TNZKMA 138

１３８

 

[Is it you?]

The voice was like ice touching my bones. I didn’t understand what I was being asked, and more than that, I felt a coldness that froze my body, rendering me unable to even blink.

[Or is it not?]

The monster glanced at me with disinterest. Its gold and silver eyes narrowed like a snake’s. Ah, I’m going to be killed. As my mind calmly came to this realization, there was a brief cry, and Kyui appeared.

[Kyu!]

Kyui jumped out from under my clothes, letting out a single cry as it transformed into a large dog.

The black, massive dog bared its fangs at the monster, ready to bite down, but the monster dodged it effortlessly. As the monster leaped back to avoid Kyui, the large dog raised its paw.

But Kyui’s paw never reached the monster.

[Oh… it’s you, huh? You’re the master of Shuyake…?’

The monster chuckled softly and waved its arm. With just that simple motion, a blast of wind erupted, sending both Kyui and me flying.

[…!]

Kyui turned around mid-air, wrapping me in its embrace. The large dog became a large bear as we were slammed into the ground.

[…! Kyui!!]

For a moment, my breath was knocked out of me, but that was all. Without Kyui, I would’ve been dead from that strike. I scrambled out of Kyui’s protective embrace and looked at it. It was growling softly, and I let out a sigh of relief. For a moment, I thought Kyui had been killed.

Kyui, still growling, curled up and shrank down. I cradled the now small Kyui in both hands. Even though these hands probably couldn’t protect it, I wanted to keep it safe, so I drew it close to my chest.

When I looked up at the sky, the monster was floating in the air, looking down at us as if deep in thought.

[Why is its power so small?]

Its gold and silver eyes were fixed on my hands, which held Kyui.

[So it’s protecting you… How interesting. I’ll take it with me.]

Before I realized what was happening, the monster was already in front of me. Its pure white hand reached out towards me. With black hair and black clothes, the monster was entirely draped in darkness, and the exposed patches of its skin were terrifyingly pale.

The white, cold fingers of the monster touched my neck.

[Ah…!]

All I could do was let out a pitiful scream, unable to escape. The monster sneered at me mockingly.

But that sneer vanished in an instant.

Something flew in from the side, striking the monster. A moment later, I felt the wind brush my cheek. When I shifted my gaze, I saw the monster, a long spear embedded in its body, rolling across the ground.

[Are you alright!?]

I barely managed to move my stiff neck, and there I saw Saine running towards me.

[Saine!!]

I was so happy, so relieved, that I burst into tears with a loud sob.

[Good. If you can cry like that, you must be fine. But stay right there a little longer.]

Saine gave me a brief glance before drawing his sword and taking a firm stance. Through my tear-blurred vision, I could see the monster, skewered by Saine’s spear from side to side, sluggishly rising to its feet.

As if nothing had happened, the monster stood, casually snapping Saine’s spear in its right hand. Then, with its left hand, it nonchalantly grabbed the broken spearhead and pulled it from its own body.

With a faint sneer, it tossed the spear away, though it had gripped the blade with its bare hand, not a drop of blood fell from the monster’s hand.

[How did you know?] 

[How did I know you were here? Simple. That other monster was a fake, something you created, right? Did you really think a Dauntless would be held up by something like that forever?]

[Hmph… I thought I could buy a little more time. Well, no matter. My business in this town is done.]

[Business?]

[As a reward for landing a blow on me, I’ll tell you. Search for the High Priest of this town.]

The High Priests… they were the ones living in the central plaza, or part of the eight priestly families in power, right? I think that’s what Olphynn had told me.

[The High Priest? Didn’t they flee from town?]

When Sign asked, the monster snorted.

[Indeed, they retreated to their mansion… but they couldn’t leave, could they?]

The monster spoke as though making a prophecy.

[What about the Heroes?]

[The Heroes? Useless, every last one of them. You’re far more capable.]

The monster sneered coldly and looked at me with its gold and silver eyes. His gaze sent shivers down my spine.

[I sensed something interesting so I came over, but…]

 It said, glancing at my hands before suddenly shifting its gaze away.

As I tried to scoot backward, dragging myself away from the monster, the sound of multiple footsteps approaching reached my ears.

[…It’s a bother. I’ll leave it at this for now.]

Beyond where the monster had been looking, I saw the Dauntless approaching. Feeling relieved, I turned around, but by then, the monster had already vanished without a trace.

Before Dole and the others could get any closer, I hurriedly stuffed Kyui into my pouch. I was worried because Kyui seemed to be in pain, but I couldn’t let the Dauntless see it. Even though Dole usually listened calmly, something about the situation made me feel like they might try to kill anything that looked like a monster on sight.

