Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-2. Labyrinth
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Kaliktes spoke calmly, as if seizing the opportunity.
Judah, who had been listening quietly, let out a laugh at the direct question of whether he might consider coming to the Empire.
Having a Spirit Sword owner was akin to bolstering a nation's power. In a world without nuclear weapons, it provided formidable deterrence against war, enabled a wider array of tactics and strategies in conflict, and in full-scale battles, the presence or absence of a Spirit Sword owner could drastically alter defensive and offensive capabilities.
Hearing that Judah was an adventurer without even a Platinum Badge, Kaliktes had impulsively tried to recruit him.
"What do you say? It's not a bad offer. If you wish, I can tell you about the benefits Spirit Sword owners receive in the Empire."
"No, thank you very much, but I'm afraid I have a dream."
"A dream?"
As Kaliktes picked up his utensils while asking Judah, he urged Lime, Arhil, and Iris—who were staring blankly at the food in front of them—to eat up. They hadn't even had a chance to introduce themselves yet. They didn't seem bothered by it. With no interest in forging ties to the Empire, they simply busied themselves with their utensils, avoiding any unnecessary entanglements.
Judah gazed at them enviously as he replied.
"It's to travel the world. To visit every country on the First and Second Continents."
"Oh?"
Kaliktes exclaimed in admiration as he refilled his empty plate. Indeed, the words of an adventurer. Or perhaps that's precisely why one became an adventurer.
"It's more enjoyable than I expected. You meet unexpected connections and see things you couldn't anywhere else."
"I see. Where did you start from to end up here?"
Judah caught the subtle intent to probe his origins but had nothing to hide, so he gladly answered. When he mentioned Serenia Castle, Kaliktes—who clearly knew the geography of the First Continent—immediately named locations and continued the conversation.
'I thought I could eat my fill in peace, but no such luck.'
With the constant conversation, Judah could only grip his utensils without properly eating. Meanwhile, Iris, Arhil, and Lime were quietly and swiftly clearing the table. It might improve if his friend arrived.
"World travel. What a splendid dream. I want to wander various countries like you once I retire."
"Is there a place you'd like to visit?"
Kaliktes stroked his chin thoughtfully. Seizing the gap, Judah hurriedly stuffed the cooling food into his mouth. He crammed it in without properly chewing and swallowed. Gulp. Even as the lump traveled down his throat, Kaliktes remained deep in thought.
About three minutes passed. He finally opened his mouth cautiously.
"I suppose I'd like to visit Baekje's capital, Jungcheon."
"Baekje?"
Judah was well aware that the Byron and Baekje Empires had poor relations. Though they traded with all nearby kingdoms, Byron never exchanged with Baekje, and vice versa. Yet, their special products and goods still reached each other through intermediary kingdoms.
"Yes, Baekje. The nation we've been fighting since before I was born, and likely until I die. It won't stop until one side perishes. That's why I'm so curious. What kind of place is the country I've battled my whole life? What's there? What do they think? What mindset do they live with?"
Judah nodded at Kaliktes's words. With conversation resuming, he stopped putting food in his mouth. The expensive dish was delicious, but regrets aside, he lowered his hand, gazing wistfully at it. This time, though, the question didn't come to him.
"How is the food? To your tastes?"
"Yes, it's absolutely delicious! Much better than what we had downstairs."
Arhil answered brightly first. At her lively voice, Kaliktes smiled warmly, as if looking at a granddaughter.
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear it. And you, the mage beside her?"
"It's superb. As Arhil said, the taste is completely different from downstairs. You can tell a different chef prepared it. It's not just someone following orders—it's someone who truly knows how to handle the ingredients."
"High praise indeed. Not to boast, but this was made by my friend, the owner of this place. He was good at cooking even on the battlefield, but I worried when he said he'd open a place for nobles. Seems my concerns were unfounded."
"…? Does that mean this is your first time here?"
At Lime's question, he burst into hearty laughter and nodded.
"Hahaha! Yes, embarrassingly so. It's been a while since he opened, but I haven't had the time until today. Still, seeing you all enjoy it, I doubt he'll have trouble with business."
Just then, Kaliktes's gaze shifted backward.
"Ah, perfect timing. Here's our benefactor."
