Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Is This a Joke? - 2 (Revised)
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Was it because he had already consumed a significant amount of mana?
After blocking his skills several times and destroying the Aura of Darkness, the Sage had ultimately depleted all his mana and fallen into a groggy state.
That left only physical restraint, but that was more than enough for Sixman alone, blessed by Veronica. Neutralizing the Sage was thus accomplished without much difficulty.
With the Sage restrained, Sixman emerged from the room, readjusting the man slung over his shoulder and grumbling.
"Whew. This is even tougher than last time."
"But you got hurt less this time."
Aside from that initial broken finger, there were no major issues.
Considering how many times the Sage had succeeded in self-harm in similar situations before, Sairon thought this outcome was exceptionally good.
Of course, it would have been even better if they had prevented that one incident too.
"If only something like a sleeping pill worked, I would've dosed him before starting."
As Sixman grumbled, Veronica gave a wry smile.
Alchemists build up resistance to most drugs while crafting them.
For an alchemist of the Sage's caliber, that resistance surpassed even the naturally resilient elves, so no ordinary sleeping pill could induce even the slightest drowsiness in him.
It was regrettable, but what could they do?
If it didn't work, it didn't work.
"Anyway, we need to keep him from recovering mana for the next two days. Let's go. I've got it prepared."
Speaking calmly to Sixman, who held the neutralized Sage, Cecil led everyone to the prepared room.
Arriving before an ornate, antique door, she opened it and said confidently.
"Here it is."
"Oh..."
Sairon let out a soft exclamation upon seeing the interior.
As expected from a duchy advanced in magic, the room was filled with precious artifacts.
There was a bed inscribed with complex magic circles, and at its foot, thickly padded leather restraints and ropes that looked quite valuable.
Every decoration in the room was designed to inhibit mana recovery, and even the ceiling bore a magic circle that weakened the physical abilities of anyone lying on the bed.
With this setup, they could certainly keep the mana-depleted Sage nicely subdued.
"This isn't all, right?"
"Of course. I've also prepared an orchestra to relieve stress, and meals tailored for mental stability."
Cecil gave instructions to a Duchy maid knight, and soon dancers and musicians entered the room.
As soothing dances and songs flowed gently, the Sage in Sixman's grip visibly began to calm down bit by bit.
"We'll call the jester later. For now, let's get him laid down. Sixman, put him on that bed."
Sixman laid him on the bed, and the Duchy's maid knights secured the restraints.
They didn't forget to gag him, just in case he tried to bite his tongue.
"You really know how to make people worry."
Veronica lightly flicked the forehead of the Sage, who stared gloomily at the ceiling.
Perhaps because of that, his gaze shifted to her, but she paid it no mind.
She simply smiled peacefully, as if relieved.
"Alright then..."
Veronica slowly turned her head. Her gaze fell on Evangeline, who couldn't even lift her head.
Unlike the warm look she had directed at the Sage moments ago, her eyes were now as cold as ice.
"Evangeline."
"..."
"You know what I want to say, right? So..."
"Now, now, Cardinal Veronica. I'll handle her, so don't get mad."
At that moment, Sairon stepped in and grabbed Evangeline's wrist. Veronica eyed her narrowly before giving a slight nod.
Since Cecil agreed as well, Sairon took Evangeline out and flashed a grin.
"Look at you. The great Evangeline, reduced to this."
"......"
"I'd love to stick you by the Sage's side and make him suffer more, but just having you here is a huge burden for him. You get that much, right?"
Nod.
Her only response was a nod up and down.
"I won't say anything harsh. Now, go back to where you belong."
"Where... where do I belong...?"
"Didn't the Sage tell you?"
She had heard it repeated many times, just as he said.
Stay on the battlefield.
Stabilize the front lines by fighting the monsters there.
Evangeline squeezed her eyes shut.
"...Got it."
"You're accepting it awfully meekly, unlike you."
"...Because I realized my stubbornness is making him suffer."
"If only you'd realized that a little sooner."
Sairon mocked as she placed a hand on her slender waist, but Evangeline couldn't retort.
She simply let her shoulders slump and turned, trudging away.
Watching her retreating figure, Sairon made a request to a nearby Duchy maid knight.
"Can you help Leventia and Evangeline get to the battlefield?"
"Understood."
Duchy Knights attached themselves to Evangeline. Only after they had departed did Sairon lean against the wall and mutter.
"Now all that's left is..."
The Sage regained consciousness two days later.
Until then, they could only hope he stayed put obediently.
Sairon reentered the room and smiled at the Sage, who lay quietly bound to the bed.
In that state, even the Sage couldn't possibly self-harm.
Especially if Veronica and Cecil kept holding his hands to prevent teleportation.
Sairon gazed at the Sage intently before turning away.
"Sixman, Rachel. Time to go."
"Huh? Is it okay to just leave?"
"In that condition, even if the Sage's grandpa showed up, he couldn't escape. We have our own jobs to do."
Their jobs.
The preparations to become S-Rank Adventurers alongside the Sage.
