Chapter 250 COUNT KAGEHAMA (1)

It was a chaotic night.

Because Kajsa, the beheading witch of the Ophand family who was believed to have died, and Sebastian Leguin, the Sword of Swiftness who had gone missing, had both returned alive, though the latter was unconscious.

Theres also us.

The young heroes who saved the royal capital.

The couple of the century who were well-known in the entire kingdom.

The two people, who in the royal capital had created the trend of running away because of love, were now in the south, and they had also saved Kajsas life, so from the gossipers point of view, it was a complete feast of topics.

But isnt it strange? Sea Wolf Kajsa was captured by the pirates.

Why is Sebastian Leguin unconscious in the first place? Moreover, hes with Kajsa. Could it be that Sebastian is her kidnapper no, hes involved in her kidnapping case?

Its also strange that the fantasy couple saved Kajsa.

Maybe theyre also involved with it?

The 12 northern families and the 7 southern families? Thats impossible.

Anyway, I caught a glimpse of Lady Cordelia from afar, and she was indeed as beautiful as an angel just like the rumors.

Wasnt there a rumor that shes actually a real angel?

Have you lost your mind? You believe in that rumor? Except for Lena, theres no other angel in the world. Shes the only angel left in this world. It can only be Holy Angel Lena.

Uh, is that so?

Why are the fantasy couple here in the south anyway?

Is something going to happen in the south?

Because when they thought about it, huge events always happened wherever the fantasy couple passed by.

It happened in the north, in the wild lands beyond the borders, and even in the royal capital recently!

If the gossipers had also known about the incidents in the Forest of Eternity and the Kraken in the sea, they would have been convinced that Jude and Cordelia were like a plague, but fortunately, they didnt know about that.

In any case, as the rumormongers gathered and tattled, the bards also began to sing eagerly everywhere.

Some made new songs by combining the rumors on how Kajsa was saved, while others sang songs from the royal capital that told about Jude and Cordelias past activities because they were still uncertain about the recent events.

Jude, did you hear that? Our names are being sung in the song.

It was also a very dirty love song.

The embarrassed Cordelia pulled Judes sleeve, and he whispered in a low voice.

Theres also a play.

A play?

Yes, a play in which you and I are the main characters. And its not just one as there are several of it too.

Whats the play about?

When Cordelia asked in embarrassment, anticipation, and anxiousness, Jude whispered small again.

Like how we fought the Lord Protector, how you and I Oh, that person is talking about us.

Huh?

Its a one-person play. She must be a storyteller.

As he pointed to a corner instead of passing through the night market, they saw a female storyteller and several people sitting in groups and listening to the story.

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.

Then have my lips the sin that Milord has took? Or has Milord took the sin from my lips?

O, trespass sweetly urged! Lady Cordelia, give me my sin again.

You kiss by the book.

T/N: The above 4 lines are direct references to a kissing scene in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The lines are taken from Act 1, Scene 5, with some minor differences and additions. Obviously, there are no Milord and Lady Cordelia in the original lines, and the sentence Or has Milord took the sin from my lips is added by the author and not part of the original lines.

Cordelia was in a daze as she listened, and blushed when the storyteller glanced into the air alone.

W-whats that?

No, whats that about? Is that about a kiss? W-while saying those cheesy lines?

W-wait!

We havent kissed yet! Not on the lips!

Weve never kissed on the lips, so why is she talking about that?!

Whats with your reaction? Dont tell me you havent kissed that lewdly like those rumors?

Cordelia groaned at Kajsas question before she pursed her lips, and Kajsa giggled as she spoke again.

Hey, youre already like that when its just that much? There are a lot more erotic versions.

T-theres more?

Yes, arent love scenes essential in love stories?

Cordelia blinked her eyes and swallowed hard before she clung to Scarlet as if she was running away.

The south is weird. The south likes erotic stuff.

Scarlet had a bitter smile at Cordelias words.

