Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: You Came First
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EP.49 You Came First
As I expected, there were no particular issues on the way to the Raidnin Resort.
The path to the Raidnin Resort was well-maintained to begin with, and beastkin soldiers frequently passed through various spots.
With beastkin soldiers around—who had a keener sense of smell and better vigilance than other races—monsters, thieves, and bandits rarely approached.
Campsites along the road were guarded by soldiers too, so there were no real problems.
"Ugh... my ears..."
One Lily Knight Order member fiddled with her ears, looking miserable.
With those two around, that level of damage was to be expected—no issue there.
The Lily Knight Order knight let out a deep sigh amid the endless chatter from Wilkers and Lark's bizarre humming as she pulled out some rations. She was probably getting dinner ready.
"I'll handle that."
"The Sage is going to? But..."
"It's fine. You've all worked hard, haven't you?"
Of course, that hardship wasn't from escorting us.
Lucille and I had just meditated inside the carriage the whole time, and Veronica had only prayed, so we were free from the noise. But the Lily Knight Order members weren't.
Some knights were already glaring at Wilkers and Lark—who were still yapping—as if they wanted to kill them.
"Please just shut up..."
"Oh, speaking of shutting up, that reminds me of when I was living as a shaman in Lokaydon! Back then..."
If "shut up" was enough to quiet him, Wilkers wouldn't be one of the top trolls I acknowledged. I called over the Lily Knight Order members who were suffering through his nonstop talk without being able to stray far due to escort duty.
"Rest up while we're at the campsite."
"Pardon?"
"Take a break!"
"Ah, yes. Th-thank you."
Even the captain leading the escort team must have been at his limit. He couldn't say it, but the stress had probably peaked.
Looking thoroughly exhausted, he led his knights off to a distance. I turned to Wilkers.
"Hey. Can't you pipe down a bit?"
"Hehe. But it's boring if it's too quiet. And my talking is basically a kind of incantation—it reduces monster appearances nearby, wards off danger, and boosts luck. You know that, Sage. You could use it too. So how about chatting more with me? Hey? Oh, aren't those roten carrots? Looks like you're handling dinner with ingredients and all. Wow! Stew then? I love stew. Oh, right, speaking of stew, that reminds me of when I was in Loen..."
Top-tier A-rank troll indeed! Doesn't listen no matter what! I watched Wilkers ramble on and sighed.
Better if something actually happened.
At least Lark had quieted down, saying he'd thought of a new tune, but Wilkers kept going.
I half-listened and let it flow in one ear and out the other as I lit the campfire. I poured water into the pot and chopped ingredients to prep dinner when Veronica emerged from the carriage after finishing her prayers.
"You're making dinner?"
"Yeah."
"Want help?"
"No, rest up. Or pray some more."
"I've done plenty."
She plopped down next to me with a pouty smile. Then she whipped her head around to Wilkers and marveled.
"But Wilkers, you really can talk forever. Throat not sore?"
"There's a trick for incantations like this. It's a traditional method from my village—for wolf beastkin, there's this howling trait, and combining it..."
He spilled unasked info effortlessly, and Veronica gave a wry smile. Just then, Lucille finished meditating and came out. I called to Wilkers.
"Hey, Wilkers."
"Yes?"
"Do a duel with Lucille. You're entering the tournament, right? Practice time."
"Ooh, great idea! Princess, care for a duel?"
"Eek. O-okay! I won't lose!"
"Heh heh! You're no match for me!"
As expected, the card game addict dropped his chatter the second I suggested a duel.
Soon they were dealing cards, and Wilkers's yapping decreased. But it hadn't stopped entirely—Lucille was breaking a sweat, forcing a smile.
If she weren't a princess, she'd have cursed him out.
Mental attacks during a duel? Dirty.
Fair and square would be better.
But even fair and square... could Lucille really win against him?
"What a ordeal on what should be a happy trip."
"Hahaha. There are good days and bad days, right?"
"Hmph. You gonna cut 'em?"
"I can handle it. You rest too."
Veronica, who had been hovering by my side ready to snatch the knife, puffed her lips out. No use.
In the now much quieter atmosphere, I simmered the stew. Meanwhile, the Lily Knight Order members prepped dinner sides and fetched water. How much time passed? Dinner was ready.
"Made extra, so come eat. Don't just stare and swallow your saliva from over there."
"Oh? Thank you!"
Beastkin had keen noses. The soldiers guarding the site had been glancing at my stew since earlier.
Watching us eat something delicious while munching rations must hurt.
Sharing food is etiquette on trips like this. We had plenty.
So I called them over, and the beastkin approached with awkward grins.
"This is embarrassing. Thanks for the meal."
"The smell was killer. Ah, um... miss. Thanks for the meal."
"Not me—say it to my master."
"Aren't you the highest-ranking here?"
"Nope, that's my master."