As Judah turned to look, Kaliktes stood with a teasing, mischievous expression. Wondering if he should rise to greet the newcomer, Judah saw him gesture to stay seated. Turning around, he spotted a man approaching in the exact same uniform as Kaliktes.
The medals on the man's chest were equally impressive. The formal attire, not armor, looked unnecessarily heavy. And with the man's weary expression, it seemed even heavier. He looked at Kaliktes, grimaced as if facing death, and sighed.
'But... haven't I seen that guy somewhere before?'
He seemed familiar. Judah knew better than to dismiss the feeling. Racking his memory while staring at the face, he recalled their connection to Kaliktes and turned back with a sigh.
'I see. If he's the kind of friend who wagers fragments with Kaliktes and jokes around like this, it can only be him.'
Basilisk.
A unique figure who used the name of a mythical beast as his real name.
Though dissimilar in build, height, or stern face to Kaliktes, they shared many traits.
Both hailed as the Empire's living heroes, each with monumental achievements.
If Kaliktes was the Empire's shield, he was its spear.
Kaliktes possessed the fragment called Moonlight; he held Gaia.
As Supreme Commander of the Blue Spear Knights, Kaliktes led; Basilisk commanded the Emperor's direct Spear of Judgment Knights and, in emergencies, all knights except the Blue Spear Knights.
Kaliktes was older, but they were like brothers.
Born to ducal houses, raised together, surviving battlefields by aiding each other. Coincidentally—or fatefully—they both acquired fragments and earned the Emperor's trust.
"Hahaha! It's been ages. How have you been, Basyl?"
Kaliktes approached Basilisk laughing. Basilisk looked down at him with displeasure as he spread his arms for a hug, then reluctantly gave a light embrace before stepping back.
"I'd have been much better without that bet of yours."
"Ah, of course. Otherwise, I'd be the one grimacing. Come, over here. I ordered ahead while chatting with these young friends. You'll be footing the bill today, right?"
Chuckling, he pulled up a seat. Basilisk sat, eyeing Arhil, Lime, and Iris—who offered awkward greetings—with puzzlement. He'd heard Kaliktes had grandchildren, but not that he'd bring them here.
"Young friends...? Why are they here?"
"Adventurers. They were eating on the second floor originally. I ruined their meal, so I brought them here as compensation and shared a chat over food."
"You?"
Kaliktes nodded with a smile.
"Believe it or not, this one's a Spirit Sword owner. That cute priestess like a granddaughter... ah, the mage... Come to think of it, we haven't done proper introductions yet?"
Frowning as he stroked his chin, he looked regretful for his oversight. Too focused on talking to Judah, he hadn't even learned their names. He awkwardly withdrew his extended hand, apologized, and asked them to introduce themselves despite the delay. Arhil rose slightly without annoyance, placing a hand over her cleavage and bowing her head.
"I'm Arhil, priestess serving Yophiel."
"I'm Lime de Tritan, of the Calypso Frost Mage Tower."
Iris pulled out a notebook and wrote.
-I apologize for greeting you this way due to circumstances. I'm Iris.
Finally, Judah reintroduced himself. Basilisk let out a hollow chuckle.
"Quite the unique group. Spirit Sword owner, mage, priestess... and that lady over there, hm, hunter? Anyway, pleased to meet you. I'm 'Basilisk de Deanol.' No need to remember the house name. Just know I'm this guy's friend."
-It is an honor to meet the Empire's heroes.
Iris wrote in elegant script and showed it. Basilisk looked slightly flustered reading the notebook, while Kaliktes laughed heartily and waved it off.
"No need for such flattery. I hear it everywhere I go these days—it's tiresome. Just speak casually like before. Now, eat up. He's paying, so no worries about cost. Eat your fill. Order more if needed."
"I'm the one paying—why are you making more of a fuss?"
"What're you nitpicking for? Or are you sulking because I didn't offer it to you?"
Kaliktes tore off a large chicken leg from the center of the table and placed it on Basilisk's plate. The tender meat looked delectable.
"Eat up. Since you're paying."
"You're truly infuriating. Enough to make me want to smash those glasses of yours."
And so, they began their somewhat noisy meal. Contrary to appearances, Kaliktes had a motherly personality. Rather than eating himself, he urged them to try this and that, asked if they needed more, and kept ordering extras. Lime and Arhil reached the point of no return, but Iris and Judah pigged out without restraint. Basilisk, unable to tell them to stop, could only sigh.