Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Since I Wasted Time - 2
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The award ceremony and the following banquet had ended, and a few days passed. As work began to absorb Kantread Territory into the kingdom, Cecil returned to the duchy.
The Hero Party also returned to the front lines. They seemed like they wanted to stay longer, but General Leoden personally came and said they were needed. They left looking quite reluctant, and once the palace returned to its usual quiet state.
I got up to start moving myself.
"Hmm... So you need to go to the duchy?"
"Yes."
The queen, sitting in her office, pressed her temples firmly. Lucille had grown, easing worries about a successor, but with increasing diplomatic relations and Kantread Territory absorption matters, the queen's fatigue seemed even greater.
On top of that, with me—the one handling Lucille's education—heading out, it must have been a headache.
"Are you taking Lucille with you?"
"No."
I planned to teleport back and forth alone, so no need to bring anyone else.
Perhaps because of that, the queen's expression softened as she nodded and gave a gentle smile.
"Then, could I ask you to handle a few things while you're there...?"
"Let's hear it."
"As a special envoy to Dwarven City and..."
"Ah. No, I won't do that."
Using me as a special envoy to other races meant the kingdom was aiming for a diplomatic advantage.
It took too much time and gave no achievements, so I had no interest.
"...Jeez. I was going to help you a bit."
"No need."
The queen, who had tried to leverage something with no merit for me, let out a deep sigh.
"Sage. I don't know what you want, so I can't ask for anything. Fine. Safe travels. Will you tell Lucille yourself?"
"Isn't Lucille at Kantread Territory right now?"
"She is."
"She'll be busy, so no need to talk. I'll just go and come back."
To absorb Kantread Territory into the royal family, Lucille—who needed practical experience—was there herself.
Of course, she wasn't alone. There was Lukel, the Lily Knight Order, and other loyal retainers, so no issues without me.
Leaving the queen's office and exiting Baekam Palace, I continued my thoughts.
Clearing events related to Cecil gave two free achievements. Plus one more from linked quests, totaling three.
I checked the remaining achievements. Thanks to my efforts, the achievement window was quite filled.
Just keep going like this. Just like this.
Returning to my room while sketching a blueprint for the future, I immediately used teleportation. Destination: the duchy's capital.
Arriving in a quiet corner of the bustling city, I headed straight for the adventurers' guild.
"Come here!!"
"Whoa?! Isn't that the Sage?!"
"Ooo~ Heard you settled in the kingdom lately. What's up in the duchy?"
Adventurers loved wandering like dandelions, so quite a few in the duchy's guild knew me.
Among them, I raised my hand toward the one-eyed bald human spearman.
"Oh? Sixman? You're here?"
Sixman Austin. A human warrior and A-rank adventurer like me. We'd done a few requests together before. He stuck out his tongue and grimaced upon seeing me.
"What? Sage. Did teaching the kingdom's princess make you quit adventuring?"
"Quit? Anyway, any promotion requests for S-Rank Adventurer?"
"Trying to promote? But haven't you filled your quota yet?"
"I'll fill it quick."
"Then sure."
Sixman tilted his head, then smirked. He handed over a document from his pocket and said leisurely.
"I'll share the info... but your party's not stable yet, right?"
"Uh? Yeah."
"Then let's party up. How about it?"
"No issue."
To promote to S-Rank Adventurer, you needed a five-man party.
As Teacher Girobo said, in a five-man group, one is trash.
Among troll-heavy adventurers, Sixman was decent enough for a party member.
"Alright. Here."
Reading the request list on the document Sixman gave me, I sighed.
To become S-Rank in the game, you had to clear these filthy requests.
Slay Nemesis's lion with resistance to all attacks.
Slay the nine-headed hydra.
Slay the nine ghouls of the Great Beast Forest.
Find Great Thief Laudin's hidden treasure vault.
Explore the ruins left by the Withered Death God.
"Let's see, Sage. Which one's doable?"
Once S-Rank promotion screening started, pick one and clear it. Naturally, each team could only take one.
Fail, and you suck your thumb until the next screening, so everyone was sensitive about these.
"Hmmmmm..."
"The all-knowing Sage should know a good one, right?"
"I do, but not saying now."
Only then did Sixman look around. Nearby adventurers pretended not to listen while perking up their ears.
Seeing that, Sixman bared his teeth and growled, but the others just snorted or flipped him off.
"Let's talk more once we gather party members later."
"Sure, I'll gather the party then. Cool?"
