Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Two Old-Timers on the Brink of a Fight.
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Black liquid bubbled furiously inside the pot. This concoction of charcoal water mixed with all sorts of herbs was transforming under Shura's careful touch, gradually thickening while giving off a pungent aroma.
Shura scooped some up with a ladle, sniffed it, and held it out to me.
"Master. How is it?"
I dipped a finger in, brought it to my nose, and broke into a very satisfied grin. The consistency was just right, and the herbal scent was rich and potent.
"Nice. Perfect."
"Shall I fetch the bottle?"
"Yeah."
Shura promptly presented a small golden vial etched with Eastern Continent-style divine beast motifs. Its name: 'Shunghara.' She carefully ladled the black liquid into it with a strainer, filling it with utmost care.
Just then, Armida sis burst into the kitchen.
"Little bro, what are you doing here? We're almost at the appointed time."
"Hold on a sec. It'll be done soon."
"What the heck are you even making?"
As Armida sis approached and asked, I replied in a hushed tone.
"Bribes."
"For who?"
"There's this bald old geezer."
"Oh, that Marquis Fabius guy?"
"Yep. He's one of the real powers in Lobros Kingdom, so I gotta butter him up while I have the chance."
Kara would be conquered by Lobros Kingdom soon enough. In other words, my main customers would shift from Kara to Lobros. For future business, it was smart to grease the wheels with the kingdom's key players ahead of time.
Armida sis eyed the steaming pot with subtle curiosity.
"But what's this black goop? You're giving that to the marquis?"
"Ah, hair growth tonic. The old man's obsessed with that stuff."
Armida sis blinked.
"Hair growth tonic? What are you talking about, little bro? We can't even make that in our sky city of Chronos."
"I know. That's why they're such pitiful souls, forever unsaved."
"And?"
I sealed the golden vial and tucked it securely into my bosom.
"That's the thing with hair tonics. They look legit, but they don't do squat. People know it, but they still slather it on just in case."
"Whoa."
I winked at Armida sis.
"It's a secret. If that geezer finds out, he'll flip his lid and come at me swinging. I can't handle that."
"Then don't do something you can't handle. Buy a real gift instead."
"I'm broke lately."
Since arriving in Kara, I'd earned a total of 2,753 gold riff and a good stash of Chaos Pieces, minus entertainment expenses. But buying some daily necessities and crafting Survival Kit No. 2—the magic lantern—had burned through a chunk. Then living costs piled up, and recently making Survival Kit No. 3, the top-grade mana shell launcher, cost me 1,230 riff, leaving me with a measly 12 gold riff.
Of course, finishing this commission smoothly would net me 1,302 riff, easing my finances a bit. Until then, though, I'd have to tighten my belt.
Armida sis furrowed her brow.
"You keep making these weird gadgets, that's why you're broke."
"They're all useful. You'll see later."
"Sigh~ Whatever. Do what you want, little bro."
Once sis left, I left the cleanup to Shura and followed after her.
The nearby boulevards were jammed with crowds out to gawk at the delegation. Banners announcing the delegation's welcome hung huge across the streets, and alert guards with sharp eyes were stationed everywhere in the city center to handle any contingencies.
The delegation's visit was a major event, so the Toha Palace had prepared thoroughly.
We strolled leisurely along the blue stone wall encircling the Toha Palace. The road in front of the ornate mansions was spotless. The mosque-style palace towered grandly, gleaming brighter than usual today, and the sweet scent of date palm fruits wafted from the roadside trees.
"Little bro. What's Marquis Fabius like?"
To Armida sis's sudden question, I gave a concise summary.
"One word: human butcher."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. His eyes glaze over on the battlefield. Leaves rivers of blood wherever he goes. That's why folks call him the 'Honorary Orc.' Once a fight starts, he doesn't care about anything."
"Whoa."
"But normally, just avoid a few triggers. He's not a bad guy at heart."
"What triggers?"
"Baldy. Lowborn knight stock. Honorary Orc. Steer clear of those words, and you're good."
Besides 'baldy,' the others aren't common. No need to say them unless you're trying.
"Sounds fine then. No worries."
"Yeah, pretty much."
Before long, we reached the Kara Palace's main gate.
With the welcome procession prepping, officials and soldiers scurried about in chaos out front.
I approached a plump man dashing around with a pale face. Chief Commander Rajal.
"Chief. What's up?"
Rajal spotted me and hustled over on his short legs.
"Master! Big trouble."
"Trouble?"
"Just got word from the Lobros delegation. Marquis Fabius vanished at dawn."
"The marquis vanished? What?"
"His attendants say it looks like he headed to Kara ahead on his own, but no one's found a trace despite searching."
I squeezed my eyes shut. Typical. The guy's a loose cannon. No surprise—he'd ignore even the Lobros King's orders if pissed enough.
"Got it. I have a hunch where he is. I'll fetch him."
Rajal's eyes went wide.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Obvious spot."
"Please do. Who knows what shady plot the marquis might be hatching in our Kara."
"Nothing like that. Not his style—he doesn't scheme."
"But..."
God, this chief commander's such a wuss. Explains why bloodline-obsessed societies are a mess. Putting a flaky conspiracy nut in charge just 'cause of good breeding? Pathetic.
Especially when real threats come from elsewhere.
His men seem loyal enough, so he has some charisma, but war ain't won on popularity.
