Evading the Hero’s Party with Full Effort

Chapter 22

Ch.22 Isn’t this guy just a pure womanizer?

Mia, departing from the Elf Kingdom, had just arrived at the Imperial capital.

Her reason for coming to this distant place was to attend the festival hosted by the Emperor and to bring the Sage with her.

She had to keep her vow.

She would declare her vow to him, and if he accepted it, they would be bound to each other for life.

‘He can’t possibly refuse me. I’m a High Elf, after all.’

Mia, who usually regarded humans as inferior beings,

Her mind busily flowed with fantasies of the Sage being moved and accepting her beautiful vow.

From her perspective, though humans desired elves as slaves for various reasons, one major reason was surely their beautiful appearance.

Thus, no matter how special the Sage was, as a human, he couldn’t possibly reject her.

Her splendid, abundant golden hair and mysterious green eyes.

Her charming face with a slightly cold aura.

Her long, slender legs and arms.

Her slim waist.

And on top of that, the racial trait of pure, devoted love.

Even this alone would make her the top bride candidate—but that wasn’t all.

She was a noble, noble princess.

Though elves were skilled with spirits and bows, royalty were on another level entirely.

She was of noble blood, capable of summoning the Spirit King.

Though marrying the Sage would remove her from the royal line, it wouldn’t erase the pact she’d made with the Spirit King.

Thus, though Mia was naive about romance, her confidence in herself was immense.

“Hehe… I shouldn’t get too excited.”

She couldn’t forget the first time she saw the Sage.

His humble speech contrasted with his overwhelming prowess and ability.

Especially his ability to wield both holy power and magic simultaneously, creating something entirely new using both forces.

Holy power and magic were fundamentally impossible for one person to wield together and could not be mixed—they were an absolute truth, never broken before the Sage’s appearance.

Brilliant mages and priests had long experimented to blend these two essences into something new, but the two remained as separate as oil and water.

But…

The Sage was different.

He naturally blended two opposing forces, accomplishing what was deemed impossible.

Mia believed the explosion he created was something even Leah, called a genius, could never surpass.

Because… it was magic beyond the bounds of nature.

Holy power and magic.

The only thing comparable to magic using these two opposing forces…

Perhaps only the legendary dragon’s breath could create such an explosion.

It had annihilated tens of thousands of soldiers from the kingdom warring with the elves in an instant.

So thoroughly that not even corpses could be found.

Could such a cruel, horrific thing even be called magic?

Mia didn’t believe what she saw then was magic.

Rather, it felt more like… divine punishment bestowed upon humans by the gods.

A mushroom cloud rose from the earth, growing high into the sky, scattering brilliant flashes all around.

As if turning the dark night into broad daylight.

Hundreds of meters… no, tens of kilometers vanished in an instant.

She had never seen such a sight in her life.

Yet the Sage, who performed this miracle, remained humble, spoke cautiously, and behaved politely.

‘I remember our first meeting. I never dreamed it would turn out like this.’

…

…

Mia and Hans’s first meeting was truly the worst.

He had secretly infiltrated the kingdom, passed through the elf forest, and reached the World Tree’s dwelling. Then, he secretly approached Mia and attempted to speak.

—Hello. I am the Sage… whoa!

Instead of answering, Mia aimed her long, slender leg at his head, but Hans blocked her attack with one hand.

—Who are you?!

Only ancient dragons could possibly reach the World Tree’s dwelling, evading the keen senses of the superior elves.

After all, they were practically magic incarnate.

Anyway, the inexperienced Mia at that time hadn’t considered such facts.

—No! Wait! I didn’t come to fight! The mercenaries you hired! They’re traitors!

He gave Mia a specific warning.

The mercenaries entering the Elf Kingdom now were bribed to attack the elves.

—Shut up! Reveal your identity!

At that time, Mia suspected the Sage was a spy from an enemy nation and tried to subdue him, but ultimately let him escape.

Seeing him effortlessly deflect her attacks without counterattacking, she mistakenly thought he was insignificant.

‘He didn’t intend to harm me. He must have gone easy on me.’

Later, the mercenary band caused an uprising near the World Tree.

Since the main forces were at the front lines, the capital in the rear was nearly breached by the sudden attack.

Even Mia herself participated in the battle, doing her utmost to repel the enemy’s assault.

