Chapter 352
Chapter 352
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 352
Chapter Title: Chapter 8-2. Fragment Collector
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After parting ways with Judah, Iris walked the streets of Reillysa alone.
She was beautiful enough to earn goodwill from every race, humans included, just by existing—so much so that simply walking should have drawn eyes from all around. Yet even those passing by failed to register her presence.
They merely veered aside as if sensing an obstacle in their path. She took it in stride, quietly strolling through the streets.
Vendors chatted and laughed amid a mix of non-humans. It was a fascinating sight in its own right.
Elves and dwarves—who were known to get along poorly—conversed with smiles. Fairies buzzed through the air, pranking orcs. One such orc hawked food in playful exchange, while across the way, a beautiful woman presumed to be a lamia sold undergarments with leisurely grace.
Watching the orc snag a sale, Iris headed toward the food stall. But like everyone else, the troll vendor carried on with his tasks despite her standing right there. With no other choice, she released the aura she'd been suppressing.
"Huh!?"
The troll, who had been skewering unidentifiable meat—chicken or duck?—jumped in surprise, as if she'd materialized out of thin air.
"W-Welcome."
He greeted her reflexively, then eyed her suspiciously.
"Y-You're human?"
Iris tapped the badge pinned to her collar, showing it off. The moment he saw it, his puzzled expression turned to shock. He bowed his head and politely asked what she desired.
-Give me two of each kind, please.
Reading her notepad, the troll told her to hold on a moment and began grilling meat already pre-skewered. Iris held out a gold coin.
"Don't you have silver? This is too much for change."
Even so, all she had were gold coins and jewels from the old dragonkin named Lumiren.
-No need for change.
"Gosh, you sure? I'm grateful, but it feels wrong just taking it. If you swing by again, I'll load you up for free!"
The troll grinned ear to ear. A whole gold coin! That made his month's sales a smash hit. He slathered sauce on the carefully grilled skewers with all his might and packed them in a paper box. Iris nodded in thanks, cradling the box as she left the stall.
'Tasty.'
She'd eaten breakfast, but the chewy, sweet flavor hit just right. She wished she could share with those she considered comrades, but unlike Lime or Judah, she lacked a subspace.
'What to do next.'
Munching skewers while sightseeing had taken her far. She had plenty of money, but nowhere particular to spend it.
With a sigh, Iris tossed the empty paper box into a roadside bin and sat on a nearby vacant bench to catch her breath.
Zoning out brought last night's awkward scene to mind.
'Hmm...'
She tried not to dwell, but it wouldn't leave her. Last night, after washing up in the bath and lounging in bed, she'd sensed magic unfurling in the hallway outside.
It was so subtle she might've missed it if preoccupied elsewhere. Unfortunately, her senses caught it sharp.
Curiosity killed the cat, as they say.
Debating whether to just sleep, she decided to peek. Concealing her presence, she melted into the shadows and scanned the hall. Emerging, she perceived the imperceptible: sounds unheard, sights unseen.
Celine peeking into Judah's room. Arhil's moans from within. Then Celine slipping inside.
Iris watched silently before retreating to her room. Thanks to the hallway magic, no sounds leaked through once back in bed. She'd forced sleep despite it all, but meeting Judah's eyes that morning resurfaced the memory.
No betrayal felt—just a bit shocking.
'Why shocking?'
It could happen. Yet try as she might to ignore it, the scene replayed, stirring unease. Sighing, she resumed walking.
The distractions faded as she wandered. Nibbling intriguing street foods, she noted the promised time approaching.
On the way back, she stopped at a stationery shop she'd eyed earlier for spare notepads and pens, then a smithy selling weapons. Dwarven-made, the blades boasted excellent quality and balance.
Hers were stowed in Judah's subspace now, but they had daggers sharper and lighter than the one tucked in her coat.
'Buy one?'
Pricey, but fair for dwarven craft. Testing a sample—tossing and catching in the air—Iris asked permission for a real throw. It fit her grip perfectly, flew true, and embedded hilt-deep in the wall.
The dwarf clapped, insisting it was made for her. No sales pitch—this was artisan sincerity. Iris bought ten matching daggers.
'Come to think of it, does Judah use daggers?'
She'd seen one at his belt, aside from the fragment called Altemia. It wasn't great quality.
'Get one as a gift?'
