Some kind of black water was boiling in the pot. As Shura was stirring the mixture of charcoal water and all kinds of herbs carefully, it got more sticky and smelled a strong odor.
She scooped a little bit, smelled it, and then she asked me.
“Master, what do you think?”
After I dipped my finger into the mixture and smelled it, I made a very satisfied face. The density was good enough and it gave out a strong herb smell.
“It’s perfect.”
“Should I bring the bottle then?”
“Sure.”
Shortly after, she brought a small golden bottle with a legendary animal symbol of the Eastern continent style. The golden bottle’s name was ‘Winning’. She scooped the black mixture carefully and poured it into the golden bottle.
At that moment, Armida rushed into the kitchen.
“Hey, little bro, what are you doing here? It’s time to go.”
“Just give me a minute. It’s almost done.”
“What are you making right now?”
As she came to me and asked a question, I answered in a small voice.
“A gift.”
“For whom?”
“For an old, bald guy.”
“Oh, the Marquis Fabius?”
“Yeah. He’s the one of most powerful men in the Kingdom of Robros. So I should be nice to him.”
Soon, Kara would be conquered by the Kingdom of Robros. In other words, my main client would be the Kingdom of Robros instead of Kara. For future business, I should build good relationships with powerful people in the Kingdom of Robros. Armida glanced inside the steaming pot with subtle eyes.
“So, what is this black mixture? This is a gift for Fabius?”
“Oh, this is a hair growth solution. That old guy is always looking for hair growth solutions.”
Armida blinked her eyes several times.
“A hair growth solution? Hey, we can’t even make it in Kronos, the Sky City. That’s impossible.”
“I know. They are such helpless people who can never be saved.”
“So how can you make a hair growth solution?”
I put the cap on the golden bottle and put it into my pocket.
“All hair growth solutions are the same. You think they will work but in fact, they don’t work. It’s just false hope.”
“What the hell.”
I winked at Armida.
“This is our secret. If he knows it’s just a fake, he would get pissed off and draw his sword. Then I can’t take care of it.”
“Don’t do something you can’t take care of. Just buy another gift.”
“Well, I am short of money now.”
After subtracting my entertainment expenses, all the money I made in Kara was 2,753 riffs of gold in total and I had a number of Chaos Pieces as well. But I spent a huge sum of money to buy some housewares and to make Survival Kit No. 2 Magic Lantern. Moreover, I made Survival Kit No. 3 Magic Grenade Launcher of the highest class recently. It cost me 1,230 riffs of gold, including my living expenses for the last few weeks. I had only twelve riffs of gold left.
Of course, I could make 1,302 riffs of gold after completing this job so my financial situation would get better. But until then, I should tighten my belt.
Armida made a frowning face.
“You are short of money because you keep making some weird items.”
“Those items are very useful. You will see later.”
“Phew~ I don’t know man. Suit yourself.”
Once she left, I asked Shura to finish it off and followed Armida.
* * *
The nearby roads were very crowded with people who came to see the ambassadors from the Kingdom of Robros. There were large banners hanging in every street to welcome them. Guard troops on full alert were also in every corner of the city for any case of emergency. The visit of the ambassadors was a very special event so Kara made a massive preparation.
We walked leisurely on the blue stonewall walkway which encircled the Palace of Kara. The walkway was very clean and there was an extravagant mansion behind it. The Palace of Kara, a high Mosque-type building, was emanating lights that seemed particularly brighter today. The fruits of date palm trees along the walkway smelled so sweet.
“Hey, little bro, what kind of person is he?”
I answered her abrupt question with one word.
“In one word, a human butcher.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. When he goes to a battlefield, he becomes insane. There’s a bloodbath in every place he goes. So, some people who know him well sometimes call him ‘Honorary Orc’ because he doesn’t care about anything once a battle starts.”
“What the hell.”
“But at other times, you don’t have to be worried so much. He’s not a bad guy by nature. There are only a few things you should keep in mind.”
“What things?”
“Don’t call him a bald guy, a vulgar knight who became a Master, an honorary Orc, and so on.”
Except for the word bald, other words were not frequently used by people. Unless someone said those words on purpose, he wouldn’t hear them so often.
