Chapter 76
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Diet for the Few (1)
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“What is that supposed to mean, Stonehammer?”
“Tsk tsk. Poor human.”
The dwarf alternated glances between the approaching sculpture boat and Dominic’s face, then grabbed his arm, forced him to bow at the waist, and patted his back.
“Cheer up.”
“So what exactly?”
“I’m pathetic. Best not to tangle with headaches. Right, right! Knight, wanna come with me?”
“...Pardon?”
“Hmm, no. You knights should stick with him. Gotta protect that weak, important human.”
Dominic and Ian could only stare blankly at the dwarf’s back as he hopped onto his stocky pony and dashed off, ignoring their questions.
“What was that about, Sir Knight?”
“Beats me.”
“Doesn’t sound like he was joking, does it? Running off like that.”
“...Anyway, we need to check it out. They were sent by Lord Sahar, so we have to handle the handover properly.”
Pushing aside the creeping unease, Dominic headed to the harbor. His steps felt heavy.
“Sailors and exchange students from the desert, please line up here!”
“Is there a manager here? We need to check headcounts!”
“Please cooperate while we check your belongings for prohibited items!”
Led by Karim, the administrators bustled about to welcome the passengers disembarking one by one at the pier.
“Comparing to the list... H-heck!”
“Our luggage is all here... Oh my god, Lord!”
At that moment, exclamations burst from the administrators verifying a group of tall passengers.
The mix of surprise and admiration naturally drew Dominic’s gaze that way.
“Whoa.”
Wearing robes but no masks or disguises, their faces were fully exposed—each one a stunningly handsome man or beautiful woman, celebrities not required.
“Sir Knight.”
“Speak.”
“...You might not hear ‘academy’s hottest guy’ anymore.”
Ian furrowed his brows in absurdity at Dominic’s words.
“No matter how I look, it feels like too many rivals threatening the top popularity spot.”
“Cut the nonsense.”
Dominic briefly thought, Did they deliberately pick them by looks when sending them abroad to study? Universities had promo squads like that, militaries had honor guards. Sometimes appearances took priority.
Looks like Lord Sahar planned to crush their spirits unethically with beauty.
But did Stonehammer spot their faces from that far?
Were dwarves naturally sharp-eyed?
His words nagged a bit, but Dominic dismissed it as metaphor.
Their looks were so otherworldly for humans, after all.
Look at that, look. Our admins look like squid next to them.
Even the admins quietly popular with village girls looked utterly disheveled in features beside them.
“Seeing they all wear the same robes, they must be the ones picked for height and looks. But for desert folk, their skin’s a bit pale...”
“Strange.”
“Huh? Strange how? You think it’s intimidation?”
“Tsk. Don’t you get it? Well, you wouldn’t.”
“Hey, why belittle me again? You hadn’t in a while.”
“It’s about mana flow.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed.
“I can’t see their mana flow.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means they all know how to conceal their presence. They’re not just students here to learn skills.”
“...You think they’re all warriors...?”
“Can’t be sure, but we need to check.”
Ian placed a hand on the rapier at his waist.
Ready to draw any second. The knights under Old Lord who’d come to support the harbor felt the same—if Ian drew, they’d unsheathe without hesitation toward the suspicious group.
Dominic’s mind raced, sensing the shift in the air even without seeing mana flow.
Lord Sahar wouldn’t... No. He knows Old Lord’s in Evergreen; he wouldn’t risk something so obvious. Not spies.
If planting undercover agents, wouldn’t send a conspicuous group like this all at once.
And most importantly,
They know they’re being watched but aren’t panicking.
Seemed like they hoped to be spotted quickly.
“We need to talk to them first.”
“Dangerous.”
“Can’t we just tie up guests and drag them? Could ruin all trade.”
“My decision stands. My orders are to protect you. I don’t know their levels exactly, so I can’t let you risk it.”
About to say even Sinclair Count seemed to have forgotten that order, Dominic backed off seeing Ian’s hand still on the rapier.
“Fine. I wanna live long too.”
“Good choice.”
“But we gotta talk. Can’t ignore suspicious folks when it ties to safety.”
“True.”
