Chapter 30, Double and Triple

Translator: Barnnn

 

“Oh? Could it be… these two?” The man with the bear-like bulk turned to regard Ize. “I heard the younger brother was close to coming of age, but is this someone else?”

“I’ll be an adult in six months!” Ize declared, her voice rising with indignation.

“Kiddo, I get that you want to act grown-up, but c’mon now. An obvious lie like that won’t fly. At best, you look half an adult’s age.”

“That’s…!” Ize flushed but fired back, “That’s the youngest anyone’s ever thought I looked!”

Iserdo interjected, “Guild Master, I can confirm that Ize is fourteen. There’s no doubt about it.”

“Oh?” The Guild Master raised an eyebrow. “Well, if you say so, Iserdo, then that clears it up.” His attention then shifted to Hal. “And so, this one must be the Triple?”

“I haven’t confirmed it yet, but most likely, yes.” Iserdo replied before turning to the siblings and adding apologetically, “I’m sorry, Ize, Hal. I had you stay here to clear up a few things before the Guild Master arrived.”

“Mister Ise, you didn’t just want to talk to me?” Ize asked, tilting her head.

“N-no, li’l Ize! Of course I wanted to talk to you!”

“But this was important work, too. It’s fine, I understand.”

“Hey, you damn bear!” Iserdo growled, pointing accusingly at the Guild Master. “This is your fault!”

“Aww, bummer, eh?” The Guild Master roared with laughter, unbothered. “Now, let’s get on with it already.”

 

The atmosphere buzzed with an odd mixture of tension and levity. The Guild Master, for all his rough demeanor, seemed eager to keep the conversation moving, while Iserdo, visibly cornered by Ize’s playful antics, looked increasingly troubled.

Ize, for her part, lowered her gaze, hiding a mischievous grin that flickered across her face. She glanced briefly at Hal, who visibly shivered, as though sensing the subtle chaos she had unleashed.

 

Hal cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Uh, so… what’s that about me being a Triple?”

“And me, an Early?” Ize chimed in.

“Right.” The Guild Master nodded. “I’m surprised you didn’t already know. Earlies aren’t common, but surely you’ve heard of Doubles and Triples before?”

Hal shook his head. “Not exactly. Up until a few months ago, before I came of age, we didn’t have much exposure to what’s considered common knowledge. We’ve picked up some basics but… honestly, our education is still pretty limited when it comes to adventuring.”

“That’s why we’ve been studying hard every day!” Ize added earnestly. “Reading books about Mystic Beasts and herbal guides, trying to catch up.”

“Good, good!” Iserdo smiled approvingly. “The drive to learn what you don’t know is admirable.”

The Guild Master crossed his arms. “I see… So, it’s a family situation, is it? And you’re headed to the neighboring kingdom to find your father. Do you have any leads?”

“Not much,” Hal admitted. “We know he dealt in tea, was skilled in magic, and visited the capital once every few years. That’s all we have.”

“Pretty thin trail,” the Guild Master said, his tone skeptical. “You sure you’re leaving the kingdom with just that?”

“We didn’t have a choice. We couldn’t stay at home anymore. And besides… we figured it was a chance to see more of the world. And… our father, well… he has to be out there somewhere.”

 

Whoever it was that said the best lies were mixed with truths, their advice proved to be quite helpful. Hal’s words were convincing enough — their reasons for leaving and the vague outlines of their past were true, but the fabricated details added a layer of believability. The Guild Master seemed to accept the explanation.

 

“All right then,” the Guild Master said gruffly. “Let me explain about Triples.”

 

He launched into a detailed explanation. Doubles and Triples, it turned out, referred specifically to the number of magical or unique skills a person possessed.

However, not just any skills qualified — general skills like Woodworking and basic combat techniques like Sword Mastery didn’t count. To be a Double, one needed two magical or unique abilities. Triples, as the name implied, had three.

 

“Ah, I think I get it now,” Hal said, nodding.

“Right… And you, lanky boy, have three magical or unique skills, don’t you? The Guild records mention you have an Appraisal-type skill. You were seen using water magic during your horsebus journeys. And clear signs of wind magic were noted in the aftermath of the Mystic Beast fight, though the horsebus guards tried to keep it under wraps. Piecing it all together, it’s obvious — you’re the one who used that wind magic. You’re a Triple, Hal.”

 

The Guild Master’s gaze sharpened, penetrating through Hal like a bear’s claw. The thick beard framing his face did little to soften the intensity of his scrutiny. For a moment, Hal felt as if he were being weighed and measured by the very authority of the borderlands.

Not wanting to appear rattled, Hal forced his shoulders to loosen and his breathing to steady.

 

“–And if I were, hypothetically, what would that change?”

“Not a thing,” the Guild Master replied with a low chuckle. “I just wanted to know.”

“…Really? That’s it?”

“Mm-hmm. Pure curiosity. Meeting a Triple is about as rare as coming face-to-face with a Dragon. The difference is, Dragons kill you, and Triples don’t. But the story’s worth just as much.”

