By Zephyria =======
“Dammit.”
Wolf threw his drinking glass into the sea.
“Hey.”
〔Yes.〕
“Do it. That thing.〕
The Flea never gets angry, even if it receives the same request six hundred times. That was the only advantage of that evil spirit bastard parasitizing human bodies like a poisonous mushroom.
A translucent window bloomed before Wolf’s eyes. He already knew what was written there. He had seen it at least six hundred times.
〔Accessing mirror document…〕
〔Connection complete—beginning document viewing〕
〔Target: You〕
:: Payment Details: 〔Self-protection Right〕
:: Remaining Uses: Unlimited (Always on standby) :: Activation Requirements:
— Accumulation of 5 instances of clear murderous intent and attempted killing by the same individual or group — Detection of one or more fatal attacks
:: Execution Method:
— Reconfiguration of the physical and nervous systems to enhance into a combat form — Drastic increase in physical output and reaction speed — Combat output increase: +90 calden
— Blade manifestation starting from the right palm: Immediate engagement possible. Optimized efficiency for removing close-range threats.
:: Restrictions:
— One-time right to refuse activation granted — This authority is limited to a combat support role — Unconditional survival is not guaranteed
:: Side Effects:
— Potential loss of emotional control ability due to nervous system reconfiguration — Potential restoration of instincts, previously refined by social pressure, to their original state — Increased probability of irreversible rise in defensive and offensive instincts 〔Progress History〕
:: 1st
— Target: ……|……|……|……|……
— Activation conditions met
— Individual protection right activated ⇒ Target neutralization confirmed Wolf’s gaze stuck to one spot. Symbols lined up like fish bones instead of a name. ‘…|…|…|…|…’.
“Still can’t see it.”
〔Re-explaining. This is not the result of processing within
〔The name of the target remains in the storage.〕
〔It is #@!%#@.〕
“Noise again.”
〔Re-confirming. My speech is being blocked only regarding information related to the target. Presumed interference from This World, unrelated to
The same conversation he had with the Flea the day before yesterday and yesterday was repeated today. Just as Stohl warriors check their axes as soon as they wake up in the morning, this futile act was the ritual that opened the day for Wolf. Today, without fail, he sank into thought while staring at the reward details. Clinging to the shitty hope that he might find a clue on the 601st time.
It was two years ago when he first discovered the problematic fish bones. Wolf didn’t have the morbid hobby of checking the list of people he had killed. However, alcohol turns a sane man into a dog. One night, while completely wasted, Wolf impulsively opened the reward payment history. His intoxication vanished the moment he saw the first entry.
‘Mist-Walking Fox’. Wolf’s first murder target. In the place where that name should have been, fish bones were embedded, and thereafter, whenever the Flea mentioned the name, only noise occurred. In the process, he discovered another mystery.
‘This World is interfering? You mean the God of Stohl is stopping you evil spirits?’
〔Query exceeded. Observation results can be provided. However, the interfering entity and operating principles are undisclosed items.〕
〔Summary. I do not have the authority to explain the overall interference structure of This World.〕
What the hell is
Why is This World blocking information regarding the Mist-Walking Fox? Could it be because some god of Stohl saw them as their child born from a human woman? Nah, that’s not it.
The Mist-Walking Fox was a warrior from the Bronze-beaked Hawk’s side. Right after it was revealed that Wolf was the biological child of the White Deer, the Fox attempted an assassination but died screaming after triggering the 〔Self-protection Right〕. Since it was certain that one of Wolf’s half-siblings had commissioned the assassination, the incident was quietly covered up. That was the end of it.
If they were a child of a god, there’s no way they’d die at the hands of a bastard like me.
There’s something there. Though I don’t know what it is.
At this point, Wolf stopped his ritual. The 601st time also ended with the same repeated thoughts and no progress. He’d probably repeat this futile act again tomorrow, dammit.
“Wolf! Wolf!”
Suddenly, Red Eagle dove down from the mast. The white parrot landed, gripping the railing with its hook-like claws.
“Starboard ahead! Large ship spotted! One vessel!”
“Wow, shocking. A ship in the sea,” Wolf replied indifferently.
“Next time, please discover some clouds in the sky. Or trees on the land.”
