“A good disciple is worth ten masters. That’s exactly what I mean about our Lucilia.

‘From the enormous wealth she offered each time she begged me to take her as a disciple, to the honor of being the Crown Princess’s mentor.’

And now she’s about to provide yet another favor. My disciple is truly exceptional.

“I see that happened.”

Lucilia nodded after hearing about Noah’s situation.

She seemed secretly pleased to hear about Noah’s crushing defeat, but showed concern when told he had shut himself in his room.

“I offer my condolences. I wasn’t aware such a competitor had registered. It’s my fault for neglecting the Harvest Festival duties…”

“Would it be possible to move this participant Dillen to the adult division? That seems appropriate,” Lynen said.

“Move him?”

“Yes. Dillen will be fifteen by the time the martial tournament is held. Competing against much younger participants lacks fairness.”

“Ah.”

It seemed Lynen had conducted a brief investigation about Dillen while I was pacing outside Noah’s room.

I felt reassured anew by his presence beside me.

‘…Thanks to him, I’ve been spared some trouble.’

I was gazing at Lynen’s profile when Lucilia’s response brought me back to attention.

“Moving a participant would be difficult, Duke. There have already been several disputes regarding Harvest Festival participation. Changing the rules again would cause people to lose trust.”

She was referring to when my participation was rejected. Lucilia’s cheeks reddened.

“Besides, my mother still holds more authority than I do. If I speak to her directly about this, the situation might worsen.”

“I understand.”

Lynen withdrew gracefully, seemingly having anticipated this response. He had a different objective anyway.

“Then would you allow us to use the imperial palace dungeon?”

“Of course. I was actually going to suggest that myself.”

Lucilia turned to me.

“Because the Mirror of Truth you requested is likely to be there.”

“In the dungeon?”

On the day I accepted Lucilia as my disciple, I had set a condition without fail: to borrow the imperial treasure, the Mirror of Truth.

Allen had said so. With it, I might discover why I had contaminated magical power and what its true nature was.

Lucilia had agreed but remained silent for so long that I was about to nudge her.

I asked curiously, “Why would an imperial treasure be in a dungeon?”

“The Mirror of Truth shows the user the truth they wish to know. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about the present… meaning it can also show the future that awaits the user.”

Lucilia explained.

“So during the era when imperial princes fought for power, it changed hands frequently.”

“Ah, so?”

“Yes. They were probably curious if they would become emperor. Or perhaps they sought ways to survive.”

A flush rose to Lucilia’s cheeks.

She must be feeling embarrassed on behalf of the imperial family’s shameful past. It wasn’t even that long ago.

“The last person who possessed the Mirror of Truth was the First Prince. The one who survived until the end alongside Brother Blaine.”

Though he ultimately died.

“So the imperial family thoroughly searched every place the First Prince had visited to recover the Mirror of Truth.”

“But it wasn’t found, and the only place left is the dungeon?”

“Yes.”

The dungeon had also been searched by soldiers, but since it was a magically constructed space, they couldn’t be certain they had searched it completely.

“If it’s not in the dungeon either… I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can help you further regarding the Mirror of Truth.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

I patted Lucilia’s shoulder kindly.

“I can always change my condition to something else, with additional compensation for failing to meet my original request.”

“Ugh.”

“Are you prepared?”

“Uuugh. Duke…”

Lucilia looked to Lynen for help, seemingly asking him to restrain me.

But Lynen seemed lost in thought and asked a different question.

“Your Highness, is the dungeon currently accessible?”

“Why do you ask?”

“When I visited the dungeon a few days ago, entry was prohibited.”

He was referring to the day when the Crown Princess and I got caught up in the griffin incident.

Lynen had told me that he’d had to return without even getting to see the dungeon.

Lucilia answered dismissively.

“My brother sealed it because he said the dungeon was too dangerous for outsiders. If he finds out I’ve let you and Master into the dungeon, he won’t be pleased… so I’m thinking I should accompany you.”

“My goodness, Your Highness! Who stands before you now—the Prince or the Crown Princess?”

I gave Lucilia’s back a firm pat!

[Using ‘Villainess’s Parenting Method’ on target ‘Lucilia Manu Clerance’.]

[Pride +1]

[Pride +1]

“Ouch! W-well… fine! This is my decision as Crown Princess, so I’ll take responsibility if any problems arise.”

That’s exactly right.

And so the next day, Lynen and I took Noah on his first martial quest.

* * *

“This looks like… some kind of ruins.”

Inside the dungeon. Thick dust coated the yellow stone walls. Bits of stone occasionally fell from various spots on the ceiling.

“We’re training here?”

“Yes. I heard skeletons appear on the lower floors. That would be more suitable for you.”

At Lynen’s words, Noah put on a solemn expression.

Though he had been gloomy about everything since his match with Dillen, Noah had followed without hesitation when offered special training.

Noah held a real sword in his hands, specially permitted by Lynen.

“You’ve handled real swords a few times in class, right?”

“Yes. But I’ve never cut anything except wood.”

“You’ll get the feel of it after a few swings.”

Just then, something dropped from the ceiling right in front of Noah.

It was a slime with a bouncy, viscous body.

Boing boing.

Noah hesitated before the translucent green slime that lightly bounced up and down.

“…It’s cute.”

“Some nobles keep slimes as pets,” Lynen explained calmly.

“Though many of them suffocate when their heads get swallowed by the slimes.”

“…!”

Noah quickly sliced the slime in half as it jumped toward his head.

Slash! The translucent body split cleanly like jelly, then sagged limply.

Perhaps because it was such a weak monster, the monster’s core wasn’t clearly visible.

“That was too easy.”

“Indeed. Let’s find the stairs to the lower floor.”

Smiling, Lynen let Noah take the lead.

Noah moved forward cautiously without showing any sign of triumph. He seemed to have learned from his previous defeat.

I walked leisurely with my hands behind my back and asked Lynen:

“You must be busy? Supervising Noah’s swordsmanship and also checking for traces of Special Magic Division members.”

“You’ll be busy too.”

“Me? Why?”

Instead of answering, Lynen pulled out a practice sword and placed it in my hand.

“…Huh?”

“You need physical training.”

“What?”

Making a mage hold a warrior’s weapon? What kind of game-ignorant suggestion was this?

“No way. Why should I carry something heavier than a fan? I’ll never need to use a sword anyway.”

“You never know. You might end up sparring with Noah someday.”