Chapter 95 : Chapter 95
Chapter 95: Bellows-work (1)
“…Mother?”
The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was a person who was familiar yet unfamiliar.
Outside. Haryun didn't realize this was the auction house. It had melted that cleanly, without even leaving any ash.
Haryun looked at her mother again. Akarr Bahab did not even glance at her own daughter.
“This is a perplexing situation.”
Akarr was looking straight ahead.
Simurtr, and the two heads rolling on the ground, a hideously split doll.
“Did you kill them?”
Bermann, and her mother’s cherished loyal subject.
Haryun recognized the two heads.
“Surely not. The only thing I killed was that.”
Answering, I took off my mask.
I let out a hollow laugh and pointed at the hideous corpse.
“…A Doom Species?”
Her mother’s eyes widened.
Haryun found that quite surprising. It was also unpleasant. It was a reaction she had never shown to her.
“It was a baron.”
“You killed it.”
“Then who would have?”
“The Koral over there might have killed it.”
My expression hardened.
“Koral is large, but knows its place.”
There was no way there would be a powerhouse of that level.
Akarr was saying so.
“The masks are the same, you must be acquainted. He seems to be in good condition, but you never know. I will have him treated at the main house.”
“It’s alright. He’s just asleep.”
Before Akarr could see.
I had once again cast an illusion on Homer and Kanan. Nothing good would come from them waking up in front of Akarr.
It was better to take the lead in the situation myself rather than have it change strangely due to others.
“Still, you never know.”
“I will take good care of them and see them off. They are my guests.”
“If they came to Hella’s auction house, they are also guests of the main house.”
Since when did she care so much.
Was there a reason why Homer or Kanan shouldn't have their identities revealed?
Kanan might not, but Homer did. It was fine if it was revealed he wasn't Koral, but it couldn't be revealed that he was a Harkinwagen.
‘His relationship with Degrate would also be exposed.’
He had killed the master of Koral and participated in the auction with his assets. A count.
“I refuse.”
I spat out first.
Gasp. Haryun took a sharp breath. In her life, Haryun had never once refused her mother’s words.
“I understand. I will let it pass.”
What was more surprising was her mother’s reaction.
She simply nodded without any sign of anger.
“Those two must have been killed by the Black Fox, Remeter. Did you miss him?”
“Yes.”
The barrier that covered the auction house.
It was a power beyond my calculations. I had known him to be a young Remeter, but such a barrier.
“It would be natural to miss him. Herein Remeter… he may have been a fictitious character.”
“It was too much for a test.”
Setting aside the deaths of Bermann and his subordinate.
A barrier strong enough to briefly block Akarr’s entry. An escape so stealthy it could not be perceived.
‘I should have taken off his mask.’
Herein was no young Remeter.
There was a high possibility that it was a new identity for outings created by Remeter.
“I admit it. I almost lost you.”
“Is that all?”
I frowned.
Me? Not Haryun?
“You have a sword.”
“Do I have to follow the rules of the auction house even in this situation?”
“No. I was about to praise you. It was an excellent response.”
The favor had grown.
It had been blatant before, but now it was so much that my skin tingled.
‘It must mean I passed the test.’
Though I had missed Herein, Akarr was more than satisfied.
When the 19-year-old Hejel had killed a mere five worshipers, the 16-year-old Simurtr had caught a Doom Species above a baron.
“That. Did Remeter take it?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. You must have made a vow, so I will ask no more.”
Akarr did not ask any further.
‘Right. It was an item she was planning to sell off anyway.’
To others, Elder was utterly useless.
She must have judged that it was more important to make a good impression on a talented individual she coveted than to press about Elder.
“The reward will be insufficient. Are you perhaps particularly close with Haryun? If so, I will give you one more.”
“That’s alright. How could we be close when we’ve only just met.”
“That is also true. It will take time. Go to the northern slum. If you go quickly, you might be able to pick it up.”
Northern slum? Something to pick up? As Haryun tilted her head, I smirked.
