Chapter 66: Ghost Sword Casimir (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Ghost Sword Casimir (1)
“...Is it good?”
“Yeah! It’s delicious, Mister.”
“I’m not a ‘mister’ yet.”
Being called a "mister" at fifteen was a cruel blow to his pride.
“You are a mister.”
Jin gave an awkward smile and shrugged.
He had bought an ice pop for the little girl clutching a dragon plushie. The child was undeniably adorable as she crunched on the sweet shards of ice.
What in the world am I going to do with him?
Jin’s fist clenched instinctively as he watched Murakan, who was treading carefully while glancing back at him.
Even Gilly seemed genuinely upset this time, her expression uncharacteristically cold. Of course, being Gilly, she would break into a bright smile the moment the little girl looked her way.
It was a stroke of luck that the only person who had witnessed Murakan transform was a five-year-old child.
No, it was more than luck—it was a miracle.
If a group of adults had seen that instead of a child, the Zipples would have had wanted posters up by the end of the day.
Murakan had learned his lesson from the incident as well. While it was true that humans generally didn't care about others’ business, he now understood that he had to be extremely careful about transforming in the future.
Jin stared at the back of Murakan’s head for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.
Well… he must be feeling stifled, too. He’s the Great Black Dragon who lived his entire life never having to answer to anyone.
Though five years had passed since he awoke in the glass coffin beneath Storm Castle, Murakan’s sensibilities were still rooted in the world of a thousand years ago, just before he fell asleep. For Jin’s sake, he was suppressing his wild nature, adjusting every aspect of his life to match the boy’s.
Aside from a few minor incidents at Storm Castle and the Garden of Swords, he had been remarkably patient.
Thinking of it that way makes me feel a little bad for him.
Jin bought another ice pop and held it out to Murakan. The dragon took it silently, his face instantly brightening. Gilly, not missing the moment, let out a soft chuckle.
The little girl, oblivious to the context, smiled along with them.
“So, that mister isn’t a cat?”
“That’s right. I think you saw wrong, Yuria.”
“Yuria doesn’t see wrong. That mister is a cat. But you aren’t a cat, Mister.”
“Haha, you must really like cats.”
The cute little girl sitting on the bench with them, munching on her ice pop, was named Yuria.
“Mmm…”
“Yuria, do you know the way back to your house?”
“No, Yuria doesn’t know.”
As they continued to talk, it became clear her parents had briefly lost her. She had been wandering the streets when she happened to run into Jin’s group.
The three of them decided to find the child’s parents first. It wasn’t as if they had any urgent matters to attend to.
However, even after twenty minutes, the child’s parents were nowhere to be seen.
“Young Master, shouldn’t we take her to the nearest guard station? We don’t have any connections here.”
“That would be best. Once she finishes her ice pop—”
But as soon as the words ‘guard station’ were mentioned, Yuria’s face crumpled.
“I hate that place. They make Mommy tired every day.”
“The guards make your mom tired?”
“Yeah. Mommy is so tired because of the guards.”
In an instant, a dozen possibilities flashed through their minds.
Is she being exploited by the guards?
Or is her mother a criminal?
There weren’t many innocent ways to interpret the statement that the guards were making her mother's life difficult.
After a brief deliberation, the three concluded that taking her there was still the right thing to do. Yuria pouted but eventually relented.
“She’s a good girl, Young Master. You also had a time like this… well, actually, you didn’t. Haha.”
It wasn't difficult to find the nearest guard station by asking for directions. True to its name as a free city, the people of Tikan weren't particularly wary of outsiders.
The guard building was very clean. Well-painted letters stood out against the white exterior wall.
—Tikan Free City Central Guard.
Jin was pleased to see it was the Central Guard. Things were always easier to handle at the largest institution.
“This is the Tikan Central Guard. How can I help you?”
“Ah, well. This child…”
“Wait, isn’t that Yuria? Hey, go get the Captain!”
“Do you know this child?”
“Haha, ‘know’ doesn’t even cover it. She’s our Captain’s daughter.”
“What?”
The girl who had claimed to hate the guard station was suddenly being treated like a princess.
Ah, so that’s what she meant by her mom being tired because of the guards. The three of them let out a simultaneous chuckle.
“Kid, you dared to trick the great Murakan?”
“I didn't trick you, Cat Mister.”
“I told you, I’m not a cat.”
Thump, thump.
A moment later, a woman of immense stature approached them. She was easily two meters tall with broad shoulders and a fierce scar near her left eye.
She looked like she could run five underworld syndicates like the ones in Tessing without breaking a sweat, yet she wore a guard’s uniform. The rank insignia for ‘Captain’ was clearly visible on her collar.
She scooped Yuria up into her arms.
“Haha, Yuria. Sorry, sorry. Mommy suddenly remembered something and rushed back, so I forgot all about you.”
“It’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay. Everyone in this city knows that if they touch you, they’ll either go to heaven or never see the sky again.”
She made the terrifying joke casually in front of her five-year-old, but her tone was filled with affection.
Jin’s group was momentarily speechless.
“I heard you brought Yuria back. My apologies for the late introduction. I am Alisa Badger, the Guard Captain of Tikan.”
