Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Lobros Kingdom Delegation
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< Lobros Kingdom Delegation. >
"Puhaha~. Finally found it!"
I floated on the surface of Kara Lake, hoisting the orb in my hand high overhead as I burst into raucous laughter. This was the moment when days of hard work finally paid off.
This orb was none other than the "Jade Bridle of Great Sin" that Evelyn had left behind. Sure, it had user-protection magic on it, so someone like me—who wasn't the owner—couldn't use it. But as a fist-sized lump of pure essence the size of a melon, I could shatter it into pieces and sell them for an absolute fortune.
I carefully stowed the "Jade Bridle of Great Sin" away in my subspace pouch and swam toward the shore of Kara Lake.
'Where'd everyone go?'
When I got back home, I found the office completely empty. I figured maybe they'd all stepped out for a bit, but the carefree noises drifting down from upstairs suggested otherwise.
I called up toward the staircase.
"Sis! I'm back!"
Armida soon came thundering down in a crimson silk dress. The hem dragged along the floor, and the skirt billowed wide, while the top plunged deep to reveal her cleavage and shoulders.
Armida spun in place like she was putting on a show.
"How do I look?"
"Gorgeous. But why the dress all of a sudden?"
Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the office, Armida hummed as she spoke.
"Oh, an invitation came by personal messenger from Kara Palace."
"Invitation?"
"Yeah. Apparently, a delegation from Lobros Kingdom is coming soon. So they're inviting all the high-ranking Kara officials and local lords to discuss things and hold a welcome banquet for the delegation."
"Huh."
I scratched my head and picked up the invitation. What did Kara know to send something like this? The Lobros Kingdom delegation coming this time was basically here to declare war. There was zero reason to throw a banquet to welcome them.
Glancing at the invitation, I shot Sis a sly look.
"Sis. Your name's not on the invitation."
"It's a plus-one invite. One companion per person."
I narrowed my eyes.
"No way you're planning to go, right?"
"Of course I am."
"Why? We're not even from Kara."
"It's fine. We got an invitation."
I shook my head. What was with her excitement over a spot like that? She seemed to be dreaming of some romantic ball, but the atmosphere there would be so tense you couldn't even get a proper bite of food down.
"Invitation or not, what are we supposed to do at a war declaration party?"
"War declaration?"
"Yeah. Lobros Kingdom's been gearing up for war for years now. They're gunning for this great desert."
"Really? How'd you find out?"
"I've built some connections lately. Heard it through them."
Armida made a huge fuss.
"Whoa, seriously? Then I can't just sit here."
"What now?"
"Gotta let Sky City know right away. We have to report major events like wars."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Mind the shop for a sec, bro. I'll go make contact."
Armida dashed upstairs in a panic.
"Where you going? To notify Chronos, you need the magic comms station."
"Nah, just use the comm orb. It's in my room."
What a handy gadget. Humans needed massive magic arrays at comms stations for long-distance magic communication, but Armida could do it with a portable comm orb she carried around. Sky City Chronos products really lived up to their rep—even their shit was top-notch.
"Cool. Show me yours later. Lemme check it out."
"Sure thing."
As Armida headed back upstairs, I flopped onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling. War season was finally hitting Kara. I'd need to pack up soon and scout some moving companies.
Screee~
Suddenly, the door creaked open slowly on its hinges. Glancing toward the entrance, I spotted a portly middle-aged man in his forties, escorted by a squad of warriors. He was ridiculously short and plump—struggling so much to step over the threshold that he tripped and fell flat.
His warrior escorts rushed in to help the obese man to his feet.
"Supreme Commander, sir. You alright?"
"I'm fine. You lot wait outside."
"Yes, sir."
The chubby man finally stood, eyed me piercingly, then approached with a beaming smile.
"Master! A pleasure to meet you."
At his polite greeting, I sat up on the sofa.
"Hey. Who might you be?"
The obese man waddled over with labored steps.
"Razal Amuraba. Supreme Commander of Kara."
The Supreme Commander was Kara's top military leader. Sure, nominally below the emir in authority, but he commanded the full army regardless.
"Got it. Have a seat."
"Thank you."
Razal sat bolt upright on the opposite sofa, his toes dangling in the air. Short guy, even shorter legs.
I swept my arm across the cluttered table, shoving the junk aside, and got down to business.
"Alright, out with it. Gotta know the job details to set the fee."
"Well..."
Razal fidgeted, hesitating to speak.
"Don't worry. Our agency's airtight on client secrets. Sure, we've got one big-eared, loose-lipped sister around, but luckily she's upstairs right now."
"Hey!"
Armida's shout exploded from upstairs. Razal glanced at the stairs.
"Sounds like she's listening...?"
"Nah, just hearing things. Sis has this thing where she yells for no reason."
"Hey!"
Another yell, even louder this time. I whispered like a mosquito.
"Pretty severe case. Hits at random."
"Ah, I see."
"Anyway, spill it. What's the job?"
Razal looked awkward as he finally got to the point.
"Truth is, a Lobros Kingdom delegation is due here in Kara soon."
"I know. Heard about it."
"But we've hit a snag."
"What kind?"
"Marquis Fabius is coming with them."
I twitched one eyebrow. The old man called One-Eyed Fabius was a knight who'd reached top-tier Master swordsman—a living legend and top dog among the Three Sword Saints of the neutral factions.
Plus, we went way back. The marquis and I were comrades who'd fought side by side through the Age of Ruin. Not that he ever acknowledged me much, which was the problem.
"Why's that guy tagging along with the Kara delegation?"
"Exactly. Usually, it's just some baron or viscount leading it, but this time it's the marquis. Puts us in a real bind."
