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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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[Achievement Unlocked: Plague Cure]
[Achievement Reward: All stats increased.]
A few moments after I administered the medicine to the last patient, a message window appeared before my eyes. This meant that the plague in the Elven Forest had been completely cured.
Phew. That was a long one. I checked the data the other alchemists had brought, then said to Lorelia, who was watching me,
“They’re all cured.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Hmm. And…”
At my gesture, Seong-ya approached. Once a Saintess, she had lost a considerable amount of her holy power due to the plague. She could no longer be called a Saintess.
And she wasn’t the only one. Most of the Healing Tree tribe priests who possessed holy power had also lost it.
They still retained their elven physical prowess, but it would take them at least a few years, perhaps even decades, of training to be able to call themselves priests again.
For a long-lived race like the elves, that shouldn’t be a problem.
And not all of the elves with holy power had lost it.
“The Healing Tree tribe will lose its influence in the Elven Forest.”
I looked at Su-hwi. She lowered her head.
“It can’t be helped. What goes around comes around.”
The Lightwing tribe had quickly accepted me and helped me cure the plague.
As a result, their alchemists had acquired a considerable amount of knowledge.
Not just about the plague.
I had shared some of my knowledge about the various medicines and poisons I had tested while working on the Pharmacy Master achievement.
Some of the alchemists had even grown enough to learn their ultimate skills.
But what about the Healing Tree tribe?
They had lost a lot.
But they had brought it upon themselves. If they had cooperated with me and the alchemists from the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened.
Su-hwi knew this, which was why she couldn’t say anything.
“…I suppose I have to accept it.”
Seong-ya, in Su-hwi’s place, replied with a faint smile. I smiled back at her. Honestly, I didn’t know what other expression to make.
“Heh, the arrogant elves got what they deserved.”
Marax, puffing on his pipe, said with a sneer. The elves couldn’t say anything in response.
If they had cooperated in the early stages of the plague, the damage wouldn’t have been this severe.
“I did my best. And don’t forget, I was the one who brought the Sage here.”
“You did well. Anyway, how do you plan to repay us for our support?”
Leo, the beastman, bared his sharp fangs and growled. Although he had come to help, it was more at my and the kingdom’s request than out of goodwill. So, it was only natural that he would want compensation for the damages incurred while controlling the Elven Forest and stopping the plague.
“Well, I can’t say anything until we’ve recovered from the damage caused by the plague.”
Lorelia made a logical judgment. They were in dire need of support themselves, so they couldn’t afford to offer any compensation right now.
Leo, knowing this, didn’t press further.
“But you should at least offer a formal apology. At the very least, all the elven chieftains should go in person.”
“Hmm…”
The proud and noble elves would have to bow their heads.
This was a promise I had made to Marax, so I couldn’t compromise.
Lorelia let out a small groan. It must have been painful for such a thing to happen during her reign, but… that wasn’t my problem.
“First, send an envoy to the kingdom. If you don’t offer some kind of compensation…”
The number of those who would attack the weakened Elven Forest would increase.
Not just regular armies, but also monsters and bandits.
The other races would probably have to take turns protecting the Elven Forest for a while.
“We will. Princess, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I was just following my Tutor’s strong request.”
Lucille smiled brightly. Lorelia shrugged and looked at me. What was with that look?
“I thought you were something else, but you’re truly amazing. No wonder Evangeline…”
“What about Evangeline?”
“…No, nothing.”
“There are two ways to annoy someone. One is to stop talking mid-sentence, and the second is…”
“That’s not what I meant. It was just a thought. No… a realization, I suppose. Anyway, Sage, I’ll give you what I promised. And… there’s one more thing I’d like to propose.”
“What is it?”
“Have you ever thought about settling down in the Elven Forest?”
At her words, Marax frowned, Leo scoffed, and Galash flicked his tongue.
The other minority races just snorted.
I knew why they were reacting this way.
“No.”
I had received similar offers before, and I had always refused.
“…Why? I know this isn’t the right place to say this, but… All elves are beautiful. And they’re very capable.”
“I suppose so.”
“Sage, we have the power to grant your wishes. And with the power of the elves, we can even extend your human lifespan…”
“I’ll have to decline.”
What I wanted wasn’t in the Elven Forest.
Lorelia sighed heavily at my response.
“Many of the elves wish to have you as their mate. And many of them see you as a hero. Those who had refused you at first all regret it now…”
That wasn’t my problem either.
And I had a lot to do right now.
“As the Princess’s tutor, I have yet to fulfill my duty. So, I cannot remain in the Elven Forest.”
“…I see.”
Lorelia said, her long ears drooping slightly. I looked around.
