Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Signs - 2
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"Got it. I'll come see you within a few days."
I couldn't go right away anyway. I had things to do at the palace, and there were preparations I'd made for Lucille that I needed to handle too.
"Yes. Thank you. And... um..."
As I stared at her, the knight let out a heavy sigh before cautiously opening her mouth.
"Four months ago, I served as the attendant knight to Knight Leventia on the battlefield."
"And?"
"...Lady Leventia... she searches for you every single day. It's heartbreaking to see... she's suffering so much..."
Her explanation continued. The details were so vivid it felt like I was watching it unfold beside me—she said Leventia had completely changed as a person.
This knight was pleading with me, full of pity, insisting that I absolutely had to meet her again.
They say it's easy to talk about other people's business.
What a joke.
Very few people knew the true nature of my relationship with the hero party.
The reason was simple.
Neither I nor the tiny handful of people in the kingdom who knew wanted to reveal it.
For the kingdom, if word got out about what happened in the hero party, it would tarnish the kingdom's hope, and morale on the battlefields where they were deployed would plummet. They hated that.
For me, if monster activity ramped up and chaos spread as a result, it'd make racking up achievements harder. I hated that too.
No benefit for either side, so why bother revealing it?
That's why the truth was thoroughly buried.
Those who didn't know would always defend them like this whenever hero party members came looking for me or after seeing them in distress.
"Can't you just meet her once...?"
A mere knight was mustering tremendous courage.
I stared at her stern face and inwardly praised her bravery, but it didn't change my response.
"You. What's your name?"
"Roxy Blackmanheart."
I smirked at her and said leisurely,
"Why not mind your own business and do your job properly instead of worrying about others?"
"S-Sorry!"
Startled by my sharp reaction, Roxy bowed hastily and fled like her life depended on it.
Her head works fast, at least.
When words—the first response—didn't work and she started spouting nonsense, she went for the second: fists.
I glanced in the direction she'd gone, then secretly slipped the staff I'd drawn back into my belt and returned to my room.
"That said... if Leventia's changed that much..."
Unbidden, memories of meeting Claire a few days ago surfaced.
The way she'd babbled incoherently in front of me, confessing her wrongs.
Hm...
I'd soon be heading to the battlefield, where I might run into not just her, but Evangeline too...
I should make some preparations myself.
The next day, during regular class time, I sought out Lucille.
As usual, the lesson was more like casual chat, and I had her cast spells like always.
After confirming she could handle beginner magic, I tapped the table and said,
"I've assessed Your Highness's aptitude and skills over the past few days. You have the basics down."
"...Yes. I did a little back in the day."
"Good. And last time, I asked Lord Lukel to let you try intermediate magic. Did you give it a shot?"
"I learned it, but... um..."
Her shoulders hunched. Intermediate magic required a certain level. But what could a shut-in like her do to level up?
In the game, there were three main ways to level up.
First: hunting.
Second: events.
Third: quests.
None of them had much connection to a shut-in like Lucille.
"Sorry..."
As I crossed my arms and pondered, Lucille hung her head low again, sinking into depression. Her maids hovered anxiously, but that wasn't the important part.
She'd improved a bit, but Lucille's self-deprecation was still severe.
I needed to shatter that too.
Of course, I was fully prepared for it.
"Your Highness. If it's alright, could you spare me some time?"
"Huh? W-What?"
"Let's go out for a bit."
After finishing the day's training, I immediately went to see the Queen. She was working in her office and accepted my visit. As soon as I entered her room, I got straight to the point.
"I need to take the princess out for a trip."
"...Sounds like you're openly announcing a royal kidnapping."
"What would I do with a kidnapped royal?"
"You never know. Maybe a lovers' flight, considering the status difference."
What a lame joke. The Queen smirked at my expression and shook her head.
"I can't permit it without a clear purpose stated."
"The princess lacks field experience and socialization. I'm filling those gaps."
"...Hm. A way to live in the world, then?"
"Yes."
The Queen seemed quite conflicted. She tapped her desk with her fingers, pondered over a cup of tea, and finally nodded.
"Can't refuse something for the princess. So?"
"Yes?"
"Surely you can tell me what kind of training you'll do?"
"Group project."
The Queen stared at me with a blank, dumbfounded look.
The heart of the palace was special even within the palace itself.
It was where royals had lived for generations, off-limits to anyone without special permission.
The Lily Knight Order patrolled hourly, protected by magic from the kingdom's mage, Lukel.
Dozens of traps lined the corridors alone—this was the kingdom's most critical facility.
Amid the sharp killing intent from all those traps and defenses prickling my skin, I walked the halls.
A royal residence many longed to visit at least once but few had ever seen.
I arrived at the princess's room.
"What is it?"
Maids stood in front of the princess's room as always. Dressed in white frills and black fabric that suited them well, they appeared polite and well-trained on the surface—but reality was different.
All of them were trained assassins secretly guarding the princess.
In emergencies, they'd discard their lives like pebbles to protect the royal.
