Temple.

Jupiter was still undergoing treatment, so I decided to stop by Godhand’s ward first.

Upon opening the door to the ward.

"Hey, stay right there!"

"Ahahahaha! Try and catch me!"

"Throw me that, over here!"

The Shadow Squad members were laughing and playing around...

They were throwing a ball, playing tag, and running around gleefully. Wait, isn’t this an intensive care unit? It felt more like a children’s playroom.

"Oh, Your Highness."

Seated on the bed, watching the squad members frolic about, Godhand noticed us.

"You’re here."

"Ah, it’s His Highness!"

"He’s here! His Highness!"

"Right, he’s here, you kiddos."

These brats, at first, they feigned discipline. But that’s long gone now.

After a quick salute, they went back to their merriment. Do as you please, kids.

Pushing past the kids, I entered the room and sat down on the chair next to the bed.

"How are you feeling, Godhand?"

"Thank you for coming all the way here, Your Highness. But there’s no need for concern."

Godhand nonchalantly held up his empty arm.

"The joint is still intact, so once I attach a prosthetic, I can move it as before, using my ability to manipulate metal."

"..."

"I just need to heal from the wound. I’ll be back to normal in no time."

Whether he was pretending to be composed or genuinely thought that way, it was heartbreaking either way. But I just nodded without saying anything.

"You’ll still need rehabilitation. Take it slow, no need to rush."

"Your words are comfort enough, Your Highness."

"If there’s anything you need, let me know. I’ll make sure you’re well accommodated."

After a bit more of a casual conversation, I left the ward. They’d rest easier without me there.

"Goodbye, Your Highness!"

"See you!"

The kids waved their hands. I waved back.

As we were leaving the ward, Lucas grumbled, seemingly displeased.

"Those kids are showing less and less respect to you, Sire."

"So what? Let them be."

I’m not a real prince, and they’re not real empire citizens.

It’s endearing how the immature kids act familiar with me. It’s better than them being distant.

With those thoughts, I walked outside, while Lucas was still standing in the ward, looking at me.

"What’s the matter, Lucas?"

"...No, it’s nothing."

Lucas shook his head slightly.

"I just thought how different you are."

"Huh? In what way?"

"The depth of your understanding, Sire."

Smiling slightly, Lucas strode towards me and took the lead.

"Come this way, Sire. I know where Jupiter’s ward is."

"Alright. Let’s go quickly."

As we headed towards Jupiter’s ward, a thought struck me.

“Wouldn’t that Gold-Fever granny scold me for not bringing a get-well gift?”

***

Jupiter’s hospital room.

Just as her treatment ended, I pushed open the door and entered. With a loud bang!

"Are you still alive, Jupiter?!"

"Oh, Your Majesty!"

As soon as I entered the room, Jupiter, who was spooning something into her mouth, blanched at the sight of me.

"It’s been so long since I saw you! How many days have passed since I collapsed?"

"Almost ten days. Jupiter. It’s good to see you’re okay."

I chuckled. Seeing this old lady move with her usual energy, my worries finally dissipated.

Jupiter was leaning against the headrest of the bed, scooping from a bowl of porridge on her bedside table.

She had been unconscious for ten days, receiving only healing magic. The elderly mage looked emaciated.

"How are you feeling?"

"I’m completely fine... I wish I could say that."

Jupiter, who had pushed the porridge bowl to the side, held up her hand.

"To be honest, it’s not great."Her trembling fingers were visible.

"Half of my magic circuits have been burnt out. They are slowly recovering, but..."

"Will you fully recover?"

"I will get better. It will take time, and even then, I’m not sure if I can output as much as before."

With a bitter smile, Jupiter quietly let out a sigh.

"All this because I blocked a few spells... I guess I’m really getting old."

"Eat well and rest well. Recover quickly."

I smiled wryly.

"Without our Lightning Mage, we had a hard time in the last defense. You better recover before the next one."

"Haha. What choice do I have? I can’t exactly spit out my weekly pay."

Jupiter, who had been giggling, slowly looked down at her own hand.

"...Above all, not yet."

The thin, trembling hand of the old woman eventually clenched tightly.

"I can’t go yet. I have many things to do."

Jupiter had a serious look on her face, but I couldn’t help teasing her.

"What else do you have to do? Are you going to earn more money and build a castle?"

"Hahaha! How did you know, Your Majesty? That’s exactly right."

Jupiter, who had been laughing out loud, slowly wiped off her smile.

"A castle, yes, a castle. That sounds really good..."

I shrugged.

"I’m not sure about a castle, but I’m planning to build a luxury hotel in Crossroad soon."

"Ohho!"

"I’ll offer you a cheap stay. After all, you are part of my direct party, so I can provide that kind of service."

"I’ll gladly accept it. So, I’m the first guest, right?"

"I’m the first one. I’ve booked it. You can take the second spot."

"Looking down at the city view from the hotel suite with whiskey and cigar... Can a mercenary enjoy any greater luxury?"

With hands as empty as an uncorked bottle of whiskey, without even a cigar to hold.

We laughed as we spun tales of an unbuilt hotel’s non-existent suite.

Perhaps it was these mirage-like dreams that kept us going, day after day. Not as mercenaries... but maybe, as humans.

