Jeanne was astonished by Tia’s sharp, incisive words. As expected of a white silver badge mercenary, she seemed experienced in such matters.
“That’s impressive. You’re correct. I wish to find the fragment that was said to have fallen here.”
Jeanne answered truthfully. Yuda, who was listening while carving an apple into a rabbit shape, tilted his head at her response. The 24th fragment, Carpe Diem, which fell in Serenia Castle, was already in his possession.
But aside from Sian and himself, no one knew this fact. It was obvious for them to assume it was in the western forest, so why head to the eastern forest? Yuda couldn't grasp why, and Tia felt the same.
“The fragment is said to have fallen in the western forest, yet you want to search with us in the eastern and southern forests?”
“Well, my perspective is a bit different. I’m skeptical that the claim about the fragment falling in the western forest might be false. Perhaps it’s not the western forest but the opposite which is the eastern forest?”
Since it hadn’t been found for nearly 150 years, her reasoning was also kind of reasonable. Sometimes a shift in perspective yields unexpected results, so her decision wasn’t entirely wrong. And in a way, she was right about the eastern forest, except it already had an owner. Tia pondered Jeanne’s words briefly before looking at Yuda.
“What do you think?”
“I get to decide?”
“Well, you’re the one hunting the wolves anyway.”
She meant she would just watch from the sidelines. Considering her level, she woud likely hinder his growth rather than help. Yuda checked Jeanne’s level. She was level 16, only one level above him. Hunting together didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“But what we you don’t find the fragment?”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t find it. I’m not expecting to anyway. It’s just a matter of looking at, a different perspective. As the lord said yesterday, the fragment will appear to the one guided by fate. If I can’t find it, it means I wasn’t chosen. Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble if we fail to find it.”
“Alright. If you put it that way, let’s try to find it together.”
Yuda nodded readily, accepting her commission. Jeanne’s expression brightened.
“Thank you.”
[Trainee blue lance knight “Jeanne Atruare” has joined as a temporary companion.]
[While she is a companion, you are able to check her status.]
[Jeanne Atruare’s trust has increased by 5.]
As he read the holographic message that appeared, Tia nudged him from the side.
“You stay here and do the dishes. Now, Ms. Jeanne? Shall we discuss the request fee and future plans?”
“Oh, yes. Understood.”
Yuda stared blankly as Tia left him behind and headed to the living room with Jeanne. By the time he finished the dishes haphazardly and joined them, their verbal agreement was already settled.
The commission fee would include an advance payment, and they agreed to meet at the eastern gate every weekday morning by 7 a.m. Guidelines for their actions in the forest had been explained, and they would share a portion of the profits from hunting black wolves.
+ + +
The next day, Yuda and Tia headed to the eastern gate before 7 a.m. They arrived a bit early, but Jeanne was already there. She wore simple clothing and carried a backpack stuffed with various items. It wasn’t ideal for hunting, but Yuda and Tia said nothing, assuming that, even as a trainee, a blue lance knight like her would have magical gear.
Once they had entered the forest and were out of sight from others, Yuda asked Jeanne for the backpack she was carrying on her back. She handed it over with a curious look, and Yuda immediately stored it in his 〈Inventory〉. Just like Tia had been before, Jeanne was amazed, thinking Judah could manipulate a subspace.
They moved from the eastern forest to the southern forest. The moment a pack of black wolves appeared, silver particles materialized around Jeanne, enveloping her. It was like something you would see in a transformation scene from a childhood cartoon. The particles soon formed dazzling full-body armor and a helmet, and in her hands appeared a conical lance glowing with blue light and a rectangular tower shield.
As planned, Tia hid using stealth, and Jeanne drew the wolves’ attention. Her gleaming silver armor was highly effective. Some wolves went for her, leaving only two of the five to target Yuda.
Her reputation as a blue lance knight was well-earned. She effortlessly blocked a wolf’s body slam with her shield and swung her lance like a club, pummeling the wolves. Like a dog being thrashed on the hottest day of summer, the wolf writhed helplessly, its bones seemingly broken. By the time Yuda dealt with his two, she had dealt with two of her own as well. Before he could act, she thrust her lance into the last black wolf, piercing it with a thud.
It was a satisfying combat style. After skinning the wolves and collecting magic stones, they continued hunting in the same manner. But it wasn’t just hunting.
As Jeanne requested, they explored the surroundings, sometimes venturing farther out. Once, when too many black wolves appeared, Tia joined in to take them down.
A day passed, then a week, and they grew accustomed to coordinating with Jeanne.
On weekdays, they hunted; on weekends, Yuda lazed around at home with Tia or went out. With her affection surpassing 70, Tia’s displays of love became bolder. She often sent subtly seductive glances, sometimes emerging from the shower without a towel or joining him in the bathroom for another shower while he was bathing.
