Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Return - 2
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All the preparations for achieving every accomplishment were steadily falling into place, which filled me with joy.
That was why, upon teleporting back to the palace, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
"Haha."
If things kept going like this, I really could clear all the accomplishments within a year.
Alright, then. Out of the remaining accomplishments, which one could I knock out quickly?
How much time had passed as I scanned the list of unachieved accomplishments floating in the gray window?
The door burst open.
"Master!"
It was a beautiful girl with striking red hair that seemed to burn like flames. She must have run here, as she was breathing heavily, but the moment she saw me, her face lit up with a radiant smile.
"You're back!"
"Ah. Yeah."
How did she know? I hadn't told anyone yet. As I looked at her questioningly, Lucille blushed and shook her head slightly.
"I-I installed an alarm spell in your room, Master."
"Huh? Why'd you do that?"
"Well... I was worried someone might touch your things without permission... You're the Sage, after all, right?"
"Yeah... I guess?"
"You might have important items that only belong to you. So..."
But could thieves really break into the palace?
Well, considering what happened last time, I could see why she'd be anxious.
She clutched the hem of her dress tightly with fingers wrapped in white silk gloves, glancing at me cautiously, so I didn't pry further. Asking more would just make her face explode from embarrassment.
Anyway, an alarm spell wasn't a big deal, so I let it slide.
"How did things go on the battlefield?"
"I was supposed to give that report myself. About the audience request..."
"If you go with me, you won't need a separate one!"
"Then let's go."
"Yes!"
With the beaming Lucille by my side, I headed straight to the audience chamber. Since she was coming along, the preparations to meet the Queen were minimal.
After a short wait and checks for any potential assassinations, I was finally allowed into the Queen's office.
"You've worked hard, Sage. About the report on the battlefield..."
"General Leoden asked me to deliver it. Here's the report."
I handed over the detailed log and report written by General Leoden's adjutant.
The Queen flipped through the pages, then looked at me, and I began recounting what had happened.
As the story progressed, Lucille's expression grew subtly strange.
"I see. You received a lot of help from the Church."
"Yes. Veronica put in a lot of effort."
"Cardinal Veronica... She harbors strong animosity toward heretics. And to think you're close with her. Impressive, Sage."
"It's not that impressive."
"No, it is. I hear Cardinal Veronica has possessed immense holy power since childhood, drawing envy and checks from many."
That matched what I'd seen in Veronica's profile, and I'd heard it directly from her before.
"That's why she doesn't easily befriend people, especially those outside the Church... Hmm."
The Queen glanced at Lucille. Curious, I followed her gaze, and noticing our eyes on her, Lucille bowed her head slightly to avoid meeting them.
"Truly impressive. Is that the way to navigate the world?"
"Something like that."
"My daughter, who was always cowering in her room out of fear, even commissioned adventurers herself..."
"I'm grateful to the Princess for that part."
"Did it help?"
"Yes, immensely. When taking down the Pale Moon, if it weren't for the adventurers..."
"If not?"
"I would've had a harder time."
Of course, I would've managed.
I'd just take two from the Hero Party, cover their mental states, and protect Veronica's mind too.
Though that would've left me pretty exhausted.
"For me to have helped you, Master... It's truly an honor... B-but there were many adventurers who stepped up because it was for you, Sage..."
"Hmm. I see. Building bonds with people of various statuses isn't easy, yet you've done it. I'd like to learn that social skill myself."
The Queen set down the report with a rare smile. The praises seemed finished, so maybe it was time to leave?
"Your actions are changing the Princess a great deal. Entrusting her tutelage to you was the right choice."
Oh?
Approval from the Queen herself?
Seeing the 'Guidance' rank rise confirmed it, and a laugh escaped me.
The path to S-Rank Mentor was progressing steadily!
"Sage. I have a proposal for you."
"What is it?"
"I'd like you to take on the role of tutor to the royal family."
"Tutor to the royal family..."
"When the time comes for royals, like when Lucille ascends the throne, you'd serve as the King's tutor, teaching the family generation after generation. For a leader, the most important skill is forging bonds with many people."
"That makes sense."
"Can you pass that on to the royal family continually?"
Her voice was sincere, and I replied with a smile.
"Ah. That's a bit much."
"...What? It's quite an honor. And the treatment would be on par with royalty..."
"I'll only teach Princess Lucille."
I refused flatly, and though the Queen's smile faded, I had no intention of getting roped in.
"Um... Master."
"Yes?"
After the audience with the Queen, we returned to the garden where we usually held lessons. As I checked the homework I'd assigned her in my absence, Lucille spoke up.
"You mean you'll only teach me...?"
"Exactly."
"I-I see. So no more disciples for you, Master...?"
"None."
My goal was S-Rank Mentor, and once done, I'd move on.
Raising even one disciple took time, effort, and investment—I didn't want to waste it elsewhere.
I already had plenty to do; when would I fit in more?
