Chapter 70

"Hey, I've been waiting for you."

"Huh? Isn't that Lucy?"

The next morning.

Yesterday was busy, but that doesn't mean my duties have decreased, so I headed to the office to train the knights as usual.

At the entrance, there was a figure with her arms crossed, waiting for someone. Needless to say, it was Lucy Diamond, the head of the Mage Corps. She's still incredibly tiny.

"Did you wait for me specially? Sorry about that."

"It's fine. I was the one who asked for a favor, after all."

It seems she was waiting for me. It's quite a hassle for her to wait here so early in the morning.

I thought it would be good to report to Lucy, but I hesitated to just show up at her house unannounced. So, in a way, it's convenient that she was waiting for me. There are a few things I want to discuss.

"Can we talk at your place?"

"That's fine, but I have my duties too."

While I'm not ungrateful for her invitation, as a special instructor, I have my daily tasks. Last time it was fine because it was getting dark, but now it's early morning, and it's time for training.

Going to Lucy's house is fine, but if I do, I need to let someone know I won't be at training. I don't want to be seen as slacking off.

"Alyssia has been informed. It's not a problem."

"Oh, that's good... You're efficient."

It seems my worries were unfounded. Lucy had already informed Alyssia.

Lucy really acts on her thoughts immediately. Her response time from thinking to action is extremely fast. I should try to emulate her decisiveness, though I'm not sure where I should start.

"Thank you for your hard work yesterday. I've heard the general story from Alyssia."

"Yep, it was quite a challenge."

We walked towards Lucy's house without entering the office, exchanging a few words.

By the way, the headquarters of the Knights, the Mage Corps, and Lucy's house have magical devices that allow intercommunication. It's good that information can be transmitted quickly.

"Anyway, we can talk about the details later. Eibroy will be joining us too."

"Ah, I see. So it's the same group as yesterday."

It seems the lineup is the same as yesterday.

While Lucy facilitated the mediation, formally, the request was made by Eibroy. Moreover, it was a secret request from the Sphen Church. It would be odd if the requester wasn't present.

"By the way, how is Mui doing?"

On the way, feeling a bit idle, I asked about the young child who is a guest at Lucy's house.

"She's doing well. She's very quiet. I think she's still unsure about what to do with her future."

"I see."

The response was that she's doing well for now. It's good to hear that.

I can understand Mui's feelings. Being suddenly forced into a new world and not knowing how to survive is understandable, especially coming from a dim world.

However, I think time will eventually solve things, as I thought yesterday.

Her life will change significantly, but unlike me and Lucy, she hasn't spent most of her life there. She still has a bright future ahead.

We just need to wait patiently for her to adapt to the new world. Waiting for a child to grow is a privilege of adults. I don't have children, but that's beside the point.

"Well, we can only wait for time to solve things, I guess."

"Agreed, Mui is still young."

It seems Lucy shares the same view.

In this regard, Lucy's values and way of thinking feel closer to mine than Alyssia's or Srena's. Maybe it's because we're closer in age. I don't really want to think about how she's older than me despite looking younger than Mui.

"By the way..."

"Hmm?"

Since we still have a bit of a walk to Lucy's house, I decided to ask about something that's been on my mind.

"Was Fissel's appearance your doing?"

"…Hmm? What are you talking about?"

This guy, pretending to be clueless.

However, his expression seemed subtly smug. He definitely knows something. Still, not saying it outright shows he has his boundaries.

If that's the case, I have nothing more to say.

Fissel and Kurni's appearance was a coincidence. That's the best way to handle it.

"Lucy, Beryl. Good morning."

"Hey, Eibroy. Sorry for making you wait again?"

"No, I just got here. Unlike yesterday."

We arrived at Lucy's house after exchanging some casual conversation.

Unlike yesterday, Eibroy was waiting at the gate. He had just arrived, as he said.

I met him only yesterday, so we don't have any particular relationship, but based on what I know about him, I thought he might have waited inside the house.

"Good morning."

"Beryl, it's been since yesterday. We'll talk in detail later."

I nodded in acknowledgment. It seems Eibroy hasn't been informed of the details yet. That's understandable, given the events of yesterday.

"Well, let's not stand here chatting. Come in."

"I'll do that without hesitation."

Lucy invited us into the house, and Eibroy followed with ease.

"Good morning, Lucy, Eibroy, and Beryl."

"Hello, Harui. We're coming in."

When we opened the door, Harui was waiting, just like yesterday.

I pride myself on waking up early, but I wonder how long these people have been up. Harui is a housekeeper, so it's not unusual for her to be up early.

Lucy, on the other hand, could have an irregular sleep schedule, but that's just my impression.

"Anyway... First of all, thank you for your hard work yesterday, Beryl."

In the same reception room as yesterday, the three of us sat down, and Eibroy spoke.

He doesn't know the details, but he doesn't seem to think I skipped the mission or anything. I didn't intend to do that either.

"Thank you for your concern. It was quite challenging, but manageable."

"Haha, as I said yesterday, I'll properly thank you. So... How did it go?"

Well, I said it was manageable, but it was really tough.

However, it wouldn't do to burden Eibroy with my troubles. I accepted the mission, after all.

"To cut to the chase, we successfully captured Bishop Leveos. He's currently detained in the Reberio Knights' underground facility."

"That's great to hear."

Eibroy's expression relaxed upon hearing my report.

He must have found it difficult to overlook the misdeeds of Leveos and his group, who could be seen as troublemakers.

"See, I told you, Eibroy."

"Indeed. It was a good decision to rely on Beryl."

"Oh, no, it's not that big of a deal."

I modestly deflected the praise. I did work hard, but it didn't feel like something to be overly praised. There was combat, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, Bishop Leveos will receive appropriate punishment, though I won't be involved in that process.

"Let's celebrate the successful mission. My rank will likely be elevated too."

"Hehehe..."

With the bishop captured, they'll need to appoint a new one. Eibroy seems to be a strong candidate.

This guy, I've thought since the first time I met him, is quite shrewd. I wonder what he's really thinking.

As long as it doesn't directly harm me, I don't mind.

"By the way, when we captured him, I believe a miracle was used. It was... something like a controlled corpse..."

"...I see. I had my suspicions, but it seems to be confirmed."

I also mentioned the miracle used before capturing Bishop Leveos.

It was almost certainly the failed attempt at a resurrection miracle. While I don't deny the research of magic, the reaction to something inhumane is understandably harsh.

"Hmph. Well, the state will decide his fate."

As expected, the topic of resurrection makes Lucy's reaction difficult. She must have strong feelings about it.

"By the way, I've also been thinking about a reward for you."

"Hmm?"

Was she avoiding the topic, or was it just a spontaneous thought?

Lucy brightened her tone and expression and started talking about my reward.

Well, I'm not ungrateful for receiving a reward. However, I don't want to carry extra money, and as a lodger, receiving items would be a hassle.

"Beryl, do you need a house?"

"Huh?"

What?

---

By the way, I have two announcements to make in today's activity report.

First, the manga adaptation of my work, "The Middle-Aged Man in a Rural Area Becomes a Sword Saint," has started.

It will be serialized in the "Doko Demo Young Champion" September 2021 issue. I hope you enjoy it.

Second, the cover image for Volume 2 has been released.

The visuals for Lucy, Beryl, and Mui have been revealed.

Volume 2 is scheduled for release on September 7. Thank you very much for your support!