Chapter 57: I'll Burn It Down
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: I'll Burn It Down
Despite getting scolded by Azzy a few times, Finlay remained a constant nuisance.
Whenever someone spoke, he would interrupt with a little ‘Ahem’ or ‘Ah-ah,’ and if the Regressor or Azzy so much as raised a fist, he’d either bolt or use his vampire connections as a shield.
He was infuriating, but he never did anything worth killing him over. And if we tried to teach him a lesson, the vampires backing him were a slight concern. This awkward feeling of being unable to spit him out or swallow him down tormented the Regressor and me.
Hardship forges bonds. And because of one measly Finlay, the Regressor and I—two people who otherwise would have never sought each other out in a million years—were brought together.
“Tch, now there are two annoying things. At this rate, I’m going to die of stress. I have to get rid of at least one of them.”
“Two? I get that one is Finlay, but who’s the other?”
“You.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?!”
As I shouted in outrage, the Regressor crossed her arms and spoke.
“You’re both similar. You both butt in whenever you feel like it, and you both act high and mighty under Tyrkanzyaka’s protection. The way you act on a whim while barely toeing the line? You’re practically twins.”
“I can tolerate most insults, but I absolutely cannot accept that one. No, I won’t.”
Though I am endlessly merciful, even my patience has its limits. I would consider being compared to Finlay an attack on my person. I refuted the Regressor’s words point by point.
“Take a look at yourself! Butting in all the time? That’s your hobby, Trainee Shei! Receiving Trainee Tyrkanzyaka’s protection? Who was it that formed a master-disciple relationship with the Progenitor! Acting on a whim? If I had to point out the most willful person in this Abyss, you’d have to look in a mirror first!”
“Hah?”
“It’s a perfect match! Why don’t you change your name while you’re at it? Not Finlay, but Finshei! It’s perfect! Anyone who saw you two would think you were a married couple!”
“What the hell does being a married couple have to do with that bastard?!”
The Regressor, looking more pissed off than I’d ever seen her since I came to the Abyss, suddenly remembered her own little persona and said, “I’ll say it again, I’m a man!”
Ah, right, that was her whole thing. I’d forgotten for a moment, but thankfully, I had a way to explain it.
“Yes. A man who likes men.”
“Hey!! That’s—!”
“It’s funny, now that I think about it. You’re the one who shouted that you like men, yet you get angry when it’s brought up. What’s with that? Are you ashamed of your own tastes after declaring them so loudly?”
Faced with my impeccable logic, the Regressor could only stand there fuming, unable to utter a single word.
Don’t pick fights you can’t win. She’s never beaten me in an argument, so why does she keep trying to act up?
I said, cleaning out my ear, “Um, sorry, but please don’t ever develop a crush on me. You might not care since it’s the truth for you, Trainee Shei, but I really hate being misunderstood like that. I’m just an ordinary person with ordinary tastes, after all.”
“Don’t worry! That will never happen, even if the sky falls!”
After snapping at me, the Regressor crossed her arms again and muttered, “Anyway, as much as I’d like to get rid of you, it’d be easier to deal with Finlay. At the very least, we have to stop him from strutting around like he owns the place.”
“Isn’t it a bit much to say you want to get rid of someone right in front of them?”
“That’s why I said it.”
The Regressor answered slyly, then muttered to herself.
‘He came down to the Abyss to start a war. He’s probably one of the most radical of the pro-war faction. Knowing that a Great War breaks out in the future, I can’t let Tyrkanzyaka get close to a pro-war vampire. I have to drive him away, whether by persuasion or threats.’
What’s this, Regressor? You said it was just because he was easier to deal with, but you had a surprisingly deep reason?
In contrast, my reason for wanting to get rid of Finlay was simply ‘because I don’t like him.’ The difference was a little stark.
Hmm. There’s no way my ordinary, good-natured personality is worse than the Regressor’s. Have I been in the Abyss so long that I’ve become a little corrupted? I’ll have to be more careful from now on.
“Still, you know, right? Finlay may act like that, but he’s a Yeiling. A vampire ranked just below the ruling Elders—who inherited the Progenitor’s blood—and their elite Ain. Yeiling aren’t incredibly rare, but one from the Sanguine line is still a big deal around here.”
“He’s still just a small fry. You and I can both deal with a guy like that easily.”
That’s you, not me. I’d need something like a holy hand grenade to deal with him.
When I didn’t answer, the Regressor gave me a curious look, then seemed to take my silence as an affirmation that didn’t even need a verbal response and moved on.
“Besides, he’s a guy who came here hoping for war. It’s not good for him to be close to Tyrkanzyaka…”
She stopped mid-sentence.
‘Wait a minute. This guy didn’t accept the suggestion to send Finlay outside. In fact, he wanted to trap him here. There must be a reason.’
Huh? Of course there’s a reason. It’s because I have no way of getting Finlay out of here.
‘Come to think of it, the Military State has always been the type to instigate and meddle in wars. I see. Trapping the Progenitor here must have been part of their plan.’
No, I have no idea what you’re talking about… Or so I wanted to say, but something did stick out.
