By Zephyria =======
Perhaps it was because the face that resembled Wolf had asked back, ‘Who is that?’ The shock didn’t fade, as if he had received that answer from the real Wolf. He felt ridiculous and pathetic for reacting this way.
He had told Starry eyes that Wolf was simply ‘someone he was saving to tear apart,’ but there was another reason why Silver hadn’t gone looking for him for three years. He didn’t want to hear the answer, ‘Who are you?’ Because if Wolf didn’t remember him or Black Weasel, there would be no meaning in revenge.
Those who do not remember the past are not worth killing. It would be like holding a mirror up to a blind sinner.
Sinner.
The corners of Silver’s mouth twisted. Come to think of it, it was funny. Was Wolf a sinner? His actions had been purely self-defense. Hadn’t Silver himself boasted back then that ‘as long as you have the skill, it’s no problem to kill the Ice Armor Warrior here’ (Damn that mouth of mine!).
Who knew he would actually kill him?
Fucking bastard. Why didn’t he believe me when I said the Ice Armor Warrior was my biological father?
Actually, these days, his desire for revenge toward Wolf had faded considerably (The matter of my own existence is more urgent!). It was likely because his anger had cooled off about two years after his biological father was slaughtered (Honestly, you were asking for it!). In any case, Black Weasel probably hadn’t expected to die of natural causes either (If he had even a shred of brainpower!).
You reap what you sow. That was a fitting end for you, Ice Armor Warrior.
Once it’s revealed that you are my biological father, I’ll definitely get my revenge. Since you provided the cause, let’s call it even by leaving the Attendant permanently disabled.
Separately, he was still curious about the situation when Wolf killed Black Weasel. What on earth was that? The explosive light and wind pouring from Wolf’s body. The greatsword that tore through his palm and leaped out.
When he described the situation, Starry eyes spoke.
〔The berserker transformation might be a reward promised in our domain. But I don’t know anything about the rewards either. That’s high-level information not disclosed to the external tool in charge of the kitchen.〕
A reward? That?
But that Attendant bastard said he wouldn’t take any rewards even if they were given. Moreover, I haven’t received any rewards yet. There’s no way that guy would receive a reward quickly when I’ve been without one for three years.
Was an evil spirit possessing the Attendant back then? A trick of Glamaugh? Could it be that an evil spirit hijacked his body and has been pretending to be the Attendant until now?
“Aaaagh!”
Silver ruffled his hair with both hands. He felt like a hamster on a wheel. He had been in this state for three years. You damn Attendant, do you remember the Ice Armor Warrior? Do you know a guy named Silver? Ah, at least you do know! But why did you do that back then? Why did you suddenly undergo a berserker transformation! If you don’t explain it properly, you’re dead…
He repeated this foolish fantasy over and over—the imagination of reuniting with Wolf, having his existence as a ‘real person’ confirmed, and getting a satisfying answer to his past curiosities.
Stop these stupid expectations! Would the Attendant be any different? He’ll just answer ‘Who are you?’ like everyone else!
Dammit…
Silver sat slumped, staring blankly downward. The lagoon below the cliff, where remnants of the storm still lingered, was silent. Only dead fish floated on the ripples. The wind carried the scent of pine resin, fish oil, and wet rope. The sound of waves, the drunken ramblings of pirates, and distorted lyrics drifted into his ears.
〔Pururu. Pururu! Let me out.〕
The pouch on his belt moved bumpily. Silver snapped back to his senses.
“Sorry. Was it stuffy?”
As soon as he opened the pouch, Starry eyes flew in front of Silver’s eyes.
〔I heard everything, pururu. I’ll say it again, the mysterious human body is not the Attendant. It’s natural that he doesn’t know you, so don’t be discouraged.〕
“…The Attendant bastard will probably say he doesn’t know me too.”
〔Even if he says that, don’t mind it and get your revenge. Do not doubt your memories. I don’t know the reason, but one thing is clear: This World is persecuting you!〕
“When you put it like that, I really sound like a lunatic.”
〔Believe in yourself, pururu! You are the strongest thunder in the world!〕
Silver couldn’t help but laugh. If it weren’t for Starry eyes, who always comforted him, he would have made an extreme choice long ago.
“Starry eyes. I feel like I’m trapped at seventeen.”
〔Why?〕
“I don’t know.”
