Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Rumors - 2
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After annihilating the Pale Moon and emerging from the Moon Temple, the dungeon began collapsing from the inside.
Most event dungeons were like this, so I didn't pay it much mind, but the others apparently did.
Thinking it would crumble all the way to where we were, they clung to me desperately. Only after we'd fully escaped did they relax.
"How's the battlefield?"
"With the Pale Moon gone, no issues."
It was just as I'd said. The strike team prepared to fight the Pale Beasts, along with the holy knights and Hero Party.
As the Pale Beasts under the Pale Moon's control turned to stone and crumbled, they swiftly subdued the remaining Pale Moon Cultists.
Watching this, Veronica let out a heavy sigh.
"Haa... It's finally over..."
"You did great! Cardinal! And you were amazing back there! Taking down that monster all by yourself! The way you handled that mace was no joke. Wanna hit a dungeon together sometime?"
"Hehe. Asking a cardinal to play adventurer?"
"Aw~ Even the Sage does it."
"Ahem. W-Well, then I'll think about it."
"Yes! Awesome! It's a promise! Sage! You're coming too, right?! I believe you! Between us!"
Wilks bounced around energetically as he shouted, looking nothing like the high-level shaman who'd faced the Pale Moon earlier.
Ignoring the guy circling and yelling around me, I turned to the woman approaching.
"Hyunwoo! A-Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine, obviously."
It was Claire. Covered head to toe in the blood of Pale Beasts and Pale Moon Cultists, she seemed relieved upon seeing me unharmed. Leventia and Evangeline, who'd come with her, looked the same.
They didn't speak to me, but the relief on their faces was clear.
"I don't get why you all care."
At that moment, Veronica stood and spat coldly. Claire glanced back awkwardly at her tone, while the two remaining Hero Party members bowed their heads and slumped their shoulders.
"Whatever. Looks like things are wrapped up here anyway."
"Y-Yeah... I see... So, Hyunwoo. You..."
"Gotta head to the church first."
"C-Can I... come with? W-We need holy water and relics too, so we have to go to the church anyway..."
"Traveling together might cause issues. The kingdom's forces will complain if that much firepower goes missing."
"A short trip should be fine, right?"
"It's at least ten days from here to the church. And..."
"I can open a portal! Right? Hyunwoo. I'll open one for you! That'll cut down travel time..."
"Well, true... Ow! Hey! Why do you keep pinching me!"
"Hmph."
I could've teleported alone, but for the event achievement, Veronica had to come too.
Using Claire's portal would save a ton of unnecessary time.
No idea why she's acting like that when she's offering such a good deal.
"Thanks..."
"It's nothing."
"Is the talk over?"
"Oh. Yes."
"Then let's head back to base."
"How do you plan to handle cleanup here?"
"I'll take care of it, so don't worry."
As our conversation ended, General Leoden approached and volunteered for cleanup, just like in the game.
Honestly, grateful for that. It'd take forever otherwise.
No point sticking around since we'd gotten everything we could, and damage was minimal, so best to head back, rest a day, and move on.
"So, Sage. Straight back to the palace?"
"Nah. Stopping by the church first."
"Hmm..."
"What?"
"Well... The Princess is waiting for you."
"True, lots to teach her. Won't take long though."
Church, clear achievement, teleport back.
The rest would handle themselves.
Back at base, party prep was already underway, as if they'd gotten the report. Seeing soldiers grilling supplied meat and prepping drinks, I turned to those behind me.
"I'll help with prep. You all do what you need to."
"Hyunwoo. Can I help too?"
"Uh... h-heh... M-Me too... I wanna help..."
Leventia and Evangeline pleaded with me, but I shook my head. The miscellaneous tasks for party prep—like barbecuing, woodworking for extra chairs and tables—counted toward achievements.
No need to miss out on that chance.
"Oh... O-Okay...?"
"......Ugh..."
They looked disappointed, but oh well. I turned to fidgeting Claire.
"Anyway, good work. Go rest."
"Mm..."
"Sage. I'll help too."
With the Hero Party out, Veronica smirked smugly, and I smiled.
"You rest too.
This count is mine!
Sending off the disappointed women, I headed straight to the kitchen tent. Amid the cheering cooks busy with party prep, I sampled the barbecue sauce in the works.
Mmm! This is store-bought stuff!
"Let's remake the sauce from scratch."
"Huh? But Sage, isn't that a hassle?"
"Might as well do it right if we're eating. Watch this. I'll make the ultimate barbecue."
"Yes, sir!"
I'd been cooking steadily while at base, so the cooks didn't argue.
Thanks to that, we finished prep, and I boosted my 'Cooking King' achievement count.
Phew... Mass cooking is the best.
