Chapter 103
“…?”
When I turned at the commotion, I found Baron Cleman and the people of Epherne Castle staring in stunned disbelief.
“Th-This can’t be…! A miracle—a miracle!”
Baron Cleman dropped flat to the ground and began chanting, “Saintess!” over and over.
And then—
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
The notification sounds went berserk, my reputation skyrocketing like it had lost its mind.
As a result….
Current Reputation: 5,815
Reputation Required for Living Space Upgrade Level 3: 5,815 / 3,500
‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
It wasn’t just the Baron. Everyone else was looking at me with reverence in their eyes.
Meanwhile, even the title in my profile updated automatically.
Name: Muriel Tierney Tierney
Age: 21
Race: Human
Title: Sacrifice of the Tierney Family, Scapegoat, Excellent Farm Owner, Intermediate Apothecary, One and Only Purifier (New!)
Traits: ■■■ ■■■ ■■’s Blessing (□□ Bonus)
‘One and Only Purifier….’
So I’d officially obtained that title in the end.
Your name spreads far and wide across the world!
I’d wanted to avoid a life on such a grand scale.
‘Should I just admit it at this point…?’
That living quietly and modestly was never going to happen….
A week later, Larkia, capital of the Grastea Empire.
A carriage bearing the crest of the Grand Duchy of Epherne passed through the southern gate.
Not only the guards stationed along the walls but even the pedestrians on the streets gaped openly as they stared at it.
‘His Grace of Epherne!’
‘The Second Prince!’
‘Then the one riding in that carriage must be….’
A rumor that had spread throughout the capital—and across the entire continent.
[At last, after a thousand years, a new Purifier has been born!]
There were plenty of controversies surrounding the Purifier named ‘Muriel,’ but one thing was certain—
‘If she’s the real deal, this is monumental!’
Everyone was brimming with expectation.
Would she truly be able to save the contaminated lands left neglected for over a millennium?
Curiosity and hope flickered in the eyes of those sneaking glances at the carriage.
“Th-This is insane….”
In the bustling district of Larkia, capital of the Grastea Empire, I stood gawking like a country bumpkin visiting the big city for the first time.
The imperial capital was a world unto itself.
As the city that housed the First Mage Tower, everything in the streets benefited from magitech engineering.
The streetlamps, the paved roads, the landscaping—every last detail.
There was a reason this place was called the “City of Light.”
‘It’s on a completely different level from the Roblet Kingdom.’
Probably from any other kingdom, for that matter.
The Grastea Empire’s magitech had practically reached the realm of modern civilization.
‘Not that they have computers or anything.’
Though there was something similar.
No—depending on how you looked at it, perhaps even superior.
Magitech dolls.
“It’s been a while, you two.”
Rena, Dante’s magitech doll, smiled gently and bowed her head.
No matter how many times I saw her, she looked perfectly human.
To the point that anyone might mistake her for having emotions.
“I’ll escort you to headquarters. You must be tired from your long journey, so all the guild members have prepared diligently to ensure you can rest comfortably.”
“Thank you, Rena.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
To be honest, we hadn’t suffered much on the way here.
Thanks to Lycian’s teleportation magic, we’d traveled from Arblis to the outskirts of the capital in an instant.
As expected, the mana of a dragon’s descendant was absurdly overpowered.
“This is the Veratis Guild headquarters.”
After about a minute’s walk, Rena stopped in front of a five-story building.
The exterior was simple yet elegant.
As I tilted my head back, taking it in, the front doors burst open and a small figure came flying out.
“Muriel unnieee~!”
It was Nikke.
“Nikke, have you been well?”
“Mhm!”
I hugged the child who had launched herself at me and greeted her warmly.
I still wore the knotted bracelet she’d given me before.
She glanced at my wrist, confirmed it, and beamed.
“Everyone’s been waiting! Let’s go inside! Hi, Lycian oppa!”
“…Hello.”
The innocent child didn’t seem to care in the slightest that Lycian was the Grand Duke.
And Lycian, for his part, didn’t look particularly bothered by being called oppa.
Holding the hand of the rabbit-like child as she bounced along, I stepped through the wide-open entrance—
Bang!
Pop-pop!
“…?!”
“Welcome~!”
“To the light and hope of our guild—Lady Muriel, welcome! But you’re staying in the guild, right?”
Firecrackers exploded on both sides, colorful confetti fluttering through the air.
So this was… a welcome event for me.
One of the guild members handed me a bouquet. I accepted it with a smile.
“Of course I’m staying. I’m the only apothecary you’ve got.”
