10 Years After – 107
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.
Koko wa Ore ni Makasete Saki ni Ike to Itte kara 10 Nen ga Tattara Densetsu ni Natteita
