The Hero’s Mentor is a Demon (King) Witch

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500 years ago.

Sorceresses basically had to master close combat.

– “Oh no! Protect me while casting magic!”
– “Who’s going to protect you? Protect yourself, you idiot!”

It was a time of war.

In a situation where enemies could pop up at any moment, if our allied lich mages cast spells, human heroes would leap out from the ground, swinging their swords at the lich.

Then who would protect the lich?

The death knights in the front lines?

Or the dark elf commanding the archers in front of the lich?

– “An enemy has appeared. I’m in the middle of casting magic, and my allies cannot help me. Lich, what should I do?”
– “You should grab your skull staff and smash the enemy’s head!”

– “That’s a perfect answer.”

In the chaos of battle, there was no way to maintain a formation of swordsmen, archers, and sorceresses.

Sorceresses had to learn their own survival methods too.

So, sorceresses, especially those easily exposed to enemy attacks, had to master either staff techniques or spear techniques to defend themselves.

In my case, I simply learned spear techniques directly.

To be precise, it wasn’t a spear but something else, but whether it was stabbing or slashing with something long and gripped was the same logic.

There was even a hero who used spear techniques among the heroes. I learned spear techniques from him on the promise of being spared after his body transformation.

It was more of a secondary skill, but it was usable.

In fact, when I charged at the Sorceress of Crimson Lotus, she wielded her staff like a spear.

The whirling wind, with fireballs on both ends, was incredibly hot, enough to make me lose my mind.

That was the way it used to be.

But nowadays…

“Do sorceresses no longer use staffs? Or at least swordsmanship?”
“…Sorceresses use magic.”
“How do you block incoming arrows? Surely, they would just bounce off, right?”
“You can use shield magic.”
“No, what if arrows strong enough to pierce the shield come flying, like your arrows?”
“That’s why everyone strips to receive the Moon Goddess’s blessing.”
“This is ridiculous…”

It’s shocking.

“I’m not fully understanding this, but how exactly do sorcerer kids fight these days?”
“While receiving the Moon Goddess’s blessing, they memorize magic to defeat the enemy.”
“What in the world…”

It’s a fraud.

To cast magic, a shield that blocks most attacks is automatically set up while casting.

“No wonder the sorceresses in the Adventurer Guild are almost all scantily dressed.”
“Some sorceresses wear only underwear under their robes.”
“Oh my. This is too shocking.”

It really is shocking.

“It wasn’t like this 500 years ago.”
“…….”

Rosmas scanned me from head to toe with a complicated expression.

The reason I confidently mentioned 500 years in front of her is one:

“Excuse me, Sorceress of Crimson Lotus.”
“Huh? Why?”
“First, let’s make sure those two over there can’t hear…”
“Hmm.”

For now, I divulged my identity to Rosmas only.

Why did I reveal it?

Regardless of race, age is power!

– “But technically, I’m older than you, right? No matter how strong you are, you should respect me.”
– “Yeah, I’m from 500 years ago. I sealed myself for fear the Demon King would re-emerge.”
– “…Doesn’t sealing time count against your age?”
– “Yeah, during that period, I was just conscious.”
– “…I apologize.”

Before something like that happens, I preemptively recited my setup as the Sorceress of Crimson Lotus.

A mentor and guide of the Hero wielding the Holy Wind Sword.

A member of the Hero Party set to defeat the Demon King.

After saying so, Rosmas definitely became more cautious in her treatment of me.

‘Of course, she should be cautious. I’m the one who defeated Demon King Belphegor and am the guide of the Holy Sword.’

I revealed the Holy Sword and the seal to Rosmas because she knows of the Holy Sword’s existence.

Since I showed her the Holy Sword, it’s more beneficial to have her as our ally and keep her close.

So she won’t run around saying, “Arthur Lucius saved me with the Holy Sword!”

I was curious if the elves who looked like Rosmas’s guards knew about the Holy Sword…

“Can you really take care of our… friend? Hmm?”
“I’ll do my best.”

Lucius is currently being grilled by Marjozhis for his abilities.

I proved my strength by subduing Rosmas, but it seems that the elf doesn’t trust Lucius much since he’s a man.

‘Well, that makes sense.’
Without the Holy Sword, Lucius is just a level one hunter in the village.

Still, after spending a few days taking care of him, he has grown to the level of a rural village’s guard, but outwardly, he seems weak.

“Just looking at him, he seems weaker than me… He’s fit, but still lacking in skills!”
“I’m working hard.”

“Well, do your best. It looks like you’ve got a good mentor beside you. Don’t push him too hard. He’ll manage as well. He’s stronger than you, right?”
“Ugh…”

Seeing Lucius being grilled by Marjozhis and Fergus treating it lightly, my fears seemed unnecessary.

‘There’s a good chance Rosmas has already revealed the Holy Sword to them.’

If the Holy Sword were exposed?

Then they wouldn’t be ignoring Lucius like that.

The Holy Sword is something even children would idolize a hero for, so their attitude suggests they are unaware.

‘She really didn’t say anything. I’m relieved I made the promise with Lucius.’

Keeping the Holy Sword’s secret.

Rosmas kept her promise.

In fact, the decisive factor in deciding to recruit Rosmas was that she didn’t blabber about the Holy Sword’s existence to the other elves.

