Chapter 100
Chapter 100
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Am I Not Scary? - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'd been in the duchy far too long lifting the Dragon's Curse, so it was about time to head back to the kingdom.
As I packed my things in the room the duchy had prepared for me, Veronica entered through the open door.
"You're leaving now?"
"Have to, eventually. You?"
"Where are you headed?"
"Where else would I go?"
Princess Lucille's birthday and the kingdom capital's summer festival were fast approaching. I'd promised to attend, so for the time being, I planned to handle only S-Rank Adventurer quests in the kingdom while tutoring Lucille.
"Back to the kingdom, huh..."
"Problem?"
"Tons of problems, but I doubt pointing them out would change anything."
Veronica settled leisurely into a chair and crossed her legs. The slit in her skirt teasingly revealed her stunning legs wrapped in stockings.
"No plans to head to the church, then?"
"If I was going, I'd have gone already."
There were no achievements left for me at the church.
I stated it flatly, and Veronica nodded as if she'd expected as much.
"Speaking of which, Princess Lucille's birthday is coming up soon. Think you'll get an invitation?"
"Who knows? They might not send one."
She seemed certain to go to the church no matter what. The question was whether Veronica could make it even with an invite.
She closed her eyes in exasperation, tapping her leg before letting out a sigh.
"I doubt it for me."
"You're not the church's public face, after all."
Veronica's real job was smashing heretics as an inquisitor.
On top of that, after capturing Demon Euriere and achieving a higher rank as a priestess, she'd have plenty on her plate.
Even if the Demon King was defeated, the continent was still crawling with cultists.
And since diplomacy was handled by someone else anyway, it was no surprise she'd find it a headache.
"Anyway, I'll come if I can."
She said that, but I doubted she would.
"Guess it's time to part ways, then."
As we chatted, I grabbed my packed bag. Anything missing?
I double-checked to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, then left the room with Veronica.
"Ah, Sage. Your Eminence. Dinner is..."
"No need for dinner. We're heading out now."
"I see... Pardon?"
The Duchy Knight Order member who'd nodded and started leading us to the dining hall looked flustered.
What was there to be so surprised about?
Business was done—it was time to go.
"N-not so suddenly?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"By normal standards, it's improper, but knowing you, it's par for the course."
Having known me for so long, Veronica had me figured out.
Once my business was done, I just up and left. That was my style.
"But Her Highness..."
"...You're leaving already?"
A voice full of disbelief echoed from down the hall. It was Cecil.
When did she show up?
Her high heels clicked as she approached, glancing between me and Veronica before scratching her head.
"Who sends away a benefactor like this?"
"The world is wide, and there are rules for everything."
"You really don't want anything?"
I'd gotten my achievement, so I was good. As I said before, my gear was sufficient.
Cecil let out a heavy sigh.
"My life as Cecil Claudia isn't so cheap. Sigh. Princess Lucille's birthday is soon, right? I'd love to see you then, but..."
Cecil slowly shook her head, clearly regretful.
"I doubt I'll make it—too much research ahead. Can't play stand-in, but I'll send a representative. And I'll share some research data too."
Now free of the Dragon's Curse, Cecil could ascend to archmage status.
Prepping for that would keep her swamped, so skipping the birthday party was inevitable.
"Got it. Good luck—you'll need it."
"...Can't you put some soul into the encouragement?"
I activated the Bard's skill 'Cheer Song'.
"I'm! Happy! Moving! Forward! Happy! Moving! Forward! Is! Happy! Eagles are happy!"
"...What the hell was that?"
What else? It was the cheer of the Bodhisattvas.
My family were lifelong Hanwha fans, so cheers meant this to me.
The lyrics were a bit off, but as a cheer song, it'd boost morale.
"My favorite cheer song... What? Why the faces?"
Not just Cecil—Veronica looked grim too.
What was wrong with this fine cheer?
"...Let's just go."
Veronica patted my shoulder. Time to hit the road.
"See you later, then."
We headed to the Adventurer's Guild from the castle.
I wanted to pick up a merchant caravan escort quest to the kingdom.
