episode_0006

The regular grand alliance meeting that took place every few months.

Leaders from all the surrounding countries, including the Agnis Central Empire, gathered in one place.

The second in line to the empire, Prince Yulian.

Lord Ma of the Matapju, Rowan.

Lord Gerard of the Clan of Dark Magic, Klyret.

Lady Bella of the Clan of Magic, Fresia.

Elder Shakan of the Elundir Elves.

Headmaster Ermang of the Promising Academy.

And finally.

The one and only Grand Spirit Master of the Lien Spirit Kingdom, Rose.

They all sat around a long circular table in one space, facing each other.

Prince Yulian, the host of the meeting, spoke.

“Grand Sorcerers, Masters of Dark Magic, Spirit Masters, thank you all for gathering once again.”

The meeting proceeded with formal greetings and discussions.

Once again, the topic was about the Lunar Eclipse Sect.

The loss of lives due to dark magic.

The challenging situation arising from their emergence.

The damage spreading even to the academy, their goals, and how to counter them in the future.

In a very formal matter, everyone else was nodding off, barely paying attention to the mundane affairs.

Only Prince Yulian, who had gathered them all, was earnest and serious.

Unlike his greedy older brother, the first prince, he genuinely cared about the empire.

As his speech was coming to an end.

“Prince Yulian, you’re quite impressive. And every time I see you, your face just keeps getting prettier like a woman.”

“…Haha, thank you for the compliment, Lady Bella.”

“How about marrying our daughter?”

“I’m not thinking about marriage yet… I’m sorry.”

Starting with Lady Bella of the Clan of Magic, the heavy atmosphere began to lighten up again.

Everyone wanted these moments.

To strengthen ties with prominent families and build connections.

As the small talk dragged on, Prince Yulian awkwardly smiled and then.

– Bang!

Everyone turned their gaze to Rose as she forcefully slammed the table.

“We’ve gathered here to eradicate those who are threatening our country, yet the conversation seems to lack substance.”

Rose Esweil.

The authority figure of the Spirit Kingdom and the only Grand Spirit Master coveted by all.

Rose had not been pleased with the changing atmosphere of the meeting since earlier.

‘They’re chatting away when the academy is under attack, and we’re short of students to evacuate. Really?’

She thought they were too complacent in front of her.

She understood.

Bella was currently at 8th rank. Soon to reach the 9th rank.

Lord Rowan was at the 9th rank.

Gerard and his followers had achieved 7th rank in swordsmanship and magic respectively, so they probably thought they could eliminate nuisances like the Lunar Eclipse Sect at any time.

‘But I know.’

The recent movements of the Lunar Eclipse Sect were dangerous.

They had successfully enhanced even low-level tree spirits with dark magic.

They had even casually thrown away the failed tree spirit near the edge of the Dead Mist Forest.

How much stronger beings were they creating?

The dark magic of transforming human lives into magic power was dangerous.

As Rose was losing her temper, Lord Gerard of the Clan of Dark Magic, Klyret, closed his eyes and spoke in a dignified voice.

“…Then, Rose, let me ask you. Do you have any exceptional methods to deal with the current situation where we can only confront them directly?”

“Yes. I do.”

Even the Elundir Elf Elder Shakan intervened in Rose’s attitude.

“Being a Grand Spirit Master at such a young age is commendable. However, in a situation where everyone is speaking cautiously, such an attitude seems too arrogant, don’t you think?”

“To be honest, I didn’t hear any substantial conversation in my ears. If there was, I would have listened without a word.”

“Hmm.”

At that moment.

The neutral Marquis Lotun, who always maintained neutrality, burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“No, it’s not that. Actually, I have the same thoughts as Lady Rose. Young passion is indeed good. However-”

Lotun continued, his words contrasting with the smiling eyes.

“If Lady Rose’s plan fails to convince everyone here, her previous attitude will surely work against her.”

His words were true.

No matter how Rose was the most versatile among everyone gathered here.

Even though she was a figure of national power in the Kingdom of Lien, if she failed to convince, her previous attitude would be nothing but arrogance.

The pressure from everyone grew heavier.

However.

Even under that pressure, Rose calmly opened her mouth with a smile.

“I’ve taken on a disciple.”

“A disciple…?”

“Yes. My first disciple.”

“…!”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes widened.

Did Rose really take on a disciple?

Always emphasizing solo actions.

Not fostering friendships unless it was a mission.

A prickly figure like a hedgehog with sharp thorns.

A disciple!

Everyone naturally thought the disciple was a spirit master.

Unlike Rose, who always refused interaction, they hoped that by capturing the disciple’s side well, they could gain high political benefits.

Some were already excited.

“If it’s Rose’s disciple, they must be around the same age as my daughter. I should prepare in advance. It would be great if it’s a boy!”

