Chapter 55: Escaping Crisis No.0
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: Escaping Crisis No.0
A cold sweat started breaking out like crazy. The sweat-soaked fabric of my shirt clung to my back.
What do I do? I don't have that kind of power. The truth is, I'm not a warden, I'm just a laborer they captured.
To make matters worse, Captain Abbey was paying very close attention to the vampire. I'd used my position as her only collaborator in the Abyss to tease and half-threaten her. If the vampire escaped, Captain Abbey might actually try to kill me.
I had to talk my way out of this and stop the vampire from escaping. But how? If I nodded, I had no way to get him out. If I shook my head, she was bound to abandon me here. What should I do?
Think, think. The only way to break through this.
Ah.
Yes.
That's it.
Sacrifice the horse to save the general.
"Please wait just a moment. Getting him out of here is easier than flipping my left palm over."
For the record, starting today, I've decided not to flip my palm over even if someone beats me to death for it. So, technically, it's not a lie.
I raised a finger on the left hand I'd decided not to flip and said, "However, there is one thing we need. And that condition has not yet been met."
"And what is that?"
"Finlay's will to leave this place."
The vampire looked puzzled.
"A foolish question. Would he not, of course, wish to return?"
"Then why haven't you returned, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka?"
"I have lived for a very long time, and I have little to do in the outside world..."
"By that same logic, couldn't the same be true for Finlay? His reason for leaving this place must also depend on his own will. That is, if you don't force him, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka."
If she so wished, the vampire could order Finlay to die on the spot. Finlay might feel a slight regret for a life not fully lived, but he would obey his Progenitor's command. The very blood that sustained his life, all his power, originated from her.
Paradoxically, this was what led the Progenitor to keep other vampires at a distance.
Fearing her words might cloud his judgment, she pressed her lips together and stepped back. It was a sign that she would not interfere with Finlay's decision.
Confirming this, I turned to Finlay.
"Now, Finlay. Listen carefully. You have two choices."
As if offering him a grand opportunity, I held up two fingers on my left hand.
"If we get you out, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka will remain here. You will never be able to achieve the goal that brought you to this place."
Then, I folded one finger down. Only one remained.
All eyes were drawn to the single, upright finger. A visual cue. The weight of his decision was now focused on the one choice this finger would indicate.
I slowly folded that finger down as I spoke.
"But if you decide to stay, you gain the opportunity to be with Trainee Tyrkanzyaka. You can serve your great Progenitor and leave open the possibility that she might one day consider hearing your story. This would be precious time you could never get if you returned to the surface now."
After folding the finger completely, I made a tight fist and spoke with force.
"This is an opportunity. Think carefully. Will you seize this chance here, in this land, or will you return to the surface?"
This was Finlay, who had entered the Abyss of his own accord with the sole intention of persuading his Progenitor. Having not yet achieved his goal, his desire to escape was naturally low.
Until a moment ago, he had been prepared to return simply because it was his Progenitor's command, but now that she had consciously withdrawn her influence, Finlay made a rational judgment.
He's right. There's nothing for me to gain by going back up. But here, there is something to be gained, and something I must do. I must attend to the Progenitor, who is all alone! At some point, taking pity on me, she might grant my request!
He dreamed of a glorious future: becoming the Progenitor's right hand, ascending to the surface with her, and earning glory for his unparalleled service.
Though that dream had already half-crumbled, Finlay decided to grasp at what little hope remained.
"My Progenitor."
The vampire, guessing Finlay's decision, answered.
"Finlay. Do you truly intend to remain here?"
"If you permit it, my Progenitor, then I shall."
If she did not permit it, he would ascend immediately. The command of the great Progenitor was something a mere kindred, not even an Elder, could never refuse.
Because of this, because her kindred lost even their free will before her, the Progenitor pitied them and respected their decisions as much as possible.
"Follow your own will."
"Thank you! I, the unworthy Finlay, shall remain in this Abyss and serve your will!"
The vampire looked down at the kneeling Finlay for a moment before turning her gaze to me.
"...However, should his will change, I ask that you make it so he can be sent back up at any time."
Time to play hard to get. I couldn't give the impression that I was a pushover.
"You're acting like a real queen bee. Is this a hotel? Am I your trainee's personal lackey? Stop asking me to do things. Cut it out."
I couldn't just agree easily. The moment I did, the fact that I was just a worthless laborer would be exposed. I had to make them not want to leave, and make it so they couldn't leave. I answered her that way, fully prepared to tank my favorability with the vampire.
And then.
"You bastard!"
