Chapter 120
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Kerua (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
3.
When Karron and Kerua, five bottles of liquor each later, returned to where the house had been, Karron couldnt help but let out a sound of admiration.
Oh.
As if it had never been sliced apart by Keruas sword energy, the wooden house had been restored to its original state.
Smoke drifted slowly from the chimney, suggesting the fireplace had been lit.
How did you do it?
It had to be Aquas work.
There was no other way a house that had been split in two could be repaired in such a short time.
At Karrons mutter, Kerua nodded with a pleased smile.
Dragon Words. It seems even a hatchling can use simple ones. Isnt my niece amazing?
About Aqua calling you uncle.
I was like a brother to the Captain, so isnt it natural for her to call me uncle?
It made sense, hearing it like that.
But Karron corrected Kerua with a firm expression.
We werent particularly like brothers.
Hey, come on now.
Just where did you sell off your respect for a superior officer?
Im stronger now, so arent I the superior? And in terms of age
Hes gotten older, and now hes talking back to every little thing.
Karron cut Kerua off lightly, then walked toward the house.
Lets go inside and have a meeting with my companions.
A meeting? Didnt we cover everything you wanted to hear while we were drinking?
That was Kain Rators story. The story well discuss inside is Karron Lestons. So we all need to be there for this one.
He could reminisce with Kerua anytime in the future.
But right now, there was something more urgent.
Karron opened the door and stepped inside.
Aqua, dressed in blue pajamas, greeted him with a bright smile.
Dad! Did you make up with Uncle?
Karron looked down at Aqua with a complicated expression.
He recalled what Kerua had said earlier.
That Aqua was a being born because of him, Karron.
Conscious of those words, he couldnt take his eyes off Aqua. There must have been a reason why he had felt a sense of kinship with her for some time now.
Was that why?
The title Dad didnt feel as awkward as before.
Yeah. Did you fix the house, Aqua?
Uh-huh. So Im a little tired.
Aqua said, gently rubbing her eyes with one hand. In her other hand, she held the wooden doll.
Seeing it kept reminding him of their first meeting, and it weighed on his mind.
Im sorry, Aqua.
What are you sorry for, Dad?
I did something bad to you earlier. Were you very hurt?
At the rare sight of Karron offering a sincere apology, Leo and Rion, who were watching from the side, each added a comment.
Sister, I think the world is ending tomorrow.
How much did he drink? No, wait, did we drink? Leo, let me hit you.
Keoheok.
Thats strange. Its not a dream.
A warrior who can apologize for his mistakes is cool. As expected of Karron Leston. A cool warrior.
His companions personalities had gotten strange from spending time with him.
Karron did his best to ignore their foolishness, bent his knees, and met Aquas gaze.
He saw her golden eyes.
They were mystically beautiful.
I wont do it again.
Hee hee, I already forgave you. But you cant get mad when I call you Dad anymore!
Alright.
When Karron nodded, Aqua nodded back with a happy expression.
Im tired, so Im going to bed first! Youll play with me when I wake up tomorrow, right?
What should we play?
Ill have to think about that while I sleep.
Aqua nuzzled her face against Karrons chest once more, then put her hands together and bowed politely.
Good night, Rion! Uncle Leo! Mr. Utulla! Lets all play together tomorrow!
Sleep well, Aqua.
Uncle will play with you until youre tired tomorrow. So get a good nights sleep.
Why am I mister So hurt
And just as Aqua returned to her room,
Ho ho, has Aqua gone to bed?
Kerua, who had been waiting outside the door, finally came inside.
At Keruas appearance, the expressions of the companions, excluding Karron, hardened like stone.
They had just witnessed the tremendous divine power he had displayed earlier.
The dozens of moons that had rained down on Karron.
It was only natural to shrink before an absolute powerhouse.
Kerua looked at Karrons tense companions and smiled gently.
Heroes who supposedly faced a Shard of Slaughter shouldn't be so timid. Relax your faces. Im not going to eat you.
He slung an arm around Karrons shoulder as he spoke.
I heard a lot about you from Karron. Grand Duke Halos grandchildren, right? The Grand Duke was a benefactor to me as well, so dont you worry. Besides, if I was going to kill you, I would have done it already. Ha ha!
This was the worst.
He probably meant it as a joke to lighten the mood, but his words only made the companions expressions more severe.
He definitely gives off the vibe of someone whos lived isolated from human society.
Sadly, Guillotine was right.
Just as Karron sighed and was about to sort out the situation, Kerua spoke with a bright smile.
That was a joke. Arent you going to laugh?
And so.
Hahahaha!
Sir Kerua Akte! Is this that famous old Imperial Guard joke? As expected, trends really do come back around.
A great warriors excellent sense of humor! I must learn it.
The group burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.
Even so, they thought to themselves.
Why does it feel like theres another Karron here?
Wow, so thats why he and Karron became friends so quickly.
Oh, Touhoan. Why are all strong warriors like this?
It was social etiquette thoroughly drilled into them by Karron.
A survival skill they had been forced to learn due to Karrons tyranny.
