Chapter 6
One of the downsides of being summoned as a gacha character is that there’s no mystery about your past deeds.
“Is it true that you defeated and violated Arfea, the strongest female elf swordsman known as the ‘Sword Saint’?!”
“I did defeat her, but I didn’t violate her.”
“Actually, she was the one who got violated…”
For reference, even after dying and becoming a gacha character, every time I’m summoned, she somehow finds me and tries to violate me again.
“How do you feel about the theory that Mr. Adam’s intimate relations with a certain queen led to the downfall of a small kingdom that no longer exists?”
“I don’t know what moron said that, but it wasn’t me. I never touch married women.”
“The one I touched was the queen’s younger sister.”
Anyway, are these guys even knights? They’re more interested in gossip than housewives at the market!
Our chat’s running out of time…
“Miss Lucy, you’re here with Mr. Adam… Why have you come together?”
“As I said, I’m his owner. Is there some reason we can’t be together?”
At my response, the knight looked startled and quickly waved his hands.
“No, no! It’s just… Don’t gacha characters usually maintain some distance from their masters? Seeing you both here made me wonder if there was another reason. If I’ve offended, I apologize sincerely.”
Honestly, the knight’s question was valid. The distance between our house and this training ground shouldn’t be an issue for separation.
Though if I were too far, an invisible wall would prevent further movement, but regardless, Lucy had no real reason to come along.
So why did she come?
Because Lucy refuses to leave my side, not even for the bathroom. Telling her I’ll return after work while she waits at home is practically torture.
“Adam…”
Lucy looks up anxiously almost immediately. Calming her by stroking her head, I turn to the knights.
“You don’t need to worry about my master. She won’t interfere with the training. Since today’s the first day and all the knights are gathered, let’s observe the captains’ skills.”
Though I accepted the role of swordsmanship instructor, frankly, there’s not much I can teach them. These guys are all official knights of a kingdom. Their fundamentals are solid, their physical conditioning near its peak.
Even if I insisted on teaching my methods, they wouldn’t suddenly become dramatically stronger. Advice would just be unnecessary chatter.
So all I can do is one thing: hammer into them the vast experience accumulated over my life—both before death and as a gacha character.
“Alright, are you ready? Come at me.”
Four knight captains rushed me simultaneously.
—
Of course, Lucy couldn’t follow the details of my duel with the captains through her eyes alone. Still, she easily sensed my overwhelming superiority from the knights’ reactions around her.
“Amazing. This isn’t something words can describe. He’s on an entirely different level!”
“Don’t just gawk; focus on observing his techniques closely. Steal whatever you can!”
“Are you serious? How can we steal anything when we can’t even see properly?”
These guys are all royal knights. Until recently, they were like unreachable celestial beings to someone like Lucy. Now, they’re all praising Adam’s prowess unanimously.
Naturally, Lucy felt somewhat amazed.
Then the admiration turned to murmurs as the knights’ eyes widened in shock.
“Wait… Could that really be…?”
“Unbelievable. What am I witnessing right now?”
“Is it possible for anyone to handle four royal knight captains like this…?”
Though Lucy didn’t understand why the knights were so astonished, a nearby female knight kindly explained.
“Mr. Adam isn’t moving from his spot while facing the captains. In fact, he’s only using half of his body.”
While Lucy still didn’t fully grasp the significance, what annoyed her more was how this female knight stared at Adam with a mesmerized expression despite explaining things so nicely.
It felt like someone was squeezing her heart tightly.
‘Why am I feeling this way? I should be happy seeing Adam praised…’
Meanwhile, the duel ended, and Adam shook hands with the exhausted captains. As the knights rushed toward them, a sudden crowd movement nearly caused Lucy to trip.
“Are you alright?”
In a flash, Adam caught Lucy.
Her unease fading at his touch, Lucy quickly hugged him tightly.
Like a purple blur.
Or…
“…”
More like showing off.
—
The captains’ skills exceeded expectations. The Barfulus Kingdom is pretty impressive.
After finishing the duel and wrapping up today’s lesson, Lucy and I were about to head back when Buelwerke Duke appeared promptly.
“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Aidingger. By any chance, would you mind meeting His Majesty? He insists on meeting you personally. Please…”
Remembering the last incident, I hesitated briefly but realized I’d inevitably face him sooner or later since I’m working as an instructor. So I agreed.
