Chapter 158: Impersonation, Cheers (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: Impersonation, Cheers (1)
October 17, 1796. Noon.
Jin and Enya arrived at an inn in Hawson, a medium-sized city in the southern part of the Viment Empire, and began to unpack.
“It feels strange, traveling through Viment like this. It reminds me of when I first met you, Young Master—the day I snuck onto the Tikan trade ship to escape.”
“That’s why we got you a new ID and… well, a disguise. Don’t worry too much. And you should call me ‘Brother,’ not ‘Young Master.’”
As soon as Jin became a provisional flagbearer, he had started using his “Jin Grey” identity. For Enya, the Seven-Colored Bird had forged a new one: “Austin Grey.”
Administratively, Enya wasn’t supposed to exist in Viment. She was also unofficially a wanted person in the empire, which was why she was currently disguised as a man.
Pfft.
Jin let out a stifled laugh. Anyone who knew what Enya usually looked like couldn’t help but find it amusing to see her now, sporting a fake mustache and buried under a baggy men’s robe.
“Brother! Do I really look that funny?”
“Honestly, yes. Try to make your voice a bit raspier. Also, I’ll be speaking informally to you from now on, since we’re supposed to be brothers. You can do the same with me, Austin.”
“Khem, khem. Like this? Is this raspy enough?”
“Excellent.”
Despite their cheerful conversation, the atmosphere in Hawson was grim. Even though it was high noon with the sun shining brightly, a heavy, gloomy air hung over the streets. People walked with listless expressions, and even the stray dogs had eyes full of fear.
The market they passed on their way to the inn had been deserted. The city’s mood was so bleak that it was hard to find anyone even attempting to sell their wares.
‘It’s only natural, considering the remnants of the Dark Magic Association are running rampant.’
An hour’s ride from their inn was a long forest path that connected to the south-central region of the empire. The remnants of the Dark Magic Association had taken up residence there. At night, they formed groups of three or four to raid nearby villages, looting and terrorizing the populace.
Because of this, armed guards were stationed on every street corner, but their demeanor wasn't much different from the residents'. They were visibly exhausted, merely patrolling because the local lord had ordered it.
“By the way, Brother, those Dark Magic Association remnants… they must be truly awful people. Did you hear what the guard said earlier? They even kidnap children without a second thought. I’m starting to doubt if this is really Viment.”
“You lived in the capital, so it probably feels even stranger. There aren’t many cities in the world with better security than the Viment capital.”
“So, are we going to crush all those villains now?”
“Most likely. For now, let’s wait for them to show up.”
However, when night fell, it wasn’t the Dark Magic Association that appeared first, but a group of noble mages.
Out of nowhere, a fleet of extravagant, gold-plated luxury carriages began passing through Hawson’s gates. Commoners flocked to the streets to see the spectacle, and Jin and Enya joined the crowd.
“It’s the mages from the Academy!”
“They must have come to wipe them out!”
The flags fluttering from the carriages were emblazoned with a golden eagle—the crest of the Viment Magic Academy.
—They’re leaving them as prey for the nobles. In my opinion, the reason the Viment guards aren't attacking the Dark Magic Association is to create an opportunity for the Academy mages to distinguish themselves.
‘I hoped it wasn’t the case, but Sir Casimir’s prediction was spot on. And of all days, why did they have to arrive on the same day as us?’
Jin clicked his tongue and adjusted the hood of his robe.
“Uh…”
Enya looked flustered the moment she saw the carriages. She didn’t have a single good memory associated with the Academy.
“Brother, why them of all people…? It looks like they’re here to do something good, but…”
“You don’t need to be afraid, Austin. They don’t look like much,” Jin said in a calm voice.
It was bitter to see her freeze up at the mere sight of the Academy’s flags when she hadn’t even flinched at the thought of fighting the Dark Magic Association.
“Yeah… thanks.”
In his previous life, when Jin was learning magic, he had avoided mages from the Viment Academy whenever possible. Their sense of entitlement and elitism was nauseating.
While not every graduate he met was like that, most were the type who believed they were the most special and superior beings in the world—as evidenced by the unnecessary gold plating on their carriages.
‘Well, it’s not entirely incomprehensible. The Academy is a gathering of those with decent talent and good backgrounds. It’s easy to imagine how much they must have looked down on a commoner like Enya. Their jealousy over her being a scholarship student must have been off the charts.’
In Jin’s eyes, Enya was a million times more talented than any of them. Even Olta, the God of Time, who was known to value bloodline above all else, had offered a contract to a commoner girl.
“Judging by that clumsy gold plating, most of them aren’t even official mages yet. They’re just cadets overflowing with pride. In my opinion, they won’t be able to wipe out the Dark Magic Association.”
“What? Even if they’re cadets, they should be able to use some pretty impressive magic. They’re probably 4-star on average. The remnants are only about fifty people between 3 and 4-star, with a few senior mages mixed in.”
“That’s exactly why they’re no match. Those remnants are veterans who have crawled through the dirt in the shadows. Cadets are still at a stage where they don’t realize that actual combat is entirely different from theory. They lack both the numbers and the experience.”
