Chapter 5
Episode 19: The Secret
In a secluded spot in the town of Poro, the adventurers’ guild receptionist and the instructor of the adventurers’ training course, Darren, were having a discussion.
「Darren, did you really know nothing about that girl?」
Receptionist 【Marie】 asked Darren sternly, her voice edged with anger.
Scratching his head, Darren replied.
「Back then, I was just a low-ranking member. How could I possibly have known? Hearing about that girl from you was a shock.」
「I see. The moment I saw Selen-sama, I knew she was the daughter of Carmen-ojou-sama. So, Carmen-ojou-sama has been living here in Poro all this time…」
Tears welled up in Marie’s eyes as she spoke.
「Hey, Marie, do you think it’s even possible to make contact with Carmen-ojou-sama?」
「I don’t know, but we might be able to approach her residence through Selen-sama. The issue is the 【Shadow】.」
「The 【Shadow】is a special unit directly under the Holy Emperor, right? Our Royal Guard Knights were involved with the kingdom’s atrocities. It won’t be easy to get close… but we’ve finally found Carmen-ojou-sama…」
「Yes… I couldn’t stop the Royal Guard Knights’ atrocities. Still, I want to fulfill my duty as the sword of Saint Carmen.Z.Sylvania, let’s hope for Carmen-ojou-sama’s forgiveness.」
「But Selen-sama doesn’t know the truth about Sylvania. If we accompany Carmen-ojou-sama, it might raise her suspicions, and she could uncover the truth.」
「Selen-sama is quite perceptive… that decision lies with Carmen-ojou-sama. If she forgives us and keeps us close, we’ll fulfill our duty as her sword. If she calls us traitors and tells us to ‘die,’ we will obey.」
「It’s a miracle that we’ve discovered that the last two hopes of the Holy City of Sylvania are alive and found their location.」
The two, who knew the secret of Selen’s mother, were secretly attempting to make contact.
Whether they were good or bad was uncertain, but their contact would set things in motion.
Although it would be some time before Selen learned the truth about her mother, events around her began to change significantly…
–
Episode 20: Home Visit
A month has passed since I started attending the adventurers’ training course.
My luck with the Daily Gacha was still bad, and I hadn’t gotten any skills at all (cry).
“`
〘10 Copper Coins〙Rank C✕24
〘10 Silver Coins〙Rank B✕2
〘Tea Set〙Rank C
〘Straw Hat〙Rank C
“`
Will it be like this until a commemorative gacha comes?
My studies at the adventurers’ training course were progressing smoothly. I thoroughly learned about gathering from Darren-sensei and mastered how to identify and gather materials for beginner-level medicines and potions. Darren-sensei even praised me for it.
Today’s class featured a special guest lecturer: 【Marie】, the receptionist from the adventurers’ guild.
She taught us the whole process of finding and accepting gathering quests from the request board.
Marie-sensei’s explanations were so clear that I felt ready to go to the adventurers’ association and accept quests right away.
After Marie-sensei’s morning class, it was lunch break.
As I was eating the bento my mom made, Marie-sensei approached me.
「Hello, Selen! I’ve heard from Darren that you have a quick memory. Even though you’re only six, you can write, do calculations, and use polite language very well. Did your mother teach you all these things?」
「Yes! My mom knows everything!」
「Selen, you are an exceptionally good student compared to the others. I want to talk to your mother about your daily routine to see if it can help with the education of the other students. Could I visit your home and talk with your mother?」
I thought for a moment. We never had guests over, but since mom always kept the house clean, I thought it would be fine.
「Okay! If it’s convenient for you, you can come with me when I go home. I’ll introduce you to my mom.」
「Thank you, Selen. I’m looking forward to it!」
By the time our conversation ended, the lunch break was over. Marie-sensei continued teaching in the afternoon class.
The afternoon lessons were about reading and basic math.
Since I already knew these, the class was easy for me, but the others seemed to struggle.
At the end of the class, Marie-sensei handed out parchment with the basic letters and simple math methods written on it, and that concluded the day’s lessons.
After the classes, I went home with Marie-sensei.
When I told mom about the home visit from my training course teacher, she said it was okay for her to come in.
But as soon as Marie-sensei entered our house, she knelt before mom.
I had no idea what was happening…
–
Episode 21: The Meeting
「What… Marie-sensei is kneeling…」
Noticing my anxious expression, Mom walked over to me and gently spoke.
