Chapter 89

Verlaine and the master entered the room, one after the other, followed by Leonid and Kasumi, who were unarmed.

"Hey, you look well. Have you been eating properly?"

"We just woke up, so we’re about to have a meal. Dick, the lady of the manor prepared a celebration for your recovery. You’re really admired, aren’t you?"

Kasumi prefers Eastern ethnic clothing and is wearing it today. When she covers her mouth with the sleeve of her robe, she exudes a certain allure.

(Something feels a bit off today... Is everyone trying to dress up a bit? Could they be planning some kind of party for my recovery?)

I’d be uncomfortable with such a grand gesture, but if Beatrice did it for me, it’s hard to say anything ungrateful.

"Haha, you look so guarded. Are you embarrassed by the idea of a recovery celebration, with a lot of people gathering? You’re really shy for someone so strong."

"Hey, stop calling me shy. It’s not a fitting description at all."

"Your modesty is what makes you so well-liked. Being in the spotlight is a quality of a leader, but people have their preferences. I prefer a gentlemanly man."

"Kasumi, that’s nice to hear... but not really. Your way of dressing is quite risky. It’s a feast for the eyes, but also a bit dangerous."

Even though she could tighten the collar, her chest is provocatively exposed. Leonid raised an eyebrow and put his hand on his chin, looking at me with great amusement.

"Hmm, Dick, are you coming of age? I thought you were a serious guy, but maybe it’s time for you to balance your sternness with some flexibility. My grandson can’t afford to be complacent."

"Even I thought you had no interest in women. I was starting to think you wouldn’t even notice someone like me."

"Well, about the grandson... Leonid, why does it come to that? Kasumi, what about the sparring you wanted to do with me? Not noticing you or anything..."

I tried to give a straightforward response, but Leonid dramatically shrugged and sighed. Kasumi kept smiling.

"You seem to lack self-awareness. Neither the Chancellor nor His Majesty can give you advice anymore. No, for the next hundred years, a hero like Dick... I don’t think anyone will match you."

"That’s why... No, your capacity is so great that you might be too much for any position. As the Grand Guildmaster, could you lead us all?"

The Grand Guildmaster. Only the master, who founded the guild, ever held that title.

I chose the Twelfth Guild to avoid being too much in the spotlight.

However, the capital’s guilds need to be reorganized. Some guilds have lost their functions and control, and they need to be integrated into other guilds or reformed into new ones—anyway, a leader to guide the entire guild system is needed.

"...The master of the White Goat Inn once took radical actions out of concern for the 'Adventurer Crisis.' But he’s still a capable person. If he regains his former wisdom, I’d like him to take on a suitable role."

With the decrease in adventurer jobs in the capital, some guilds are struggling and have had to resort to dirty work. We guildmasters call this the 'Adventurer Crisis' and have reported it to Chancellor Lowe.

Etna Feldor, the master of the White Goat Inn, is under surveillance by the royal guards and is atoning for the inn’s misconduct. She has transferred full command of the adventurers for this dungeon exploration to us.

"He never thought he could sit in the Grand Guildmaster’s seat."

"Etna was once a formidable woman who defeated Leonid in a one-on-one battle and strengthened the White Goat Inn’s power. Now, she’s become so meek. Dick, what happened when you stormed the White Goat Inn?"

I couldn’t reveal the master’s true identity, so neither Leonid nor Kasumi knew who she really was.

Even if I told them that she has lived for a thousand years, founded the guild, and left legends as the 'Gray Clown' across the lands, they would believe me. But the master doesn’t like being known as an immortal, so I shouldn’t say anything.

"I understand it’s hard to talk about. I think it’s a good thing that Etna’s poison has been neutralized. Dick, you always do what I can’t. I’m truly grateful."

"Ah, no... I didn’t directly fight the master of the White Goat Inn, and I didn’t do much."

"Leonid had trouble dealing with young women. In his younger days, he was known as a womanizer."

Given his rugged appearance, he was indeed popular with women in his youth and probably had his share of scandals. A skilled adventurer often has that kind of reputation. My guild has a mix of disciplined men and women.

"Well, I’ll leave Etna to you. Maybe demote her to a regular adventurer and re-educate her at your guild."

"I’ll have another talk with her. As an SS-ranked adventurer, she has great potential. If she stays on the right path, she can definitely contribute to the entire guild."

"Hehe... No matter what, Dick, you’re a capable leader. I really want to work under you. The Blue Maiden Inn has already expressed their willingness."