“Exactly! Where else would we find an apothecary like you, Lady Muriel!”
At my positive answer, the guild members cheered enthusiastically.
Watching their bright, lively faces, I let out a soft laugh.
“Muriel! Uh, I mean—should I be calling you Lady Muriel too? Anyway, welcome to headquarters! It’s a bit chaotic, but….”
Daphne approached just then to greet me. It was good to see a familiar face.
We shared a warm reunion—though when it came time for her to greet Lycian, the atmosphere turned slightly awkward.
I also exchanged greetings with Allen, Mikhail, and Tierra after a long while.
I was told Nigel and Lucas were away on assignments.
“By the way, where’s Mr. Dante? And I don’t see Camilla either. Are they on missions too?”
“W-Well, about that….”
At my question, Allen flinched and avoided my gaze.
I tilted my head in confusion—
BANG!
Suddenly, someone kicked the front door open so hard it slammed against the wall.
Backlit by the doorway stood none other than Camilla.
“Hoo.”
She blew her bangs out of her face and casually dumped the person slung over her shoulder onto the floor.
Crash!
A familiar-looking man sprawled across the marble.
“M-Mr. Dante?”
I stared in shock, lips moving soundlessly, as Camilla strode up and stopped right in front of me.
Then she wiped the fierce expression off her face and broke into a sweet smile.
“Muriieeel~! I missed youuu~ Have you been well…?”
Her attitude had flipped 180 degrees. I blinked, taken aback.
“Y-Yes… Camilla, have you been well? But why is Mr. Dante…?”
“Ugh….”
Just as Camilla was about to answer, Dante groaned and staggered upright.
He looked like a wreck who hadn’t bathed in three days.
Like something you’d see in a gambling den….
‘…Ah?’
No way.
“Our Guild Master’s relapse flared up again, and he’s been blowing everything at the casino…. And that’s when our guild is already struggling with the Vintzheim dungeon! Sure, we sold the map at a high price! But of course, none of this is your fault, Lady Muriel…. It’s all the Guild Master’s fault…!”
“Hear, hear!”
“Yeah, it’s all the Guild Master’s fault!”
“Tie him up!”
“Wooo!”
Possessed by madness, the guild members bound Dante tightly with rope and sat him down in a chair.
‘Is this really okay?’
I was rendered speechless by this open mutiny the moment I arrived at headquarters.
Standing there awkwardly, I met Dante’s wistful gaze as he spoke.
“Your Highness… Lady Muriel… it’s been a while. I look a bit of a mess right now, don’t I? Let me wash up, and we’ll talk.”
“…How are you planning to wash in that state?”
“Haha, no need to worry. I have my methods.”
Using magic, Dante floated up into the air and drifted down the hallway, laughing all the way.
He was going to wash, apparently… but surely he wasn’t planning to shower while still tied up…?
About an hour later.
I was chatting idly with Lycian in the reception room when the door clicked open and Dante walked in.
The gambling-addicted wreck was gone. In his place stood a man as elegant as a peacock.
“My apologies for keeping you waiting. Shall we begin?”
He strode over like a model and sat gracefully on the sofa opposite us.
I set down my teacup and studied him before speaking.
“Mr. Dante… I don’t mean to pry, but wouldn’t it be better to quit gambling…?”
“…….”
Dante sighed deeply, his face heavy with contemplation.
“I apologize for showing you such a pathetic sight. Sometimes I’m seized by impulses. A desire to drown in the thrill of gambling and forget reality altogether….”
‘Oh dear.’
Dante clearly needed counseling.
Or at least someone who could offer him emotional support.
“In any case… since you’ve come to headquarters, there are a few important matters I need to discuss.”
“What kind of matters?”
“Well, starting with something relatively less urgent… it seems the situation in Vintzheim isn’t good.”
“…?”
Vintzheim—Raul’s territory.
What could be going wrong there?
Dante continued.
“You remember the palace-type dungeon that appeared in Vintzheim, correct? Duke Winterberg struggled with its conquest and has ultimately requested assistance from the Parakai Church.”
“…!”
“The Holy Knight Order is scheduled to be dispatched. We’ll have to see the details, but it appears it won’t be mere support—the Church may be entrusted with the entire conquest.”
Receiving aid from the Holy Knight Order was considered humiliating. It implied the lord was unfit for the role.
And yet Raul had been driven to that point.
‘What on earth is going on?’
“And one more thing…. Regarding that matter, the Parakai Church has declared that if they succeed in the conquest— the master of the Vintzheim dungeon will be Lady Muriel.”
“…What?”
The words were so unexpected that I nearly spilled my tea all over myself.