The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

At the adventurers' guild headquarters, Millennium, the chairman of the guild.

Even those not belonging to the guild have heard this name at least once.

Apart from being a middle-aged elf and some unverified rumors, little information about him is circulating, making him a mysterious adventurer surrounded by various speculations and conjectures.

It's said he's an ageless being who has lived since the guild's founding.

It's said he possesses a unique skill allowing him to freely change his appearance.

It's said he's a "living user" who can control all living creatures.

The only one who knows the truth behind these rumors is said to be the mysterious beauty who serves as the chairman's caretaker.

We had also learned about the Grand Master from Camlock, but Camlock himself wasn't sure how much to believe. Apparently, he had only met him once when getting permission to become a Guild Master.

It seems his appearance matched the information, at least...

"Now then, members of [Rozewill], hand over that puppy. Don't treat it as it's necessary for investigation."

"That's fine, but... you won't kill it, right?" Saaya said, shielding the struggling puppy.

"Why do you ask, Saaya Schreine?"

"Why... We could heal it right away, but I don't want it to be killed just for investigation."

"I see, I can understand that sense of virtue. But what if the information this dog holds could potentially determine the fate of this country? Naturally, there's a possibility it might die during the investigation. But in that case, are you saying we shouldn't investigate at all?"

"T-That's..."

Saaya hesitated.

She was being asked if she would put this town - and by extension, this country - at risk just to ensure the survival of one puppy. Even Saaya couldn't answer immediately.

"...Hmm. Hypocrisy."

Millennium stated dismissively.

"I understand the extent of your goodness. A truly pure and innocent person would have chosen to save the puppy without hesitation. The moment you hesitated when presented with possibilities, your virtue became merely self-esteem to satisfy your own self-affirmation. If so, convince yourself with logic and hand over the puppy obediently. The pain in your heart will be temporary, won't it?"

"T-That's..."

Saaya tried to retort but fell silent, unable to say anything.

Perhaps because of her kindness, when presented with possibilities, she imagined a future where everyone could be saved. That's why she hesitated. But if she were only thinking about the puppy, there would have been no need to hesitate at this question.

Being intelligent, Saaya herself understands this.

Unable to get angry or deny being called a hypocrite, Saaya could only close her mouth.

Certainly, what Millennium was saying was logical.

But I found myself talking back.

"Grand Master, please take back those words. Saaya's goodness isn't something so small that it can be understood by a single situational judgment."

"That's right. Don't talk like you know Saaya when you're just a stranger!"

"Hmm, why are you two angry, Ruruk Muuteru and Nagi?"

Millennium slightly furrowed his brow.

"I merely analyzed Saaya Schreine's nature. I'm not criticizing those with false goodness, nor do I think such things. Rather, isn't it possible that pure goodness also has a strong evil side? Hypocrisy is not synonymous with foolishness, but rather part of the evaluation of a wise person."

"...Huh?"

What is this guy saying?

"Pure goodness is the same as madness. Those who proceed without shaking their own values would be judged as purely evil if their position changed. I merely acknowledged Saaya Schreine's actions. Why are you angry about that? I don't understand at all."

"...Were you praising her with that way of speaking earlier?"

"No, I neither praised nor disparaged. I merely stated it as such. However, if she had said without hesitation that she would protect the puppy, I, as a guardian of world order, might have considered eliminating her as a danger. Her power is a bit too great to hold pure values. Rather, this dialogue is because I acknowledged her."

"T-That's too hard to understand! If that's the case, you should say it properly!"

Nagi complained.

I agree with her.

Millennium sincerely apologized to Saaya.

"I apologize if I offended you, Saaya Schreine. If I hurt your feelings, I'll apologize. But I'll still take the puppy."

"Eh?"

As Millennium jumped down from midair, Saaya somehow handed over the puppy on her own.

Clearly not acting of her own will, Saaya stared at her own hand and tilted her head in confusion.

"Now then, I'll return to the headquarters. I'll personally guide you all. Follow me."

Millennium held the puppy and started walking towards the adventurers' guild headquarters - the Tower of Heaven.

It was quite an arrogant attitude, as if our circumstances didn't matter at all. Well, one of our goals was to meet the Grand Master, so it wasn't wrong...

We looked at each other.

You know what to do in this situation, right?

...Alright, everyone understands.

"Well then, Gatlin-san. Please continue to guide us to the restaurant."

"In this flow!?"

Gatlin was shocked.

Well, we were on our way to dinner originally.

"N-No way! I don't want to be glared at by such a legendary person!"

"Oh? Are you sure? We're a party with a confirmed Demon Lord and True Dragon, you know?"

"Caught between power and violence!? What should I do!? Help me, mom!"

Gatlin panicked.

Well, jokes aside.

"By the way, Grand Master. Will dinner be provided there?"

"If you wish, I can arrange it. The guild has skilled chefs, after all."

"Our party eats a lot, but is the kitchen okay?"

"Don't underestimate the headquarters. We have more than ten chefs on standby."

Oh, amazing. If that's the case, we can have dinner at the guild.

We'll go to Gatlin's recommended restaurant another time.

We followed Millennium towards the Tower of Heaven.

The adventurers' guild headquarters - commonly known as the Tower of Heaven.

This place, which was originally a high-difficulty dungeon, has already been completely conquered and is now used as a guild building.

To the public, this dungeon is said to be dormant, but it's probably still functioning properly, just with the dungeon core under control. Judging from the movement of magical elements, it seems they're using the dungeon core as a power source to move the elevators built into the walls.

"It's rare for Millennium-sama to go out personally."

In the elevator heading to the hundredth floor, a young female staff member spoke to us.

Her name was Lefna, apparently a former receptionist who had recently transferred to the general affairs department.

"Usually, a beautiful person named Milly-sama acts as an intermediary. Even meals are delivered by Milly-sama, so it's really rare for us to see Millennium-sama. I've only met him twice myself."

"I see..."

I'm sorry if my response seemed a bit halfhearted, but please forgive me.

This elevator has latticed walls on all four sides, allowing for good ventilation. It's probably a measure against strong winds since it's installed on the outside of the tower up to the sky, which means you can see the scenery all the way up to the clouds.

So, naturally, for the timid Seori:

"Eek... It's so high~"

She's trembling and clinging to my legs.

Well, that aside, the scenery is magnificent and offers a splendid view. We could see the ocean all the way to the horizon, glowing in the sunset.

My companions are also enjoying the view in their own ways. It can't be helped if they're only half-listening to Lefna's story.

By the way, Millennium didn't use the elevator, but flew up to the top of the tower as if it was natural. He was freely manipulating steel threads to carry his body. What acrobatics.

Come to think of it, in entertainment novels, thread users are usually strong characters. The world's only SSS-rank being a thread user... it's convincing.

"This elevator stops at the hundredth floor, and from there you'll transfer to another elevator going to the top floor. Since you all have Millennium-sama's permission, Milly-sama will probably come to greet you. Ruruk-san... Milly-sama is a very beautiful person, but please don't try to hit on her, okay?"

"Huh? Why are you worried about me hitting on her?"

"Oh? There's a rumor that Ruruk, the leader of [Rozewill], indiscriminately hits on women he likes. It's said he's made countless women cry."

"What the hell!"

This is false accusation! Defamation! I demand a lawyer!

Who spread such a rumor? And to think it's spread even to the Nogana Republic. This is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. SSS-rank recommendation? Who cares about that. First, we need to deal with these groundless rumors!

"Well, it's mostly true."

"Nagi-chan!?"

"That's right."

"Mm."

You guys too!?

Ugh, even my comrades who should understand me best are saying such things. How terrible, my comrades who understand me best... the comrades who understand best... the level of understanding...

Wow!

What a beautiful view~!

"It's said that heroes are fond of romance, so you shouldn't worry too much about it."

"Sob! I don't need your consolation!"

"It's just a fact, but... Ah, we're about to arrive."

As Lefna said coldly, the elevator started to slow down and soon arrived at the hundredth floor.

