Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

20

Returning from the Calon Mountains after a few days.

I had to come up with a proper plan to deal with the Milias Viscount’s coercion.

‘The remaining choices are two.’

With the method of restraint through Rootger failing, there were two choices left.

Form an alliance with the Saleon faction, or form an alliance with the Crossing Republic.

Naturally, both options were daunting.

Even if I allied with the Saleon faction, I would eventually be used, and with Crossing, I couldn’t predict how things would unfold.

‘Crossing is too risky. Should I reach out to the Saleon side instead?’

Fortunately, I had connections in Saleon.

It was Erina.

Not long ago, I received a letter from the Saleon Viscount.

He wanted to have a proper conversation again.

Probably, Erina called me because the conversation was left ambiguous at the party.

At that time, I was heading to the Calon Mountains to recruit Rootger, so I politely declined with a sarcastic note saying, “Don’t be too clingy.” But now, I might have to approach them instead and have a conversation.

As I prepared to make contact with the Saleon side, a few more days passed.

My birthday and coming-of-age day arrived.

On this day, even Ferge and Julia noona had taken leave and returned home.

“Congratulations on becoming an adult, Alts. This is a small gift.”

Ferge gave me a commander’s baton used by military officers. It was made of good wood and gleamed.

Max gave me a book of poems. Miller gave me a history book. And Julia noona gave me a stylish suit.

“Congratulations, Makdung. You’ve grown up so much. You used to follow me around calling me ‘big sister’ all the time.”

“I don’t recall that. And it’s ‘sister.’ Please don’t call me Makdungi anymore.”

“hahahaha, I’ve said it before, Makdungi is Makdungi forever! If you don’t like it, ask Mom and Dad for help!”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“…Huh?”

The parents, looking pleased, spoke to the older sister who claimed not to know English.

It was news of the impending birth of the true youngest Makdung.

Furzi-hyung and Yuria-noona, unaware of this, were taken aback.

Father said that since I had started helping out as an adult, I had been spending more time with Mom.

Thus, my coming-of-age ceremony was even more lively with news of the youngest Makdung’s imminent arrival.

The brothers were drinking precious liquor freely, while Yuria-noona marveled, placing her ear on Mom’s belly.

Worried about childbirth, they were already causing a fuss about finding a skilled midwife.

It was my coming-of-age ceremony, yet suddenly, the spotlight was on my parents.

“But…”

I looked around anxiously because I hadn’t seen Master Ilya for a few days.

It was a situation that drained my excitement as I was expecting a gift from the Master.

“Milord.”

“Ah, Yumir. Perfect timing. I had something to ask you.”

“Ask me anything. But first, please accept this.”

What Yumir handed me was a necklace with a unique blue gem embedded in it.

‘This is…!’

It was the necklace Alz always wore in the game. At that time, I thought it was just an accessory to make the illustration look fancy.

‘This was Yumir’s coming-of-age gift. It’s an item with such significance.’

I was very pleased. Not only with the gift itself, but also with the feeling that the story was unfolding as it should.

“Congratulations on becoming an adult.”

“Thank you. But, is it really okay? It looks quite expensive at first glance.”

“Yes, it’s fine. I didn’t purchase it; I was just holding onto it.”

“If you were just holding onto it, that’s even worse. Doesn’t it mean it belongs to someone else?”

“No, the owner of this necklace is Alz. That much is certain.”

“…?”

I was about to ask as it seemed there was a story behind it.

Swoosh! Just then, a presence was felt in my room.

“Huh…? Who is it?”

All my family was on the first floor, and the only servant who could freely enter my room, Yumir, was here.

I was suspicious for no reason, but Yumir whispered to me.

“It’s Master Ilya. He came into the mansion quietly a while ago.”

“Quietly? Why…?”

I decided to go in and ask.

Creak! I quietly opened the door and, like a child caught snacking, the Master flinched upon seeing me, then let out a deep sigh.

Seeing his appearance, it seemed he had left a gift and a letter on my desk and was about to leave.

“It’s become troublesome. I was planning to leave without them knowing…”

“What are you doing here, Sensei, not Santa Claus?”

I approached with steady steps to inspect the gift.

It was a well-crafted sword and spear.

“Thank you very much. Can I read this too?”

I immediately tore open the letter.

“Oh wait…”

The Sensei made a motion to stop but soon resigned and sealed his lips.

The reason for his behavior was written in the letter.

“…You won’t appear in front of me again? What is this nonsense?”

“It’s as written. Alse, I will not appear in front of you anymore. So forget about me and live your life.”