Captain Abbey’s golem definitely said it. That a war shouldn’t happen ‘yet.’
Looking at it the other way, it means a war must happen ‘someday.’ It means that even the vampires living leisurely in the Abyss are part of the Military State’s war plans.
What are you planning, Military State? Can you even handle it? According to the Regressor, it seems a massive war breaks out in the future.
After thinking that far, I quickly lost interest. Eh, whatever. Anyone who isn’t an idiot knows the Military State is preparing for war. How important could it be? It’s like saying it’s going to snow this winter.
What’s more important right now is…
“…I’m going to separate Finlay from Tyrkanzyaka. It would be best if you didn’t get in my way.”
‘I have to stop the war. If only to prevent those bastards from running rampant in the chaos. If this man stands in my way… then…’
…this Regressor, who’s radiating killing intent at me.
Now, what to do? Hmm. Right, let’s go with this.
“Get in your way? I’d be helping you, not hindering you. Why would I ever obstruct you, Trainee Shei?”
“When you think about it, the reason Finlay couldn’t leave the Abyss was because you persuaded him not to. After doing that, you’re now saying you’ll cooperate with me? That makes no sense.”
The Regressor’s eyes narrowed, as if she were about to cut me down at any moment.
“You’re planning to get in my way, aren’t you?”
Not a bad deduction, but wrong.
As I’ve said time and again, I just didn’t want anyone to find out I was a lowly laborer.
But since I couldn’t tell her that, I just waved my hand with a bright smile.
“Ahaha. So that’s how you took it. How naive.”
“What?”
The Regressor, still glaring, snorted as if to say, Go on, make your excuse.
“Think about it differently. Yes, I said what I said to keep Finlay here. To have him stay here, close to Trainee Tyrkanzyaka.”
“I know. I was there too.”
“And you believed my words at face value? Did you have that much faith in me?”
The Regressor’s eyes widened. The sharp edge they held before was gone, replaced by doubt.
‘…He had another motive? But from his perspective, is there any other benefit to keeping Finlay with Tyrkanzyaka?’
“Don’t take my words at face value; just think about the result of my actions. If you do, you’ll see there’s no reason for us to be hostile.”
Instead of being direct, I laid out some bait. Like breadcrumbs on a forest path, I waited for her to pick up the clues one by one and follow my trail.
‘Wait. I might be thinking about this the wrong way. What if his goal wasn’t to keep Finlay and Tyrkanzyaka together… but to keep Finlay here, period?’
And so, even though she was just following the clues I’d given her, she couldn’t doubt the answer she’d arrived at through her own ‘effort.’
Because one’s efforts must be rewarded. A puzzle you worked hard to solve must be beautiful, and an answer you derived after racking your brain must be perfect.
That’s human psychology. The Regressor was no different.
‘Could it be… he trapped Finlay here to prevent information about this place from leaking out? If Finlay went to the surface and spread the word, other factions might make a move to use Tyrkanzyaka!’
The Regressor came to her own conclusion and thrilled at her discovery. She tried to hide it, but a proud smile crept onto her lips.
What would she think if she knew the truth? That I simply didn’t have the ability to get him out. I’m suddenly curious.
Well, whatever.
“Not everyone in the Military State wants a war, after all. We can be allies.”
For now, I had succeeded in lowering the Regressor’s guard. Though still suspicious, she had relaxed enough to ask for my opinion.
“Do you have a plan?”
“Persuasion, for starters.”
“Persuasion? That’s it?”
‘Not kidnapping, blackmail, or sowing discord?’
I’ve changed my mind. No matter how I look at it, I think I’m a better person than her.
“…I have no idea what’s going on in that head of yours, but we should try the most conventional method first.”
“Fine. Leave the persuading to me.”
“Huh?”
“I know how to persuade people, too. And since I’m her disciple right now, it’ll be much easier for me to bring it up.”
Hmm. I wasn’t very confident in her, but since she was so insistent, I figured I’d watch and see.
I muttered worriedly, “…I’m just saying this just in case, but don’t cut off his arm, okay? Even a vampire would be upset by that.”
“Who do you take me for, a psychopath?!”
“How’d you know?”
*
After deciding to persuade Tyrkanzyaka.
The Regressor took a deep breath and strode toward the vampire alone. I hid behind a nearby corner and watched.
“Tyrkanzyaka. Wait a moment, I have something to tell you.”
The Regressor attempting persuasion was a rare sight indeed. She gave off the impression of someone who’d solve problems with force or money rather than words, so I wasn’t convinced, but she was a Regressor who had been through thick and thin. It wouldn’t be strange if she had abilities I didn’t know about. Let’s see how well she can talk.
“Don’t meet with Finlay!”
…?
What is this? What’s with that word choice? Is she a daughter who hates her new stepdad? Is she begging her mom not to remarry?
“…? How sudden. And why is that?”
A question born of bewilderment. A very natural reaction. The Regressor’s response, however…
“Anyway! I heard he wants to start a war! War is bad! It’s dangerous!”
