By Zephyria =======
A deep night, where it was confusing whether it was winter or spring. The smell of cheap liquor lingered in the inn room. The shadows of the fireplace flickered.
Black Weasel managed to drain the last bottle without collapsing. With a smile, he toasted toward the window (there was likely a beautiful woman there, visible only to his eyes), emptied the glass in one go, and set it down with a thud. Then, he spoke abruptly.
“Silver. Actually, I am your biological father.”
Normally, he would have paused for a moment at those words. However, Silver was currently slumped in his chair like a towel on a clothesline. It took a long while before he could barely untangle his twisted tongue to utter a word.
“I, know. So?”
Even to Silver’s own ears, his tone was as indifferent as if he were talking about the weather. Black Weasel blinked. He looked like someone who had just missed a step while walking down the stairs.
“You know?”
“I know, you brat. Do you think I’m as clueless as you?”
Silver shut his mouth and glared at Black Weasel. The man who had just confessed to being his biological father had, in the meantime, fallen flat on the floor and drifted off to sleep. The sound of his snoring pierced the ears. Honestly, he was a guy who only knew how to chop wood. A bastard who gave up halfway through without even lighting the fire.
Damn it. Is he spitting on my face?
Shadows danced along the wavering fire of the hearth. Silver’s eyes closed. His consciousness faded…
* * *
Princess…
Someone kept calling. Princess. Princess…
Silver slowly opened his eyes. His head felt like it was splitting open, and his body was as heavy as a boulder. He had never experienced a hangover this severe in his life. He only remembered seeing Black Weasel in his dreams. But a princess? Where on earth did that blackened Ice Armor Warrior look like a princess?
How much did I drink… Wait!
He snapped back to his senses. Beside him, Red Eagle was slumped over, gesturing toward the air. His eyes were out of focus. He was repeating the same words in a dazed tone.
“Princess… Princess…”
Silver stared at Red Eagle for a moment. He had never imagined that this crybaby would survive without falling off the stone needles. Che, he should have just died. In that state, even if he luckily returned to Levenon, it was obvious the princess would just kick him away.
Silver started to push himself up but paused. The sight unfolding dimly before his eyes… took his breath away. He felt as if he had fallen into an absurd nightmare.
Countless rows of stone needles stretched out into the distance. From the void, fireballs the size of a baby’s head rained down indiscriminately. Flames. Black smoke. The smell of blood. Screams erupting from everywhere. Everything was a chaotic mess.
Only one thought came to mind. What about the Ice Armor Warrior? And Wolf?
Silver whipped his head toward Red Eagle. Red Eagle was merely mumbling, groping the air with both hands. Even if he tried talking to him, it didn’t seem like he would give a straight answer.
“Hey, Prince. You haven’t seen the Ice Armor Warrior or the Attendant, have you? Well, of course you haven’t…”
Silver muttered to himself in resignation. Suddenly, focus returned to Red Eagle’s eyes.
“Silver? Silver!”
Red Eagle scrambled up and hugged Silver. Hot tears soaked Silver’s neck.
“I thought I was left alone! I thought I was the only one left! Just me, the pathetic and cowardly one… Wolf…”
Silver couldn’t say anything. The nuance of Red Eagle’s words felt ominous. Could it be that this guy…
Pushing aside his conflict, Silver spoke.
“You saw it. The Ice Armor Warrior and Wolf dying.”
“No. I didn’t see it.”
“What?!”
Silver’s face twisted in irritation.
“You… how can you say things like that without even seeing? I thought those two had kicked the bucket…”
“I… I’m sorry, Silver! I was rash!”
Red Eagle shrugged his shoulders and took a step back.
“But, Silver… though I didn’t see it myself… wouldn’t they be dead? Even if they survived, they couldn’t have come this far…”
Tears mixed into Red Eagle’s voice again. Silver looked down. Only darkness pooled between the stone needles.
If you fall there, how do you die?
