ALL NOVEL Chapter 25.2
“We need more wood!”
“We’re short on tables!”
The area was bustling with activity. While some adventurers were helping, it was clear they were short-handed.
“I’ll do it.”
“What?! Sage?!”
“Pass me that hammer and some nails. And that chisel—are we making tables?”
“Y-yes, but we need more 10-person tables, and—”
“Let’s use scrap wood for now. After the party, we can turn them into firewood.”
“Got it!”
Woodworking is a rare opportunity to rack up achievement counts, so it’s essential to make the most of times like this. I quickly crafted tables and chairs, and the soldiers watching me assemble the furniture with ease couldn’t help but express their amazement.
“Wow~ If it weren’t for you, Sage, this would’ve taken much longer to prepare.”
“You’ve worked so hard, Sage!”
“Enough with the overpraise for something like this. By the way, is there anything else that needs fixing or building?”
“You must be tired, Sage…”
“I’m fine, really. Don’t hesitate—just bring it over. I’ll take care of it before I leave.”
“We’ll miss you, Sage…”
As much as I’d like to stay longer, there are still many tasks ahead.
By the time I wrapped up most of the work, the Special Unit had returned, and it seemed there had been no additional battles, given the lack of injuries. Everyone looked ready to dive straight into the celebration.
“Great work, everyone! Tonight, eat and drink to your heart’s content!”
“Yes, sir!”
Knights, soldiers, and even those who had been stationed at the camp—everyone gathered for the barbecue party funded by General Leoden himself.
The delicious smell of roasting meat wafted through the air as the festivities began. Priests, adventurers, and soldiers alike joined together in celebration.
While everyone else was focused on eating and drinking, I started grilling vegetables to prepare my own dishes.
Achievement counts! Let’s boost those counts!
“Impressive. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“There’s plenty I can’t do.”
“Still, with how well you handle chores like this, I suppose you’d make a fine partner for managing a household.”
“Huh? Well, I guess so.”
“Splendid.”
I had no idea what she meant by that, but Veronica nodded to herself and headed to her seat—a small table in a corner, not too far from where I was.
As I continued grilling vegetables, Claire, Levantia, and Evangeline approached. They seemed to have something they wanted to say, but I gestured to the crowd behind them, prompting them to leave quietly and take a seat at another table.
“Wow~ Sage! This is delicious! I don’t usually like vegetables, but what sauce is this? It’d be perfect for adventuring meals. Could you make a big batch and share it with us?”
“I’ll supply it to the adventurer’s guild later.”
Once I’ve saved up enough funds, I plan to make and sell a large batch. That should do.
Wilkes, his plate piled high with saucy barbecue and a few vegetables, retreated to his seat.
“Guess it’s about time I grabbed something to eat, too.”
“Hey! Sage! Come sit and eat with us!”
Rack called out, raising his mug of beer. He was sitting with a group of adventurers. Since building relationships with adventurers was vital for achieving the S-rank Adventurer title, it was important to get acquainted with relatively level-headed ones. Spotting a few unfamiliar faces among them, I decided to join and make some connections.
“So this is the famous Sage we’ve heard so much about!”
“Come, sit down!”
“Have a drink with us!”
“We’re doing a duel later. Care to join? They say you’re really good at it.”
Oh, a duel? No need to decline that.
As the adventurers welcomed me warmly, I sat down, joined their drinking, and began chatting.
—
How many drinks had we shared by now?
A slightly drunk three-horned lizard man leaned back, leisurely sipping his drink before speaking.
“Sage, I’ve got a good job for you. Care to join me next time?”
“What kind of job?”
“An extermination request for a demon in the Rovento Mountains…”
“Oh, that’s a must. I’m in.”
Demon extermination requests count toward achievements, and the armor you can get from slaying them is top-notch. Better to tackle it while I can.
“How about exploring the Robillia Labyrinth?”
“Eh, not really interested in that one.”
As we exchanged information and strengthened bonds, a heavily intoxicated dwarf took a large bite of his meat before blurting out:
“So, is that rumor true?”
“What rumor?”
“That The Sage is getting engaged to the princess.”
“What?!”
To whom and with whom?!
“I heard she’s quite fond of you.”
“Not to mention, after you saved the queen, she apparently fell for you and started courting you, too.”
“Even the royal maids are all smitten with you, Sage!”
Excuse me?! Who’s out here spreading such wild tales?!
And what’s this about maids being “smitten”?
“I also heard that the adventurers who mobilized this time did it to protect you. They say the princess personally issued the request.”
That’s only because Lucille respects me as her mentor. What nonsense.
Adventurers spreading baseless rumors like this isn’t exactly rare, but still.
I waved it off and bit into a grilled bell pepper. It’s just gossip; better not feed into it and let it spread further.
“Hey, cut it out. Those kinds of rumors tarnish the royal family’s reputation. Stop wasting your breath and let’s get to the duel already.”
“Oh, I’m in!”
The duelist, ready to draw his cards, suddenly froze. His gaze shifted behind me.
“What’s the holdup? Something you want to say?”
Behind me stood Claire and Veronica.
“What… what did you mean by that?”
“…Hyun Woo, is it true? Did you really get engaged to the princess?”
I sighed, looking between them.
Seriously, as the Hero and the Cardinal, couldn’t they at least sift through baseless rumors on their own? Surely their mental fortitude wasn’t so weak as to be swayed by idle gossip.
The question wasn’t even worth answering, so I didn’t bother. Veronica, however, hesitated before asking quietly:
“Is it true…?”
“No, it’s not!”
Who are they trying to set me up with?!