𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓
(5)
Summarizing Luo’s fragmented story, he descended from “Jaw Gate” to the middle layer and encountered the Rock King Eagle, which he ambushed and defeated. Afterward, he returned after eating the Rock King Eagle’s egg left in the nest.
Saji couldn’t believe the story at first, but he knew Luo never lied.
ㅤ
“You ate the eggs of a demon beast. Are you okay?”
“I had a stomachache.”
“That’s only natural.”
ㅤ
Just surviving is a stroke of luck.
The eggs of demon beasts contain immense power, but they are highly toxic to human bodies.
The immense power refers to the special abilities that the demon beast possesses from birth.
For example, the rock lizards that also inhabit the Grand Canyon have the ability to cling to rock walls. That’s why even among the moss collectors, who have weak blessings from “Ishigami-sama,” some are drawn to those eggs.
Nevertheless, no one tries to find and eat them. If someone did, they would have to be a fool pushed to the brink.
The poison in demon beast eggs is potent, and the chances of survival are said to be less than ten percent. The power obtained at such a risk is far inferior to that of the demon beast. Even if one were to eat a rock lizard egg and miraculously survive, it is not guaranteed to be more useful than the strong blessing of “Ishigami-sama.” In the first place, Luo, who possesses the strong blessing of “Ishigami-sama,” has no need for such power.
ㅤ
“Tell me the story of the guy who ate a rock lizard egg. Don’t eat them.”
“I ate Rock King Eagle eggs.”
“I see.”
ㅤ
Encountering Rock King Eagle itself is rare, and he hadn’t anticipated a situation where he would reach its egg.
He should have said, “If it comes to this, we shouldn’t eat Rock King Eagle’s eggs either.” No, after a long period of waiting, Luo’s stamina must have been at its limit. He probably had to eat the egg to get the nutrition he needed.
With that in mind, Saji decided to accept it.
ㅤ
“Well, it’s fine. Is your body okay?”
“Different.”
ㅤ
Strangely, his body’s wounds had disappeared, and there was no longer any fatigue or hunger.
ㅤ
“That’s a good thing.”
“More than that, different.”
ㅤ
Luo seemed to be struggling with the explanation.
Saji knew from experience that it’s best not to rush in such times.
ㅤ
“I see, something strange.”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Having reached the conclusion that evidence was more important than arguments, Luo squatted down slowly and placed his hand on the ground. A part of the ground then shone with rainbow colors and, with a metallic clashing sound, was gouged out.
Luo stood up.
An amorphous mass emitting rainbow colors danced on the boy’s hand. The rainbow-colored mass shrank and formed a certain shape.
It was the familiar stone idol of this village, “Ishigami-sama.”
Internally, Saji was astonished.
Rock King Eagle was known for its ability to freely change the shape of the Grand Canyon’s rock walls to build its nest. Luo must have absorbed that ability.
This had become a troublesome situation.
ㅤ
“Don’t make a big hole in front of the shop.”
“Ah.”
“And your eyes have changed color.”
ㅤ
Luo’s pupils were faintly glowing red.
ㅤ
“It’s easy to see.”
“Birds of prey have good eyesight, you know. Plus, it seems Rock King Eagles have night vision. You must have inherited that ability.”
ㅤ
After a while, Luo’s eye color returned to normal.
With such an obvious change, there was no way to hide it. Saji sighed heavily and then scratched his head.
ㅤ
“Those who survive by eating demon beast eggs can gain mysterious powers. Now, what you used is that power. People with such abilities are called wizards.”
“Wizards?”
“That’s right. From now on, things will get complicated.”
ㅤ
Wizards were feared by the people. There was no way normal people would enter demon beast nests to gain power, where the fatality rate exceeded ninety percent.
In Luo’s case, it wasn’t intentional, but that’s how he was seen by those around him.
The country wouldn’t just leave such dangerous individuals alone. Those identified as wizards were required to register their personal information with the authorities and were subjected to various constraints. Reporting them was also encouraged, so it was difficult to hide in populated areas.
Wizards placed under the government’s control were assigned jobs that matched their abilities. By the way, they had no right to refuse.
Saji observed Luo’s condition.
He is flipping over the self-made statue of “Ishigami-sama” and checking its quality.
Saji couldn’t have imagined this boy writing application documents at the municipal counter. His mind is about to explode, fearing he might lose consciousness.
ㅤ
“Luo, go home today and rest. Moss collection is prohibited tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
ㅤ
Luo didn’t like having a different daily routine from usual. He didn’t know what to do and felt anxious.
That’s why Saji gave Luo instructions.
ㅤ
“You avenged our parents, didn’t you? So, tomorrow, visit their graves and report it properly. And also, you’ve been away from home for five days. Clean up, do the laundry, have a meal, and then go to bed quietly. Got it?”
