Chapter 35

^{The Seemingly Weak Skill, [Bubble]. Bursting, Expanding, Contracting, Tension, Proliferation, Floating… Huh? Is the Enhanced Bubble the Strongest?}

Rafilia pulled me along, and I joined the rows on the left and right just like the other executives.

A dignified man with a beard walked in from the entrance.

Expensive clothing, a crimson mantle, and a crown.

Even without looking at his appearance, I could immediately tell who he was because his face resembled the one I’d seen in portraits.

Elba Kiara Randall.

The king who ruled the Randall Kingdom.

This person was someone who should be unreachable, only viewable from a great distance where even their silhouette would be blurred during special ceremonies.

Elba knelt before Claudia.

Before the goddess, the king was merely a representative of the people, in a position of submission.

The sight of the king kneeling and bowing his head symbolized where the highest authority in this country lay.

“I have a report. The kingdom of Drafur has not withdrawn its demand for free food supplies and has shown readiness to engage in combat if we refuse.”

“Is that so…”

Claudia looked sorrowful.

The Randall Kingdom, surrounded by four major powers, was constantly under pressure from other nations.

Drafur was one of them.

Free food supplies essentially meant giving away food for free?

And if we refused, they wouldn’t hesitate to use military force?

What an outrageously arrogant demand.

“What shall we do?”

“…If there is faith among the people, we have the capacity to boost crop growth.”

“It’s unsettling that the faith in Lady Claudia is being exploited for Drafur’s sustenance…”

Lady Claudia’s miraculous power, which transformed faith into life force and returned it to the people, worked similarly on living beings.

Knowing that the power of favor influenced the vitality of crops and livestock, Drafur had demanded free food supplies.

“If we can avoid conflict, nothing could be better. I humbly request your patience.”

“All life within our kingdom belongs to Lady Claudia’s flock. Regardless of what orders may come, if they are the will of the one we adore, they are simply our guiding path. We shouldn’t feel any hardship.”

“I deeply appreciate your loyalty, which unites the will of the people living in this country for future peace.”

“Such kind words…”

“Lord Elba. There is one more request I have.”

“Yes. What might it be?”

Following Claudia’s gaze, the king looked at me.

“This is…”

Elba was surprised to see an outsider in the temple.

“This is Lord Ausel. The seed of hope Rafilia has finally found. I hear that Lord Ausel has been subjected to an inexplicable punishment… Recently, Lord Ausel valiantly protected and successfully rescued children in dire straits in the Luft Cave. Lord Elba, might you kindly use your discernment to grant him absolution worthy of his achievements?”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

“Thank you.”

◇

Three days later.

I became the center of attention.

“In recognition of your outstanding efforts in the Luft Cave, we hereby recommend your promotion to adventurer rank D and award you ten million Diels. Additionally, considering your recent achievements, all current charges against you are hereby pardoned.”

A knight dispatched from the palace read out the king’s letter.

“YESSSSS!!!”

“You did it, Ausel!”

“Th-thank you…”

“There’s no greater joy than this! Drink up, drink up!”

“N-no! I’m still not quite ready for alcohol…”

“As expected of the promising rookie!”

“Spread the name of Ausel throughout the town! A hero’s tale begins here!”

“U-um!? You don’t need to go that far!?!”

Adventurers and guild hall staff cheered wildly like a dam breaking.

Everyone praised me wholeheartedly.

But perhaps the real goal was to use the celebration as an excuse to guzzle alcohol since midday.

Because even when I slipped out of the banquet quietly, the wild party continued.

I received ten million Diels.

The weight of a thousand gold coins pressed down on my shoulders in the cloth bag I carried.

However, despite having such a large sum, I felt no excitement…

Right now, my mind was too chaotic to think clearly.

Too many things had happened recently.

I had become an adventurer, Rafilia invited me to be her disciple, and I even received permission directly from the goddess to join the ‘Sword of Claudia’…

It was all too good to be true…

Would there be no repercussions later?

“Look, look, that’s Ausel.”

“Who?”

“Don’t you know? That’s the promising rookie rumored to become Rafilia’s disciple. He apparently visited the temple recently. It’s said to be only a matter of time before he joins the ‘Sword of Claudia.'”

“Eh!? Such a young child!?”

“…”

I should find somewhere quiet…

Since leaving the temple, rumors about me spread like wildfire.

Entering the temple itself was a major event for those living in this country.

It was treated as big news, featured on the front page of newspapers distributed nationwide.

No one failed to anticipate the birth of a new hero.

Additionally, the story of rescuing students in the Luft Cave added weight, spreading my name further.

“What should I do… Me, a hero… No, it’s not decided yet… But serving the goddess means something like that…”

Given the possibility of becoming a hero… and the disciple of the strongest swordsman… I guess there’s no reason to worry.

But something felt off.

I lacked confidence in handling the pressure.

Beyond that, something else hindered my decision-making.

“Come one, come all! Our weapons are unique compared to other shops! …Oh, who do we have here? The promising rookie, or should I say, the future hero?”

Lost in thought while walking, I somehow ended up in the central district.

The previous weapon shop owner approached me.

“I heard? You entered the temple, didn’t you?”

“…”

“The fact that you’re not denying it suggests the circulating information isn’t false. How about it? Why not commemorate becoming a hero by upgrading your weapon? If you’re entering the ‘Sword of Claudia,’ an iron sword won’t cut it. You need something more suitable.”

Though grateful for the sentiment, his greed for profit was evident.

If a hero bought from his shop, it would increase the shop’s fame.

Hearing that a hero purchased from a weapon shop, I’d trust it and want to visit too.

“Not buying anything? I’ll give you a discount today.”

Suddenly, I felt the weight of the cloth bag.

The thousand gold coins I received earlier as a bonus.

I remembered there was a cool sword in this shop.

A sword with defensive enchantments that would suit Luke.

Now… I could afford it!

Though it was a large sum, ensuring Luke’s safety was worth it.

“I’m not using it myself, but can I buy it? I’ll pay the full price.”

Though the shopkeeper frowned slightly at the mention of not using it himself, he quickly calculated that the fact “a hero purchased it” alone would attract customers and started smiling broadly.

I entered the shop and went straight for the sword.

Good. It hadn’t been sold yet.

“I’ll take this. Here’s the payment.”

“Hah, indeed worthy of someone destined to be a hero… To buy such an expensive item outright at your age… Though you said you wouldn’t use it yourself, surely you’re not planning to present this sword to Lady Rafilia? Even though it’s a fine sword, if used by someone less than the strongest, it would pale in comparison.”

“No, I plan to give this to a friend.”

“I see. Very well. I’ll wrap it in a nice cloth for you.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Thanks for your patronage.”

The gold coins were gone, and I felt lighter.

I hurried to deliver the sword to Luke.

The crime that led to my expulsion was no longer an issue.

I could pass through the gates of Wemons Mage Academy without hesitation.