The reason was obvious. Jenbe-uncle was to blame.
Marquis Fabius's lifelong dream was ascending to Mind Master rank. Every top Master dreamed of it, but he was obsessed. Fiercely competitive by nature, he harbored an inferiority complex for not cracking the continent's Three Sword Saints despite being the neutral factions' best.
He trained relentlessly, but it wasn't easy. Unlike other powers, Lobros Kingdom specialized in magic and magitech, so he lacked peers or rivals to spar and debate swordsmanship with.
Then word comes that Jenbe-uncle—Kara's orc great hero and a fellow top Master—was wandering as a ronin. If that didn't draw One-Eyed Fabius like a moth to flame, nothing would.
"These guys are a menace everywhere they go."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Keep going."
Razal swallowed hard and spoke gravely.
"Worse, the delegation numbers over five thousand."
"Five thousand? That's a crowd."
"Not just a crowd. They're definitely up to something."
"Like what?"
"Obvious—they pose as delegates, we open the gates, and bam, they seize Kara in one go."
I snorted. This guy read too many novels.
Sure, if Lobros pulled a stunt, Kara would fall fast. But they'd never risk it.
Lobros Kingdom was continent number two, a superpower. A nation like that had pride—no way they'd sneak an assault force in a delegation to take Kara outright. Absurd.
"Nah. Most are continental merchants."
"Merchants?"
"Yeah. The great desert bandits make the trade routes hell. Delegation's heading this way? Merchants pay a bit to tag along."
"Could be... but..."
"What?"
"The escorts with the delegation—over a thousand troops beyond one knight order."
That was just insurance. War declaration? Tensions skyrocket, clashes could erupt, so better safe.
"Told you, just escorts."
"Still..."
I sighed at Razal's persistent anxiety. Fair enough— I was just a spectator, they were the ones in the hot seat.
"Tch. Can't hurt to prepare, I guess. So?"
"While the delegation's here, could you keep an eye on Marquis Fabius?"
"Me alone?"
Razal gave an awkward smile, rubbing his hands slyly.
"Well, if Jenbe steps up, we'd love that, but..."
Real target was Jenbe-uncle, obviously. Common sense said no one in Kara could handle Fabius except him.
"Jenbe-uncle probably won't."
"Why not?"
"Involves racial pride. He'll wait for Fabius to come crawling, not bow for a job. Guy's got pride."
"I-is that so?"
I stared straight at the troubled Razal.
"But if you want someone to match the marquis, I can hook you up."
Then Armida came thundering down again.
"Bro! When do Lobros and Kara clash? Hurry, it's urgent."
"Ah, around this winter. Bram's before fall."
"Whoa, Bram too?"
"Yeah. Whole desert's the target."
"Big army then?"
"Yeah. Face value, about 150k."
"Got it. Thanks."
Armida bolted back upstairs. Razal rolled his eyes and spoke.
"What was that with your sister just now?"
"Nothing. Ignore it. So, hire the guy? Or nah?"
"Well..."
Razal tilted his head repeatedly. A Master swordsman wasn't street trash you could summon on demand—hard to believe.
"Don't want? Fine, I'll go alone."
Razal eyed me cautiously.
"That person's really strong?"
"Insanely."
"Who is it?"
Guy just saw her. Armida Sis. But she was so unreliable, no need to name-drop.
"Got a recluse expert. You wouldn't know 'em, but plenty of Masters live cut off from the world, like me or Jenbe-uncle."
"Really?"
"Yeah. More into the sword path than fame or fortune. Take odd jobs to avoid starving, though."
Razal nodded, half-convinced.
"Hmm. I see..."
"So, yes or no?"
"Alright. We're in."
"Good. Hold on, lemme tally it up."
Base fee: 160 gold leaves. Hazard pay: 500. Delegation stays a week, so meals and days: 42.
"Total around 1,302 gold leaves."
But I padded it to 1,902. Included unpaid labor from the Euroa Temple gig recently. They thanked only Jenbe-uncle and ghosted me.
Razal's eyes bulged at the bill I handed him.
"Gasp. That much?"
"Yeah. Big hazard pay."
"But you said it was no big deal?"
"It is, but opponent's Marquis Fabius."
"Pardon? What's he got?"
"Old man's a rabid dog. Massive inferiority complex—draws sword at the drop of a hat. Knight Master, got bullied in Lobros nobility back in the day. Harmless if you don't poke, but gotta watch every step."
"Never heard those rumors."
I leaned back on the sofa.
"Old news. No one dares touch him now. Who in Lobros challenges the neutral factions' top sword? They kiss ass these days."
"Ah, makes sense."
"Still, careful. If he snaps, Kara Palace becomes a bloodbath that day. Ghosts'll haunt it for ages."
Razal pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed sweat from his brow.
Then Armida rushed down again, firing questions.
"Bro? Know the commanders?"
"Commanders?"
"Yeah."
"Lobros: Duke Bastain. Kara: the chubby middle-aged dude in front of me."
Armida glanced slyly at Razal.
"You're cute and plump. What's your name?"
"R-Razal. Razal Amuraba."
"Razal? Got it. Thanks."
Armida vanished upstairs again. Razal blinked at me quizzically.
"Master? Why's your sister acting like that?"
"No biggie. Nonsense. Don't mind."
"Hard not to."
"Told you, she's got issues."
"What kind?"
"Chronic spinster syndrome. Incurable."
"Hey!"
Armida's yell boomed from upstairs—louder this time. I hurriedly shoved the bill into Razal's hand and pushed him toward the door. Consult was done. Better shoo him before more awkward questions.
< Lobros Kingdom Delegation. > End