Chapter 293
Chapter: 293
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 293
>Chapter Title: Justitia (5)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>The hunt that Owen participated in with the Bolanta tribe that day ended with an unprecedented haul.
It was because the bison herds and antelopes had returned to the plains where the ferocious sea beast Nurumachi had completely vanished.
“The ancestors’ hunting grounds have regained their life!”
“To the warrior Owen, who kept his promise to expand Bolanta’s horizons—let’s raise our glasses together!”
The camp was abuzz.
In the face of this bountiful harvest, the entire tribe was immersed in joy as they toasted.
But Owen, at the center of it all, couldn’t fully melt into the atmosphere. A small quest window kept popping up in front of his eyes, obstructing his view.
[Sudden Quest – Preparation for Tomorrow.]
[Quest Rank: F]
[You’ve safely finished a languid day. How about it? In the midst of your daily grind spinning like a hamster wheel, have you perhaps forgotten to savor life’s leisure? Now is the time to take a breather. Why not head back early tonight and spend some time recharging your body and mind for tomorrow?]
[Reward: 30 P-Cash]
[*This item can be used in the Pangea Chronicle shop window.]
The one who stole my life’s leisure is suddenly nagging me about recharging? And not even 300, just a measly 30 cash?
‘The reward is stingy enough already!’
Owen, still buzzing from the thrill of the hunt, simply closed the window. For a reward like that, he’d rather stay and build stronger bonds with the Bolanta people.
“A good portion of this meat and hides are yours, Owen! I’m seriously worried about your journey back. In all my years, I’ve seen many imperials, but you’re the first hunter I’ve met who rivals a Barsha warrior!”
“No need to worry, Chikutaruku. As a token of friendship with Bolanta, I plan to gladly share my share with my friends.”
“Hahaha! What a bold spirit! Here, take this drink!”
Owen accepted the cup from the chieftain Chikutaruku with a bright smile.
But the toasting didn’t last long. Another quest window popped up before his eyes.
[Sudden Quest – Console Your Subordinates!]
[Quest Rank: E]
[Your daily efforts for peace are beautiful. But behind you, there are subordinates who support and worry about you, their hard work hidden away. In your rush for results, have you forgotten those precious ones? At least for today, why not return early and soothe their hearts, encourage them? Your reputation will rise another level.]
[Reward: 50 P-Cash]
[*This item can be used in the Pangea Chronicle shop window.]
Owen furrowed his brow slightly.
‘…Reputation?’
No, has the status window lost its mind today? Why is it suddenly worrying about my reputation out of nowhere?
In any case, Owen hesitated for a moment.
50 cash was still valuable in his current situation. And from experience, when the status window got this persistent, there was usually a reason.
‘I’ve already made a good impression with the elders, so maybe I should head back now….’
He was pondering this when—
“Owe-en!”
Suddenly, a thick arm roughly wrapped around Owen’s neck. It was Chikudanka, thoroughly drunk on mare’s milk liquor.
“What are you doing here? The wrestling match is in full swing over there—can it go on without Barsha’s top wrestler? Come on, let’s go!”
“Ah, yeah. You’re right!”
Exactly. The festival was just getting started—how could he leave now?
With that thought, Owen shoved the window aside and headed toward the wrestling ring with Chikudanka.
But right then—
Beep!
A chilling alarm rang in his ear, and crimson text slithered into view before his eyes.
[Warning! – Quest Failure Penalty]
[How unfortunate. If you won’t listen to reason, you’ll have to experience the consequences firsthand. We wish you luck.]
[Result: 70% reduction in total P-Cash earned for the next month.]
[*This item can be used in the Pangea Chronicle shop window, but whether you’ll accumulate cash properly from now on is highly questionable.]
“…Ugh!”
It was the sound of his buzz instantly sobering.
He was already suffering from a severe cash shortage—stealing 70% of his earnings, what the hell!
“Sorry, Chikudanka! I forgot something important, so I have to head back today!”
Owen hastily said goodbyes to the Bolanta people and spurred his horse toward camp. He was in such a rush that he didn’t even grab his share of the hunt.
‘No, status window! You could’ve just asked nicely. Is this how you blackmail people?’
As Owen ground his teeth and galloped, a small text popped up as if teasing him.
[The day you engrave deeply in your heart the old adage that naughty children need the stick more than the carrot.]
Ah! Cut the sarcasm, status window!
I admit I was wrong!
But when he rushed back like that, an unexpected guest was waiting for him.
“Your Highness! Why are you so late?”
Ignoring Alicia’s scolding, he entered the tent, where a familiar figure rose to greet him.
A long robe wrapping his slender frame and a thick hood completely covering his face.
“…Priest Bart?”
The high priest, said to be too frail to go out often, nodded slowly at Owen.
“…….”
Soon, a low voice spoke in a foreign tongue, and the attendant standing beside him spoke on Priest Bart’s behalf.
