EP.54 Declaration of Silence
The next day.
Having been woken up midway through the night yesterday, I couldn't get any proper sleep, and ended up failing to wake up until Aji threw a fit. To soothe Aji's displeased temper, I had to prepare a hearty meal from the morning.
After emptying my bowl first and leisurely making my way down, I suddenly heard something like a scream from below. I peeked out to see what was going on, and found Finlay, who had intruded yesterday, facing off against the regressor.
No, "facing off" was too mild an expression.
Finlay's right arm was already lying severed beneath the regressor's sword.
"Tsk tsk. Old habits die hard."
Good grief. Unable to discard his old habit, he went and cut off someone's arm again. I walked toward them with a massive yawn.
"Yaaawn. Trainee Shei, why did you cut off someone's arm again?"
At that, Finlay grabbed his shoulder stump and glared.
'Again? Does this boy normally go around cutting off people's arms? No way!'
Surprisingly, reality tends to exceed imagination. Though in my case, it only ended as an attempt.
The one-armed mass-producer of amputees furrowed his face and made excuses at my accusation.
"It's not my fault. Some face I've never seen before suddenly shows up and reaches a hand out toward me."
"They were probably asking for a handshake. Did Trainee Shei swear an oath to turn anyone who asks for a handshake into someone in need of a prosthetic? Why do you keep cutting off arms like that? Do you have a hobby of collecting arms?"
"I wouldn't cut off a hand just because someone asked for a handshake. Who do you think I am, some psychopath?"
"Ah, how did you know?"
The regressor's gaze was piercing. If his eyes could shoot lasers, he would have cut off my arm. I hid my arms behind my back and hastily added.
"No, honestly. Trainee Shei, you tried to cut off my arm too, didn't you? Normal people wave their hands in greeting when they meet someone, they don't swing a sword to cut off arms."
"I didn't cut it off without reason either. That vampire, what did he say again... he asked why a mere human possessed the True Blood, and reached his hand toward my chest."
"Ah."
Now I understood the circumstances.
Finlay must have sensed the aura of that noble Progenitor's blood and hovered around the first floor of the prison. Then he ran into the regressor, and got angry asking why a mere human possessed such a thing.
Naturally, the prickly Lord Regressor wouldn't just stand by and watch Finlay reach out his hand. He swung his sword and lopped off the arm without hesitation, and the frightened uninvited guest ended up in this state while clutching his shoulder stump.
It was a sufficiently plausible story. Having understood the situation, I nodded.
"Still, he's a guest of Trainee Tirkanjaka."
"That thought suddenly occurred to me, so I held back from beheading him. Simply cutting off the head wouldn't kill him anyway."
What a terrible person. The reason for not killing him was because that wouldn't kill him. Seriously?
As a kind model citizen, I picked up the fallen arm and brought it to the uninvited guest's shoulder. As the severed surfaces drew close, the blood stretched out as if drawn by a magnet and reattached itself. Having regained his arm, Finlay stroked it while cautiously backing away.
'W-What? To converse so normally with such a monster...!'
So cautious just from getting his arm cut off once... Over nothing much.
No, being cautious is the humanly correct response. There have been so many strange people lately that I got confused for a moment. Every time I stop by the dining hall I encounter immortal limbs daily, and constantly fiddling with the heart of the vampire who visits every day has been twisting my common sense.
Let me get a grip. If this continues, I'll become completely abnormal.
I steadied my mind and spoke rationally.
"Still, please be careful from now on. It's fortunate the opponent was a vampire; if it were a normal human, you wouldn't even be able to reattach it."
"I wouldn't be like this if the opponent was a normal human either."
"Pardon? I couldn't hear you well? So you tried to cut off my arm because I'm not human?"
"I said 'normal.' How can you call a guy who flicks away an invisible sword with his fingers normal?"
Upon hearing those words, Finlay stared at me with a look of sheer horror.
'He flicked away that sword strike with his fingers? Someone who looks so ordinary? This can't be. So being the Lord of Tantalus wasn't a lie either!'
Though unintended, misunderstandings were piling up in real time. Increasingly, terror crept into Finlay's eyes as he looked at me.
...Somehow it's a bit enjoyable? The person who strutted around calling himself a Noble of the Night, showing that kind of attitude toward a street magician. When would I ever receive such treatment?
How amusing is it, you ask? It's about as fun as stacking stone towers with differently shaped stones you find while walking down the street. Quite doable.
Now, is there anything more I can stack on?
It was then. Aji, who had just finished a hearty breakfast and was ambling over, saw the unfamiliar person ahead and erased the smile from his mouth as he began to growl.
Finlay was flustered by the sudden hostility approaching from behind.
'What is this? This ominous feeling?'
