Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Looking for a New Job (1)
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Kingdom's Knight Commander.
Heinkel van Zickhardt.
His achievements piled up on the front lines and his solid reputation had earned him respect not only from the knights, but even from adventurers and mercenaries who looked down on them.
"Hoo..."
Such a man, Heinkel, let out a deep sigh that seemed to cave the ground beneath him as he rubbed his furrowed brow. All because of a single letter in his hand.
-1st Legion affiliate.
-Ashen Mage, Raniel.
Normally, just seeing the sender would have brought a smile to Heinkel's face. This strict mage rarely wrote letters, but when he did, they always carried good news.
"Of all times..."
But after reading the contents, Heinkel couldn't bring himself to smile.
-Therefore, I, Raniel, hereby announce my withdrawal from the battlefield.
-I will return the insignia proving my membership in the Hero Party and the Knight Order.
Two lines.
When his eyes reached those two final lines of the letter, Heinkel felt the world go dark.
'Raniel's retirement.'
The weight of those words drew a groan from him.
Raniel's retirement wasn't something he could accept lightly. If it had been any other Hero Party member leaving, he might not have agonized like this.
The party Raniel belonged to was special.
And among them, Raniel was even more so.
The Hero Party had traditionally operated less like part of the Knight Order and more like bounty hunters. They targeted major figures appearing on the battlefield and took down key Demon King's Army officers whose locations were known.
That was the standard policy for most Hero Parties.
The creed of those who joined them.
But Raniel was different.
He roamed countless front lines as part of the Knight Order. Like a one-man legion, he filled in the gaps where lines were weakest.
'How many extended or barely held front lines owed their survival to that guy's help?'
Heinkel immediately tallied the recent front lines that had only held thanks to Raniel's support.
'Eastern 1st Front, Western 3rd Front, gorge near the Demon Realm...'
Creases deepened on Heinkel's brow.
"...It's my fault for relying on one person."
He knew better than to lean on a single superhuman, yet he'd done it anyway. With a complicated gaze, Heinkel scanned the letter.
It had been a full five years.
Considering how frequent personnel changes were on the front lines—especially for mages—Raniel's retirement should have been anticipated.
Still, Heinkel couldn't hide his regret.
'If it were just retirement, I could have given him an honorary position and kept him as an officer...'
He wouldn't have to do a thing.
No need to set foot on the battlefield.
Just having him there would have bolstered every mage on the front lines. There were even mages who'd joined the Knight Order because of him.
'But since it's a resignation due to injury... no helping it.'
Far from regretting, he should be grateful she'd stayed on the front lines so long despite that curse. Masking his bitterness, Heinkel called for his subordinate.
"Hartia."
"Yes, Commander."
"Report to the capital not as a resignation, but an honorable discharge. Don't forget to compile and send her achievements as well."
"...Are you sure that's wise?"
"It's regrettable, but unavoidable. It's what she wants."
"...If you command it, I could have the Shadow Unit tail that mage and..."
"Hartia."
A cold voice rumbled low.
"Show respect to a member of the Hero Party."
"But that mage..."
Heinkel's brow furrowed.
"Do I need to say more?"
Heinkel narrowed his eyes and glared at his subordinate knight.
"That friend tried her best. She achieved more than words can describe—more than what was expected of her."
"......"
"Those who devoted themselves to humanity deserve fitting honor and reward. She has more than earned it."
"...My apologies."
"If I hear of any suspicious moves against Raniel, I'll punish them myself. Make sure that's known."
Most knights wouldn't dare touch her, but he had to nip these buds early.
Heinkel knew full well that knights loyal to Hero Kyle looked unfavorably on Raniel.
'I need to cut this off before it escalates.'
One more task added to his plate. Grimacing, Heinkel waved him off.
"You're dismissed."
"...Understood."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
-Knight Commander.
-Heinkel van Zickhardt.
Good work all these years, Raniel.
I'll have it reported to the capital as an honorable discharge rather than a resignation. I'll pass the message to your master as well.
I won't forget the debt I owe you.
Contact me anytime if you need my help.
"Well, now."
What a nice guy.
I read the incoming letter with a wry smile.
I was in a small village near the capital, checking the letter. A place a bit removed from the capital, bordering the forest—my master's home.
Gentle hills, swaying wheat fields.
Following the warm, rustling breeze, a mansion came into view where the forest met the fields.
'Though it's more library than mansion.'
I'd lived there with my master as a child.
Memories from long ago surfaced as I stood before the door. No different from the one I'd seen five years ago when I left.
-Off to catch the Demon King.
-You're really going, then.
Standing before that door.
-Your life will be denied.
-Everything you've learned in the magical arts will be rejected.
-Even so, will you go?
I paused to catch my breath.
-Those who devote their lives to nobility often meet tragic ends. I hope you won't.
-But I have to go.
My master's face rose in my mind, the one who'd tried to stop me here. I remembered the weight of her hand on my shoulder.
-Fine, my foolish disciple.
-If you insist on going, return with the Demon King's head. Then I'll take you back as my disciple.
"I wanted to bring it too..."
I gave a wry smile and placed my hand on the knocker.
How should I explain this?
I didn't catch the Demon King, got kicked out of the Hero Party, and came back as a woman. Did I even have the face to see my master?
...This might really get me killed.
"Hoo..."
I took a deep breath and knocked twice. Soon, a clattering noise came from inside, and someone opened the door.
"...Who is it?"
White strands peeked through black hair.
Glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.
And vivid blue eyes untouched by time.
My master's face after five years.
Unchanged from five years ago. I smiled wryly.
"Um..."
Then I slightly turned the staff on my back to show her.
"I'm back, Master."
The staff she'd given me. I planned to explain with it. But before I could speak, she did.
"That staff..."
"W-Well..."
I tried to make excuses, but her face paled first. She staggered, grabbing the wall to steady herself.
"Foolish child..."
She spoke weakly.
Guilt washed over me at her trembling voice. I bowed my head deeply and mumbled.
"Th-There were unavoidable circumstances..."
"Foolish child, foolish child..."
"...S-Sorry."
"You insisted, insisted...! I told you not to go! I should have stopped you more firmly...!"
"...Pardon?"
Wait, hold on.
Her reaction seemed off.
"Sending you off to die like this... I should have, should have...!"
Pardon? Die? Who?
I panicked at my sobbing master staring at the staff. No one's dead. Master, I'm right here, alive and well.
"Uh, excuse me..."
"Did he leave any last words? He wouldn't leave just this staff. Maybe something more..."
"No, Master."
"...What? I've never had a disciple who was a young lady..."
"It's me, Raniel."
Master blinked.
"What?"
"It's me, Raniel...?"
I touched the tip of the staff.
My mana flowed through it.
Ash-like, gray mana remained.
"......"
She stared silently.
Her eyes shifted from the staff to the gray mana, then back to me.
"Raniel."
"Y-Yes?"
"Yes, it's Raniel."
Finally, she smiled weakly.
Her warm smile made me want to smile back.
But a lightning bolt.
The spell grazed my cheek, refusing to let me.
-Kwarung!
The tree behind me crashed down with a boom. I turned my creaking neck to look at Master.
"Come in."
She was still smiling.
Gently, kindly...
No.
Looking closely, only her mouth smiled. Her eyes were coldly set. I swallowed dryly at those narrowed blue eyes.
-Gulp.
This is bad. Really bad.