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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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The fact that my preparations to complete all the achievements were proceeding smoothly filled me with joy.
So, as I teleported back to the royal palace, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Haha.”
At this rate, I could really complete all the achievements within a year.
Alright, now which of the remaining achievements could I complete quickly?
I was perusing the list of incomplete achievements on the gray screen when the door burst open.
“Tutor!”
It was a beautiful girl with striking, flame-red hair. She was panting heavily, as if she had run here. Seeing me, she beamed.
“You’re back!”
“Ah, yes.”
How did she know? I hadn’t told anyone I was back yet. At my questioning gaze, Lucille blushed and shook her head slightly.
“I- I placed an alarm spell on your room.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well… in case anyone tried to tamper with your things… You’re the Sage, after all.”
“Right…?”
“You might have important items. So…”
But could a thief really break into the royal palace?
Then again, considering the recent incident, it was understandable that she would be worried.
She clutched the hem of her dress with her white silk-gloved hands, nervously watching me. I decided not to press her further. Her face looked like it was about to explode.
Well, an alarm spell wouldn’t cause any problems, so I decided to ignore it.
“What happened on the battlefield?”
“I was just about to report on that. I was going to request an audience…”
“If you’re with me, you won’t need to request an audience!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Okay!”
With the beaming Lucille, I headed straight to the throne room. Since I was with Lucille, the preparations to meet the Queen were minimal.
After a brief wait and a security check, just in case of an assassination attempt, I was allowed to enter the Queen’s office.
“You’ve worked hard, Sage. As for the report on the battlefield…”
“General Leoden asked me to report on his behalf. Here is the report.”
I handed her the detailed log and report written by General Leoden’s adjutant.
The Queen accepted it and flipped through the pages, then looked at me. I began to recount my own experiences.
And as I spoke, Lucille’s expression began to change.
“I see. The Church was a great help.”
“Yes. Veronica contributed a lot.”
“Cardinal Veronica… She harbors a great deal of animosity towards heretics. And you’re close to her? Impressive, Sage.”
“It’s nothing.”
“No, it’s quite impressive. I heard that Cardinal Veronica, with her powerful holy power, was ostracized by many since she was young.”
That was in Veronica’s profile, and I had heard it from her directly as well.
“That’s why she doesn’t easily befriend people, especially those who aren’t members of the Church… hmm.”
The Queen glanced at Lucille. I followed her gaze. Lucille, sensing our stares, lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.
“Truly impressive. Is this also a part of ‘knowing how to live in this world’?”
“You could say that.”
“My daughter, who was always so afraid, who never left her room, personally went to the Adventurer’s Guild to issue a request…”
“I’m very grateful to Her Highness for that.”
“Was it helpful?”
“Yes, very. If it weren’t for the adventurers during the battle with the Pale Moon…”
“If it weren’t for them?”
“I would have had a harder time.”
Of course, I still would have won.
I would have had to take two members of the Hero’s Party, cover for them mentally, and protect Veronica’s sanity.
And that would have been exhausting.
“To think I was of assistance to you, Tutor… I’m truly honored… B- But there were many adventurers who stepped forward, saying it was for your sake, Sage…”
“Hmm. Is that so? Befriending people of various social standings. It’s not an easy feat. I’d like to learn that skill myself.”
The Queen smiled a rare smile and set down the report. The commendations seemed to be over. Was it time to leave?
“Your actions have changed the Princess a great deal. Appointing you as her tutor was the right decision.”
Ooh?! I was acknowledged by the Queen?
Seeing my “Guidance” rank increase, I couldn’t help but smile.
My path to becoming an S-Rank Tutor was proceeding smoothly!
“Sage, I have a proposal for you.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like to appoint you as the Royal Tutor.”
“The Royal Tutor…”
“To teach future generations of the royal family, to become the King’s tutor when Lucille ascends to the throne. The ability to befriend many is a crucial skill for a leader.”
“I suppose so.”
“Will you pass that skill down to the royal family?”
The Queen’s voice was filled with sincerity. I smiled and said,
“Ah, I’m afraid not.”
“…Huh? It’s a great honor, you know? And the compensation would be on par with that of a royal…”
“I am only teaching Princess Lucille.”
The Queen’s smile vanished at my blunt refusal, but I had no intention of getting roped into anything.
“Um… Tutor.”
“Yes?”
After the audience with the Queen, we returned to the garden where we usually had our lessons. Lucille, as I was checking the homework I had assigned her, spoke up.
“When you said you would only teach me…”
“I meant it.”
“I- I see. Then you won’t be taking on any more students, Tutor…”
“No, I won’t.”
My goal was to become an S-Rank Tutor. Once I achieved that, I would move on to other things.
Raising a single student already required a considerable amount of time, effort, and investment. I didn’t want to waste my energy on anything else.
I already had so much to do.
I was lucky that Lucille was a good student who listened and followed instructions. If I had ended up with someone as stubborn as the members of the Hero’s Party or the nobles I had met during the main storyline…
Ugh, just the thought of it was horrifying.
“I’m honored. I’ll be able to boast about this for generations to come.”