"No current requests for escorting caravans to the kingdom."
Damn it.
Escort quests were popular, so none were left.
Idle adventurers loitering in the guild shot us sharp glares.
They were competitors after the same gigs.
"What now?"
"Guess we walk..."
Too bad, but we couldn't wait around for one to pop up.
As I considered hiring a carriage, the door opened, and in walked a party: one Lizardman and two lion beastkin.
Surprisingly, all familiar faces.
"Recruiting for kingdom-bound caravan escort! A-Rank or higher! Just you, and we roll out!!"
Nothing could make a lion's roar sound sweeter.
I shot my hand up, and they lit up spotting me.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"...Ho ho."
S-Rank Adventurer lion beastkin Monk Baltin, his wife the lioness beastkin Archer Lukendi, and the stoic Lizardman Warrior Galik.
"What an odd combo. The Sage and the Cardinal, no less."
Who'd have thought I'd run into acquaintances here.
And the leader had snagged the caravan escort?
Those who'd rushed toward Baltin's call sighed seeing us.
Tough luck?
It's all about who you know!
"Long time no see. Doing well?"
"Same as always."
I shook his hand, fiddling with his big feline paw, explained our situation, and Baltin gladly added me and Veronica to the party.
Naturally, the others just watched hopefully before sucking their thumbs again.
"You sure about this?"
"It's fine. Happens all the time."
That's how the world worked—what could you do?
Jealous? Make some S-Rank Adventurer friends.
Baltin led us to the duchy's castle gate.
Preparations were done—over twenty carriages waited, guarded by mercenaries and caravan warriors.
Plus S-Rank Baltin and A-Rank adventurers.
What were they hauling to need this much muscle?
Curious about that cargo.
As Veronica and I eyed the carriages, a middle-aged man—clearly the caravan leader—approached with a kind smile.
"Never dreamed I'd travel with the famed Sage. Roberto Stein of the Stein Merchant Group."
The Stein Merchant Group was a top outfit in the kingdom capital.
From gear to daily goods, they supplied most everything—affordable, reputable shops everyone loved.
I shopped there plenty.
Order anything, and it'd arrive in days.
"Pleasure. I'm the Sage. And this is..."
"Cardinal Veronica, yes? A pleasure. May the Lord bless Your Eminence."
Churchgoer, huh?
Veronica returned his polite bow with a gentle smile and the sign of the cross.
"Likewise. May the Lord bless your travels. I'm Veronica."
A few warm words, and greetings wrapped up.
As the caravan rolled out, I climbed atop a swaying carriage roof.
Nice and spacious—quality ride.
"So, Roberto, what's the cargo?"
"Oh, this?"
Gripping the reins to drive himself, he grinned.
"Importing the latest duchy trends. Music boxes and blue light gems. Iron ingots from Dwarven City. Duchy-standard magical silk, and..."
He listed for a bit, then grinned wider.
"Bikini armor too. Kingdom customers have been eyeing it lately. Time to spread the trend there—big profits if it catches on."
Then we'd better guard it perfectly.
There were two reasons to take escort quests.
First, easy travel—no walking, just carriages.
Second.
"Uahaha!! Kaloin takes it all!!! Step back and leave the carriages if you value your lives!!"
"Ambush!!"
Bandits and wanted men attacked like clockwork.
Capture them, claim bounties, and it counts as quest complete.
For me grinding S-Rank promotions via quest counts, caravan escorts were perfect.
Ah, and the quest copies over—how to resist?
"Arrogant fools!! Boys! Kill all the men, rape the women!! Loot everything!!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Sixth attack already, but the high-level mercenaries and guards didn't slack—swords out, defending the carriages.
We didn't sit idle either.
Boss! Take the boss, quest done!
"Boss is mine!!"
I raised Moonlight, and wolves burst from the shadows.
-Grrr!!
"Paltry shamanism won't stop Kaloin! It's all mine! MIIIINE!!"
Psycho!
These goods were the bridge to make duchy trends boom in the kingdom!
No way I'd let them take it!!
"Baltin!! Sweep 'em!!"
