Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpediem
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Leaning against the wall was Gentia—it was her. Having apparently overheard the entire conversation from inside, she shot Cain a sharp smile. Her fangs glinted between her smiling lips. Cain's face paled, and he hesitated.
"Ah, uh... um, sorry?"
"You're late. And why is it a question?"
Tia flicked Cain hard on the forehead right then and there. The thud was loud enough to hear from inside the room. Cain clutched his head in considerable pain, slumping down and tearing up.
Tia turned away without a shred of sympathy and approached Judah, scooping him up effortlessly. It was the complete opposite of how she treated Cain.
"Oh, my pretty Judah. Do you know how worried I was when I heard you collapsed at the temple? Does anything hurt? Are you feeling okay now?"
The compliment about being pretty must have felt that good.
Feeling the soft sensation of her ample chest, Judah nodded.
"It's not something to worry about."
"The Captain said it's been a while since he last showed off his skills, so let's eat here before you go. It's such a hassle to cook at home."
"I'll demolish it all."
Tia beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek with a smack.
"That's exactly right."
Leaving the sulking Cain behind, Judah nestled in Tia's arms as they headed to the dining hall. Kaseun's cooking skills were as excellent as ever. True to his word about showing off, a hearty breakfast was laid out in abundance, enough to make the table groan under the weight.
Thanks to that, Tia and Judah ate their fill with great satisfaction. The mountain of food that had bent the table disappeared in no time once they started eating. As they sat there content with full bellies, fruit was brought out for dessert, providing a perfect finish.
They chatted pleasantly during and after the meal—nothing special, just everyday conversation. With nothing left to eat and stomachs full, it was about time to head home. The lavish breakfast had come to a complete end.
Tia glanced at Judah and was the first to say to Kaseun that they probably needed to get going. Kaseun protested that they were leaving too soon and should stay a bit longer, but Tia politely declined. Since it had been an unscheduled visit and the meal was more than enough, he didn't press further. They left the mansion and walked along the well-paved roadside. Streets in noble districts were always quiet.
As they walked in silence, Tia spoke to Judah first.
"Why were you so nervous?"
"Huh? Oh... was it that obvious?"
Tia nodded.
"Very. How well can a kid hide their expressions anyway?"
This was awkward—if Tia had noticed, then Kaseun must have known too. It felt like he'd been rude somehow. His wariness toward Cain and thoughts about his future schedule must have shown on his face.
"There wasn't any special reason. I just... really want to go hunting soon?"
There were two years left until the coming-of-age ceremony. He needed to widen the gap with Cain within that time. Nothing was more important than gaining real combat experience.
"Hmm. Once you get a taste for hunting, it's hard to forget."
Tia seemed to fully accept Judah's words. She pulled her pipe from her bosom, put it in her mouth, and channeled mana. With a hiss, the end of the pipe lit itself. Thick smoke poured into her mouth along the stem.
Hoo—
She opened her mouth, and smoke billowed out.
"You've got the money I gave you yesterday, right?"
"Yes. 5 silver coins."
Judah slipped his hand into his pants pocket, feeling the coins as he answered. Even if he'd lost it, it wouldn't matter—he had plenty saved in <Bag>.
"My Judah, then can this pretty big sis keep asking you to run that errand from yesterday?"
Was she asking him to be her errand boy? Tia inhaled some smoke from her pipe and pointed it toward a sandwich shop in the distance.
"Go buy some."
"Will you wait for me? Or go ahead?"
"I'll go ahead. Meet me at the fountain in the central square. You know what I like, right? Get something tasty."
The 5 silver coins she gave him would more than cover it. Judah jingled the coins in his pocket and looked at the shop. In that brief moment, several people came and went. It was famous not just for its popularity, but because the taste and portions were excellent value for the price, drawing adventurers and mercenaries regardless of the time.
With Tia leisurely strolling away and urging him to hurry, Judah dashed to the shop. The entrance was wide open. Just as he was about to pass through the door, someone else tried to enter at the same time. To get through the narrow doorway, one had to yield.
Judah looked up at the person who had stepped forward.
It was a slender woman dressed comfortably for mobility. With her blue hair, she met Judah's eyes, snapped to attention, and smiled brightly as she stepped back.
"Would you like to go first?"
Her voice was cool, but the tone carried politeness and courtesy. Even knowing Judah was a child, she used honorifics. Judah gave a slight bow of thanks and was about to enter when he caught sight of the necklace hanging around her neck as they brushed past.
'An unusual necklace.'