I turned to Armida sis.
"Sis, wait here. And don't go flexing and smashing up the Toha Palace if they get suspicious. We can't pay for damages."
Armida sis pouted.
"You think I'd cause trouble like that?"
"Anyway."
"Got it. Go without worrying."
"Cool. Trusting you."
"Yeah. Be safe."
I left Armida sis and bolted to Uncle Jenbe's food cart. Kinda uneasy leaving sis alone, but Marquis Fabius was another story. When it came to swords, the geezer was pure as a kid.
No telling what mayhem he'd unleash with Uncle Jenbe.
'Knew it.'
From afar, a massive bald geezer sat on a stool by the cart. Over 2 meters tall, with bulging, expansive back muscles. His fringe was stark white, no black hairs left, and two claymores hung at his waist. Definitely Marquis Fabius.
But the scene was a sight.
The marquis grinned broadly, flashing white teeth, staring down Uncle Jenbe. Jenbe wiped dishes with a rag, stacking them neatly, utterly unfazed.
'These guys doing this on purpose? Or clueless?'
My bet: 100% the former. The aura they radiated was chilling even to me. Top-grade Masters like them couldn't miss each other's prowess.
"Human. Come on over."
As I approached the cart, Uncle Jenbe greeted me with an unusually mild smile. Total act to keep cool in front of Fabius.
'Jeez. Not like alley kids fighting over turf. What a farce.'
But the tense air was too thick to touch. A fragile peace hung by a thread between them, their sharp killing intent slicing like blades.
Still, for a perfect commission, I had to break it up. If they clashed here, disaster.
I'd survive, sure, but innocent bystanders? And if one died, Kara would erupt—thousands of orc mercs loyal to Jenbe versus Lobros's incoming guards, turning downtown into a bloodbath.
I cleared my throat repeatedly and wedged in like I knew nothing.
"Uncle. Who's this geezer?"
"Dunno. Looks like an orc brother, but that bald head says no. We orcs shave our own scalps before accepting bald genes. Heh."
Pure provocation. Combo at that. I glanced at Fabius—veins like lightning bolts throbbed on his bald pate.
"Uncle. Just give him food."
"Sure. What?"
Fabius jumped in.
"Youngster. They say the grilled stuff here's top-notch. Recommended by an orc elder named Mogri, so it must be."
Grill and Mogri—straight out of Great Orc Hero Grollmogg vibes. What a forced bait. Even idiots wouldn't bite.
Uncle Jenbe slammed his cleaver, splintering the cutting board. Damn, he bit.
I blurted desperately.
"The usual you eat daily. You know."
"Got it. Wait."
Jenbe ground his teeth and turned away with a huff. Fabius, claiming an unexpected win, ramped up.
"Innkeep. They say orc berserkers are quick shots. Whole race like that?"
Insane. Taunts have class; this geezer just spewed whatever. Better to moon him—more dignified.
Jenbe chuckled dryly.
"Figures. Humans only see humans. Heard humans wrap in a minute. But we orcs rage long on epic journeys."
I shot Jenbe a panicked look. He was escalating with philosophical jabs into lame banter.
"Heh. One minute? This young orc doesn't know me."
"Ah, sorry. Old human codger? Two minutes maybe. Heard bald humans swing that way too."
Fabius smirked bitterly, hands drifting to sword hilts. Boom. Worst part: falling for these lame provocations.
They needed taunt training before sword mastery. Crash course.
"Hey. Both of you, calm down. Hear me out."
Jenbe and Fabius glared in unison.
"Humans shut it!"
"Kid, stay out."
A vein twitched on my forehead, but I held steady. Calm. Calm.
"What happens if you fight here? Think of others."
Jenbe snorted.
"Weird. A human worrying about others."
"Uncle, I'm on a job. No incidents with the Lobros delegation in Kara."
"Not my problem."
"Uncle, really?"
Fabius shoved my shoulder, standing.
"Kid. Kids don't meddle in adult business."
"Right. Between me and this old human fart. Humans stay back if you don't wanna get hurt."
These clowns—no low too low. Kid? Brat? Curl up? Who're you calling immature and telling to shut up?
Fury surged; I smashed the cart table to splinters.
"Argh, seriously! Listen when I talk, you idiots! How old are you all, pulling this crap? Act your age, damn it!"
Their lung-piercing auras faltered instantly. Stunned by my sudden roar.
Jenbe stepped up to restrain me.
"Human. What's with you?"
"Sudden? You're both at it. Top-grade Masters should be dignified and taciturn, not quibbling over one or two minutes like kids!"
A chuckle erupted beside me. I glared at Fabius.
"Bald geezer, you too. Bald and breezy? Be breezy overall. Getting pissed over a scalp jab like a kid? And your age, running away for this nonsense? Rewinding to stormy youth? Ugh, whatever~."
"Ahem. Not that..."
Too shocked, Fabius flushed but couldn't retort despite the scale hit.
I stormed out.
"Follow me. I know a perfect spot where you can fight to the death—no witnesses. Settle it today. I'll even ref and dig the grave. Hurry!"
Fabius and Jenbe suddenly played dumb. Jenbe coughed, resuming grill. Fabius awkwardly munched fritters.
Humans, orcs—same deal. Glare like killers, then dodge when the stage is set.
Should've done this first. Some listen to words; these two don't. Perverted types who snap to sense only at death's door.