Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Chapter 3. Flag Tournament
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In games, I rarely felt any special emotions about the daily lives NPCs went through while completing quests. It was common and natural for someone who wasn't a player to die. Of course, I had felt regret when an NPC I'd grown attached to or one I encountered often died and vanished.
But seeing this father and daughter crying like this left Judah speechless. Feeling his own eyes welling up unnecessarily, he stepped aside. As he opened the door and came out, the wife hurried up and entered the room. The sobs grew even more intense.
[You have completed Edsen's request.]
[I thought it would be a simple favor, but it turned out to be far more difficult than expected.]
[In the end, thanks to your efforts, he learned of his son's fate, even if he passed away, and his daughter was able to recover her health.]
[It's regrettable, but unavoidable.]
[Your lowest stat has increased by 3 points. The next time you visit him, you can receive free equipment repairs or obtain several pieces of gear.]
The lowest stat was... Charisma, right?
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「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arshel]
[Title: Little Hero of Selenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 30]
[Class: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Resurrection Count: 2]
[Strength: 42 (C) / Potential A]
[Vitality: 45 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 46 (C) / Potential SS]
[Mana: 44 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 54 (C) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 8 (F) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 17 (F) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 84 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 15]
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As expected when he checked.
'This is problematic if only the lowest stats keep rising...'
It's still much better than nothing, but I don't feel a strong need for it. Rather than this, it would have been nice if a stat like Strength, Vitality, or Agility that I could feel immediately had gone up instead.
Though he hadn't received any specific reward for completing the request, Judah simply left the shop. After all, thanks to this shop, he'd obtained a fragment and a massive amount of gold coins, so he had no intention of asking for additional compensation and quietly exited.
Judah hadn't gained much in material rewards here, but he'd gotten a fragment, and thanks to completing this quest, a huge sum of gold coins as well, so he quietly left the alleyway shop and headed to his lodging.
Strolling leisurely toward the lodging while taking in the sights, someone suddenly approached quickly from behind and tapped his shoulder. Having grown used to brushing past people while walking, he hadn't reacted, but turning at the tapping on his shoulder, an unexpected person stood there. Judah's eyes widened in surprise, and the man's lips slowly curved up.
"It really is you. How have you been?"
January de Lava.
The Count of Uruun, possessor of the fifth fragment, Valentine's Glory, stood there.
Judah hadn't expected to meet him again in Aslan after parting in Dempa. Staring blankly for a moment, he nodded.
"Ah, hello. I'm doing well enough."
"Haha! I never imagined I'd run into you here."
"Me neither."
"Are you participating in the flag tournament too? Ah, wait, you said you weren't back then."
He stroked his chin as if his memory was hazy, pretending to think.
"Yes, I think I'll just watch. If you remember, the companion who was with me at the time was really interested in the flag tournament."
"Ah... I understand the situation."
He placed a friendly hand on Judah's shoulder, nodding repeatedly with a small sigh. His eyes were filled with sympathy.
"I know that feeling all too well. My daughter was the same. In the end, she dragged me all the way to Aslan to cheer her on. I wouldn't have come for something like a black flag or golden flag, let alone anything lower. But thanks to my daughter, I'm even watching the green flag event, which I had no interest in."
Judah gave a wry smile at the man's self-deprecating laugh. Just then, someone passing by bumped into his shoulder with a thud. The person immediately bowed in apology and moved on, and Judah quickly checked himself over. It didn't seem like they'd stolen anything; just a coincidence.
"My, it's too crowded here to talk. Luckily, my lodging is nearby. Want to come along? The food there's quite good. You'd enjoy it."
Count January gave Judah a pleased smile. Though puzzled by the man's show of goodwill, Judah figured more conversation couldn't hurt and decided to follow.
"Good. Let's go. It isn't far from here."
The count led the way. As Judah followed, he realized their path oddly overlapped with the one he'd originally planned to take. Could it be the same lodging? he wondered. And sure enough, upon arrival, it was exactly the same place.
"Here it is. The best around these parts. Come in... Huh? Why the face?"
"Ah. I'm staying here too."
"You are?"
Count January looked genuinely surprised. This lodging, with its somewhat arrogant name 'Hall of Glory,' required a hefty payment to stay. Even nobles didn't come easily without ample spare funds.
Though he hadn't meant to, the count reflexively scanned Judah up and down. The leather outfit—whatever kind it was—exuded an air of refinement, and his youthful but handsome face gave off a wealthy vibe. His skill level was hard to gauge from appearances alone. Realizing his mistake, he bowed his head slightly in apology.
"Ah, sorry about that. I absolutely didn't mean to belittle you. Just caught off guard, that's all. Forgive me."
"It's fine. Just repay me with some delicious food."
"Consider it done. Eat as much as you like."
