It seems several days have passed since I was captured. Being in an underground cell, there’s no sunlight to tell time.
During this period, no one has come to this dungeon. Completely abandoned.

No visitors also meant no food or water.
Under normal circumstances, I’d be severely weakened, but I have my life magic.

The nature of my life magic is that it transforms everything necessary for survival and activity into magic for use.

Thanks to that, I neither feel hunger nor suffer from malnutrition, even without consuming food.
This spell—Nutrition—allows me to survive in this dungeon without a single pang of hunger.

There’s nothing to do inside the cell. No patients to treat, no visitors at all.
Given how busy I’ve been recently, this has become an unexpectedly good opportunity to rest.

I lie down and close my eyes. How long has it been since I relaxed like this?
During the blackface plague crisis, I worked tirelessly without rest until the disease was subdued.
Thanks to that effort, my stats have risen considerably.

Blessing: Goddess of Creation Amalia’s Blessing
Skills: Life Magic [Creation]
Talent: [Magic Swordsman SSS+]
Weapons: [Sword A+/SSS+], [Staff C+/S], [Spear D/S-], [Bow D/A]
Magic: [Life Magic SS+/SSS+]

The proficiency of my life magic (current value) has risen to SS+. Its growth limit is SSS+, so there’s still room to improve.
In this world, few people have any skill at SS+—even reaching S is a feat for only a handful. I doubt there are more than a handful of such individuals.

My sword proficiency remains at A+, as combat experience is required for further progress. Still, at A+, I rank among the upper echelons of this world. Just barely, though.

But I am a magic swordsman, someone capable of combining magic with weapons like swords. Neither just magic nor just a sword defines me.

Magic swordsmen often become jacks of all trades, masters of none.
However, both my swordsmanship and life magic have growth caps of SSS+, the highest possible in this world. If I master both, my power would be overwhelming.

I wonder how my stepmother would react if she knew this. It’s unfortunate I can’t see her face twist in frustration.

“Master, I have kept you waiting.”

When I open my eyes, Pal is standing outside the cell. True to form, there’s no sound or trace of her approach.

“I’ve been busy with treatments lately, so this was a good chance to rest.”

“Master, you work too hard. You should spend more time flirting with me!”

“True, I’d love to rest my head on your lap again sometime.”

Having been forced to sleep on the cold, hard stone floor of this damp dungeon, I long for Pal’s soft thighs.

“Oh my, Master~ You’re so forward today♡.”

Pal’s mood instantly soars. If she had a tail, it would be wagging furiously.

“So, who’s the mastermind this time?”

“The temple. The High Priest was pulling the strings.”

I’m well aware the High Priest and his cronies resent me, but it’s nothing more than misplaced anger.
The temple has long used its influence to prioritize the wealthy and nobility, neglecting the weak.

But during the blackface plague, they failed to respond effectively. Wealthy nobles turned to me for help instead.
The temple despises me for doing what they could not.

“What is the king doing about this?”

“He’s ordered the arrest of those responsible for detaining you.”

“And the High Priest?”

“Still at large.”

I had expected as much. The temple wields immense influence in this kingdom.
Arresting the High Priest would provoke a direct confrontation with the temple, something the king wishes to avoid.
Instead, it seems they’ll sacrifice some low-level pawns to sweep everything under the rug.

When I step out into the sunlight, I see the guards who detained me being bound and restrained.
Most likely, they were following orders or bribed to act against me. Nevertheless, a crime is a crime.

“Sir Sai, it is a relief to see you unharmed.”

“To be greeted personally by the guild master is an honor.”

The guild master visibly fears Pal.
It’s likely a result of the Elven Wars; the trauma of the elves’ defeat seems to have left him terrified of Pal, a dark elf.
This explains why he’s been so respectful toward me during our interactions these past months.

“My apologies for the delayed rescue.”

The guild master bows deeply, drawing stares from those around us.
His behavior is making me the subject of rumors, which is less than ideal.

The royal knights are also present, their armor marked with the royal family’s crest.

“I am Iceman, second captain of the Royal Knights. Are you Sai?”

“Yes, I am Sai.”

“I deeply apologize for the mishandling of this situation.”

“To receive an apology from the legendary Iceman is an honor.”

“I am no legend. It is you, Sai, who deserves such a title.”

There’s no malice in his words, which tells me much about Iceman’s character.
Our mutual flattery is interrupted by a cough from Pal. Even the guild master smirks awkwardly.

“What will happen to these men?”

“These guards abducted and imprisoned a guest of the king. It’s an act of treason, and they and their families will face severe punishment.”

I feel for the guards’ families, who likely knew nothing of their actions. However, I lack the authority to intervene in the kingdom’s laws.

“I will now escort you to the castle, where you may rest and meet with the king at a later time. Is that acceptable?”

Refusing such an offer is not an option.

“Please, lead the way.”

I board the carriage with Pal and, for some reason, the guild master as well.
Given his efforts in my rescue, I resolve to properly thank him in the future.