The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 29: Return (2)

The steady progress I was making toward completing all the achievements filled me with joy.

That’s why, when I teleported back to the royal palace, I couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across my face.

“Haha.”

At this rate, I might actually finish every achievement within the next year.

Now then, among the remaining achievements, which ones could I knock out quickly? I scanned the list of uncompleted achievements displayed on the gray window. How long had I been looking at it when—

Bang!

The door burst open.

“Master!”

A strikingly beautiful girl with fiery red hair stood there, her chest rising and falling heavily as if she’d been running. The moment her eyes landed on me, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

“You’re back!”

“Ah, yes.”

How did she know? I hadn’t told anyone I’d returned yet. As I looked at her, Lucille blushed and shook her head slightly.

“I, uh, set up an alert spell in your room, Master.”

“Hmm? And why did you do that?”

“Well… I thought someone might try to mess with your belongings… You know, since you’re the Sage?”

“…That’s true.”

“There might be something important that only belongs to you, so…”

Could thieves even infiltrate the palace? Then again, considering what happened last time, I could understand her concern.

She clutched the hem of her white silk gloves tightly, her dress bunched in her hands, while nervously gauging my reaction. I decided not to press her further—her face looked like it might explode if I did.

Anyway, there wasn’t any harm in her setting up the spell, so I wouldn’t let it bother me.

“How did things go on the battlefield?”

“Oh, right. I need to report on that. The audience request…”

“If I go with you, you won’t need to make a separate request.”

“Then shall we?”

“Yes!”

Lucille’s bright smile accompanied us as we made our way to the audience chamber. Her presence seemed to smooth the process, leaving only a brief wait and the standard checks for potential assassins before we were allowed into the Queen’s office.

***

“You’ve worked hard, Sage. The report on battlefield events…”

“General Leoden asked me to deliver this report. Here it is.”

I handed over the detailed journal and report prepared by General Leoden’s adjutant.

The Queen leafed through the papers, her expression calm, before turning her gaze to me. That was my cue to begin recounting the events I had experienced.

As the story unfolded, I noticed Lucille’s expression shifting subtly.

“So, you received significant assistance from the Church.”

“Yes. Veronica contributed a great deal.”

“Cardinal Veronica… She’s known for her intense opposition to heresy. To think you’re on good terms with her—that’s impressive, Sage.”

“There’s nothing impressive about it.”

“No, it truly is. I’ve heard that Cardinal Veronica, despite her immense divine power since childhood, has faced much opposition.”

That part was even mentioned in her profile—and I’d heard it directly from her before.

“For that reason, they say she doesn’t easily grow close to others, especially those outside the Church… Hmm.”

The Queen’s gaze flicked toward Lucille. Curious, I glanced over too, only to see Lucille lower her head slightly, avoiding our eyes.

“Impressive, indeed. Is this part of what it means to live wisely in this world?”

“Something like that.”

“My daughter, who used to cower in her room, now actively works with adventurers to tackle requests…”

“I’m grateful to the Princess for her support.”

“Was it helpful?”

“Yes, immensely. Without the adventurers, taking down the Pale Moon would have been…”

“Would it have been?”

“I would’ve had a harder time, that’s all.”

Not that I couldn’t have done it. I could’ve brought two of the Hero’s Party members along, managed their morale, and relied on Veronica for mental protection.

Of course, that would’ve made things a lot more exhausting for me.

“It’s such an honor to have been helpful to you, Master… Though, there were many adventurers who were willing to step up just because it was for you, Sage.”

“Hmm. I see. Building relationships with such a diverse range of people from various walks of life… That’s no small feat. I’d like to learn that kind of diplomacy myself.”

The Queen, wearing a rare smile, set the report aside. With the pleasantries and acknowledgments seemingly complete, I figured it was about time to take my leave.

“Your actions seem to have greatly influenced the Princess. It was a wise choice to appoint you as her mentor.”

Oh? Was that recognition from the Queen herself?

Seeing the notification that my Mentor rank had risen, I couldn’t help but smile.

I was making steady progress toward becoming an S-rank mentor!

“Sage, I have a proposal for you.”

“What is it?”

“I would like you to take on the role of Royal Mentor.”

“Royal Mentor?”

“Yes. You would teach future members of the royal family. When Lucille ascends to the throne, you would become the King’s Mentor, passing down the wisdom of leadership to the royal family for generations.”

“Leadership certainly requires strong interpersonal skills.”

“Exactly. Can I trust you to continue imparting that wisdom to the royal line?”

The Queen’s voice carried sincerity, but I responded with a grin.

“Ah, I’ll have to decline.”

“…What? It’s an honor, with privileges akin to royalty itself…”

“I’m only here to teach Princess Lucille.”

When I cut her off firmly, the Queen’s smile vanished, but there was no way I was letting myself get roped into this.

“Master…”

“Yes?”

After finishing the audience, we returned to the garden where I always conducted Lucille’s lessons. While I was checking the homework I’d assigned, she hesitated before speaking.

“Does that mean you’re only going to teach me?”

“Exactly.”

“I see… Then, after me, there won’t be any other disciples…”

“There won’t be.”

My goal is to become an S-rank mentor. Once I achieve that, I’ll move on to other things.

Raising a disciple takes significant time, effort, and resources. I wasn’t interested in spreading myself too thin.

I already have so much on my plate—when would I even find time for more?

Lucille, fortunately, was obedient and followed my guidance well. If I ended up with someone stubborn like the Hero’s Party members or those hot-headed nobles from the main story…

Ugh, the thought alone is horrifying.

