Afterward, before turning in for the night, Idris remained in the village chief's office, chatting with Candace about her work in Aaru Village.
For example—whether she would be interested in joining the Royal Guard as a general.
Candace, however, though puzzled by the faint yet undeniable bloodline pressure emanating from Idris, still declined the offer.
What confused her most was where such pressure came from.
He was the Grand Sage of the Akademiya—so how did he possess something that felt closer to an ancient ruler's authority?
Still, she shook her head and replied calmly,
"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Sage. But compared to serving in the Royal Guard, I believe remaining as Aaru Village's guardian suits me better."
"And even if Sumeru truly faces danger," she added sincerely, "with you here, Grand Sage Idris, I believe it will be resolved."
At that point, there was little more Idris could say.
He simply smiled, nodded, and set the idea aside.
In truth, his plan for the Royal Guard had never been to recruit Vision-bearing elites.
A standing army's purpose was simple:
to protect civilians, delay powerful enemies, and—once firearms became commonplace—to be equipped with standardized weaponry.
Equipment would compensate for individual strength.
And aside from the Royal Guard, Idris still had other matters to discuss with Candace.
"Recently," he asked, "have you received any reports regarding the colossal Ruin Guards active in the desert?"
Sumeru's rainforest held several unique relics—among them, the three colossal Ruin Guards left behind by the fallen nation of Khaenri'ah.
They were also known by a far more colloquial name:
One-Eyed Gundams.
Two of these massive constructs were located in the desert, though both had long since degraded into little more than rusted wreckage.
After Idris resolved Sumeru's internal crises, scholars naturally began investigating those ruins.
However, no formal report had yet reached the Akademiya.
"Colossal Ruin Guards…" Candace thought for a moment.
"There were some accounts. Apparently, some scholars were blasted away the moment they approached—hit by direct cannon fire."
"But the attacks were linear and easy to evade. Most suffered only minor injuries."
"After that," she continued, "those eager scholars retreated back to Aaru Village to resupply and prepare before heading out again."
"Are you planning to encourage them to continue the research, Grand Sage?"
"…That's not necessary."
Idris considered briefly, then shook his head.
"If there's nothing abnormal, we can ignore them."
"If the Akademiya's scholars wish to study them, let them."
"Since they're already prepared to face danger, there's no need for us to interfere."
Candace nodded. "As you command, Grand Sage."
Idris had no intention of personally researching those One-Eyed Gundams.
He already knew their canonical condition.
And as Grand Sage, he couldn't possibly involve himself in everything.
More importantly—
Those machines were Khaenri'ahn technology.
If he truly uncovered their secrets, then piloted one and fired a shot toward Celestia…
Well.
If the Heavenly Principles awakened, the first person they'd come for would be him.
Besides, even if the Gundams were operational, their corroded frames meant their combat value was questionable.
Whether they could even rival the God of the Mechanical Array was doubtful.
So naturally—maintenance was pointless.
Let the Akademiya's curious scholars handle it.
Instead, Idris produced a large desert map from his special Serenitea Pot, spreading it before Candace.
"You're a desert native," he said. "You understand the terrain far better than I do."
"The desert can't sustain only Aaru Village. We need at least one or two additional settlements."
"Help me identify suitable locations—areas with stable ground and access to water."
Candace nodded and leaned in, pointing out flat regions, underground water sources, and wind-sheltered zones.
The two discussed the matter tirelessly.
Seeing this, Nahida could only roll her eyes, stand up, and sigh.
"Honestly… didn't you say you were going to rest?"
"Why are you still talking about work?"
She turned to leave, muttering,
"Fine. You chat. I'll go warm the bed."
"Just don't stay up too late."
With that, she left.
Candace froze.
"…Warm the bed?"
She stood there, utterly stunned.
Nahida had been warming Idris's bed for months now—something so routine that even she herself barely thought about it anymore.
Sometimes she'd crawl in simply to help him relax…
and fall asleep without realizing it.
But this was a secret known only to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
No one else was supposed to know.
Which was why Candace's brain completely short-circuited.
What kind of relationship is this?!
Aren't they supposed to be Grand Sage and princess?!
Since when does that include warming the bed?!
Seeing her expression, Idris could only sigh helplessly.
He glanced in the direction Nahida had left.
That little menace really does have a death wish…
Though she probably just said it without thinking.
"Pay it no mind," he said calmly. "Let's continue."
"Y—Yes!"
Candace wiped the sweat from her forehead, the faint pressure from Idris making her heart pound, and forced herself back to the discussion.
Once their work concluded, Idris left the office and headed for the guest quarters.
Meanwhile, Candace—after discreetly asking around—finally learned the truth behind that bloodline pressure.
Idris had defeated King Deshret and inherited his authority and Golden Desert Divine Armament.
To desert folk, that was akin to standing before their primordial ancestor.
"…So the Grand Sage has already defeated King Deshret in open combat…"
She stared at the Beauty-Preserving Pill in her hand—the reward Idris gave her for faithfully guarding Aaru Village all these years.
He had given many such pills to others; Candace was no exception.
Smiling faintly, she swallowed it and walked away.
Inside the guest quarters, Idris brewed tea while studying the Golden Desert Divine Armament.
Its craftsmanship was exquisite—gold and geo-infused metal intertwined seamlessly.
As for its weapon—the Golden Sacred Spear—he examined it closely.
It resembled Cyno's staff in appearance, but the energy contained within was on an entirely different level.
Unfortunately, Idris wasn't proficient in spear techniques.
Maybe the system will eventually unlock spear mastery, he thought.
Once mastered, he'd truly resemble one of those two-phase final bosses.
Meanwhile, Nahida, lying on the bed, watched him with clear dissatisfaction.
"Hey, Grand Sage."
"Didn't you say hours ago that you were going to sleep?"
"And you're still working?"
Idris shrugged. "Men are usually pretty casual about sleep."
That said, exhaustion eventually caught up with him.
He walked over, lay down, and casually pulled Nahida into his arms—like hugging a softly scented pillow.
Nahida blushed but nestled obediently against him.
Back when this first started, she'd been so embarrassed she wanted to disappear.
Now?
All she felt was peace.
"Thank you… Grand Sage Idris."
"For what?"
"For being willing… to become Sumeru's Grand Sage. Thank you."
"That's nothing worth thanking me for."
Idris closed his eyes, puzzled by her emotion.
After a pause, Nahida whispered,
"Um… I have a question."
"Go on."
She hesitated, face burning red.
"…Are you really not interested in this form of mine?"
"I mean… that kind of interest."
"Don't underestimate me just because I look small—I'm over five hundred years old…"
Idris chuckled and glanced at her.
"What, feeling lonely?"
"N-No! That's not it!"
"I was just worried… our relationship used to be bad."
"Maybe you resent this form of mine."
"I want… to truly earn your forgiveness."
"Using this body… Do you think that's okay?"
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito