TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 38

The baked apple in front of him gave off a sweet and tempting aroma. Its amber skin was drizzled with honey and cinnamon powder. The slightly split skin revealed the soft, glutinous flesh inside, radiating waves of heat.

Albin’s eyes lit up. He took the plate with both hands and showed a smile sweeter than honey.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! How did you know I wanted to eat baked apples?”

“You said so. Last time we met, you told me to treat you to baked apples,” Sultanlai replied with deep eyes. Then he added, “You don’t have to call me that…”

“Wait a minute!” Padma cut them off through gritted teeth, using his gloved hand to pull Albin behind him.

He said angrily, “Don’t just eat things from strangers.”

Albin mumbled softly, “But His Majesty the King doesn’t count as a stranger.”

Sultanlai nodded. He stood up tall and straight, his honey-colored muscles firm and powerful, exuding the unmatched dominance of a top predator.

His orange eyes, like his hair, narrowed dangerously as he looked down at Padma, who dared to interfere—just like a lion spotting its prey, ready to strike at any moment.

Padma was on guard.

“You two knew each other before?” he asked suspiciously.

Judging from Albin’s earlier reaction, it was clear he didn’t know Sultanlai at all.

Albin shook his head. “No, we didn’t know each other before. But didn’t we just meet today? Uncle Edward knows him too, so he’s not a stranger.”

A friend of a friend is a friend!

And besides, His Majesty even gave him food!

Faced with his seemingly well-reasoned explanation, Padma was speechless.

He always had a bad feeling Albin would be easily abducted someday.

Since Albin didn’t know this man at all, why was Sultanlai being so friendly?

Padma raised an eyebrow. This strange attitude made him think of only one possibility. He asked the tyrant in front of him, “Did you also have a dream?”

Sultanlai didn’t respond, as if he didn’t understand what Padma was talking about at all.

Only when he heard Albin say he didn’t recognize him did Sultanlai’s expression shift. Ignoring Padma, he fixed his eyes on Albin. “You don’t know me?”

Albin peeked out from behind Padma, confused, and nodded. “Nope. I also don’t remember asking you to buy me baked apples.”

He looked at the plate in his hand, then held it back out. “Did you mistake me for someone else?”

Sultanlai said nothing. His gaze was sharp, his raspy voice low: “We met in Thorn City. Don’t you remember?”

Albin thought hard, then shook his head.

“Was that when I was little? I don’t remember anything from before.”

Sultanlai’s gaze dimmed, a shadow falling in his deep-set eyes. His lips parted but he said nothing.

Carrying the baked apple, Albin stepped out from behind Padma and looked up with a cheerful smile. “It’s okay! We can get to know each other again. I just heard about you from Uncle, and I’m really curious about you.”

He really wanted to know if the people opposing Sultanlai were really all killed by him.

“I’m Albin! Thank you for the baked apple!”

“I’m—”

“Albin!” A voice suddenly called from not far away. It was Zeman.

Albin turned around, puzzled, and saw Zeman and Edward rushing over with serious expressions. They immediately stood protectively in front of him.

“Dad? Uncle Edward? You’re done eating too?”

Zeman nodded. The tyrant’s appearance on the street had reached the tavern, and the two had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Sultanlai frowned.

“Does His Majesty need something with this child?” Edward asked politely with a faint smile, but subtly positioned himself between them.

Sultanlai’s eyes darkened. He withdrew his gaze.

There were still enemies in the city and a series of events waiting to be dealt with. Now wasn’t the time or place to talk in depth.

He originally wanted to bring this child by his side, but with Edward here, maybe Albin would be safer staying with him than being near Sultanlai, the walking target.

“Very well.” He gave up his plan. With a sweep of his cloak, he mounted his horse. His gaze fell on Albin and his father. “We’ll talk another time.”

“Bye-bye~” Albin waved at him.

Sultanlai and his retinue slowly faded into the distance, but the street remained quiet.

Edward asked in surprise, “How does little Albin know him?”

“I don’t know either. Maybe I knew him before I lost my memory? I’ll ask him next time!”

Edward stroked his chin, recalling Sultanlai’s demeanor. He whispered to Zeman, “Oh my, seems like there’s quite a few folks trying to be Albin’s dad.”

Albin watched them whisper and asked in confusion, “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing! Does little Albin want to buy anything else?”

“Yep! But let’s eat this first. Everyone can have some!” Albin happily held up the baked apple. “The vendor was gone, but luckily His Majesty gave me this!”

After sharing the baked apple, they bought some food to bring back for Jasper.

Zeman and Edward seemed busy and didn’t return to the inn with them.

—

In a secluded corner of the city.