“It’s an honor. Something the royal family can boast about for generations.”

“Let’s not go that far. Just think of it as a privilege for your time.”

“Pfft. Master, you’re so modest. By the way, Master, with the Hero and the others… Was there any conflict?”

“Conflict?”

The kids have been a bit of a mess lately, but there’s nothing particularly problematic about it.

They hadn’t interfered with my progress, so there wasn’t much reason to dwell on them.

“I… I see. But Claire… well… did she come to see you during the campaign?”

“She came by quite often.”

“Sh-she did?! Did… did your relationship improve, by any chance…?”

“Nothing of the sort.”

“I… I see…”

“I don’t see why you’re so concerned about that… Anyway, your ice magic is a bit lacking.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Let’s focus on improving that today. Alright, then—”

“Um, Master?”

“Yes?”

“What’s your relationship with Cardinal Veronica?”

Veronica? Hmm…

“She’s a comrade I’ve fought alongside with, risking our lives.”

“A comrade… just that?”

“A friend, too.”

Regardless of what Veronica thinks, we’ve been through a lot together, and she’s one of the few sane people in this world. She’s probably my closest friend right now.

The Hero’s Party? Purely a business relationship.

“F-friends… you’re friends? Um, Master, you… you must have a lot of friends, right?”

Do I have a lot of friends?

Well, I guess it depends on how you define it. I consider anyone I’ve chatted with a friend.

“Yes, I suppose I do.”

“That’s… that’s a relief.”

Lucille sighed in what seemed to be relief, placing a hand over her chest before giving me a bright smile. It was a pretty smile, to be sure, but…

“This is a rare lesson. Are you planning to keep getting distracted?”

“Ah! S-sorry!”

Chided by me, Lucille finally began concentrating on her ice magic practice.

Her spells were noticeably weak. The power of her ice magic was lacking, and she was limited in the number of spells she could use.

I had her practice until she was exhausted, watching as she struggled.

Come to think of it, there is a way to enhance the effects of her ice magic.

“I’ll prepare a special training method for this part.”

“How will you do that?”

“We’ll visit a dungeon. Fortunately, it’s not far from the capital.”

“Understood!”

After finishing Lucille’s lesson, I headed to the Adventurer’s Guild to check for any missions related to that dungeon. Unfortunately, there weren’t any requests available at the moment. Disappointing.

But no reason to be discouraged.

The Church often issued quests for that dungeon, too.

“You’re back already?”

While flipping through requests at the Church’s mission desk, I heard a familiar voice.

It was Veronica. She seemed to be in a lull period, with no major events or tasks since the “Pale Moon” event ended in the game.

“Hey. Do you have any missions related to the Frost Howl Dungeon?”

“The Frost Howl Dungeon? Hmm… I think we have one. Father Roberto, didn’t Sir Buankamen issue a request related to that?”

“Ah, yes. But the reward isn’t particularly generous… I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate for the Sage.”

“It’s fine. Let me see it.”

“Understood.”

The priest returned with a request form. Judging by the condition of the paper, it was an older mission.

“The task is to retrieve Eternal Ice, which can only be found in the Frost howl Dungeon…”

“Oh, that’s perfect.”

Eternal Ice was a drop item obtained by defeating the Frost howl Dungeon boss, the Ice Golem. Since I intended to clear the dungeon for Lucille’s training anyway, this was convenient.

“I’ll take it.”

“Understood. However, the Frost howl Dungeon is recommended for a party of three. Do you have companions in mind?”

Lucille was a must, and I could grab someone from the Adventurer’s Guild to fill the last spot.

“I’ll go with you. Who’s taking the last spot?”

“What? You?”

“What? You don’t want me to?”

Not at all. Veronica would be a significant help.

But considering it was a Church-issued mission, was it okay for a Church member to join?

“It’s fine.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“For the last spot… Hmm. If you’re thinking of bringing someone from the Hero’s Party…”

“Why would I do that?”

“…Oh, I see. Then who?”

Seeing her oddly pleased, I answered calmly.

“Lucille.”

Veronica’s smile froze.

“…Are you talking about the Lucille I know? Your disciple, the princess?”

“That’s right. Ah, but her skills aren’t great. She’s only at the level of an intermediate mage.”

Since this dungeon run was meant for Lucille’s training, she had to come along.

If Veronica objected, I’d replace her instead—there were plenty of idle adventurers at the guild.

“Lucille… Lucille… Lucille…”

Veronica crossed her arms, murmuring Lucille’s name several times. With her usual expressionless face and empty gaze, her voice alone carried a chilling, almost eerie laugh.

“I see.”

“What’s with you?”

“Nothing. I’ll join. When are we going?”

“The Frost howl Dungeon isn’t far from the capital. Once you’re ready, head to the palace to let me know. Shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Worried she might have issues with the royal family, I asked, but she only gave a slight shake of her head.

“Of course not. As the Sage’s ‘closest and dearest friend,’ I should meet your disciple at least once. I’ll look forward to it.”

Good enough.

I patted her lightly on the shoulder before teleporting back to the palace.

When I told Lucille that Veronica would be joining us, her reaction was…

“…Cardinal Veronica?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“Veronica… Veronica… Veronica… Huhuhu.”

Clenching her fists tightly, Lucille beamed at me.

“Yes. As your ‘one and only’ disciple, it’s important for me to meet your friend.”

Wow.

I’m doing a good job raising this disciple of mine.

TL Note: Rate us on NOVEL UPDATES