Finlay turned around. What he faced was the rarely-seen bared-teeth King of Dogs, Aji.
Aji, his cheek twitching as if something bothered him, stared piercingly at him while walking slowly.
Fur stood on end. Aji's, and ours as well. The beast's snarl carried an intense aura that constricted the body. Receiving it directly, Finlay was struck with terror.
"Grrr."
'A beastman? Why is a beastman baring its teeth at me? More importantly, what is this? This more primal, blood-chilling fear...'
Just as Finlay's body was trembling and Aji's growl was growing sharper.
Right before Aji's feet twitched, about to pounce, I shouted.
"Ahem! Aji! Leave that alone and come here!"
Hearing my voice, Aji whipped his head around to face me, then, while casting a wary glare at Finlay, sidestepped his way over to where I was. Aji pressed close to my side and pointed at Finlay as if tattling.
"Woof. Woof woof. Blood smell. Him. That."
It seemed that a vampire who wasn't even at the level of a Progenitor subtly emitted the scent of blood. From Aji's perspective, it probably looked like a dead human walking.
With a sense of smell several times stronger than a human's, Aji couldn't help but be more sensitive to the scent of blood than humans. His nerves completely on edge, Aji glared. Had I not been there to mediate, he might have dismembered that Finlay.
I tickled Aji's jaw and said.
"I know. I also know that guy isn't human. He just came to visit."
"Woof woof. Woof. I, won't play with him."
"He won't want to play with you either, so bear with it."
A perfect subject for misunderstanding just arrived. I should teach Finlay the hierarchy here, and maybe emphasize it a bit.
I glanced at Finlay and deliberately emphasized certain words as I spoke.
"If you're the 'King of Dogs,' act like the 'King of Dogs' and maintain some dignity. What are you going to do, reacting to every little small fry like that?"
'King of Dogs!'
Finlay's mouth dropped open as he realized Aji's true identity.
'Truly the King of Dogs? The King of Beasts closest to humans, who once stood on humanity's side and drove out the inhuman? And treating that King of Dogs like a pet dog...! As expected, he's no ordinary person!'
He must not know much, but dogs are fundamentally pets. Even fierce hunting dogs act cute in front of their masters. The King of Dogs is still a dog, so he's a pet.
Are there dogs that aren't pets? We've agreed to call those wolves.
Anyway, perhaps due to my nonchalant attitude, Aji soon lost interest in Finlay and clung to me.
"Woof. What today? Food? Ball play? Other play?"
"No. I'm not playing today either. I have work to do."
"Woof!"
Hehe. I've stacked as many misunderstandings as I could. Now Finlay is completely cowed and won't even be able to breathe properly. A swordsman who cuts off an arm in a single exchange, the King of Dogs who was the natural enemy of vampires. Plus me, who handles both of them freely.
He definitely won't be able to ignore my words from now on, right? He'll be terrified at my every gesture and follow my words.
I was already finding work tedious, and I've just acquired a fine vampire slave. I'll work him until his blood runs dry.
It was then.
"You're all gathered here."
A dark presence opened the door and entered. Billowing darkness supported a pitch-black coffin, and the vampire straddling the coffin as if it were a palanquin approached slowly.
I held tight to Aji, who was about to become displeased again, and welcomed the vampire.
"Ah, good morning. You're up early today?"
"Yes. It worked out well. Since everyone is gathered here, there's no need to go looking for them."
The vampire, having looked down at everyone from atop the coffin, raised her chin sharply and brought her hands together. Then, everyone present momentarily stopped talking and began to look at the vampire.
From a tiny gesture to the gaze she offered equally to each person, anyone who met her eyes would forget themselves for a moment and stare at the vampire. She seemed to know by birth how to command everyone's attention. Innate charisma, one might say. Even without calculated actions, her presence revealed itself subtly.
Like how when incense burns, you might not notice it at first, but eventually you'll smell its fragrance.
Like how when music plays, even if you're chatting, you'll soon lend an ear.
The vampire's presence was faint yet somehow filled the room before anyone realized, and by the time they noticed, everyone was already focused on the vampire's lips and gestures.
"Woof woof? No play?"
I always say this, but Aji is not a human. He's a dog.
Anyway, the vampire who captivated everyone's gaze parted her lips and spoke.
"A message to be widely spread requires many listeners. Finlay, hear me. I shall deliver my answer regarding your petition of yesterday."
A voice no different from usual, an unchanging tone. But the vampire's words now felt like a royal decree delivered before the throne.
Finlay knelt with the most moved expression imaginable.
"Yes! This unworthy Finlay is utterly humbled to hear the Progenitor's command directly! Please speak!"
Even I and the regressor held our breath and watched the situation. The vampire looked down at Finlay and declared.
"Yesterday, you pleaded with me to permit war. This is my answer to that."
