Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpe Diem
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00031 Chapter 1-3. Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpe Diem
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#Serenia Castle, Central Fountain Square.
Jentia sat on a bench, pipe in her mouth, gazing at the central fountain. A statue of a beautiful woman carrying a water jar stood proudly atop the fountain. Cool streams of water cascaded from the jar she held, and nearby, couples strolled by with smiles on their faces.
Lovers, families, and merchants selling goods to mercenaries and adventurers out for a walk had set up stalls around the fountain. Since they all had the lord's permission, the stalls were uniformly neat and tidy, with no hawking cries to make things noisy. The merchants simply dealt with the customers who approached naturally.
Soldiers patrolled regularly in full armor, checking for illegal vendors or fights amid the crowds, keeping the peace.
It was a truly peaceful scene.
Unless it rained, the square was unlikely to ever be empty. Puffing out smoke in lazy bursts, Jentia watched the passersby while waiting for Yuda. Then she spotted two men walking toward her.
They were seasoned adventurers, properly equipped with clear signs of trained physiques. When their eyes met, one even winked cheekily. She scowled in disgust and turned her head away. But they weren't the type to give up that easily.
"Hello? You're a beastkin, right? I saw you from afar and thought you were stunning... I just wanted to chat for a bit. Mind if I sit next to you?"
He pretended to ask permission but was already moving to sit. Jentia furrowed her brow and replied without a second's hesitation.
"No, don't sit. Get lost."
The sharp, murderous edge in her words made the man halt awkwardly mid-motion, but he plopped down anyway. Flashing a sly grin, he spoke up.
"Come on, benches don't have owners, do they? They're made for anyone to sit on."
"Is that so? Then I'll stand. Sit there all you want."
Jentia rose from her seat as if there was nothing more to hear. She'd dealt with countless men hitting on her during her mercenary days. It came from her rare beastkin traits and striking beauty. At first, she'd struggled to refuse, but now she could brush them off effortlessly. The key was showing no openings.
Any hesitation, and they'd pounce. Leaving like this was usually easy, but persistent ones would keep following, sometimes forcing her to resort to violence. Fortunately, these two backed off naturally.
That bench had been perfect, but now she scanned for another empty one—none in sight.
Where to go? She needed to wait here until Yuda arrived. As she wandered the square leisurely, her eyes caught a crowd gathering around the central square bulletin board.
It hadn't been like that earlier.
Curious, she headed over. The throng blocked the board, but she overheard conversations from those reading the notice up front.
"Whoa, seriously? Looks like the wolves are expanding into the eastern forest."
"Aren't they being pushed out by the white wolves? Otherwise..."
"White or black, no good wolves exist. Prices for herbs are gonna skyrocket for a while."
Her ears perked up, catching the murmurs. She could guess the notice's content. Black Wolves had appeared in the eastern forest. She debated squeezing through but decided to wait patiently, smoking her pipe, figuring the crowd would thin soon. The gossipers eventually stepped aside for those behind.
──────────────────────
Lord Chapelin Piercen's Proclamation.
Recent sightings of Black Wolves from the southern forest have been reported in the eastern forest.
No victims yet due to good fortune, but the future is uncertain.
Being spotted by aggressive Black Wolves could cost your life, so please refrain from entering the eastern forest for the time being.
The east gate won't be fully closed, so entry is at your own risk—we can't guarantee your safety.
However, for woodcutters and herbalists whose livelihoods depend on it, soldiers will provide escorts during designated times. Gather as announced below.
Assembly Time: 09:00.
Escort Hours: 09:00 to 15:00.
Assembly Location: East Gate Guard Post by 08:30.
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So even official notices like this go up. She'd half-expected it.
Indeed, passing through the eastern forest to reach the southern one, they'd seen an unusual number of Black Wolves. Those who survived encounters and reported to the lord were the lucky ones.
Yuda himself had nearly been hunted by Black Wolves just days ago. Having read the notice, Jentia stepped away like the others before her, making room. Spotting an empty bench nearby, she hurried over and sat. Much more comfortable.
Puffing her pipe, she pondered.
'Hmm, do wolves normally leave their territory?'
Black Wolves were more monster than beast, but they shouldn't stray without reason, same as any animal. Animals only abandoned territory due to stronger predators or losing power struggles.
Wolves were apex predators in the forest, so her guess was they'd been pushed out by white wolves.
'That sounds dangerous.'
If all the Black Wolves were moving to the eastern forest, hunting there would be suicidal. But going straight south through the south gate was equally risky. Both ways were hazardous.
Lost in thought, someone sat beside her without a word. Her tiger-sharp eyes flicked sideways.
Who dares sit next to me so rudely without asking.
Glancing over with irritation and annoyance, she sized them up. A cute black-haired boy—Yuda. Her demonic scowl softened to angelic warmth in an instant. Less than a second for eyes that could kill to brim with affection. She spoke gently.
"You're here?"
"Yeah, I called from afar, but you didn't respond."
"Was thinking for a bit. Got all the bread?"
Yuda opened the bag in his hand, showing the contents. All wrapped sandwiches were her favorites. Planning to eat here, she deftly pulled one out. He watched as she extinguished her pipe and unwrapped it.
"What were you thinking about?"
"There was a notice on the board."
"A notice? Oh, that's why the crowd. Hold on, I'll check it out."
At her words, Yuda started to rise but was pulled back by his wrist. No intention of letting him go.
"Don't. I'll explain."
No choice, Yuda sat beside her. He considered a sandwich but wasn't hungry.
"The Black Wolves from the southern forest seem to be relocating to the eastern one. Other hunters spotted them too, so the notice advises avoiding the area. Nothing else concerns us much."
"Nice."
"Hm? Why? What is?"
"We're hunting Black Wolves for experience anyway. Might as well see it as doing some good. Risky, sure, but no big deal."
Positive thinking. Tia chewed her sandwich, gazing at the fearless Yuda. True, danger was overblown. They planned to hunt Black Wolves regardless—more of them changed nothing.
'Worst case, I grab Yuda and run.'
Others might not manage it, but she could.
Unless encircled by hundreds, she could escape with him anytime.
"Want to camp in the eastern forest for a few days and hunt wolves?"
"Black Wolf pelts sell for good money. Time to earn some."
As Yuda said, black and white wolf pelts fetched high prices. Magic-friendly, sold at mage towers; excellent texture, warm, durable—clothiers loved them. Plus, Yuda had that <Bag> she thought was a subspace. Skin them, and carrying was no issue.
"Hmm, not bad? Split 4:6—me getting 6."
Yuda nodded without thinking. Fine by him.
"Alright then—shopping spree after so long?"
"A date?"
At his playful words, Tia ruffled his hair fondly and smiled.
"Of course. What, don't wanna date your master?"
Yuda didn't reply. What, he hates it?
Irritation flickered, but then his hand reached out.
"You've got some."
He wiped her mouth gently. Lettuce from the sandwich stuck to his finger. He ate it and grinned brightly.
"No way I'd hate it. Let's go—anyone else, maybe, but you? Love it."
Tia's heart fluttered unexpectedly. Heart-pounding—that expression fit.
"Thought you were just a kid. Where'd you learn to say that?"
"Why? Bad?"
Tia made a vague face.
"Not bad."
========== Author's Note ==========
That's right. Blessed are those who believe.
Ah, some said my writing's great—feels amazing, but no gold-gilding please. Makes me arrogant. Heh heh.
Even without treats for the praise, it feels good, so posting one more before bed.