Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Deep Conversation - 2
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A flinch.
Adin's body trembled.
Bellosian sneered.
“All the world's lies are mine. Didn't you reclaim the Agril you bestowed? What makes you think I can't do the same?”
“Ugh... G-give it back. Give me back my power.”
“Of course. If you deliver the oracle.”
“...!”
“But it's not just about issuing one oracle and calling it done. I have quite a few requests for you this time, Adin.”
Adin's eyes darted around.
He had joined hands with Bellosian solely to ascend to the seat of the heavenly god, to receive worship and praise from all.
And for that alone, he had killed Impellium.
The golden throne where he had sat until moments ago was everything Adin had achieved.
As long as Bellosian held that leash, his answer was set.
“What do I need to do.”
“First off, use honorifics?”
“...”
“Pfft. Kidding. Hearing them from you would just sour my mood.”
“...Aren't you using honorifics with me?”
“I use honorifics with humans to show my contempt.”
“I'm not human!”
“Yeah, yeah. Let's move past that.”
He continued indifferently.
“From now on, issue the oracle exactly as I say. Not a single word changed.”
He slowly recited the contents of the oracle.
Kaild Wake, who had been listening breathlessly, felt his heart pounding.
‘Ah, I see. If it's exactly that content...’
Who the hell is this Bellosian, anyway?
Who could treat a self-proclaimed heavenly god like a child?
Should he just ask?
That guy seems to want to make me the hero, so maybe if he asks directly...
It was then.
“That should do it for now. Any opinions? Kaild Wake.”
Bellosian turned to Kaild.
Kaild desperately held back a hiccup.
“No need to pretend you didn't hear. I knew you were eavesdropping from the start.”
“...Don't you use honorifics with me?”
“You're not human.”
“What do you mean?”
“Humans each have their uses and roles in their world. But you're not needed even as much as an ant's tear, so you're no human.”
He recited the gut-wrenching words oh-so-calmly.
Kaild shakily got to his feet.
Then he looked at Adin, who had collapsed in a daze behind Bellosian.
“What's with the old man.”
“You're doing that because you heard everything.”
“Fine. Change of question. Why is the heavenly god groveling to you, the demon king's ally?”
“For the same reason as you. You'll grovel before me too.”
“...!”
“You two are alike. Well, Adin modeled you after himself when he made you the assassin to kill Bion.”
At those words, both Adin and Kaild shuddered.
Bellosian turned to Adin with a smirk.
“By the way, don't you laugh like that anymore? Adin.”
“What.”
“With a ‘Heh-heh.’”
Adin's face twisted horribly.
I arrived in Hasfil Territory and first sought out the lord.
The lord summarized the rumors and stories flowing in and out from the Empire.
It was valuable information for me, who had only checked fame numerically.
“So the events in Havel Territory are spreading.”
“Yes. It's the incident that most clearly revealed Kaild as the demon king's vanguard. It can't help but spread.”
“Good.”
“Of course, but it's not all positive effects.”
We tilted our heads.
The lord cleared his throat once and spoke.
“It's such an outrageous event. In territories that haven't met you yet, Maide, there's talk that this itself is the demon king's scheme.”
“Hmm.”
“People only believe what they see with their own eyes.”
“...”
“And this concerns humanity's very survival. Unlike other matters, it's hard to judge based on mere rumors alone.”
He wiped the sweat from his brow.
Then continued in a gentle tone.
“But even those territories will change their minds once they meet you, Maide. I guarantee it.”
“Haha. Music to my ears.”
“More importantly, what brings you to our territory...”
“Ah. Just some business.”
Finding bait to summon Impellium. Finding ways to strengthen my party members.
But the lord seemed to misunderstand.
“Your mother, Lady Dian, is being well cared for. Formally under house arrest, of course.”
“Ahem.”
“Shall I arrange a visit?”
“...Please.”
The lord rose immediately.
He could have sent a servant, but he personally escorted me to the prison.
Then he bowed politely to me.
“I'll take my leave then. If there's any discomfort, please let me know later. You never ask for anything first.”
Even though her status was that of a criminal, he spoke as if to a VIP.
I nodded somewhat awkwardly.
Once the lord left, Jenia spoke.
“Ready?”
“Hm? For what?”
“Ah. I was asking Neril.”
Neril flinched at the random question.
Jenia asked again.
“Have you practiced enough, Neril?”
“Not at all. I only need to see it once.”
“Adwin said your soul looks very sleepy.”
“...”
“You pulled an all-nighter.”
What the hell are they talking about?
Offense chuckled.
“You two go in already.”
“Huh? You're not coming?”
“We greeted her last time. You're the only one in the party who hasn't been introduced, Neril.”
“...”
“You two were too busy hugging and rubbing back then.”
How did they see that?
Neril snapped.
“We weren't rubbing.”
Mother's prison cell was fit for nobility if not for the bars.
A plush bed, tools for comfort.
Amusements and even jewelry.
Though they all looked barely used.
‘She hasn't touched any of it.’
I steadied myself and said.
“Mother. It's me.”
Mother was eating.
She looked up in surprise.
“Son!”
“Yes. It's me.”
“...Have you eaten?”
“Haha. That's your first question?”
“I didn't know what to say first.”
“Hm. Then this first. Let me introduce the party member you missed last time.”
I turned.
And my eyes went wide.
“What are you doing. It doesn't suit you.”
“Shh... Oh, what do you mean, Maide.”
“...”