Her earlier words about “eating him up when he’s grown” seemed genuine. She watched him like fruit ripening. Her affection was nice but sometimes overwhelming. Maybe sensing that, she was sharp enough to give him space when he seemed uncomfortable. What was it—it felt like he was being toyed with, like she was playing push and pull. It was a strange sensation, almost like being tamed.
And so, a year passed in a flash. Nothing particularly notable happened in that time.
There was still no word of the fragments being found, and even Jeanne, who had scoured both the eastern and southern forests, had come up empty-handed.
The black wolves, perhaps reduced in number, were rarely seen anymore.
Well, hunting two to three packs daily—if their numbers stayed constant, that would’ve been more strange.
Hunting a steady number of black wolves daily and selling their hides and magic stones in Serenia Castle lowered hide prices, and the townsfolk’s anxiety significantly eased. A year ago, people in the plaza constantly talked about the black wolves, but not anymore.
Restrictions on the eastern gate had also been lifted. Still, since there was a chance that black wolves might still be lurking around, hunters moved in groups toward the northern areas, and those foraging for herbs or wild greens continued to go out with soldiers. But having seen no wolves for months, it seemed only a matter of time before they could roam freely as before.
As usual, they hunted black wolves and returned to the castle. They sold the hides and magic stones and split the profits. Tia, handling the calculations, handed bags of money to Yuda and Jeanne.
“Good work today.”
“Um… thank you.”
Jeanne looked hesitant, fidgeting slightly as if something was on her mind. After spending a year with her, he had come to know her well—she was a fine knight. Honest, upright, and never one to speak in vague metaphors when she had something to say. She always spoke plainly and directly. So the fact that she was hesitating now meant whatever she had to say must be something truly important.
“What’s up, Jeanne? You got something to say?”
At Yuda’s question, Jeanne let out an “Ah” and bowed her head deeply.
"Um… I’d like to end the request as of today. Thank you so much for everything until now. We didn’t manage to find the fragment, but I think this time together helped me grow in many ways."
Tia and Yuda exchanged a quick glance before looking back at Jeanne.
“Is something going on?”
She spoke with difficulty.
“No, nothing’s happened, but something’s coming up. You know I’m a trainee, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Blue lance knights get two to three years of free time during their training period. They can work for the empire, go on adventures, or train—use the time freely. When that time ends, they return to the homeland for an exam to advance from trainee to mid-level knight. My time’s almost up, so… I plan to spend the remaining period exploring the western forest.”
Yuda and Tia nodded at her words. It was sudden, but she had her own circumstances, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Then how about a quick drink tonight before we part ways?”
“Alcohol?”
Jeanne’s eyes rolled as she considered, licking her lips, clearly tempted. Tia threw in some bait.
“My treat. At the most expensive place.”
“I think that’s a great offer. Shall we go now?”
“Let’s wash up and meet again. Hehe.”
The conversation proceeded without including Yuda.
“Wait a sec, Tia. If you’re going drinking, what about me?”
“I’ll bring you something tasty when I’m back~ You’ll have to wait at home.”
As if he’d asked something obvious, Tia grinned. Saying “See you later,” she grabbed Yuda and headed home. Jeanne, the blue lance knight, chuckled at the sight of Yuda being dragged by the wrist, then bowed deeply in farewell, as if in a moment of silent respect. With a slightly lighter step, she turned and left.
“Wait, are you really leaving me behind?”
Tia’s eyes curved like crescent moons as she walked home with a light step, clearly excited about drinking for the first time in a while.
"I have no choice, kiddo. You haven't had your coming-of-age ceremony yet. Well, no one would say anything if you drank, but there would be some side glances. Why? Is it because it's night, or is it because you can’t be alone without your master?
It was a playful jab at a kid. Yuda sighed.
“…Ugh, fine. Just don’t drink too much and come back early.”
She only gave an enigmatic smile and didn’t answer. After all, it was pointless to say such things to someone like her, an adult. Saying she would wash up first, she headed to the bathroom, and Yuda, watching her back as she left, lay down on the couch in the living room
“Ugh, I feel left out. I want to drink too.”
The cooking wine at home wasn’t tasty. In a few months, he would be able to drink as much as he wanted, but by then, he probably wouldn’t feel like it. Rolling on the sofa, feeling sleepy before Tia finished showering, Yuda sighed and opened his status window to check his stat gains.
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***Author’s Note***
What? Yuda’s status? He went from 13 to 15! If it feels like the middle part was seriously skipped, it’s just your imagination.
Huh, what are you all talking about?
I don’t have a girlfriend. No way I would. If I did, I wouldn't be writing, I'd be out having fun every day. Haha! The girlfriend talk in the last afterword was just me responding to a reader’s comment!
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