Jin’s group shook hands with Alisa.
“You must be travelers. Most people in the city recognize Yuria’s face, so I was a bit careless.”
“Not at all. We’re just glad she’s the Guard Captain’s daughter. We were worried it might take a long time to find her guardian.”
“My, it looks like she even got an ice pop out of you. Yuria, give them a proper bow. There’s a good girl. Anyway, I am very grateful. How can I repay you?”
“If there’s a decent place to stay nearby, we’d appreciate a recommendation. We’ve only just arrived.”
“Oh, if it’s lodging you need… Wait, Yuria, what was that?”
Whisper, whisper.
As Alisa leaned down, Yuria whispered something into her ear.
After a moment, Alisa tilted her head in confusion, then wrote something on a piece of paper, stamped it, and handed it to them. It was a simple letter of introduction.
“This is a recommendation letter with the Guard Captain’s seal. No matter which inn you go to, show them this, and they won’t overcharge you or treat you poorly. The food they serve will be different, too.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. We’ll make good use of it. We’ll be on our way, then.”
As the three left the guard station, Alisa shrugged.
“Yuria, did you really see a cat turn into a person?”
“Yeah. But the misters and the lady didn't seem to want me to tell. So I pretended not to know.”
Alisa playfully ruffled Yuria’s hair.
“Good job. Everyone has their secrets.”
Then, she thought to herself:
A transformation… only dragons can do that. And Yuria wouldn't make that up. I’ll have to mention this to Casimir.
*
The power of the Tikan Guard Captain’s recommendation letter exceeded all expectations.
Jin’s group chose a luxurious inn on the outskirts of the city. As soon as they showed the letter, a dedicated staff member was assigned to them, and all services were discounted by half.
Furthermore, they were given a top-tier suite that usually required a reservation. Thanks to this, the group was able to enjoy a proper rest for the first time in a long while.
“Wow, I’ve only ever received this kind of treatment in Huphester. I guess power really is the best, huh?”
“The bed is nice and soft, I like it, kid. Yeah, this is what an inn should feel like. My back was killing me the whole time we were in Akin.”
“I feel like everything will go well in Tikan. To have such good luck as soon as we arrive… Oh my, this cocktail and shrimp dish are delicious, Young Master. Please try some. May I order more?”
“Good grief, Gilly. Why even ask? Order it, order it now.”
It truly felt like a vacation.
This is a first.
They had been together since Storm Castle, but this was the first time the three of them had ever been so relaxed.
Gilly, in particular, seemed so happy that she was constantly humming to herself. For a moment, Jin felt a pang of guilt, realizing this was the first time he had seen Gilly so genuinely joyful.
She loves this kind of thing so much. As soon as she became my nanny, she was stuck by my side, with no time to play or have a life of her own.
He would not let Gilly become miserable as she had in his previous life. He would make it so that no one, not even other pure-bloods in Runcandel, could treat her lightly.
But was that truly the right path for Gilly? Wouldn't it be better to just let her go so she could enjoy her own life?
The thought crossed his mind for a fleeting moment.
“Gilly.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Have you ever regretted becoming my nanny?”
Gilly paused and stared intently at Jin. She immediately understood the sentiment behind his question.
“Not even once. This kind of joy has no meaning to me unless it’s shared with you, Young Master. Ah, and Lord Murakan as well, of course. Even if Lord Murakan is quite annoying sometimes.”
“Since we’re on the subject, Strawberry Pie, let me ask you something too,” Murakan cut in. “What exactly are you lacking that keeps you tied to Runcandel? You don’t crave wealth like that Emma woman, and you don’t crave power either.”
Jin was grateful to Murakan for interjecting. He hadn't known what to say to Gilly’s answer.
“Well… that is.”
“Are they holding something over you? Or do you have a debt to Runcandel that you must pay off for the rest of your life? Your devotion borders on blind loyalty.”
“Could I tell you both the reason later?”
“When will you tell us, Strawberry Pie?”
“Maybe around the time I become an old grandmother?”
“That’s soon enough. I can wait that long. But you must tell me the answer then.”
Gilly had spoken jokingly, but Murakan took it seriously. Considering his lifespan, a few decades was no time at all.
“Haha, anyway, I should go order more of that shrimp dish.”
As Gilly left the room, Murakan called out to Jin.
“Kid.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ve got a blessed life.”
“I agree.”
Just then, Gilly rushed back into the room.
Her expression was so urgent, it was clear she hadn't just returned from ordering more shrimp.
“Young Master, Lord Murakan. Something is strange. There isn't a single person in the inn.”
“What?”
“The staff and the guests—they've all vanished in a hurry. Something is…”
At that moment— Clank, clank, clank!
The sound of dozens of footsteps echoed from the stairwell in the outer hall—unmistakably the sound of warriors in steel-soled boots.
Soon, the overlapping footsteps in the hall fell silent, replaced by the calm, measured steps of a single person.
A man walked straight through the open door.
He was a famous swordsman whom Murakan didn't know, but Jin and Gilly did.
“Greetings.”
It was Ghost Sword Casimir.