[Are you okay?]

 Dole knelt beside me, his hands gently touching my head and shoulders as I sat there. But before I could respond, Saine swatted Dole’s hand away.

[I’m fine. But… Plau and the others… the guild collapsed, and a lot of them got blown away.]

My head was spinning from everything that had happened so suddenly, but Dole nodded, understanding, even though my explanation made little sense.

[Don’t worry. It’s not uncommon to get thrown around by a monster. Any Dauntless should know how to take a fall.]

[Plau isn’t a Dauntless.]

[Oh… right. That chick’s still just a fledgling wearing its eggshell, huh… Hey! Plau, are you alive over there?]

 Dole called out in a lighthearted tone towards the debris of the guild hall.

One of the Dauntless who was clearing away rubble raised an arm in response to Dole’s voice, and from beneath their feet, Plau emerged with a grumpy look on his face.

[Yeah, I’m alive.]

[Ah, good. You’re only in your first year as a hired guard, barely even allowed past the forest entrance. Don’t go dying on us yet. At least wait until you’ve survived two years and had some wild ras meat before kicking the bucket.]

Dole’s playful remark caused the guards nearby to laugh. The guild had a running vote on whether ras or cate was the better catch, and Dole had cast his vote for ras.

I often wondered when that bet would finally end. With every new guard that joined, the votes shifted, making the whole thing feel pointless. But, I guess it was just a game for the guards to enjoy.

[That monster took on Dole’s appearance.]

Plau muttered with a smirk.

[It’s Dole’s Reincarnator, isn’t it? Aren’t you going to chase it down and make sure it doesn’t leave any kids behind?]

This time, Dole fell silent, looking irritated, while the rest of the guards burst into laughter.

Hearing everyone laugh put me at ease. We hadn’t defeated the monster, but it had disappeared. It had said its business in the town was done, and judging by how the guards were reacting, it seemed likely that the monster had returned to the forest by now.

I laughed along with everyone as Saine helped me to my feet. My legs still felt weak and unsteady.

[Hey, Dole… are you alright?]

[What do you mean?]

Dole furrowed his brow in response.

[You didn’t drink that red liquor, did you?]

Five days have passed since the ritual ended, I think. The effects of the red liquor should have worn off by now, but I’m not entirely sure. You’re supposed to drink it before the ritual begins, but Dole had said he’d drink it at the end. He didn’t want to attack the Reincarnator while they were still confused.

The ritual lasts for seven days. If Dole drank it on the last day, that means he’ll be getting hard in about two days.

Dole glanced at me and gave a soft chuckle.

[You don’t need to worry about that. I drank it at the beginning of the ritual, so in the chaos that followed, it all just faded away.]

[You drank it at the start?]

[Yeah. I thought about drinking it at the end, but the officials told me I couldn’t. So, I drank it at the beginning. Of course, I remember their advice very well. I held myself back with sheer willpower and planned to get more from Olphynn once the Reincarnator calmed down.]

[That’s impressive. Most people can’t resist and just dive right in. I always thought you were a good guy, Dole, but it’s not just that—you’re strong and kind, too.]

Ever since I started being with Saine, I’ve become like a regular guy. When Saine’s around, or when I start thinking about doing it, I get this tingly feeling. And when I can’t hold back, I cling to him. The red liquor is an aphrodisiac, forcing those feelings to surface. Trying to resist that is seriously tough.

As I looked up at Dole, impressed, Saine wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind.

[I held out, too.]

He squeezed my shoulder a bit harder.

[Ow…!]

I rubbed my shoulder over his strong hand. If Saine grabbed me for real, he’d probably crush my shoulder in an instant.

[But Saine, didn’t you lose your nerve because I showed up?]

[…I was just surprised.]

[‘Losing your nerve’ means being surprised or shocked, you know. Like, bam! And then, thud, you feel all down. That’s what happened when I showed up, right?]

Saine choked a bit at my words, and beside us, Dole nodded in agreement.

[Yeah, that’s why Saine’s issue wasn’t about resisting or anything. But Dole still had to endure while wanting to, and that’s amazing.]

As I said it, I realized something.

[Oh, but Saine’s pretty amazing too. He drank all of Olphynn’s liquor and still tried to hold back, even after things got like that. Yeah, you’re both really amazing!]

With bulging veins and an erect penis, Saine had still tried to hold back out of consideration for me.

The Dauntless are truly incredible. Me? Even with just a bit of that tingling, I’d give in right away. I can’t resist at all.

As I looked up at the two of them, clapping my hands in admiration, Saine and Dole exchanged awkward glances with slightly uncomfortable expressions on their faces.