Barun counted the stacks of crates in front of him before writing down the amount on the paper he was holding. Around him were many people going back and forth, moving crates and many other things besides crates. There were like, cages of small and average sized beasts, churns containing milk and other kinds of water, sacks of grains and fruits, and a bunch of other things.
The old man was in the warehouse behind the castle, already finished submitting the harvest from Letush. Listing these crates was not supposedly his job, but the young man with this job had excused to relieve himself, so he was just helping him for a while. Thankfully, the worker was doing a great work in his job, so there were actually many things that had been listed there and Barun wasn’t having any difficulty filling which.
He felt a tap on his shoulder and a voice called him. “Old Barun! I’m back!” the young man who had excused himself had arrived.
Barun smi
Jai’s action had shocked the people in the room, and he knew this would happen. He ever saw this in animes and movies where the person doing this was already desperate for help. It was said that this pose shows weakness and humiliation in a man, and Jai could understand why it was deemed as such after experiencing it for himself.But if this is needed to change James’s heart, he would. Miria was an important person to him right now. Not because she’s Barun’s granddaughter, but she was his friend and a sister like figure to him by now. He might not see her that often, but she was always welcoming towards him and looking forward to his stories whenever he’s around. Jai would do anything to help her.However, due to the different culture in this world, the dogeza Jai was performing was not only considered as a pleading gesture but also respect in the most highest order. The exaggeration was necessary as it was a gesture only per
Jai and Darrion stayed for half an hour more after that, enjoying the food and drinks prepared while talking about the competition and the training in the mausoleum. They did not disclose anything about the incident in the mausoleum, but it was more like about the mausoleum itself. Like who lived there, what it looks like, any notable features or figures anyone needed to know before visiting it, all that stuff. Since it was high in the mountain, there were only few visitors from the kingdom, so not many know about the mausoleum’s existence.The two left nearing five o’clock, and Jai promised Greta to pick her up in the Ministry at 8 o’clock in the morning. After the Oakshens bid them goodbye and entered their home again, Greta hugged her father.“Algreta? Is there a reason for this sudden affection?” James asked his daughter. He didn’t hug her back right away, but a smile was painted on his face.Greta smiled and tightened the
After their temporary settlement was destroyed, or, they assumed it was destroyed in the fight, they had nowhere else to relocate. Slimes don’t exactly have the intellect of a human that is more advanced than them in so many ways. Starting from… ehm, limbs, for example, and the rest can be forgotten.The mud slimes had been hiding in the forest a little bit to the east of the swamp, in fear of all the threats they had avoided few hours prior. They had nowhere else to go and they were starting to get dry. After the fight with those toads and the sudden appearance of that sparky sparky human, the mud slimes decided to go leave the area. Totally avoiding the perimeter as they didn’t want to be history. But the plains were to plain to see, and they weren’t exactly small in number, so they hid in the forest.One of the adult slimes scouted the perimeter and noticed the human and the toads had left. So they left their hiding place and went near the r
“Push it harder, Jay!” an old man with very short white hair said, gesturing a punch with his right hand.A small boy beside him grunted, his stance slackened a bit. “My name is Jai, grandpa! It’s not Jay!”“Your name is inspired by the Jay bird. It is a very special bird, making you also special. Now to live up to that name, correct your stance, and go again!” the old man corrected his stance and gestured him to punch forward.The little boy looked like he wanted to protest, but somehow, he decided not to. He swallowed the knot in his throat and punched his fist forward.“HAA!!” The old man shouted loudly and gallantly as the little boy punched forward. The sudden shout startled the boy that he jolted, indicating that he wasn’t used to his grandfather shouting beside him. But it reminded him of what the old man had told him before they started all of this.“Come, my boy. Shout your
Jai crossed the street and arrived at the Ministry. He figured that since this was an official business, she would be at her office to do some paperwork first, or at least, inform her colleagues that she’s leaving to get the report. However, looking at the building first hand made him feel that he might have forgotten something. He double checked everything starting from his wallet a.k.a pouch, his ID token, and his scarf. He didn’t bring anything else with him since he didn’t think he needed anything more. He couldn’t remember anything else he had forgotten, but since everything’s in its place, he didn’t think much of it and walked to the Ministry’s Office.When he entered the building, he was not surprised that there were quite some people already lining up. He looked at the clock and was glad that he only took one hour and a half again today. He ordered a mount from the gate to get here since he didn’t want to be sweaty. Asid