“I-I see. In that case…” Hal hesitated for a moment. “…yes, I’m a Triple.”

“Hal!” Ize gasped, her wide eyes sparkling with excitement. “You’re as rare as a Dragon!?”

“Indeed, indeed,” Iserdo interjected with an approving nod. “But when it comes to rarity, li’l Ize, you actually outrank him.”

“Me?” Ize blinked, her head tilting in genuine confusion as she pointed to herself.

 

The simple gesture, so guileless, made Iserdo’s eyebrows draw together in an expression of worry.

 

“W-well…  that’s right. An Early is someone whose skills manifest before adulthood. Fewer than five have ever been documented in recorded history. And to top it off, li’l Ize, you’re likely a Double.”

“An Early Double!”

“Yes, yes. Most likely, you’ve got a barrier-related skill paired with either a body enhancement or a movement skill…”

“Well, you see… when I think about protecting Hal, or someone important, or if I really want to run away with him, I can just… do it.”

“I see! Your kindness and determination must have triggered the manifestation of your skills. Truly remarkable!”

 

As Iserdo waxed poetic about Ize’s inherent nobility, the Guild Master visibly shifted in place. His broad shoulders turned away slightly, as if the sheer earnestness of the scene had become too much for him, a sentiment he seemed eager to escape.

Instead, he turned his attention back to Hal.

 

“By the way,” the Guild Master began, lowering his voice just enough to command attention, “there’s a theory about the otherworlder who was summoned to Tajellia — the one they call a living legend. Some scholars believe he might not have been an otherworlder at all but an Early Quad born in this kingdom.”

“…Huh?” Hal blinked, taken off guard.

“It’s only a theory, mind you. The summoning timeline doesn’t quite align with any Rank 1 Dungeon’s Deluge. Still, the otherworlder explanation is more widely accepted.”

“…That’s interesting. And a Quad — that means four skills, yes?”

“Exactly. There’s no historical record of a Quad, though, so most dismiss it as a myth…”

“…I see.”

 

Hal forced his face to remain blank, but inwardly, a storm brewed. [I absolutely can’t let anyone find out I’m a Quad,] he vowed silently.

 

Currently, Hal possessed four skills: Eye of Appraisal, Art of Negotiation, Water Magic, and Wind Magic — marking him as a Quad. The knowledge sent a shiver through him, though he took some solace in the fact that his list of abilities was unlikely to expand further.

Ize, however, was a different story entirely. Her skills — Stealth, Fleet Foot, and Perception — already made her a Triple. And since she had yet to undergo her Coming-of-Age Ceremony, it was certain she would gain more. And knowing the Goddess’s tendencies, it was quite likely she would receive not one, but multiple new abilities.

An Early Quad, a figure so rare it was thought to be nothing more than legend — If anyone found out, it would surely mean disaster.

The duo exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing: No one can know.

 

Once the identification documents were signed and the formalities concluded, the two thanked both the Guild Master and Iserdo before stepping out of the room.

 

The Guild Master watched them leave, his hand resting on his chin. “They’re certainly… something,” he murmured. “With a merchant for a father and a noble for a mother, it’s difficult to say which lineage left the stronger mark. But one thing is certain — the blood of a Sage runs strong in those two.”

The Deputy Guild Master nodded thoughtfully. “Not to mention, li’l Ize might have developed his skills before adulthood because of being thrust into a harsh environment…”

“That sort of information needs to stay confidential. The last thing we need is some lunatic getting ideas — experimenting on children, pushing them to their limits to force early skill development.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Still… he’s so small for a child his age.”

“Yes,” the Deputy Guild Master agreed with a heavy sigh, “very small. It’s likely he’s suffered from neglect or malnutrition. Even now, his portions are meager. The older brother — he’s got some height, though he’s lanky. But li’l Ize? I doubt he’ll grow much more.”

“A shame…” the Guild Master said, shaking his head. “Physical stature plays a significant role in adventuring. The older one, with the right training, might reach A-rank someday. Being a Triple opens doors for that kind of advancement. But Ize…”

“…He’s frail, and his skills lean defensive rather than offensive. It’s hard to imagine him excelling as an adventurer. He’s already endured more than most at his age… At the very least, while they’re in this city, I’ll make sure to keep an eye on him.”

“You will?” The Guild Master cast his companion a skeptical glance. “Well, just don’t get carried away. They’re resourceful enough.”

“Understood. I’ll arrange for my household to send over some polpetta right away.”

 

With that, the Deputy Guild Master excused himself. “Will twenty boxes be enough?” he muttered to himself as he turned to leave, making his way to summon a servant.

 

The Guild Master, left behind in the room, let out an exasperated groan. “Hey! Don’t just leave me here! And lock the room, for crying out loud!” He rose heavily from his chair, muttering as he headed for the door. “Seriously, twenty boxes of polpetta for two people? That’s borderline harassment…”

 

When evening fell, fifty boxes of polpetta arrived at the inn where Hal and Ize were staying. The sight of so many boxes left both of them slack-jawed, staring in disbelief.