They might even attack me after hearing my decision, but I smiled and said,
"Tell Her Highness I have something to discuss about tomorrow's lesson."
Whatever their true identities, on the surface, I was the princess's tutor, and they were her maids.
With the clear status difference, I spoke casually, and they accepted it naturally, knocking on the door.
A moment later, the door flew open.
"Master?! What brings you here at this hour?!"
She looked shocked. Eyes wide, face flushed, sparkling as she stared at me—I averted my gaze and shrugged off the robe draped over my shoulders, holding it out.
"Huh?"
Was she about to sleep? Lucille wasn't in her usual flowing dress but something thin and light, like butterfly wings.
A nightgown that subtly revealed her inner contours.
"Ah..."
Lucille's face grew redder. Like her long hair reaching her lower back, her face flushed crimson in an instant. Lips flapping wordlessly, she plopped down on the floor. She tried hiding her exposed skin but couldn't even take the robe I offered.
No helping it.
I draped the robe over her shoulders.
Compared to my large build, her petite frame was easily covered by just the robe.
"Th-Th-Thank... you..."
She barely whispered in a tiny voice, head bowed deeply.
She seemed mortified at showing such an undignified side, so no need to poke at it—I pretended not to notice and continued.
"I'm heading out briefly tomorrow morning. It's an outdoor lesson, so prepare accordingly."
"...Huh? Huh?"
Still dazed, Lucille didn't seem to process it. The maids, understanding, asked politely but coldly,
"Outdoor, you say? Sage. That is..."
"I have the Queen's permission."
Only then did the maids quietly step back. Permission from the Queen.
Meaning their tailing was tacitly approved.
"And I hope you refrain from unnecessary meddling."
"...Understood."
Tailing was fine; interference wasn't.
The maids accepted my intent-laden words for now. Who knew about tomorrow.
"Out... side? I can go outside...?"
"I'll be with you."
"I-I see. As a princess, inspecting the kingdom..."
"No."
I handed her the bag I'd prepared. I'd bought it during a quick errand earlier.
Inside: a robe and staff commonly used by mages.
Lucille alternated stares between them and me, tilting her head again.
"Why... this?"
"I'll explain tomorrow. Have a good night."
She kept tilting her head, still confused, but finally bowed. I waved and left.
The next morning.
Lucille arrived at the garden in beginner mage attire, fidgeting shyly—unlike usual. I'd been waiting; we headed out together right away. There was some interference on the way out, and maids trailed in disguise, but no real issue.
"Where are we going?"
"That's the fun of arriving."
Her first time out this early? Lucille was full of wonder—and gripping my hem tightly, fear too.
The place I took her: the Adventurer's Guild.
"Welcome, Sage."
"What unresolved missions are available?"
"Uh... well."
"And I'd like to register this one as an adventurer. Name's Lucille. Guarantor: me."
"Your guarantee's more than enough. These are the unresolved missions."
As I sifted through for the difficulty I wanted, Lucille stared blankly before snapping to.
"M-Master? What's... this...?"
Then—
"Ah! Sage! It's you, right?! Wow~ Meeting you here again! I'm thrilled! Felt like something good would happen today from morning! Huh? What's that in your hand...? Oh! That one! Mushroom gathering! I applied for it too, but no one's joining so I thought I'd go solo! Perfect! Let's do it together! Together! Huh? Who's this? Your disciple? Wow~ Looks strong, just like you. You know? I kinda... like you, Sage..."
A bright voice exploded with endless chatter that could drive anyone mad.
The hopelessly upbeat wolf beastkin shaman boy from our last quest.
Lucille gaped at his entrance; I immediately accepted the quest.
"Um, M-Master. This... this is... taking an adventurer request... right?"
"Yes."
"Can I... really do it...?"
I smiled at her worry.
"In my eyes, Your Highness is better than that kid."
Lucille squirmed happily, at a loss.
Low self-esteem needs constant praise.
And our wolf beastkin boy, ever blooming with flowers in his head, grinned and launched into chatter.
"No way, Sage! How can you say something so harsh?! But you're qualified to, Sage. Oh, heard the latest? Weird monsters popping up on the hero's battlefield. Wonder what you get for killing them? Wanna try once. Oh yeah, last time with the priestess..."
Lucille stared dazedly at him nonstop yapping since we met, positivity overflowing relentlessly—now with a weary face, hands half-covering ears, she looked to me.
See?
Told you.
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Author's Note
Huge thanks to 3SecondNovel for the support. As for the inquiry, the answer is: no such achievement exists.
Hello, it's Malmoomalmoo.
Thank you to all readers who enjoy it every time.
Sorry about this, but to check the plot, review the story, and handle daily life, I'm switching back to 1 chapter per day.
Once I build up plot buffer and have spare time, I'll do bursts again.
Also, some wanted a happy ending—my previous works all were, and this one will be too.
I dislike anything but happy endings...
No NTR either, so if that's your taste, I recommend other authors.
Have a good night, see you tomorrow.
Daily updates at 10 AM. Will post notices for breaks or delays.
Always grateful.