I distributed mana to Baltin right away. Empowered with my mana, he could unleash full monk buffs, ultimates, and skills he'd normally lack juice for.
Already strong, now supercharged—he roared, fists clenched.
"Eurghaaaah!!!"
Blessed by Veronica too, he went berserk. Bandits fell like autumn leaves, torn apart punch by punch.
Lukendi's arrows turned it into a total rout.
...Civilian slaughter?
"Light shall guide the path. Those who pile evil here shall kneel."
"Ugh, aaagh!!"
"You witch! What did you do?!"
Witch? She's a cardinal.
Holy light blasted his guards, clearing a path.
"Thanks!"
"Don't mention it."
Baltin and Veronica served it up—had to dig in.
I switched Moonlight to sword form and charged, swinging at Kaloin.
-Clang!!
His axe blocked my strike.
Oh? He blocked?
Not bad for a bandit.
In that case!
"Hey!! Know what animal hates cats?!"
"...?"
"Meerkats!! Puahaha! 'Cause 'hate' sounds like 'meow'..."
"You bastard!!"
My joke enraged him—attacks hit harder, but defense and accuracy dropped.
Strong swings.
Big openings.
"Hey. Don't swing so hard."
-Slash!!
"Urk!!"
"Looking weak there."
His axe arm flew off. I kicked the screaming fool down, switched Moonlight to staff, and cast mid-tier Lightning Bind.
-Zzzap!
"Gaaah!!"
Electrified ropes bound him—he passed out.
He's done.
Waste of bread to keep him alive? Just take the head like before?
"Baltin!! Cleanup done?!"
"All good!!"
While I handled Kaloin, his goons were mulched by Baltin, the others, my shadow wolves, and mercenaries.
Another bandit gang down—we gathered, celebrating.
Mercenaries looted bodies for extra cash.
Heartwarming sight.
"Whew. A few more runs like this would be perfect."
"Tell me about it. Great for quest counts."
"Hrm. Excellent."
Me, Lukendi, Galik—all S-Rank hopefuls. Bandit hunts helped big time.
Eyes sparkling, we eyed Roberto, but he sweated coldly and shook his head.
"Almost at the capital. Just a bit more... And we've detoured plenty already, no?"
Fair point.
The capital loomed in the distance.
And...
"...Huh?"
Dust clouds heralded a knight order charging in.
Flag with lily and sword.
The kingdom's Royal Lily Knight Order.
"Wait, that's..."
At the front, a redheaded beauty on horseback waved frantically.
My disciple Lucille.
She reined in before me, dismounted, and grabbed my hand tight.
"Master! Master, right?! You must've suffered! All good? But..."
"Why are you here?"
"Oh... Lately, kingdom security's been rough. We were mopping up nearby bandits on patrol back to base. Got word of your caravan under attack, so..."
Heir handling public safety? Impressive.
Growing into her queenly role.
"But this guy..."
"U-ugh... m-mercy..."
Kaloin stirred, begging shakily.
I looked down at him.
-Slash!!
Moonlight severed his head.
I hoisted the rolling noggin. Waiting adventurers and mercenaries proudly displayed bandit heads from the trip.
These guys too?
"It's a report spot too—smile! You look too grim!!"
"Good point! Hahaha!!"
"You lot! Mercs and guards! Skipping the bounty?!"
"Uahaha!!"
"Ehahaha!!"
"Ohohohoho~!"
Murderous fiends moments ago now beamed like they'd hooked a trophy, blood dripping from heads.
Nice... Screenshot-worthy if I could.
"Welcome-back gift. Nabbed some kingdom security threats. Disciple's working hard—can't have the master slacking."
Bonus: S-Rank quest count filled.
Grinning like fishermen with a huge catch, heads in hand, we faced Lucille's awkward smile.
"Q-quite the aggressive gift."
This? Nothing much.
Author's Note (Afterword)
Huge thanks to Akisia for the support!!
Hello, it's Malmulmalmul.
Episode 100, heh heh.
Uploading 101 at 10 PM. Heh.
See you then~! Bye~!