“There’s no need to go that far. Just think of it as a temporary honor.”
“Hehe. You’re so modest, Tutor. Um, by the way, Tutor, did something… happen… with the Hero and the others?”
“Happen?”
They were in a bad state, but it wasn’t a problem.
They hadn’t interfered with my achievement hunting.
“I- Is that so? Lady Claire… um, did she… visit you on the battlefield or…”
“She did visit, many times.”
“S- She did?! D- Did something… happen…? Did your relationship improve…?”
“No, it didn’t.”
“Ah… I see…”
“I don’t know why you’re so concerned… Anyway, your ice magic is a bit weak.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then let’s focus on ice magic today. Alright, then…”
“By the way, Tutor.”
“Yes.”
“What is… your relationship with Cardinal Veronica?”
Veronica? Hmm…
“We’re comrades who have fought and risked our lives together.”
“Just… comrades?”
“And friends.”
Whatever she thought of me, Veronica and I had been through a lot together, and she was one of the few sane people in this world. She was probably my closest friend here.
The Hero’s Party was a purely business relationship.
“F- Friends… friends? Um, Tutor, do you… have a lot of friends?”
A lot of friends?
Yes and no.
I considered anyone I could talk to a friend.
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“I see… that’s a relief.”
Lucille, looking relieved, smiled brightly. It was a pretty smile, but…
“Are you going to keep chattering during our long-awaited lesson?”
“Ah! S- Sorry!”
After being chided, Lucille finally focused and began to practice her ice magic.
Her ice magic was definitely weak. And her repertoire was limited.
I had her practice until she was exhausted, then folded my arms and thought.
There was a way to enhance ice magic.
“I’ll prepare a special training regimen for this.”
“How?”
“We’re going to a dungeon. It’s not far from the capital.”
“Okay!”
After finishing my lesson with Lucille, I headed to the Adventurer’s Guild. I checked to see if there were any quests related to that dungeon, but there weren’t any. A pity.
But I didn’t lose hope.
The Church also offered quests related to that dungeon.
“Back so soon?”
As I was perusing the quest board at the Church’s quest counter, a familiar voice called out.
It was Veronica. With the “Pale Moon” event over, there were no special events in the game for her, so she didn’t seem to have much to do.
“Yeah. Hey, are there any quests related to the Frost Caverns?”
“The Frost Caverns? Hmm… I believe there was one. Father Roberto, isn’t there a request from Lord Buankamen?”
“Ah, yes. But the reward for that quest isn’t very good… I’m not sure if it’s suitable for the Sage…”
“It’s fine, just give it to me.”
“Understood.”
The priest returned with a quest sheet. It was old and worn.
“The quest is to retrieve an Eternal Ice, which can only be found in the Frost Caverns…”
“Ah, that’s perfect.”
Eternal Ice was a drop from the Ice Golem, the boss of the Frost Caverns. I had to go there to train Lucille anyway, so it wasn’t a problem.
“I’ll take it.”
“Is that so? But the Frost Caverns are recommended for a party of three… Do you have anyone to go with you, Sage?”
I had to take Lucille… and I could just grab someone from the Adventurer’s Guild for the third slot.
“I’ll go. What about the last spot?”
“Huh? You?”
“What, you don’t want to?”
No, I didn’t mind. Veronica would be a great help.
But was it alright for a member of the Church to join a Church-commissioned quest?
“It’s fine.”
“Then it’s settled.”
“As for the last one… hmm. If you’re thinking of taking the Hero’s Party…”
“Why would I take them?”
“…Oh, right? Then who? If it’s someone with decent skills…”
For some reason, she seemed pleased. I said calmly,
“Lucille.”
Veronica’s smile froze.
“…Is that the Lucille I know? Your student, the Princess?”
“That’s right. Ah, she’s not that strong yet. She’s at an intermediate mage level.”
But since this was for Lucille’s training, I had to take her.
If Veronica didn’t want to go, I’d just have to find someone else.
There were some adventurers hanging around the guild earlier.
“Lucille… Lucille… Lucille… Heh.”
Veronica folded her arms and muttered Lucille’s name several times. With her usual expressionless face, and her eyes devoid of light, her laughter sounded somewhat sinister.
“I see.”
“What do you see?”
“No, I’ll go. When are you planning on leaving?”
“The Frost Caverns aren’t far from the capital. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready. So, get ready… and let me know when you’re here. Ah, that’s alright with you, right?”
I asked, wondering if she was on bad terms with the royal family. Thankfully, she just shook her head slightly.
“Yes, as the Sage’s ‘one and only best friend,’ I suppose I should meet your student at least once. I’m looking forward to it.”
Good.
I patted her on the shoulder, then teleported back to the palace.
I told Lucille that Veronica would be joining us.
“…Cardinal Veronica.”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“Veronica… Veronica… Veronica… Hehe.”
Lucille clenched her fists and smiled brightly at me.
“Yes, as my Tutor’s ‘one and only’ student, it would be important to meet his friend.”
Oh.
Excellent.
I was raising my student well.
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The Yandereism grows
Two peas in pod