Fortunately for Jai, it was only around ten minutes trip. So the humiliation was over quickly. He didn’t really realize the route was the same as the one used in the tournament until halfway to the designated place. Now that he had the chance to look at it, the path was actually made for passing and it split into a fork halfway to the Lake.There was another path leading south, and there two rock walls that Jai assumed was as tall as an adult’s waist. There was a sign at the intersection that read ‘Water Border’. He was sure he didn’t saw that sign before, but he might not remember it correctly since he was too focused on the race rather than his surroundings.“Where that leads to?” Jai asked pointing to the other path after they passed.“The border of the Water Kingdom. It’s a long way from here, and might take at least a day and a half to get there on foot. Th
They ran together to the source of the sound and saw a scene. There were some people near the lakeside ahead, far from the houses and near the wall made of round rocks that was meant as the border around the lake. Around twenty meters away from the border were people and bushes like creature with tentacles. Some people were being lifted into mid-air by the tentacles and they were waving their hands around when they saw the newly coming group while the others came over to report the situation.“Help! The mandrakes came back!” shouted one of the people in mid-air.“Yes, we can see that, Arlo,” the woman said calmly. She was trying to be calm so that her subordinates would not panic, as they were right now. “Calm down. Just stay still, they won’t throw you away if you behave.”“But, Mrs. Rustess, their hold tightens up today! Ack! Any tighter I’m sure my bone will crack!” the other one said, and then sudde
“How do you know there’s a trouble in here?” Jai asked as he watered one mandrake with a watering can. The mandrake was tip-toeing happily on the ground, its tentacles resting on its sides as it tried to soak as much water as it could. Jai smiled and watered its tentacles too, much to its pleasure.Mac was holding out his hand as a water rained down on three mandrakes at the same time. There was no cloud whatsoever above them, but Mac was using his power to make it rain in that single spot. “Your thunder is a big giveaway, pal. I saw it flaring in the distance, so I ran here immediately.”They were watering the mandrakes a bit far away from the lake right now. Some of the farmers that suffered no injury had joined them in watering the plant monsters. Two guards stood close by to watch over them, in case any further trouble came up. But it seemed that the problem was resolved already, if the dancing mandrakes on
Jai felt something wrapped around his stomach from behind. He immediately looked down to his waist, spotting two smaller sized hands coiling on his waist.‘A kid, obviously. But who is it?’ Jai wondered. This was a baby shower event, so he wasn’t feeling weird if children attend too. The question is, who is this kid?He tried to turn around to look at the hugger, but the kid was hugging him tight. It wouldn’t be hard to push it, but he was reluctant because it’s a kid. He knew there’s nothing he could do but ask.“Oh? Hello? Is there anything you need?” Jai asked with a friendly tone.He could hear giggles, but the kid didn’t answer his question.“Oh are we playing guess?” Jai asked.More giggles.“It’s a boy.” Someone whispered from his left side. A familiar voice yet he could not name.“Hey!” The boy protested.But from that tone alone, Jai could already figure out who it is. So he said. “Hello, Ruta-kun.”The kid let him go and Jai could finally turn around. True, it was Ruta. The
On the day when the baby shower was held, Jai arrived at the place with Baji.The venue is in a mansion in the North Town. Jai hadn’t been in that certain neighbourhood, but he finally understood that the North Town is the place for the riches, and the neighbourhood they were in is probably among the richest. The mansion building is tall, and the garden is so wide. There’s a medium sized pond with two gazebos on the side, and then there’s also a small orchard on the right side of the mansion.Baji leaned in to whisper something. “The party is in the back garden. And keep your mouth shut, please. You’re a famous guy and I don’t want you looking stupid.” Then he leaned back.Jai immediately closed his unconsciously parted lips and recited the plan. He couldn’t, of course, confront an important figure of a clan in a crowded venue. So Baji and Gilbert had made a plan to help him talk alone with Fuuji Fu in the venue. He just have to make sure he could deal with the ‘fans’, though he hoped
It isn’t a doubt that Cynthia was reluctant to share that information with Harris because Jai was there. So Jai proposed to the brunette to re-visit the place later in the day to ask about it.Baji was there when they returned, and Jai immediately told him about the findings he got also to consult about the Fiery Lotus.Baji crossed his arms on his chest and nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s fortunate that a promising lead is finally here. We’re sorry for the late initiative from our part. We should’ve worked harder.”He didn’t think that he would receive an apology from Baji. But it showed that the man is a responsible person. Jai shook his head. “It’s alright. From the start, it was already a scavenger hunt. But do you know anything about either of those?”Baji fixed his seating before he explained. “Well about the Chief of Fuuji, he’s a strict person on males. He’s nice to females, and he’s really into babies. There’s only one male person he had shown his friendly side to in public,
