Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Flag Tournament
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After hearing the count's advice, Judah spent his days as usual. If Cain had truly received Gabriel's revelation and headed to Rezen, it was already far too late to chase after him. Since it was already too late anyway, he figured there was no harm in delaying a bit more and leisurely watched the rest of the Red Flag Tournament. Once he had seen all the way to the finals, he called Arhil and Jeanne over and told them it was time to head to Rezen.
"Where to?"
Arhil asked again, as if she had misheard.
"Rezen. Rezen."
To the Mercenary Kingdom of Rezen. At Judah's words, Arhil's pupils trembled. She looked utterly incredulous.
"You're really going there? When?"
"Tomorrow."
It was already late, but with no more business in Aslan, they decided to move on to Rezen quickly. Yet Arhil's expression soured. She looked on the verge of tears. Jeanne, on the other hand, started devouring the food laid out before her the moment she heard they were going to Rezen—like inhaling it. It was a complete departure from her usual savoring bites.
"Ugh, I love cities. Why do we have to go to a dump like Rezen? Oh, Lord, why did you create Rezen?"
She pretended to weep with a "boo hoo," leaving Judah flustered. What was wrong with Rezen? Was it because it was a tribal nation in the mountains? He'd put decent effort into its lore during setup, but apparently, its reputation was poor.
"We'll leave in the morning tomorrow, right?"
"No carriages go to Rezen, so yeah."
Judah forced a cheerful smile as he replied. Arhil, devastated by the reality of going to Rezen, hung her head and poked listlessly at the food in her bowl with a fork.
"Fine, we'll follow the leader's decision... Jeanne, can't you say something?"
"This is just another trial to temper me. You should eat more while you can. You won't even dream of food like this in Rezen."
"......Yeah."
Jeanne stuffed her cheeks like a squirrel stockpiling for winter or a hamster fit to burst, bulging them out as she chewed. Judah himself had only been to Rezen in the game, so seeing their determined gazes, he ordered more food and told them to eat their fill. After the meal, they said they'd hit the general store and left the inn.
"You all are heading to Rezen next?"
"Yes."
The count at the next table chuckled. He said nothing, but his laughter sounded like it was mocking the hardships ahead.
"No wonder they hate it."
The count laughed as he spoke.
"Have you been there?"
"Of course."
"...Would you go back if someone told you to?"
"Don't even joke about that."
The count waved his hand dismissively, as if it were horrifying. But he scratched his cheek, tilting his head, and muttered, "If it were now, I might actually be able to go and come back..." It seemed he trusted his magic skills, but seeing that, Judah felt unnecessarily worried. Sara, who had been quietly sipping her drink, glanced at Judah and offered advice.
"Your companions headed to the general store, so they'll buy necessities. You just need to prepare plenty of water and jerky. Oh, and for emergencies, if you have enough money, stopping by the Magic Tower to buy a return stone to the city isn't a bad idea."
"A return stone?"
Oh, right, those exist. But contrary to what Sara said, return stones weren't something you could just buy with money. You needed high favor with the Magic Tower and had to pay a hefty price. Sara must have thought Judah was no ordinary adventurer since he shared an inn with the count. And while it was true he wasn't ordinary with his fragment, in reality, he was just a slightly wealthy silver-plate adventurer.
"Daughter, return stones aren't something you can get just by paying."
"But you said if you pay, you can get one?"
Sara blinked in confusion at her father's words.
"That's only possible for me because I'm your dad. Would they sell teleport stones capable of reaching a capital to just anyone? Unless it's a magic circle. Well, we're parting tomorrow anyway—want one as a gift?"
Oblivious to onlookers, he waved his hand to open a sub-space and pulled out a stone. It looked like a convenient, hexagonal prism-shaped crystal. The translucent surface was etched with unknown runes.
"I made this one myself. It teleports to my estate in Uruun. Channel mana into the crystal to activate it. It takes all living beings within a 5-meter radius centered on the user, so use it if things get dicey."
"Is it okay to give away something so valuable?"
"I can make another, so it's not valuable to me. Might sound boastful, but value depends on the person."
