Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: EP.30 This Much is Cute
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A few days had passed since returning to the royal palace. Just as I thought Veronica should be arriving soon, a maid came to the garden where we were preparing for lessons.
"Sage, Cardinal Veronica from the Church has arrived."
"Got it. Princess, let's go."
I'd already prepared to leave as soon as Veronica arrived, and I'd informed the Queen as well, so there were no issues with heading to the Blizzard Dungeon. Of course, there had been offers of support from knights and soldiers for the journey.
"You really don't need the Knight Order's help?"
"Yes."
I'd requested assistance from the Adventurer's Guild for escorts and support. The groups were Galik's party of three-horned lizardmen, who had agreed to join me for the mine demon subjugation in the Robento Mountains, and Baltin's party of lion beastkin.
"Why ask them specifically? The Knight Order would be better..."
"Ah, I have some business elsewhere after this."
After returning Lucille to the palace, I'd go achievement hunting with them.
In particular, the mine demon near the Robento Mountains by the elves' forest was pretty strong, but since it was in the field, there were no party size limits.
So with Galik and Baltin's parties plus me, it should be an easy takedown.
"Anyway, are your preparations complete?"
"Yes? Oh, yes."
Lucille was equipped in typical mage gear.
As a princess of the realm, all her equipment was top-notch.
I nodded as I checked her status.
"Lukal must have put a lot of thought into this."
"Yes. He said it was gear he used in his younger days."
If it was gear from Lukal's younger days as the royal mage... yeah, that would be solid. Satisfied with her setup, I picked up my bag.
"But Master... you travel awfully light."
"This is all I need."
For armor, my usual greaves and robe were plenty. My weapons were all registered with Moonlight already.
I just needed to pack some potions for emergencies.
These were handmade via alchemy, so their performance was guaranteed—no issues there.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Yes!"
I left the palace with Lucille, who replied energetically. As we passed through the grand palace gates, a silver-haired beauty in black priestly robes stood waiting outside.
"....!!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"Oh, n-nothing. Hooo..."
It wasn't Veronica's first time at the palace, so Lucille knew her face. I patted the hesitating princess's shoulder.
"Veronica is ruthless to heretics, but kind to everyone else. No need to be so scared."
"R-right..."
"And she's my friend. Don't worry too much."
I knew most people in this world and could gauge if they were trash or not.
Plus, with my Clown's Heart Reading skill, I could read their alignments too.
In short, I could choose who to associate with safely.
"It's not that I doubt Master's judgment. It's just..."
"Just?"
"...Nothing. Yes. I'll do my best."
I smiled at Lucille, who clenched her fist. In the meantime, Veronica spotted us and approached calmly.
Huh...
But.
"Been well?"
"Yeah, I've been fine. But..."
"Why?"
"What's with the makeup?"
Veronica, the beauty, rarely wore makeup. Her natural look was stunning, and once when I asked, she'd scolded me, saying what kind of priest wears makeup?
Yet here she was, dolled up.
"Wow~ See? You clean up nice!"
"I'm just showing some courtesy. Princess, it's been a while. We met once before, right?"
"Ah... yes."
Lucille bit her lip slightly as she looked at her, then nodded. An awkward atmosphere hung in the air.
Veronica smirked faintly.
Lucille stared at her without blinking.
"It's a long trip ahead, and I didn't expect the Cardinal to come all made up. Cardinal Veronica."
"The Church doesn't forbid priests from dressing up... And makeup is a form of courtesy, isn't it?"
"Courtesy... Is this the place for such courtesy?"
"Hehe. Yes. It is."
Veronica glanced at me.
Why are you looking at me?
"Because it's that kind of occasion."
"...I see."
Lucille stiffened tensely, and I lightly patted her shoulder.
Only then did she snap out of it, gripping the hem of her robe and bowing politely.
"Let me greet you properly once more. I am the princess of the kingdom."
Lucille paused dramatically, then met Veronica's eyes directly.
Compared to before, this was huge progress. The girl who couldn't even look people in the eye was now staring down Veronica.
As I felt a swell of pride in my heart, Lucille smiled brightly.
"The 'one and only' disciple of Sage Hyeonwoo, Lucille Ermeyer."
"I see... I am the Church's inquisitor and Cardinal, Veronica—friend of Hyeonwoo, with whom I've shared life and death. Though 'friend' might be an understatement; 'partner' is more accurate."
I thought it was an overstatement.
"Partner... level?"
"Yes. We've fought back-to-back countless times... and saved each other's lives capturing dangerous heretics... unlike the Hero Party."
