By Zephyria =======
Based on the reasoning so far, number 3 is closest to the correct answer. However, if one assumes the chest’s claim is ‘only half true,’ it becomes impossible to find an answer. Was I overthinking it? But if the problem were this easy, it would be even more suspicious. Could this actually be a guessing game? One where everything depends on a single stroke of luck?
As this thought took hold, Wolf became frantically anxious. That can’t be right! It would be weirder if a commoner boy who hates studying could solve logic puzzles effortlessly. I just haven’t found the clue yet.
“Hey. Attendant.”
Black Weasel’s voice pulled Wolf out of his thoughts. The assassin was grinning, showing his teeth, with his axe resting on his shoulder. He looked like a wolf that had just spotted a plump rabbit right as his stomach began to growl.
“You’ve got a headache because of those damn chests, don’t you?”
“……Yes.”
“Don’t you want to get this over with quickly?”
“Uncle. There’s still time left.”
Wolf clenched his fists. A sudden impulse to land a blow on that despicable assassin surged through him. Black Weasel’s intentions were transparent. He wanted someone to open chest number 3. If the fairy is in the chest, everyone lives. If not? He’d just put someone else in front of the chest.
That hopeless bastard! He doesn’t even have patience!
“You said we have until the Jester rotates nine times. Please wait until then.”
“Damn it, is something going to pop out just because we wait? As far as I can see, this isn’t even a logic puzzle. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Attendant. I’ll give you credit for trying hard to use your brain, though.”
“As much as I hate the guy, I agree with him. I’m telling you, this is a guessing game. Has this kid never gambled before? He’s got zero intuition.”
The Eyepatch Woman grumbled, splashing water with her crutch. Black Weasel gestured toward the chests with his chin.
“Fake One-Eye, you open chest number 3. The odds are 50-50, so it’s not a game where you’re unilaterally at a loss. You’ve gambled a bit, right? You know that thrill of the moment when you’ve lost all your stakes and only one last card remains in your hand? Enjoy that thrill again this time.”
“Bullshit. Well, it is thrilling.”
Spitting on the ground, the Eyepatch Woman raised her middle finger toward the air.
“Why is there no alcohol at this party! Give it to me!”
〔The Jester’s third rotation has ended.〕
〔The Jester begins the fourth rotation.〕
Wolf stood there blankly, unable to take his eyes off the lining of the robe he was clutching with both hands. Red Eagle grabbed Wolf’s shoulder.
“Wolf, let’s believe the fairy is in chest number 3. Even if it’s not, it’s not your fault. You mustn’t blame yourself.”
Despite the Prince’s consolation, Wolf found it hard to shake off his gloom. The solution to the problem is just guessing? Since it’s supposedly a god, shouldn’t they set a more intellectual problem? Could it be that the Stohl god is as dim-witted as the people of Stohl?
“Alcohol! Alcohol!”
A sudden cheer struck Wolf’s ears. Black Weasel and the Eyepatch Woman ran forward with their arms raised high, like children welcoming a victorious general. Several wooden barrels had appeared in the distance. Black Weasel and the woman each grabbed a barrel and began gulping it down.
「Kwah! Now this is living!」
「Damn! Now this is living!」
Black Weasel and the Eyepatch Woman shouted as they pulled their mouths away from the barrels. The fairy shouted, clicking its jaw.
〔The aunt is right! A party must have alcohol! It’s my gift!〕
Wolf and Red Eagle looked at each other in horror. How could they drink alcohol while standing on the precipice of life and death…
“S-Silver?!”
Moreover, even Silver rushed over. He grabbed a barrel, drank greedily, and tilted his head back.
「Ah, now this is living!」
Black Weasel, Silver, and the Eyepatch Woman chattered in the Stohl language, competing to see who could drink more. As the intoxication set in, Black Weasel and the Eyepatch Woman put their arms around each other’s shoulders and even began to sing loudly.
Damn, the night has grown deep, and my pockets are empty again today! I’ll just drink, for if I drink, I can roll around with a pretty girl, though she’ll vanish once I sober up, damn it! Still, this is a pretty great life, since I’m drinking!
