The Ultimate Sage Who Faked Incompetence and Was Disinherited Just Wants to Enjoy His New Life! - Episode 35: Dragon Slayer

Episode 35: Dragon Slayer 

We rode in the carriage for only a short time before arriving at the massive gates of the royal castle. It was even faster than going to the Adventurers’ Guild. That just went to show how close the noble district was to the castle. 

In front of the gate, I spotted Sancho-san. It seemed we would be granted an audience together rather than individually. 

That made sense. His Majesty must be a busy man. Even so, to arrange a meeting the very day after we arrived in the capital… Did something urgent happen? It felt rather rushed. 

“Sancho-san, good afternoon. I see you didn’t bring the magic stone with you.” 

“Good afternoon, Fel-san. The magic stone has already been transported inside the castle. I’m relieved we found a buyer.” 

Sancho-san chuckled. Was that really the whole story? 

“Hahaha! Sancho, you sly one. You knew, didn’t you? That the kingdom was looking for a massive magic stone?” 

Sancho-san wiped his forehead with a wry smile. It seemed the accusation was spot on. 

“Sancho-san, what does the kingdom plan to use the stone for?” 

“Hmm… should I say?” 

“There’s no need to keep it a secret. The people will find out soon enough. They’re building a massive ship to sail the great seas. They need the magic stone as a power source.” 

“A giant magical ship to cross the ocean? That’s impressive!” 

Were they planning to trade with the neighboring continent? Surely, they weren’t preparing for war…….. That would be unsettling. 

As we talked, the formalities were completed. The guards led us past the castle walls. 

Beyond them stood the beautiful white castle I had glimpsed from afar while on the magical ship. Towering spires reached high into the sky, and the blue roofs blended seamlessly with the sky itself. 

“It’s quite beautiful. Well, not as much as our castle, though.” 

“The Fairy Kingdom has a castle? If it’s that beautiful, I’d love to see it someday.” 

“Sure, I’ll take you there if the opportunity arises.” 

That was an unexpected answer. So humans could enter the Fairy Kingdom? Now I was curious. Were Lilia’s parents there as well? And, come to think of it, how did Fairies reproduce? Was it the same as humans? 

While I pondered these questions, we arrived at the guest room. 

Surrounded by luxurious furnishings that looked impossibly expensive, I found it hard to relax. And to make matters worse, I had to keep an eye on Lilia to prevent her from causing trouble. 

“Wow~ That vase looks really expensive~” 

“Don’t touch it. Seriously, don’t even try.” 

“Then what about those plates on the wall?” 

“Also off-limits.” 

“Ugh, you’re no fun~” 

She knew exactly what she was doing. Lilia was teasing me. As expected of a Fairy, she showed no sign of nervousness even though we were about to meet the King. 

Even Sancho-san was visibly tense. Lilia should calm down at least a little. The clinking of teacups echoed through the room as Sancho-san and I shakily sipped our tea. 

At last, we were summoned. 

With Count Hauzinha in the lead, followed by Sancho-san, and then me, we walked down the long, solemn corridor. The air was heavy with tension. 

Count Hauzinha remained completely composed. He was likely accustomed to this. Sancho-san, though familiar with the castle, seemed to be experiencing his first royal audience. As for me, this was my first time even stepping inside the castle. 

We lined up before an elaborately decorated set of large doors. 

A soldier pushed them open, and they swung inward soundlessly. 

Inside, a red carpet extended all the way to the throne. Though the throne itself was empty, a massive magic stone had been placed nearby. 

Several high-ranking officials stood along both sides of the carpet. 

Step by step, we advanced into the room. The carpet was so plush that it felt like walking on clouds. 

Once we reached the throne, we knelt. We were informed that His Majesty would arrive shortly. 

According to Count Hauzinha, we were not to raise our heads until spoken to. 

