Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpediem
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"It's a sudden question, but do you happen to know what the black wolves and white wolves mean to the residents of Serenia Castle?"
"Um, I know roughly."
I'd read about it in books from Serenia Castle. In this vast land that once belonged to an ancient empire, the only place where people lived now was this narrow Serenia Castle. Everywhere else was overrun by swarming monsters.
It hadn't been long since people had managed to settle even on this small patch of land. When the first lord of the Piercen family gathered people to establish a settlement here, he worked tirelessly to wrest the land from the black wolves and white wolves. It wasn't easy.
The area where Serenia Castle now stood was divided precisely in half between the black wolves and white wolves, so trying to squeeze in between them naturally led to pincer attacks from both sides. There were many skilled fighters, but this was essentially the wolves' kingdom.
Unimaginably vast numbers of wolves would surge in at night, tearing apart livestock and killing people. It happened frequently, and even the strong were often overwhelmed by sheer numbers and died.
Naturally, fear of the wolves seeped into people's hearts, and some even gave up on settling here and left for elsewhere.
The situation improved once they built the lord's castle and raised walls, but the black wolves and white wolves, having lost their territory, joined forces to attack. Despite heavy losses, the first Piercen pressed on for the future, clearing forests and erecting walls. That was how Serenia Castle came to have its triple walls.
In the process, the black wolves and white wolves were pushed south and grew to harbor grudges against humans. Hunters or herbalists spotted by the wolves were brutally killed, their bodies scattered around the walls to instill fear and terror in people's hearts. And in that process, encountering a black wolf came to mean death. Yet Judah said he knew roughly. Piercen found that odd. Children grew up hearing old tales from parents, grandparents—brainwashed with fear from childhood. But Judah seemed unaware of it.
"...Ah, well, that makes sense."
Piercen tilted his head at Judah's words but soon wore an understanding expression. He knew well about Judah's parents. Especially since Caseun had appointed himself his guardian, it was impossible not to remember. Having lost his parents young, there was no channel for wolf fears to be instilled in him. It was more surprising that he knew the meaning at all.
"Well, at least you know something, so that makes talking easier. New settlers might just shrug it off, but for those of us in the Piercen family who've lived here for generations, the fear of wolves is far greater than you might think. Tales passed down, grim rumors, and the truths mixed in—they naturally root fear and anxiety in our hearts."
It was like how people in our country once feared tigers long ago. The difference was that here, the wolves numbered in the hundreds, not just one or two. They'd already killed over a hundred black wolves, but even then, hundreds more had surrounded Requiem. If you added up all the wolves across the southern forest, it might be close to thousands. With them forming packs, it was no wonder people feared them.
"Whether the black wolves lost or won their territory war with the white wolves doesn't matter. What's important is that they've appeared in the eastern forest. People are anxious because wolves once confined to the southern forest are now showing up in the east. Adventurers and mercenaries getting uneasy? I don't care—they're leaving anyway. But the residents mustn't fear. This castle exists because of them, and so do I."
"......"
"As lord, I have a duty to dispel the anxiety and fear of those living on my land. I pondered a lot. Ask Sir Caseun here? Lead troops myself to subjugate the eastern forest wolves? Or commission the adventurer and mercenary guilds? While considering options, you suddenly show up having hunted black wolves."
Piercen chuckled lightly.
"Haha, do you know how shocked I was? Even soldiers hesitate to hunt black wolves, yet a mere thirteen-year-old boy kills them! Not one or two, but over a hundred. Whether you intended it or not doesn't matter. That's what I meant earlier by fate."
"Huh?"
"You just hunted wolves, but that single act gave the castle's residents courage and peace. If you keep hunting black wolves, the ingrained fear and anxiety will fade. No, they'll think their fears foolish. They'll gain courage. Hunters will band together but reclaim the eastern forest like before. Mercenaries and adventurers will think, 'If a kid can hunt them, so can we,' and head out. Luckily, black and white wolves fetch good money."
By the way, the food the maids had placed on the round table was cooling. Caseun and Tia seemed reluctantly waiting since the lord hadn't touched his utensils. Judah nodded along to Piercen's words while glancing at the food. He appreciated the praise, but he was hungry. Fortunately, Piercen seemed to sense the mood and wrapped up simply.
"So don't feel burdened by 'hero.' Anyone who can give people hope and courage is a hero, regardless of age, gender, status, or ability. I think it suits you."
"Thank you."
Piercen beamed with satisfaction.
"Oh dear, we've talked too long with food in front of us. You must be starving—sorry."
Piercen lifted the glass of grape wine before him. The maid had poured it when serving the food. Judah had a beverage due to his age, but seeing Caseun and Tia raise theirs following the lord, he grabbed his own.
"I hope it suits your taste—enjoy."
He lightly clinked glasses with those nearby, and finally, the long-awaited meal began.