"Then I'll gratefully accept it."
As Judah pocketed the crystal, the count nodded. Sara sighed wistfully at the sight, pouting adorably—like a cousin.
"Still, it's a shame you're leaving tomorrow. I got along so well with Jeanne and Arhil, like friends..."
"Want to come with us?"
"Eek, no thanks. If it weren't Rezen, maybe, but... I don't really want to go there. Anyway, you got a stone from Dad. You'll go to Rezen and then back to Uruun, right? I'll think about it then."
It was a half-joking remark, but her unexpected reply showed consideration. Judah had no intention of recruiting her, though, so he just smiled. The count and Sara said they had to leave early tomorrow too and headed up to rest. Left alone at the table, Judah pondered briefly, then went to the counter, paid a few gold coins, and ordered ten days' worth of packed lunches and water.
Back in his room, Judah sat on the bed alone and pulled up his status window, lost in thought.
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「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arsher]
[Title: Little Hero of Serenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 36]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Resurrection Count: 2]
[Strength: 43 (C) / Potential A]
[Vitality: 46 (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: 21]
──────────────────────
'Should I save these 21 points without using them?'
His current stats weren't low. They were quite high compared to others at his level without point allocation. But hoarding them felt like a waste. Saving wouldn't turn them to shit, but using them now would make things much easier for sure.
'Points will accumulate again later anyway.'
Level 100 was the cap, so by then other stats would rise plenty, and he'd have new points. After a moment's thought, Judah invested 7 in Strength and 14 in Agility.
──────────────────────
「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arsher]
[Title: Little Hero of Serenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 36]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Resurrection Count: 2]
[Strength: 50 (C) / Potential A]
[Vitality: 46 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 60 (B) / 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: 0]
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The moment the points were allocated, he felt his body change immediately. It felt lighter, brimming with power. Clenching his fist, he felt like he could do anything. He regretted using all his points a bit, but knowing he'd have to spend them someday eased his mind. Right on cue, Arhil and Jeanne arrived, and the server brought in a cart loaded with packed lunches and water. Piling their purchases alongside Judah's orders created a massive stockpile. Without the <Bag>, they might have needed to hire a porter.
"Wow, you bought a ton."
As he picked up items one by one and stored them in his sub-space, Arhil nodded with arms crossed.
"Of course. Honestly, even this might not be enough, but knowing you have sub-space let me shop freely. Hehe."
Arhil sat beside Judah, handing him items while explaining.
"This is bug repellent you spray on clothes to keep insects away. This is antidote. I could heal with holy magic, but... better to have them since who knows what might happen."
"You shopped thriftily."
"Ahem, basics."
She'd even visited the Magic Tower, buying alert stones for sleeping and more. Judah asked how much it cost and gave her some gold from his pouch. She said it was fine, but he insisted she take it.
"Thanks. Though it might go to waste in Rezen anyway."
"Been to Rezen?"
"Nope."
"What about you, Jeanne?"
"I've never been either. But its infamy is drilled into my ears."
Infamy?
She sat on the edge of the bed and continued slowly.
"It's infamous, alright. There's no proper road to Rezen. That's the main reason travelers and adventurers avoid it. Even so, those who stubbornly visit the tribes come back saying, 'I'll never set foot here again!' The grass grows knee-high at minimum, so you can't see what's ahead. Insects are everywhere—if you don't have a priest, you're in for suffering. And some tribes supposedly kidnap any beautiful women or handsome men among adventurers or travelers to make them spouses."
"Well, isn't it worth visiting at least once?"
"I'd recommend avoiding it if possible, but if you insist, no helping it. It'll be an experience, at least."
"And you, Arhil?"
"Ugh, do I have a choice?"
Judah grinned.
"Nope."
"You're so mean! Why even ask? Fine, if we have to go, I'll go. Must be the Lord's will."
"Then get some early rest. We're leaving in the morning."
With all gear stowed in the <Bag>, Judah stood and spoke. They replied in deflated tones and lay down. Thus passed their last night in Aslan.