Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Chapter 4. The Land of Entertainment and Culture, Urun.
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Paang!
Three figures appeared atop a circular brick platform amid a burst of light. It was Judah, Arhil, and Jeanne. They all had wide eyes and puzzled expressions, stunned by the sudden change in their surroundings.
“W-Wow!”
Arhil voiced exactly what Judah wanted to say. Teleportation was truly a bizarre experience. They had used the magic stone given to him by Count Jenner in Phloria, who had told him to come visit Urun once his business in Rigen was done. His body had floated up, the scenery around him warped, and with a single blink, they were somewhere else.
He had heard that teleportation could upset the stomach depending on the person, but fortunately, he only felt his heart racing a bit and nothing more.
“I-Is this...?”
Jeanne, experiencing teleportation for the first time, asked in a trembling voice.
“Yes, back then. Count Jenner gave it to me to use in emergencies or to come visit Urun after finishing up in Rigen. Didn’t I mention it?”
“...You didn’t.”
Ugh, she groaned and clamped her mouth shut. She seemed to be feeling queasy, her brows furrowed. He recalled reading in a book that it was due to the eyes failing to adjust to the abrupt environmental shift and that closing them would help, so he told her that. Jeanne squeezed her eyes shut without protest. Arhil cast a blessing of holy power on her from the side.
“Still, I’m glad I surprised you like a gift. Hehe, isn’t a little nausea for a moment way better than suffering for days?”
“...You’re right.”
Jeanne nodded, seeming better now. A surprise gift—that hadn’t been his intention. He had simply forgotten to mention the magic stone to them. He had planned to give it to them or use it if something dangerous happened in Rigen or after their business there was done.
“By the way, if the one who gave you the magic stone was Count Jenner, does that mean this is Urun?”
“Probably.”
“Probably...?”
“Don’t worry. There’s no way the count would give us a fake magic stone.”
Jeanne started to say he was placing too much trust in him but held back. However, Judah had his own certainty, so he had used it without hesitation.
The magic stone in his hand had turned to dust and vanished the moment the teleportation magic activated. It was a consumable item, so disappearing after one use was normal.
Just before using the consumable item, he had checked its options, though the chance of an issue was low. The hologram description that appeared before his eyes showed nothing amiss.
The destination was clearly listed as ‘The mansion owned by House Lava in Urun.’ The location marked on his confirmed it was right next to Phloria, so it had to be Urun.
“But didn’t we arrive too early?”
“You’re right, Judah. If you’d told us about the magic stone beforehand, we could have rested plenty.”
“Mm.”
He had nothing to say to that. It was true, so Judah promptly apologized for not mentioning it sooner.
As they chatted amid the small commotion, a maid who happened to pass by must have spotted them. She came running, lightly lifting her skirt hems with both hands. When she stopped, Judah smiled faintly and opened his mouth with a gentle expression.
“Excuse me...”
But the maid, panting, cut him off firmly without even listening.
“How did you get in here? Breaking into the mansion of Count Lava, one of Urun’s great nobles, without permission. I’ve called the guards, so prepare yourselves! Don’t even think about running!”
“It’s fine. These are my invited guests.”
Before Judah could ponder what to do after hearing the maid, the count appeared and spoke. He seemed to have used a short-range teleportation spell, called Blink in games.
“It’s been a while, Count. Have you been well?”
“I’ve been well. It’s good to see you again.”
The count didn’t show any irritation at Judah’s early morning visit and extended his hand with a smile. As Judah naturally went to shake it, the ring on the count’s finger resonated once more, just like last time.
Wooong!
Startled, he pulled his hand back. But the count, as if he had anticipated it, showed no surprise. He glanced briefly at the Fragment and Valentine on Judah but said nothing about the phenomenon, acting as if nothing had happened.
“Good thing nothing major happened in Rigen. You’ve come with a healthy face, after all.”
There had been some significant events, though not many. He had killed Quake, the chieftain of the Red Bear Tribe, and even Kain, who sought to inherit the Fragment from him. He had also spent a long night with Isabel, the chieftain of the Black Tree Tribe. So, it wasn’t as if nothing had happened. But he had no intention of being honest about it.
“Yes. I got lucky. I wandered into the Black Tree Tribe in the forest and experienced their culture.”
“Oh? The Black Tree Tribe is one of the great tribes. Was it bearable?”