"Of course, the Black Lion Inn is the same. You don’t have to announce it publicly, but it would be great if you could lead the capital’s guilds. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the Silver Flask Inn’s operations."

It’s fine not to announce it publicly. If I have the freedom to make decisions, I won’t end up in a situation where I’m just following others, which goes against my principles.

Some might think I should announce my role as the Grand Guildmaster and become the symbol of the capital’s guilds, but I can contribute sufficiently without doing so.

"Leonid, Kasumi. I believe all guildmasters should be equal. If you consider your guild members first and maintain a balance with other guilds, the best results will naturally follow. Let’s continue to work together."

"Sure, I’ll count on you. Sorry for coming by while you’re still recovering, but let’s have a big drink tonight."

"Lord Stollen has invited us to dinner. Leonid looks happy about the fine wine, but I’m a bit nervous."

I told Beatrice to invite Lord Stollen, but I didn’t know he was coming tonight... Even though I’m still recovering, I’m in good health, so I can handle a conversation over dinner.

I can also hear about the royal and noble movements after the defeat of the 'Snake.' It’s a good opportunity, and I’d like to give Beatrice a reward later.

◆◇◆

With no more visitors, I put on the robe Verlaine had prepared over my pajamas and went downstairs to check. Miralca and the others were waiting in other guest rooms but were currently out.

Mana and Timis, the princesses of Timis, despite their noble status, were following Beatrice’s instructions and helping in the kitchen to prepare for the dinner party.

"Lord Dick... Ah, I’m so relieved to see you... I’ve been eagerly waiting for this moment."

"It’s been a while, Lord Dick. Your bravery has been praised even in the Knights’ Order."

Mana and Timis, with their long blonde hair tied up and bandanas on, looked out of place, making me feel a bit uneasy.

And there was another woman, with red hair and a dignified presence, also wearing a bandana and apron, helping out. It was Kirsch, who serves the Orland Duke family.

"Guildmaster, I have a message from Duke Marquis of the Orland family. He says that you have accomplished a great feat that concerns the survival of the capital, and the Orland family would like to offer a reward."

"It’s been a while, Kirsch. Did Marquis say anything about taking credit?"

"N-no, never. Marquis has changed his policy suddenly... Since the day before yesterday, he’s been instructing us not to seek credit for the dungeon exploration and to follow your instructions."

Kirsch said this with a look of relief. It seems that my request to Aileen to talk to Marquis had the desired effect.

"Kirsch, you said you wanted to transfer to Dick’s guild. Why don’t you ask him now?"

"Th-that’s my personal wish, and I don’t want to trouble Lord Dick, so it’s practically impossible..."

"No, that’s not true. Being a noble’s guard isn’t bad, but our guild has interesting jobs too."

Kirsch has B-rank capabilities, so she should be able to handle jobs with other adventurers of similar rank.

I don’t think the Orland family is corrupt, but Marquis is too honest in his personal matters, which might make it difficult for the diligent Kirsch to serve him. I’d like to ask the king to re-educate him, as well as the Vinsbruck family.

I think Lord Premiere of the Stollen family is the most suitable as a duke, but she abandoned this mansion when she realized that Beatrice had summoned spirits. I’d like to hear more about that situation.

"Lord Dick, I’d like to help the guild secretly, between my studies..."

"Princess Mana, if you go out carelessly, His Majesty the King will worry. As a captain of the Knights’ Order, it’s not unnatural for me to request the guild’s assistance for a mission."

"Timis, you were thinking about that? Sneaking into the Silver Flask Inn to get closer to Lord Dick... No, that’s not good. Lord Dick is busy."

"I’m sorry, Princess. But my real goal is to meet Duke Solber..."

Timis visits the inn more frequently than Mana to see her former guards, Lai and McKinley. I should keep this to myself to maintain their sisterly bond. I can’t imagine what will happen to Timis’s feelings for Duke when he’s revealed to be me.

"...Lord Dick, you’re still popular. Duke Marquis is well-liked by his close aides, but I... as a subordinate, I want the freedom to choose my superior... It might sound arrogant, but I’m happy that you’re willing to work with me. I welcome you."

Mana and Timis both gasped. It was because I had extended my right hand to Kirsch.

She seemed strong-willed at first, but Kirsch smiled gently and took my hand with unexpected modesty.

"...Thank you. Actually, I had already submitted my resignation to the Orland family."

"Is that so? It’s a do-or-die situation, then."