「The teacher seems to be feeling a bit faint. Selen, could you fetch some water for her?」
「Oh, okay. Marie-sensei, are you alright?」
「Ah… I’m fine.」
After speaking to Marie-sensei, I hurried to the kitchen to get some water.
…
「Annemarie, it’s rather improper to pose as a teacher and visit my home unannounced. Moreover, such knightly behavior should be refrained from in front of Celestia. She knows nothing.」
「Carmen-ojou-sama… I apologize. In your presence, I could not help but kneel…」
As Carmen and Annemarie spoke, a woman appeared behind Annemarie.
「My, my, the guard knight continues to blunder. Carmen-ojou-sama, I shall escort Celestia-sama outside for now. Annemarie, any suspicious movement and I will behead you on the spot.」
「Selene, please take care of Celestia.」
「Understood.」
…
When I returned with the water, a neighbor lady was at the door with a request.
「Selen-chan, could you fill my water jug?」
「Oh, um, the teacher is here…」
I was about to refuse when Mom took the cup of water from me.
「Selen, the teacher still isn’t feeling well. I’ll give her the water and let her rest. Meanwhile, please fill Selene-san’s water jug.」
「Okay, got it.」
Doing as Mom asked, I went out with the lady to fill the water jug.
…
「Why are you here, a member of the Guard Knights? You who betrayed the Holy Nation of Silvania…」
As soon as Celestia left the room, a man appeared and pointed a sword at Annemarie’s neck.
「I… I was unaware of the schemes of the Kingdom of Leone.」
「Oh? Do you think ignorance excuses you? Why have you come here?」
「I am Carmen-ojou-sama’s sword. After the incident, I resigned from the Guard Knights and have been searching for her to protect her.」
「You, protect the Lady? Do not make me laugh. Have you not considered that your approach might alert the 【Darkness】, putting both her and Celestia-sama at risk?」
Realizing the gravity of her actions, Annemarie bowed deeply to Carmen.
「It was… a thoughtless action.」
「Annemarie, you are to leave this place immediately. I command you to impart adventuring knowledge to Celestia in the training course. Once her training is complete, we will leave this town.」
「Where will you go, my Lady?」
「Are you a fool? Revealing our location increases the risk.」
「I swear, I would never betray you…」
「Annemarie, my priority is Celestia’s safety. I cannot risk informing you of our plans. Do you understand?」
「Understood. I will ensure Celestia-sama’s education.」
Thus, the meeting between Carmen and Annemarie ended.
The day when Selen would learn the truth was approaching…
–
Episode 22: Special Lessons
When I returned home after filling the water jug at the neighbor’s house, Marie-sensei had completely regained her composure.
Feeling relieved, I sat next to Mom, and Marie-sensei began to speak with a smile.
「Selen-san, I recovered quickly and had a good chat with your mother.」
「I see. If you’re done talking with Mom, does that mean the home visit is over?」
「Yes, the conversation is over. But there’s something your mother requested of me regarding you.」
Mom smiled warmly at me and patted my head.
「What is it?」
「I told your mother how exceptionally talented you are. Then she asked if it would be possible for you to receive special lessons.」
Mom had arranged special lessons for me!
「Hehe, Selen is very smart, after all.」
「Darren has to teach the other students, so he can’t give special lessons. But I can, as a special instructor, if Selen-san wants them.」
Since Marie-sensei offered to give me special lessons, I immediately responded.
「I would love to. Marie-sensei, please teach me!」
「Alright. From the next lesson onwards, I’ll be your special instructor. My lessons will be a bit tough, but let’s work hard together.」
「Yes, thank you very much!」
Thus, I began to receive special lessons from Marie-sensei.
Although Darren-sensei was amazing, I thought Marie-sensei was even more incredible, so I was really happy about the special lessons.
I didn’t mind how tough Marie-sensei’s lessons might be! As long as I could make Mom happy, I could endure any hardship.
➖・Annemarie’s Thoughts・➖
Although I hadn’t fully been forgiven by Carmen-ojou-sama, I was entrusted with the task of teaching Celestia-sama the basics of being an adventurer. Once this task is completed, Carmen-ojou-sama and Celestia-sama will move to another location.
I probably won’t be told where they will go.
Still, being able to serve Carmen-ojou-sama is enough.
Teaching Celestia-sama the basics and being remembered by her is all I need.
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