The Green Sage And Racluzero University

The academic city of Racluzero. It was one of the kingdom’s ten great cities, founded one hundred years after the kingdom itself—approximately nine hundred years ago—and was the kingdom’s foremost center of culture after the royal capital. Talented musicians and artists gathered there, while all sorts of experiments and research were constantly being conducted, keeping the city perpetually lively. With the Neutral City of Lichten right next door, the influence of royalty and nobility was comparatively weak, and because Racluzero University, the heart of the city, operated under a system of student self-governance, the city was even known by the nickname “City of Freedom.”

Red flags fluttered overhead, and stone buildings lined the streets.

“Waaaaah!! Amazing, amaziiing!”

“What is with this festival-like commotion…?”

Although it was not quite as bustling as the royal capital, stalls lined the streets and merchants loudly shouted their sales pitches. In the plaza, elderly men enthusiastically played some strangely nostalgic tune with trumpets in hand as children applauded them. There were men selling paintings, men drawing crowds with circus performances, women performing magic tricks… It was a wonderful city where smiles seemed never to disappear.

“Racluzero is always like this!”

Tree Carmen, the nineteen-year-old university student they had befriended earlier, boasted proudly. The oldest among the kidnapped girls, she was apparently none other than the top-ranked student at Racluzero University. Universities in this world admitted students starting at seventeen, so she was a third-year student. That made sense.

“I wanna go shopping here!! Can I, Meiro-chan!?”

“No. First, we need to park the wagon. And before that, we’ll drop these girls off in Racluzero. From what I heard, most of them come from around this area, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. Thanks again, really. Once we reach the university, we can make our own way home. I honestly can’t thank you enough.”

“Thank you for saving us, Konoha-chan, Meiro-chan!”

The girls expressed their gratitude one after another. It was a little embarrassing.

“Ah… there it is.”

“Huh? Where, where!? Waaaaah! It’s huge!”

As they proceeded along a broad avenue, a massive building came into view ahead. It was Racluzero University, a structure located toward the northeastern part of Racluzero City. The building rivaled even the city council hall in size. Konoha became incredibly excited upon seeing a campus that was not much different in scale from a Japanese university.

“Welcome! To our Racluzero University!”

The wagon leisurely made its way through the campus. Apparently, there was a designated place to park it, so until they reached it, their crystal-like wagon had no choice but to continue onward under countless curious stares.

At first, the university students recoiled, wondering if some royal family had arrived, but the moment they saw the formerly missing students riding in the wagon bed, they erupted in joy. Tree dealt with the faculty members who came rushing over after hearing the commotion. She pointed toward Konoha and the others while explaining various things, but Konoha could barely make out what she was saying.

“Wait here for a moment! I’ll take you to the chancellor’s office right away!”

After parking the wagon, they walked around the campus on foot. Even in the evening, there were still plenty of people around, making the campus far more active than expected. Students passing by stared curiously at their formerly missing friends, who had returned accompanied by two mysterious beautiful girls. They probably wanted to ask what had happened and celebrate their safe return, but for Tree and the others, bringing Konoha and Meiro to the chancellor came first.

The lecture buildings had a pleasantly old-fashioned design that made Konoha feel as if she had come to a university overseas. Colorful paintings and portraits were displayed here and there, reaffirming just how accomplished this city was in the arts.

Knock knock knock knock.

Tree knocked on the door to the chancellor’s office.

“Come in.”

A raspy voice came from inside.

“Excuse me. I’m fourth-year student Tree S. A. Carmen. Come on, you can come in.”

Urged by Tree, they entered. Inside sat an elderly woman wearing a mortarboard and small spectacles. Her eyes were wide open.

“…Tree, you…”

“I’m back, Grandmother.”

The old woman rose to her feet and began walking unsteadily. Tree hurried over and caught her in an embrace.

“I made you… worry… I’m sorry, Grandmother.”

Tears also spilled from the old woman’s eyes.

