Chapter 32: Check

500 years ago.

Wizards basically had to practice close combat.

-Oh, no!

Protect me while I’m casting my spell!

-Someone protect you!

Protect yourself, you idiot!

It was wartime back then.

You never knew when or where the enemy would pop out, and when an ally Lich wizard used magic, human warriors would jump out from under the ground and swing their swords at the Lich.

So who should protect the Lich?

The Death Knight who was in the vanguard?

Or the Dark Elf who was leading the archer unit in front of the Lich?

-An enemy has appeared.

I’m casting my spell, and my allies can’t help me.

Lich, what should I do?

You should immediately raise your skull staff and smash the enemy’s head.

That’s a perfect answer.

There’s no way a formation of swordsmen, archers, and wizards could properly be maintained in a melee.

Wizards also had to learn their own survival skills.

So wizards, especially those who were easily exposed to enemy close-range attacks, had to practice their staff or spear techniques to protect themselves.

In my case, I just practiced spearmanship myself.

To be exact, it wasn’t a spear, but it was something else, but it was the same principle as stabbing and cutting with something attached to a long handle.

There was a warrior who used spearmanship among the warriors, and I caught him and told him that if I taught him spearmanship, I would live, so I taught him spearmanship, had him fully reconstructed, and let him live.

It wasn’t my major, but it felt like something I could use as a minor.

In fact, when I tried to close combat, the Red Lotus magician swung his staff like a spear.

The whirlwind that had fireballs attached to both ends and spun around to intercept me was so hot that I lost my mind.

It was like that in the past.

But.

“These days, don’t wizards use staffmanship? Or even swordsmanship?”

“Wizards use magic.”

“How do you block flying arrows?

Of course, you’ll deflect them all?”

“You can just use shield magic.”

“No, what if an arrow strong enough to pierce the shield flies in?

Like your arrows.”

“That’s why everyone takes off their clothes to receive the protection of the Goddess of the Moon.”

“What the…”

It’s shocking.

“I don’t quite understand, but how do the wizards these days fight?”

“They memorize magic and defeat their enemies while protected by the Goddess of the Moon.”

“What the…”

It’s a scam.

When casting magic, a protective shield is automatically created that blocks most attacks while casting.

“Somehow, the wizards of the Adventurer’s Guild walk around almost naked.”

“They usually wear robes, but there are wizards who only wear underwear under their robes.”

“Oh my.

This is so shocking.”

It’s really shocking.

“It wasn’t like this 500 years ago.”

“…..”

Rosemath looked me up and down with a complicated expression.

There was one reason why I confidently mentioned the 500-year period in front of her.

“Um, Crimson Magician.”

“Huh?

Why?”

“First of all, let’s make sure those two over there don’t hear…”

“Hmm.”

For now, I roughly revealed my identity to Rosemath alone.

Why did you reveal it?

Regardless of race, I’m older than you!

– But if you think about it, I’m older than you, right?

No matter how strong you are, you should be respected.

– Yeah, I’m from 500 years ago.

I sealed myself away because I was afraid the Demon King would reappear.

Shouldn’t my age not be considered during the period I was sealed…. right?

– Yeah, I was only conscious during that period…..I’m sorry.

Before something like that happened, I recited my settings as a Crimson Lotus Magician in advance.

A teacher and guide to the warrior who handles the Holy Sword of Wind.

A member of the warrior party that works to defeat the Demon King.

After saying that, Rosemath definitely became a bit more cautious about me.

Of course I should be careful.

Regardless of age, he’s the guide to the Holy Sword that defeated Demon King Belphegor.

The reason I revealed the Holy Sword and the seal to Rosemath was because Rosemath knew about the Holy Sword’s existence.

Now that we’ve shown her the Holy Sword, it’s more beneficial to bring her over to our side.

The main purpose of taking her with us is to make sure that she doesn’t go around shouting, ‘Arthur Lucius saved me with the Holy Sword!’

I wondered if the elves who seemed to be Rosemas’s escorts and acquaintances knew about the existence of the holy sword…

“Can you really take good care of my… younger brother? Yes?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Lucius was currently being questioned about his skills by Marjohis. I had proven my skills by subduing Rosemas, but it seemed like the elf favored Lucius, who was a man.

Well, that’s true. Lucius without the holy sword was just the number one hunter in the village. Even now, after raising him for a few days, he has grown to the level of a low-ranking guard in a rural village, but he looks weak on the outside.

“You look weaker than me… Your body is good, but your skills are still lacking!”

“I’m trying.”

“Well, try hard. It seems like you have a good teacher by your side. Don’t keep pushing yourself like that…. Tervation will take care of itself. Aren’t you stronger than me?”

“Ugh…”

Seeing Lucius being questioned by Marjohis and Fergus not thinking much of it, my worries seemed to be excessive.

Rosemas has probably already revealed the Holy Sword to them! If the Holy Sword was discovered? Then there’s no way they would ignore Lucius like that. Originally, the Holy Sword was something that even children would treat as heroes, so no matter how I looked at their attitude, it seemed like they didn’t know.

You really didn’t tell me. I’m glad I made Lucius promise.

Keeping the Holy Sword a secret. Rosemas kept her promise. In fact, the most decisive factor in recruiting Rosemas was that she didn’t tell the other elves about the existence of the Holy Sword.

