Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpediem
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Judah slowly opened his eyes after a good, long sleep. His body felt perfectly warm from pressing against Tia all night, but it was stiff from not being able to move freely.
This time, he hadn't groped her chest like before, so he didn't flail around. He slowly sat up. Tia was still fast asleep, as if determined to catch up on all the sleep she'd missed over the past few days. Even when he carefully got up, she didn't notice at all, her breathing steady and even.
He'd gotten down from the sofa, but his mind was still foggy in that half-asleep haze. He shuffled slowly to the bathroom, washed his hair, and gave his body a quick rinse. The moment his senses sharpened, the first thought that hit him was that he needed to go shopping. He could improvise breakfast somehow, but he had to buy ingredients for lunch, dinner, and meals for the next few days.
When he came out of the bathroom, Tia was up—or so it seemed. She was sitting there, nodding off with her head drooping, which looked even worse than sleeping.
"Tia, if you're sleepy, sleep more."
"Mm."
Her response came right away, like her consciousness was flickering in and out. She must have needed more rest, because she flopped sideways and fell right back asleep. At this rate, she wouldn't wake up until lunchtime. It wasn't cold weather, and as a beastkin, she naturally ran warmer than most, so she wouldn't catch a cold or anything. Still, worried, Judah fetched the thin blanket she usually slept under and draped it over her. He watched her sleep for a bit, then headed to the kitchen. He whipped up a simple breakfast for himself and used the leftovers to prepare something for Tia when she woke.
"There's food in the kitchen when you get up. Help yourself."
"Mm~"
"I'm heading to the market."
"Mmm~"
She responded fine. It was probably just reflexive. Judah took some of the money he'd gotten from selling the hides and magic stones yesterday out of his <Bag> and pocketed it, then headed for the southern boulevard.
Serenia City was divided into districts along its east, west, south, and north boulevards. The northern boulevard, where the lord's castle sat enclosed by small walls, was home to inns and various guilds. The western boulevard bustled with adventurers and mercenaries, so it was full of general stores, smithies, and plenty of restaurants. The eastern boulevard had pretty much everything: the mage tower, general stores, smithies, clothing shops, restaurants, you name it.
Finally, the southern boulevard was where merchant caravans competed fiercely, selling foodstuffs and daily goods. It was the most visited spot by the city's residents for that reason. Serenia was densely populated for its size, with high consumption, so many caravans had set up permanent bases here.
To meet the demand, they brought in caravans weekly, which meant Serenia's residents could buy remarkably fresh vegetables and high-quality meat for a remote city on the continent.
The moment he stepped onto the southern boulevard, he sighed at the sight of the crowds. At least the road was wide, like a four-lane street, so he could navigate without too much hassle. If it had been narrow, it would've been a nightmare. With so much to buy before lunch, he had to hustle.
He haggled skillfully with merchants and scored some extras, and before he knew it, his hands were weighed down heavy. He'd bought everything on his list. With strength unbecoming of a child, he lugged his purchases home. If no one had been watching, he could've just stuffed it all in his <Bag>, but with so many eyes around, no such luck.
His last purchase had been at the far end of the southern boulevard, so he had to backtrack the way he'd come. Two large bags and a paper box—an awful lot for a kid to carry. He had no choice but to walk all the way home with them. On the way back along the familiar path, he overheard whispers right next to him. They seemed like a father and son out buying ingredients for food to sell that afternoon.
"Isn't that Judah?"
"Oh, it really is. Who'd have thought a bookworm like him would turn hunter? Right, Dad?"
"Indeed. Such a fine lad. I'd love him as a son-in-law, but no granddaughter yet. Ah well."
Whoosh—he passed them, but their words reached Judah's ears clearly. Strangely, it sounded like they thought highly of him. Maybe they just saw him in a good light usually, he thought at first. But as he walked the boulevard, he realized he had to rethink that.
It wasn't just one or two people. Somehow, without his knowledge, something had happened. Passersby were stopping to stare at Judah and chat among themselves.
'Something's off.'
At first, he thought it couldn't be about him. But his name kept coming up, too familiar to ignore.
Judah.
A rare name. Practically unique. Names like Hans or Charles were so common there were tons of duplicates, but he'd never met another Judah. Wondering what was going on, he turned to the people talking. Those who met his gaze flinched, then smiled warmly and nodded in greeting.
"?"
What was this? Had people always been this friendly?
His hands were full of bags and boxes stuffed with groceries, so he could only nod back curtly. It might come off as rude, but better than ignoring them entirely. After the nod, Judah quickened his pace to leave.
The city's residents were acting weird today.
Some passersby didn't notice him, but as he crossed the square, a few spotted him, whistled, and clapped.
'Some new kind of bullying?'
If he knew the reason, he could accept their praise and applause gratefully. But receiving it clueless made it feel like mockery. When he got home, Judah set down his purchases and opened the door.
"I'm back, Tia."
No response. Thinking she was still asleep, he started to enter quietly. That's when he noticed something.
"Huh?"
A pair of shoes sat in the entryway—ones that hadn't been there when he left. Size 280 or so, pretty big. Must be Kaseun. With no one else likely to visit, Judah pegged the owner right away. He moved the box from the doorway inside first. As he closed the door and went to take off his shoes, footsteps approached from behind.
"Oh. You're back?"