Silver gazed at the sea. Darkness was seeping into the twilight.
Maybe, because people don’t remember me?
Because seventeen was the last age at which people knew a guy named ‘Silver.’
Since then, it felt as if he had been bullied by time. While everyone else’s seasons continued to change, he felt as if he were the only one remaining in the cold winter of his seventeenth year. Silver’s hourglass had stopped, refusing to let a single grain of sand fall.
“I don’t even know what I should do.”
〔Why don’t you? You have plenty to do. You have to find the person who commissioned the hit on your mother’s lover and get revenge. You have to pay back your debt to the Attendant. After that, you can travel the world doing whatever you want.〕
“There’s nothing I want to do.”
Silver and This World might just be a clumsy delusion existing only inside some beggar’s head. Everything could be meaningless.
A life without a purpose was like a jar. An empty jar that only made a loud noise when struck.
〔You can just find something you want to do! You have plenty of time ahead.〕
“That’s why it’s even more terrible,” Silver replied hollowly.
“The time remaining is the most terrible part.”
Like a night that never ends. Like a nightmare one wanders through without ever waking up.
Silver wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. After closing his eyes for a moment to compose his emotions, he let his voice out.
“Starry eyes. You might not understand, but to me, time is…”
Before he could finish, a gurgling sound interrupted him. Silver’s face contorted as he clutched his stomach. Dammit, it’s really destroying my human form!
“Gah!”
Silver jumped up. He roughly brushed the dirt off his pants and swung his arms in circles.
“Let’s just fill our bellies!”
〔Sounds good! Ingredient procurement! Let’s gooo—!〕
Starry eyes shouted, darting through the air. Silver walked along the narrow mountain path leading deeper into the valley. Since the rain had stopped yesterday, the ground was still damp.
Before long, there was a sign of movement in the bushes. Silver quickly picked up a stone and pressed himself tight against a rock. Soon, a rabbit covered in dirt pushed through the brush. In an instant, Silver’s arm moved like lightning. The stone struck the rabbit’s head with a loud thwack. Instant death.
〔A fast and merciful death! Another guilt-free meal today!〕
Starry eyes clapped with his front paws. Silver slung the rabbit over one shoulder and headed toward the beach at the foot of the mountain. Now that the meat was ready, it was time for seafood.
Dozens of crabs crawled sluggishly on rocks drenched by the waves. Silver picked out the two largest ones. Ingredient preparation complete.
Finding a shaded spot by the cliff, he stacked dry twigs. When he lit them with a flint, the wood hissed, and a campfire soon blazed brightly. The smell of burning wood and the saltiness of the sea rose in fluffy clouds from the white smoke. Silver skinned the rabbit with a dagger. As he sliced the meat into large chunks and skewered them on a branch, Starry eyes shouted.
〔Wait! If you put it directly over the fire, all the juices will run away!〕
〔Rabbits have very little fat, pururu. Don’t grill it in the center of the fire; rotate it slowly on the edges. That way, the juices won’t escape!〕
〔Bury the crabs slightly near the campfire with their shells facing up. That way, the broth stays inside!〕
Silver did as Starry eyes instructed. He had never failed a dish while following the fairy chef’s words. As the flames lightly touched the meat, transparent oil seeped from the surface of the rabbit. Every time a drop of oil fell onto the firewood, the flames popped and crackled, and a savory aroma spread rapidly. The crimson meat turned golden brown and plumped up.
〔Now! Flip it!〕
Silver flicked the branch. A crisp, sizzling sound emanated from the rabbit meat. The crab shells turned red, like the evening glow.
Silver carefully dug the crabs out of the soil, which had grown hot in the meantime. White steam erupted from the shells. He cracked the shell, took out the pearly white meat, and put it in his mouth. A salty scent spread as the plump meat chewed satisfyingly. Following that, he tore off a piece of rabbit meat. The juices burst forth.
〔How is it? My recipe is the best, right? Tonight’s dinner is a huge success!〕
Starry eyes perched on Silver’s shoulder, looking proud. With his stomach full, Silver flopped down next to the campfire. Maybe he’d just camp here tonight. He didn’t want to sleep shoulder-to-shoulder with that guy who looked like the Attendant.
Starry eyes poked Silver’s cheek with his front paw.
〔Pururu. Today is the day to take your medicine.〕
86 – Hell Execution Order