“What about Lucy?”
“I’ll, um… I’ll go together…”
Oh, brave girl. Let’s add an extra dessert tonight as a reward.
We then followed Duke Buelwerke into the palace and headed to the audience chamber.
Seated on the throne was King Barfulus of Barfulus Kingdom. Contrary to my vague expectations, he was a giant of a man.
“Greetings, Lord Aidingger, and his owner, Miss Lucy.”
With a heavy voice, King Barfulus greeted us and signaled the surrounding attendants. Everyone except the duke left, closing the doors behind them.
I wondered if there was a specific reason to clear the room, but soon King Barfulus descended the steps from the throne and stood before us.
Then he bowed deeply.
Ah, the crown fell.
“I truly apologize!”
“…Pardon?”
As I picked up the fallen crown, King Barfulus rose, took it from me, adjusted it, and continued.
“For trying to forcibly bring you here. Honestly, I was tempted by your power and wanted to meet the legendary wandering hero, but thanks to Duke Buelwerke’s timely advice, I realized I nearly committed a grave mistake. Though I don’t know if you believe me, I genuinely regret my actions.”
He talks fast.
Regardless, belief wasn’t necessary. The sincerity dripped from King Barfulus’s eyes.
Now I understand what Duke Buelwerke meant by “not the brightest but a good king.” Someone who makes foolish mistakes yet acknowledges and reflects on them is commendable.
Among the kings and emperors I’ve met, this guy ranks high in integrity.
“Now it’s fine, so please don’t worry. Thanks to you, I’ve also gained a great job.”
“Hearing that makes me grateful! Miss Lucy, do you share Lord Aidingger’s sentiments?”
“Wha-? Um… Yes…”
“That’s wonderful! Thank you!”
King Barfulus smiled innocently, nodded vigorously, and sighed in relief.
“Reflecting on it, we were close to disaster. I’ve heard SSR characters possess strength comparable to an entire nation. If the duke had arrived just a little later that day, the Barfulus Kingdom might have ended.”
Not wrong, and I did consider it.
“Still, I have many stories I’d love to hear from a wandering hero. If you ever feel like it, please visit the palace and keep me company in conversation.”
It wasn’t a difficult request, nor did it seem insidious, so I agreed. King Barfulus visibly brightened but scratched his cheek as if remembering something.
“While we’re on the topic, could I ask another favor? Would you mind meeting my daughter?”
“My princess?”
“Hmm. She loves tales of ancient heroes. When she heard the famous wandering hero had been summoned, she couldn’t stop talking about wanting to meet you… If you don’t mind…”
Ah, so that was the real reason he wanted to forcibly bring me here.
It was risky, but understandable. I used to want to fulfill every wish of Iris back in the day.
“It’s fine.”
“Thank you! Then let’s go together!”
Going together?
“Your Majesty, didn’t you have important tasks to complete today?”
The king paused at the duke’s stern tone.
“Ugh. Can’t I delay them just a bit?”
“Heroic tales can wait. Lord Aidingger already promised to visit anytime.”
“Hmph. Alright then.”
A king who listens to his subordinates.
Thinking I should visit again sometime, I followed the servant outside toward the princess’s chambers.
Lucy, still adjusting to the palace atmosphere, clung to my arm as we walked.
Upon arriving, the servant lightly knocked on the door.
“Princess Josephine. Lord Aidingger has arrived.”
“Okay, tell them to come in.”
Permission granted, the door opened.
As expected, there were two young women inside the room.
One leaned against the bed, while the other stood beside her, observing us sharply with piercing eyes.
The one standing is a gacha character.
Let’s check her stats:
Rank: SR
Stats:
Strength: B
Agility: A
Skill: B
Faith: C
Luck: D
Magic: D
Gacha characters and their owners can view each other’s stats.
Only the name remains unknown to non-owners, but the rank and stats are enough to identify the character.
After exchanging glances for a few seconds, the woman on the bed spoke to the one standing beside her.
“Well, Zandra?”
“Strength, Agility, and Skill are all S-ranked. The stats are absurd. It’s definitely him.”
At Zandra’s confirmation, the woman on the bed turned her head toward us.
“Sorry for doubting, but I was curious about the wandering hero’s status.”
I didn’t ask why she didn’t check herself.
This is Princess Josephine, daughter of King Barfulus.
“Pleased to meet you.”
She’s blind.
—
