After returning home with my slaves and Mastema, I secluded myself in the library that I had specially prepared for Mastema. I read through the titles one by one and delved into the contents. Though I used to read books, it’s been quite a while since I voraciously consumed them for knowledge. Unfortunately, the books I needed were not plentiful. The collection was sparse, as it was primarily gathered out of hobby. Mastema used my legs as a pillow, freely sleeping and reading. It seemed that Mastema adhered to the promise of not eating or drinking in the library.
Since Noel and Arnella took care of all the household chores, I could focus gratefully on what I wanted to do. I didn’t take any requests and spent a few days shut up in the library. There were plenty of requests I could take, but right now, what I needed wasn’t money.
Judging that it wouldn’t be possible here, I started converting the items in the rented warehouse into cash. I sold them cheap to a familiar merchant in exchange for immediate cash. Treasures, accessories, weapons. I disposed of the unnecessary items. The sum was staggering. The merchant hurriedly went to secure funds.
“What’s the reason for this change of heart?” asked a young man who was an assistant to the merchant. He was already a familiar face.
“Up until now, you’ve only sold easily convertible items, avoiding serious disposals.”
“Is that so? Are you dissatisfied?”
“No, it’s more like a pleasant surprise. It’s the first time I’ve seen the master running around in a panic.”
“That’s because it was troublesome. The remaining items are for you to handle.”
“If you trust us with it, we will take care of it. But, this…”
“Leave the rest to you.”
“Understood. I’ll send the money later with a promissory note.”
“Give it to the slaves or leave it behind.”
“Alright. It’ll be done by tomorrow.”
I left the warehouse cancellation to the merchants. Next, I went to the blacksmith. The blacksmith yelled when he saw the worn-out lightning sword, but he said he could handle it, so I left it to him. It takes time, not money, to obtain another lightning sword. Though there might not be many chances to use it. There were no good items at auction. It’s my favorite sword, so I’d like to keep it if possible. The heavenly sword trembled in protest, but if I used it daily, I would end up breaking it. The aftereffects of fully unleashing the heavenly sword still linger. Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to Mastema, which might be causing jealousy. The sword sulked and fell asleep.
I then went to the Imperial Adventurers’ Guild. Guildmaster Marfs looked even more haggard than before. Upon entering the guildmaster’s room and sitting in a chair, Marfs immediately spoke to me.
“Retirement, then?”
“I’m not quitting adventuring. Just…”
“Hmph. Do you remember our previous conversation?”
It felt like a distant memory, right after the party disbanded.
“Yes, I remember.”
“At that time, you already had high renown, but now there’s hardly anyone with greater renown than you, not even royalty.”
“Indeed. The demon-slaying incident is supposedly being kept secret due to the kingdom’s circumstances.”
“No matter how you try to hide it, it’s a public secret.”
“True enough.”
“Sky Knight. You’ve done well. Just how much adventurer work have you done alone?”
“Don’t flatter me, it makes me embarrassed.”
I drank the tea Marfs had served.
“What are you planning to do next?”
“I’m leaving the Empire.”
“…Will the princess permit this?”
“She will. My compliance was out of goodwill, not for any other reason.”
Marfs looked exasperated at my words.
“You always say things like that.”
“I appreciate the care I’ve received. I’ll stick to my principles.”
“Well, if you’re not retiring, do as you please. Adventurers are…”
“Free, indeed.”
I shook hands with Marfs. As I was about to leave, I ran into Nia and Noah, just like before. I patted Nia’s head affectionately and gave her a final pat on the shoulder.
“Sky Knight???…”
Nia, stunned, straightened her disheveled hair.
“I entrust the future of the Imperial adventurers to you. I don’t want Belgion to take too much of the spotlight.”
I visited several places and finally headed to the imperial palace. I requested an audience with our princess. The usual maid led me to the usual room with her expression unchanged.
Only the princess was waiting there. There were no guards. Only the maid remained for serving. Though this maid might also be a guard in disguise, it seemed the princess was trying to be considerate in her way.
“It’s the first time you’ve come here without me calling you…”
“Yes. Since some princess has been making demands of me.”
“I feel bad about that. I intended to make compensation.”
“Well, yes.”
We both remained silent, drinking the poured tea. As I mixed warmed milk and sipped it, the fragrant aroma reached my nose.
“I’ve already heard the news. I was thinking of calling you, but…”
“I figured I’d come here if I was going to be summoned.”
“…Has your mind changed?”
“No.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“Well, it seems I like to chase things. Princess Sanarie, do you know what a small child in poverty might think?”
The princess pondered for a moment but shook her head.
“Food, a place to sleep, and clothes. And to succeed. To never experience such hardship again. But apart from that…”
I finished my tea. Then, I placed the cup on the saucer and spread my arms wide.
“I admire magic. Children are like that. They look at a tattered picture book in a garbage dump and dream of becoming a magician.”
“Hmm? But you…”
“That’s right. I came this far as a warrior because I was aware of my strength as one.”
I didn’t regret choosing to be a warrior for survival when I defeated monsters with just a stick. That’s proof that I’ve come this far.
“So, you’re discarding your career as a warrior to start from scratch as a mage?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, the Empire is not a holy land for mages. I want to do my best. I know well that time is limited.”
“Then, the distant land of Nouleise, a place of exploration and wisdom?”
“Yes. The place where Kasugal stayed for a while.”
The only mage I envision is Kasugal. Though I don’t think there are many like him.
“I don’t want to let you go… But you have no intention of being hostile to the Empire, correct?”
“Of course. I’ll keep my house and citizenship. I still need to collect debts and loans.”
“Alright. Fortunately, there’s no job only you can do. If anything comes up, use my name. It might help a little. If not, come back.”
The conversation with the princess ended, and the maid saw me off.
“Ahvain-sama.”
“What is it?”
“…Pardon my impertinence, but you don’t have the talent for being a mage. You have magic power, but that is…”
“I understand. In the end, I’ve relied on tools to use magic. I’m still just a novice mage.”
As an adventurer, that’s enough. My magic power is a result of consuming magic to use tools.
“Starting as a novice sounds exciting. There’s nothing more enjoyable than starting something new.”
The maid seemed taken aback by my answer, as her expression finally moved.