A beauty.

A High Elf.

Pretty good archery skills.

Guts to “kill” the enemy from afar.

Fondness for Lucius.

Every condition would satisfy her as a member of Lucius’s harem party, but I can’t accept a woman who talks too much.

‘Absolutely not. No causing trouble.’

If that were the case, whether a beauty or an elf, I would have erased her existence immediately.

But since the two seem completely unaware, it appears Rosmas hasn’t said anything.

Trust.

Faith.

And love.

The most necessary things in Lucius’s party are these three feelings toward him.

Without them, the Hero Party will fail.

‘Then catching Zephar will be tough.’

Deliberately letting Zephar get a whiff that a being from 500 years ago has awakened, I couldn’t have a woman who couldn’t help Lucius in battle as an ally.

“Rosmas.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like Lucius?”
“…….”

It’s a somewhat sudden question, but it’s something that needs to be confirmed verbally.

“The reason you want to become a member of our team is all because of Lucius, right? Isn’t that true?”
“……What if it is?”
“Not particularly, I have no thoughts either way.”
“…….”

She looks like she doesn’t believe me.

“I don’t care if you kiss Lucius, go on a date holding hands, or declare to create a half-elf with this man in the elf country. But.”

I stepped closer to Rosmas and clearly warned her to her ear.

“If you cause trouble for Lucius, I won’t stand still then.”
“…….”

Did my stern warning get through?

Rosmas’s expression turned pale.

“Let me make it clear, listen well. Don’t interfere with Lucius. If you try to carelessly wag your tail around Lucius, getting in his way and leading him down a wrong path…”

I pointed my finger at Rosmas’s abdomen.

“I won’t say more. Got it?”
“…….”
“What’s your answer?”
“I understand…”

It was a forced reply, but for now, I was satisfied with this much.

“Good. Let’s do well.”

Since one person cracked the whip, now the carrot is up to Lucius to swing.

“Lucius! Come here for a moment.”
I called Lucius, who was still being grilled.

“Rosmas-chan and I are going to the Adventurer Guild to register as a team, wanna join?”
“A team?”
“Yeah. You’ll be the leader of our party.”
“…….”

Lucius fidgeted, glancing at me.

I was about to kick his shin when Marjozhis glaring at us from afar caught my attention.

‘Now is the time to show some energy.’

I placed my hand on Lucius’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. In just a year, I’ll make sure no one will say you’re weak after all.”
“What, what…?”

Marjozhis seemed offended, raising his voice as if pricked in a sensitive spot.

“Does that mean you looked down on that man, Sorceress!”
“No?”
“Oh, no!”
Though he claimed otherwise, Marjozhis was looking down on Lucius.

“Lucius. How does it feel?”
“…….”

It must be complicated.

With the Holy Sword’s power, Marjozhis is nothing, but without it, he’d likely get cut down in one blow.

“Just trust me. I’m telling you, in a year, Lucius will become stronger than you.”
“Hah, what nonsense…!”
“Does it sound impossible? Are you scared that Lucius will become stronger than you?”

“…….”
Marjozhis genuinely began to look annoyed.

“No matter who you say is stronger than me, that guy…”
“Right now, he’s weak. But soon he will grow.”
“…That’s unbelievable.”
“Want to make a bet? One year from now, come to Normans. I’ll prove Lucius is stronger than you. No, you probably won’t come because you’ll be afraid of losing.”
“C-Customer, calm down.”

Fergus intervened between us.

“I’m looking forward to Lucius’s growth. And I also count on you, Rosmas-chan.”
“…….”

Marjozhis bowed his head toward Rosmas before leaving.

If only I had enough magic, I would’ve loved to rip that arrogant guy’s teeth out, but since I don’t, I’ll have to hold back.

Sigh.

“…Master.”
“What?”
“Thank you for going that far for me…”
“It’s the truth, what else.”
“…….”

Lucius didn’t say anything for a while.

I gestured towards Rosmas with my chin.

“What are you doing? Hurry and go register at the Adventurer Guild. You need at least three to register a party. Rosmas.”
“Yes, yes.”

Rosmas approached with her head bowed.

After Marjozhis left, she seemed to glare after him, unhappy that Marjozhis had to give Lucius some credit.

Hmm, good posture.

A posture for Lucius.

“Go register the team and have some food together.”

I flicked a gold coin to Lucius.

“Two, right?”
“Of course.”
“…Then three, should we go?”
“Don’t be annoying. Don’t tire me out, just have a leisurely outing, alright?”
I ignored Lucius and returned to the room.

“Make sure to come back before dinner, at the latest.”
“…!!”

Rosmas immediately picked up on my signal.

To go have lunch and return before dinner?

Having some tea time after the meal would give them both more time alone together, right?

“Master…!”
I just waved my hand lightly and walked toward the inn room.

‘I’ve given the opportunity. A chance to have a date with the man she likes.’

Now it’s Rosmas’s turn to take the lead.

“…Will there be a half-elf born in 10 months? Hehe.”

I lay on the bed and gathered my mana.

I spend my time leisurely meditating until they share a meal, chat, and enjoy tea time together.

“Master! We’ve finished registering the party. And I’ve brought lunch. Let’s eat together.”
“…….”

It’s not my fault.

It’s Rosmas’s fault for not seizing the opportunity.