“...What are you doing?”
“...?”
“Shouldn’t we fetch Old Lord quickly?”
“What?”
To baffled Ian, Dominic continued matter-of-factly.
“With a Swordmaster here, problem solved, right? No matter how strong they look, can they beat a Swordmaster?”
The reason Dominic could strut confidently anywhere.
One of the world’s strongest is my client—what’s to fear?
No moving until Old Lord arrived.
“Administrative Chief Karim!”
Karim, in the midst of checking lists, halted everything at Dominic’s gesture.
Though waiting under the blazing sun, the sailors and laborers weren’t too upset.
“Here, have some of this. It’s the trendy bread in our city lately—pretty good. Meant for the carriages, but since this happened, please understand.”
“Thanks. What can ya do if there’s an issue.”
Notified of the delay and handed prepared drinks and snacks, plus seating areas—it helped.
The admins circulating, apologizing fluidly without stiffness, softened hearts too.
Above all,
“Is that guy really the city’s Administrative Chief?”
“Ah, Chief Karim? Yes, the mayor’s official right-hand man.”
“At a glance, looks less imperial and more...”
“Ah! He’s mixed desert tribe.”
The Empire’s history of discriminating other races ran deep, and desert folk often disliked imperials.
But Karim’s existence shattered that wall.
Karim, for the first time, felt grateful for his skin color seeing the desert sailors treat him especially kindly with smiles.
“About time, right?”
“He’ll gallop here soon.”
Obviously, Ian hadn’t gone to fetch Old Lord.
Used the communication orb for urgency.
How much do those orbs cost? Ugh.
Peanuts compared to earnings, but he still grumbled at magic tool prices.
Annoyed at wasting money on them.
Watching the resters from afar bred suspicion.
“They’re definitely odd. Came on the same ship, but none mingle with the sailors.”
“Hm.”
Plus,
And why ignore our hospitality? It’s delicious. Tch.
Worst of all, not one touched the offered drinks and snacks—treating them as nonexistent, not even glancing. Starting to take offense.
Neigh-!
From beyond the hill, a splendid warhorse’s cry rang out, followed by Old Lord charging with lion-like ferocity.
His aura so fierce it gave Dominic goosebumps.
Even the formerly apathetic hotties all turned this way—Old Lord had released his intent on purpose.
In wuxia tales, killing intent slays; is he really at that level?
Didn’t notice in the colorful floral shirt, but now his heart sank.
Haven’t done anything wrong, right?
Dominic vowed to serve diligently from now on.
“Whoa, whoa!”
“Old Lord! This worthless, inadequate subordinate has troubled you with my failings. Hard to apologize for such triviality! Forgive me!”
“...Ian. What did Dominic do to deserve this?”
“Scared by Master’s aura, surely.”
“Puhaha! This guy—bold or timid? Anyway, those are them?”
“Yes.”
“Bring ’em.”
Amused by Dominic’s antics and tempted to tease more, but business first.
Even Old Lord sensed they weren’t ordinary.
Unique mana handling.
Nodding as they approached under Karim’s lead.
“We greet the one who surpassed realms.”
Strange etiquette in their greeting. Elegant, synchronized like trained dancers—one body.
“Oh ho. Guessed my level?”
“One emanating the sage’s aura merged with nature—mere guess.”
“Interesting phrasing.”
Dominic, standing aside, pouted inwardly: Our language, but I don’t get a word.
“Greetings to the local ruler too. Wanted earlier, but you seemed wary.”
“Ah, hem hem. Pleased to meet you.”
But soon the apparent leader bowed politely to Dominic too. Embarrassed at his own pettiness.
“Yes. Not beastkin, then.”
Dominic’s head snapped around—intense whiplash, hundred percent headache incoming tomorrow.
“Wrong? Then... elves, of course. Haha. The Sultan found your city at last!”
They smiled faintly at Old Lord’s words.
The mysterious other race, elves, had arrived.
Dwarf, now elves. Yeah, about time. Wondered why not sooner.
Sigh, my fate.
To Dominic, they shifted from eye candy to headaches.
Gurgle.
And hungry now? All at once.
One sigh piled on another.