Entering the tower, it was structured like a quite spacious lobby. Probably because it was originally a boss room, they left it as a large room.

"Wow. The hundredth floor is a museum."

Saaya looked around impressed.

As she said, there were many exhibits displayed in the large room. Models of towers and monsters, records of each floor, weapons actually used in the conquest - it was indeed a dungeon museum.

Lefna smiled and said,

"Yes. The headquarters mainly uses the first floor as a tavern, the second and third floors for general reception and administrative purposes, and the fourth and fifth floors for lodging and other rental rooms. The floors above that, where the elevator doesn't stop, can only be accessed by climbing along the outer wall, so they're currently closed except for the hundredth floor and the top floor. This hundredth floor is open to tourists so that everyone can enjoy the guild's history and the view from here."

There were windows here and there in the walls, allowing for a 360-degree view of the scenery.

Lefna looked around and said,

"It seems Milly-sama hasn't arrived yet, so please feel free to spend your time as you like until we call for you."

"Yes!"

My companions scattered to look at the exhibits as they pleased.

There were also a few tourists around, so they probably wouldn't do anything too reckless.

What caught my eye was the history of the guild.

Until about 400 years ago, the Adventurers' Guild headquarters was apparently in the now-defunct Damuren Kingdom. However, about 80% of the Damuren Kingdom fell into the territory expanded by the Dragon King who had become a royal existence, and it turned into a battle between the dragon species and the Damuren Kingdom—and it was said to have perished without being able to put up much resistance.

However, the Dragon King showed overwhelming power to the Damuren royal family and made them submit, and the battle apparently ended in just two days. It doesn't seem to have been much of a war.

By the way, the former royalty of that Damuren Kingdom are said to be the bloodline of the ducal houses in the current Bargia Dragon Duchy.

It seems that the ancestors of Duke Smasrick and others were royalty.

With the dissolution of the Damuren Kingdom, the Adventurers' Guild once relocated to the Holy Nation. However, after that, the chairman and two adventurers completely conquered this tower and moved the headquarters here.

It seems that statues commemorating those three honorable adventurers are displayed over there.

Well, shall we go take a look—

"Thank you for waiting, everyone from [Rozewill]. Milly-sama has arrived, so please come this way."

"Ah, yes."

As we were called, we immediately turned back.

We'll continue the tour later.

What was in front of us, gathered in the private elevator room, was,

"Wow~ What a great figure. A beautiful person."

"Ruruk would probably like her."

Saaya and Nagi let out their voices.

The person who came out of the elevator was a woman dressed in a dazzling maid outfit that gave the impression of a queen cosplaying as a maid.

"......"

"......"

Lilith and I remained silent for now.

"I am Milly. I am Millennium-sama's servant. [Rozewill] members, please follow me. Lefna, good work."

"Yes, Milly-sama! We have received instructions from Millennium-sama about meal preparations, so it would be helpful if you could contact us once your conversation is over."

"Hmm. Then wait. Let's go, [Rozewill]."

She got into the elevator, and we quietly followed her.

The gate closed immediately, and the elevator began to ascend. It seems we'll be climbing the same distance as before, but this is a move from a high place to an ultra-high place. If one's status is low, they might faint just from the air pressure.

"Amazing! We're above the clouds!"

"It's certainly cold. Ruruk, lend me something to wear."

"A-Aruji, let's go home~"

"Those clouds look edible~"

My noisy companions.

While this was going on, we reached the top in no time.

The elevator arrived at the 200th floor—or rather, the rooftop above it.

Milly got off alone first and walked across the vast rooftop.

However, there was no one else on the rooftop, with only something like a grave standing alone in the back.

Saaya tilted her head.

"Huh? Where's the Grand Master?"

"Hmm. Is it alright now?"

Milly stopped and turned around.

She stared at me and asked.

"It seems you've noticed from the beginning, Ruruk Muuteru."

"Well, yes."

I could see it clearly from the moment we met.

When I nodded, Milly removed the scarf wrapped around her neck.

At that moment, Milly's appearance changed.

"Eh!?"