They managed to stack half the boxes in their room, leaving almost no space for anything else. Using their Magic Bags to store the surplus would have been easy, but such an open display of rare items was out of the question. Instead, they worked with the innkeeper to distribute the extra boxes to nearby shops and neighbors. The innkeeper, too, got a generous share, and was quite grateful for the gesture.

 

◆

 

On the fourth day of their stay in the border city, Ize and Hal set out with plans to explore the liquor stores highly recommended by the guards they had shared a lively dinner with the night before.

As they walked, however, their conversation had veered entirely off-course, dominated instead by the unexpected delivery of twenty kilograms of Blood Bear meat that had arrived at their inn earlier that morning.

The Adventurers’ Guild had completed the processing of the Blood Bear’s carcass — its hide, claws, and bones sold off for significant cash rewards — but the meat itself had been offered first to the duo who had done the most to bring down the beast. When presented with the choice of keeping the meat or taking its monetary equivalent, they hadn’t hesitated.

 

“Who would’ve thought they’d actually deliver meat from the Mystic Beast we fought?” Ize remarked.

“Yeah, I figured the Union would get to keep it all. Guess it’s a nice gesture on their part.”

“But… is bear meat even edible? You’re not like me, Hal. You’d eat anything as long as it looked interesting.”

“Hey, that’s clearly your problem, not mine,” Hal shot back, pouting in annoyance. “I DO have my standards, you know — and seriously, what are we supposed to do with twenty kilograms of meat? Storing it in the Magic Bags is easy enough, but cooking it? I’d probably just burn it to ash. Soooooo…”

This time, Ize’s cheeks puffed indignantly. “Don’t look at me like that! I’ve already taken care of it, thank you very much. After yesterday’s polpetta incident, I got friendly with the innkeeper. Turns out the kitchen staff is more than happy to help. I offered them a kilogram in exchange for preparing the rest.”

“Only one? That’s a hell of a deal.”

“Mystic Beast meat is incredibly rare around here, and that’s good enough of a deal for them, apparently. They’re going to make a whole variety of dishes for us — about three meals’ worth — and cut the rest into smaller portions.”

“That’s nice–” Hal nodded, but then his expression shifted to one of concern. “–Wait, doesn’t that pretty much give away that we’ve got Magic Bags?”

“Oh, um… maybe? But it’s fine! After seeing how much the Deputy Guild Master has been spoiling us, the innkeeper just seemed… awestruck. I don’t think they’re suspicious.”

Hal sighed, shaking his head. “Yeah, I guess connections to nobles can have that effect.”

“Mm-hmm. Mister Ise really came through for us.”

“Just don’t rely on him too much, all right?”

 

With the immediate dilemma of the Blood Bear meat resolved, the siblings turned their thoughts toward the road ahead. They were already planning ways to barter for regional delicacies and unique dishes at the inns and towns along their journey.

Moreover, the Adventurers’ Guild delivery staff had informed them that the Union’s monetary reward for the Blood Bear would be ready by tomorrow, while the Guild’s bonus was expected to arrive shortly afterward.

 

“Our days in this kingdom are winding down,” Ize murmured as they browsed a liquor store.

“Yeah,” Hal replied absently, scanning the rows of bottles as he held a sampler cup.

“I know we’re trying to get away from here, but… do you think we’ll miss it someday?”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe we could return eventually — take the eastern route back once the Deluge passes. What do you think?”

“Yeah.”

“…Hal, you’re not even listening, are you?”

“Yeah.”

“HAL!”

“Whoa!” Hal jumped, nearly dropping the tiny cup. “Don’t scare me like that, Ize! Now look — I spilled it!” He turned to the shopkeeper, holding up the nearly empty cup. “Hey, old man, can I get another sample? Most of this one’s on the ground now.”

The shopkeeper glared, unimpressed. “Another sample? Boy, you’re lucky I gave you one to begin with!”

“Come on, have a heart!” Hal pleaded before turning back to Ize with a sheepish grin. “…So, uh, what were you saying again?”

“Nothing,” Ize grumbled, folding her arms. “I must be an idiot to think you’d understand my delicate feelings.”

“What!? How’d I end up being the bad guy here!?”

 

As the light began to shift, painting the sky with the warm hues of autumn’s sunset, a subtle melancholy settled over the city.

For Ize, the beauty of the deepening season carried an undercurrent of something bittersweet — something that was utterly lost on Hal, who continued sampling his way through liquor stores like a man with a mission.

 

[He won’t be snacking on my fried chicken for a while,] Ize thought to herself.

 

Hal, of course, remained blissfully unaware of his fate.

In any case, their time in the Kingdom of Lazulseed was drawing to a close. Only two days remained before their journey resumed.

 

---

---