It wasn't wrong, but why bring it up now? I searched for words amid the growing tension.
"...I see. To think Master's friend is like that... Master truly is amazing."
"Hyeonwoo is amazing."
"He's a master I'm proud of. Unlike me... Master has so many friends."
"....Oh my. Hehehe."
"....Ahh. Hohoho."
Hm. They're laughing.
The mood was... decent? Maybe?
As the two smiled at each other without blinking, the others arrived.
"Hey~! Sage!"
"You're all gathered already?!"
It was Galik and Baltin. As they approached with their party members, the women finally broke eye contact.
"...What? Why's the vibe so weird?"
"Something happen?"
Baltin came over and asked. I thought for a moment before answering.
"Nothing much."
Just a normal meeting and normal greetings.
The Blizzard Dungeon was about two days north from the capital.
Monsters appeared along the way, but they weren't strong, so no major battles.
We reached the campsite without incident on the first day, and I didn't miss the opportunity.
"Sage. A deal's a deal, right?"
Baltin thumped my back with his large hand, and Veronica tilted her head.
"What promise?"
"I'll handle all support on the way to the Blizzard Dungeon."
Campsite setup, meal prep, tents, bedding—all that was on me.
Naturally, this was for achievement grinding, so I accepted with a smile.
"Long time no see—let's see that cooking skill, Sage!"
"You bring the ingredients?"
"Of course."
Baltin pulled out a huge slab of bacon, bread, and some veggies. Galik added seasonings and dried fish.
Capable adventurers, so mostly rations, but enough for a hearty meal.
"I'll scout the perimeter."
Galik and Baltin took their parties to explore. As they left, Lucille watched me prep the meal, head tilted.
"Master... you can cook too?"
"Hyeonwoo can do anything. Calling yourself his disciple... you still don't know him well, do you?"
"Hehehe. Plenty of time to learn. I'll be with Master for a while."
As they brewed another weird atmosphere, I grabbed the ladle.
"Wouldn't it be better to sync up than mind games?"
Lucille and Veronica had never teamed up, so proper prep was key.
The Blizzard Dungeon wasn't too tough, but bad luck could kill you even in easy ones.
Better safe than sorry.
"But Hyeonwoo, with you here, we can sync on the fly."
"Still. Princess, great chance—team up with Veronica. Priests as good as her are rare."
"...Understood."
The odd tension between them finally eased. As they practiced spells and holy magic nearby, getting to know each other, I quickly prepped dinner.
"Ooh~ Smells great~!"
"Kept sniffing it from afar. But is it okay to cook like this?"
"Why not?"
"Won't the smell attract monsters...?"
"That's the point."
The beef stew boosted fatigue recovery and satiety to max, but cooking outdoors raised monster attraction. As it neared completion, my Enemy Sense pinged several.
Some adventurers sensed them too, hands drifting to weapons. I stopped them.
"Leave it to those two."
"Huh? Why?"
"Gotta sync before the dungeon. Nothing beats real combat."
"Eh. But the Princess and Cardinal? If they get hurt..."
"They're skilled enough. And I can heal any minor injuries."
I transformed Moonlight into a staff, and the adventurers relaxed. As the stew finished...
-Kirrrruk!!
-Keeeek!!
A two-headed wolf appeared.
"M-Master?! Enemies!"
"I know. Take it down with Veronica."
Lucille had combat experience, so no issue.
At my order, she thrust her staff and fired a mana bolt. Hit, the twin-headed wolf roared and charged her.
"Eek...!"
-Pahng!!
The wolf's charge never reached. Veronica's mace smashed it first.
As the wolf tumbled and tried to recover, Lucille gritted her teeth and prepped her second spell.
"Fire Strike!!"
Her go-to beginner fire spell lashed the wolf. As it rolled in agony, wreathed in flames, Veronica struck without mercy.
-Kwaduk!!
One head crushed by the mace, the wolf collapsed.
As its body dissolved into black mist, I pointed elsewhere.
"Next one's coming."
"H-how long do we do this?!"
Lucille readied her next spell as I stirred the stew.
"Until I say stop. Can't handle it?"
"...I'll do it! I will!"
She conjured an ice spear and hurled it at the hulking green monster.
"...As the Sage's one and only disciple."
Wow~! Excellent~!
The old her was fading—she was growing inwardly!
"...Tch."
Veronica looked annoyed, but I'd smooth that over later.
This was supporter work.
Cute compared to covering the Hero Party.
Author's Note (Afterword)
Huge thanks to Airfry for the support ㅎ No plans for Plus yet ㅎㅎ
Hope you enjoyed~ See you tomorrow~