Volume 2 Chapter 7 Alice – Part I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It has already been a year and a half since Sir Rob returned to the village.
Thanks to the unique ability ‘Fate Gem’ that I inherited from my mother, I knew that Sir Rob was someone who would make me happy.
Not only that, but I also thought there was no one stronger than me among my peers, yet he was the one who shattered that confidence.
I wanted him to stay with me more.
If it were allowed, I wished he could live here with me forever.
That day, Sir Rob promised he would become an adventurer and come to see me again, so I was really looking forward to it.
…But now, a year and a half has passed, and he still hasn’t come.
He is not the kind of person who would break a promise on purpose.
Even I, who only spent 5 days with him, understand that well.
I wonder if something happened that prevents him from coming.
…Will I ever see him again?
Not far away, there is a country ruled by the demon race.
The battles are getting more intense, and my father, the soldiers, and the adventurers are all exhausted from the endless fighting.
The number of people who can fight is slowly decreasing.
In the near future, I will probably have to join the war against the demon race.
I need to become stronger, to surpass my limits, so that I can protect as many people in this country as possible.
* * *
The underground town of Sphere Kingdom has its ceiling adjusted by magical tools to let in a gentle morning light, and a cool breeze is blowing.
In this calm environment, 2 girls in tight gym outfits are running down the street. One looks relaxed, while the other is struggling to keep up.
”Alice, I’m reaching my limit~”
The girl gasps, trying to catch her breath.
”Okay. How about we take a break for breakfast?”
I reply lightly, slowing down my pace with a smile.
”Hah… hah… I don’t know how you can keep going every morning… I’m already exhausted.”
Charlotte (nicknamed: Charl) seems to be doing her best just to keep up with me.
”Hehe… You don’t have to push yourself too hard, you know?”
I give Charl a cheerful smile.
”No, starting today, as a member of Alice’s party, I need to build my stamina too!”
Charl responds with determination.
’Saint’ Charlotte Sphere Milifica.
She is the 8h princess of this country and the only relative I can say I’m close to.
My family is the highest-ranking noble family, the Duke, and my father, Leon Valliere, is the captain of the Sphere Kingdom’s knight order.
The people who have been guarding me until now are joining the front lines against the demon race, so I need to reorganize my party.
Charl has joined as part of that reorganization.
Since the other relatives all declined, it’s just the two of us for now.
I’m thinking of looking for the other 3 members among the guild adventurers.
* * *
After finishing our morning training, Charl and I were heading back to the mansion.
It was a calm morning that we shared together, and it was time to enjoy the breakfast that Ms. Elna had prepared for us.
I was really grateful to Chef Arnaud, who always makes delicious meals.
”Alice, what level are you at now?”
Charl asked with hopeful eyes.
”I’m at level 80 now,”
I replied while checking my status window.
”Wow… 80!? How did you level up so much!?”
Charl’s eyes sparkled with surprise.
”It’s the result of working hard with the guards until recently. Since the guards have all reached their growth limits, I’m sure they’re doing great on the battlefield in the demon race country.”
”That’s amazing… I’m still at 60. I’ve been going to dungeons with the guards protecting me, and I’ve improved a bit, but it’s tough because the higher the level, the deeper we have to go…”
Charl looked a bit troubled.
”Yeah… that’s why training while staying in the dungeon is efficient.”
I nodded, remembering how hard I had worked too.
”Ugh… I knew you were doing that. I don’t think I could sleep in a dungeon; I’d be too scared.”
”…I wonder if there’s anyone in the guild who would join us?”
I suddenly thought to ask.
”Probably not. Strong people are all participating in the rewarding demon race country war, and for those who aren’t strong, our place would be tough. I guess we’ll have to rely on Grandpa after all…”
Charl said, looking a bit worried.
”Sir Edmond… He really cares for Charl, so he seems happy that you’d join me. But lately, the way he looks at us is a bit… no, it’s nothing.”
I started to say, but swallowed my words.
(How should I put it? His gaze feels a bit lewd, and it seems like every time we meet, he’s looking at my and Charl’s chests and butts…)
Edmond Sphere Milifica.
He was the former king of this country and is known as the ‘Sword Saint.’
Even now, he trains every day, and I’ve had the chance to practice with him a few times.
I don’t want to admit it, but he might be stronger than Papa.
I can’t even imagine him losing, let alone struggling.
…If Sir Edmond is with us, it seems like the 3 of us──me, Charl, and Sir Edmond──could go deep into the dungeon together.
* * *
In the Sphere Kingdom, there are 2 dungeons nearby.
To the north, there’s a dungeon used by beginners to C-rank adventurers for gathering materials and training.
And to the southeast, there’s a high-difficulty dungeon for B-rank adventurers and above.
This time, we decided to go to the dungeon in the southeast.
The party members are me, Alice Valliere, Charl, Sir Edmond, and 2 maids that Sir Edmond brought along.
Charl has beautiful purple hair in twin tails, dressed in a long, pure white robe that looks very ‘Saint-like,’ and she holds a large staff with a beautiful blue crystal attached to it.
She looks just like an angel that came down from heaven.
Sir Edmond, on the other hand, looks very light and agile, not at all like someone about to enter a dungeon, wearing simple cloth clothes secured with a sturdy belt.
However, I was wearing shoes that greatly increased my movement speed, and I also had a bracelet with a subspace storage function equipped.
That appearance truly gave off the aura of a ‘Sword Saint.’
The two maids, dressed in their servant outfits, were filled with anxiety about taking me to the dungeon.
…Is it really okay to take them?
”Sir Edmond, thank you for accompanying us on our dungeon exploration, which will be our training for a while,”
I said, feeling nervous but filled with gratitude.
”Ho ho… it’s quite enjoyable to see young maidens fighting desperately up close. Besides, the sooner you grow stronger, the more at ease I will be… The castle’s ‘fortune teller’ has prophesied that something ominous will happen soon, so I decided to hurry and train you all,”
Sir Edmond’s words carried a weight that felt more serious than just a joke.
”R-really…? So, um, are you two also coming to the dungeon with us?”
I turned my gaze to the two maids.
At that moment, one of the maids stepped forward and began to introduce herself with a smile.
”Lady Alice, please don’t worry. My name is Mimi, and this is my sister, Momo. Despite our appearance, we are A-rank adventurers. We will support you all properly, so please feel free to advance deeper.”
I was taken aback, my eyes widening in surprise.
These petite maids are ranked higher than me, A-rank…?
The two maids looked exactly the same, and I couldn’t tell them apart.
Both had beautiful light blue hair that reached their shoulders, and their bangs were cut to just above their eyebrows.
I wore strong-looking gloves on both hands and had a magic bag with a space storage function hanging from my shoulder.
As for my gear, I was dressed in light and durable armor, a sky-blue color, that I received from my father.
With this slightly unusual group, we began our dungeon exploration.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.