A heavily injured figure in a black robe sat on a not-so-fresh pile of straw, casting a healing spell on himself.

Thinking of his failed attack earlier, his face twisted with anger. “Even Edward’s sided with that tyrant. How far he’s fallen!”

A soldier stood like a puppet in front of him, a rat clinging to the back of his neck.

The emotionless soldier said calmly, “Don’t worry. Once you activate that spell, you’ll return to the past and kill Sultanlai. Don’t waste your magic on this. As long as we change the past, none of this matters. What you did today only alerted them.”

The black-robed man stopped mid-spell, furious. “Don’t tell me what to do! I will kill Sultanlai before he seizes the throne and change everything!”

“…But,” he glanced at the rat, still a little suspicious, “Can we really gather enough energy to cast that time-reversal spell?”

“Ah, trust me.”

“At this point, I’ve got no other choice.” He reluctantly put his faith in the shady creature. “Since you’re also coming back with me, make sure your real body shows up. Your puppets are useless.”

“Of course.”

The black-robed man coughed up blood and asked, “I’m going back to kill the tyrant. What about you? What’s your goal? At least tell me now.”

The soldier looked at the dying man, voice eerily calm. “To… become a god.”

The black-robed man sneered. Obviously, he didn’t believe it.

Everyone knew the current twelve main gods were born as deities—utterly different from humans or monsters.

Humans and monsters were created by the gods. And a creation wanted to become a creator?

Utter nonsense.

He couldn’t help but doubt whether the method this delusional monster had given him was reliable at all.

Late at night—

Suddenly, a series of deafening rumbles erupted outside the city. Standing atop the city wall, Edward gazed out and saw hordes of monsters swarming in, so densely packed they blanketed the land.

In the monsters’ eyes, black star-shaped gleams glowed with an ominous red aura.

Fortunately, as a precaution, Edward had already placed a powerful defensive barrier over the entire city when the gates were sealed.

Soldiers, warriors, and mages gathered on the walls, doing everything they could to repel the tide of monsters.

Edward, too, cast spells to eliminate the creatures. There was no hint of a smile on his face.

“Damn it. Why are there so many out-of-control monsters?! Zeman, you—”

He turned to say something to Zeman, only to see the sky suddenly light up. Fiery red light illuminated the heavens as countless flames rained down like molten lava, overwhelming and intense, like the end of the world.

The inferno scorched the frenzied monsters, consuming everything in its path.

Zeman walked in midair. Heat waves from the ground blew through his snow-white hair as his crimson eyes coldly stared at the charred remains of the beasts.

The monsters writhed in agony in the flames, their unwilling, star-like pupils reflecting the blazing red silhouette—

Like a god.

That man, who commanded the fire, looked like the sun god from myths, descending with divine judgment.

Zeman returned to the wall. The wave of monsters had been turned to ash in the baptism of fire.

But Edward did not relax. He activated his foresight ability, his lips pale as he spoke:

“A never-ending stream of berserk monsters is coming.”

His expression grew grim.

“Winter is indeed peak season for monster tides, but this one is clearly abnormal. It came too suddenly, without any warning, and is drastically different from regular monster tides. It’s as if someone is controlling them. Could there be a new Monster King among them?”

He couldn’t figure it out. But for now, clearing out these monsters was the top priority.

As the sun rose, the next wave of monsters appeared on the horizon.

“『(Stamina Recovery)』”

“『(Mana Recovery)』”

“『(Strength Boost)』”

—

Edward cast support magic on everyone on the city wall.

In the faint light of dawn, monsters surged in like a tide, their howls echoing on the wind, thick with the scent of death and bloodlust.

Edward’s golden hair shimmered in the morning light. He turned to Zeman, his gaze firm.

“I’ll handle the monsters on this side. You just do what you always do—act freely, and do what needs to be done.”

With that, he offered a faint smile and confidently faced the sea of monsters ahead.

“Brings back memories, doesn’t it? It was like this six years ago too—though the situation back then was a lot worse.”

“I’ll leave this to you.”

Zeman’s eyes were equally resolute. He immediately rushed toward another section of the wall under attack.

Wherever he passed, fire rained from the skies. The warriors on the wall, inspired, fought with renewed vigor.

Edward muttered,

“Maybe I’ll even make it in time to have lunch with little Albin.”

Inside the city.

A man in black robes stood atop a tower, staring at the seemingly peaceful city. His face was pale as he turned to the rat-like creature before him.

“The monsters you sent—why haven’t they broken in yet? I need deaths to gather energy!”

“There was… a slight complication,” the rat replied calmly. “But the monsters that have died should’ve given you a decent amount of energy already. I’ll bring more—quickly.”

