Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 38: Procuring a Few Owls – Quiet Wings, Hidden Plans
“Merlin, my young friend, this Lotus Leaf Beggar’s Chicken tastes absolutely divine. And what about that tangy, spicy passionfruit and lemon chicken feet? Can’t you prepare a bit more tomorrow?”
The Pope of the Church of Light, Saint Jones, had acknowledged Merlin’s presence—otherwise, the three of them would never have dared to do what they had to the Red-Crest White-Feathered Chicken. That unspoken approval carried weight, even in silence.
“Hehe, who was just scoffing at all this delicious food? You’ve tasted the delicacies Merlin brought, yet you haven’t shown a shred of gratitude?” Weber crossed his arms, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Hearing Weber’s words, Jones reached into his robes and pulled out a small, white stone. “I’m not one to take things for free either, Merlin. This is for you.”
Merlin took the stone and turned it over in his hand, frowning slightly. “What… exactly is this?”
Before Jones could answer, Weber cut in sharply, “It’s just a stone he picked up on the garden path. Rounded nicely, that’s all.”
Jones let out a soft hum of exasperation. “Merlin, don’t underestimate this stone. I’ve infused it with three layers of magic.”
Merlin stared at the stone in disbelief. “Are you joking? You’re telling me a random stone picked from the ground has three layers of magic on it?”
“This old fellow isn’t lying to you. Take it. For someone like you, these three spells are more than enough.”
Weber yawned lazily and elaborated, “Holy Light Shield, Healing Light, and Vengeance of Light—these are practical, useful Holy Light spells.”
Merlin’s brow furrowed. Could this really be true? Magic typically required special scrolls or alchemical tools to hold spells, didn’t it? A mere stone could serve as a vessel for magic?
Weber caught the doubt in Merlin’s expression. “Relax. It’s not a trick. But next time, you’d better bring an extra portion of those delicacies.”
Merlin nodded, carefully tucking the stone close to his chest. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget you guys. But I still have classes, and after school, I sell Lotus Leaf Beggar’s Chicken. Besides, I don’t know where you live—meeting you by chance in the back garden doesn’t mean I can deliver these foods to you right away.”
“That’s a bit torturous, honestly. A whole day without your cooking would leave me utterly listless,” Weber muttered, frowning briefly before an idea struck him.
“I’ve got it. Where exactly do you sell your Lotus Leaf Beggar’s Chicken in the academy?”
“In the courtyard in front of the teaching building,” Merlin replied.
“That’s perfect. I’ll have my pets fetch the chicken from you.”
Merlin’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “You mean… the messenger owls?”
“Oh~ so it’s his owls,” Jones said, his gaze lifting toward the top of the Mage Tower, where Weber kept the owls. “This old man has had a soft spot for owls. Over the years, I’ve raised thousands of them.”
“Now there are tens of thousands. Honestly, I had them work as academy messengers just to earn their own keep. But it hasn’t really worked out. Not many parents send letters for their children, maybe my prices are too high,” Weber said, his expression tinged with helplessness. He had been using his private funds to support these owls.
Although he was the Dean of the Arcane Academy, the school’s finances had been strained these past few years, with deficits in several areas. To maintain permanent neutrality, the Academy refused funds from any nation, faction, or race, relying only on tuition fees and minor contributions from students, which was hardly sufficient. The majority of the academy’s income came from Arcane City taxes.
“So, the academy’s messenger owls are all raised by you, Old Deng. But you’re right—your delivery service is far too expensive. One gold coin per delivery, and the letters have to go through the Academy first. Ordinary families don’t need it, and nobles rely on their household servants. There’s no way you’d make a profit,” Merlin said. Weber’s face fell further.
“However… I think I have a way to make these owls earn their keep—and maybe even make you a tidy profit.”
“What? Merlin, you really have a plan?”
Weber grabbed Merlin’s shoulders, eyes alight with excitement. Merlin nodded calmly; for him, it wasn’t a difficult task.
“Of course. I’m thinking of an owl delivery service. If these owls are smart enough, we can start right away.”
“Delivery?”
“Yes. Use the owls to deliver the food I make, charging different rates depending on distance.” Merlin had long envisioned a delivery arm for his culinary empire. The business would only grow, and having a delivery service was essential.
Hiring owls cost far less than human couriers—they only needed enough food to stay satisfied. And that wasn’t hard. Every day, the leftover innards, chicken tails, and even bones from his cooking could feed them. The owls didn’t care about picky diets.
“That’s a brilliant idea, but can it really work?”
“Let’s try. Lend me a dozen or so owls to test. If it works, we can expand the owl delivery fleet.”
Weber considered it carefully. It might just work. Giving the owls stable employment and a way to feed themselves would be a blessing.
-Back of the Beast Academy
Jean stared at Merlin, who was followed by a dozen owls, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. How had Merlin managed to gather so many owls in just one trip? And weren’t these the academy’s messenger owls?
“Boss… these are?”
“These? My new employees. I plan to make them delivery personnel,” Merlin said, gesturing to the owls.
“Delivery personnel?”
Jean had never heard that term before. Merlin didn’t explain further. “You’ll understand in time. By the way, get Gallant over here. I need him to build a resting place for these new employees—make it big, on that empty patch over there.”
Though confused, Jean didn’t press the matter. He simply focused on doing his job.
“Who are you all, and what are you doing here?”
Merlin turned at the voice and saw a slender, graceful elven girl peering curiously around the clearing.
An elf? Merlin took in the sight: her waist-length silver hair fell like a shimmering waterfall, glinting softly in the sunlight. Her eyes were clear, deep, and piercing—rare emerald green, glinting with curiosity, as if she could see straight into one’s heart.