Hanging from it was a uniquely shaped lance pendant topped with a sapphire.
It looked familiar. A sudden memory made him halt and turn back. She, who had just followed him inside, gave him a puzzled look.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing. Thank you."
Judah hurried inside, seeing her tilt her head. No doubt about it.
'Blue Lance Knight!'
The Blue Lance Knights were the name of one of the Byron Empire's elite knight orders representing the empire.
On the battlefield, they donned plate armor enchanted with all sorts of magic, blue cloaks billowing, thick conical lances in one hand, and rectangular tower shields in the other. They blocked enemy attacks with overwhelming defense, then charged to shatter formations and crush foes. When the Byron Empire was founded, multiple kingdoms staked their fates against it, but were annihilated by the Blue Lance Knights. Even after the empire solidified, they always fought at the forefront whenever war broke out.
They marched out first and, in retreat, guarded the rear to ensure allies withdrew safely. The Blue Lance Knights valued talent above status. Talent was the top priority.
If deemed talented, they underwent grueling training and survived to earn the apprentice knight label. However, apprentices weren't official members. Uniquely, they were given three years to roam freely outside.
During those three years, they acted independently. The freedom was meant to let them wander, gain diverse experiences, and return stronger.
They could train under waterfalls in the mountains to hone their skills.
They could slay monsters for the empire's people.
They could register as mercenaries or adventurers to build fame.
After three years, they returned for exams and interviews.
Passing meant graduating to mid-tier Blue Lance Knight. From that moment, they received wealth, honor, and tremendous treatment while carrying out missions. She must have come here to escape her apprentice status.
Judah was already certain she was a Blue Lance Knight. She carried no armor, shield, or even weapon—the symbols of knighthood—but that was to be expected for them.
This was a world where magic was commonplace. Like the knight orders representing kingdoms and empires, Blue Lance Knights were issued armor, shields, and weapons enchanted with magic, storable in subspace. Channeling mana transformed them like magical girls, particles gathering from thin air for full armament.
But beyond that, Judah had one definitive reason for his certainty: the lance-shaped pendant around her neck. That was the biggest proof. He glanced at her as she followed him into the shop and quietly muttered.
'Status window.'
──────────────────────
「Status Window」
[Name: Jeanne Artuar]
[Title: None]
[True Name: Wolf of the Blue Moon]
[Level: 16]
[Class: Blue Lance Knight (B)]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: 30 (D) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 33 (D) / Potential S]
[Agility: 27 (D) / Potential B]
[Mana: 37 (D) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 51 (C) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 5 (F) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 18 (F) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 56 (C) / Potential C] ◀ Special
[Affection: 0 (Neutral)]
[Trust: 0 (Neutral)]
「Traits 3/5」
[Blue Moon] - Rank: A
[Wolf's Blessing] - Rank: A
[Apprentice Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: D
「Skills 4/5」
[National Guardian Spirit] - Rank: A
[Chivalry] - Rank: B
[Imperial Shield Art - Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: B
[Imperial Lance Art - Blue Lance Knight] - Rank: B
──────────────────────
Seeing the status window pop up, Judah was startled upon confirming her name. He knew it well—or rather, he remembered it. She was the first one he'd noted in <Records> as a 'companion to recruit if at all possible.' He'd hoped a Blue Lance Knight here might be her, but to think it actually was. As he picked sandwiches with tongs onto his wooden tray, he glanced at her. She seemed to be deliberating in front of the neatly sliced assortment of tempting sandwiches.
Judah transferred his selections to his tray and checked her info again.
'Jeanne Artuar.'
Sorry to compare with Tia, but she had far superior potential, plus higher-ranked skills and traits. He'd love to recruit her as a companion. But it was impossible now. In a game, he'd talk to her, complete the preset quest, and recruit her. Unfortunately, this was reality.
With no connection and both affection and trust at 0, approaching out of nowhere could lead to misunderstandings. And if a kid suddenly came up saying, 'Be my companion!' what would she think?
Her presence here in Serenia Castle meant fate was unfolding like the game info he knew. So, in two years, on the coming-of-age day, he could tackle the hidden quest to recruit her. When the time came, he could naturally bring her on board.
He went to the counter and paid for the bread. He'd bought a bit much; the 5 silver became 7 bronze.
He gave her still-pondering back one last look and left the shop without regret.
'If it's meant to be, we'll meet again before the quest.'
========== Author's Note ==========
Yes, everyone.
Just trust me and follow along.
Even if that path is a sheer cliff or a desert where not a drop of water can be found.
We will arrive at the destination.