Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Tenth Fragment, Artemisia
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Passing through Aslan's checkpoint wasn't particularly difficult. As long as you could prove your status as a noble or adventurer, they let you in without much hassle. They passed through the gate passage, as long as the massive city walls, and entered the city. Jeanne and Judah marveled at how refreshingly open the streets looked, unlike what they'd seen from outside.
They had expected the jumble of buildings poking up haphazardly inside the walls to make things chaotic, but no. It was spacious and comfortable. As befitting the capital of a nation, crowds incomparable to those in Serenia Castle bustled about, yet the streets were so clean not even common trash was visible, and every house had flower pots at their entrances, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It was like a textbook perfect country.
"Dempa too, huh? Right-side one-way traffic."
"Isn't it nice? Feels clean too."
Judah nodded at Jeanne's words. The street was split in half so people wouldn't bump into each other, everyone walking only on the right side. Blending into that flow, Judah noticed he was sticking to the right. No need to dodge oncoming people or shoulder-check anyone—it was good. Other countries almost felt like lawless zones by comparison.
He had no memory of setting such minute details when making the game. If the world had appeared exactly as in the game, it would have been incomplete and full of holes, but mysteriously, this place was finished. It wasn't just Serenia Castle; Phloria too. Other countries would probably be the same.
'Ah. That's...'
While strolling and sightseeing with Jeanne, Judah stopped. Somehow catching his eye was a massive structure inside the second wall. A round tower, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
'Hall of Fame.'
A common name, but that was it. Hall of Fame—no name fit better. The round tower housed statues of Black Flag Tournament winners and their gear.
'Impressive. Really...'
Judah took in the street sights with a pleased smile. Suddenly, old memories of game development surfaced. For the second continent, helpers handled buildings and terrain, but the first continent—especially early parts—he did alone. He'd zone areas, set terrain, then use editor tools to place buildings. Modeling famous landmarks, then assigning special names and functions. Serenia Castle's <Temple> and Aslan's [Hall of Fame] were prime examples.
In truth, everything on this street was born from his hands too. But honestly, it hadn't been this polished. Full of holes and shortcomings. To avoid bloating the map and extending travel paths, residential areas were view-only, impassable.
But now he could walk here. Holes filled as if by someone else—no, like they'd demolished the old base and rebuilt it better. So when he first saw Aslan's grandeur, he couldn't think, "I made that." But realizing the base was his brought an unavoidable warmth.
"Judah?"
"Yes?"
He snapped to at Jeanne's call, unsure when she'd started. She eyed him oddly. He realized he was smiling and belatedly lowered the corners of his mouth.
"What were you looking at so fondly?"
"Ah-"
Had it shown on his face? Recalling old memories, he'd unconsciously smiled. Just then, a child licking candy happily approached, holding their mother's hand. The sight alone made him grin.
"It's nothing. Just a lot of nice scenery."
"Is that so...? Not watching the kid?"
He'd figured she'd think that. Judah smiled instead of answering and stepped forward. She watched the passing parent and child silently, then followed.
"By the way, didn't you say you knew a place in Aslan? Do you know where it is?"
"Hmm—roughly? I should find it before sunset."
"Roughly."
Glancing at her muttering disappointedly, he called up the . Normal fields were inked over like spilled ink, unviewable without exploring, but safe zones like cities or villages revealed the whole area without wandering.
From memory, the fragment shop was in the second wall. As mentioned, game residential areas were impassable to shorten paths—no special functions, just to keep the map tight. But he'd placed this shop in an obscure corner few sought. Head there first.
Judah hurried with Jeanne. Once used to the sights, his eyes shifted to street food. She wouldn't complain, but snacks would prevent it. From sweets to soft bread—like a full meal. Her mouth had been chewing nonstop since.
"But Judah, for a first-timer, you navigate amazingly. Like you've been here."
Of course—with the . He paused midway without showing it, asking vendors about directions while buying snacks.
"I'm good with directions anyway. Never lost in forests. And getting lost? No issue. The path I take is the right one; every road leads somewhere. Sightseeing markets is fun, but everyday life isn't bad either, right?"
"Hmm—'every road leads somewhere' is nice. But can you say where we're headed?"
"Ah, that's what you wanted? We're going to a smithy. Specifically, a weapon shop."
"?"
Her eyes widened round. Weapons shops and smithies littered the area. Sounds of hammering—clang! clang!—faint through soundproofing, but Aslan's most common sight.
"Is that place special?"
"Yes. Very."
Nearby smithies and shops gleamed flashy. As the saying went, shiny cakes tasted good too—their weapons outclassed Serenia Castle's. Prices soared accordingly, but Phloria produced quality iron domestically, so good gear was cheaper than elsewhere. Thus, many visited just to buy weapons. But their destination was shabby.
"...Really here?"
"Yes."
Jeanne eyed Judah and the shop alternately in disbelief. Compared to Aslan's massive crowds, this street was quiet, low foot traffic. Shop quality looked inferior to prior weapon stores.
