Chapter 290-291

Double chapter to make up for yesterday. And since Inazuma will be released in Genshin on Wednesday, expect a delay in chapters for this week.

I changed Institutional Academy into Island Academy because episode 290 said that its name is based on an island.

Terms used in these episodes:

Closed Door Training

Usually seen in cultivation or murim fiction novels where training is done in seclusion in order to focus on breaking through a bottleneck, or to avoid becoming distracted at a crucial moment and suffering a backlash as a result.

After passing through Asain Pass, the party continued to the east and headed for Manaple, the academy city where the Imperial Academy was located.

It was not easy to enter a completely unfamiliar foreign country and visit a city one had never been to before, but for Jude and Cordelia who were rotten waters of

Legend of Heroes 2

, the empire was as familiar as the kingdom.

Moreover, the empire used the common language of the continent like the kingdom, so there was no linguistic difficulty.

But Im a little hesitant to talk. Isnt the pronunciation a bit different from ours?

Kajsa said and stretched her neck as they had been riding in a carriage for an hour.

She was usually bold, but after entering the empire, she was surprisingly acting so calm and cautious as though she was intimidated by the atmosphere of a foreign country.

Seeing Kajsa feeling relieved while she fanned with her hands as though she had been sweating, Lucas unconsciously smiled.

What? Why are you smiling?

No, well its just a little surprising.

Until they had crossed Asain Pass, Kajsa was clinging to Lucas and telling him to look over here and there, saying that the shape of the mountain was somehow different from that of the kingdom and so on. But right after they crossed the pass and began to see the empire, she completely shut her mouth.

Lucas, youve grown up, huh? Are you making fun of me?

Kajsa said a little threateningly, but even though they were in a carriage, she was acting quite different from usual because they were in the empire.

After all, her face was red in embarrassment.

Uh, yes, kind of.

Oh, so you did?

Lucas had a nonchalant smile instead of saying anything else, and Kajsa pouted and grumbled.

And Cordelia, who was watching the two, quickly pulled Judes sleeve.

[Jude, Jude. Are those two Perhaps?]

[No way, is it Lucas x Kajsa this time?]

[I think its Kajsa x Lucas?]

[Whats the difference?]

Didnt you just change the name order?

[No, theres a big difference, okay? This is a matter that can start wars, okay?]

[I dont understand what youre saying. Anyway, they suit each other.]

[Isnt it? They are, they are, right? Kajsas gap moe is cute, and Lucas is quite versatile. You can pair him with anyone. So you can say that hes versatile, right?]

[Excuse me, theyre all real people now, okay?]

[What do you mean? Anyway, I hope it works out.]

[Havent you paired him with Scarlet before?]

Before that, it was Red Wind.

[In fact, theres something Im looking forward to. Now that were in the empire, we can meet Scarlet, right? No, well definitely meet, so its going to be a love triangle]

[Do you like love triangles?]

[I just like to see it. Just see it.]

Cordelia said with a smile, and Jude nodded as he looked back at his sleeve that had begun to wrinkle from being held.

And it was at that moment.

Whats going on? Are you two having some secret conversation?

Having been flustered with her conversation with Lucas, Kajsa interrupted Jude and Cordelia to change the subject, so Cordelia said with a smirk.

Yes, we were. We were talking about how unnie is always by Lucas side. And how unnie would understand whoever Lucas will choose.

What?

Hehe.

Cordelia smiled again and looked at Lucas and Kajsa before saying.

Anyway, do both of you feel uncomfortable here in the empire?

Not really, Im a little nervous but I can still talk because everything seems to be normal?

When Kajsa replied first, Lucas nodded his head and answered with a serious expression.

Were still on the outskirts but Im glad I dont feel the atmosphere of war. At least it doesnt feel like war is imminent.

They were laughing and chatting, but now that the border blockade had been imposed, the empire was their enemy. Moreover, the party had illegally entered into such an enemy country.

I see, Im glad to hear that.

Jude replied with ease, but in fact, it was too early to be relieved.

In the first place, Asain Pass was in the empires outskirts, and this area was not region that had proper borders with the kingdom.

The real atmosphere of the empire was unknown until they entered the border area or in the vicinity of the islands.

Still, hes not entirely wrong.

If war was really imminent, the clouds of war would have gathered no matter how far the place was.

I didnt expect that Kaplan will be our lifeline here.

The existence of Kaplan, a trusted collaborator of theirs within the empire, was very precious now since they could not properly communicate with the Guardians of the Holy Cross in the empire.

Is he doing well?

He may have bad luck, but hes strong.

At the time when Jude unknowingly smiled as he remembered Kaplans kind smile despite his hardships.

Tok-tok.

There was a knock on the carriage door, and the door soon swung open, revealing Kirara.

Master! Master! The carriage will now be leaving!

As Kajsa had said, there were some pronunciation differences between the western region of the empire and the kingdom even though they spoke the same common language.

Therefore, Kirara, who could be a local, was in charge of their groups various transactions with the imperial people, including carriage procurement.

Okay, we understand. Good job. Come over here and sit down.

Yes! Master!

When Cordelia smiled and beckoned her, Kirara entered the carriage and sat right next to Cordelia with a smile.

She looked very cute as her eyes seemed to say Please praise me, I did well, right? Master is so nice!

Yes, yes, you did a really good job.

Hehehe.