Lucille beamed and pointed at me. The soldiers tilted their heads.
"Don't human nobles with status even lift a finger?"
"Yeah, the human noble who came by a few days ago didn't move a muscle. We even had to feed him."
That's typical. But I'm different. I shrugged, and a soldier took the ladle, scooped stew, tasted it, and shivered.
"Mmm~ This is incredible. Are you some chef invited from Raidnin by chance?"
"Nah. Invited how?"
"They were recruiting chefs recently. Some troublesome VIPs are coming."
"Know who?"
I casually asked while offering grilled bread, but the soldiers didn't answer. As Raidnin soldiers, they treated guest info as secret.
"Still, recruiting chefs means some high-status folks."
High-status or not, probably one of the big shots I knew. I'd met most upper crust while progressing the main story.
I glanced at Lucille. She was blowing on the stew I'd made and munching happily, then blinked and smiled brightly.
"Delicious!"
"Good to hear."
"They said Master excels at everything, and your cooking's amazing too. I have so much to learn."
"You don't need to learn everything I know. Just what's necessary."
"Still... I want to become a sage too."
"Haha, that's impossible."
"What a shame. Why'd you look?"
"Oh, nothing."
Just wondering which power player it might be.
Beyond the kingdom, the continent had a few other nations. The kingdom was strongest, followed by the archduchy.
Maybe that's who's coming to Raidnin this time.
Not my business, though.
"Not the church. Cardinals and above have to stay put for a while, due to elf forest issues."
Really? I nodded and focused on eating.
This time, just enjoy a normal vacation.
The warm atmosphere continued until Lark, having finished his stew, grabbed his lute and stood.
"Awesome! Got a tasty dinner, so tonight I'll dazzle you with that new melody I thought of—glorious performance and song..."
Don't. You bastard.
Duel me later too.
Normally we'd all camp together, but after treating them to dinner, the soldiers were pretty friendly. They even let Lucille and Veronica sleep in their resting area.
Thanks to that comfy bed night, we moved out the next day without penalties and reached Raidnin Mountain by evening.
"Whoaaa..."
Long ago, there was a mighty divine bird called Raidnin, blanketed in snow and ice.
It summoned winter to bring rest before spring's approach—a cold yet warm bird that left its shed skin here, quelling the erupting volcano before vanishing to the world's edge.
Its long, beautiful neck and head became peaks piercing the clouds; its vast wings blanketing the sky turned to frigid snow-mist, trapping the region's heat.
Its colossal body shattered, covering the flame-scarred, violent mountains to let life take root.
Such is the legend of Raidnin, creator and great father of the Join Tribe.
"Wow... I see."
"You didn't know?"
"Why would I know the Join Tribe's legend?"
Not just Veronica—Lucille, the Lily Knight Order, Wilkers, and Lark were clueless too.
Huh, thought everyone knew from achievements. Oh well, if they don't, fine.
"It left its shed skin, making this place so beautiful."
"Indeed."
Raidnin Mountain featured summer and winter side by side. Higher up, pure snow and ice offered cool respite; lower down, heat let you savor resort pleasures.
The massive mansion at mid-mountain was renowned as a top resort.
Seafood from the emerald ocean behind, Raidnin resources, and fine ingredients shipped from afar made it famous for continent's best cuisine too.
I explained from my knowledge, and Wilkers's eyes sparkled in awe.
"Hehe. Got more stories to tell now."
...My condolences to his future listeners.
"As expected of the Sage."
Then a slightly low but fine voice came from the rear sky. We turned to see a massive eagle beastkin with striking deep blue feathers flapping down.
"You know it all."
"Bermund."
The blue-winged eagle beastkin landed gracefully, clacked his beak lightly, and extended a wing.
Lucille tilted her head at the sight, so I clasped the wing.
"Long time no see."
"Yeah. Ignored all my invites to visit, and now you show? Sheesh."
Grumbling, he eyed Lucille and Veronica curiously. Veronica drew the holy sign and spoke.
"Cardinal of the Church, Veronica. The Sage's closest friend."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Bermund Raidnin, chief of the Join Tribe and lord of Raidnin. Friend of the Sage is my friend—make yourself at home."
"I-I'm Lucille, Master's one and only disciple!"
"Then you're my disciple too."
Teach her instead then, punk. Trying to freeload...
He grinned slyly, and Wilkers shot up his hand.
"Wilkers, adventurer comrade—not the closest, but shares many tales with the Sage!"
"Lark here, soon to perform together."
"Hmm... I see."
Bermund fiddled with his face feathers and tilted his head.
"But... no Hero? Or Evangeline?"
Why bring them up?
"Hold on. Say Claire and Evangeline are one thing... why not ask about Leventia?"
Bermund shrugged off Lucille's question.
"Because Leventia arrived at Raidnin yesterday."
I shut my mouth, and Bermund continued.
"With her cousin, Archduke Cecil Claudia."