“You’d better,” the robed man snapped. “I need to concentrate to cast this spell. Don’t disturb me again.”

He shut his eyes, gathering magical power.

That morning, Albin had woken up to find that Zeman had gone out.

He noticed people on the street all looking up at the crimson sky.

“Is this some kind of rare celestial event?” Albin leaned out the window. “Looks like a sunrise… feels like the clouds are on fire…”

Padma, worried he’d fall, steadied him. “I don’t know either.”

Albin had a feeling this wasn’t natural.

“Let’s find a higher place to watch the sunrise!” he said excitedly.

Padma naturally agreed and took Albin and Jade (the snake) out.

But all the good rooftops were taken by other spectators, so they ventured farther, eventually finding a secluded tower.

When they reached the top, they discovered three people already there.

One was severely injured and slumped on the ground, head bowed and eyes closed—unclear if he was alive or dead.

Another was a dazed soldier sitting in the corner. He wobbled to his feet and shouted at them,

“Leave! Now!”

He didn’t give them time to react. He unsheathed his sword and aimed it at them.

The third was a man in a mouse-gray cloak, with long greasy brown hair and two strands drooping like whiskers.

He looked like a human-sized cockroach.

At the sight of him, Albin froze.

A chill swept over him, inexplicable but overwhelming, and he felt a powerful urge to flee.

He took a step back instinctively.

Since they’d been driven away, they decided to just leave.

Padma frowned. Something about the brown-haired man felt… off.

【Is it time? Is it time? Can we watch the sunrise now?】

Just then, Jade peeked out from Albin’s scarf, flicking his tongue—then suddenly froze.

【That scent… it’s the rat! Why does that man smell like a rat?】

Though the man looked human, Jade could feel it—he was the rat.

As if hearing Jade’s thoughts, the brown-haired man took a few quick steps back.

The soldier swung his sword.

Padma immediately noticed something was wrong. That guy’s reaction—definitely suspicious!

“Jade, protect Albin!”

Padma’s magic flared violently, forming a whip that lashed toward the brown-haired man.

He retaliated with his own dark, thick, sticky magical aura.

Jade suddenly grew in size, transforming into a massive snake. With one sweep of his tail, he knocked the soldier aside. Seeing the man’s dark magical aura, he shouted:

【That’s the rat! It’s the same energy that killed me before!】

The brown-haired man realized something was wrong. Jade, whom he thought was a mid-tier beast, was radiating high-tier magic—and now his identity had been exposed.

He leapt off the tower to escape.

Padma’s eyes burned with killing intent.

He would never let the rat get close to Albin again—never again let him turn Albin into that state.

Though the enemy’s aura was strong—high-tier monster level—it wasn’t as overwhelming as Zeman’s.

This was their chance. He had to eliminate this threat.

They both jumped from the tower. The brown-haired man landed and immediately transformed into a large brown rat, tail severed at the end.

Using his small size, he darted into the sewers.

Padma’s pupils shrank. He bit his hand, letting wine-scented blood spill into the sewer.

Even if it meant using the power of the wine god he hated—he would hunt this rat down.

While his blood traced the path, he also transformed into his fox form and slipped into the sewer from another entry.

Back in the tower—

Jade, now a giant green python, coiled protectively around Albin.

Albin was stunned. “What just happened? That rat… is he the same one you told me about?”

【That’s right.】

Jade had warned him before—there was a rat after him, probably the same one who’d wanted to adopt him.

Now that he thought about it, the hair color and hairstyle matched what the siren sister had described:

A guy who looked like a southern cockroach—cowardly, creepy, scheming.

“Thank goodness you were here…”

Albin gently touched Jade’s huge snake head, completely unafraid.

“Thank you for protecting me.”

【Nothing to it for the great Jade!】

Albin turned to the only person left in the tower.

“That guy over there… is he a victim? Or an accomplice of the rat? He looks badly hurt.”

Jade tilted his head.

【Even I don’t know…】

He poked the person with his tail.

The black-robed man was deep in magical concentration, unaware of what was happening outside.

When Jade poked him, he opened his eyes—and saw Jade’s glowing green pupils.

“Monster?” he muttered, glancing around. “Where’s the rat?”

Albin realized: “So this guy’s a bad one too! Jade, knock him out—we need to find the city guards or patrols. We can’t let him get away!”

【You got it!】

Jade swung his massive tail and whacked the robed man on the head.

The man blacked out instantly. But just before he lost consciousness, his obsession kicked in, and he activated a spell:

“Fate Rewind.”

A blood-red magic circle erupted on the stone floor beneath them. In a flash of blinding light, Albin, Jade, and the robed man were all swallowed by it.