“He almost missed you, so he says you should start coming back earlier from now on… Priest Bart says.”
The high priest Bart always had one such attendant with him.
They usually helped support him or interpreted, since Bart from Ortona couldn’t speak Imperial properly.
It was a bit odd that a high priest couldn’t speak Imperial when masses across the continent were held in it.
“Ah, I was late because of an important event today. If I’d known you were coming, Priest, I would’ve hurried back even faster.”
Priest Bart nodded silently in response.
He might not speak Imperial, but he seemed to understand simple words.
‘Whew….’
Owen sighed inwardly.
If he’d known, he would’ve listened to the status window sooner. Knowing this frail man had waited late just for him, he would’ve rushed back even mid-hunt.
Look at that pitifully faint aura activity—like he’s on the verge of death.
[Pretending to regret it now that it’s all over won’t help. The behavior you showed today will greatly influence future quests and rewards.]
The mean-spirited status window snarked.
Yes, yes, my fault.
“Come, don’t stand there—sit down first, Priest Bart. Don’t strain yourself when you’re not well.”
In any case, Owen approached the priest with genuine delight and reached out to grab his shoulder and seat him back down.
This wasn’t something Owen usually did, but his guard was down oddly now—thanks to being tipsy on mare’s milk liquor and gratitude that Bart had waited for him.
But the moment Owen’s hand touched—
“……!”
He felt Priest Bart’s body suddenly tense up rigidly.
“……?”
And Owen himself jolted back, sensing something chillingly off.
‘No, why does this guy weigh like this?’
Even just a slight push, and the unnatural lightness was stark. It wasn’t just light—it felt completely hollow inside!
Even a scarecrow made from hollow sugarcane would feel heavier.
“…What’s this? Even if it’s hard, please eat properly.”
But Owen didn’t suspect much.
He’d heard the man was extremely frail from the start, and this was the same Priest Bart he’d seen for years.
Moreover, for some reason, Priest Bart reminded him of his godfather. Connecting the continent’s strongest holy emperor to this frail man felt odd even to him.
But if he’s like Father, he can’t be a bad person.
“…….”
Tap, tap.
After seating him and carefully brushing the dust from his shoulders, the once-rigid Priest Bart slowly relaxed. A small sigh emanated from within the thick hood.
Then came a low murmur in unfamiliar Ortonan.
“You are the 1st Prince of the Holy Empire Delcros. You should always be aware of your noble position and be cautious and wary of those around you… Priest Bart says.”
At the attendant’s words, Owen threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha, Priest Bart, no need for such needless worry! I’m careful in my own way so I don’t shame Father! Besides, if people don’t show trust first, how can you survive in this harsh world?”
Whoosh—
In that instant, Priest Bart’s hand shot toward Owen like lightning. Even Owen, who prided himself on being a decent aura user, missed the motion for a split second—insane speed!
“……?!”
It halted.
But the hand, pausing before his eyes, slowed and gently descended onto Owen’s forehead.
“H-He says Priest Bart is bestowing the blessing he gives to princes.”
At the stunned attendant’s words, a familiar holy power poured from the hand on his forehead.
The miraculous holy power that instantly banished fatigue and hangover, as always.
But as he received Priest Bart’s blessing, Owen inwardly tilted his head.
‘What? Did I see wrong? For a second, I thought a knuckle rap was coming for my head….’
Nah, just my imagination.
Priest Bart, a living saint, knuckle-rapping a prince’s forehead? No way.
* * *
That evening, Owen logged into Pangea Chronicle later than usual. And as always, Newbie and the Silent Villains greeted him.
[Hey, everyone doing well!]
At the cheerful greeting, the Silent Villains and the little mountain goat turned their heads simultaneously.
[Owen! We await your welcome!]
[You’re a bit late today, but you’ve arrived at just the right time, Owen.]
It was right then.
“Look at that! It’s the demon-possessed goat and his gang!”
“That guy smashed two guilds right there on the spot without a scratch? Who’s he sacrificing this time?”
“Hey, let’s bail! Those aren’t normal eyes no matter how you look at it.”
As the little goat’s gaze reached them, the users at the meeting spot shuddered and hurriedly scattered.
What petty fools. To me, they just look cute—why the panic?
“Hi, Newbie!”
Owen gave a strong Imperial greeting once more for the poor Newbie suffering misplaced suspicion.
Then—
“Uh.”
The goat replied sullenly and promptly turned its head away.
Man, tougher exterior than he looks.
“Sit down already. We were discussing the next dungeon, but couldn’t get to the important stuff because you were late.”
And the words tossed out bluntly.
‘He says he waited in the most curt way possible.’
But look, he’s a good guy deep down.
Gazing at the baby goat who’d somehow become the team leader despite being a newbie, Owen flashed a grin.