At that moment, the Sage reappeared.

His figure, weaving through enemy lines, aiming his shining, smooth metal wand at the mercenaries, was astonishing.

“I miss those days.”

Though it was a life-or-death moment then, looking back, it was quite a beautiful memory.

Rolling through the forest, sometimes climbing trees faster than monkeys to evade enemy attacks.

Casting magic invisible even to the keen eyes of elves.

Occasionally spinning his wand flamboyantly, which confused her, but she assumed there must be a reason.

‘Well… it looked too messy to be just for show.’

Of course, Hans was merely replicating moves from a game he’d played before.

Anyway.

Thus, the Sage, healing elves with holy power and defeating the mercenary band.

Thanks to him, they won the perilous battle before the World Tree.

Though he was human, as the savior of the elves, the Elf Kingdom held a grand festival in his honor.

At that time, her mother asked him if he desired anything.

—I foresee the Demon King will resurrect someday.

He dropped a bombshell.

—Wh… what?

—The Demon King will resurrect?

The hall buzzed at his words, but he continued confidently.

—I earnestly wish for Princess Mia to join the Hero Party when the Demon King resurrects.

—Preposterous! The Queen is present! Remove this madman!

—I knew he was a fraud the moment he arrogantly called himself ‘Sage’!

—Perhaps he’s in league with the mercenaries.

Despite the elders’ violent, sharp reactions, the Sage calmly replied with a smile.

—I predicted the mercenary band’s attack on the Elf Kingdom and saved you all. Yet you still don’t trust me—I am deeply saddened.

—Can’t you shut up?! How dare you speak of such things here? Even gods cannot know the Demon King’s resurrection!

While everyone insulted the Sage, Mia felt puzzled.

Having stood beside him on the battlefield, she knew he wasn’t someone who spoke falsehoods.

—Though you insult me, I intend to give you all a great gift. If you find this gift satisfactory… will you grant my request?

The Sage, offering a gift despite the elders’ insults.

He asserted his correctness against the elf elders, renowned as the wisest beings in the world.

His confident, arrogant demeanor, his overflowing self-assurance, stole Mia’s heart.

Mia, wearing a trance-like expression, followed the Sage as he left the banquet hall.

At that time, Mia’s role was to monitor whether the Sage was acting suspiciously.

Separate from her captivated heart, rationally, Mia thought his words must be wrong.

Curious why he’d said such things, she asked,

—Why did you say something so absurd?

If he’d asked for money or women, his wishes would have been granted.

But he turned his quietly inscrutable gaze toward the night sky.

—Mia, you don’t believe me either?

To his words, Mia nodded.

—Of course not? Knowing the Demon King’s resurrection… I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life.

In truth, there was no way to know of the Demon King’s resurrection.

Since ancient times, how much damage had been inflicted whenever the Demon King resurrected?

If one could know the timing of the Demon King’s resurrection and prepare, preventing great damage would obviously be possible—Mia knew countless races, including dragons and angels, had sought such a method but never found it.

Yet the Sage spoke of it as casually as a dream from last night.

—I know. I am the Sage. A Sage is one who knows all things.

—What?

He smiled brightly.

—I never expected you to believe me at once. I will bestow great grace upon the elves, binding you to a promise with me. A promise you cannot break.

—Knock knock.

Someone knocking on the carriage snapped Mia out of her reverie.

“Huh?”

Mia, who had been lost in past memories,

Realized she had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Soon, the carriage door opened, and Mia stepped out naturally.

A man, as if waiting for her, greeted her with a welcome.

“I sincerely welcome Princess Mia’s visit to the Imperial Palace.”

Thus, Mia’s busy schedule at the Imperial Palace began.

***

The visit of the beautiful Elf Princess.

The news set the capital’s atmosphere ablaze.

Hero Scarlet.

Genius Mage Leah.

Saint Cecilia.

Even Elf Princess Mia—all were beautiful maidens of marriageable age, so men in the capital tried every means to catch even a glimpse of their faces.

—Damn! Is the Elf Princess really that beautiful?

—Pfft! An elf who can’t even cook meat? Our Scarlet is the ultimate bride material. Haa… what if Scarlet sees me at the parade and falls for me?

Since they were all of marriageable age, men secretly harbored dark hopes that perhaps an opportunity might come their way.