“…You certainly did. I’m just glad you’re safe, Tree.”

For a while, time passed gently. Perhaps realizing the situation, the old woman eventually wiped away her tears and released her arms.

“Whew, forgive me. At my age, I can’t help getting sentimental. For now, have a seat. You’ll tell me about those young ladies as well, won’t you?”

“Yes. They saved our lives. Those two brought every single one of us back alive!”

“Then perhaps I should make some tea. Do you girls have any preferences?”

“Anything is fine. Same for this girl.”

Noticing how nervous Konoha became when suddenly addressed, Meiro calmly answered for her.

“Then I’ll make some fine tea. I also got my hands on some good baked sweets, so why don’t we have a slightly late snack?”

With that, the old woman stood and gave her staff a single wave toward a teapot. Water suddenly began filling the pot. The teapot continued floating gently in midair. A cupboard slid open by itself, and a tin of tea leaves emerged. An appropriate amount of leaves floated from the tin into the pot before the lid closed.

Konoha and the others silently watched the entire process in amazement, and before long, steam began rising from the teapot. Apparently, it had already boiled.

The old woman waved her staff once more, and the cupboard opened. Cups and saucers, small silver forks, and floral-patterned plates floated out and gently descended onto the table where Konoha and the others were seated. Colorful baked sweets emerged from a white box nearby and arranged themselves on the plates.

Tea was quietly poured into the cups. A faint aroma resembling Earl Grey spread throughout the room.

“Go on, help yourselves.”

“Th-Thank you for the food.”

“Thank you.”

Konoha nervously brought the cup to her lips. Then she took a sip.

“Ah… it’s… good.”

“It really is. This is excellent tea.”

She set the cup down on its saucer with a soft clink. The soothing fragrance completely eased her tension.

“Now then, forgive me for introducing myself so late. I’m Forest. Forest Carmen. Around these parts, they call me the 【Green Sage】. First, allow me to thank you for saving my granddaughter and my students. And what might your names be, young ladies?”

“Konoha. Konoha Kushibiki. Ah, Konoha is my given name.”

“I’m Meiro. Just Meiro.”

“Konoha-chan and Meiro-chan, is it? Lovely names. Now, I know this is sudden, but could you tell me exactly what happened? I’m still having trouble believing that two little girls like yourselves managed to rescue those children from demons.”

Konoha and Meiro then gave Forest a detailed account of what had happened in the Respega Underground Labyrinth. Naturally, they concealed the fact that Meiro had been imprisoned in chains and that Konoha was the Demon King, instead telling her about their battle with Roman Festival and what had happened in the Starry Sky Room.

“That’s difficult to believe at face value. Would you mind showing me your status screen?”

“Ah… um… Konoha.”

“It’s okay, Meiro-chan.”

Konoha displayed her status screen toward Forest.

(She’s not the Demon King? What does this mean?)

“Oh my, this is… To possess this much strength at your age… Just who exactly are you…?”

“Grandmother… Isn’t that enough? Konoha-chan saved my life! I don’t want you treating her like a suspect!”

“…Is that so? Well, I don’t sense even the slightest trace of malice from her, so I suppose I’ll believe her to an extent. With a level like this, the story about defeating a witch is probably true as well.”

Konoha was not quite that stupid either. She had acted only after determining that the old woman named Forest was trustworthy. She would never show her status screen to just anyone.

“Sho tasty.”

She was an idiot, though. Seeing the girl happily stuffing her cheeks with the baked sweets she had served, Forest began to feel foolish for doubting her. Then, looking at her with the same affection she might show her own granddaughter,

“Would you like another?”

“I can!? Yaaay!”

(If this child were some kind of villain, then I suppose my ability to judge people must have deteriorated considerably. I highly doubt she’s a bad person.)

Konoha still had cream around her mouth, so Meiro tried to wipe it away with a handkerchief. Forest smiled at the heartwarming sight.