There were fifteen carriages in total. Even assuming two cadets per carriage, that was only thirty people.
“Still, the Academy committee wouldn’t be completely brainless. They probably sent one or two official mages along. Someone around 7-star, just to make sure nothing ruins the ‘credit-padding’ Sir Casimir mentioned.”
“Hmm, if there are two 7-star mages from the Academy, we might not even get a chance to step in.”
Jin shrugged and smirked.
“We’ll have to wait and see. Let’s go get some dinner. Since we’re out, let’s grab a beer too.”
“Oh, I’d love that, Brother!”
The flashy arrival of the Academy cadets had a significant impact. The gloomy streets brightened in an instant. Restaurants and taverns that had been tightly shut opened their doors, and even the small brothels in the back alleys lit their lamps.
These were noble cadets known for spending money freely. Since they were also the heroes who had come to save the city, it was only natural for a spark of vitality to return to the town.
Jin and Enya chose a tavern that served both food and alcohol.
“Brother, can I really order anything?”
“Of course.”
“Even the most expensive items on the menu?”
“…Austin. Do you not realize that most of our comrades, myself included, are incredibly wealthy? Why even ask?”
“But I’m not rich. I didn’t notice it in Tikan, but now that I’m out in the world, I feel hesitant to spend money recklessly.”
“When we get back, pick one: the Tikan Central Bank, the Continental Integrated Iron Dragon Bank, or the Vankella Eternal Warehouse. Open a private vault. I’ll give you some pocket money that’s entirely yours to use.”
“I—I will serve you for the rest of my life, Big Brother! You have to give me your autograph when we get back!”
“Sure, sure.”
By general standards, would someone with about five thousand gold pieces feel quite wealthy?
While Jin was pondering this, a thrilled Enya ordered a wide assortment of dishes.
“Oh, robes and staves? You two must be magic students as well. Are you attendants for the cadets who arrived earlier?” the owner asked, speaking with an incredible casualness.
Jin shook his head. Their appearance didn’t exactly scream wealth, so it was an understandable mistake.
“We’re just travelers passing through. We have nothing to do with the Academy, so you don’t need to give us any special service.”
“Ah, I see. Haha, but since this young lad was bold enough to order all our specialty dishes, I can’t help but give you something extra. You must be richer than you look.”
The owner gave a friendly laugh and retreated to the kitchen.
“Brother, that must have been annoying, but you handled it smoothly. Before I met you, I thought everyone from Runcandel was incredibly wicked and terrifying.”
Seeing Enya whispering while glancing at him made Jin chuckle again.
“He just made a mistake without any ill intent. He even said he’d give us extra service. If it had been one of my other siblings, things would have been different. Heads might have rolled, or limbs might have gone missing,” Jin whispered back with a smile.
“So it is true that it’s a gathering of wicked and terrifying people! Except for you, Big Brother.”
“By the way, why did you switch from ‘Brother’ to ‘Big Brother’?”
“Because you promised me pocket money, hehe.”
Sizzle, crackle! The shop was small, so the sounds of fire and oil were vivid, and the delicious aroma was a bonus. Just as they were about to clink their beer mugs together—
Creeeeak.
Another set of customers entered the shop.
From the moment the door opened, Jin had a bad feeling. He let out a sigh in spite of himself.
“Good grief, I lost my appetite listening to that Lord’s flattery. I couldn’t even eat. Can you believe that pig-faced man rubbing his hands together and laughing like that?”
“I agree. But the seniors said the street food in this region is worth trying, so let’s give it a shot. Hey, Innkeeper!”
“Oh, yes, yes!”
The owner rushed out, bowing repeatedly toward the two newcomers. Unlike Jin and Enya, these were Academy cadets wearing white robes embroidered with gold thread and carrying high-end staves.
‘Somehow, I don’t think we’re going to have a peaceful meal.’
Jin thought it would be best to leave before they got caught up in some pointless trouble.
While placing their orders, the three cadets were blatantly scanning Jin and Enya. There was no way they would simply ignore two shabbily dressed magic students. It was like a cat spotting a fish.
Jin placed three gold coins under his beer mug. Even if they left now, they had to pay for the food.
“Austin, let’s just go… Hm?”
However, Enya’s behavior was strange. Her fists were clenched tight, her eyes trembling. Under her baggy robe, he could feel her small frame shaking like a leaf.
‘No way. Really? Of all people?’
Could these be the very cadets who had bullied Enya?
Jin’s eyes met Enya’s.
“Austin, is it what I think it is?”
“Ah, Brother. That… yeah. It is. L-let’s get out of here, quickly.”
If you want, I’ll beat them to a pulp without a second thought.
He wanted to say that, but calming Enya down was the priority.
‘Just how much did they bully her for someone as bright as Enya to be this terrified?’
Just as Jin was gritting his teeth and about to stand—
“You there. What’s your affiliation? You don’t look like our attendants.”
One of the cadets stepped forward and slapped the cheek of the very person who was already on the verge of tears.