Judah brushed it off and opened the door to enter. Inside, the luxurious interior and empty hall came into view. He sat at a random empty table, and the manager at the counter called someone's name. Soon, a server brought the menu. Count January handed it to Judah.
"Order whatever you want. It's on me."
"Even if I order enough that I can't finish?"
"If you want to test my finances, go ahead. We can pack up the leftovers to take upstairs."
Judah glanced at the count's confident face, then at the menu prices. Definitely pricey, but since the count said not to worry about cost, he ordered everything with appetizing names. The server, jotting down the massive order, looked flustered by the quantity, but Count January just waved him off to fetch the food. The server bowed and turned to head back to the counter but was stopped by Judah. Asked if his companions upstairs were there, the server tilted his head, said he'd check, and soon returned to report that the group had left right after Judah did. He didn't know where Jeanne and Arhil had gone, but with them out, Judah could dine comfortably with Count January.
"Talk about a coincidence. Meeting in Dempa, then Aslan, and now the same lodging. They say coincidences three times over mean fate. Seems true."
Fate is fate. Bound by the fragment, after all.
Judah nodded along before changing the subject.
"But you're not going to treat me like this and then ask why I came to Uruun later, right?"
"Oh— you really plan to come to Uruun?"
"Once my business here wraps up. Watch the martial tournament in Aslan, stop by Lizen Kingdom briefly, then head to Uruun."
"Lizen Kingdom? That's just a backwater village spot. Not worth going. You're asking for hardship."
As someone experienced, he advised against Lizen Kingdom, but Judah shook his head.
"My goal is a world tour. Can't skip hard or dangerous places."
"World tour? Heh. Planning to hit the two continents too?"
"Of course."
Gotta collect the fragments, after all. He kept that thought to himself and just smiled. As they chatted normally, the ordered food began arriving one by one. As expensive as it was, it was luxurious, and the saying about good-looking food tasting good held true.
"How is it? Delicious?"
Judah nodded vigorously, mouth full. He couldn't stop eating. He'd never had this much luxurious food since coming to this world—or even in his original one.
"Try this too. No idea how they got it, but it's venison from the elves' forest north of Silan Kingdom."
"Ah. And this. Lobster caught off the Parfe Maritime Kingdom."
"This eel is killer too. You're still young, so you might not know... but it's precious for a grown man."
He nodded, portioning food onto Judah's empty plate like a father. Surprisingly knowledgeable about cuisine, he even gave kind explanations. Eating it all up somehow filled him quickly. Plenty left, but thanks to the variety he served, Judah tried a bit of everything. Truth be told, none of the explanations stuck in his head.
"I'm good now. Too full to eat more."
"Already? I'll have them pack the rest to take upstairs. Your companions need to eat too."
"That'd be great."
Count January immediately called the server to pack the food for upstairs. Then they rose and headed to the second floor. As Judah went to enter his room, the count bid farewell first.
"Thanks for the enjoyable chat. Let's call it here for today. You look tired—go rest. Ah. Wait a sec. Hold on. Have you secured seats for the martial tournament?"
Ah, right—he still needed seats.
Getting viewing seats now would be tough. Wonder if scalped tickets exist.
Judah sighed softly, realizing.
"No."
"Perfect! If you're okay with it, how about watching the green flag tournament together when it starts? I've got good seats. I can even get spots for you and your companions if you want. What do you say?"
"I'd be grateful for the kindness. But it feels like too much in return for just a carriage ride once."
"Haha, no need to feel burdened. It's lonely watching alone. In exchange, you'll have to listen to me talk a lot. I'm the chatty type."
Judah gladly accepted. Listening in exchange for good seats was no big deal. The count smiled broadly, said see you tomorrow, waved, and entered his room.
"......"
Left alone, Judah stared blankly down the empty hallway for a moment before opening his own door and entering.
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Well, another week begins.
But with Chuseok this week, just two days to endure!
Hope everyone has an energy-draining Monday!
2)
Q. Wow~ I read Greece, Norse, and Heart in just 9 days! (Proud!)
But will there be no Hamo and Yarikuri tail stuff skills in this one?
A. Oh. Good job! Um. To be honest here, I haven't reread my completed works.
Why? My sealed self might stir... or something. Embarrassment that'd make me hide in the corner. Like how webtoon artists read opponents' lines in fights—I get it now.
Yarikuri skills? We'll see?
Q. Wondering why this is Noblesse? Could be Fantasy.
A. Noblesse doesn't require smut. But sometimes I wanna write it? Can't if I don't.
Q. Demon Realm hierarchy under lords? Lords without subordinates?
A. No Dokgo Dai... I think? Hierarchy under lords: demons, archdukes, dukes, etc. Will sort and post soon. Haven't detailed it yet.
Q. Author-nim, remember settings from past works?
A. ...Nope. Remember at first write, but years later? Nothing(...)