“What happened? Please tell me.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t say…”

“Please tell me.”

Snap! I grabbed her shoulder firmly and continued speaking.

“You mentioned at the party before. If something happens, please come to me for advice. I promised to guide things in a better direction as much as possible. Doesn’t abandoning that promise make you seem like a proud and heartless person?”

“Grr…!”

She immediately lowered her head and began to explain herself.

* * *

A few days before I went to Calon Mountain, the Sensei received a mercenary request.

The reward was a whopping 10 million silan, nearly half of our territory’s annual budget. In terms of Hwan’s value, it would be around 100 million.

However, the Sensei did not accept this hefty offer.

It was because the contract specified that I would be involved as well.

Rather, this request was no different from the one sent to the mercenary Wade. Unable to send it directly to the unknown figure Wade, it was sent to the individual known as Ilya Sensei.

“Where was this request sent from…?”

“It’s from the Crossing Republic.”

“Crossing…!”

It was undoubtedly the work of the Juras scoundrel.

“Crossing has been aggressively recruiting soldiers recently. As a result, neighboring countries are on high alert. The main opponents are the Albad Kingdom and the Bekabia Kingdom. Just those two.”

“Albad and Bekabia… Crossing has historical animosities with them.”

Sending me a request amidst this situation held a different meaning.

“They seem to want to use you as a military commander. It’s clear from this substantial offer.”

“Me, as a commander…?”

“It’s absurd. Entrusting a just-turned-adult with actual military command.”

“No… Using a mercenary as a regular army commander is in itself absurd. Even if there were accomplishments in the Poldik battle.”

“Yeah, that’s why there was only one straw to grasp.”

“Because of my chess match against Juras…”

“Yes. I felt guilty that you were drawing strange attention because of my fault.”

I could understand his concern. After all, it was me who had stood in for the Sensei during that chess match.

“That’s why I declined, but they’ve resorted to cunning methods soon after.”

Jewrass. That guy will do anything to achieve his goal.

He immediately captured the master’s mercenaries and threatened them.

“So, this was your plan to never show up in front of me again.”

“Yeah. I can’t be a lousy master clinging to his student.”

“Oh, really? How are you planning to handle this alone?”

“I’ll somehow rescue the subordinates and quietly go into hiding to survive.”

“It’s useless.”

“What?”

Since Jewrass wouldn’t give up anyway.

“He did this in his own way to show consideration.”

“Consideration?”

“If he had just thought about it, he would have used more drastic measures. Holding the master’s subordinates as hostages is a childish show of force.”

Good timing for a good word.

That’s what Jewrass said.

“Holding the subordinates to exploit their weaknesses wasn’t really about trying to do something, but the master, who couldn’t bear it, wanted to talk to me. So, they will probably get through this without any trouble.”

But what will happen after this?

Capturing the subordinates by exploiting their weaknesses was a formal threat, but I didn’t know what would happen if I refused.

Moreover, if my expectations were correct, this war was that war.

The past story of the great war that was mentioned several times even in games where it didn’t come out well.

The War of the Three Sages.

“A perfect opportunity.”

A chance to make a connection with Crossing.

Since I wasn’t particularly keen on joining forces with the Saleon faction, I was considering finding a breakthrough through this incident.

“Master, will you send a response to Crossing? If we promise a portion of the loot along with 20 million silans, they will accept the proposal.”

The reward doubled.

Jewrass immediately accepted this offer.

I was now embarking on a journey to Crossing.

The deadline for joining Crossing was about a month.

There were things to prepare before then.

First, I decided to explain the situation to my parents.

However, since it wouldn’t be good for my mother to worry, I made excuses about leaving with the master for training and only told my father.

“Hmm, going to Crossing… that’s quite unexpected.”

Perhaps having received a warning from Perji Hyung beforehand, Father didn’t seem too surprised.

“I respect your decision, but aren’t you just going along with the other party’s intentions too much?”

“That might be true. But avoiding it doesn’t necessarily lead to a solution.”

If I kept avoiding it, the other party might resort to even more ruthless tactics.

“Even if you are playing into his hands right now, I think it’s better to confront him head-on.”

Honestly, it was a risky move.

Marquis Milias and Jewrass Parmillion. If one were to ask who was truly terrifying, it was the latter.

“Lord Iline, I deeply regret it. It’s my fault that your precious son has been put in danger. I will accept any blame that comes my way.”

Iliya’s master bowed deeply.

“Don’t blame yourself too much. In the end, it’s the son’s own decision. As a master, one should trust and watch over the disciple’s choices.”

“Thank you. I swear to return Alz to your embrace, even if it costs me my life.”

