Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Chapter 4. Uruun, the Land of Entertainment and Culture
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[You have collected the fourth Fragment.]
[This is the first time in over two hundred years since Pernen's Fragment fell into the mortal realm.]
[Even more astonishing is that no one knows about this fact.]
[Though no one is aware, meaning no evaluation of you can be made, your level rises by an additional 3 for this remarkable achievement.]
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「Status Window」
[Name: Yuda Arshe]
[Title: Little Hero of Serenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 48]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Resurrection Count: 25]
[Strength: 51 (C) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 47 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 61 (B) / Potential SS]
[Mana: 45 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 58 (C) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 12 (F) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 21 (D) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 85 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 12]
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However, the updated status window showed not just a level increase of 3, but 3 more on top of that. Yuda usually read system messages carefully, but checking when this had happened, it turned out to be the reward from helping Isabelle in Regen earlier.
「Quest - Regen」
[Chief Cha Chawoong Isabelle's Request 1 - Scout the Orc Village]
└Reward: Level +1, Massive increase in favor from the Black Tree Tribe.
[Chief Cha Chawoong Isabelle's Request 2 - Slay Spirit Sword Owner Quake]
└Reward: Level +2, Fragment transfer. Isabelle's favor +30.
Level 48, swordsmanship proficiency at 9...
Just 2 more levels and 1 more swordsmanship proficiency, and he could become the Spirit Sword Owner.
If things went well, he might reach Spirit Sword Owner before heading to the elven forest.
As he pondered how to use the options on his new ring, they arrived at the mansion.
The count, who had been silent since handing over the ring, muttered about being tired as soon as he got out of the carriage and headed straight to his room. Left alone, Yuda had nothing else to do.
Wondering if Jeanne and Arhil were back, he checked their room, but they hadn't returned yet.
Returning to his quiet room, Yuda sat on the edge of the bed after removing only his outer clothes. His eyes fell on the two Fragments on his left hand. Four out of twenty-four Fragments already collected.
Carpediem.
Altemia.
Yakal.
Valentine.
The problem was that the greatsword Yakal, with its exceptionally cool form, still didn't fully acknowledge him as its master, but that would sort itself out with time.
'Smooth sailing, astonishingly so.'
Considering he'd already experienced dozens of deaths, it wasn't smooth at all, but at least he'd steadily accomplished what he planned so far.
'If I rescue the elves from here and win their favor, that would be perfect.'
He'd already obtained the Fragment he was supposed to get in Uruun, so only one remained. Tomorrow, he needed to meet Roxin and get the mansion maps from him. He'd tried drawing maps in 〈Memo〉, but there were no proper ones—either he couldn't remember the layouts at all, or he'd put it off. His memories were hazy too.
"Hmm."
Lying back on the bed, the soft sensation drained all his energy. The unique scent and softness of the blanket felt amazing. Dozing off like that, Yuda woke suddenly in the early dawn, eyes snapping open.
With a sharp gasp, he realized he'd been curled up like a fetus in the dark, chilly room, wrapped in the blanket. Groaning softly, he lay staring at the ceiling. Cold wind blew through the open window, but he kept gazing upward. Blinking, Yuda felt his vision adjust to the darkness.
"...What time is it?"
As he muttered, a holographic clock appeared in the corner of his vision, showing the current time.
[04:19]
An awkward hour. Too early for a walk, casino, or restaurant—anything felt off. To meet Roxin, he'd need to head out early, but after 6 would do. Roxin wasn't that diligent.
Sighing lightly, he shifted his gaze from the green-lit clock in his vision back to the ceiling. As if sensing he wasn't looking, the clock vanished. Lying there blankly, Yuda sniffed the air like a dog. Come to think of it, a sweet scent filled the room. Sitting up and looking around, he spotted a paper bag on the small table.
Braving the laziness, he went over, opened the bag, and found it packed with food: bread, snacks, and drinks. Probably left by Arhil or Jeanne, but it had cooled after some time. Yuda pressed the button on the bedside lamp. For some unknown reason, the magic stone in the lamp emitted a soft glow.
"Tastes good?"