Lucille was clasping her hands together, her eyes sparkling.
Now that I had the achievement, there was no need to waste any more time here.
So, I handed over all the data and know-how related to the plague cure to Rotelo and the other alchemists who had helped with the research and experiments, telling them to organize it and submit it to the Alchemist’s Guild.
“…You’re just… giving this to us?”
“Yes.”
Rudhi, who was standing with Rotelo, stared at me blankly. I nodded at her.
The plague was a one-time event.
And even if it did reappear, it wouldn’t be related to any achievements, so the Alchemist’s Guild, the priests, and the healers would take care of it.
The data I had compiled would be a stepping stone for them, but that didn’t mean I had to get involved.
“But… but Mr. Sage, this is the result of all your hard work.”
“That’s right.”
Alchemists valued their own recipes more than their lives. But I wasn’t an alchemist, and I could just sell the data to the Alchemist’s Guild and get a grant.
It wasn’t like I was going to live here for a thousand years.
“I’m planning on making it public.”
That would get me the most money.
The plague wouldn’t break out again, so I might as well cash in while I could.
“But… this is…”
“I have no intention of patenting the sun.”
Rudhi didn’t seem to understand. I shook my head and said, there was no need to tell her the truth.
At my words, Rudhi and Rotelo looked stunned. Hmm, was that too much?
“…Sage.”
“Mr. Sage…”
Don’t be so moved. I was just doing it for my own benefit. I patted Rudhi and Rotelo on the shoulder.
“Then I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“…I understand. I will… I will make sure everyone knows what you’ve done, Mr. Sage…”
“There’s no need for that. Well, you do you. I’m leaving now.”
“Wh- Where are you going?!”
“Me?”
First, back to the royal palace. After reporting to the Queen, and until Lucille returned from her work here…
I was just going to do some quests at the Adventurer’s Guild.
If I didn’t keep up with those quests, they would never end.
“…Are you going to help others again? Like you saved the elves?”
Rudhi muttered in a small voice. I nodded. The quests at the Adventurer’s Guild were, strictly speaking, helping others, so it wasn’t a lie.
“Mr. Rotelo, um…”
“Ah, right.”
Rotelo nodded slightly, shook my hand, and left.
Alone with Rudhi, she looked up at me and sighed softly.
“I… heard about what happened between you and my sister.”
“It’s not a pleasant story, so why would you want to hear it?”
“…I’m sorry. Because of my sister. It’s alright if you hate elves, Mr. Sage. I can accept it.”
I didn’t dislike elves because of Evangeline. I had never liked them, even when I was playing the game.
But Rudhi seemed to be misunderstanding something, as she was acting very submissive.
“But if… if you wish, Mr. Sage…”
“If I wish?”
“As a way of atoning for my sister’s mistakes, I can become your assistant and serve you for the rest of my life.”
She clenched her fists, her expression determined. She seemed to be serious. Rudhi was a talented alchemist, and she was a quick learner and a hard worker, so she would be a great help, but…
“I don’t need you.”
“Yes?”
There were almost no alchemy-related achievements left. And if I needed an assistant, I could just get one from the kingdom or the Alchemist’s Guild.
As someone who had to travel for achievements, having a permanent assistant would be a hassle.
If I were alone, I could just teleport, so there was no need to drag someone else along.
“B- But.”
“I can do what I need to do on my own. So, you should focus on stabilizing the Elven Forest.”
I patted Rudhi on the shoulder and picked up my bag. She seemed to want to say something more, but I didn’t need to hear it.
“Then I’ll be going. You’ve worked hard.”
“Ah… w- wait.”
“Goodbye~”
I waved at her as she tried to stop me, then used Teleport.
My destination was the royal palace.
My vision blurred, and when it returned to normal, I was in a familiar place.
Alright, then. Time to report and go on some quests.
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As the Sage vanished before her eyes, Rudhi bit her lip.
He was a truly amazing person. To save an entire race and not ask for anything in return.
How could someone who had accomplished such a great feat be so selfless?
“Aah…”
He had said he had something to do, but it was clear that he didn’t want to stay in the Elven Forest.
Why would such an amazing, kind person act that way?
Why had he refused her, a talented alchemist?
–Burst.
Just then, the door opened. It was Rudhi’s older sister, Evangeline, a member of the Hero’s Party.
“…He’s gone.”
Rudhi looked at what Evangeline was holding. A man’s tunic. A high-quality tunic, made of elven silk.
Why was Evangeline holding something that would look good on the Sage?
Rudhi stared at her silently, then gritted her teeth.
The reason why the Sage,
The kind-hearted Hyun-woo, disliked elves.
She thought she knew.
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