“That’s pretty easy. I don’t need to worry so much then.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
Before I knew it, we arrived near the main gate of the Palace of Kara.
Many government officers and soldiers were hurriedly passing by in front of the palace. They seemed very busy because of the welcoming event. I walked towards a chubby guy with a pale face jumping around everywhere. He was Razal, the Supreme Commander of Kara’s army.
“What are you doing, Razal?”
After he saw me, Razal with his short legs rushed towards me.
“Master! There’s a very serious problem.”
“What serious problem?”
“I have just got a call from the ambassadors of the Kingdom of Robros. And they said Marquis Fabius has disappeared since around dawn.”
“Marquis Fabius has disappeared? What are you talking about?”
“His bodyguards said it seems he has left for Kara. But we can find him anywhere in Kara right now.”
I closed my eyes. Dammit. This guy’s totally a maverick. Actually, he didn’t even follow an order of his king when he got pissed off.
“I see. I think I know where he is. So, I will go and find him.”
Razal opened his eyes wide.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s so obvious where he will go.”
“Then please go and find him. You never know what kind of secret plan he is setting up here in Kara.”
“Don’t worry. He won’t. He’s not a guy who uses a brilliant tactic or something.”
“But…”
What an incompetent man. He’s the Supreme Commander yet very impatient and frivolous. Appointing someone in a high position only because of his or her noble status has so many problems. How could such an impatient guy like him become the Supreme Commander? Kara must have serious problems.
Moreover, the real danger was someplace else instead.
His subordinates respected him so he must be receiving their support to some degree. But a war could not be won only by the support of subordinates.
I turned around and said to Armida.
“Hey sis, you should wait here. And don’t destroy the palace to show off your strength or something. I don’t have any money to repair those damages.”
Armida pouted her mouth.
“I am not a kid. Why the hell would I cause trouble here?”
“Because you are…”
“Don’t worry about me. Just go and find him.”
“Okay then. I will trust you.”
“Good. See you later.”
After saying goodbye to Armida, I ran to Zenbe’s street vendor. I was a little worried to leave her alone but Fabius was a much more unpredictable man. He always felt such pure joy every time when he had a fight with another swordsman.
If he and Zenbe met each other, nobody could know what would happen.
* * *
‘I knew it.’
From afar, I could see a huge, bald, old man sitting on the chair in front of the street vendor. He’s over 2 meters tall and his back was huge and bumpy. He had few white hairs only around the lower part of his head and a pair of Claymores were hung on his waist. He’s definitely Marquis Fabius.
What a hilarious scene though.
Making a huge smile and revealing his white teeth, Fabius was staring at Zenbe who was wiping and stacking dishes as if he didn’t know who Fabius was.
‘Stupid old men. Do they know each other or not?’
Of course, it’s 100% sure that they knew each other. The atmosphere around them was so scary that even I felt intimidated. There’s no doubt that Master Swordsmen of the highest rank would know each other.
“Hey human, welcome.”
As I walked closer to the street vendor, Zenbe welcomed me with a very gentle smile. He was acting so differently than before. Obviously, he was pretending to be calm in front of Fabius.
‘What the hell. They look like kids fighting each other to decide who will become a leader. Shame on both of them.’
Honestly, I didn’t have the courage to interfere with them because of the intimidating atmosphere. There was only the slightest tranquility that could be broken at any minute. The auras they’re spurting out were so sharp and murderous.
However, I had to stop them from fighting against each other to successfully complete my job requested by Razal. If I failed to stop them, there would be a huge problem.
Of course, I would be still alive but what about all the innocent passersby? And if one of them got killed by the other, Kara would end up with a horrible bloodbath. Thousands of the Orc mercenary soldiers who regarded Zenbe as their leader and a large troop of the Kingdom of Robros would go into a battle against each other in the center of the city of Kara.
I cleared my throat and butted in their conversation while pretending that I didn’t know their relationship.
“Hey uncle, who is this old guy?”
“Well, he seems like an Orc but he’s a bald head so he’s probably not an Orc because there’s no bald-headed Orc. We would rather behead ourselves instead of being a bald head.
It’s a 100% provocation. And it was a combo attack. After glancing at Fabius, I smoothed down my face. He looked pissed off for sure.
“Hey uncle, give me some food.”