Gerard, who was always silent, seemed interested and asked Rose.

“A spirit master?”

“No. I do not deal with spirits.”

“Then a mage?!”

Bella also showed excitement and interest.

“Neither. My disciple is a pure swordsman.”

Everyone was in an uproar.

What nonsense was this?

Not even a mage or a sword mage, but a pure swordsman?

“The conversation has deviated a bit, but how does that disciple relate to the current situation?”

“A good question, Marquis Lotun. …My disciple can neutralize dark magic without any side effects, unlike priests.”

“Neutralize dark magic without side effects…?”

Lotun questioned in disbelief.

With a high level of sanctity as a swordsman, was it an exaggeration to say there were no side effects?

He did not think it was a made-up story just to cover the situation.

Rose was someone who always kept her word.

But still.

“…Haha, I find it hard to believe even so. Neutralizing the power of the Eclipse without any side effects.”

“I was skeptical at first too. But after seeing him purify magic tools tainted with dark magic and heal the landmines one by one, I was convinced.”

Rose continued.

“…This will be a big hint to counter the dark magic of the Eclipse. And my disciple’s sword talent is also exceptional.”

“Oh! So you’re going to enroll in the academy?!”

Headmaster Erman of Agnes Academy, who had not been able to join the conversation, spoke with a look of desire in his eyes.

“The academy…”

Rose pondered deeply, stroking her chin with her hand.

‘…That’s true. Rudy’s sword skills are quite impressive compared to the power of the moon. I’m not sure how talented he is, but it would be a waste to only do dark magic at the mansion.’

Smiling at Headmaster Erman, who was bright-eyed, Rose spoke.

“My disciple is-”

***

After a long meeting.

Using the national teleportation magic circle.

Rose returned to her Esvel Marquisate and opened the door with a sigh.

“I’m tired. I don’t want to see those greedy old men stained with greed for a few months.”

Creak.

As soon as she opened the door and entered.

“What are you doing?”

“Welcome back, Lady Rose.”

Wearing a butler’s outfit, Rudy was bending his waist sharply.

“I have prepared fragrant black tea with the maids. I brewed it myself.”

“…?”

Rose, led by Rudy without understanding English, sat on the sofa.

Soon, the maids brought tea cups.

Rudy began to earnestly massage Rose’s shoulders.

“How is the pressure?”

“Uh… it’s just right.”

“Good. It is a great honor to be able to massage the beautiful body of the esteemed Lady Rose.”

“…Ugh, why are you suddenly like this? It’s unsettling.”

“Isn’t this how it should be?”

After repaying the debt.

“Hey.”

“…What?”

“Do you have a debt?”

“Yes. Are you teasing me?”

“Just, whatever.”

Upon confirming Rudy’s debt, Rose immediately went to the government office to investigate.

She soon found out that Rudy had taken on the debts of a fallen swordsmanship family alone.

As a Grand Knight and the heir of a duke.

Even if she wasn’t the party involved, accessing the government’s information with the power of authority was an easy task.

So, without Rudy’s knowledge, Rose went to the government office and paid off all of Rudy’s debts.

Of course, it was to keep him tied to the mansion.

Although Rose was not a person of goodwill, she felt that Rudy was indispensable to her.

The news reached Rudy while Rose was attending the empire’s meeting.

Usually, by this time, a reminder to repay the debt would have arrived,

But since it didn’t, she went to the government office to inquire and found out.

“Lady Rose is now my master. And I am a dog. Woof!”

“Stop that, it’s creepy.”

“Understood. Phew… I thought I was going to get a cramp from massaging such a vast area of the Pacific.”

“What’s with this guy?”

“More importantly, what about that earring?”

Upon seeing Rose’s first appearance, Rudy pointed to her ear and said.

“Stop nagging. I’ll return the favor for clearing the debt.”

“No… it’s not that! It doesn’t match my image.”

“What image?”

“The earring looks too old-fashioned. You look cute, but pretending to be an adult gives off a strange feeling.”

“…I look cute?”

As Rose sipped her black tea, she suddenly burst out laughing.

The tea splattered all over the table, making Rudy grimace.

“Uh, what are you doing?”

“Haha, shut up.”

It was a refreshing experience.

Rose was a national Grand Knight.

She always stood on the political stage.

No one had ever treated her like a child.

But the boy in front of her dared to call her cute.

It had been like that since they first met. A puppy not knowing the ferocity of a tiger….

Daring to retort her sarcasm, his expressions were honest to the point of being impudent.

In many ways, he was a troublesome boy.

He seemed to be projecting himself onto her because he lived honestly like her.

Eventually, as her laughter subsided, the real Rose wiped her mouth with the handkerchief Rudy handed her and said.

“Hey.”

“Why?”

Don’t you want to go to the academy?”