Carefree Journey of the Fugitive Sage Candidates

Carefree Journey of the Fugitive Sage Candidates – Chapter 32, On Your Mark

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Translator: Barnnn

 

“Now then, let us commence the fourth goal-setting meeting!” Hal declared, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, still riding the high from their exquisite steak dinner. “With our escape from the Lazulseed Kingdom drawing near, it’s time to revisit our past objectives and finalize what we aim to accomplish before leaving the Tajellia Kingdom. Let’s keep this open and candid, shall we?”

 

The meeting’s only attendee, Ize, responded with a spirited round of applause, her energy matching Hal’s with surprising ease.

Hal wasted not another second to dive in. He took out his tablet and went through the list they had created when they were in the royal castle.

 

High-Priority Goals:

– Determine if there is a way to return to Earth

– Understand the political situation of this kingdom (including the reason for their summoning)

– Understand the political landscape of surrounding countries (to identify potential destinations)

 

Important Goals:

– Investigate the cause of Takada’s de-aging

– Plan for a future in this world, in case returning to Earth isn’t an option

– Discover additional methods of earning money beyond the flea market function

 

“Unfortunately, we’ve confirmed that returning to Earth is… well, impossible. This is based on what the Goddess explained, as well as the historical accounts of previous Heroes and Sages, who all lived out their days in this world.”

Ize’s hand shot up. “Excuse me, Chairman!”

“Go ahead, Ize.”

“In light of this, should we continue with our previous goal of ‘planning for a future in this world, in case returning to Earth isn’t an option’?”

“That’s a fair point,” Hal said, tapping his chin in thought. “Maybe we could refine it into something more concrete — how about ‘finding a place to settle permanently’? What do you think, Ize?”

“That works — settling down first, then planning life around that. No objections here.”

“Excellent. Next on the agenda: future objectives. Our top priority remains clear — reuniting with Fieda in Jasted. Any objections?”

“None!”

“Great. Now, as for the second goal…” He paused, a blank look overtaking his features. “…What was it, again?”

 

Ize let out a groan so theatrical it threatened to derail the conversation entirely. She then leaned over to peer at Hal’s tablet.

The listed items were straightforward: level up skills, improve combat abilities, discover delicious food, and so on.

 

“How about this?” Ize started suggesting. “For now, we set goals for the next six months, lining them up with my Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”

“Oh? What made you come up with that?”

“I mean, it’s been about three months since we started this journey, hasn’t it? Six months sounds like a reasonable timeframe — long enough to work with but not too far off. Trying to plan for the duration of our stay in Tajellia right now might be too ambitious.”

“Fair enough. Let’s go with that.”

“I just wish we could have checked Fieda’s skill set before we left,” Ize lamented.

“True,” Hal agreed, glancing at the tablet again. “And we haven’t shared ours with him, either. So here’s the plan…”

 

Goals: Six Months

– Reunite with Fieda in Jasted.

– Train Hal’s skills (dungeon exploration).

– Select Ize’s skill specializations.

– Assess and coordinate with Fieda’s skills.

– Plan routes based on the Merchants’ Guild’s list.

 

“Does this look good to you?” Hal asked, tilting the screen toward Ize.

Ize scanned the list, nodding approvingly. “Sure, no problem. Still, it’s kind of hitting me now how much we haven’t told Fieda.”

“Like how some items in our Magic Bags never run out?”

“Or that they’re infinitely spacious?”

“Or that I’m a Quad?”

“And that I’m an Early.”

“Or how the Coming-of-Age Ceremony might grant you more than one skill?”

“That’d make me… what? What’s the number over Quad, again?”

“…We’re going to give Fieda a heart attack at this rate.”

“Maybe if we reveal it one thing at a time…”

“No, no, he’ll pick up on the vibe before we even say a word. Let’s just rip the bandage off and tell him everything upfront.”

“Then we should probably offer prayers for his peace of mind.”

“Stop! Don’t jinx it!”

 

That night, with the border crossing looming, sleep proved elusive.

Instead, they poured over the entries in their shared Travelogue document, ensuring the chapter on Abrol was fully detailed: the people they’d met, the events they’d witnessed, the meals they’d savored, and the sights that had left them awestruck.

Abrol’s overall rating — four stars — matched the score they’d given Dukatten.

 

“This city was incredible,” Ize murmured.

“Yeah. Let’s come back someday.”

 

And so, their last evening in Lazulseed passed, not with grand fanfare but in quiet reflection.

 

 

The next morning arrived cloaked in a crisp, invigorating chill — yet another hint at the deepening of autumn.

As Ize and Hal strolled down the streets toward the northern border wall, a tinge of nostalgia accompanied their steps.