“So uhh, this person whom you mentioned before with Tsubasa is a very important person. And you want to ask him about Alex?” Darrion asked when they were in the carriage, heading back.Jai narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you being straightforward?”“I’m a bit tired from today. There are so many deliveries like yesterday. But ahh… I’m more tired in trying to understand what they say.” Darrion said with nervous smile.Jai forgot that his friend is not adept in Shouha language, it must be hard to work without understanding what anyone is saying.“Sorry.” Jai apologized.Darrion nodded. “It’s fine. Let’s just stick to no name for now, if possible. I… Can’t really erect a barrier right now.”“Sure.” Jai nodded. “The… Family, you know, told me about him. Saying that he is the first person we can ask about Alex. But he has a very high standing, as you’ve listened to me and the father talked about him, so it won’t be easy to talk to him.”“I see. So that’s why you go to them. They can be consi
"Sorry if it's too much of me to ask." Jai said."Oh no, no. It's fine. But my mother is not at home though, is that alright?" Yuta asked as he turned to Jai and Darrion behind him."It's alright. It's very sudden after all." Jai said."Alright then. Would tea be alright?" Yuta asked."Yes. It's fine. Thank you." Jai answered.Fu Fuuji is the head chief of one of the notorious Ten Guardian Clans, the Fuuji clan. After leaving the Komatsu’s residence, he was thinking about how to get in touch with this person. And the Akamine clan is the first thing that came into Jai’s mind.While they don’t really owe him a favor, this family is the closest connection that he has to the Fuuji clan, because they’re also one of the Ten Guardian Clans.Also, he knew that it’s not guaranteed that he would get an audience with Fu Fuuji through the Akamine. There’s a possibility that they are enemies with each other. But he would at least try to ask. So here they were, in the Akamine clan’s residence.Yuta
Returning to the present.“Little Sparks. Fiery Lotus. What the hell are those?” Jai asked as they left the compound.“Quiet down. You’re gonna get us killed for that.” Claude remindedJai turned around and talked in slight whisper. “If it’s associated with the Queen, that means it’s very private. In the North Town, in a community place like thing. It doesn’t ring any bells from the previous search. Do you know anything about it?”He saw an empty horse mount coming in their direction and waved it.The mount stopped in front of them and they immediately climbed in the carriage. “Southeast Windlet Post Office.” He told the horse mount driver.Weaving the air barrier thicker, Claude replied. “I don’t. I’m a hunter, not a mercenary. How do you suppose I know these things?”Jai smiled shortly with a shrug. “Maybe? Ah… But this is a major progress in the case. At least we know he’s not dead, and it will take more effort to rescue him now.” Jai smiled.Claude stared at Jai suspiciously. “Why
They were led to a corridor which have several doors across from each other. Alex immediately knew they are resting rooms, because he could see a bed from one of the opened doors.One of the committees, the previous guy who shot the Cloud Viewing Rune in the ceremony, pulled his hood down, showing his blonde hair. Then he turned around while the other committees went past him, leaving him to deal with the new freshmen batch.“Good morning. My name is Liam. I am one of the guild members and I am one of the supervisors of the freshmen. Well, not really supervisor, but I’m the one they put in charge to look after you when the super seniors are out. Like right now. Oh and umm, I’m not alone. I have my friends with me to look after you. So please don’t do anything rash, because we outpower you by a lot. And we prefer not to hit you, because you’re a potential junior. Please be nice to each other, okay?”Alex didn’t really pay attention. He stopped listening when he uttered the fourth sente
That morning on the day when Jai went to the Komatsu’s house, Alex had already settled in ‘the place’.He wasn’t familiar with the kingdom, as such, he didn’t know where he was taken to.And since he was late, he was grouped with those who were also late. Many eyes stared at him when he entered the room—it was an average room with beds—reserved only for those who arrived late.Apparently, those who arrived first had attended the ceremony and the first phase—and those who were late had to attend on their own. But they would be gathered together after that, and he would be able to meet his roommate. That was what Master Fu said yesterday when he dropped him off. But the old man wasn’t lying.He went through a sleepless night—because there were many others here that he didn’t know and he wasn’t keen on getting surprise attacked in the middle of his sleep. But the night went by uneventfully, fortunately.He and the others were given a tray of scone and tea to start the day. He didn’t eat
“Don’t. Test. Me.”Jai’s eyes glowed brighter for a second as he emphasized the last words.The civilians, of course flinched at his threat. All of them knew him as a humble and righteous young man. Always smiling and looked very kind. They never knew this side of him. That’s why they were very surprised. The Kizuato group wasn’t included though, they were there exactly to prevent Jai doing what he planned to do.Akane, who had have enough of her parents’ plan, stood up.“Akane-chan!” Rio tried to stop her, but she went anyway and spoke.But instead of retaliating at the guest in their house like the rest of her family, she was looking at her mother instead. “Just tell him, mother!”Rio frowned deep at her. “What are you saying, Akane?”Akane gritted her teeth. “Just tell him!! If you tell him, no one will be hurt!”Rio shut her mouth and swallowed, but she didn’t say anything.Akane looked at her mother with bewildered expression. “If you don’t, then I will.” She turned to Jai. But