Chapter 58: A Mind Reader's Monologue
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58: A Mind Reader's Monologue
Just as the vampire had said, Finlay stopped showing up out of nowhere to act all high and mighty.
Though, sometimes when I was cooking, slicing ingredients with a knife, he would watch with eyes full of anticipation, his gaze flickering between the kitchen knife and my fingers. Not a chance. If I were dumb enough to get cut by a simple kitchen knife, I wouldn't be able to shuffle cards.
Do you have any idea how dangerous shuffling is? One wrong move and you could lose a wrist. Compared to that, dicing vegetables, where the worst that can happen is losing a finger, is a piece of cake.
Sorry, but there's no food for vampires in a human's kitchen. Get lost.
In any case, a semblance of peace returned to the Abyss. The vampire spent more time leaving Finlay on his own, and while the Regressor wasn't satisfied, she at least wasn't on edge anymore. The great ripples had subsided, and we were entering a strange period of stability.
It was during this time that I found myself facing the golem in a corner of the cafeteria.
『Acknowledged.』
The golem’s voice, having heard my report, sounded a degree softer.
『There are still many scattered issues, but with few means at our disposal, we anticipate a period of observation for the time being. Please maintain the current situation until further measures are taken from the homeland.』
“Understood! You can count on me!”
『…』
The golem then began to stare at me in silence. Perhaps because it was a golem's stare, it felt incredibly unnerving.
“Why are you just holding your mouth to the microphone and staying quiet? What else do you have to say?”
『…A question. Why are you being so cooperative today?』
“Today? I’ve always been cooperative with you, Captain Abbey. Have I ever refused one of your requests?”
『Those were your duties. You are a laborer of Tantalus and are obligated to follow my legitimate orders as its administrator.』
“Right, so aside from the times we had minor disagreements that needed adjusting, I followed them all, didn't I? You asked me to take you somewhere, I took you. Asked me to save you, I saved you. An intruder falls in, I deal with them. I’ve even solved problems on my own without any orders. Where else would you find such an exemplary laborer?”
『And did you not use each of those instances as leverage to make unreasonable demands of me?』
“Unreasonable demands? Like what?”
『I am referring to you forcing me to use specific words and perform certain actions.』
“Specific words and actions? Hmm? I don’t seem to recall.”
The golem paused for a moment. Then, a dry voice flowed from the speaker.
『Did you not coerce me into using childish language, such as ‘oppa’ or ‘piggyback’?』
“Oh, that? Come on, that was just a joke.”
I tried to brush it off, but the golem’s glare was so piercing that I had to make more excuses.
“Honestly, what’s so difficult about that that you have to use the word ‘coerce’? Did you lose money, Captain Abbey? Did you get hurt? I just asked you to say you wanted a piggyback ride. The order just became a little cuter, that’s all. In the end, I gladly gave you one, so isn't it a win-win?”
『Negative. I am a signaller of the Military State and a captain in the Independent Signal Corps. I have a duty to maintain the dignity befitting my position.』
“You’re a golem, aren't you? If I had made the real Captain Abbey do that, I’d be a pervert, no question. But all I did was joke around a bit with this little golem.”
『Your perversion is already beyond question.』
“A pervert? My goodness. You’ve got quite a mouth on you for a little sister.”
『…』
Oh, is she mad?
Before the golem could seriously consider retaliation, I quickly moved on to the next topic.
“Ah, and the Progenitor said something else. She said Finlay fell here by mistake and asked for him to be returned to the surface.”
A sigh escaped the golem, which had been staring at me intently. It was so absurd that she’d given up on refuting it.
『Impossible. Having entered the Abyss of Tantalus with a specific intent, he has violated security laws. Had this been the surface, a warrant would have been issued for his arrest. But this is the Abyss. Therefore, the Progenitor’s request cannot be accommodated.』
“I told her something similar and managed to hold her off for now, but she looks ready to just fly off if things go south. As you know, powerful vampires can fly freely even in darkness like this, right? What if she just flies up to the surface?”
『Escape is also impossible.』
The golem answered curtly. The explanation was so short that I flailed my arms in protest.
“Hey, I’m telling you, she’s going to fly! She said she’d fly until she dies of old age! And since vampires don’t die of old age, that’s basically forever! No matter how deep the Abyss is, she’ll eventually get out, right? Then I’ll be shot for failing to manage the prisoners!”
『You need not concern yourself with that matter. It is impossible to escape this place, the Abyss, by flying through the air.』
The moment she said that, the golem’s voice cut off abruptly. A clean slice, as if cut by a knife.
Then, a much sharper voice flowed from beyond the golem.
『…As a signaller of the Military State, I am giving you a formal warning.』
The slight leeway that had been present in our conversation was now gone. The golem, having let a sliver of truth slip through the loose tension I had so carefully cultivated, realized its mistake and composed itself.
