"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 8: The "Great Mage" Charlotte

Episode 8: The “Great Mage” Charlotte

“Hm? Who are you?”

“Um… I’m the new worker, Haru.”

“Hmph. You don’t really look like someone who works at a bakery, though.”

“I used to be an adventurer.”

“Really. Is that so.”

“…”

The one continuing the conversation plainly is—The “Great Mage” Charlotte.

I used to call her Sharo.

For what it’s worth, she called me “Sensei” and treated me like a mentor.

Though Sharo’s talent is beyond normal.

There was barely anything I could teach her.

“Ah! Sharo-san. Welcome!”

Lisel came out and called to Sharo.

I see. As expected, Sharo also visits this shop regularly.

“Lisel. I came to buy again today.”

“Yes. Thank you very much!”

“Hmph. It’s nothing to be thankful about. Just… I thought, if it were Sensei, he’d surely like the bread here.”

Umm… Could it be that Sharo is also buying bread to visit my grave?

She was always harsh with me, and I thought she’d stay indifferent even if I disappeared…

“By the way, this new worker called Haru… Isn’t he kind of scary? His body’s big, and his eyes are sharp too.”

“His appearance may seem that way, but Haru-san is very capable! Right, Haru-san?”

“Uh, well. I’m doing my best.”

“Hmph.”

Sharo stared at me intensely. She then suddenly let out an “Ah.”

“Hey, have you ever been told you resemble someone?”

“No… I haven’t.”

There’s no way she’d realize I’m *Hero Haruto* now.

No way… right?

“I see. Well then, I’ll come again.”

“Yes! Thank you for visiting!”

“Thank you.”

She said she’d come again, so I thought it’d be after some time. But Sharo came again three days later.

Still with her usual sour look.

“Welcome!”

“Hmph.”

“You’re here early today.”

“Not really… I’m staying nearby, so I came on the way. Recently, did you hear about monsters appearing around here?”

“Uh… I’ve heard about it, kind of.”

“It was a ‘named’ monster, and there was quite a bit of damage. But it was defeated. I wonder who defeated it. Do you know anything?”

“I don’t know, honestly.”

“The knights, Adventurers’ Guild, Magic Association— We were even planning to send the Sword Saint. But surprisingly, it was already over. Well, if the threat is gone, that’s fine though.”

“………”

At that moment, I remembered something.

Could it be, the monster I defeated on my way to this town, Rothen?

Yeah, based on the story, that’s definitely it.

Though it wasn’t much of a threat to me…

But I *was* thinking in terms of Abyss Sanctum standards. So maybe I’m out of sync with the world.

“So, is there anything you recommend today?”

“Um, then—”

I recommended today’s picks from the breads the boss made.

She bought all of them.

Her body is small, but she’s always eaten a lot.

That hasn’t changed, huh.

“You work efficiently.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. At first, I wondered if someone so rough could work in a shop like this.”

“Haha. Yeah. I’m giving it my all. I’m still learning how to make bread. But I hope to someday serve bread as good as the boss’s.”

“Hmph. Then when you make your own bread, I’ll buy it.”

“Really?”

“But I won’t go easy on you. So make sure you train hard until then.”

“Understood.”

Saying that, Sharo left the shop.

She doesn’t have a soft demeanor, but… maybe that’s her way of being kind.

Still, yeah. The idea of her eating bread I made someday doesn’t feel too bad.

—

After today’s work ended, on my way home—

I ran into Sharo. She had stopped in the middle of the road for some reason.

What’s going on?

“Good evening, Charlotte-san.”

“Kyah! You startled me!”

“Ah. Uh, I’m sorry.”

I called from behind, and Sharo flinched.

“What were you doing?”

“Nothing. Just… thinking a bit.”

“I see. Is work tough?”

“Well… yeah. We’re now looking for the person who defeated that monster. And there are many other investigations. It’s rough.”

“I-I see…”

Huh?

They’re searching for the one who defeated it?

When did that happen…?

Anyway, I must make sure they don’t find out it was me.

“I’ll ask again. Do you have any idea who could’ve defeated the Disaster Fang Beast – Orug?”

“No… not at all.”

“Hmph. Well, I guess not. But judging from the traces, the person must be very skilled.”

“Isn’t it possible another monster defeated it?”

“No. If it were a monster fight, the surroundings would be way more messed up. But it wasn’t. So it must’ve been a human.”

“.…”

T-this is bad.

How did it end up like this…?

Damn. I didn’t think much at the time and just took it down like usual. That’s coming back to bite me now.

“Whether they were a mage or swordsman—we don’t even know that. There were no traces at all. Frankly, I’m even considering the possibility of foreign invasion. If it was a solo defeat, then that person is one of the world’s strongest. Equal to, or even above, the Sword Saint.”

“I-I see…”

I didn’t know it had become such a big deal…

“I’ll be staying here a bit longer. So if you learn anything, let me know. Even small things.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Then, bye-bye.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

Sharo said that and left.

She used to be more childish. But maybe because of her position now, she seemed like a proper adult.

Still… yeah.

I must keep it secret that I defeated the Disaster Fang Beast – Orug…

—

After the weekend break, work resumed.

Today, as I’d heard earlier, we were heading out to greet a supplier.

“Today, we’re going to visit a supplier. It’s for introductions.”

“Where are we heading?”

“Ordo Farm. It’s not that far. If we use a carriage, it’ll be quick.”

Lisel and I headed to Ordo Farm.

Apparently, the boss insists on using flour only from this farm.

South from the town of Rothen, about an hour.

Beyond some gentle hills, a golden sea spreads out.

That is—Ordo Farm.

In the vast fields, the wheat sways in the wind.

A breeze gently brushed the land; It was like fingers sliding across, creating ripples.

At the center of the farm, there’s a low-built stone farmhouse.

Lisel headed there and called out loudly.

“This is Lisel! I’ve come to greet you!”

“Ohh! Lisel-chan!”

An elderly man appeared.

Though slender, it’s clear his body still holds muscle.

“Since we have a new worker, I thought to introduce him.”

“I’m Haru. I work under the boss.”

“Ohh! Nice build you have! Were you an adventurer?”

“Yes.”

“Hahaha! From adventurer to baker, huh! I like that. I’m Ordo. Nice to meet you, Haru.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.”

We shook hands.

Ordo-san seemed like a really good person.

“Ah. Actually, we have a new worker here too. Heeey! Luster! You around?”

………Luster?

No, it must be my imagination.

It’s just a common name, right?

As I thought that, a woman came out.

“Hm. What is it, Ordo?”

She wore a straw hat and had rolled up sleeves.

Her skin was smooth like porcelain. Her eyes were crimson. And her short hair was like burning red fire.

As the wind blew, her red hair swayed and melted into the sea of wheat.

No doubt about it.

She was the last one.

A former comrade—The Absolute Guardian, Luster.