Maybe because he was hungry, but it was plenty delicious. There was a hamburger with cabbage, mayonnaise, and a meat patty, fruit juice, and all sorts of snacks. As he munched nonstop, hand dipping in and out of the paper bag, he felt eyes from the window.
"Tasty?"
"...Yeah."
It was Roxin. Dressed in black tights, he slipped through the window. The black haze around his shoulders faded, and he removed his mask. Looking pitifully at Yuda, who had stuffed a cookie in his mouth and was chewing away, Roxin chuckled.
"Waking up early is good, but I didn't expect you to eat like a possessed man."
"Want some?"
"Nah, pass. Maybe if it paired with wine. I ate a ton of that stuff back in the day."
Roxin waved it off. He took off the black bag slung over his back, placed it on the table, glanced around the room, and turned on the ceiling light instead of the lamp. The room brightened instantly. Yuda squinted at the sudden light, then slowly opened his eyes.
Once his vision adjusted, he suddenly became aware of the Valentine on his left hand. As the king of the Shadow Kingdom, Roxin might recognize it as a Fragment at a glance. The paper bag in his left hand hid it somewhat, but he'd need to remove it and store it in 〈Bag〉 if Roxin went to the bathroom or somewhere.
'I think I have gloves too. Better wear those.'
With winter approaching, no one would suspect. A bit inconvenient, but Valentine was well-known among Uruun's people, so he needed to hide it at least here.
Since the count had handed over the Fragment without conditions, this much consideration for him was easy. Roxin, oblivious to Yuda's worries, began pulling items from his bag.
"Seronic family... Neyubae exile... Hissen... three."
As Roxin muttered and took out tightly rolled papers, Yuda quickly slipped off the ring, stored it in 〈Bag〉, grabbed the paper bag again, and approached him casually.
"Is that the map?"
"Yeah. Maps of the three great noble families' mansions. But other nobles have elves as slaves too—why just these three?"
"Can't save them all. These places have high elves among them."
Huh—how'd he know that?
Roxin had only learned about the high elves while compiling info this time. The other elves had resigned to slave life, shaking their hips for nobles. But Seronic, Neyubae, and Hissen had recently bought high elves and were preparing to train them, or so the rumors went.
Roxin wondered where Yuda got his info. He knew about the Shadow Kingdom too—maybe there was another intel group they didn't know? But he'd tailed Yuda all yesterday, and no contacts.
"Rescuing the most valuable ones, huh?"
Yuda set the paper bag on the floor, unfolded a map on the small table, and said. A snack crunched in his mouth, shifting to one cheek like a hamster, puffing it out.
"That's part of it... but since we can't save everyone, we're prioritizing the capable ones with strong will to return to the forest. There'll be more than one or two elves per mansion—how could we take all the elves in Uruun?"
"Fair point. I thought it was random, but you have a plan."
Roxin nodded, thinking at least he had some thoughts.
"Of course. The question is whether we can get all the elves out. Raiding one mansion will trigger alarms across the city."
"And the Shadow Kingdom would take the blame."
In Uruun, mages—the nobles—held the most power. They ruled everything; no way they'd let intruders raid their mansions and steal elves. They'd issue lockdowns and search immediately.
If no traces were found, they'd naturally suspect the most secretive group, the 〈Shadow Kingdom〉. It was procedure. Great nobles surely knew of them and had tried contact, so they might come demanding answers.
"You okay with that? Helping like this?"
"Not okay. But what can I do? I keep my word—who else would?"
"I like that. Then do this: if the nobles pressure the Shadow Kingdom, hand over my info and location to the great nobles the moment I leave Uruun with the elves."
"You'll get caught quick."
Roxin asked, tone implying if he was sure.
Great nobles were high mages. They knew long-distance teleportation and wielded legion-level power individually. Plus, each house had magic battalions—not to be trifled with.
If they knew Yuda's location, could he escape Uruun protecting the elves?
Despite knowing the risks, Yuda grinned confidently at Roxin.
"If they can, let 'em try."
========== Afterword ==========
Heh heh;;;
Finally added the quest rewards missed from Regen earlier.
Your Honor... I'm innocent...