"Looks like this is done."
"Yeah? I'll head elsewhere then."
"Sage, didn't you join the operation? Shouldn't you rest...?"
"No time for that. Everyone's busy working."
"Sage..."
One cook teared up. Crying over this? I left cleanup to them and went to the party area.
"Bring more wood!"
"Not enough tables!"
Same hustle here. Some idle adventurers helped, but hands were short.
"I'll handle it."
"Ah?! Sage?!"
"Gimme a hammer there. Nails and that plane too... Making tables, right?"
"Y-Yes. We need 10-person tables. And..."
"No need to keep 'em after, so use scrap wood. Burn as firewood later."
"Yes!"
Woodworking had few count opportunities, so grind now. I churned out tables and chairs fast; soldiers marveled at my handiwork.
Kids. Amazed by this?
"Wow~ Prep would've taken longer without you, Sage."
"Truly, great work!"
"Enough. Don't overdo it for this. Oh, anything else to fix or make?"
"You must be tired, Sage..."
"It's fine. Don't worry. Bring it. Gotta leave soon anyway. Might as well do as much as I can."
"We'll miss you..."
Me too, but can't be helped. Lots more to do.
By the time work wrapped, the strike team returned. No extra fights, no major injuries—they could join the party right away.
"Good work, everyone! Eat and drink your fill tonight!"
"Yes, sir!"
Knights and soldiers from the strike team, plus those who'd waited at base.
General Leoden's treat: barbecue party kicked off.
Grilling meat scents wafted across the wide plaza.
Clerics, adventurers, soldiers.
All united, eating and drinking. Meanwhile, I started grilling veggie dishes.
Counts! Rack up those counts!
"Impressive. What can't you do?"
"Lots."
"Still, acing housework like this means no issues with homemaking."
"Eh? Yeah, something like that."
"Excellent."
No clue what was excellent, but Veronica nodded to herself and headed to her seat.
Small table in a corner. Not far from me.
As I grilled veggies, Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline approached.
Looked like they had something to say, but I pointed to those behind them. They went to a table without a word.
"Wow~ Sage! This is good! I don't usually like veggies! What's this sauce? Could use it adventuring. Make extra to share?"
"Gonna supply it to the Adventurer Guild later."
Save up cash, buy bulk, make and sell.
Wilks piled saucy barbecued meat with a bit of veggie and left.
"Guess I'll eat now."
"Hey! Sage! Come eat with us!"
Nearby Lark raised his beer mug. Adventurers' spot.
For S-Rank Adventurer achievement, befriend adventurers. Bond with the unscathed ones.
Some unfamiliar faces with Lark—good chance to get acquainted. I headed over.
"Whoa~ This the famous Sage?"
"Sit! Sit!"
"Drink with us!"
"Gonna dual later—join? You're supposed to be great."
Oho. No need to refuse.
Welcomed by adventurers, I sat, clinked mugs, and chatted.
How many rounds later?
A tipsy three-horned Lizardman downed his mug casually.
"Sage. Got a good quest. Wanna join next time?"
"What's up?"
"Mine Demon subjugation in the Robento Mountains..."
"Oh. That. Count me in."
Mine Demon quests count for achievements. Plus, gear from them is solid—do it while I can.
"How 'bout Robilia Labyrinth exploration?"
"Nah, pass on that."
Gathering info and bonds like this.
A drunk Dwarf crunched huge meat.
"But is that rumor true?"
"What rumor?"
"Sage. You're betrothing the Princess soon?"
"Huh?"
Who with who?
"You're her favorite."
"Saved the Queen, and she went all female-in-heat, courting you."
"All the royal maids are yipping for you."
Who're you turning me into, some playboy?!
And yipping?
"Adventurers moved to protect you? Princess issued the quest herself."
That's 'cause Lucille respects me as her teacher. Such nonsense.
Well, adventurers hype on rumors all the time.
I waved it off, munching grilled paprika.
All baseless rumors. Don't feed it.
"Hey. Spreading that tarnishes the royals. Don't lose your head over nonsense—dual instead. Dual."
"O. Sounds go—"
The waiting duelist paused mid-draw. He stared behind me.
"What? Got something to say?"
Behind me: Claire and Veronica.
"What's that about?"
"...H-Hyunwoo. Is it... true? You're... betrothed to the Princess?"
I sighed at them.
Can't heroes and cardinals filter rumors?
You ain't weak-minded enough to stress over this.
Too trivial to answer, I ignored. Veronica asked awkwardly.
"Really...?"
"No!"
Who you trying to nose into?!
Author's Note (Afterword)
Hello~ Malmulmalmul here ㅎ
Hope you enjoyed today's chapter. Have a great night~
See you tomorrow~