Repayment for all the elven fruit wine he'd shared. Plenty of money left; another dwarven blade posed no issue.
The daggers and her new dagger had sharpening and durability enchantments—pricey, but as royal guests, they got discounts. The dwarf shaved more off, claiming the weapons had found their master. With the pouch of free jewels and gold anyway, it barely dented.
Paying up, the dwarf fetched an orc to pack the daggers in wooden cases and carry them to her destination. Already compensated, the orc shouldered the load without complaint. Iris nearly refused— no subspace meant lugging it herself—but accepted the help. Heading to the rendezvous, a worry struck.
'A useless gift?'
Even an enchanted dwarven dagger wouldn't mean much to Judah. He could summon fragments at will. And gifting on impulse felt abrupt.
No special occasion, not that kind of relationship. Buying only for him looked odd. Plus, preparing a gift with someone in mind was rare for her.
'Will he like it?'
Unclear his reaction, but she'd feel rewarded if he did. Iris chuckled softly. No option in her mind of keeping it for herself.
"Huh, Iris?"
Ah.
Coincidence? Lost in thoughts of Judah, Iris turned at her name. Two robed figures: Celine and Judah under shadowed hoods. Celine tsked, frowning. Judah smiled warmly, approaching.
"Wow, running into you here on the street. Perfect timing."
Perfect? Iris couldn't grasp his intent.
-Something wrong?
"No, not that. Just have something for you."
She smiled faintly, scribbling on her notepad.
-What a coincidence. I have something for you too.
But as she wrote, she eyed the box he proffered. Glittering wrap, red ribbon—a gift box proper.
"Huh?"
Despite her usual silence, a voice escaped. Stunned, she stared. She'd never imagined him gifting her. Judah, embarrassed by her gaze, shifted to the box.
"Labyrinth, desert—you saved us so many times. Without you, it'd have been rough. Fragments I collected aside, these are meager thanks, but I prepared them for you. Meant to give them at the castle, in case you hated them and wanted exchanges..."
He urged her to take it. Relenting, Iris pocketed notepad and pen, accepting. Not heavy. Rattling suggested multiples. To write thanks, she'd need to set it down. Minimal speech her rule, but exceptions applied.
"Thank you. Can I open it?"
Judah nodded. Her heart raced. Sudden gift. Not her first, but past ones bought favor—never genuine goodwill like this.
Tugging the ribbon, the pretty knot unraveled. Onlookers gathered—curious heteromorphs. Inside: black gloves, notepad, fancy pen.
"Saw you lacked gloves last time. Thought they'd suit you, so I got them. Try on. Color or fit off? We can swap."
"Hold this a sec?"
She handed him the box. He took it gladly. Matte black gloves absorbed light. Seemed large, but shrank to fit perfectly upon donning. Worn yet weightless comfort.
'Enchanted with code too?'
Flexing her fingers, she smiled faintly.
"How's it? Like them?"
Iris nodded to his question.
"Whew, good. Materials were premium, but most lacked good enchantments—only these had code. Pricey, but seeing you pleased makes it worth it."
He beamed, satisfied. Iris unpacked the notepad and pen—luxury items screaming high cost.
"This notepad's too nice for notes... Diary material."
"You keep a diary?"
She shook her head. Last diary ages ago, abandoned quickly... But starting fresh today. Iris repacked them, then pulled out her notepad to write.
-Sorry, can I return the favor at the castle?
"Sure. Hm? You had something for me?"
Judah read the half-written line atop her pad. Iris nodded, signaling the orc to unload. Effortlessly reading her note, he set down the wooden case. Judah eyed it curiously.
"What's this?"
-A gift.
"Gift in a wooden case... Can I open?"
Iris shook her head—wait—scribbling a longer note.
-Not sure which are yours, but daggers are mine. Red fragment aside, your belt dagger looked iffy, so I bought these.
"Ah, daggers."
No disappointment in his face reading it. Opening revealed a genuine smile—not forced joy. Pure delight, she sensed. Relief washed over her. But as Judah reached for the four daggers inside, Celine—who'd watched silently—surged mana, calling out.
"Judah. Wait, the sky..."
Sky?
Looking up, black storm clouds materialized without warning. Nearby heteromorphs screamed, fleeing in panic.
========== Afterword ==========
Ah, studying is freaking awful....