“It could be a pirate ship! A pirate ship!”
“Aha. You want to see a pirate ship?”
“Listen to me seriously!”
Red Eagle spread its wings wide in protest.
“It’s the ship I saw during my walk earlier! One side of the flag is torn to shreds! The crew looked menacing too! It’s suspicious! Suspicious!”
“Lower your voice. People are looking.”
Wolf glanced around, rolling his eyes. Sure enough, warriors from all over were staring this way.
“They’re looking because they’re jealous!”
Red Eagle puffed out its white chest with all its might.
“I’m traveling with a parrot as a friend who’s as smart as a human. Plus, I’m very cute!”
That was actually true. Red Eagle’s current appearance was extremely cute, and the people of Stohl loved rare insects or cute animals more than jewels. Among those who tried to steal Red Eagle… Wolf stopped counting after the number passed thirty-seven. Even among them was his father, Bronze-beaked Hawk.
“Pirate ship! Pirate ship approaching!”
Red Eagle flew up again, shouting as it skimmed over the warriors’ heads. The warriors burst into laughter. Some knelt on one knee to show respect to Red Eagle, while others threw pieces of bread.
“Let’s fight! Wolf wins again! Victory!”
Human adaptability is amazing. Red Eagle, who once trembled at the sight of a corpse, had turned into a battle maniac after three years of life in Stohl. Of course, that was limited to when he was just watching from the sky. Since his hobby of cheering in the fighting pits during his human days continued to this day, I suppose he’s consistent in his own way.
Well, I’ve changed too.
Around the time Red Eagle was reborn as a parrot, Wolf also changed overnight. From an Atania commoner boy who strove not to stand out in everything, to a typical Stohl person. The current Wolf was a bad adult who spat out curses at the drop of a hat, slept soundly every night after killing people, and didn’t hesitate to throw a punch at anyone who annoyed him.
This change was clearly a side effect caused by the 〔Self-protection Right〕. Loss of emotional control ability. Or was it that instincts refined by social pressure were restored to their original state? If it was the latter, Wolf hadn’t changed. Rather, he had regained his true colors.
Wolf kicked the floor hard and turned around. As he descended below the deck, Red Eagle followed, flapping along.
“We have to prepare for battle! With this wind, we’ll be caught before an hourglass can be flipped once!”
“There’s plenty of time. Wake me up when the pirates come to take my head.”
Wolf slammed the cabin door shut with his heel. Red Eagle let its wings droop and perched on a roost. Lying on the bed with his arm as a pillow, Wolf glared sharply at Red Eagle. The increasingly adorable way of speaking, and the way he had adapted too well to the life of a bird in many aspects, felt extremely suspicious. This guy, at this rate…
Mating with birds… Marrying a bird… Laying eggs… Cheep cheep…
Wolf’s head throbbed. Without realizing it, he opened his mouth.
“Prince!”
“Huh? Why?”
Red Eagle, who had been nodding off, startled and jerked its head up. Wolf stared at the parrot with intense eyes.
“Don’t forget my promise. I will definitely turn you back into a human, Prince.”
Red Eagle gazed at Wolf for a long time. Its black pupils, like raisins, looked somehow sad. Eventually, the white parrot bowed its small head deeply.
“It’s okay, Wolf. As I’ve told you many times, I’m happy as I am. I mean it.”
“…Ugh. Fuck.”
Wolf frowned and covered his eyes with one arm. That’s the problem, you idiot. The fact that you’re genuinely happy in that state is the problem.
“I don’t regret accepting the reward. Even if I went back to that time, I’d make the same choice. Even if I lived as a human, what would I even do…?”
A lot. First of all, you could marry a human woman.
“Don’t call me Prince either. It’s weird to call a parrot ‘Prince’. Just call me by my name.”
Calling a parrot ‘Red Eagle’ is even weirder, isn’t it?
“Just flying through the sky and roaming the world with you is joyful and happy. In fact, I’m enjoying a luxury I don’t deserve. I, who stole yours…”
“Stop it.”
Wolf cut Red Eagle off.
“What are you doing? A soap opera?”
Red Eagle was silent.
“Cut it out. I’m yawning.”
Wolf flipped over and closed his eyes.
73 – Hell Execution Order