Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpe Diem
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Judah stared blankly down at her. With her helmet off, her blue hair, damp with sweat, shimmered like moonlight reflecting on a river's surface. But his gaze lingered on her appearance only briefly before shifting to the wound on her right arm.
The joint sliced by the blade was caked in blood. Judah hurriedly pulled out water from his <Bag> and poured it over the injury.
"Ngh…!"
It must have stung—her eyes twitched. After roughly washing away the blood, Judah frowned at the wound's condition. Maybe from wielding that heavy spear, the flesh had torn open. Blood kept bubbling out steadily, even as he rinsed it. Thinking she hadn't collapsed from anemia despite being a dragonkin, he grabbed a potion next, popping the cork with his teeth.
As she watched him heal the wound, Jeanne's eyes drifted to the ring on Judah's finger. It was a unique band, carved from a single chunk of ore. She hadn't seen it the last time they'd parted a few days ago… It was quite charming. And Judah wearing it looked all the more appealing. Could a single ring change how a person seemed so much? Or was it because he'd helped her that she found him attractive? Either way, she was surprised by her own feelings right now. Though she didn't show it outwardly.
"That's fascinating."
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing."
With the potion cork in his mouth, he gave her a puzzled look. What was fascinating? Treatment came first, though, so he poured the potion generously over her arm. The effect was outstanding. Bubbles formed as cells regenerated, and the wound closed in an instant. Just to be safe, he wrapped it in bandages too. When he tapped it—tap—she didn't groan, but her eyes twitched, so it still hurt a bit.
"There, all done. Still, just in case, head to a temple once we're back at the castle."
"Thank you for your help, Judah."
Jeanne bowed her head to Judah. He just smiled in response instead of speaking. She flexed her fingers and tested her arm's strength. The potion's effect was impressive—only a faint ache remained, and it felt fine otherwise. No need to visit a temple.
"But are you all right, Judah?"
"Huh? I don't have any injuries."
Judah, who had been applying the leftover potion to the spots nicked by Ea's blade, asked in a puzzled tone. Most of the blood on him was Ea's anyway. Jeanne shook her head.
"I'm not talking about wounds on your body."
She raised her injured right hand and poked Judah's chest with her index finger.
"I'm asking about the wounds on your heart. This was your first time killing a person, right? Killing a beast in monster's guise is different from killing a speaking, sentient being. That's what I'm asking if you're okay with, Judah."
It was an unexpected question. Her finger, felt through his leather armor, seemed to pierce straight to his heart. Lowering his head to gaze at it quietly, Judah let out a hollow laugh.
"Haha, never thought I'd hear that from someone else. Yeah, I'm fine. It's not my first time anyway."
"Huh? Not your first…? No. Pretend I didn't hear that."
Curious as she looked, saying something like that. Judah sat beside her. With the brawler's corpse right in front of them, he couldn't even politely comment on the scenery. Judah slowly recounted his past experiences. He'd already shown her his Shadow Swordsmanship and Heresy Arts, so there was no point hiding it.
"I see. So that's what happened."
After hearing the full story, she let out a small sigh.
"I've answered your question, so may I ask one in return?"
"Sure, anything."
"The brawler said something about interfering in a duel between knights—does that bother you, Lady Jeanne?"
Their gazes turned to Ea, collapsed atop a pool of blood beside the two corpses. Jeanne fell silent for a moment, then spoke.
"How could it not? But the opponent is dead, and I'm alive. That's all there is to it. Even if she hadn't died, my defeat at her hands wouldn't change. And even with her dead, my loss to her remains the same. It's just a memory of defeat I'll carry for life."
"Um… Sorry. I didn't butt in unnecessarily, did I?"
She let out a chuckle.
"Judah, what do you have to apologize for? All you did was save me when I was about to die and fight the brawler. You even claimed victory in her duel."
"……."
"You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I owe you a debt I can barely repay. While we're on the topic, there's one more thing I'd like to ask."
Here it comes. Judah instinctively knew she'd bring up repaying the favor. Blue Lance Knights don't forget debts. The Blue Lance Knights of the Byron Empire had a unique tradition.
They always repay their life-saviors.
They grant whatever their benefactor demands.
