Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Realizing I Was Wrong - 2
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-Whiiiiiing!!
A clear crack was forming in the black pillar that had painted the sky black.
The pillar, emitting a low vibrating hum as if it would shatter at any moment, overflowed with the energy of death. Reflecting its impending end, Bronze—now grotesquely transformed—was attacking us.
"Kieeeek!!"
Unable to speak properly anymore, it let out a horrific screech like a monster's roar and swung its scythe-like arm wildly.
This was the final phase of the Black Rebels boss fight, right at its conclusion.
I'd already taken down seven Bronzes with my Whirlwind Fist and fallen back, chugging a mana recovery potion before raising the Divine Mark Veronica had given me. As expected from an item used by a cardinal, it contained immense holy power, greatly enhancing the potency of skills that utilized holy energy.
-Cclang!!
His attack was blocked by a faint green aura infused with divinity. Seizing the opening, Leventia leaped forward and swung her sword. The moment Bronze's body, sliced by the mana-infused blade, dissolved back into darkness and returned to the pillar...
"Twilight."
Huh?
I couldn't help but be shocked at Lucille's incantation. Because this was...
"The highest-tier fire magic?!"
Highest-tier magic was just one step below an ultimate. I knew she had talent, but to already wield top fire magic?
Even with me sharing my mana, for her to grow this much already...
I was genuinely proud.
-Fwoosh...
A tiny spark shot from the staff Lucille extended. Compared to the spells she'd used before, it looked pathetically weak.
But I knew exactly how much power that flame held. That's why I grabbed Leventia, who was about to attack the pillar.
"Urk?"
"Get back."
I immediately retreated, and Leventia followed without complaint. As soon as we pulled back, I switched Moonlight to staff form and summoned a barrier with all my remaining mana.
-Ssssh...
The tiny spark, floating lightly like embers from a blaze, burrowed into the massive black pillar. The moment Claire tilted her head at the sight...
-KABOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted, engulfing the black pillar in flames. The heat was so intense that even through the barrier, the shockwave carried scorching warmth.
The enormous red blaze accelerated the pillar's disintegration in an instant, and unable to withstand the inferno, it shattered into gray ashes.
"...Incredible."
Claire, who had been preparing dimensional magic while her mana recovered during the lull, lowered the hero's sword and stared blankly at Lucille. And I was the same.
With her red hair whipping in the mana storm, uncombed, standing indifferently with her staff aimed, watching the flames she'd created...
Lucille looked every bit the dignified mage.
"Master!"
Everything was over. Bronze, and the Black Rebels too.
With the deathly aura vanishing from the sky and the black pillar reduced to complete ash, this event wouldn't restart.
Amid the thoroughly burned ashes, I spotted a jet-black gem.
It was the event clear item, a gem containing the Demon King's power.
"...Hyunwoo. That thing."
"Hmm..."
Not just me—Claire and Leventia would recognize it too. After all, it was the same gem we'd seen when defeating the Demon King.
"What... are you planning to do with it?"
"Seal it in the church."
There were plenty of places to seal the gem: central hubs in each race's capital, or churches.
Depending on where you handed it over after clearing the event, you could boost favorability with that faction.
No need to boost any specific faction, so stashing it in the most convenient spot—the church—made sense.
"That's fine, right?"
"Huh? Oh. Y-Yes? Why me...?"
"You landed the finishing blow."
Lucille, looking puzzled, stared intently at the black shard in my hand.
What if she asks for it?
But contrary to my worry, Lucille just smiled brightly.
"I'll follow Master's decision."
"Thanks."
"...N-No big deal!"
Blushing furiously as she shouted, Lucille lightly gripped her skirt hem. She stole glances at me, then began muttering something in a tiny voice.
It was too quiet to hear.
Anyway, as long as the queen doesn't complain about returning empty-handed on spoils, we're good.
With that, this event was done.
All that remained was cleanup.
"Sage! Are you alright?!"
"Princess!!"
"Your Highness!!"
While we'd been fighting Bronze, the knights holding off the influx of undead outside began entering. The Lily Knight Order in heavy plate, and the Duchy Knight Order in bikini armor.
As they rushed over, I released Moonlight and waved.
"...Huh? L-Leventia?!"
A Lily Knight charging toward us froze in shock. Her gaze was fixed on none other than Leventia.
To the knights, Leventia was a hero and object of admiration. The reason they stiffened was simple.
"...Ugh."
It was Leventia's outfit. Better than the Duchy Knight Order's, but for her, it was quite revealing bikini armor. Face flushed red, she kept her head bowed.
"Anyway, Leventia."
"...Y-Yeah?"
When I called, she snapped her head up. Not just her eyes—her toned, muscular body was trembling, unlike during the fight.
