Chapter 140
Chapter 140
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Chapter 4. Urun, the Land of Revelry and Culture.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While conversing with Count Jenauer, someone knocked lightly on the door and entered without waiting.
I wondered who in the count's household could act so rudely, but I understood immediately upon seeing who it was. Standing at the doorway, she glanced around the room before breaking into a wide smile. It was the count's daughter, Sara.
Her waist looked even slimmer than last time, as if she'd cinched it tight with a corset since morning. Sara quickly sat down beside Count Jenauer and extended her hand. Caught off guard, Arhil and Jeanne offered theirs, and Sara grabbed them, shaking vigorously up and down.
"Long time no see!"
"Sara! Have you been well?"
"Of course! Hehe, can't you tell from looking at me? Winning the flag tournament made one of my life's goals come true, and I'm thrilled. It's all thanks to you all!"
She launched into lively chatter. Count Jenauer, who had been leading the conversation moments before, shut his mouth tightly, unable to interject as he watched his daughter. His talk had been enjoyable enough, but Sara's richer emotions made for even more fun.
"Wow, I thought you'd died in Regen since you hadn't come back. Glad you made it safely?"
"Hmm, it was quite the interesting experience, so yeah, safe enough. Though I have zero desire to go back. Unless someone drags me there. The journey itself was pure torment."
Sara giggled at Arhil's dramatic sigh. Soon after Sara joined in, the butler entered the reception room to announce that breakfast was ready. We decided to move and eat first.
The count and Juda walked side by side at the front, while Sara, Jeanne, and Arhil followed behind, unleashing a barrage of stories. They burst into laughter even at the simplest tales, clearly having a blast.
"My daughter was really looking forward to seeing you."
"Me?"
Count Jenauer scowled and shot Juda a sidelong glance.
"...As if. She was waiting for Miss Jeanne and Miss Arhil."
"Hmm, no need to get so serious about it. Looks can be deceiving—I've got a delicate heart. That hurts."
"Just joking."
"So was I."
Unlike the lively women behind, their exchange was rather dry as they headed to the dining room. There, an elegant middle-aged lady waited with her hands neatly folded. She bowed politely to Juda's group, the count's guests, and greeted them warmly.
"Welcome. I'm Silenia von Acklen, lady of the house of Count Lava."
Juda Arsher, Jeanne d'Artluar, Arhil—she smiled softly as they introduced themselves in turn.
"Yes, lovely to meet you. I've heard so much about you from my husband. Please, sit. We've prepared warm, delicious food. Shall we talk over breakfast?"
Wow. What graceful speech.
Juda inwardly marveled, feeling like he was in the presence of true nobility. Unlike her wild-child daughter Sara, she spoke and moved with refined poise. The long rectangular table was set with light morning fare: bread, stew, salad—nothing too heavy.
"Enjoy."
At the count's word, everyone began eating. They sipped stew silently and tore off pieces of bread.
'Tasty?'
Simple dishes, yet perfectly suited to the palate. The bread tore softly, the stew's salty flavor made it slide down effortlessly. The salad crunched crisply with every fresh bite. No wonder they ruled Urun; even the food exuded class. It was so good, plates emptied in a flash.
"You're... eating awfully fast?"
"It goes down easy when it's this good. Thanks for the meal."
"Glad to hear it. I'll pass it on to the cooks—they'll be delighted."
Truth be told, Juda wanted seconds but couldn't bring himself to ask. As meals wrapped up one by one and tea with pastries arrived, they chatted lightly. Not for long—just about ten minutes—before Sara led them to tour Urun near the estate.
"I could guide you myself, but my wife says young folk find hovering adults annoying. So take these instead."
Count Jenauer pulled three badges from his subspace pocket and handed them over.
"Proof you're guests of the count's house. Show them if trouble arises."
"They solve everything?"
"...No, not quite. But you'll get polite treatment. Better than nothing, so carry them. And no murders or the like—I can't cover that."
Even as Urun's power broker, he drew the line there. Fair enough—not like guests should tarnish the family name. With no plans for trouble anyway, Juda nodded, fiddled with the badges, pocketed them, and thanked him. Better than nothing, as he said.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Let's go!"
No time to change? Yet Sara emerged in the practical leather outfit from the flag tournament, a light longsword at her hip—corset and dress shed.
"Then we'll be off."
"Have fun."
The count waved. Outside, neat streets greeted them. Estates lined up, marked by long walls. Brick roads bustled with carriages; tree- and flower-lined walkways featured nobles strolling with parasols or canes.
Urun was famed for gambling and revelry, but culture underpinned it all. Especially renowned for architecture harmonizing with stunning natural vistas, its estates—noble or common—were stunningly beautiful.
Strolling the walkways, simply soaking in the scenery was pure joy. Treating Arhil and Jeanne as friends regardless of status, Sara chattered brightly, introducing Urun. Juda trailed two steps behind. When asked why, he said he wanted to take it slow and admire—not to worry.
'Wouldn't go near the entertainment districts without the count...'
As proof, she showed famous bakeries, shops, and unique architecture. Urun boasted symbolic wonders: a colosseum, even a leaning tower like Pisa's. Its inspirations? Rome and China. Natural beauty from China's heavenly landscapes, buildings from Rome.
'To think I'd see architecture from places I never visited in my old world.'
Absurd—it drew a wry chuckle. Really, he'd never traveled due to vague fears. What if accidents happen? Language barriers leading to mishaps? Turns out, it's not so bad once you're there.
Anyway, crediting the devs for basing Urun on famous models—great sightseeing.
After touring the grand colosseum, leaning tower, and more—inside and out—lunchtime hit. Street snacks along the way left them not too hungry.
Resting in a plaza with a fountain, Juda ate a cone ice cream, pondering deeply. Could laze here today, thoughtless fun. But walking stirred plans ahead.
Before Count Jenauer took the fragment, something to do here first.
'Cain's dead by my hand...'
A bit of leeway?
If Cain lived, it'd demand constant vigilance to thwart and preempt him. Killing him quick freed up the schedule. Notes based on his survival assumptions—years old—needed full revision.
First in Urun: 〈Thieves from the Shadow Kingdom〉.
'Roxin.'
Start with him. No clue how he had maps of nobles' estates in Urun, but for a fee, he'd reveal layouts and ways to bypass defensive magic. Info no ordinary back-alley guild had.
"Juda?"
Staring piercingly at the brick pavement, eyes narrowed, Juda belatedly heard his name.
"?"
He looked up—Arhil.
"What're you doing? Not sulking 'cause we're ignoring you, right?"
"Not a kid."
"Hmm, our leader... but looks and age-wise, you are. Freshly adult kids aren't real grown-ups. Hehe."
Amused by teasing, Arhil shrugged smugly.
"Fine, whatever. So why'd you call?"
"Sara's taking us to flower fields outside Urun now. Gotta go soon to make it back before dinner. No answer when called, so I came. Thought you were sulking. Coming?"
Going solo now would look odd.
"Nah, of course. Let's go."
"Hurry up."
"Pushy."
Juda nodded readily and followed. A full day without incident, back at the estate—then he resolved to move in earnest tomorrow.
When Sara offered to guide again, Juda apologized but said he'd go solo. To her worried question if it wasn't fun, he smiled—no, just wanted to wander the scenery alone—and eased her mind.
Dinner at the estate, then bed. At dawn, he slipped out.
To find Roxin, thief of the Shadow Kingdom.
==========