“Surprisingly, they trade with the Baekje Empire, so they had everything you’d expect. Plus, they showed me favor because I matched the traits of the spirit from their legends, so I stayed comfortably.”
“Huhu. You really were lucky.”
“Have you stayed with the Black Tree Tribe, Count?”
“No. I stayed with the Ancient Tree Tribe. That place was...”
As the count began to speak, he glanced at Jeanne and Arhil behind Judah, and the waiting maid beside them. He held out his palm to Judah, signaling to wait a moment, and stepped to his side.
“My apologies, Miss Jeanne, Miss Arhil. I’m late with greetings.”
“No, we’re the ones who should apologize for visiting so early.”
Seeing him in his pajamas did make them feel sorry. After shaking hands with the two women, the count turned to Judah.
“Let’s finish our talk inside. Over breakfast together.”
“It would be our honor if you invite us.”
“Then follow me.”
Judah, Jeanne, and Arhil prepared to follow behind the count, who had turned. The count looked at the maid bowing her head in wait.
“Aria.”
“Yes, Count.”
“Guests have arrived, so tell the head chef to prepare breakfast a bit more generously. And if the guards come, say it was a misunderstanding and apologize on my behalf.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and go to Sara. Tell her to join us for breakfast today without fail.”
“Yes.”
The maid retreated backward with her head bowed. They followed the count into the grand mansion. As they entered the antique interior, the maids who had been cleaning stopped in unison and greeted the count.
“Good morning, Count.”
“Yes, good work.”
The count personally escorted Judah’s group to the reception room. He snapped his fingers with a click, and his pajamas transformed into a neat suit. Like magic... no, it really was a convenient spell. His disheveled hair was an issue, but he roughly combed it with his hands into a decent hairstyle. Having prepared to receive guests in an instant, he sat down, and Judah, Arhil, and Jeanne sat side by side on a sofa. Soon, a maid entered and poured tea.
Taking a sip from the cup with warm steam rising, the count naturally opened the conversation first.
“So, I mentioned I’d gone to the Ancient Tree Tribe... was that where I left off?”
“Yes.”
“The Ancient Tree Tribe was lacking something to just call it a great tribe. Everything was just so-so. Huhu. I went there expecting hardship like in Rigen, but it was so different from what I imagined that I was just disappointed. The only worthwhile things were their hunting methods and festivals, I suppose. How about you? What about you, Miss Arhil? Miss Jeanne? Did the Black Tree Tribe leave much of an impression?”
The three answered the count’s question one by one. Naturally, all their responses were positive. They had only enjoyed the festival for a few hours, but stacking wood in a well shape around a massive tree, lighting it ablaze, watching their dances, playing drinking games, and chatting must have been a very novel experience for them. On top of that, they had fought a Fragment owner and witnessed a duel between Spirit Sword owners, so it had surely been a good experience.
When sharing their impressions of Rigen, contrary to Judah’s worries, they didn’t mention the Spirit Sword owner or the Fragment at all. They simply said they had joined in hunting an orc tribe and observed their fighting style—keeping it brief.
When they said they had enjoyed it in their own way, the count mischievously asked, “Would you go back if given the chance twice?” Naturally, Arhil made a face of disgust, and Jeanne clamped her mouth shut in silence, indirectly conveying her refusal.
“Hahaha, you must have suffered in Rigen, but that won’t happen in Urun, so don’t worry at all. If Rigen gave you unforgettable memories through hardship, Urun will give you unforgettable memories through pleasure. Look forward to it.”
The count flashed a confident smile. Urun, the kingdom of entertainment and culture.
It had more than enough—overflowing, even—to give them unforgettable memories.
And... the count’s gaze turned to Judah. Just moments ago, during their handshake, he had confirmed the Fragment resonating once more.
If he didn’t have nightmares tonight, the culprit behind the nightmares he had every night was very likely the influence of the Fragment that had brought him power, glory, and wealth until now.
Many who possessed [Glory’s Valentine] had met tragic ends, and recalling the final moments of its previous owner just before he acquired it, he might be nearing his own end. But now, a solution had appeared. No, he wanted to believe it had. Hoping that this boy, Judah Arshel, held the key to resolving it, the count continued chatting until breakfast was ready.
========== Afterword ==========
Good night, everyone.