As long as it wasn't unreasonable or impossible—like killing someone else, betraying the empire, or demands such as teaching their lance and shield arts—it was all fulfilled. This even took precedence over the emperor's orders, and the emperor himself acknowledged it. If the emperor commanded a Blue Lance Knight to kill someone who was that knight's benefactor, they could refuse. They might even request the emperor spare them once.
It had never been abused in the honorable ranks of the Blue Lance Knights, which was why even the emperor accepted it. And Judah was undeniably her benefactor. He'd appeared just before her death and saved her.
"Is there anything you desire? You're my life-saver, so I'll grant whatever you wish."
"…Anything?"
"Yes, anything. Except impossibilities like killing others or fetching legendary items beyond reach—for instance, fragments."
In the game, there was only one choice: ask her to join as a companion. But here, more options existed. As his eyes caught her sweat-glistened, curvaceous form, strange thoughts flickered. He could ask her to be his wife or demand her body. But Judah had no intention of saying that.
"Interesting. What if I asked for enough money to live off forever?"
"I could provide that. Though not enough to live lavishly like nobility… And I couldn't give it all at once."
"What if I demanded your body?"
"…If that's what my benefactor wants."
"What if I asked you to be my wife?"
Jeanne's face flushed red in an instant. Her heart had quickened a bit at the body demand, but the follow-up left her speechless.
"…I don't care for cruel jokes."
Jeanne hesitated before continuing.
"But if you truly want it… if you really do, then I'll do that."
Judah grinned brightly.
"Then how about becoming my companion?"
"…Pardon?"
"Companion. I was planning to leave Serenia Castle soon anyway. I thought it'd be nice to have someone reliable traveling with me. Won't you join me?"
"You're incorrigible. I'm curious what you'll be like when you grow up."
"So, what's your answer?"
Jeanne sighed.
"Becoming your companion is no hardship. But I… can only travel with you for about a year at most."
"Huh? Why?"
Huh, this he hadn't expected. Judah had thought he'd easily recruit her as a companion, but this was unplanned.
"I'm still an apprentice Blue Lance Knight. Apprentices get about three years of freedom before becoming full-fledged mid-tier knights. During that time, they can do whatever they want—travel anywhere, become mercenaries hunting monsters, adventurers seeking treasure, or your companion wandering the world. I volunteered for the fragment quest as an exception… but in about a year, that freedom ends."
"Oh…."
No helping it then. He truly hadn't anticipated this hurdle. In the game, you could visit a senior Blue Lance Knight NPC in the Byron Empire anytime, regardless of time limits, to promote her to mid-tier. She'd stay tied to the empire but function as a companion indefinitely. Apparently not here.
'Damn.'
Should he demand something else? He could find new companions. Names and info of potential companion NPCs in Serenia Castle flashed in Judah's mind. …But none could replace her. Mage Liel was a strong candidate, but seeing her with Cain yesterday meant no easy way to take her. He could subjugate her, but he didn't want her that badly.
"One year?"
"Yes, one year. Though if I advance past mid-tier to elite, who knows…"
One year. Judah mulled his future plans and nodded. A year should suffice. He sprang to his feet and extended a hand to her.
"Alright. One year is fine. What do you say, Lady Jeanne?"
But she didn't take his outstretched hand. She just stared at it. As he awkwardly started to withdraw, she grasped it. He tried pulling her up, but she remained seated, unmoving. Finally, meeting his eyes, she spoke without prior reaction.
"But is that truly enough for you? You could demand more. Money's possible, and that marriage talk from earlier… I have no fiancé yet. Is companion really sufficient?"
Her blue eyes stared straight at him. The intensity was a bit burdensome, but he smiled.
"Of course. A relationship built on trust—that's what I want. One year is plenty. I need a companion I can rely on more than anyone. That's the favor you owe me, and what I desire. Lady Jeanne, Blue Lance Knight."
Jeanne closed her eyes briefly, then rose, holding his hand with a soft smile on her lips.
"Very well. If that's truly what you want, my lance and shield will protect you, Judah."
[Blue Lance Knight "Jeanne Arthuar" has become a companion.]
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Author's Note
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You, become my companion!
…And the seal on the self you're all thinking of is perfect. Utterly perfect.
Heh heh heh. Nothing short of physical impact can break it.