These stories were only exported to the south as they were originally from the north and the royal capital.

But Jude was looking at the storyteller in curiosity aside from what she was talking about.

Isnt that Shakespeare?

To be exact, it was Romeo and Juliet.

It was a scene where a pilgrim encourages a saint to kiss him by saying that she should replace her hands with her lips.

Well, its just a coincidence.

People lived in Pleaides and the world they lived in their past lives.

There could have been someone who had a similar idea to Shakespeare.

Anyway, lets hurry. Count Kagehama is this way.

Kajsa spoke as she pulled down the hood that hid her face, and the group nodded as they moved forward.

Argon Port had a night market that was open regularly, so it became quite noisy when Marquis Ophand held a small festival celebration too for Kajsas return.

Right there.

Count Kagehamas mansion.

Unlike the center of the port that had bright lights even in the middle of the night, the outskirts were quiet and even calm.

Having climbed on top of a low wooden building, Kajsa looked at a distance, and Jude and Cordelia also turned to the same place.

[I think its similar to the houses that we robbed in the royal capital.]

[Because its a house of one of the 7 southern families. Its a mansion where the family head lives.]

Although the 7 southern families had their own territories, most of them lived in Argon Port which was under the direct jurisdiction of the royal family.

Scarlet, are you sure about this?

That the token was in this place and not in their fief.

Im certain. Right now, it isnt just Count Kagehama as most of the 7 southern families keep their tokens in Argon Port. Thats why theyve been robbed in succession.

Kajsa nodded at the explanation of Scarlet that she said in a low voice.

Given Kajsas facial expression, the token of Marquis Ophand seemed to be in Argon Port too.

Rather than that, Black Cloak, are we really not going to send a notice card?

Scarlet was highly dissatisfied about that more than the others.

I know its urgent, but I cant believe were not sending a notice that the Rogue Master is going to appear. Its hard to accept that.

Sending a notice will provoke the that thief. So how about we send it now?

No, not this time. Isnt it a bit offensive to send a notice just before you steal it in the first place? We cant give them time to respond. If you care about the Rogue Masters reputation, its better if we dont send it.

Thats true, but

Cant you just send a notice now and come tomorrow?

Jude shook his head again at Scarlets gaze.

Were in a situation where we dont know how that thief will act. So lets secure Count Kagehamas token first and send a notice before we rob Count Luculias token. Then we can catch that thief.

Jude and Cordelias goal was to collect the tokens.

It was not to stop that unidentified thief.

Hmm

At this point, Scarlet had no choice but to back down.

After all, she was quite rational.

Then, are we really going to wear this when we steal? Why are you wearing a rabbit headband in the first place? Though its cute, of course.

Cordelia, who was wearing a rabbit ears headband and a butterfly-shaped mask out of habit, responded in a flustered manner at the words of Kajsa.

Well, this is the tradition of the Rogue Master

Hey, theres no such tradition, okay? Stop making up stuff!

As Scarlet growled, Cordelia made an eueueu sound.

If I say that its Judes taste, theyll think of him as a pervert.

He is a pervert, but I hate it if others call him a pervert.

If Jude had read her thoughts, he would have strongly denied that he was a pervert, but the two had not made eye contact, so it was impossible for him to know that.

Anyway, its fine because its cute. And Pink Bomb is known for her butterfly mask and rabbit ears headband, so its like my official uniform.

Wait, why are you wearing a rabbit ears headband in the first place?

How did the Rogue Masters clothes end up like this

After listening to Kajsas question and Scarlets laments, Jude changed the subject like always.

Anyway, lets finish this chat and check our plans for the last time.

The thorough Scarlet had conducted an investigation in advance.

Written meticulously on the map were the places where the tokens that Carlos handed to the 7 southern family were. It also included the hiding place of the token, which was a fist-sized emblem that had the familys crest in it, as well as the structure of the mansions interior, and the movement and composition of the guards.

As expected of the Rogue Masters descendant. Youre amazing.