They had only been here for five days, yet the thought of leaving felt strangely bittersweet.

 

It was as they passed a liquor store they had visited earlier that a familiar voice called out to them.

 

“Hey! You’re that guy from the other day, right? You heading out of the kingdom?”

Hal turned, a polite smile already in place. “Yes, that’s right. Thank you again for the delicious liquor last time.”

“No need to mention it — it’s just business.” The store’s owner waved off the thanks with a hearty chuckle. “But hey, about that booze you let me try the other day… you wouldn’t happen to have more, would you?”

“Oh, that? I do, actually.”

“Really? Would you be willing to sell me some? Don’t worry, I’m not looking to resell it or anything — it’s just for me and my son to enjoy!”

Before Hal could reply, Ize leaned closer and whispered, “Hal, is he talking about–”

“Yeah,” Hal murmured back, “from my suitcase stash.”

“I see…” Ize’s lips quirked into a smile. “Why not give him some? They’ll just replenish later anyway, right?”

“Yeah, though only bit by bit. It’s not like the bottle will refill itself overnight…”

“Well then, how about asking for a rare item in exchange?”

“That’s a good thought.” Turning to the shopkeeper, Hal said, “Sir, I’d be happy to sell you the liquor — or we could trade for something you think is of equal value.”

“You’d do that?” The shopkeeper’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“That’s only fair — it IS rare stuff, after all. And, well, the drinks in your store are pretty good, too.”

“Hmm, let me think… Oh, why don’t we talk more inside? We’re blocking the street standing out here like this.”

“Of course,” Hal said, and Ize added a polite, “Excuse us,” as they followed him into the store.

 

In the cellar beneath the store, shelves groaned under the weight of barrels, large and small, each meticulously labeled with notes on vintage, flavor profile, and the precise conditions of its storage.

Even a cursory glance spoke volumes about the owner’s dedication to his craft.

 

“Let me see what I can find…” The shopkeeper wandered among the barrels, muttering to himself as he considered his options.

 

While he deliberated, Ize wandered toward the far side of the cellar, where two massive, overturned barrels caught her attention. Their sheer size dwarfed the others, and their shape resembled miso vats.

 

“What are these?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Hal joined her, tilting his head as he inspected the barrels. “More liquor vats? But the tops are open — there’s probably nothing in them.”

“They look more like something from a miso storehouse…”

“That’s true. Let’s ask.” Hal turned to the owner, who was still rummaging. “Excuse me, sir, but are these vats something you use for liquor as well?”

“Huh? Oh, those,” the owner said, glancing over. “No, not anymore. We used to ferment polpetta in them. Haven’t touched ’em in years.”

“Polpetta?” Ize asked. “As in the local specialty crop?”

“That’s the one. We’d crush the polpetta in those vats and ferment it into ale.

“Interesting… and you don’t make them anymore?”

“Nah, we still do. But it’s too much hassle to transport the polpetta here. My son’s built a cellar next to the fields and handles the brewing right there.”

“So these vats aren’t in use anymore?”

“Mm-hmm. They’re too big and bulky to move around. Just been sitting here gathering dust. Why, you interested in them? Can’t imagine how you’d get them across the border.”

“I want them,” Ize said abruptly.

Hal blinked, utterly taken aback. “Wait, what?”

The owner laughed. “Boy, the little guy’s got a bold streak, doesn’t he? But really, what would you even do with those?”

“I want them,” Ize repeated, her eyes sparkling. “BOTH of them.”

“For real? You’re serious, Ize?”

“Very serious.”

“Uhh, I don’t know if we should…”

 

Hal tried to think of something — anything — that could dissuade Ize.

One thing immediately came to mind: when she had tried to buy a creepy ornament back in Dukatten, he had stopped her to prevent Fieda from finding out they had Magic Bags.

With that in mind, Hal started to speak, though the owner interrupted him with a perfectly-timed suggestion.

 

“Can’t resist the urge to spoil your li’l bro, eh?” he chuckled. “You know what? They’re yours — no charge. Oh, how about a bottle of polpetta ale while you’re at it?”

“Oh, yes please!” This time, it was Hal’s eyes that sparkled.

“Perfect — my son just brought over a fresh batch the other day. I’ll grab the best bottle we have.”

 

As the man disappeared into another cellar to retrieve the ale, Ize seized her chance.

She confirmed his absence with Perception, and then, with a quick motion, the massive vats vanished into her Magic Bag.

 

“Ize, what are you actually going to do with those?” Hal asked.

“I have an idea I’d like to try,” she replied cryptically. “I might need your help a little, Hal.”

