy, I trusted.
Suddenly, Jenia's eyes flew open. She beamed.
"Your Highness! I finally formed a mana core!"
Seeing her joy surge, I asked,
"How's it feel?"
"Amazing!"
She grabbed my hand, jumped up, and bounced toward the lake.
There, flowers I'd conjured while practicing adorned the surface, a giant lotus blooming in the center under moonlight.
"Wow..."
Jenia gasped at the beauty.
"So pretty..."
I explained excitedly.
"New spell I made. Stationary ones are easy."
"Is this... an illusion...?"
"Sort of different. The lake flowers lack colliders, so you can't touch them..."
"Colliders?"
At her question, I conjured a glass-like bouquet and handed it over.
"Wow!"
"Add physics, and you can."
Jenia's eyes sparkled as she touched them, a crystalline chime ringing out.
She stroked the petals endlessly, too thrilled to release the mana.
Her cheeks flushed bright as she admired them. I said,
"Congrats on the mana core."
She stared blankly, then hid her face behind the flowers and nodded.
I couldn't see it, but she was surely delighted.
The day we left the marquisate.
Grandfather, Grandmother, and the servants saw us off at the carriage.
Grandma placed a hand on her cheek, wistful.
"Sigh... Time flew. I didn't fatten up my puppies enough or buy enough clothes."
Servants hauled boxes stuffed with dresses, but to Grandma, it was never enough.
"No, Grandma, this is plenty."
"Yeah! The servants' arms might break!"
Jenia and Veronica, now close with Grandma, dove into her embrace.
Grandma's face bloomed with smiles.
"Aww, yes, my puppies."
Watching warmly, Lancelot spoke in a sad voice.
"Ugh... I wanted to chug ale heartily at the tavern with my comrades..."
Lancelot was even more tanned, dressed like an adventurer in a brown vest and shabby pants.
He'd had a blast—a golden adventurer's badge dangled at his waist.
Seeing him fully transformed stirred mixed feelings.
'...Yeah, you had fun... You're healthy...'
Grandfather addressed me.
"The mages will miss you terribly, Your Highness. Uhahaha!"
"I stocked up on question papers, so it'll be fine."
Indeed, the mages had loaded me with written queries the day before.
Magic was fun—I'd answer them in spare moments.
"Come again soon, Your Highness. I'll visit shortly too."
"Oh? Something up?"
"My wife misses our daughter's face. Thinking of dropping by."
Hanging with Jenia and Veronica must've reminded him of his own daughter.
"I'll let Mother know."
"Appreciate it."
We nodded with mutual smiles.
Then Grandma's voice rang out.
"Puppy! Come here!"
Unfazed by servants, she beckoned boldly.
A bit embarrassed, I stood before her.
She placed hands on my shoulders, eyes fierce.
"Don't get hurt!"
"Won't get hurt!"
"Don't overdo it!"
"Won't overdo it!"
"Eat well!"
"Will eat well!"
After my crisp responses, she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Grown so big already... Stay well, I'll visit soon."
Feeling her warmth, I hugged back.
"Yes, Grandma."
Farewells done.
We waved from the carriage window as they waved nonstop.
"Sniff... I'll return for that diamond plate for sure!"
What are you even...?
Back at the palace, Mother and Serena welcomed us.
Serena, clinging to Mother's hand, toddled over as we alighted.
"Big brother!"
She jumped, arcing beautifully through the air.
Veteran adventurer Lancelot eyed her promising physique, but no way—no sword for her.
'Dresses, desserts, parties, books only, Serena!'
Resolving firmly, I caught her midair.
Giggling wildly, she said,
"Brother! Good trip?"
"Yep. Did you miss me, Serena?"
"? It wasn't off to die or anything—why would I?"
'Serena's a T-type?'
Deadpan, she grinned mischievously.
"Brother, where's my present?"
I pointed to the following carriage.
"That one's yours."
"As expected! Brother's the best!"
Clinging shamelessly, she made me chuckle.
Spotted in my arms, she gawked at Veronica.
Then whispered in my ear...
'Brother, another sister-in-law?'
'Not like that, Serena.'
She scrutinized Veronica's face, smirking.
'Sure, sure~'
'Presents confiscated.'
She flinched and hugged tighter.
"Eee~ Brother, I missed you so much."
I fake-laughed, patted her, and returned the gifts.
Smug with success, she hopped down and faced Veronica.
Veronica's face lit up like meeting a country pup.
"Hi! What's your name, miss?"
"Second Princess, I'm Veronica, newly appointed as His Highness's attendant."
"...With that face? Ahem, visit my palace sometime!"
"An honor!"
As Veronica beamed, flying Serena whispered again.
'Gimme Veronica.'
'No.'
'Why?'
'Just no.'
Smacking her lips regretfully, she went to greet others.
"Jenia, long time! You promised my palace—when?"
"Sorry, Serena. Soon."
Jenia patted her head.
"Bring Veronica! You're both at the Prince's Palace, right?"
"Yep~ We'll come together."
Leaving the giggling trio, I greeted Mother.
"Mother, I'm home."
She smiled softly, arms open.
"Come here, my prince. Let Mother hug you."
We embraced lightly.
"You just arrived—tired. Let's talk over dinner."
"Yes, I'll visit at mealtime."
We smiled at each other.
Home after so long.
Season shifted to cool autumn winds sweeping the palace, red leaves falling to mark time's passage.
Days at home would flow by uneventfully, but I wouldn't waste them.
Reaffirming my resolve, I entered the palace with everyone.
And so, four years passed.