I held tightly onto Lilia’s hands to keep her from acting out. She puffed her cheeks in mild protest. But this was far better than letting her mischief run wild. Otherwise, she might try stroking the King’s magnificent beard, sneakily tapping someone on the shoulder, or using wind magic to mess with a bald noble’s hair. 

I sensed movement passing in front of me.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

When I lifted my face, I saw a man in his fifties seated on the throne. He was undoubtedly the king. He gave off a gentle impression. But his eyes were sharp like a hawk’s.

“First, Fel, a Gold Rank adventurer. Well done in defeating the Water Dragon. The magic ship is a precious strategic weapon managed by our kingdom. Losing it would have been a severe blow. Not to mention, many lives would have been lost. Furthermore, had the situation continued, the damage would have undoubtedly reached the royal capital. It was truly fortunate that you prevented that from happening.”

“No, as someone aboard the ship, I merely did what was necessary.”

“Hmm, I see. Hauzinha, Sancho, you both did well too. If you hadn’t hired Fel as a guard, the damage would have been catastrophic.”

“No, it was nothing of the sort.”

Count Hauzinha and Sancho-san both bowed respectfully. It was true that if they hadn’t specifically requested me, I wouldn’t have been on that ship. If that had been the case, I wonder what would have happened to them.

“Next, Sancho, well done securing the magic stone. Had it been taken out of the country, it would have been a tremendous loss. Thanks to you, we can proceed with our plans as scheduled.”

“Your words are too kind, Your Majesty.”

The king’s voice sounded cheerful. Securing the magic stone must have been a major obstacle in his plans. Indeed, if Sancho-san hadn’t been there, no one would have known who would have ended up with it. 

The magic ship had passengers not only from this country but also merchants from other nations. It was entirely possible that it could have been sold to one of them. Even if I had taken possession of it, it wouldn’t have been of any use to me.

“Now then, Minister of Finance, how much do you estimate the magic stone is worth?”

Everyone in the audience chamber turned their gazes toward the enormous magic stone. The black stone occasionally shimmered in seven colors.

“Well… I’d say around a hundred platinum coins.”

“A hundred…!? Mmph—!”

Lilia almost shouted. But I quickly covered her mouth. The king’s eyes turned toward us. I immediately bowed my head. Offending him here would be a terrible mistake.

“My apologies.”

“It’s fine. You seem to have a close bond with Fairies. This country has laws to protect them, so you need not worry. Now then, Sancho, what do you say?”

“Haha! I have no objections.”

“Then it’s settled.”

A hundred platinum coins……… Since I owe Sancho-san a ten-percent commission, I’ll be left with ninety. Even so, that’s a fortune. I could easily live comfortably in the royal capital without working. Maybe it’s time to retire as an adventurer?

“Now then. Fel, as proof of your efforts in protecting the magic ship and slaying the Water Dragon, I bestow upon you the title of Dragon Slayer.”

“Hah! Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I responded just as Count Hauzinha had taught me. Take whatever rewards you can get—that was his lesson. With the Dragon Slayer title, I’d apparently receive ten gold coins annually. That was quite a sum.

After that, I recounted how I had fought the Water Dragon aboard the magic ship. As expected, my magic was far more powerful than that of other mages. The king officially granted me permission to call myself a “Sage”.

With this, I was no longer just self-proclaimed—I had been formally recognized as a Sage.

“Truthfully, I would like to grant you the Orichalcum Rank. But that rank is reserved only for those at the Platinum Rank. Once you are promoted to Platinum, return here. I will be waiting.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Achieving the Orichalcum Rank would mean becoming a direct subordinate of the kingdom. The benefits would be immense. But in exchange, my freedom would be restricted.

For now, I’ll put that on hold. I don’t need such privileges just yet.

And so, my audience with the king came to an end. As a newly titled Dragon Slayer, I would likely be promoted to Platinum Rank soon.

Now, what should I do next? Perhaps I’ll travel the world with Lilia. Where should we go first?