"Yes. Actually, when I left the Vinsbruck family, I intended to work for you... but I missed the opportunity."

Kirsch touched her ear and ran her fingers through her hair, looking uneasy. The last time I saw her, she was wearing men’s clothes as the Orland family’s steward, but today she’s in women’s clothing, which gives her a fresh look.

"People naturally gather around Lord Dick... I can’t be complacent. I need to talk to Miralca."

"Princess, we should get back to helping."

"Both of you, are you going to learn cooking... from now on? I think Beatrice can teach you carefully."

While listening to our conversation, Beatrice didn’t stop cooking. She seemed to want me to taste the soup, so she scooped a spoonful when I approached.

"Master, can you taste this?"

"...Sure, I can. The deer meat with bones will become gamey if cooked too long, so it’s better to take it out now. After extracting the broth, remove the meat from the bones... Oh, can I do this?"

Beatrice’s recipes are copied from our inn’s recipe book, so I know them all by heart. My body moved on its own.

"For the recovery celebration, I was so enthusiastic... but seeing Master cook, I think it would be lovely to watch you."

Even though I’m wearing a robe, I decided to help a bit. I’ll leave the rest to you.

"Yes, Master."

She handed me an apron, a simple black one we used when teaching her to cook.

I took off the robe and gave it to Beatrice, put on the apron, and tightened the belt. I recalled the menu from the prepared ingredients and picked up a kitchen knife to start on the main dish.

◆◇◆

I demonstrated and taught the cooking of one dish to each of Mana and the others, then handed over to Beatrice and went outside.

Even though I can adjust the temperature around my body with magic, I didn’t use it while cooking and ended up sweating a bit.

"...Maybe I’ll take a bath."

The bath in my guild house’s living space isn’t very large. The mansion’s bath, designed for nobles and their attendants, can comfortably fit ten people.

Taking a bath to freshen up before the dinner party might be a good idea.

Verlaine, the master, Sherry, and Lotte, the four members of the Demon King’s defeat team, are not in sight. They must have left for some reason.

(Thinking about being undressed while unconscious makes it hard to face them... but as a lady’s etiquette, they wouldn’t have observed me naked, right?)

The next level of liberation after the party’s combined efforts—using the Legion Dragon’s name, it could be called 'Concentration Liberation.' It seems to instantly boost combat evaluation by 3 to 4 times, but the backlash is significant. While it recovers after a night’s sleep, it’s impractical to keep collapsing after each use, so I need to find a way to eliminate the risk.

This will lead to requesting cooperation from my companions to try the Legion Burst, but if I lose consciousness during training, it could be disastrous.

However, absorbing everyone’s magic was, to put it bluntly without fear of misunderstanding, a very comfortable experience. Even though it’s someone else’s magic, if it’s from someone I trust, it feels compatible with my own magic.

It’s said that there’s a correlation between emotions and magic, but intimacy also seems to play a role. I have another research topic to add to Duke Solber’s list, so I’ll write it down later.

◆◇◆

When someone is staying, the mansion’s bath is prepared by mid-afternoon. Beatrice had the bath ready in case I woke up at any time.

Bathwater has a freshness factor, and leaving it in the tub for too long is not good, so different methods are used in different regions, such as adding herbs or charcoal, to keep the water clean.

I wanted to use the mansion as a convalescence facility for guild members, so I installed a system to circulate and purify the bathwater. This method, already adopted by some nobles, uses magic stones imbued with the power of water and fire spirits to purify and heat the water.

(Well, it was expensive... I’d like to create a stable supply source for magic stones.)

While I don’t think about contributing to the capital’s technological development, I believe it’s a waste for convenient technology to not reach the common people at all.

Putting that aside, I took off my clothes and entered the bathroom. I wrapped a towel around my waist, took a hot shower, and started washing my body—then.

"...Huh?"

A dragon-like pattern faintly appeared on my chest. It appeared after the battle with the snake, but it wouldn’t go away when rubbed.

However, when I thought, "Disappear," the pattern vanished. Then I realized—I felt that I could use the Legion Dragon’s abilities without carrying the core.

(…Did I acquire the abilities of a monster? Once you understand the principle, it’s not surprising.)

If I can use abilities without the core, then by collecting cores from powerful monsters, I might eventually—this kind of ambition to become stronger is like a boy’s.

When I borrowed Codi’s light sword, I felt that I could somewhat reproduce the unique spirit magic that uses the power of the sword spirit.

I let the water flow