“Now then, you saved my granddaughter’s life. I’d be willing to grant just about any request. Is there anything you need?”

Forest asked. Konoha and Meiro exchanged glances, but Konoha honestly could not think of anything.

“Hmm, is there anything?”

“If you have a map of the Borodin Desert, I’d like one. I doubt something like that would be available in the library. I’d also like you to smooth things over for us at the Guild Hall. And I’d like a recommendation for a good equipment shop, along with directions to a place where we can exchange valuables for money.”

“Ah, and registration for the 《Telepathy》 list!”

“Yes, that too.”

Hearing this, Forest spoke with an exasperated look.

“If you girls wanted, I could prepare a fortune for you or even have a house built. Are you really satisfied with just that?”

“Then arrange lodging for us too. We don’t have anywhere to sleep tonight.”

“Good grief. Humans are creatures who ought to be more faithful to their desires. Are you really sure?”

“Yeah! I mean, um, taking money would feel kind of wrong. Besides, there are quite a few places we have to go, so settling down permanently in one place would be a little…”

“If I had to name something, I suppose I would want authority. Which means I intend to make use of your influence.”

“Meiro-chan, you’re way too honest about everything!”

“Honest people are rewarded eventually.”

“You’re just charging straight ahead in every possible way…”

The reason Meiro wanted authority was simple. As long as they were traveling, having authority would prove useful in all sorts of places. She anticipated that it would make various negotiations proceed more smoothly, which was why she wanted it.

“If an adventurer wants authority, then I suppose that means raising their Tag Color rank. You want me to arrange suitable work for that?”

“There’s a limit to what sort of jobs they’ll assign to adventurers with White Moon-class Tag Colors. We’re strong enough to challenge high-level dungeons. We don’t have time to start from gathering medicinal herbs every single time.”

“I see. That’s reasonable. Very well. I’ll speak to a Guild Master I know. The exchange office and equipment shop won’t be a problem either… In fact, I could even negotiate discounts for you.”

“That would help.”

Meiro did not seem intimidated in the slightest. Just where did that nerve come from? She hardly seemed fifteen.

“And what exactly is this map of the 【Borodin Desert】 for?”

“We want to conquer the Witch’s Treasure Chest somewhere in the desert. I believe there’s a witch there called 【Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances】.”

“I see. Very well, I’ll give you a recently made map. As for arranging lodging… Tree, can you handle that?”

“Actually, we have plenty of room at my house! You’re more than welcome!!”

“We can stay at Tree-san’s house!? Meiro-chan, let’s stay there!”

“Agreed. Free lodging is always preferable. We can exchange the dropped items tomorrow.”

“Sleepover♪ Sleepover~”

“What is with that excitement…?”

Outside the window, the city had already sunk into darkness, and the moon had risen.

“Take them to the city’s art museums and concerts as well. Sorry, but I’m too busy with work myself.”

Forest rose to her feet with a grunt.

“Thank you so much, Forest-san!”

“We truly appreciate it.”

“It’s fine. I’ve become quite interested in you girls, and I rather like you. Come by the Guild Hall sometime tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

They stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind them.

“Well then, let’s head to my place. Some friends are visiting, so dinner might get a little noisy, but the food is absolutely unbeatable!”

Tree declared proudly, puffing out her chest. Apparently, Forest would handle questioning the girls about the circumstances of their return. Frankly, Konoha was grateful, since explaining everything to the military police would have been a pain. While they remained in this city, they could freely take advantage of Forest’s influence, which was nothing but good news. The Green Sage’s authority apparently extended throughout all of Racluzero City, to the point that even the city council could not defy her.

“Will there be crab!?”

“There will!”

“Yaaay!”

There had been no crab in the Starry Sky Room, so Konoha became incredibly excited at the prospect of eating it again after so long. Meiro smiled as she watched her, while internally her thoughts were completely filled with the word cute.

The moon had risen high into the sky, but the night in Racluzero remained as lively as ever.