4.
Another drinking party began.
Ahem. Is this all the proud members of the Leston Ducal Family can drink?
The living room grew boisterous.
There was no need to worry about waking the newly asleep Aqua.
Karron had already used Pluto to block out the noise.
S-Sir Kerua. Please, just let us expel the alcohol with mana circulation
What? Whats the point of drinking if youre just going to get rid of it? That defeats the whole purpose. Back in my day, the Imperial Guards initiation was drinking all night long! Grit your teeth and bear it, Leo Leston. Thats what it means to be a knight, to be a man.
You old-timer
What? Have another drink.
Did he take a liking to Leos reactions?
Kerua soon had his arm around Leos shoulder, and they were exchanging drinks.
Leo, who would normally expel the alcohol even if he got drunk, was now getting properly tipsy under Keruas influence.
But perhaps because they were sharing drinks?
The icy atmosphere had mostly thawed, and a somewhat warm mood flowed through the living room.
In this atmosphere, Karron slowly got to the point.
Kerua sir, theres something I need your help with.
Say that again.
Sir Kerua.
Kehehe! Excellent. Make sure you always add sir from now on. So, what is it you need help with?
Kerua nodded in satisfaction, and Karron continued with a sigh.
The pirates and the nagas are planning to attack Eareu Village in three days.
Those pirate bastards? You mean the ones under Kinda Reynold?
Yes. Do you happen to know anything about them?
Slam.
You should have told me something that important earlier!
Kerua slammed the liquor bottle he was holding onto the table, expressing his displeasure.
You didnt ask.
That crazy bitch wouldnt have made a move out of the blue. The Pirate Empress, shes not someone whod move just to raid an elf village.
It seemed Kerua was well-acquainted with the Pirate Empress.
Are you certain the pirates joined hands with the nagas?
The nagas opened the sea route for them, and above all I confirmed it myself.
At Karrons answer, Kerua scowled and chugged his drink.
Then, a moment later.
Ssssss-!
White steam billowed from his mouth.
He had expelled the alcohol from his body along with its moisture.
As a result, Keruas slightly unfocused pupils returned to normal.
Now completely sober, Kerua spoke in a low voice.
Two months ago, some naga bastards who secretly infiltrated the forest approached Etarons lair.
We saw the lair on our way here.
There were twenty infiltrating nagas. We killed nineteen of them, but couldnt kill just one. It cast a spell using its comrades corpses and vanished before our eyes in an instant.
Kerua drummed his fingers on the table, lost in deep thought.
Nagas the Pirate Empress Etarons lair
A combination of words that didnt fit together.
Karrons party couldnt deduce their objective, but Kerua was different.
I personally interrogated one of the nagas that infiltrated. The naga language is similar to Elvish, so there was one word I roughly understood.
Kerua took a light breath and said quietly.
Treasure vault.
Treasure vault?
He must have been talking about the treasure vault in Etarons lair. Its a fairly well-known story that Etaron plundered the sacred artifacts of several races.
Nagas and humans.
For two incompatible races to form an alliance meant they were bound by a strong mutual interest.
There were only a few things of such value in the Southern Great Forest.
The elves, the World Tree, and finally.
Theyve joined forces to target the treasure vault?
Etarons lair.
At Karrons words, Kerua slowly nodded.
Probably.
But why are they attacking the elf village instead of going straight to the lair?
The treasure vault has a seal on it that can only be undone with Dragon Words. Therefore, to break the seal, they need a dragonand a dragon who inherited Etarons blood at that. So, their plan is to make contact with the World Trees roots to first strengthen the nagas power. That way, they can use Abyssal Magic to search for the dragons trail.
Karron instantly realized who the dragon Kerua was talking about was.
There was currently only one dragon who had inherited Etarons blood.
Theyre after Aqua?
Damn it! I shouldnt have let that one get away back then.
Kerua slammed his fist on the table, suppressing his anger.
A crack appeared on the finely crafted wooden table.
Theres no other reason for that greedy Pirate Empress to make a move. The naga that escaped the lair must have detected Aquas mana.
Their hidden true objective was laid bare.
Karron held his breath, mulling over what Kerua had just told him.
It felt like the missing puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
Cant we just leave the Great Forest with Aqua?
At Karrons question, Kerua shook his head.
A hatchling needs abundant mana to grow. Theres no place more suitable than the Great Forest. It might be different once shes an adult, but not now.
Then the answer is already decided, isnt it?
In fact, the answer might have been decided from the very beginning.
It was just that one more reason to see it through had been added.
Karron, nodding calmly, looked at Kerua and spoke.
Actually, our mission is already over. But it feels a little dissatisfying to just go back like this.
The mission given to Karron by the Azure FortressConfirm the status of Kerua Aktewas already complete.
From here on out, it was an extra mission.
No, to be precise, it couldnt even be called a mission.
Why dont you lend us a hand.
At those words, Kerua asked in a low voice.
What are you thinking?
The solution is simple, isnt it?
A thick killing intent seeped from Karrons smile.
We kill them all.