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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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“Come in. And the rest of you, wait outside.”
The maids glanced at the Hero, then filed out of the room. Alone with Lucille, Claire studied her. She wore a basic mage’s robe and carried a staff.
It was hardly the attire of a princess.
So, Claire knew.
That Lucille had been outside the palace.
That she had been out with him.
Claire’s fists clenched. The Summer Festival preparations were in full swing outside the palace walls.
She looked at Lucille, maintaining a polite demeanor, and spoke softly.
“You were outside the palace?”
“Yes. With my tutor.”
A sharp pang of pain shot through Claire’s chest. The impassive mask she wore cracked slightly.
Lucille smiled faintly.
“Is that what you came all this way to ask?”
“Ah… no… There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”
What could the Hero possibly want to discuss with her? Lucille swallowed nervously.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
“I heard you’re learning from Hyun-woo… Are your studies progressing well?”
“Yes. I’m still quite lacking, so I wish to spend more time learning from my tutor.”
“I see. However… I’m afraid there’s been a slight complication.”
Lucille tilted her head, puzzled. Claire smiled gently.
That smile made Lucille uneasy. She clenched her fists.
The pain of her manicured nails digging into her palms was nothing compared to the sting of the Hero’s gaze, that knowing smile, as if she had just gained the upper hand.
“Monsters we’ve never seen before have appeared on the battlefield.”
“Is that so?”
What did that have to do with anything? Lucille frowned slightly. Claire continued, her voice kind, with a hint of apology.
“Hyun-woo and our party have fought many monsters in the past. And every time, he knew exactly how to defeat them.”
“And…?”
“These new monsters are extremely powerful. We need experienced knights to fight them, but such knights are difficult to deploy to the battlefield at short notice.”
Lucille understood the implication, despite her long seclusion. Her sharp mind quickly grasped the reason behind Claire’s words.
A heavy feeling settled in her chest.
“Hyun-woo has agreed to return to the battlefield.”
When she had heard the news from General Leoden, she had almost cheered.
She hadn’t apologized to him yet, hadn’t been forgiven.
But Hyun-woo returning to the battlefield meant she would have more opportunities to see him.
Then, by any means necessary, she would spend time with him and beg for his forgiveness.
She would kneel, bow her head, offer him anything, everything, to atone for her mistakes.
Not just herself, but Leventia and Evangeline as well.
They were ready to apologize to the Sage, to beg for his forgiveness.
That chance,
The chance they had lost, the chance that seemed out of reach,
The chance that felt like fate’s final offering, she couldn’t let it slip away.
A light returned to her beautiful orange eyes. A hopeful light, a light that painted a future. Lucille bit her lip.
“I see… I understand.”
Lucille’s reaction was calmer than Claire had anticipated. She had expected anger, protests, perhaps even a tantrum.
When Claire, who had been looking down, raised her head, her expression was bright.
“If Tutor has made his decision… I can’t stop him.”
It was a lie.
She wanted to stop him.
To beg him not to go.
Why there, of all places?
Why return to the place where those people had hurt him so deeply?
But Lucille couldn’t express her true feelings.
Because she was still just his student.
And hadn’t he promised?
To watch over her growth.
To stay by her side until then.
He was someone who had endured such treatment from the Hero and her party, someone who had stayed with them and supported them until the Demon King was defeated.
She couldn’t imagine him suddenly abandoning her, breaking his promise, without a word.
Even if he did leave… she couldn’t imagine him leaving without an explanation.
“I heard the battlefield is dangerous… I’m worried.”
“There’s no need to worry, Your Highness. We…”
As Claire spoke earnestly, Lucille couldn’t help but smile faintly.
‘Tutor is even friends with those eccentric adventurers.’
‘He grew tired of you and cut ties with your party.’
‘And yet, you’re trying to tell me he won’t be in danger?’
Claire, realizing the meaning behind Lucille’s smile, the implied accusation, lowered her eyes, guilt gnawing at her.
‘Weren’t you the ones who drove him away with your cruelty, forcing that kind person to leave?’
‘And yet, you think you deserve his forgiveness?’
Claire’s hands trembled.