Beauty. High elf. Fairly good archery skills. Strong enough to kill enemies from a distance. Affinity for Lucius. All of the conditions were satisfactory for Lucius’ harem party, but he couldn’t accept a woman who was so loose-lipped as a comrade.

Absolutely not. Public nuisance is out of the question. If that were the case, he would have immediately erased the existence of beauties, elves, or whatever. However, judging by the way those two seemed to have no idea, it seemed like Rosemas hadn’t said anything.

Belief. Trust. And love. The most important thing for Lucius’s party is these three feelings for Lucius. Without those, the hero’s party is doomed.

Then it’ll be hard to catch Zephyr. He was deliberately giving Zephyr the scent of a being from 500 years ago awakening, but he couldn’t have a woman who couldn’t properly help Lucius fight as his comrade.

“Rosemas.”

“Yes.”

“Lucius, do you like it?”

“….”

It might be a somewhat sudden question, but it’s something that absolutely had to be confirmed verbally.

“The reason you wanted to be our teammate was because of Lucius, right?”

“…. If that’s true?”

“I don’t have any thoughts in particular.”

“…”

He looked like he couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t care if you kiss Lucius, hold hands and go on a date, or go to the elf country and declare that you’re going to make a half-elf with this guy. But.”

I approached Rosemath and warned her clearly in her ear.

“If you bother Lucius, then I won’t stay still.”

“……”

Did the stern warning get through? Rosemath’s expression turned pale.

“I’m telling you clearly, listen carefully. Don’t get in Lucius’ way. If you try to get in his way and block his path by wagging your tail at him, if you make him go down the wrong path.”

Swish.

I placed my finger on Rosemath’s stomach.

“I won’t say any more. Okay?”

“”

“What’s your answer?”

“I… understand.”

It was a forced answer, but I was satisfied with this for now.

“Okay. Let’s do it well.”

Since one person swung the whip, it was now Lucius’ turn to swing the carrot.

“Lucius!”

“Come here for a moment.”

I called out to Lucius, who was being constantly questioned.

“Would you and Miss Rosemas go to the Adventurer’s Guild and register as a team?”

“Team?”

“Yes. You’ll be the leader of our party.”

“…..”

Lucius hesitated, watching me closely. I was about to kick his shin, but then I noticed Marjohiss glaring at us from afar.

‘This is when we need to cheer him up.”

I put a hand on Lucius’ shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. In just a year, I’ll make sure you won’t hear any complaints about being weak and useless.”

“W-what…?”

Marjohiss raised his voice as if he was being stabbed.

“Are you saying that I ignored that man, wizard?”

“No?”

“Oh, no!”

I denied it while being conscious of Rosemas, but Marjohiss ignored Lucius.

“Lucius. How did you feel?”

“……”

It must be complicated. With the power of the Holy Sword, Marjohis would be nothing, but without the power of the Holy Sword, he would probably be cut down with a single stroke.

“Trust me. I’ll tell you clearly. In one year, Lucius will become stronger than you.”

“Ha, that’s ridiculous….!”

“Doesn’t that make sense? Are you scared? Are you afraid that Lucius will become stronger than you?”

“…”

Marjohis began to look genuinely displeased.

“No matter how much he is stronger than me, that human…”

“He’s still weak. But he’ll soon become strong.”

“…It’s unbelievable.”

“Want to make a bet? In one year, come here to Normans. I’ll prove that Lucius has become stronger than you. No… you don’t have to do that. You won’t even come out because you’re afraid of losing.”

“Now, now. Calm down, sir.”

Fergus stepped in between us.

“I look forward to Lucius’s growth. And please take good care of Miss Rosemas.”

“…”

Marjahis bowed his head to Rosemas and left. If I had more magic power, I would have ripped all of that Kkanp’s teeth out of my gums, but I don’t have any magic power, so I can’t hold back.

Sigh.

“Master.”

“Why?”

“Thank you, for going that far for me…”

“It’s true, but what.”

“…..”

Lucius didn’t say anything for a long time. I pointed at Rosemas with my chin.

“What are you doing? Go quickly to the Adventurer’s Guild and register. You need to register a party of three or more. Rosemas.”

“Yes, yes.”

Rosemas approached with her head bowed. The way she glared after Marjohis left must have been displeased that Marjohis gave Lucius a pick. Hmm, that’s a good attitude. An attitude for Lucius.

“You two, register for the party and have a meal.”

I flicked a gold coin at Lucius.

“Two, two?”

“Okay.”

“…Three, let’s go?”

“It’s annoying. Don’t tire out Master, and take your time. Got it?”

I ignored Lucius and went back to my room.

“Be back by dinner at the latest.”

“…!!”

Rosemath immediately noticed my signal. I’m just going to eat lunch, so you want me to be back by dinner? If we have tea time after dinner, we’ll have more time alone together, right?

“Master…!”

I simply waved my hand lightly and walked towards my inn room.

I gave you the chance. A chance to go on a date alone with the man you like. Now, it was Rosemath’s turn to do what she wanted.

“…Won’t you be a half-elf in 10 months? Hehehe.”

I lay on the bed and collected my mana. While they were facing each other, eating and chatting, and having tea time with dessert, he spent his time leisurely meditating.

“Master! have completed the party registration. And I have packed lunch for you. Let’s eat together.”

“It’s not my fault. It’s Rosemas’ fault for not taking advantage of the opportunity.”