“It would be better if both of you return safely. I wish for your well-being.”

After convincing his father, he immediately began preparations.

After ordering a carriage within the territory, he decided to have a new reddish-brown helmet made to cover his face.

The helmet his mother gave him had been shattered by Gilias’s blow back then.

“Perhaps there, one spends more time wearing a helmet.”

So, he decided to make a helmet that he would feel comfortable wearing, but the blacksmith in the territory had put too much effort into it.

“hahahahaha! How do you find it, young master? Isn’t this the perfect helmet for you? I tried to make it reminiscent of the Seven Dragon Helmet used by the brave warriors of the mythical era.”

“Well… It’s certainly impressive.”

He wondered how suitable it would be for use in war.

It might stand out too much, making him an easy target.

“Well, it might be fine. Sometimes deliberately making the commander’s insignia dazzling can have an effect.”

Still, just in case, he decided to make another helmet of the same shape and a plain one.

As the production of the helmet was completed just before departure, Eonia, who had finished treatment, joined them.

Upon seeing me, she immediately knelt down and spoke loudly.

“Eonia Mirabel! I will be at your service from this moment on!”

“Service? You don’t need to use such grand words.”

Since it was a well-known fact that Wade, a mercenary, had rescued Eonia Mirabel from Juras, she could operate fully disclosed while working with Wade.

That’s why she had been decided to be brought along on this journey.

“We are just comrades. Mercenary comrades.”

“I-Is that so…?”

Seems regretful. She seems to be greatly influenced by formalities.

Iliya’s master seems to know Eonia’s tendency and chuckles as he speaks.

“How about being Alz’s Royal Guard, Eonia? It suits your nature and seems fine.”

“Huh…? Wasn’t Iliya supposed to be Alz’s Royal Guard?”

“No. I’m more like a private tutor for this child.”

“In that case, Alz’s Royal Guard would be…”

“There isn’t one yet. If you take it on, you’ll be the first.”

“The first…!”

At the mention of being the first, Eonia began to strongly assert her desire, trembling.

She fervently hoped for the position of Royal Guard, citing her career as the commander of the Kurabel Empire’s Royal Guard.

“Such a different image.”

In the game, Eonia gave off an air of someone who had conquered the world.

Having lived for over six years in a gruesome state resembling a burned corpse, it was understandable.

She had been rescued only about seven months ago. It seemed like not enough time for a person to change so drastically.

“Leaving that aside, it’s quite remarkable. To think that all those severe burns were completely healed.”

Eonia had regained her past glamorous features.

Miranda’s skin, which was practically flawless, had smoothed out, and the hair that had all burnt off was now growing in a short style.

Due to the changes made during the treatment process, she looked different from the illustrations I knew, but she still possessed remarkable beauty.

“Alse, please employ me as your guardian knight!”

“I’m sorry, but I already have a guardian knight.”

“…Excuse me?”

After glancing around, I shouted, “Yumir, are you here?”

Then, with a swish! Yumir, clad in a tight-fitting dark brown outfit, appeared from somewhere.

“Remarkable, My Lord. I thought I had hidden my presence perfectly.”

“I didn’t sense your presence. I just felt like calling you. Father asked you to follow, right?”

“Yes. That’s the case…”

Yumir vaguely blurred his words at the end.

“Rather, My Lord, you’re not suggesting that I become your guardian knight, are you?”

“Right. In reality, the tasks are quite similar, aren’t they?”

“No, they’re not. It would be too much for someone like me. Someday, someone else will be holding the book.”

Considering that in this world, Suin face discrimination, her concerns were understandable.

“I don’t care about that at all. If you truly dislike it, I’ll reconsider.”

“I don’t dislike it, but…”

Deep down, she was secretly pleased, unknowingly wagging her tail.

“Let’s go with that then. Eonia, I’ll entrust you with the role of bodyguard.”

“A bodyguard?”

While the essence of a bodyguard and a guardian knight was fundamentally the same, their duties were slightly different.

If the main goal of a guardian knight was to protect the lord, a bodyguard would oversee the security forces.

At present, there were no security forces or anything of the sort, but even the formal position made Eonia very happy.

“Chief Bodyguard Eonia Mirabel! I shall serve and assist Lord Alse with all my heart!”

Eonia seamlessly blended into the group in an instant.

Possessing a natural affinity, she successfully mediated between the awkward relationship of Yumir, the master, and the apprentice.

And so, Yumir (27 years old), Eonia (28 years old), and Iriya (29 years old) formed a trio that would later be called the “Aunt Trio.”