"I shall gladly abide by whatever it may be!"
"I shall remain silent."
Finlay uttered neither disappointment nor lamentation. He merely bowed his head and accepted it.
He himself probably dropped into this place expecting a glorious holy war. The best future he envisioned would be ascending to the surface alongside the Progenitor, and the worst future would be becoming a lost soul of the Abyss. Finlay dropped into the Abyss, prepared for the worst situation for the sake of the best outcome.
Yet, even though that hope was shattered. Finlay showed no hint of disappointment whatsoever.
Rather.
"I shall abide! Thank you for giving me an answer!"
He was simply overwhelmed with emotion at the fact that he received an answer itself.
There is no need to persuade lower-ranking vampires, nor any need to consider them. Just as no river flows upward from below, a vassal has nothing to offer their Blood Lord. Only when their opinion is sought can they do nothing but petition.
"Appreciating the effort of coming all this way, I shall explain a little further."
The vampire glanced at me and the regressor and added a brief explanation. I realized that this explanation was being given not for Finlay, but for us.
"I have never forbidden Valdamir or that child from waging war. In the first place, I have never forced my will upon the children. War shall be entirely their share, brought about by their own decisions. I am already one who has faded from history. Unless they need me, I will not step forward myself to become a symbol."
"I shall abide."
"Therefore, even if everything were prepared, I would not be the first to step forward and advocate a holy war. This is my will."
"I shall abide."
"If that is all. Return to the surface now. This is not a place for you to be."
An austere command.
However, Finlay, who had been nodding with his head bowed all this while, showed a different attitude just this once.
"I am sorry, O Progenitor. That command I cannot abide."
"Why is that?"
It was impossible for a vampire to refuse the Progenitor's command. Therefore, if a vassal says they cannot, it is not a matter of will. It is a matter of ability.
Thus, instead of reproaching Finlay, the vampire asked for the reason. Finlay smashed his head hard against the ground and cried out.
"I apologize! But that is beyond my will! I have no means to leave the Abyss! Therefore, this incapable one has become unable to abide by the command the Progenitor has given! Please kill me!"
"No means to leave...? Did you not prepare?"
"There was none from the very beginning!"
'It is common knowledge that ascending is more laborious than descending, but to not have even prepared a way to return to the surface? I become a little curious. Just what happened outside that made you come looking for me in this Abyss with no prospect of escape?'
The vampire's contemplation was lengthy, but that alone did not resolve the question. The vampire's curiosity surged. However, having already made her decision, she did not press further, lest her resolve be shaken.
"Wait. This is the territory of the Military State, and there is someone sent down to manage it. He should be able to send you out. Let me see."
Instead, her gaze turned toward me. The vampire pointedly singled me out and spoke, nearly as a command.
"Instructor. Finlay should not have committed any crime to come here. His coming here is a mistake and an accident. I request that you send him back to the surface."
Huh? Me?
Wait. What? Send that intruder back nicely?
Me?
"Pardon? Me?"
"Who else is here besides you?"
The vampire looked at me as if it were obvious. Meeting that gaze, cold sweat ran down my back.
No, Instructor or whatever.
Truth be told, I'm also trapped here, you know?
"If a nation called the Military State is the master of this place, surely it must know a way out. I request you do so for Finlay."
No, if I knew a way out, I would have tried it first myself. Do you think I'd stay locked up here?
"I am the Progenitor Tirkanjaka. The sole remaining achievement among the disasters that inherited the name of Kanjaka, the monster that devours the world. Renowned knights shed blood before me, and countless heroes perished aiming for this neck. Though I have fallen and entrusted my body to the Abyss, it does not render my past deeds meaningless."
"Fallen! O Progenitor, that is absurd! When all the vampires on the surface offer you their reverence, such words...!"
No, why are you demanding that of me? I'm being driven further into a corner.
More importantly, did he really come without preparing any way out at all?
Then there was no reason to keep that uninvited guest alive, was there?
"...No answer. Is it difficult? If it truly cannot be done, I shall request it as a personal favor. Please send him back to the surface."
The reason I couldn't answer was because I lacked the ability to grant that request. Just as I was sensing the crisis and frantically racking my brain.
The vampire prematurely interpreted my silence as a refusal and, lowering her voice, declared.
"If you refuse, I intend to return Finlay to the surface myself. Though the Abyss is infinite, the time I possess is also eternal. Darkness is my domain; if I keep ascending, I shall reach the surface. However, if you send Finlay back at that point, I likely won't bother returning here."
Finlay snapped his head up, and the regressor also stiffened his face in horror. The meaning of those words was singular.
Once she goes to the surface, she won't return.
In other words, if the demand wasn't met, she would break out of prison.
This is big trouble.