The fear she had buried deep within her heart resurfaced.
What if it was true?
For over six months, he had avoided any contact with them.
Their previous encounter had been pure chance.
But what if…
What if he refused to see her, to see them, ever again?
Then what?
What would she…
–Crash!
The locked door burst open, shattering Claire’s thoughts. The maids, who had tumbled into the room, scrambled to their feet, weapons drawn. Figures clad in black, radiating killing intent, poured through the doorway.
“Blaze!!”
Lucille was the first to react. Her staff glowed, unleashing an intermediate fire spell that engulfed the assassins.
Claire was stunned.
As far as she knew, Lucille hadn’t been able to use anything beyond basic magic until recently.
And yet, she was already using intermediate spells?
Claire couldn’t help but marvel at Hyun-woo’s, the Sage’s, ability.
–Slash!
Claire cut down the assassins who had survived the Blaze spell, then sighed heavily.
Through the window, she saw Hyun-woo with the Queen and General Leoden.
Trouble had broken out there as well, but Hyun-woo seemed to have it under control.
That’s just like him, Claire thought, tightening her grip on the Hero’s sword.
“It seems there are intruders within the palace. If I leave this unchecked… Hyun-woo will have to deal with it… As the Hero, it’s my duty to secure the area.”
“…Please be careful, Hero. And… please ensure Tutor’s safe return.”
Seeing the Head Maid approaching, weapon drawn, Claire bowed her head slightly to Lucille. Lucille returned the gesture.
They both smiled, but their thoughts were worlds apart.
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The intrusion into the White Rock Fortress.
An incident that could have shaken the entire kingdom. A heavy silence hung over the palace council chamber, where they had just weathered the storm that almost brought the kingdom to its knees.
“So, have you found anything?”
Despite having nearly been assassinated just hours ago, the Queen sat at the head of the table, her composure regal and haughty. She addressed her officials as if nothing had happened. General Leoden groaned, then reported calmly,
“Nothing concrete yet, Your Majesty. However… there is one similarity.”
“A similarity?”
“The incident in Silver Village.”
The Silver Village incident. That was near the end of Chapter 4 of the main storyline.
A group of unknown assailants had attacked Silver Village, a fairly large village within the kingdom. He, along with the adventurers, soldiers, and priests stationed there, had repelled the attack.
That, too, had been an omen of the “Pale Moon” event. The village should have been destroyed, triggering the event, but they had managed to defend it, then tracked down and eliminated the leader of the attackers, postponing the event.
Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine. The event had almost triggered right before their fight with the chapter boss.
Thankfully, the Hero’s Party had listened to him and left. If they had stayed and the event had triggered, everything would have gone haywire, achievements be damned, and they would have all died.
“The… one who transformed at the end… with the blade-like tentacles emerging from his back… Some of the attackers in Silver Village underwent a similar transformation.”
“I see… Sage, what are your thoughts?”
“They’re remnants of the White Moon Cult.”
At my confirmation, the officials murmured amongst themselves. Rucal, the royal mage, reported his findings.
“We examined the tentacles we collected back then. And we’ve reached a single conclusion. As Inquisitor Valentine’s report also indicated…”
“The tentacles are artificial?”
“Yes.”
Not the Demon King’s doing.
Not a monster’s doing. But a human’s.
The Queen’s full lips curled into a cruel smile. He understood her feelings. She had almost been killed.
“I see. Then next…”
The discussion shifted to the White Moon Cult, the suspected backers of the assassins, and the reinforcement of the royal family’s security detail. They decided to increase the number of guards.
As the meeting concluded, Leoden approached me.
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s fine.”
It was for my own benefit as well. Seeing my nonchalant response, he glanced around, then pulled a bracelet from his pocket.
“Rucal examined this, but it doesn’t seem to be anything special. A decent artifact, but nothing more. Anyway, since you wanted it, here. And he asked me to give you this as well.”
‘Oh? What was this?’
Leoden opened a luxurious box, revealing a staff. A much better one than the one I had been using.
Perfect. I had been running low on magical power.
I took the staff and secured it at my waist. Leoden sighed.