Saaya and Nagi were surprised.

Rather than a change, it would be more correct to say that the perception interference was lifted. Only Lilith and I had noticed from the beginning that her true form was different.

That familiar perception interference formula is an advanced skill—my and Lilith's numerology are of extreme and royal class. We can see through it at a glance.

"This is my true current form. Both Millennium and Milly were mere temporary forms of mine."

She was neither a middle-aged elf nor a noble lady with a perfect figure.

There stood a loli girl of about ten years old, puffing out her chest arrogantly.

"I am Millenia Damuren. The well-known sage of mystical arts and the number one disciple of the Mystic King Roze."

Millenia Damuren.

That name was one of the most famous names in history.

One of the protagonists of the story of the Three Sages, who traveled around the world with the Sage of Magic, and the very person who founded the Adventurers' Guild.

That is Millenia Damuren.

"...Is it really her? This little one? Even though she's about the same size as Elenora?"

"Hmm? I'm not that small."

Indeed, she's shorter than Nagi. She's about the same height as Elen, the shortest among them.

We compare Millenia and Elen. The difference is subtle...

"Mm. I win."

"No, I'm bigger."

They started a petty height comparison.

Anyway, I can understand why Nagi is skeptical. In the story, Millenia was described as a princess with a perfect figure, whose beauty rivaled that of her master, the Mystic King.

If anything, the form of Milly from earlier was probably much closer to the Millenia in the story. It would be more convincing if that was said to be the real one.

"Um... so, Millennium-san and Milly-san from earlier were actually the same person, and it was Millenia-san who was changing her appearance through perception interference?"

"That's right. I am the true chairman."

Millenia Damuren put her hands on her hips and stood haughtily.

She looks like nothing more than a little girl stretching herself, but according to my appraisal, both Millennium and Milly were temporary forms of Millenia Damuren, so it's not a lie.

It seems she has the power of immortality, and her actual age is certainly far older than us. But I won't tell you the details because she's a woman.

If she hadn't revealed her identity, I wouldn't have said anything either, but if she's going to reveal her identity to us, we should greet her properly.

"Nice to meet you, Millenia-san. Let me introduce myself again."

"Hmm."

"I'm Ruruk Muuteru. The leader of the adventurer party [Rozewill], and the number one disciple of the Mystic King Roze."

"Oh?"

She glared at me.

I was caught off guard earlier, but I won't yield on this point no matter what. Even if my opponent is the world's most famous mystic arts practitioner. Even if she's a legendary woman who appears in stories.

Because I, I am the true number one disciple of Roze!

...Well, that aside, please give me your autograph! Please!

While signing the colored paper I silently held out, Millenia said,

"It is I who carries on the Master's will, and I have no intention of yielding that title to you. You should just play around in the lower world as a ordinary adventurer. ...Is this good enough?"

"I have no intention of yielding either. After all, I'm the one who inherited the Master's power. ...Ah, please write my name too. 'To Ruruk-kun,' please."

"Power is merely grasping the surface of the Master. The reason the Master is the Master is that mentality. If you don't understand even that, you're not just unfit to be number one, but unfit to be a disciple at all. ...How's this?"

"The Master includes that power too, you know. However, since I couldn't inherit the Mystic King skill, how about the one who first inherits the Mystic King skill claims the title of number one disciple? ...Ah, please add a heart at the end too."

"I see, inheriting the Mystic King skill itself. Very well, let's accept the challenge. We're already the same royal existence, but the one recognized by God as the pinnacle of mystic arts wins, right? ...Alright, I've added two hearts. It's a service."

"Then it's a match. A fateful battle to see who can claim to be the number one disciple. ...I've been a big fan since long ago! Thank you very much!"

While receiving the signed colored paper, I declare war.

It doesn't matter if my opponent is the sage of mystic arts or the chairman.

No matter how much they love Roze, I won't lose in that devotion.

And so, the historic battle for the title of number one disciple between me and Millenia began—

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Author Notes:

  "  Sage of Mystic Arts

    Millenia Damuren

      To Ruruk-kun, a fan ♡♡"

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