Aiming at her, who looked ready to collapse with her long, leopard-like legs shaking, I pointed to a nearby rock. She finally slumped down, and I shared my mana with her.
"See? It suits you perfectly."
"...R-Really...?"
Just as I'd seen.
With sufficient mana affinity, Leventia could grow stronger as a magic knight.
Of course, that would require completely overhauling her entire approach.
From her movements in the recent battle, fighting with mana, utilizing magic on her sword and armor...
Overall, she fit the magic knight archetype far better than a standard knight.
"...You were right."
Leventia murmured softly, then looked up at me.
Her eyes brimmed with anticipation.
"...Um. Hyunwoo..."
"What."
"...It's a bit late, but..."
Leventia swallowed hard. Trembling with fear yet gazing at me earnestly, she rose and knelt on one knee.
"...Will you accept my sword?"
A knight offering her sword meant entrusting everything to the recipient.
"For reflection on my past wrongs, to atone for my sins... I want to live by your sword. So..."
Taking Leventia as a subordinate. Not a bad offer, but not great either.
If I'd wanted to boss her around as a minion, I'd have done it ages ago.
I'm building my name as the Sage. Recruiting a former hero's party member as a subordinate now?
Sure, if I were forming a faction, her joining would help big time. She's nobility, admired by many knights.
But it would make more people see me as a threat.
Unnecessarily creating enemies would hinder my achievement grinding.
No need to grab excess power and limit my movements.
Staying helpful to many but non-threatening was far better for achievements.
"Well. Is that really necessary?"
At my response, Leventia stared in dismay before bowing her head deeply.
As our brief exchange ended, footsteps approached. It was Cecil.
Approaching Leventia, she draped her cloak over the dejected woman's shoulders.
Covering her up, Cecil stood and grinned at me.
"Whatever your relationship, Sage. Hogging that spoil for the kingdom feels off, doesn't it?"
"Hey. Is that how you treat friends?"
Friends? Leventia blinked in wide-eyed surprise, glancing between Cecil and me.
Why?
I've always had lots of friends—what's odd?
"Even friends have boundaries."
"Then how about this?"
I stepped closer to Cecil.
We're friends with the same tastes. Tempt her with something related?
I glanced around, pulled Cecil close, and whispered so no one else could hear.
"I've got a great armor blueprint. Ah~ It's a really good one."
Crafting magic armor requires shamanism, magic, and enchanting—advanced knowledge and skills.
Thus, true bikini armor craftsmen are rare.
"I'll introduce you to a dwarf who makes great armor. Master craftsman level. Master. What do you think?"
"Oho... Sounds tempting. But this armor—have you prototyped it?"
"Nope. But it got good reviews even in Dwarven City. I designed it myself."
"O~ Really? Then I'll make one and test it. A man who knows armor. Deal. Deal."
As expected from someone who appreciates good armor, Cecil was pragmatic.
Naturally so.
A gem with the Demon King's power was useless to hold onto.
Researching it yielded only destructive death power.
It'd just invite attacks from fools like the Black Rebels trying to revive the Demon King for gain.
Handing over that trash for an armor blueprint suiting her tastes, plus a master craftsman intro?
I'd bite too.
"Hahaha! Friend! Our friendship forever!"
"Till tastes change! Hahaha!"
Birds of a feather are easy. We laughed facing each other, shook on it.
Light wave goodbye, Cecil stepped back. I pocketed the gem and approached Lucille.
"...Um. Master. What were you talking about with Archduke Cecil...?"
"About tastes."
"T-Tastes...? What kind...?"
"Hmm..."
Instead of answering, I patted Lucille's head.
"Alright. Time for cleanup? Turning Kantread territory into royal land means work. Hey, Lily Knight Order! Quit slacking—get to it!"
***
Leventia blankly watched the Sage rally the Lily Knight Order for cleanup and territory absorption documents. Looking down at her, Cecil giggled.
Snapping to, Leventia eyed Cecil and asked hoarsely.
"H-How... how did you...?"
Become friends with Hyunwoo so fast? She knew he made friends easily.
But this quick?
Grinning at Leventia's dazed stare, Cecil replied leisurely.
"Hmm? My dear Leventia. Weird that I befriended the Sage? Honestly, he's worth getting close to, right?"
She'd been rejected even as a subordinate to atone...
Surging jealousy and self-loathing.
Guilt toward Hyunwoo, stress from this armor.
These tangled emotions left deep scars in Leventia's heart.
Author's Note
Hello! It's Malmulmalmul! Ugh... caught a cold...
Hoping it's not corona... Everyone, stay safe from colds! See you tomorrow! Bye~