After sharing more anecdotes, I gradually rose from my spot.

"There’s plenty of time before the next defense battle. Focus on resting and recovering, Jupiter."

"I’ll heed your advice, sire."

Though unable to rise due to her discomfort, Jupiter gave a nod of acknowledgement. Suddenly, she gasped.

"But, sire."

"Hm?"

"You came to cheer me up, but did you forget to bring a gift?"

Oh, I knew you’d say that!

***

"Recovery within four weeks is absolutely impossible."

Saintess Margarita spoke decisively.

"Godhand’s injuries are external. It’s easy to treat and he’ll recover quickly. He’ll be able to return soon. But it’s not the same for Jupiter."

"..."

"A magic power surge is one of the most serious internal injuries. It’s no different than having the magic field - the basis for a wizard - burned to ashes."

Margaret compared the principles of a wizard using magic to farming.

The body is the farmland, and the magic is the fertilizer used to cultivate it - the result is magic.

Jupiter had taken a hit to the foundation of this farming system - her farmland.

"In the case of the young and resilient, it’s not that there are no cases of recovery, but in Jupiter’s case..."

"She can’t recover, you mean."

"At least, she won’t be able to return to the battlefield in four weeks."

Margaret glanced at the sickroom.

"If I let her go, she’ll undoubtedly overdo it. So, I’m going to keep her confined in the temple."

"You’re strict, Saintess."

"All mercenaries seem to have this tendency."

Margaret, arms crossed, shook her head.

"Burning even their future selves to defeat the enemy right in front of them... I’ve seen far too many cases like this."

"..."

An awkward silence fell for a moment, and Margarita was the first to bow her head and turn her body towards the interior of the temple.

"Then, if there’s a change in their conditions, I’ll let you know."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

As always, I put a gold coin in the donation box.

And then I walked out of the temple.

I sent Damien, who came to meet me, back into the temple and stood in front of the carriage for a moment.

"Phew..."

I sighed, scraping the ground with my toe.In essence, Jupiter was ruled out for the season.

’An SR-grade area wizard wasted so trivially...’

Of course, if she recovers diligently from now on, there might be ways to use her in the stages ahead.

But for the next defense battle, the biggest challenge in the early stages, I’ll have to see her as unavailable for Stage 5. She’ll have to be excused from the base camp retake operation too.

"Could we handle these battles without an Area Mage?"

Archers of the Shadow Squad might be able to take on a similar role, but ultimately, physical archers and mages serve different purposes.

Without Jupiter, I would have to take Lilly with me. I couldn’t keep endangering Lilly, who was unable to use her legs.

I mulled over this predicament, before shaking my head vigorously. No, this is futile.

Standing next to me, Lucas was waiting patiently. I turned to him and shouted with renewed vigor.

"Shall we go and hire a new friend?!"

It’s gacha time!

We had no choice but to hope that a suitable new friend would be available at the Mercenary Guild.

’It’s unlikely that an Area Mage would be conveniently available.’

But, who knows? The god of dice in this game might play a trick again.

***

Thus, to the Mercenary Guild.

I took a deep breath before entering.

"Huuh…"

I would love to take a dip in the pool of fortune, or offer sacrifices to some altar before entering, but...

"I’ll just trust my gacha luck!"

With a firm grip, I flung open the door.

"Is there any new character-?!"

Then.

Flash-!

From within the Mercenary Guild, a dazzling golden light was shining.

"…?"

Stunned, I froze.

Wait a minute.

Am I seeing things?

Really? Real gold?

’An SSR grade appears here?! For real?!’

Thud!

I forgot about my dignity and first impression. It was not the time to care about those things.

I dashed into the Mercenary Guild. Lucas quickly followed.

At the bar in the quiet interior of the Mercenary Guild.

A woman with yellow hair, haphazardly cloaked in a long robe, and a large hat pulled low... was there.

The golden light that signifies SSR grade was emanating from her.

Bam!

I hurriedly sat next to her and asked right away.

"You, a mercenary?"

"…"

The woman slowly turned her head towards me.

Her yellow hair was a mess, covering half her face.

The visible eye seemed listless, its corner drooping. There were a few freckles on her cheek.

She appeared to be in her early 20s, with a youthful energy about her.

Somehow, she reminded me of a fox.

"My apologies, kind sir."

As she opened her mouth to speak with a gentle smile, a sweet smell of smoke drifted out.

Looking closely, she was smoking a long pipe in her hand.

"I am not a mercenary."

"If you’re not a mercenary, then why are you in the guild?"magic

"I’m looking for someone. My grandmother is supposedly staying here, so I came to find her. But, I can’t seem to find her anywhere."

A grandmother staying at the Mercenary Guild.

There was only one person that came to mind. With semi-certainty, I asked.

"What’s your grandmother’s name?"

"Jupiter."

A broad grin.

With a leisurely smile, she answered my additional question.

"And your name is?"

"Inheriting my grandmother’s name, I’m Jupiter Junior."

She waved her hand to disperse the smoke from her pipe, then she placed her hand on her chest and further explained.

"Most commonly, they call me Juju. Or simply Junior."

Jupiter Junior’s downcast eyes showed a thin smile.

She was truly fox-like.

"You can call me whatever you prefer, noble one."

--TL Notes--

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