Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpediem
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Jeanne answered Piercen's question without hesitation.
"Yes, I don't particularly like sharing the same thoughts as that brute... but yes. That said, I have no complaints, since I can understand the lord's actions."
Jeanne could understand the lord's actions. She had heard the stories. That's why she had stayed silent when he read the letter bearing the emperor's own handwriting and refused it. She had expected him to refuse. She would have been shocked if he had accepted instead.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, it is."
Jeanne gave a crisp reply and said no more. Piercen let out a small sigh, thinking about what kind of spectacle he was making in front of his guests.
"Alright, no time to waste, so I'll keep it brief, Lady Ea. Sorry to lump you two together since you clearly dislike each other, but you both rub me the wrong way. You're a nuisance, plain and simple."
"!"
Ea drew in a sharp breath. Her face flushed red, as if she were about to demand an explanation any second. Piercen held up his palm, signaling her to wait.
"You heard me right, so keep listening. Of course, I'm sorry for not treating you properly as guests on a personal level. That was my failing and my rudeness—I'll apologize sincerely for it. But things change with what you said. You brought a letter from the Empire, so I can assume you're here representing them, correct?"
She wore a sullen expression. Something was off, but she couldn't pinpoint it. She couldn't deny it, though.
"That's right."
"Then you should be able to accept my actions like Lady Jeanne does. I don't treat robbers as guests."
"What...?"
Piercen had compared the Empire to robbers.
"This land is a neutral zone where anyone can come and go freely. No one—not even the Empire—can use their home country's authority to cause trouble in my territory. The Fragment will appear to the one fate chooses. It hasn't been found for 150 years because no suitable owner has come along. Yet for all that time, the two Empires kept sending knights like you, demanding cooperation over and over. My grandfather told me they cooperated at first. We made this a neutral zone with their help, after all. But their demands grew over time, and eventually, Grandfather refused them. There were plenty like you—accusing us of scorning the Empire, warning of repercussions. Of course, when Grandfather, the Spirit Sword bearer, drew his blade, they couldn't even squeak."
"......"
"From then on, the two Empires stopped being guests to the Piercen family—they became pests. So don't take the lack of proper hospitality too personally. Your predecessors got the same treatment when they left."
"......"
Ea didn't press further, but her face still showed displeasure. She could understand if all guests were treated this way. But to be treated worse than that young child?
Piercen seemed to sense her mood and added,
"Still, if you can't accept it, then prove yourself worthy of a proper welcome as my guest. Accomplish something for my people like the young hero behind me, or become a Spirit Sword bearer like Lord Kaseun beside him..."
'Lord Kaseun?'
Hearing the lord's words, Ea turned to the old man with a slightly surprised look. She had thought he wasn't ordinary, given his age-worn but still robust muscles and the subtle pressure he exuded. But a Spirit Sword bearer? Connecting "Spirit Sword bearer" and "Kaseun," she recalled he was one of Baekje's legendary honorary nobles whose name was whispered in tales.
"...Or if you find the Fragment, I'll receive you with the utmost courtesy."
Piercen cut off the trivial chatter, feeling he had wasted time, and turned away as if refusing further talk. He apologized to Yuda, Gentia, and Kaseun, then personally led them to the dining hall. Ea watched their retreating backs and belatedly came to her senses, grinding her teeth in frustration.
+ + +
The lord said to follow him and personally guided them to the dining hall. He remained silent until they entered the building. He seemed eager to get out of sight of the brute and the Blue Lancer as quickly as possible.
"I'm sorry about that, Lord Kaseun."
"No need, my lord. These things happen. I understand completely."
Kaseun and the lord seemed to know each other, exchanging brief words. They looked like close friends. Despite the age gap, their shared status as Spirit Sword bearers must have brought them together.
The lord was caught up talking with Kaseun and hadn't yet addressed Yuda.
Thanks to that, Yuda could observe the castle's interior without pressure. It felt like visiting a museum. He'd never traveled abroad, but seeing all this here... Soon enough, wandering these places would make such feelings fade.
"Yuda."
"?"
While admiring the castle, Gentia, walking beside him, called softly. He turned to see her suddenly extend her hand. Was she offering to hold his?
"Don't trip—grab on."