With a rigid demeanor that left no room for intrusion, the golem spoke.
『I fully understand your position and have been cooperative, considering you are the only available personnel within Tantalus and have built a rapport with the trainees due to your status. However.』
The eyes made of crystal orbs moved. My entire form was reflected in those round spheres that trapped the light.
Far beyond, in a place I could not see, the eyes watching me must have turned cold.
『If you show any signs of attempting to extract information from me again, or if such signs are observed, I will also seek other means to ‘replace’ you.』
This is why I don't really like the Military State. The people, the ideology, the system—it’s all so rigid. It’s a hard place to survive.
In a world this harsh, there’s no place for a magician who chases romance.
I answered with a smile. The golem stared at me for a long moment before unilaterally cutting the connection without warning.
The light in the crystal orbs vanished, and the iron body slumped over.
*
Finlay no longer demanded my blood. As per the Progenitor’s sublime command, he completely stopped interfering with my life or popping in unannounced.
He stopped, but…
‘Get cut. Just cut your finger. Bleed.’
I had overlooked one crucial fact: I am a mind reader.
Whenever I was cooking, especially when I was doing something with a kitchen knife, Finlay would hide and watch, showering me with curses.
Still, hearing those thoughts over and over was enough to drive me mad. At this point, it was no different from a curse.
Seriously, why is that gremlin so obsessed with my blood?
‘I must offer blood to the Progenitor! For a Kindred to speak to their Blood Lord—especially one of such a high station—they must bring fresh blood. The Kindred offers the blood, and the Blood Lord receives it, listening to the story contained within. It is tradition, so the Progenitor will surely accept it!’
Reading his thoughts, it seemed Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka was also a little mistaken.
Before a Blood Lord, a Kindred is infinitely insignificant. The Blood Lord who gave them vampiric life, who can dominate them through Bloodcraft, who can end their life with a flick of a finger—to a Kindred, they are like a god and a parent combined.
‘The Progenitor pities us. She wishes to protect us. I understand her will, so if I plead with her again and again, I can persuade her.’
However.
The world is full of children who don't even recognize their own parents, and the number of humans who scorn their gods is absurdly high.
Furthermore, the feelings they harbor are all different. There are ten thousand ways for ten thousand people to revere their parents, and the followers of a single religion will each have their own way of venerating their god.
‘Yes! I’ll tell her about the Elder’s demise. If she learns that one of her closest Kindred has perished, the grieving Progenitor might have a change of heart.’
Finlay deliberated.
When he first prostrated himself before the Progenitor, a being like a god to vampires, he had clearly hesitated, if only for a moment.
Should he deceive the Progenitor to turn the situation to his advantage, or should he confess the truth, no matter the outcome?
Back then, fearful and unfamiliar with the Progenitor’s power, he had chosen the truth.
‘Although he… wasn’t hunted by the Sanctum. Even the Progenitor wouldn’t know that much. If she blames me for it later, I will gladly accept the punishment. For her to be here, idling away with these worthless followers, is a great loss for us nobles of the night.’
The unknown is fear. Therefore, we are always humble before it.
When darkness falls, one must either greet it respectfully with a torch or a lamp, or cower inside a room.
Conversely, knowledge is peace, and at the same time, arrogance.
Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka, contrary to her infamous reputation, was quite benevolent. Having been protected by her a few times now, Finlay no longer felt the same level of fear.
That must have been what changed his mind.
“Hah. Which means my response has to change, too.”
I sometimes feel that the ability to read minds has its downsides. Like now, when I hear things I’d rather not know.
I am not a prophet. I don't know what will happen in the future.
But when someone’s thoughts flow into my head, when my mind-reading lays bare a resolve that is far too grand for such a shabby plan, I can’t help but be seized by a strange sentiment.
Pity? Contempt?
It’s so ridiculous that I almost want to help the plan succeed, yet at the same time, I want to ruin it like a mischievous child. A strange emotion gently blossoms.
Come to think of it, it’s more fun when there’s some difficulty in reading thoughts.
The golem, or the Regressor, or if not them, the vampire, or even Azzy. There’s a certain pleasure in digging for their thoughts.
I suppose this, too, is the conceit of the well-fed.
Just then, the food was ready. As a final touch, I sliced a hard carrot into long strips to garnish the plate, then took a bell from my pocket and shook it.
Tinkle, tinkle.
“Woof! Woof woof!”
Azzy’s barks echoed, and Finlay, who had been hiding around the corner, hastily fled. Paying Finlay no mind, I set the plate down as Azzy stormed into the cafeteria. Azzy sat on a chair, buried her head in the bowl, and began to munch on the carrots first.
Wiping my hands on a cloth, I called out.
“Finlay!”
Finlay, who was slinking back, flinched at my voice.
I looked directly at him, past the corner, and said.
“Tell Trainee Tyrkanzyaka that she has a class this afternoon.”