“I’m happy to help if necessary, so could you just–”

Hal was interrupted once again as the owner returned with the ale. “Here it is! –Oh hey, I didn’t know you had a Magic Bag. You did a great job fitting those things in there!”

“O-oh, yes. We managed, somehow.” Hal forced a smile, handing over the promised bottle of liquor in return. “Here, sir — it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”

“You’re giving me a whole bottle? Much thanks! My son is sure to enjoy it.”

“And thank you for the ale — and the vats too,” Hal said.

“Thank you!” Ize parroted.

 

Even after they left the liquor store, Hal couldn’t seem to stop sneaking glances at Ize. Eventually, Ize sighed, coming to a halt in the middle of the street.

 

“Uh, Hal, I know that was selfish of me. Sorry.”

“Huh? Oh, I didn’t mind that at all — it’s just… I’m wondering what you plan to do with them, you know?”

“You’ll find out when we meet up with Fieda.”

“Huh? Not even a hint?”

“Not until I run it by him first.”

“Oof… you wound me, brother…”

Ize smirked, shaking her head. “Depending on how things go, I might tell you sooner.”

“Really? Well, now I’m looking forward to it!”

“I said ‘might,'” Ize muttered, but Hal had already moved ahead, failing to notice her.

 

Watching him, Ize couldn’t help but smile. In moments like these, Hal truly seemed like the fifteen-year-old boy he appeared to be, not the man in his thirties he had been before their summoning.

Whatever the Goddess had intended by rewinding his age, it was clearly working — he was living fully and joyfully in this new world.

 

 

When they arrived at the checkpoint, they were slightly behind schedule.

Ahead of them stretched four lines, each moving at a deliberate pace. The scene was much the same as it had been during their earlier visit to scout the location.

The lines were clearly categorized: individuals receiving documents to fill out on the spot, those who had already filled the necessary paperwork, merchants with alternative travel permits, and members of the privileged classes.

Ize and Hal joined the second line, though they quickly realized that even within this category, there were subdivisions.

 

“Let’s see…” Hal muttered, scanning the signs. “No sponsor, sponsored by Guild staff, sponsored by nobles, and… miscellaneous sponsors?”

Ize tilted her head. “Sponsors must refer to whoever issued the credentials.”

“Makes sense. So where does Deputy Guild Master Iserdo fit in?”

“Most likely under nobles. I saw him press his signet ring onto our documents when he signed them.”

Hal nodded. “Family crest — that settles it. This line’s ours.”

 

Following his lead, they stepped into the nobles-sponsored queue. It was noticeably shorter than the others, the individuals in it passing through with minimal fuss. A noble’s endorsement clearly carried weight in this system.

When their turn arrived, Hal handed over their papers, which the attendant barely glanced at before sliding them into a scanner-like device. The contraption emitted a faint hum as magical energy coursed through it, and within moments, the display lit up with the glowing characters for “Approved.”

The attendant proceeded to stamp their documents with two resounding thuds.

 

“This feels a lot like airport customs,” Hal murmured.

“Essentially the same,” Ize agreed, her voice low.

 

The attendant’s head snapped up, his sharp gaze locking onto them. Startled, they both straightened instinctively.

For a moment, the man’s expression remained stern, but then, to their relief, it softened.

 

“There are no issues with your inspection,” he said, handing them back their documents. “You’re cleared to depart. Safe travels.”

 

Hal and Ize accepted their documents with bright, grateful smiles.

 

“Thank you so much!” Hal said.

“We’ll be on our way now,” Ize added.

 

Once through the checkpoint, a long corridor stretched before them. Halfway down, a line marked the border — a simple but distinct divide between the two nations — and the far end opened into the Kingdom of Tajellia.

 

Hal turned to Ize, his grin wide. “Ize.”

 

Ize smiled back, reaching out to clasp his hand.

Together, they quickened their pace, their steps falling into perfect sync as they approached the line.

When they reached it, they paused in unison, toes aligned with the invisible barrier as though they had rehearsed this moment.

 

“Ready?” Hal asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

“Ready!” Ize replied, her grip tightening around his hand.

“All right. On your mark…”

“Go ahead.”

“Get set–”

“”–GO!””

 

With a burst of shared enthusiasm, they leaped across the line, their triumphant shout echoing down the corridor.

Once on the other side, they turned back, bowed deeply in unison, and shouted together:

 

“”WE’LL BE BACK!””

 

Straightening, they resumed their journey with steady, purposeful strides.

It had been three and a half months since Ize and Hal were summoned into this world.

The heat of summer was now a distant memory, replaced by the crispness of autumn and the first whispers of winter.

 

At long last, they had left the Kingdom of Lazulseed behind.

 



 

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