Finlay shot to his feet, shouting. The veins on his neck bulged as he pointed an accusing finger at me.
"Huh?"
"How dare a mere human refuse the Progenitor's request! I will not forgive this disrespect toward her. It matters not how powerful you are. I don't care if my body is reduced to a pool of blood. For the sake of the Progenitor's authority, I challenge you to a duel—!"
Wait.
He was serious. He perceived me as an incredibly powerful being, yet he was challenging me to uphold his Progenitor's authority, even if it meant his own death.
The problem was, I was so weak I couldn't even guarantee a win against the kindred of his kindred's kindred.
Dammit, does he value his life so little? This is why I hate vampires! What do I do? If they find out I'm weak here...!
"Enough, Finlay."
The vampire's command was absolute. In that instant, Finlay stopped speaking, did a clean 180-degree turn, and knelt.
Is he insane? While I was still dumbfounded, the vampire spoke to me, her tone much softer.
"I see I have only made unreasonable demands of you. Even you cannot be the king of this place."
"Ah, no. Well."
"I ask for your understanding once more. Please consider that conversation forgotten."
"Fine, whatever."
"Yes. Thank you."
Something felt off. I looked at the source of this strange unease.
That vampire, Finlay... he doesn't seem to fear death much, does he?
To a vampire, the Progenitor is like a combination of a god and a mother. Of course, there are plenty of people who couldn't care less about gods or mothers, but Finlay didn't seem to be one of them. It wasn't hard to understand if I thought of him as a fanatic.
Hmm. Leaving someone like that around can't be good.
"Wait. I have something to say, too."
Just as I was pondering this, the Regressor interjected with perfect timing. She fixed Finlay with a sharp gaze and interrogated him.
"How did you get in here? You couldn't have come by any ordinary means."
As she spoke, the Regressor's eyes turned orange.
The second of the Seven Colored Eyes: the Imperious Gaze of Amber.
Known as the King's Eyes, it could perceive everything within her line of sight in minute detail, allowing her to detect suspicious signs on a person's body or objects hidden in their pockets.
Just as the Regressor was about to dig for something using her power, the vampire stepped in front of her, blocking Finlay.
"Shei."
"Yes?"
"Let the interrogation end there. We have already spoken of many things. He has committed no crime, so what reason is there to question him further? Especially for a trainee like you."
"Huh? Wait, Tyrkanzyaka. This is important..."
"It may be important, but it is not urgent. Tomorrow will be the same as today, so can it not wait a day? Besides, there is no law that says Finlay must answer your questions."
"B-but."
"Or will you disregard my will yet again?"
"N-no! Tyrkanzyaka! I!"
"Good. Then let us see each other tomorrow. I also have things to ask Finlay."
"O-okay! I will!"
With that "okay," the Regressor gave a quick nod and retreated. The vampire once again rested the parasol on her shoulder, and Finlay looked up at her with eyes full of boundless admiration.
As expected, my Progenitor holds the highest position even in a place like this! I am so proud to be one of the nobles of the night!
Jeez, Regressor. She's completely deflated. It seems the vampire's last outburst really got to her.
In any case, thanks. I appreciate the unexpected windfall.
The Regressor didn't get her answer, but I could read the one that surfaced in Finlay's mind. I'll be taking that, thank you very much.
The red-haired mage who gave me the information clearly said the Progenitor was asleep. But when I arrived, she was already awake. It seems they woke her. I don't know what method they used, but it's a relief. It saved me from the disrespect of waking her myself.
Hoh. A red-haired mage. Quite a striking image. Who could that be?
He said it was up to me how I used the information and handed me a bracelet. He told me that if I wore this parachute and fell into the Abyss, I could reach Tantalus. I lost it from the shock of the parachute deploying on the way down, though.
Ahh. So that's why he hit the ground without a parachute. Good. The wreckage should still be there. I'll go retrieve it later.
I was half in doubt, but he was right. In that case, his other words must be true as well.
Just need to read this last thought.
He introduced himself as an escaped prisoner from Tantalus.
Huh? Wait a minute. An escapee?
This was more important information than I thought. The escapees of Tantalus. If I could find even a clue as to how they escaped, I could finally put an end to this miserable life! It was worth keeping him alive. Overjoyed, I delved deeper into his thoughts, searching for the key to escape that had to be in Finlay's memory.
And then.
He did say that there's no way to escape from Tantalus anymore, and that if I came down, my only option would be to wait for the Military State to get me out... but still, I don't regret it. If I stay by the Progenitor's side, an opportunity will eventually arise!
Ah.
A bust.