At Cordelias compliment, Kirara shyly smiled and fiddled with her tail before she pushed her head towards Cordelia.

What that meant.

Cordelia was not quite as much as Kajsa, the original beast girl who immediately noticed what it meant, but she did understand so she stroked Kiraras head. Kirara wagged her tail with an expression as if she was the happiest in the world.

The power of money is amazing.

Kirara was a traitor.

A scammer would recognize a fellow scammer.

But even in the eyes of Jude, Kirara did not have any ulterior motives.

In short, she was not acting.

Well, its not just money.

Kirara was an actual orphan.

Moreover, she was the common property of the village and abused by the village chief, so she had never received any proper affection in her life until now.

A child of filthy thieves, a liar, and a betrayer.

Besides, she had been working for Mountain King until recently.

Thus, Kirara became chronically deprived of affection.

But right now, a person who could solve her lack of affection had appeared.

You really did well. Youre good. You did a good job. Youre competent.

A-a little more.

Huh?

Praise me more

Yes, yes, why not? Because you really did well. Because you did a great job. And youll do a better job in the future, right?

Cordelia said that and hugged her tightly, and tears welled up in Kiraras eyes.

It was the like the embrace of a mother whom she couldnt even properly remember now.

Moreover, Kirara was quick-witted, so she was able to understand it clearly.

Cordelias affection was unconditional.

She had no interest in taking advantage of Kirara, abusing her, or building a good impression before betraying her later. It was really just a giving of pure affection.

It was definitely not the first time Kirara had experienced this kind of situation. But she had never met anyone who treated her like this despite knowing who she was and what she had done in the past.

So Kirara faced Cordelia and tightly hugged back. Instead of expressing into words her feelings that were hard to articulate, she simply longed for the warmth of Cordelia.

And Jude had a bitter smile upon seeing that.

Because it was absolutely impossible for Jude to do what Cordelia did.

[Is it really impossible?]

Valencia-nim?

At the time when Jude wondered about her sudden question.

The carriage began running as Kirara had said, and late in the afternoon the next day, the party arrived at Manaple, the academy city where Kaplan was waiting.

***

So why is this an academy city? Is the whole city an academy?

No, its an academy city because it was developed around an academy. Manaple Academy is small compared to the Island Academy, but its a prestigious school with a long history and tradition.

It was a conversation between Kajsa and Lucas, and not Cordelia and Jude.

Because unlike Kajsa who disliked reading books, Lucas had been studying things related to the empire when they were still in the kingdom.

Heh, really? So do you know whats delicious here?

Eh? Uh the specialties here are

It was the moment when Lucas was thinking like that.

Master, just trust this Kirara. Ill show you the fastest way.

Inside the academy city, horse-drawn carriages were not permitted unless specifically authorized.

As a result, they had to walk with their own feet, but Kirara led them the moment she saw Kaplans address.

Even before she got caught by Mountain King, Kirara had been stealing around the western part of the continent, so she seemed confident in directions.

Yes, yes, Ill only trust Kirara.

Hehehe.

Now, Kirara would laugh if Cordelia just responded.

In the game, that was unimaginable for Kirara who had so many thorns that she was called a hedgehog.

(T/N: Many thorns is an idiom which means to bear malice or discontent.)

This way!

You may trip, so slow down. Shall we hold hands?

R-really?

Yes, really.

When Cordelia extended her hand, Kirara hesitated for a moment before she quickly reached out her hand. She seemed to like it very much given the fast wagging of her tail.

But Lord Jude. Didnt you say that Professor Kaplan belonged to the Island Academy and not the Manaple Academy?

Yes, hes still part of the Island Academy. But as its name suggests, the Island Academy is situated on an island. Weve decided to meet at the Manaple Academy in the western region of the empire for easier contact.

Kaplan didnt change his workplace as he simply took a vacation leave and was resting.

Anyway, lets go. Those two have gone far already.

Having said that, Kajsa took the lead while Jude and Lucas looked around before moving forward.

It certainly seemed that war was not going to break out in a few days as the atmosphere of war was still not raging in Manaple Academy City, just like in the vicinity of Asain Pass.

The group walked for around twenty minutes.

Once they arrived at a small house on the outskirts of the city, the group met a friendly face as soon as they knocked on the door.

Jude! Lady Cordelia!

Long time no see, Kaplan.

Im glad youre well. I was very worried about you at the sacred place.

They had heard from Lena that he was okay, but they hadnt seen him in person.

At Cordelias words, Kaplan smiled and said.

I do well despite my bad luck. Im glad that the two of you are well.

After they warmly exchanged greetings, Cordelia said as she pointed to the group members one by one.

This are my friends, Kajsa, Lucas, and Kirara.

Im Kajsa Ophand.

I am Lucas Hrsvelgr.

Im Kirara!

Unlike Kajsa and Lucas who showed respect with a slightly wary face, Kirara was very happy.

Because Cordelia had called her a friend.

Oh. Im Indiana Kaplan. Lets all go inside for now.

The group had a lot of people, so there was no need to stand by the front door and talk.

Kaplans house was small and simple, reflecting his personality, and it was very well organized. One could say that it broke the common stereotype of scholars homes being messy.

In any case, after guiding the party to the living room and serving them some light refreshments, Kaplan took a deep breath and spoke to Jude in a low voice.

Jude, I have something to tell you.

Jude couldnt help but be serious since Kaplan not only lowered