At Sairon's proposal, Sixman glanced at the Sage one last time before following her, while Rachel waved to Veronica and Cecil, who watched them go.
"Nya nya! See you next time, nya! And you too, Sir Sage!"
***
I opened my eyes and looked around.
"Mmph mmph."
My arms and legs were bound and fixed in place, a gag in my mouth, and my mana completely drained.
First things first, I needed to recover mana.
"Mmph mmph mmph?!"
Mana wouldn't gather.
I panicked for a moment, but then it hit me—this was a magic-advanced duchy.
They surely had artifacts to block mana recovery.
The magic circle on the ceiling alone was preventing it.
"Mmm... You're awake?"
Just then, Cecil's voice came from beside me. She had been gripping my hand tightly and met my eyes with a grin.
"Where's that defeatist? Healed up?"
"Mmph."
"Self-harm tendencies too?"
"Mmph."
"Nothing uncomfortable?"
"Mmph."
"I see."
I see, my ass—untie me already.
"Hmm~."
Cecil, looking oddly pleased, poked my cheeks.
"But, Sage."
"Mmph?"
"Remember what you said to me last time? Something about 'pretty bro'? Wow~ Impressive. As expected of the Sage, calling this Cecil Claudia a pretty 'bro'."
Did I?
Oh yeah, I did.
But come on, cut me some slack on that.
"What do you think about that?"
Cecil removed the gag from my mouth and smiled.
Her smile was kinda scary.
"I apologized back then. The... situation was what it was... But I'll definitely bring you that Wind Jade Pill. I had no intention of insulting a friend with the same tastes, so forgive me. I swear on my bikini armor..."
Even if unintentional, if it hurt, an apology was in order.
Hoping Cecil would show her magnanimity, I apologized, and only then did she flash her usual refreshing smile.
"I'll hold you to that promise. Can't not believe you after you say that much."
Cecil and I renewed our camaraderie.
-Creak.
"...What are you doing?"
A slightly subdued voice. It was Veronica.
She strode in through the open door, naturally took my hand, and began inspecting me closely.
"The Sage is awake."
"I can see that..."
Veronica placed a hand on my head and began a diagnosis using holy power.
Once my body was enveloped in holy power, she soon removed her hand from my head and pinched my cheek.
"You really know how to make people worry."
"Can you untie this first?"
"You planning to overdo it again? Seriously. Think about your body a little."
Only after Veronica undid the restraints could I finally sit up in bed.
"No pain anywhere?"
Nothing hurt in particular.
I checked my body again, but aside from mana depletion, there didn't seem to be any major damage.
"My gear?"
"Here."
Veronica handed over the prepared equipment. Let me see.
No particular issues.
Mana recovery necklace, ring to boost spell power.
Belt for defense and strength, and Dwarven City standard armor.
Once I equipped them one by one and draped my robe over, Veronica chuckled.
"That suits you best."
"Huh?"
"Defeatist this, self-harm that—better than looking all down about it."
"Haha..."
"So don't do it again. There are people who suffer seeing you hurt."
I nodded at Veronica's sincere words.
I'm trying, but these situations just keep happening inevitably.
"Cecil. Moonlight?"
"Here."
Cecil handed over the dagger wrapped in moonlight.
Huh? It was in staff form when I gave it to her, right?
"I checked it out a bit. Sage, the weapons registered to Moonlight don't seem all that great..."
"Huh? Well..."
Most of my gear was either quest rewards or made in Dwarven City.
Rare equipment worthy of skilled users.
Or unique items available only once in the game—no such things.
No greed for gear, and besides, they suited others better, so I yielded them.
"A Sage who knows everything, using only that kind of gear. Doesn't it seem off?"
"It's not off."
"Tsk. The guy who saved this Cecil Claudia, using just that? Hey, bring it here."
"Yes."
A Duchy Knight left and returned with a box. Inside were some pretty good swords, spears, shields, and such.
"Whoa. This mace looks nice."
"That one's enchanted with shockwave magic—hits an area on impact. Made by the Claudia family, so... take it if you need it."
Cecil grinned, while Veronica examined the mace, shook her head with a smile, boastfully. No, just boasting.
"I'm good. The Sage said he'd make me one."
"......"
Cecil stared at me blankly.
What?
"You can make weapons too?"
"That's basic."
"...Sigh. I'm jealous. Can you make me a staff too? A Sage-brand staff would be..."
"Customer, how about discussing price later?"
For something usable by an Archmage (True) like Cecil, it'd need to be top-tier, and anyway, no materials right now.
Plus, the price.
"These should cover the cost plenty. What do you say?"
Not a bad deal. All rare gear in that box.
But honestly, overkill specs—did I even need them? I'd have to tilt my head.
"Man, you're expensive."
I shrugged at her, puffing her cheeks and grumbling.
Didn't you know?
I'm an expensive guy by nature.
Author's Note
Hello, this is Malmulmalmul.
As of October 31st at 1:12 AM, the content has been revised starting from the viewpoint change.
Sorry for the confusion.
As an apology, I'll upload 2 parts tomorrow too.