"But no carriage rides, so pick good ones."
Sixman grinned and left with another werewolf waiting at the entrance.
Alright, S-Rank adventurer stuff done...
"Take a request?"
"Ah, yes. Sage. Let me see... current requests..."
Among duchy requests, there were plenty of solo ones people avoided. Including the one I wanted, I took them all and headed out.
"Now then."
One prep for clearing the Dragon's Curse event.
Time to clear the E-rank request 'Old Man's Dream.'
The request came from a small house in a back alley of the duchy capital. The owner of the two-story house was a ho-ho white-haired elder.
"Aigoo... Th-thank you..."
The request was simple: clear monsters in the forest outside the duchy capital.
He'd dreamed of being a warrior in his youth but got caught in life, and now nearing the end, he wanted combat experience.
"Thanks to you, I realized..."
The elder's hands trembled. He'd slain a small monster—a goblin—with his own hands, but the shock was huge.
"...it's too much for me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes... I learned everyone has their own path... Hooo... Thank you."
"No trouble. Hmm... Still, I think the life you've lived wasn't wrong."
"...Thank you."
Everyone doubts their choices, especially lifelong ones.
On the way home, the elder calmly shared. In his youth, he had options: mercenary or inherit family business.
He still didn't know if his choice was right.
But realizing now it was right was fortunate.
Back home, the elder smiled warmly.
"Thank you... And the reward... is this really okay?"
"Ah. Of course."
The elder pulled a silver key from his pocket. One that might fetch a couple silver at a shop, unknown use.
Any gamer knew it was the key item to easily clear the Dragon's Curse event.
"A customer left it when I ran a shop. Said give it when I gained conviction in life..."
He placed the key on my palm.
"Without you, Sage, I might never have gained conviction in my life. Thank you..."
He bowed deeply, looking relieved. I greeted him back and left the alley.
Now, next: hire a skilled priest... Church first?
"Huh?"
A familiar voice. Turning...
"Huh? Why are you here?"
"That's what I want to ask..."
A silver-haired beauty in a black robe.
Veronica, in casual clothes not her nun habit, stood with a complicated expression.
"Why are you here?"
"Uh, well..."
"Shh... Stay quiet."
Suddenly, Veronica grabbed me and pushed me against the wall.
Wait, wall slam?!
One arm by my head, her body pressed against mine.
Sweet breath tickled my nose, her beautiful face right there.
A little move, and we'd kiss.
"...Huuu..."
After a moment, Veronica pulled back slightly, embarrassed, scratching her cheek.
"S-sorry."
"Nah, it's fine. What was that?"
"Actually... got info on a heresy cult, investigating."
Even with Black Rebels resolved, Veronica was still an inquisitor. The church influenced the continent, and the duchy recognized it.
So handling dangerous cults here wasn't wrong.
"Hmm..."
What was the duchy cult again.
"Definitely... Blade of the Silver Spear."
"...You know? Yeah. Blade of the Silver Spear. Human sacrifice traces found in Toreibon Village..."
In short, a cult doing human sacrifices.
Headquartered in the duchy, she was dispatched to root them out.
"Cardinal doing field work. Impressive."
"Sitting still makes me antsy. And it's my job."
Veronica glanced around naturally, probably seeking her tail from earlier.
"Help?"
"Huh? Really?"
"Got time anyway. And I need a favor from you too."
Could grab any skilled priest without asking her.
But better to use someone I know.
Veronica stared, then grinned Cheshire-like and hooked her arm in mine naturally.
"Oho~ Using the church's cardinal like that. Can't do~"
"Forget it then."
"N-no, joke. You're... Sigh. What do you need?"
"Need to lift the Dragon's Curse. Help then?"
"...Dragon's Curse? That one... Cecil Claudia Archduke family thing?"
"Uh? Yeah."
Veronica pursed her lips, staring intently. What's with her.
"...What's your relation to the Archduke? And you know? Lifting Claudia family curse means marrying into the family?"
Where'd she hear that nonsense?
With flat tone, I poked Veronica's forehead with my finger.
"You're wrong. No marriage required."
Precisely, you could request anything from the Claudia family.
Mostly, Claudia men and women were attractive inside and out, so many wanted marriage, leading to the distortion.
"Ah... Ahaaa~ Th-that's right~! Yeah! Makes sense!"
Veronica blushed embarrassed, poking my chest.
"Y-yeah! Sage! Knows everything! Helping others is great! Yeah! I'll help!"
Good to see her lively!