Most would have their hearts burst from overwhelming terror. Even if they endured stubbornly, dehydration or starvation would set in within a few hours… and then, their minds would break. They would fall and fall again, unable to distinguish whether they were plummeting into darkness or dancing with a woman at a tribal festival. And then, starvation.
“Um, Silver… there’s something I want to tell you.”
Red Eagle approached hesitantly. Silver glanced at him sideways.
“What is it. Want to hold hands and jump together? If so, I’m welcome.”
“The back… do you want to look behind you?”
“Huh?”
Silver instinctively turned around and froze.
There was a door. Right where it touched this stone needle.
Looking closely, it was as tall as a large sailing ship. No handle was visible. It looked like two giant iron plates joined together, like a bell tower.
“While you were unconscious, a voice said this is the destination.”
The destination. It meant the location would no longer change.
Red Eagle rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
“But the door won’t open. It said it would open automatically once we reached the door… it was all a lie. That wicked evil spirit bastard…”
Silver’s mind raced. When the floor shook, Wolf had slammed his head into Black Weasel’s waist. The direction from which their voices had flown was consistent.
He’s certainly earning his keep. That damn skeleton.
“Silver! Don’t tell me you’re…?”
Red Eagle hurriedly blocked his path. He seemed to have noticed Silver’s intention.
“You can’t! You can call me a coward for stopping you! Please, think rationally! It might be a foolish hope, but maybe the door will open if we wait. We miraculously reached this point. I’m sad thinking about Wolf, but…”
“Go count some sheep. A hundred of them. If the door opens in the meantime, you go out alone.”
“How are you going to find them! You don’t even know where they are!”
“I know they’re together.”
Silver stripped off his robe. The moment the fabric touched the floor, a thud echoed, sounding like iron balls colliding. There were twenty-seven daggers tucked inside the robe. So, that sound was only natural. Silver didn’t particularly care, but Red Eagle’s face turned pale.
His body felt lighter. Silver looked at the opposite stone needle. The gap was at least six paces. It was a distance that required an acceleration zone before leaping. However, the stone needle he was standing on was only as wide as a four-person dining table. Because it was narrow, he couldn’t take a full run-up.
A normal human would be stuck.
“Silver… don’t go… I’m scared to be alone…”
Red Eagle sobbed, blocking his way again. Silver pushed Red Eagle aside and crouched low. He put all his strength into the soles of his feet. He took a deep breath.
“Silver! No!”
He didn’t think about what came after.
He looked only forward.
He leaped.
* * *
The muscles in his entire body contracted. The power surging from his ankles passed through his thighs and spread throughout his body. Silver kicked off the stone needle and charged into the air. He landed, cutting through the fierce wind.
Thud. The stone beneath his feet shattered, sending powder flying. Still, he didn’t stop. He leaped immediately. This time, the distance was far. His toes caught the edge of the stone needle. He flailed his arms to maintain balance and leaped again. A cold wind slapped his cheeks. Landing. Rolling. Fourth, fifth. With every landing, stone dust scattered and the ground beneath him shook.
Seventh. Silver stopped leaping and scanned the surroundings.
“Ice Armor Warrior! Wolf!”
There was no answer.
“Ice Armor Warrior! Wolf! Where are you!”
He shouted until his throat nearly burst several times, but no answer returned. He was just about to spit out a curse.
〔Amazing!〕
Silver flinched at the sudden exclamation. What is this guy?
〔Such unbelievable movement! You are no ordinary person!〕
The voice continued to chatter. The tone was excited, like a spectator clapping while watching a traveling circus performance.
〔The Master is clapping and enjoying himself! He has promised you a special reward!〕
〔Of course, on the premise that you survive until the end. Ah, the Master says he’ll stop throwing candies since he’s seen enough of you!〕
Candies? Could he mean the fireballs?
〔The Master seems to want to observe your performance without interference! Good luck! I’m rooting for you too!〕
“…Are you mocking me?”
Silver flipped the middle finger toward the void and leaped. Landing.
〔The Jester begins the eighth rotation.〕
Huh? What is that supposed to mean?
Silver hesitated and looked around his surroundings.
52 – Hell Execution Order