After a brief hesitation, she smiled and said it. Yuda gladly took her hand. It was a kind gesture. But they soon reached the dining hall, forcing him to let go. The door was open, and upon entering, Yuda was a bit surprised.
"A round table?"
He had expected a long rectangular table like in Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. Instead, there was a round table. Hearing his puzzled voice, the lord—who had been about to invite them to sit—turned back.
"Oh, young hero. What's wrong?"
His expression was entirely different from when dealing with Ea—bright and smiling, making it easy to speak.
"No, nothing. It's just... different from what I imagined."
"I think I know what you mean. A long table?"
"Yes."
"I find those uncomfortable. I use this round table unless dining with a large group. Come, let's sit and talk. You too, my lord."
He urged them to sit. They pulled out chairs and settled in casually, with no head of the table.
Kaseun and Gentia took seats at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, leaving Yuda and Piercen facing each other.
Once seated, maids who had been waiting like ghosts approached, setting cutlery and plates before each. Warm wet towels were provided too. Yuda wiped his hands clean, folded the towel neatly into a square, and set it down—meeting the lord's eyes.
"Young hero, I'm sorry we couldn't greet each other sooner. As you likely know, I'm Chapelin Piercen, lord of Serenia Castle. My given name is Chapelin, but when speaking formally, we use the family name—so Piercen will do."
He knew no one would call him Piercen despite the request. Like everyone else, they'd use "my lord."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for inviting me. I'm Yuda Arsher."
He bowed his head politely and properly in greeting. The lord nodded in satisfaction and shifted his gaze.
"And this lady?"
"Gentia. I was a mercenary under the captain here in the past, and now I teach this little one."
Piercen let out an appreciative exclamation, as if he knew already.
"Ah, so you're the woman who went hunting with the young hero."
"Yes. But during the Black Wolf hunt, I only provided support from behind—the actual kill was Yuda's."
"Really?"
"Who would I lie to?"
He knew it was true. Piercen had his retainers investigate whether Yuda truly hunted the Black Wolf, and the reports confirmed it. Especially the blacksmith who repaired Yuda's broken sword and damaged dagger—there was no doubting it. But looking at Yuda's youthful face from all angles made it feel like everyone was lying to him. He burst into hearty laughter.
"Even seeing and hearing it myself, it's hard to believe. He looks just like a child, yet he hunted Black Wolves. I did get a report last week about a young boy taking down three. Back then, I just thought he got incredibly lucky. But it seems no mere coincidence."
Yuda smiled, unsure what to say.
"It's not luck—it's the result of effort. This kid might not look it, but he's got some grit. Ha ha."
"He has talent too, Captain."
Kaseun spoke, and Gentia added on. Perhaps because of the lord's presence, Gentia—who usually bantered back bluntly in informal speech—used honorifics.
"You've taught him splendidly. Since it came up, how about teaching my son too? I think he has potential."
Kaseun gave an awkward smile, looking troubled at Piercen's words.
"Ahem, sorry, but one grandson is enough for me. Why do you think I brought Gentia to handle it? But if it's your request, my lord..."
"No, no. Can't be helped, then. I thought he might make a good rival for the young hero."
He smacked his lips regretfully but said no more, as if just testing the waters. Yuda took a sip from the water glass. The conversation was winding down—perfect time for a question.
"My lord, one thing that's puzzled me since the letter... and even now. Why call me a hero? I don't think I've done anything that grand."
"Hm?"
He hadn't accomplished anything heroic enough for the title. Just hunted some Black Wolves. Piercen smiled faintly.
"Does being called a hero make you uncomfortable?"
Yuda nodded slightly with a quiet "yes."
"You're still young, so you might not get it yet... but those who live have a constant companion. Any idea what that is?"
"...Uh, not sure?"
"Fate."
"Excuse me," a maid said as she wheeled in a cart of food. Piercen glanced at it and continued.
"This thing called fate is a mischievous bastard. It's a master at blowing trivial actions out of proportion. It has nothing to do with my will. I never intended it, yet because of fate, it leads to massive outcomes. And no one knows if it'll be opportunity or trial."
It was true. Yuda himself had shaped this world's fate framework, but he didn't know how it would unfold. Take now: just hunting Black Wolves had gotten him invited to the lord's castle for dinner. The maid lifted steaming dishes one by one onto the round table. Appetizing aromas wafted, drawing eyes inevitably. But Piercen wasn't finished.