Lucille was obedient and followed well, which was lucky. If it were Hero Party kids, main story nobles, or anyone with a strong personality...
Ugh, just imagining it was nightmare fuel.
"It's an honor. I could boast about it to the royal family for generations."
"No need to go that far. Just think of it as glory for our time."
"Pfft. Master, you're something else. Um, but Master... Did something happen with the Hero and the others...?"
"Something?"
Their states seemed a bit off, but no real issues.
They hadn't interfered with my accomplishments.
"I-is that so? Claire... Um, while you were at the battlefield, she came looking for you..."
"She visited plenty."
"S-such things?! D-did your relationship improve or...?"
"Nope."
"Ah... A-ah... I see..."
"No idea why you care, but... Your ice magic is still weak."
"Ah. Yes."
"Let's focus on ice magic today then. Alright, now..."
"But Master."
"Yes."
"What kind of relationship do you have with Cardinal Veronica...?"
Veronica? Hmm...
"A comrade we fought life-and-death battles with."
"Just comrades...?"
"Friends too."
Whatever she thought, Veronica and I were tangled up in a lot, and as one of the few normal people in this world, she's probably my closest friend now.
The Hero Party? Purely business.
"F-friends... friends? Um, Master, you have... a lot of friends, right?"
Do I have a lot of friends?
Plenty if you count casual chats, few if not.
I consider anyone I talk to a friend.
"Yeah, quite a few."
"I see... That's a relief."
Lucille sighed in relief and smiled brightly. It was a pretty smile, but...
"First lesson in a while, and you're chatting nonstop?"
"Ah! S-sorry!"
After my scolding, she finally focused and began casting ice magic.
Her ice magic power was indeed weak. Limited spells too.
I had her cast until she was exhausted, then crossed my arms in thought.
Come to think of it, there was a way to enhance ice magic effects.
"I'll prepare a training method for that part separately."
"How?"
"We're dungeon diving. It's not far from the capital anyway."
"Got it!"
After finishing Lucille's lesson, I headed to the Adventurer's Guild to check for quests related to that dungeon, but none yet. Shame.
But don't get discouraged.
The Church issues quests for it too.
"Back already after one day?"
As I rummaged through requests at the Church's quest board, a familiar voice called.
It was Veronica. With the Pale Moon event over and no special in-game events, she seemed free.
"Yeah. Hey, any quests for the Frost Dungeon?"
"Frost Dungeon? Hmm... I think there's one. Priest Roberto, isn't there the request from Knight Buancamen?"
"Ah, yes. But the reward isn't great... Is it okay for the Sage?"
"Fine, hand it over."
"Understood."
The priest went inside and returned with a request form. It was quite old, the paper worn.
"It's to fetch Eternal Ice, only available in the Frost Dungeon..."
"Ah, perfect."
Eternal Ice drops from the Frost Dungeon boss, Ice Golem. I had to clear it for Lucille anyway, so no issue.
"I'll take it."
"Really? But the Frost Dungeon recommends a party of three... Do you have companions, Sage?"
Lucille was a must... For the last spot, grab anyone from the Guild.
"I'll go. What about the last spot?"
"Huh? You?"
"Why? Don't want to?"
No objection—Veronica would be a huge help.
But Church quest with a Church member? Fine?
"It's okay."
"Then settled."
"For the last one... Hmm. If you're thinking Hero Party..."
"Why them?"
"...Oh? Then who? Someone with decent skill..."
She seemed oddly pleased, so I said calmly,
"Lucille."
Veronica's smile froze.
"...You mean the Lucille I know? Your disciple, the Princess?"
"Yep. Ah, her skill's subpar. Mid-level mage at best."
But it was for training Lucille, so she had to come.
If Veronica hated it, I'd swap her for Guild randos.
I'd seen some idling there earlier.
"Lucille... Lucille... Lucille... Heh."
Arms crossed, Veronica muttered the name repeatedly. Her usually stoic face went blank, eyes lifeless, voice-only laugh—kinda creepy.
"I see."
"See what?"
"Nothing. I'll join. When do we go?"
"Frost Dungeon's close to the capital. Soon as you're ready, head to the palace. I'll let them know. Ah, that cool?"
I asked in case of bad blood with the royals, but she just shook her head slightly. Good.
"Fine. As the Sage's 'one and only best friend,' I should meet your disciple once. Looking forward to it."
Great.
I patted her shoulder and teleported back to the palace.
Then told Lucille Veronica was joining.
"...Cardinal Veronica?"
"Yes. Any issue?"
"Veronica... Veronica... Veronica... Hehe."
Lucille clenched her fists and smiled at me.
"Yes. As your 'one and only' disciple, Master, meeting your friend is important too."
Oh.
Well done.
I'm raising this disciple right.
Author's Note
Hello, it's Malmulmalmul lol
Sorry I'm a bit late today. Hope you enjoyed~ See you tomorrow~