“I wonder if it’s wise to send you to the battlefield in such a dangerous situation.”
“I have to go.”
According to the event’s progression, further attacks on the royal family were pointless. Assassinations relied on exploiting vulnerabilities.
Now that the kingdom was on high alert, most assassins wouldn’t even be able to enter the palace grounds, let alone the White Rock Fortress.
So, they would turn their attention elsewhere.
To the battlefield, where they could sow chaos, reap more lives,
And summon the Pale Moon.
“Artificially created monsters… Rucal called them chimeras. Wouldn’t it be dangerous if they spread?”
“Would it be safe otherwise? Even back then, and even now, there aren’t that many chimeras. There’s no need to worry.”
I smiled reassuringly, and Leoden chuckled.
“Anyway… when do you plan to leave for the battlefield?”
“Within a few days.”
“Then you’ll arrive before me. I heard the Hero has already returned.”
Apparently, Claire had eliminated all the assassins who had been fighting the knights in several sectors last night. And she had immediately returned to the battlefield.
It was unexpected. He had thought she would want to see him.
He wondered what she and Lucille had talked about.
“When you arrive at the battlefield… The Hero Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline might be… difficult to deal with… so seek out my adjutant. You know who I mean?”
“Yes, I do.”
General Leoden’s adjutant was a large werewolf shaman. He was a powerful NPC.
“I’ve informed him of your arrival, so don’t worry.”
I wasn’t worried in the slightest. Leoden patted my shoulder a few times, then excused himself.
Left alone, I pulled the gem I had obtained from the dungeon out of my pocket.
The ominous red gem pulsed with a sinister light, its glow intensifying. I brought it closer to the bracelet.
–Click.
The empty slot on the bracelet, reacting to the gem’s light, opened. The red gem slotted perfectly into place, and the light subsided. I immediately went to see Lucille.
During our tea time after the lesson, I brought up the main topic.
“I’ll be going to the battlefield.”
“Yes, I heard, Tutor. They said new monsters have appeared.”
“That’s right. It seems my knowledge is needed… But… will you be alright?”
I was currently staying at the palace as Claire’s tutor. Even if it was at the kingdom’s request, I would be away for several days.
I wouldn’t be able to conduct proper lessons during that time. He had expected Lucille, who had become quite reliant on him, to be disappointed, to protest, perhaps even try to stop him.
But she didn’t seem bothered at all.
In fact, she was smiling serenely.
“If I try to stop you… will you stay?”
“Of course not.”
“I thought so.”
Lucille smiled gently and pulled something out of her pocket.
It was a beautiful amulet, adorned with glittering gems.
This…
This was good.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was a gift. It’s probably not good enough for you, Tutor, but…”
Not good enough?
This amulet contained a powerful healing spell. Just having it could save your life in a critical situation.
And it was undoubtedly very expensive.
“You know what this is, right?”
“I do. But… are you sure you want to give this to me?”
“Yes.”
Giving this amulet was akin to giving him an extra life. Yet, Lucille handed over the precious item, fit for royalty, without hesitation.
“I just…”
Lucille looked at me calmly.
“…want you to return safely, Tutor.”
This much consideration was making me feel awkward.
I accepted the amulet gratefully. I would have to work even harder to be worthy of this gift.
I needed to find even more eccentric adventurers for her.
“I’ll do my best.”
“And… also…”
She hesitated, then, after a long silence, spoke cautiously.
“If… if the time comes for you to leave…”
“…Yes?”
“…I wish you wouldn’t… But if you truly believe you must… if you’ve made your decision…”
Lucille gently touched my sleeve.
“…Could you… remember that you have a student… named Lucille…?”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. I couldn’t refuse her earnest plea.
“I will always remember you.”
“…You’re not saying you won’t go…”
“Haha. Well, that’s our agreement, isn’t it? Your growth as a princess. After that… we each go our separate ways.”
Cleanly and decisively.
“As expected of you, Tutor, always so decisive. Just like with the card game.”
Despite her gentle tone, Lucille’s expression was tinged with sadness.
She turned her head slightly, clenching her fists, as if making a silent vow.
“…If I just work harder…”
How hard could she possibly work?
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