When Albin awoke, he found himself in a strange room, lying on a wooden bed.

The stone walls had a shield emblem tapestry. Sunlight streamed through an open window. A heavy wooden door stood across from him, an iron ring hanging on it, marked with age.

He had no memory of this place—but somehow, it felt familiar.

Albin tried to recall what happened. The black-robed man had triggered a magic circle, and he and Jade hadn’t escaped in time.

Had someone saved them?

He climbed out of bed and searched for his shoes. When he found and put them on, he tried the door—but it was locked.

What’s going on?

He ran to the window to look outside.

The window was high. He searched for something to stand on, glancing around the room. In the reflection of a shiny silver object, he saw his face.

Still white hair, red eyes—his usual face.

He let out a breath of relief. At least he hadn’t jumped worlds again.

But… his face looked… younger?

Albin frantically looked for a reference to measure his height.

…He’d gotten shorter!

It hit him like a thunderbolt.

What the heck?! Why was he shorter now?!

He was supposed to be growing taller!!

Albin peeked out the window again.

What he saw was completely unfamiliar. The buildings were dark and ominous—not at all like the Tulip Kingdom he remembered.

He seemed to be in a castle tower room?

Why was he here?

Where was Jade?

He heard faint voices below. He listened carefully.

“Finally a sunny day. I’m so sick of the constant rain in Bramble City.”

“I’ve got to get the sheets out to dry. Autumn’s almost here…”

They were a few maids chatting idly, gossiping while slacking off.

Apparently… he was in Bramble City.

That was the place he’d first met his father.

Then he noticed—he was only wearing a plain linen robe, but he didn’t feel cold.

It was still summer.

Smaller… Bramble City… summer instead of winter… fate rewind…

Albin quickly checked his magical power. The Godslayer Spear was gone. His hard-earned magic—reset to factory settings!

Oh no… he’d been sent back in time!

He didn’t even know how old he was now, or what situation he was in. He had no memories from before age 8!

He called down to the maids to ask something, but his voice was too soft. Maybe the height made it harder to hear. Only one maid seemed to notice.

“I think I heard something up there…”

“Upstairs?” another said. “Isn’t that where the mute little idiot lives? No way you heard anything. Must’ve imagined it.”

“Maybe another servant?”

“You forgot? The servant who cared for that idiot died days ago. The steward’s out buying a new one today.”

“He’ll probably buy the cheapest slave he can and pocket the rest of the gold.”

“Well, it’s just a six- or seven-year-old kid—and a stupid one at that. No one cares who serves him.”

“True enough… Let’s go. If the steward catches us slacking, we’ll be in trouble.”

The maids left.

Albin, upstairs, was stunned.

Huh?

He was… the idiot?

No wait—if he’d gone back in time… did that mean he used to be mentally challenged?

Maybe it wasn’t amnesia… maybe he’d really been a fool?

His mind was in chaos.

How the hell was he supposed to get back?

—

Slave Market.

A man in a butler’s uniform walked through the area, his gaze sharp and critical.

He asked the slave trader, “Which one is your cheapest slave?”

A glint of cunning flashed in the slave trader’s eyes. He quickly led the man to a cage.

Inside the cage was a black-haired child. The upper half of his face was completely covered by messy black hair, and the lower half was restrained by an iron muzzle. Judging by his size, he looked no older than seven or eight.

Though the price of child slaves was usually only half that of adults, this one still seemed too young.

The butler frowned in distaste. “He’s far too young. What could he possibly be good for?”

“Don’t be fooled by his age—he’s strong for his size and can do quite a bit! And he’s going for just this much—” the slave trader whispered the price in the butler’s ear, “I guarantee you won’t find a cheaper slave in all of Thorn City.”

The butler, familiar with market rates, was immediately intrigued.

“Him, then!” he said. After all, he was just meant to serve that little idiot. If he wasn’t great, so be it. “Wait—why is he this cheap? Don’t tell me he’s about to die.”

“Of course not! It’s just that he has a tiny burn on his body. You know how it is—even though we don’t have many temples in Thorn City, some families are still superstitious and don’t want slaves like that around.”

The butler nodded. That much was true. Burned slaves were considered unlucky and always sold for less. They were usually assigned tasks that kept them out of sight from their masters.

“There’s one more thing—he has a bit of a biting habit. You know how kids are—always teething. If you don’t like it, just keep the muzzle on him.”

The butler could tell the man was downplaying something, but he didn’t care. The quality of the slave didn’t matter.

Feigning hesitation, he haggled the price down even further and closed the deal at a record low cost.

He glanced down at the slave number branded on the back of the boy’s left hand and said coldly:

“Come on, Slave Number Thirteen.”

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