Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: That Thing Is Animal Poop (2)
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While Roin and Jerka bickered,
Gibner was inwardly surprised by Roin's extensive knowledge.
"You said your name was Roin, right? You know quite a lot about ambergris."
"I have a bit of an interest in cosmetics."
"I see. That explains it."
Ambergris itself was an extremely rare material.
And expensive.
There was still no efficient way to collect the poop from those massive sea creatures that lived along the coast.
That was why it commanded such a high price.
Perfume made from ambergris was a special item that even nobles couldn't easily obtain.
That was why Roin was so eager for it.
"But ambergris is pretty pricey."
Nobles without money couldn't even dream of buying it.
"Money's no object. If you set some aside for me, my butler will come here in a few days to complete the transaction."
"What if he doesn't show? Then we can't sell the goods, and we'll just end up with excess stock."
"Billing the Leyden family will do. I'll compensate you double."
He was utterly confident.
The Leyden family that Jerka knew wasn't quite that wealthy.
And yet, here was Roin spouting this with such bravado.
Jerka couldn't comprehend where his confidence came from.
Gibner's response in the midst of it all was even more absurd.
"Very well. Let's make the deal."
Jerka asked with a stunned expression.
"You're serious?"
"Yes. Quite serious."
Jerka had assumed Gibner would refuse outright.
But Gibner meant it.
"The truth is, ambergris is such an expensive raw material that while plenty of people want it, it's so costly that we sometimes end up with surplus stock."
Ambergris didn't have a long shelf life.
About a month at best.
If it wasn't used as a raw material within that time, its value plummeted.
Once the scent faded, it truly became nothing more than worthless animal poop.
If there was a chance to sell it at a high price beforehand, it was best to take it.
"Alright, deal sealed. No backing out?"
"Hahaha! No need to worry."
Roin and Gibner clasped hands.
At the sight, Jerka pressed his temple.
This mission was a mistake.
Regret began to creep in belatedly.
Excluding the small quantity Roin had bought, the rest of the ambergris began loading onto the ship.
After five days' voyage by sea, they'd reach the city of Leyki.
Their missionRoin and Jerka'swas to safely deliver the ambergris there.
Did a sea voyage really require escort knights?
Absolutely.
Dangerous monsters could appear on the open ocean at any time.
Before boarding, Jerka decided to gear up thoroughly.
He had zero experience with naval combat.
If monsters ambushed the ship,
"It'll be a rough fight."
Jerka tied his boot laces tight.
In the meantime, Roin had shouldered his bag and boarded first.
Jerka followed in Roin's wake onto the ship.
Just then, five men were loading a small cart aboard beside the two boys.
Suddenly, the horse started bucking wildly.
"Wh-what the hell's wrong with this beast!"
The man holding the reins tried to calm it, but the unfamiliar sway of the deck kept the commotion going.
That's when Jerka stepped in.
"Hand me those reins."
The man hesitated at the noble boy's command.
But he soon passed them over.
"Shh! Easy now!"
At Jerka's voice and gestures, the horse gradually settled.
The men looked on in amazement.
"You're quite skilled with horses."
"To become a knight, handling them is basic training."
"Oh, you're a knight?"
"A junior knight at Loud Swordsmanship Academy. Jerka Tayla."
The moment they learned he was from the Tayla family, the men's expressions flickeredjust for a split second.
Roin, watching from a distance, noted the brief change.
Suspicious as hell. Not just one or two things.
Their scabbards were made of overly luxurious materials for commoners.
And did a tiny cart really need five men?
Nothing even looks loaded in there.
Just a few bundles of straw.
One more thing.
For porters, their muscles are too well-balanced.
Especially their arm muscles stood out.
You don't get builds like that without years of swinging a sword.
All five were at least mid-level knights, he estimated.
Five mid knights with a rickety cart.
Way too fishy.
They might be after the ambergris.
Meanwhile,
Jerka returned to Roin after receiving thanks from the man.
Then, out of nowhere, he said to Roin,
"Those guys seem a bit suspicious."
Jerka had noticed too.
As expected of Kern's son.
Impressive situational awareness for his age.