“Sure. What do you want?”
Suddenly, Fabius butted in our conversation.
“Hey young man, this place makes delicious grilled food. An old Orc guy called Mogri has recommended it. So, it must be true.”
Grill and Mogri. Apparently, he was talking about Grolmogg by implication. What a stupid provocation. Who would get pissed off by such a stupid joke?
Zenbe smashed the cutting board with his kitchen knife. It was completely broken. Dammit. He got pissed off.
I hurriedly switched the topic.
“The same one I always have. You know it, right?”
“I got it. It’ll be ready soon.”
Zenbe clenched his teeth and turned around. As Zenbe stepped back, Fabius continued to provoke him.
“Hey boss, I’ve heard that Orc Berserker can fight or have sex for only a short period of time. Is every Orc like that?”
What the hell? He just degraded himself. This old guy was saying whatever came up in his mind. It would’ve been much more classy if he showed his naked ass in front of Zenbe. That was really a sick joke.
Zenbe chuckled.
“Well, through a human’s eyes, everything looks like a human. I’ve heard that a human can last only one minute. But when we Orcs are in a rage, we go on a distant journey.”
With embarrassed eyes, I stared at Zenbe who reacted to Fabius’ stupid provocation with his own terrible joke.
“Haha. One minute? I don’t think you know who I am.”
“Oh, I owe you an apology. You might be able to last about two minutes. I’ve heard that a bald guy can last longer.”
Fabius made a subtle smile and put both of his hands on the hilts of his swords. They’re at flashpoint now. It was really amazing that both of them got pissed off by stupid provocations.
Since their conversation skills were so poor, they should learn how to talk to others before improving their swordsmanship.
“Hey, both of you, why don’t you calm down and listen to me?”
Zenbe and Fabius both scowled at me simultaneously.
“Shut up, you human!”
“Hey kid, don’t meddle in our conversation.”
I was a little bit pissed off but stayed calm and patient. Calmness. Calmness.
“What will happen if you guys fight here? You should think about other people.”
Zenbe snorted.
“Seriously? A human cares about others? What a joke.”
“Hey uncle, I am currently working upon request of my client. I can’t let any trouble happen in Kara in regard to the ambassadors from the Kingdom of Robros.”
“That’s none of my business.”
“Hey uncle, I thought we’re friends.”
Fabius pushed my shoulder with his hand and stood up from his seat.
“Hey kid, don’t interfere in big men’s matters.
“Yeah, he’s right. This is between him and me. You should stay away unless you want to get hurt.”
‘What the f***? They are treating me like some kind of idiot. Shut up? Kid? Stay away? Who are they talking to right now?’
I got very pissed off so I smashed the table with all my strength.
“What the f***! Why do you keep trying to fight each other? Both of you guys are old men but acting like kids. Aren’t you guys ashamed of yourselves?”
Although they seemed a little embarrassed because I shouted in front of them, I still felt intimidated by their auras.
Zenbe tried to calm me down.
“Hey human, what’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me? I am actually disappointed by you. You’re a Master Swordsman of the highest rank so you should show some dignity and taciturnity. Yet, you’re talking about one minute or two minutes. What a joke.”
At that moment, I heard a loud laughter. Then I scowled at Fabius.
“Hey, you bald, old man. You should act cool even though sometimes people make fun of your baldhead. Yet, you’re being salty and acting childish. What a joke. How old are you? And you’ve just disappeared without notifying your people? Are you an adolescent boy or what? Phew~”
“Well, that’s…”
Fabius seemed very surprised and his face got red yet he couldn’t say anything.
I got off my butt and walked outside.
“Come with me, both of you. I know a good spot where no one would know even if one of you dies in a duel. Let’s just get it over with. I will be a judge and build a nice tomb for one of you as well. So hurry up!”
Both Fabius and Zenbe suddenly looked somewhere else. While Zenbe cleared his throat and started cooking meat again, Fabius made a sheepish face and started eating his fried munchies.
The Orcs and humans were all the same at any rate. They’re always arguing with one another yet when push came to shove, they were busy making excuses.
They should’ve behaved from the beginning. Some people were just immune to good advice, including these two. They’re like assholes who could realize their stupidity only after someone was about to get in serious danger.