—Watch your words. I heard His Crown Prince is interested in the Hero.

At those words, the man who had just spoken of Scarlet turned pale.

—Nah, surely not. Would they really cut off my head just for saying that?

—You never know.

—Right. You shouldn’t speak carelessly of heroes. Heroes always marry into the imperial family.

The Emperor desired heroes with outstanding martial prowess, and heroes desired social advancement—their interests aligned perfectly.

Thus, marriages between heroes and royalty were common.

With so many precedents, rumors naturally spread that the Crown Prince, smitten with Scarlet, would soon propose.

Well… even if whispered, seeing the Crown Prince’s behavior toward Scarlet made it hard to dismiss as mere rumor.

If Scarlet accepted the Crown Prince’s proposal, Hans would find it nearly impossible to ever return to the Old Continent.

His former fling becoming Empress—how chilling a thought!

Anyway, Giovanni, overhearing men at the next table in a tavern, was utterly dumbfounded.

‘Asura… that woman isn’t in her right mind.’

The thought of that dangerously ominous woman becoming this nation’s Empress sent chills down Giovanni’s spine.

‘Didn’t they say Princess Mia arrived at the palace?’

Taking a sip of beer, he took out the letters he’d prepared for Mia and Cecilia.

‘Honestly, after what happened that day, meeting them face to face is impossible.’

The thought that, had he been caught by Scarlet that day, he’d surely not have survived intact made Giovanni shudder once more.

‘First, I’ll ask Zion to deliver the letters.’

When Hans was actively managing Pisa Trading Company, he had contracted with the Imperial Palace to supply goods.

Back then, Giovanni had personally befriended Zion, who worked as a servant in the palace, and planned to ask him to deliver the letters.

“Oh? Giovanni, you’re here early?”

A man with a gentle face walked over and spoke to Giovanni.

“You’re here?”

It was Zion. Giovanni happily waved and offered him the seat across from him.

Zion, sitting opposite Giovanni, asked about his well-being.

“Been well?”

“I’ve been busy. I’m heading back to my hometown soon.”

Giovanni, busy with moving preparations for returning home and Hans’s errands, lived each day hectically.

Of course, Hans’s errands were by far the most grueling.

“But what’s this favor you mentioned?”

“Oh, this… could you deliver these to the Saint and Princess Mia?”

As Giovanni handed over the letters, Zion couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“Huh? What’s this? Are you a fan of both? Sending letters to both of them? Isn’t this guy just a pure womanizer? Hey! Just treat your fiancée back home well.”

At his friend’s teasing rebuke, Giovanni smiled bitterly.

No wonder—his lord Hans had flirted with no fewer than four women, including these two, and things had gone so well that Giovanni was now suffering for it.

“This isn’t mine. And it’s not a love letter. It’s closer to a death notice.”

“What?! Then why send it to them? Who exactly died?”

Though Zion was a friend, confessing the truth would bring dire consequences. Giovanni painfully swallowed the many words rising to his throat.

“Just send it—they’ll understand. Ah? Food’s here.”

Just as food and drinks arrived, Giovanni tried to change the subject, but Zion’s curiosity wasn’t easily satisfied.

“Who exactly is it? Someone extremely close to both of them?”

Annoyed by Zion’s persistent questioning, Giovanni finally snapped.

“So, can you deliver it to them or not?”

“I can’t hand it directly, but if I ask the palace maids, it’s possible. I’ve heard both receive tons of letters anyway…”

Naturally, since they were unmarried and stunningly beautiful.

‘Thank goodness Hans gave me the seal.’

Hans previously purchased Pisa Territory.

Currently, Giovanni, acting on Hans’s behalf while he was in the New Continent, had received the seals in advance.

With Hans’s seal stamped, if the letters were properly delivered to the Hero Party, Giovanni’s task would surely be swiftly completed.

And as Giovanni predicted, they were indeed waiting for Hans’s letters.

“It’s fine. Anyway, dinner’s on me—just do me this favor.”

“Suspicious?”

Seeing Zion still eyeing him suspiciously, Giovanni grew impatient and raised his voice.

“Ah, come on?! It’s not anything weird!”

Giovanni, desperately making excuses, and Zion, persistently suspicious.

Thus, that night drew to a close.

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