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Chapter 75 – The Sage Cometh

75 – The Sage Cometh

「Found you.」

One day, in the playground for royal use – a place where there is a row of playground equipment and the latest users are mainly the Demon King’s daughter Myuri and the kids – I was sitting on a bench staring vacantly when she appeared in front of me.

The nearby kids looked confused at who she was. I, however, knew her.

『Geh.』 exclaimed Mika, as if she had just seen her natural enemy.

Well, that may not be entirely wrong. After all, she has already created magic that can even destroy holy swords – because she is mankind’s greatest mage.

「Worthless disciple Rain, what are you doing staring dumbfounded while the world is in crisis?」

She wears an unmistakably mage-like robe and holds a staff taller than she is. She has two pink bundles of hair that drape frontwards over her shoulders. She has a habit of twirling one of those with her finger occasionally.

Just by her appearance, she looks like a child. She is shorter than me, who is of small stature at fifteen years old. If I were to compare her with someone else I know… she is even shorter than the Magic Tool engineer Monana.

「Long time no see… Actually, I guess not.」I said.

「It has been several months since I last saw your face. To think this reunion is after such a long period of time… I see. You have been living a rich life since you deserted.」

You could still somewhat read the emotions off of Madge’s expressionless face, but nothing can be gleaned from the Sage’s expressionless face. All you can sense is a chill in the air. That being said, that doesn’t mean she’s angry or in a bad mood…

『What do you want, you cold-blooded Sage?!』 said Mika.

Yup, she’s one of the Six Saviors of humanity, the Sage Alchemy. She is not only the strongest mage in recorded history, she is also a genius that excels in any and all elements – and can even create new spells.

「I have no business with you, holy sword. Thus why I didn’t talk to you. Please refrain from interrupting this conversation between teacher and student.」

『Rain and I are one and the same! Talking to him is the same as talking to me! Think of it that way!』

「That is impossible.」

『You little…!』

I guess Mika doesn’t like Alchemy very much since she created a spell that could destroy holy swords.

「That aside, Alchemy, you…」 I wondered if I should touch upon what I noticed.

But then the rabbit-eared Carro came by. 「Hello!」

Alchemy glanced at her and sighed. 「Yes, hello.」 She returned the greeting with minimal courtesy.

「Nice to meet ya, what’s your name?」

「”Ya”…? I am Alchemy. The Sage Alchemy.」

「I’m Carro! Let’s be friends, Mimi!」

「”Mimi”…?」

…Oh. Carro thinks Alchemy is a girl the same age as she is!

「Hm? What’s a sage?」 Carro tilts her head.

『Pfft! You thought just dropping your title would be enough but nope! Jokes on you!』 Mika blurted that out on purpose.

I could sense Alchemy charging up mana. 「…Whoa, whoa there, Alchemy! That’s the cursed sword destruction spell!」 Cursed swords were originally holy swords, so a spell that can destroy them can also work on Mika.

『Wha?! Rain, she’s an enemy! Enemy! Battle stations!』

Alchemy’s mana calmed down. 「Kidding.」

『That’s nothing to laugh at, though?! Laughing while a sword is on someone’s throat is way too malicious!』

「To degrade the Six Saviors is to undermine the very hope of humanity. You are the one who should do well to refrain from ridiculing the Six Saviors. That is a hostile act against humanity.」

『Grrr! You’re one to talk! !』

「How surprising. I was thinking the same thing.」

Alchemy’s expression did not change. Looks like Mika and Alchemy mix together as well as water and oil.

「Hmm…? Six savories… Six Saviors… Oh!」 Carro was cocking her head like she was deep in thought, and suddenly she yelled. Then, she stood in between Alchemy and me. 「Everyone, get over here!」

When she called, the other kids gathered. 「This girl’s one of the Six Saviors! Like that lady who pretends to be a big sister!」

I could tell that the kids were wary of Alchemy.

『Lady who pretends to… Oh, she means that self-proclaimed sister.』

I guess she means the Saint, Marie?

「Are you here to try and take Mr. Hero away again?! Cos you can’t!」 Carro spoke in a determined tone, which is rare for her. The fox-eared Ur grabbed hold of my sleeve so that I wouldn’t be taken away. The sacred white fox was riding on Ur’s shoulder in its miniature form. It’s calm because it understands the situation.

That’s right. I haven’t told the kids about the situation.

「It’s alright. Like the time with Marie, it’ll be resolved with just a little chat.」

「…Really?」 Carro looked at me worried.

I gave her a reassuring nod. 「Really. I’m not gonna leave this country.」

When I said that much, the kids started looking relieved.

「Sorry, Mimi. I doubted you.」

「…I accept your apology.」

「Then, can we be friends again?」

「We do not know each other well enough to be acquaintances in the first place.」

「…? Akwain…tenses…?」

「…Yes, let’s be friends again.」

「Yeah! Wanna play together?」

「I shall refrain. First, young Carro, I must correct a misunderstanding.」

「Hey, I’ve been curious about something, Mimi.」

「Listen when I speak.」

「Mimi…your boobs are super huge!」

She’s right. From my memory, Alchemy had a small chest. That is precisely why she could be mistaken for a young girl. But now, she has breasts that equal those of The Seven.

「Is it not somewhat rude to point out a person’s physical characteristics aloud?」

「Oh, are you angry, Mimi? Do you not like talking about your boobs? Sorry.」

「Would you be happy if a person you met for the first time said “What bizarrely long ears you have!”?」

「Oh, Carro’s ears can hear really far! And if I do this…」

Carro concentrates and her rabbit ears start to shake, and then it hits my hand.

「If I try really hard, I can move them…」

「…I understand that you have no objections to your physical characteristics being mentioned. I admit that it was an inaccurate simile.」Alchemy said. She continued,「In other words, Carro, if something catches your interest, it might not be good to ask the person in question about it. Even if their appearance surprises you. It might not be something that a person likes to hear, you know?」

「I see… Okay, I’ll be more careful!」

「Very good. In addition, young Carro, I am actually twent-… I am older than Rain.」

「Huh? !」

This surprised all the kids.

「Your surprise is not without reason. Are we done? My discussion with Rain was interrupted.」 said Alchemy,as expressionless as ever.