Hey, Regressor. Try using your vocabulary. Are you a foreigner? Or do you just not talk to people much?
No, come to think of it, she talks to me just fine. This is hopeless. I’ll stop listening and just read her thoughts.
‘Before I regressed, you joined the war, already a wreck. A bloody battle where no one gained anything broke out. Only one thing awaited at the end: the ruin of everything. I’m trying to stop that future, and to do that, it’s better for you to stay far away from the war.’
Her thoughts are relatively normal, so why does she talk like that? What on earth is wrong with this Regressor?
Ah. I think I get it.
Because she was trying to hide the fact that she’s a Regressor, her logic was full of holes, and in her attempt to forcibly patch them, her words devolved into that childish drivel.
It was starting to get pathetic. What was I going to do with her?
“I thought you would understand. Finlay is my retainer, far below me in rank. He cannot even think of defying my will.”
“I know! But!”
“And I do not reverse a decision once made. One who bears a heavy burden must be deliberate even in speech. I will not be changing my mind for the time being. I understand what you wish to say, so you may stop now.”
The Regressor just nodded a few times, then turned and came back to the corner where I was hiding. She then awkwardly reported back to me.
“That’s what she said.”
“Uh, I’m sorry for making such an unreasonable request. From now on, please refrain from things like persuasion and stick to solving problems with force or money.”
‘Huh? I feel kind of offended. Is he being sarcastic?’
The fact that she’s even wondering about that shows just how pathetic her communication skills are. I pity the world this Regressor has to save.
I sighed and stepped forward.
“Wait there. The master of psychological warfare, the magician who plays with people’s hearts, and the secret lover who shares a clandestine relationship with Trainee Tyrkanzyaka in secluded places. A mere disciple can’t compare to me. I’ll go take care of it.”
“Fine. You go take care of i— What? Secret lover?”
“Heave-ho. I’ll be right back.”
Before the Regressor could say anything else, I popped out from the corner and approached the vampire with a hand raised.
“Trainee Tyrkanzyaka. What a coincidence.”
“…What in the world are you two plotting?”
“Haha, plotting? Oh, would you like a massage? My fingers are in top condition today.”
Despite my offer, the vampire didn’t let down her guard.
“Are your intentions not painfully obvious? Why would the one who always makes his reluctance clear suddenly come to me with fingers held high? Besides, Shei is still watching from over there.”
She’s suspicious for once? That’s surprising. This is the person who readily cut open her own chest just because she saw me perform an electric shock? Has she developed a sense of danger?
“So, is that a no?”
“…I did not say that. A little later. When, you know, no one is watching.”
Never mind. Maybe it’s because she’s already dead, but this corpse has zero sense of danger.
Anyway.
“I’ve come to warn you on behalf of Trainee Shei, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka.”
“You too?”
“I know you’re tired of hearing it, but this is for your own good. That vampire, Finlay, there’s something shady about him. You should be careful.”
I said it seriously, but the vampire took it lightly.
“It seems I have made Finlay too disliked. I understand. I shall be more prudent in the future.”
“Prudent how?”
“It means he will no longer bother you in the name of serving me. He obeys my commands, so a single word should suffice.”
Thinking that the Regressor and I had come to her because ‘Finlay is annoying,’ the vampire promised to put a stop to it.
Huh?
That’s not bad.
No, honestly, that’s pretty tempting. I was just annoyed with Finlay, after all.
I quickly nodded.
“Great. If you’d do that for us.”
“Ah, wait. What time should I visit?”
“When have you ever checked the time before visiting? Come whenever you feel like it.”
“Very well.”
Phew. Now that’s a win-win. I returned with a cheerful look on my face.
The Regressor, who had been leaning against the wall, looked up at me with an icy expression.
“What was that?”
“What? A triumph of the human spirit.”
“Triumph, my ass. Nothing got solved, and you just set up a secret rendezvous with Tyrkanzyaka!”
“I didn’t set a time. She said she’d come on her own.”
“I don’t! Want! To know about that!”
“But you’re the one who asked?”
“Tch, whatever! If we’re going to cooperate, then do it properly!”
She pushed me forward again. I was shoved reluctantly back in front of the vampire. Our eyes met awkwardly.
The vampire sighed.
“I truly do not understand why you dislike it so. What is so strange about it? I have formed a bond with you two. What reason is there not to keep my retainer, Finlay, by my side?”
“Uh, maybe it’s the difference in how long you’ve known us? Finlay’s been here less than a week, and it’s uncomfortable how he acts so high and mighty just because he has you to rely on, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka.”
“What difference does that make? It has not even been a full month since I met you.”
To a vampire, a month and a week were both the blink of an eye. To her, there was probably no difference between us and Finlay.
With no counterargument, I just nodded.
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. A month or a week, compared to your lifespan, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka, is no different from the flicker of a firefly on a summer night. Even for a human living an ordinary life, a month is short, so for a 12th-century girl…”
“……? A 12th-century… girl?”
“Oops. I’ve gotta go!”
The Regressor was still waiting over there. But that wasn’t the only corner around. I bolted for the one in the opposite direction.