Faded sign, relatively rundown building rejecting visitors. A displayed weapon visible through glass looked decent to her, but empty inside, she doubted if it was open. Untrustworthy—that summed her feelings.
"I know I shouldn't say this, but it looks like it'd go bankrupt anytime. Wait—no, is that the special point? That it survives despite that?"
"No, not that."
"Short on cash? So cheapest good weapons here?"
"No, no. Really. Jeanne, go in and see. Why I skipped decent shops for this."
"...Tell me if you're short on money. I have some; I can cover travel expenses anytime."
"Thanks anyway."
Judah chuckled at her words. He understood her thinking and expression. But this was the shop he sought. Worn, shabby, known only to insiders. And the place to acquire one of the world's twenty-four fragments most easily—special beyond any other.
People love "hidden." Even an Easter egg satisfies; a short story with small reward delights. "Hidden" alone brings joy.
Judah was the same. He'd made this shop for that, stocking the fragment. As said, residential areas were off-limits to shorten paths—except here.
Most players avoided recognized inaccessible spots. A preconception. Can't go there, so not here either. Single-player, no seeing others go—so broken only three ways:
Hearing from fellow players, reading forum posts, or stumbling into an alley by chance.
Shop visitors marveled, then gasped at the wares. For the item sold was one of the twenty-four fragments.
[Tenth Fragment, Artemisia].
"Alright, stop standing; let's go in."
Judah grinned and opened the door. Ding-a-ling—the bell on the door rang welcomingly. Unlike the worn exterior, inside was tidy. Frequent cleaning? No dust in display cases.
"Welcome."
A somewhat weary-looking middle-aged woman emerged, perhaps hearing the bell.
========== Afterword ==========
1) The short 3-page post from yesterday was a mistake.
I have a practice folder in my drafts where I write and save next chapters, but I confused it with the main serialization (..) It's happened once or twice before. Anyway, sorry. Haha.
Sometimes I upload to drafts at midnight when it should be main, or vice versa. Alternating mistakes.
2) Wow. Uh—brain meltdown on how to list these.
SuperSesu-nim, kean-nim, qkrtjwlsn-nim, Royan Pers-nim, Yoriko-nim, Baboneoneo-nim, Rimmon-nim, Nojis-nim, Dwaekki!-nim, ElectroBear-nim, Wooaam-nim, Hamer-nim, Rucho st-nim, kingameyo-nim, Sari-nim, sdsad-nim, Minmulgogi's Dream-nim, Ramona-nim, Ppittppit Robot-nim, IrelriaGone-nim, crosent-nim, Death_corss-nim, Sojju-nim, Pabalwa-nim, Vagabundo-nim, Yongmachang-nim, RGZ95-nim, Gongback2kon-nim, goddkfvlwl-nim, D Crow-nim, Damaoka-nim, kimiwaBaka-nim, ShineLordBi-nim, Saraminde..-nim, Devil's Drill-nim, FreeLast-nim, Duron-nim, MohumoHu-nim, rlawlgus-nim, sredse-nim, Abnormalsoul-nim, Amgeolligetda Hehe-nim, sgt123-nim, CoffeeLover-nim, Geosim-nim, Chineung Yeongjeop-nim, Plim-nim, 00qqq-nim, dorgi-nim, AndreNo-nim, Ilwolryeongsik-nim, chojh522-nim, Yuri's Coup-nim, nsaen-nim, Haryumok-nim, DarkRuby-nim, Ju Nara-nim, kelin-nim, HangulManshe-nim, HaHallelujah-nim, Alserion-nim, [Elysium]-nim, 1415221-nim, §Dark§Bard§-nim, Ppika-nim, Sindanu-nim, Luensiron-nim, Jaesutgun-nim, NyaeGuriYo-nim, SpiritMerits-nim, NanzidaeGong Missile-nim, Trishe-nim, NaDoChoNeungRyeokJom-nim, qldtjf-nim, OryeOnGoribap-nim, HayangRudolf-nim, choose-nim, Gagrin Taste Candy-nim, NickTude-nim, YaruzimaDachi2-nim, Fragis-nim, ggunga-nim, Jomana Meon Haneul-nim, zhxhc-nim, Anomia-nim, Skytimeless-nim, BlueGolf-nim, Jokunaya-nim, MannerPlay-nim, Jermia-nim, Haryunian-nim, fateofwheel-nim, Social Outcast1-nim, Gapjeol-nim, kingameyo-nim, moska-nim, CheonGeom's Book-nim, Sanghokkeu-nim, Tbol-nim, JeolheodanGong-nim, BlueRuiN-nim, Naming Sense-nim, ShinHyeJeong-nim, EightFingers-nim, PerilRose-nim, afterday-nim, Flam-nim, IldeSeven-nim, Padeul-nim, HanYuryeong-nim, Algis-nim, Mylove-nim, jista-nim, PureWhiteWolf-nim, Myeollin-nim, darkberet-nim, NayanaHu-nim, OnionArmy-nim!
Wow, got them all. Amazing!
Thanks to everyone who gave!
Also thanks to those who gave manuscript fee coupons __