He'd worried that even delicious food beforehand might make this seat uncomfortable, but it was unfounded. Piercen had remarkable conversational skills unfitting for a lord. He had a talent for gently drawing smiles. The meal ended faster than expected, almost disappointingly so.
"By the way, young hero—what are your plans from now on?"
Piercen asked Judah. It was sudden, but Judah answered lightly.
"Hmm, probably keep hunting until I leave Serenia Castle."
"Leave the castle?"
Piercen echoed in surprise. Judah nodded. To a resident lord, someone saying they'd leave might be sensitive.
"After my coming-of-age ceremony, I plan to leave Serenia Castle and travel the world. I read in the library—there are so many countries! But the roads are dangerous, so I've been training with Grandpa Caseun and Gentia for that."
"Ho—then until the ceremony?"
"As I said, keep hunting."
"That's fortunate. It'd be a great help if the young hero thinned out the black wolves."
Then, a hologram message appeared before Judah's eyes.
[A quest has been generated.]
[The Lord's Request]
[The lord is greatly bothered by the black wolves expanding into the eastern forest and hopes you'll reduce their numbers.]
[It's not something to ask an individual, but this is an opportunity. Hunt the wolves and even take down their leader, and you'll be welcomed not just by the lord but by the castle's residents.]
[This quest's rewards vary by the number of wolves hunted and ends when you claim them from the lord.]
A satisfying quest. Not mandatory, but Judah had to do it anyway. He planned to stay in the eastern forest until his coming-of-age anyway, so it fit perfectly. No deadline either, so no rush.
"Don't worry—by the time I leave Serenia Castle, I'll have definitely reduced their numbers."
Piercen smiled contentedly. He asked to wait a moment, rose, and returned with a gift box. Inside the long wooden case lay a fine bastard sword.
"A merchant guild gave it to me as a gift, but I have my own beloved blade. Give it to the young hero—it'll serve you well for a long time."
Judah glanced at the sword in the box and closed the case. He thanked Piercen. He hadn't checked the options yet, but a sword presented by a wealthy merchant guild to the lord had to be good.
"Don't hold back—use it freely."
He gladly would. With the meal done, Piercen suggested more casual talk. At his offer to bring out expensive liquor today, Caseun and Tia's eyes sparkled. With no choice, Judah stayed to wait for Tia and hear their conversation.
Piercen called a waiting maid outside to fetch something, and soon expensive-looking liquor and plentiful fruit snacks arrived. The liquor smelled incredibly sweet even to Judah. As they sipped and raved about the taste, he longed to try it after ages but was made to sip only his beverage due to his youth. Quite strong, it seemed—their faces flushed red quickly, and they freely shared fun stories in a drunken state.
Their heroic tales were entertaining. He lost track of time listening until night fell. Piercen said resting at home was better than the castle and offered a carriage.
A grateful offer. Tia, who'd kept drinking because it was tasty, was slurring with weird pronunciations, worrying him, but now they could go comfortably. Aware she'd drunk much, her words had dwindled. At departure time, she staggered up. Judah hurriedly supported her wobbly form.
Breathing in the cool air outside the dining hall, she exhaled a deep sigh like relief. Caseun planned to drink and talk more with Piercen and told them to go ahead. After promising to meet again, Judah shook hands with Piercen and boarded the carriage. Settling into the fairly cushy seat, Tia groaned.
"Ugh."
"You okay? I thought you drank a lot."
He'd seen her drink occasionally. She seemed to hold her liquor well, never showing intoxication. But today she was quite drunk. Her eyes gleamed sharply, fixing on Judah.
"Kiddooo doesn't knooow how expeensiiive thaaat liquooor iiis. And thaaat liquooor! So sweeeet and deliiiicious!"
Huh, but kinda cute?
========== Author's Note ==========
Argh, some of you might not know, but.
While using my stockpile, I accidentally uploaded to the main story today and got caught (...)
Should've put it in the side stories, but something felt off, and lo and behold, a 1kb file was up. Heh heh.
Anyway, a confession about the stockpile.
Truth is, you give me so many coupons it makes me happy and pumped. Thinking I can get chicken makes me grin and upload. (Coupons are drugs.)
But here's the issue: receiving them sparks thoughts of daily serials as thanks! So I do serials, but the stockpile's dwindling bit by bit.
Without a certain stockpile, the story flow feels weird, so while writing this, I've been building some up.
Some days it flows great, others it's blocked and nothing comes.
So super thankful for coupons, but daily serials as thanks? It's tough!
(If we hit 1st on daily best, I'd chug caffeine and pull an all-nighter, but no way that'll happen.)
Still, I'll try to build stockpile and bring more serials like this.
As I say every upload, hugely thankful for reading.
You get my feelings, right? No?
How much? Yeah, that much.
If I order chicken, I can share one wing.
(Wait, but legs are... sorry lol)