Tia yawned, scratching her head vigorously. Her silky hair was a tangled mess from sleep.
"Yeah. Sleep well?"
"No. I barely slept. Really didn't."
"Why?"
As he sorted his shoes, she shuffled over with a grumpy look and peeked into the shopping box. Meat, veggies, fruit. No snacks.
"The captain showed up. Came pounding on the door like he was gonna break it, first thing in the morning. So annoying—why the hell does he show up at dawn?"
A curse slipped out, uncharacteristic when she was with him. She'd done mercenary work, so swearing came naturally, but around Judah, she usually held back. This time, blurting it unconsciously meant she was seriously pissed.
She rummaged through the box, found nothing appealing, and clicked her tongue in disappointment. Judah pulled a bag of dried fruit from his <Bag> and handed it over. He'd meant to eat it in the forest but hadn't, so it was left. She lit up with an "Oh!" Her ears twitched atop her head, and her tail swished behind. She seemed genuinely thrilled. Beaming, she looked at Judah.
"Oh, and thanks for going shopping. Take it to the kitchen and come to the living room. I'll sort it later."
"Okay."
Tia headed to the living room with her dried fruit. Glancing that way while carrying the box, Judah saw Kaseun slumped on the sofa, neck crooked, snoring away.
Snooore—the sound rumbled loud. Judah set the box on the kitchen table and went to the living room. Tia sat on a small armchair, munching dried fruit and nudging the sofa edge with her toe.
"Captain. Wake up. Judah's back."
"Khuhup!"
Kaseun jolted awake, sucking in a sharp breath. Just like a dad from his memories. Smacking his lips, he looked at Judah, blinked hard to shake off sleep.
"Uh... right, Judah. Long time no see. Heh heh."
"Long time? It's been less than a week. Getting senile? Well, you are getting on."
"Don't be so rude. Sorry for waking from my nap."
Tia huffed and chewed her fruit louder. He'd thought she was extra prickly with Kaseun because of his morning intrusion.
"So, what's up?"
"What do you mean, 'up'? Talking like that makes it sound like I only visit for business. Heh heh."
"But you do."
Kaseun's eye twitched, and Tia shut her mouth, looking away.
"Don't butt in. Just stay quiet for once. Why are you so prickly?"
"Yeees~ It's 'cause of someone who pretends not to know why~!"
Kaseun groaned and outright ignored her.
"Anyway. Judah. You went shopping, so you took the southern boulevard, right?"
"Yeah. Even in the morning, tons of people."
"Yep, packed. Notice anything odd on the way home?"
There had been. It was embarrassing to admit, but Kaseun seemed to know why. His face matched the warm looks from folks earlier.
"Looks like you know something. People kept staring weirdly... but I have no idea why."
"Heh heh heh. Can't blame you! Of course they're staring. The lord himself praised you. Everyone who saw probably read the bulletin board."
"Bulletin board?"
Come to think of it, lots of stares in the square. No wonder the clapping. But why would the lord praise him? Tempted to check the square out of curiosity, but he'd just get more awkward attention. Totally unfamiliar and embarrassing.
"Here, a letter for you. Don't know the contents myself, but it's from the lord, written by his own hand. Since I'm your guardian, a messenger came to the estate."
Kaseun handed Judah the envelope that'd been drawing his eye from the table. Plain wax-sealed envelope, no writing on it. Judah tore it open and pulled out the paper. Tia, curious, slid from across the table to lean over his shoulder from behind.
Her chin rested on it. He glanced at her smacking her lips.
"What? Open it already. Let's see what it says."
He unfolded the letter. Neat, easy-to-read handwriting filled the long page.
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To Judah Arshe.
This is Chapelin Piercen, lord of Serenia City.
I received a report last night that you returned from massacring black wolves in the eastern forest. Even with a silver-plate mercenary, it's hard to believe a 13-year-old boy faced those ferocious beasts and hunted them. Sorry to doubt, but to confirm, I sent someone. The hides you sold to the clothing shop and mage tower were indeed black wolf pelts. The silver-plate mercenary with you praised how you took them down yourself. No reason for a silver-plate merc to lie, so it's fact: a 13-year-old boy slew black wolves.
Thus, I applaud your youthful bravery and fine hunting skill.
Lately, residents were anxious with black wolves migrating to the eastern forest. This should ease their minds.
As lord, to honor your deed, I'll post it on the square bulletin board for all to know. As thanks, I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight to talk.
If you can make it, come in comfortable clothes.
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An invitation. But wouldn't they assume he was just baggage with a mercenary? Tia had said he caught them when selling the hides... but who'd take that seriously?
Tia, reading over his shoulder, frowned in dissatisfaction and pulled away.
"What? I went wolf-hunting too, but I'm barely mentioned? They don't even think I hunted? I didn't, but still!"
Kaseun chuckled.
"You've got one too. Right here."
From who-knows-where behind his back, he pulled a crumpled pink-tinged envelope. Spotting it, Tia shrieked and snatched it from his hand.
"You idiot! It's all wrinkled! What if it got sweaty? Ugh, I hate everything today!"
"Instead of just griping, maybe show some respect for your elders."
"Respect my ass. Anyone else, maybe—but never for you, Captain."
Tia flipped him the bird while glaring at his amused grin, then tore open her letter.