To be safe, Jerka asked Roin as well.
"You feel something off about them too?"
"Yeah. They're reeking of suspicion so blatantly, how could I not?"
Jerka figured Roin had spotted it right away.
He was spot on.
As the two talked,
The five men suddenly started acting strangely.
"......"
"......"
Exchanging silent glances, one reached for the small cart they'd brought.
A wooden box hidden inside the straw bundles.
One man tucked it into his coat and slipped away.
The remaining four pretended nothing happened, chatting idly as they followed in his direction.
But Roin and Jerka had seen everything.
Jerka spoke first.
"No idea what that guy snuck inside with."
That's when Roin voiced his theory.
"Could be a mana bomb."
"A mana bomb?"
"Yeah. Detonate it after the ship sets sail. Out on the open sea, nowhere to run. Snatch the ambergris in the chaos."
Just Roin's guess, of course.
But if Roin were in their shoes, trying to hijack the ambergris,
"That's what I'd do."
"Makes sense."
It was logical.
They had to stop the men before they could carry out any terrorism.
"Whats the plan? Move now?"
Jerka asked Roin's intentions.
But Roin shook his head.
"Too risky now. Better to wait till we're underway and take them out quietly."
"Why? Neutralizing them here is safer."
"Then we'd be stuck in this port city till we find another ship. Sea winds are bad for the skin. Wait around here? No thanks."
"......"
Roin just wanted to wrap up the mission fast and head back to the dorms.
He'd already achieved his real goal anyway.
The mission clear was secondary; the ambergris deal was what mattered.
The deal was done.
Now just hustle through the mission.
Jerka let out a deep sigh.
"Fine. We'll do it your way."
Sail out as planned, neutralize the terrorists before trouble hitno issues.
Even mid knights? Roin and Jerka could handle them.
Moments later.
"We'll be departing shortly!"
As intended, the ship slowly headed out to sea.
No turning back now.
Roin and Jerka were well and truly in the same boat.
Roin moved first.
"Let's get this over with quick. Gotta apply my nutrient cream soon."
Jerka gaped at Roin's words for a second before nodding.
"Got it."
Operation underway.
The man who'd retrieved the small wooden box from the cart hurried toward the cabins with his comrades.
That's when it happened.
"Stop."
The blond boy, Roin, blocked the passageway.
And issued this warning.
"Quick search. Mind showing me that wooden box?"
Ching-!
The men drew their swords in unison, without a word.
Roin smirked, as if he'd expected it.
"Must be something important."
"You Ratio bastards."
"Ratio?"
He hadn't dreamed they'd mistake him for a Ratio here.
Roin pulled out his Loud Swordsmanship Academy ID and showed them.
"Still think I'm Ratio?"
"Could be forged."
"Fair point."
Roin conceded that much.
Then Jerka appeared from the opposite side and snapped at him.
"Don't agree with the enemy, Roin."
The man clutching the box couldn't hide his shock at Jerka.
"Lord Jerka...!"
The men panicked.
But the apparent leader barked at them.
"Don't panic! Focus on the mission!"
"B-but boss! That's Duke Kern's son!"
"Could be Ratio scum in disguise to confuse us. Get it together!"
Now they suspected disguise too.
Roin had no clue what they were on about.
The fastest solution in cases like this?
"Time to throw hands."
Then extract a confession.
Roin drew his rapier.
His strike opened the fight.
The rapier grazed the cheek of the man holding the box.
The man barely dodged.
Senior knight, huh.
A mid knight couldn't evade Roin that easily.
The presumed senior knight tried to counter immediately.
But Roin wasn't one to take it lying down.
He parried the man's sword with his rapier.
The others moved to support their leader.
"Best stay put while we're asking nicely."
Jerka blocked them.
In that gap,
Roin tripped the man with a leg sweep.
Thud!
The senior knight lost balance and crashed down.
The wooden box slipped from his grasp.
The impact popped it open.
Roin's face hardened the instant he saw the contents.
That's...!
No doubt.
Roin strode over and seized the man's collar, interrogating him harshly.
"Why do you bastards have a fragment of the Demon God?"