Shia and Nia’s Father
As we headed back towards the royal capital, Nia asked me a question.
“Mister Locke, why do you hide the fact that you are a Sorcerer?”
“Well, it’s a little complicated.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for asking such a strange question. My sister said that I shouldn’t pry into the affairs of other Adventurers.”
“Nia. That’s exactly right.
Shia said admonishingly. I patted Nia on the head.
“Shia is right, so you should be careful.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Though, in this case, I do not mind. I was going to tell you anyway, since you would just learn about it eventually.”
Nia tilted her head to the side.
“Don’t tell anyone else, but I am actually the Ruck.”
“You mean the Ruck from our money?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Oh, that’s amazing!”
Nia’s eyes sparkled.
“It’s an honor to meet the hero Ruck!”
“But like I said, don’t tell anyone.”
“Understood! I won’t tell anyone even if my life depended on it.”
“Uh, no. You don’t have to go that far.”
Shia had said much the same thing when I told her.
But it wasn’t that important of a secret.
“Your life is a lot more important. You should remember that.”
“Understood.”
Nia nodded eagerly.
And so I explained to her the reason that I kept my name secret.
I said that being known as a Grand Duke would put me at risk of getting involved in a political power struggle.
Nia looked confused.
“I now understand why you hide your name, but why do you hide that you’re a Sorcerer?”
“Yes, about that. It’s really more about my rank.”
“Your Adventurer’s rank?”
And so I told Nia that I was faking my rank as an Adventurer.
If I registered as a Sorcerer, it would show that I was an S-Rank.
“I see. After all, there is no other S-Rank Sorcerer but you, Mister Ruck.”
“Actually, I’m not just a Sorcerer, to be precise.”
“Is that so?”
“By full job is Great Philosopher, Our Saviour, The Great High Sorcerer, S Rank.”
“I-I see. Then people would definitely know who you are.”
“Exactly.”
As we talked like this, Serulis suddenly blurted,
“I’m so sorry that daddy did that to you.”
“No, it’s not really Goran’s fault.”
Well, it was in a way, but it was mostly Eric’s fault.
“That’s why I don’t want to raise my rank. They do a lot of research on you when raising your rank.”
“Oh. I understand it now!”
Nia seemed like a smart girl, and so she understood my situation.
Serulis then added,
“Mister Locke. Don’t you think you should tell this to Milka as well?”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Milka knew I was a talented Adventurer and that I was a friend of the king.
But she didn’t know that I was Ruck himself.
“It’s not that I don’t trust Milka. But the more she knows, the more danger she will in.”
“I think you are overthinking it.”
“Maybe. Maybe I am thinking too much.”
I hoped that I was.
Besides, Milka was smart. She would figure it out sooner or later.
Then it would be better for me to tell her myself.
“I think I will tell her once we get back.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Serulis said with a smile.
She liked Milka and was perhaps worried that she would feel left out.
The road home was peaceful and uneventful.
On the way, Shia continued to teach Nia about being an Adventurer.
She was a very caring teacher.
After arriving in the city, we went to the guild to report that we had finished the quest and then submitted the magical stones before going home.
Milka greeted us when we arrived at the mansion.
“Mister Locke, welcome home. And welcome back to the rest of you as well.”
“Hello.”
The others all greeted her, then Milka said,
“Mister Locke, you have a guest.”
“A guest? Is it Eric?”
“No.”
And so I left the others and went to the drawing room. Shia and Nia’s father was there.
He quickly stood up and bowed when I entered the room.
There was a cane right next to him that he likely used when walking.
Even if he could stand, it was probably not easy.
“Ah, Chief Danton. Please don’t tire yourself. Have a seat.”
I said in greeting. Shia’s father stood upright then and tried to lower his head.
And so I quickly made him take a seat and sat down myself.
Then he bowed once again.
“I haven’t seen you since the ceremony after the High Lord hunt.”
Shia and Nia’s father was called Danton.
I had learned this when I last talked to him.
“Ah, Locke. It seems that you have been helping my daughters.”
“No, if anything, they have been helping me. But how are your wounds?”
“Thank you. I am feeling much better now. At least, I have no trouble in the day to day tasks.”
During the award ceremony, Danton’s right arm had been in a sling.
But he didn’t have one now. His arm must have healed.
“I am glad to hear it.”
As Milka went to prepare some tea, she called for Shia and Nia.
They came immediately.
“Fa-father! Why have you come so suddenly?”
“It is only normal for a father to visit someone who is helping his daughters.”
“That may be, but…”
Danton looked worried.
“I had heard that you were helping Shia, and so I always meant to visit you eventually.”
“Oh, it’s nothing! In fact, she has helped me greatly on my investigations.”
“Thank you for saying that… However, now that Nia is here as well… Are you sure that they are not being a nuisance?”
“No, not at all. You must not worry about that.”
I said, much to Danton’s relief.