Wolf was dumbfounded. Not only Black Weasel and Silver, but even the Eyepatch Woman was incredibly cheerful. There was no sign of resentment toward Black Weasel, who had driven them into this death trap.
“Hey! You guys have a drink too!”
Silver approached them unsteadily, hugging a barrel. Wolf and Red Eagle waved their hands.
“We’re fine.”
“Hmph, fine my ass. You’re shaking like leaves inside because you’re afraid of dying. We’ve already died once; what does it matter if we die again?”
“Rather, I’m just surprised that you’re drinking alcohol when you’re about to die…”
“So what? Do people in Atania drink milk instead?”
“What I mean is… it’s disrespectful to the aunt.”
“Ah, are you criticizing me? Are you saying I should feel sorry in front of someone who’s about to die?”
Silver curled one corner of his mouth. A sneer lingered in his Alice-blue eyes.
“Let me tell you the reality: whether we roll this way or that, we’re dead. Even if we make it out of here safely, we’ll just get caught up in another bizarre puzzle. Only the order changes; we’re all going to drop dead.”
Wolf couldn’t speak for a while. The back of his head felt numb.
“Um, Silver. Do you think… the god will break the promise? Why?”
“That’s not a god. It’s a wraith.”
Silver spoke bluntly and added,
“It denied hell. A god could never do that.”
Wolf was speechless. That’s true.
“The wraiths in Stohl folktales and myths all lie habitually and test or torment people. That blacksmith the Ice Armor Warrior met was a miraculous survivor. But if you ask me if such a grand miracle will happen for us, I’d say no.”
Silver took another gulp of alcohol and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Want me to tell you something? People in Stohl believe that drinking alcohol even at the moment of death makes for a cool life. Look, that Ice Armor Warrior bastard isn’t even pretending anymore; he’s just pounding drinks.”
“Silver, does that mean…”
Red Eagle spoke in a trembling voice.
“Does it mean you’ve given up too, Uncle?”
“Yeah. Given up.”
Silver shrugged.
“The Ice Armor Warrior bastard seemed to lose all motivation after seeing the finger monster. Still, the skeleton wraith’s temperament doesn’t seem too foul. Those who couldn’t form a group and the Warrior Chief all died instantly without pain.”
〔The Jester’s fourth rotation has ended.〕
〔The Jester begins the fifth rotation.〕
“It’s gotten two beats faster again.”
At Silver’s words, Wolf was startled once more. He was counting the beats even while drinking?! It shouldn’t be easy to count the beats since the Jester isn’t visible.
Wolf became curious about the extent of Silver’s skill. All the boy had shown so far were throwing daggers and climbing cave walls, but both were extraordinary. Above all, he was bold and composed. In terms of talent and aptitude, he was a natural-born warrior. Perhaps he would be top-tier even in Stohl, the land of warriors.
“You really won’t drink? Fine, forget it! You and the crybaby Prince can just sob together!”
Silver ran back to Black Weasel and the Eyepatch Woman, putting his arm around them and singing. His expression was unbelievably bright and joyful. It was an expression Wolf had occasionally imagined. A face smiling brightly at Wolf while lying side by side, a hand’s breadth apart, in a field full of wildflowers.
But what surrounded Silver now was not a field. Under a cold dome, beside monsters crouching as chests, he was splashing around in water that had already risen to his calves. Silver splashed water on Black Weasel and the Eyepatch Woman. It was just like when they lived in the cave and he played pranks on Wolf and Red Eagle at the hot spring.
“Wolf… let’s join them…”
At Red Eagle’s words, Wolf snapped back to his senses. Without him noticing, Red Eagle had been shedding tears.
“Even Uncle gave up… he said the Stohl wraith is a complete liar and malicious… he said we’re all going to die, just in a different order… let’s just drink and play too…”
“Prince.”
Wolf swallowed a sigh and spoke.
“Do you think you could actually drink and play in the water if you joined them? We are people of Atania. We are people of Atania who were taught not to even make a coughing sound in front of someone facing their end. Just as they accept death the Stohl way, we must accept death the Atania way. It won’t be easy, but let’s try to maintain a calm demeanor.”
“Wolf. You sounded just like a prince just now.”
44 – Hell Execution Order