“Y, Yeah.”
ㅤ
Saji headed to the moss collector guild on foot.
It was a two-story building next to the communal well. Even though it was a sunny daytime, a few moss collectors were hanging around in the bar on the first floor.
ㅤ
“Oh, Saji-chan, long time no see.”
“Hey, Mama, is the boss upstairs?”
ㅤ
The middle-aged woman serving at the counter smiled.
ㅤ
“Right now, he’s doing the accounting of the sales, so he might be in a good mood.”
“That’s convenient.”
ㅤ
Saji went upstairs and reported to Gordu, who was doing financial calculations at his desk, that Luo had survived.
ㅤ
“The kid defeated the Rock King Eagle and ate a demon beast egg?”
ㅤ
Gordu, who should have been in a good mood, suddenly became displeased.
He stared at Saji suspiciously, but when Saji showed him the feathers and eggshell fragments that Luo had brought back from the Rock King Eagle, his expression became solemn.
ㅤ
“So, the kid became a wizard?”
“Yes, well, I confirmed it with my own eyes. He seems to have the ability to manipulate earth and stones without using tools.”
“This is bad!”
ㅤ
Although Saji didn’t see it as a particularly dangerous ability, it seemed Gordu perceived it otherwise.
ㅤ
“Perhaps those who hold a grudge against me have gained power.”
“Luo doesn’t hold a grudge against you.”
“How would I know! If it were me, I wouldn’t let someone who abandoned their parents go.”
ㅤ
“Don’t lump him with you,” Saji thought bitterly.
ㅤ
“This needs to be reported to the village chief. You come too!”
ㅤ
Gordu took Saji to the village chief’s house and had him explain about Luo.
It seemed he intended to make a big deal out of it.
The village chief was a kindly old man who remembered Luo’s father.
ㅤ
“Oh, Theo’s boy. That mischievous little boy.”
ㅤ
However, one cannot go against the rules of the country. As a result of the discussion, as Saji had anticipated, a conclusion was drawn.
Luo would be sent to the city of Arche to register as a wizard.
The city of Arche is one of the major fortified cities in the kingdom. It borders an area called “wilderness” where many demon beasts reside, and many rogues like beast hunters and wizards live there. There are many shops catering to these inhabitants, so it’s bustling but not very safe.
Saji wished for a little more time.
ㅤ
“Reporting to the country is our duty. I also believe Luo should be registered. However, Luo is still a child. Moreover, he’s grieving the death of his parents. Can’t we wait just five, no, three more years? I promise to supervise him closely.”
“I see.”
“Village chief!”
ㅤ
The village chief seemed hesitant, but he was eventually persuaded by Gordu’s argument.
ㅤ
“Keeping someone identified as a wizard unchecked isn’t good for our village. It can be seen as betraying the kingdom. Besides. . . . . .”
ㅤ
With a low growl, Gordu warned,
ㅤ
“Someone might inform on us. Someone might.”
ㅤ
The identity of the informer was clear.
In the city of Arche, there was an wholesale merchant who had a close relationship with the Moss Collector Guild, regularly supplying them with moss. Luo would join this merchant’s caravan.
Furthermore, Gordu declared that Luo would be expelled from the Moss Collector Guild.
Because Luo had become a wizard. Having such a lowly person would tarnish the guild’s reputation. The other moss collectors would be uneasy. As a leader, Gordu couldn’t overlook such a situation.
It sounded reasonable, but in essence, the timid Gordu just wanted to distance himself from Luo, who might resent him.
The moss collectors are closely knit. If Luo had been active normally, he might have been able to rally the support of others to overturn the expulsion.
However, Luo, with his unique circumstances, was treated differently.
Since Saji was intervening and assisting between him and the guild, Luo had no acquaintances. It seemed he even faced jealousy from moss collectors of his age. And Saji, having retired as a moss collector, had no standing to initiate such actions.
With no rebuttals, Gordu nodded in satisfaction.
ㅤ
“I’ll make sure to escort the young lad all the way to the City Hall of Arche. It won’t do if he runs away on the way. If he’s suitable, he should be introduced to a job by the nation. Even if he’s a child, he’s a full-fledged moss collector. There’s no need to worry so much, right?”
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Eren Yeager vs. Gundam: Who Would Win in a Titan-Sized Showdown?
- Study Guide: Lofi or Punk Emo? The Soundtrack to Smashing Your Next Exam (Like a Boss)
- The Great Manhua Crash: Why the Hype Died Down
- My Gacha Gaming Habit is Bleeding My Bank Account Dry: How to Stop Before You Go Broke
- Unlocking Your Inner Naruto Fox: Finding Your Sasuke and Mastering the Sharingan
Leave a Reply