Wow, its indeed amazing to see this. Have you investigated my house like this too? Do you have one for my house?

Cordelia and Kajsas admiration made Scarlet chuckle and raise her chin up, but Jude drew everyones attention again.

Hey, were going to steal something from now on, right? Were not going on a picnic, okay?

Yeah, yeah, I know. Ill follow you. But we just have to wear a mask, attack them, get rid of everything in our way, and come out with the token. Easy, right?

Scarlet immediately frowned at Kajsas words, but Cordelia unconsciously nodded her head.

Come to think of it, most of our thefts in the royal capital was closer to an armed invasion rather than an elegant infiltration.

Its been a long time since I used the detonating cord.

Cordelia smiled again as she stroked the new detonating cord that Jude made.

Because she felt good from just touching it.

And when Cordelia entered her own world, Jude made a similar headache-stricken expression like Scarlet before he spoke.

Lets at least create a diversion. Well turn Count Kagehamas attention while you get the token.

Are we going to lure his troops by pretending to steal something else?

Yes, thats the plan.

Thats not stealing, thats an armed intrusion.

Scarlet let out a long sigh as Kajsa chuckled again.

Anyway, I dont like the plan, but I understand since we dont have much time. Black Cloak, if you and that beast girl are going head-on, Ill sneak in and take the Green Gods Tears that Count Kagehama treasured. Then theyll think that you guys are a diversion and focus their attention on me afterwards.

Then well leave after that, right? Well even say that the diversion is actually a trap! Is that right?

Yes, youre right. You have the most important role, Pink Bomb.

Cordelia giggled and looked proud at the words of Scarlet who frowned again before speaking.

Its because you have the Moon Crystal. Its the best means of escape.

The Moon Crystal was the Rogue Masters treasure that enabled short-distance space leaps.

Yes, its simple but effective. Anyway, lets go and move now.

Everyone nodded at Judes words, but suddenly

Boooooom!

The sudden explosion sound turned everyones attention. It was from Count Kagehamas mansion.

No way

Did someone get ahead of them in stealing?

Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Roars broke out in succession, and flames arose. A group of men dressed in black from head to toe were then seen crossing Count Kagehamas walls. At first glance, they seemed to number twenty, and were crossing the wall opposite the place where Jude and his group were. That was why they didnt notice it until the men attacked.

Wait, wasnt it only a thief?

Isnt that an army?

Scarlet could not answer Kajsas question right away. Because she was confused too.

S-something changed.

The thief didnt act like that when they previously robbed the four families.

No, maybe they were planning to attack from the very start?

Or is it possible that other forces intervened in this battle for the tokens?

Stop them!

Protect the count!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Loud bell sounds rang from inside the mansion alongside the shouts.

It was to call the royal knights who were in charge of the ports security.

What now? Are we just going to watch? I dont think these people are normal.

Even though they were hiding on the other side, Kajsa and Cordelia could tell that the intruders were not ordinary people.

Moreover, the movement of the people beyond the wall was unusual.

It was clear that they were a proper army and not a gathering of curious onlookers.

In response to Kajsas question, Jude made a quick decision.

We cant retreat now.

They just couldnt ignore these intruders even if they were not ordinary people.

They needed Carlos tokens in order to effectively stop Malekith.

We attack them.

Their black-masked group would squeeze into the chaos in Count Kagehamas mansion and take the token.

And subdue them.

Their target was that person whom they had referred to until now as that thief.

An unidentified thief who robbed the 7 southern families.

Even if it wasnt that thief, it would be fine.

They just had to subdue those attackers and gather more information.

Scarlet, you move separately and secure the token.

What about you?

At Scarlets question, Jude put on a black butterfly-shaped mask and took a deep breath. He looked back at Cordelia who blinked her eyes. But in Judes vision, her blue eyes were brightly sparkling.

As if answering Judes gaze, she grabbed the detonating cord on her waist while a dark smile spread across her face.

***

F*ck bang!