“Greetings, Mother. I'm Neril Slaine, Maide's ‘first’ party member.”
Neril curtsied like noble ladies at a ball, pinching her skirt.
Her fingertips trembled.
It was proper etiquette, but from Neril, it felt like a dream.
[She stayed up practicing that.]
‘Learned from Jenia. That's what she was asking about.’
[Heh. Who'd have thought Neril would act so refined. Power of love is amazing.]
Clunk.
Mother shot up, clasped her hands, and bowed.
“Hello, Neril.”
“Please speak comfortably, Mother.”
“Ah. But.”
“Maide's always in her debt. ...? No. She owes Maide.”
“...”
“I'm a mage. Two hund... Just twenty-two. Hobbies are flower arranging and reciting poetry.”
“...”
“Favorite fruit is apple. Favorite tea is black tea. Age... I said that? Ah, I'm a mage.”
You said that too.
Unable to watch, I stepped in.
“Calm down. Deep breath first.”
“Sip.”
“Now exhale.”
“Fuu.”
“Better?”
“What do you mean, Maide? I'm fine.”
“Your speech slipped.”
It was then.
“Ahaha. Haha.”
Mother burst into laughter.
Tears welled in her eyes from genuine amusement.
As Neril fidgeted, Mother said.
“I see. So that's it.”
“Yes?”
“Hm. Maide, could you step out for a bit?”
I was surprised, but Neril looked like the sky was falling.
She acted as if doubting if this woman was really her.
Swish.
She grabbed my sleeve.
Mother's eyes curved warmly at the sight.
“No worries, Neril.”
“Mother.”
“I already like you. Let's chat freely.”
Neril's face relaxed slightly.
She let go of my sleeve.
“Yeah. Step out for a bit.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Mother likes me, so it's fine.”
“Got it. I'll come back later.”
“Yes. Take care.”
...
She doesn't seem fine yet.
Outside, the group swarmed.
Adwin's eyes sparkled.
“How was it?”
“What.”
“Come on, bro. I know everything now. Learned from Mother.”
“...”
“Not weird stuff. Something very beautiful...”
“Stop. No explanations.”
Risel spoke.
“Neril was stressing quietly. Asked me, ‘What did you do meeting Grade's parents first time?’”
“Really? Why didn't I know.”
“Said she'd kill me if I told you, Maide.”
“...What'd you say?”
“Told her just be natural. I've been pampered by in-laws from the start.”
Risel continued excitedly.
“I was originally a slave brought to care for his parents when Grade was away.”
“Sudden backstory.”
“Grade was a warrior roaming battlefields until the Destruction Demon King descended. Like you now, Maide—a mercenary.”
“More revelations.”
“I learned cooking from Mother too. Elderly, but her food always had deep flavor. I can't even touch her level.”
Knowing Risel's cooking, I figured it was 100% embellished.
Serein cut in.
“That wouldn't have helped Neril at all.”
“Yes!”
“Don't answer so brightly.”
“Didn't come to you, Serein? Neril.”
“...”
“Ah. No need to...”
“Shut up.”
Soon the group was chattering excitedly among themselves.
I decided to use the time productively.
[Productively?]
‘Picking what to say to Father.’
[Hm.]
‘More precisely, sorting my feelings.’
Until I saw the secret between Father and Mother, I admired him endlessly.
The finest hunter.
Talented yet devoted to family.
When those pot-lid hands stroked my head, I'd smile unwittingly.
I must erase those feelings and face him calmly.
And hear his answers.
‘Wish Eye of Omniscience was S-rank already.’
[Almost there. Hang in.]
‘Postpone till then?’
[Don't dodge. Not like you.]
...
Sigh. Right.
As I steeled myself.
“Maide. Come down.”
Neril came out.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
A happy smile played on her lips.
Her expression alone told me the talk with Mother went well.
I feigned nonchalance.
“What'd Mother say?”
“Secret.”
“Why.”
“Mother said keep it secret.”
...
I'll ask her myself now.
I spent the next hour chatting with Mother.
Calmer than last time, we shared much.
Mother was immensely proud of me.
She told me to defeat the demon king and return.
This might be my retirement spot someday.
[You gave up retiring last time.]
‘Quiet.’
Time flew.
As I rose, not wanting to keep the group waiting, Mother said.
“Seems Neril loves you dearly.”
“...?”
“Why the weird face?”
“No. Calling her Neril already? Jumping ahead.”
“You're not late?”
“...Speaking of, what'd you talk about with Neril? A secret?”
Mother smiled brightly.
“Just stories of you as a kid.”
“Specifically.”
“You'd want to crawl into a hole if you knew.”
“...”
“Sure you want to know?”
Trail butted in without reading the room.
[That's why I'm here. Show you?]
Shut up.
Anyway, I bid farewell and left the prison.
Greetings done, back to the main goal.
I told Adwin.
“Father's soul... Hm. No.”
“Yes?”
“Let's move.”
I said and walked ahead.
Neril caught up.
“Move where?”
“Our house.”
“Ah.”
“I'm not confident keeping calm reuniting with Father. I'll try, but it'll show.”
“...”
“Then he might not answer.”
Jenia said cautiously.
“I get it. But going home specially...”
“Father taught me chopping wood once.”
“...”
“There, he'll talk.”
Didn't intend to, but my voice grew heavy.
The group fell silent.
I blamed myself, trying to lighten the mood.
It was then.
Pat pat.
Neril patted my back.
Her touch was endlessly gentle.