“I don’t need to pick that up, so please compensate me for my burned subspace pouch. It contained an elixir, a spare sword, and gold coins.”
“Hoh. You are more cold-hearted than I thought. I will do so. How much was in it?”
Interest crept into Akarr’s eyes.
I showed no particular emotion even though I had noticed her intention.
“I had gathered my entire fortune, so it would have been well over a hundred thousand.”
“I will send someone when you return.”
“Thank you.”
At my words, Akarr immediately turned her body.
At that moment, Haryun straightened up her mind. She corrected her posture.
“……”
Akarr.
Casually passed by such a Haryun.
Haryun quietly watched her slowly walking back.
Until she disappeared, Akarr did not look back. Not once at Haryun.
“Ha……”
Fuck.
Haryun spat out.
***
“What is there to pick up in the northern slum?”
“Young Master, why was I sleeping? Kanan, do you have any memory?”
“I have no memory either. Is it the same for you, Sir Hor? Don’t tell me the Young Master too?”
“Our auction item?”
“Didn’t you have it, Sir Hor?”
“I don’t. Strange. I feel strangely refreshed. Even an Evil Eye of a baron’s level shouldn’t leave no aftereffects like this.”
Homer was looking at me the whole time he was speaking. I pretended not to know and answered.
“I’ll explain when we get there, so please just be quiet. Do you want to attract that much attention?”
In the market district it might be different, but the main streets of Hella were generally quiet.
The masks weren't perfect, so few wanted to attract attention.
“Jeremiah… he’s not here.”
Haryun’s head whipped around.
No matter how much she looked, she couldn’t see him. He had said he would wait at the entrance of the auction house.
“That too, when we get there.”
I led the now quiet group and walked on.
The door of the Butcher Shop was open. James was waiting as if he had expected us.
“What happened?”
At my question, James grinned.
“Everything went according to the benefactor’s thoughts.”
“Really?”
“Yes. As expected of my lo… the benefactor.”
Let’s go in first.
I said, looking at the questioning group.
“What. He’s not here?”
The inside was clean and spacious.
If things had gone as planned, there should have been more people.
“I put them in the slaughter room. This place is structured so that you can see inside as soon as the door is opened.”
“Ah. Right. A complicated interior in a butcher shop would be suspicious in its own way. Is the victim inside too?”
“Yes. He’s with them. Said he needed definite proof.”
“Proof.”
There was a door behind the counter.
The group followed James inside.
“My lady!”
“Sir Jeremiah?”
Bandages wrapped tightly around his upper body. The musty smell of medicine.
Seeing Jeremiah’s condition, Haryun forgot to hide her name.
“Hmm. This seems to be their business. Shall we step out for a moment? Doesn’t it seem like this is more important?”
Watching the two reunite, I said to Homer. It was an order to leave.
“Will it take long?”
“Not really?”
“I’ll wait outside.”
Though he had lost his objective, Elder, Homer was not anxious. He took Kanan and went outside the slaughter room.
“It is an honor to meet the benefactor.”
The one who was with Jeremiah bowed his head.
A black snake was coiled on the left cheek of his mask.
“Black Snake?”
“Yes. I have heard a lot about you from Sir Jugelseu.”
“Jugelseu?”
“Yes. He is our Vice-Leader.”
“Ah.”
The Vice-Leader of the Black Snake I had met in Mectera.
Was there anything to talk about? I thought, but it wasn't important right now.
“You can’t tell me your name, can you? White Snake or Blue Snake might be different, but Black Snake has its own rules.”
“It is alright with the benefactor. Please feel free to call me Elmar.”
“Elmar? Alright, Elmar. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No. I am fine.”
“Ugh!”
“It couldn't have been easy.”
“His skills were also considerable, so it wasn’t difficult. He kindly went to a deserted slum on his own.”
“That’s a relief. Until just now? What were you doing?”
“He was being interrogated.”
“And you?”
“I judged that waiting for the benefactor was the priority.”
Befitting of a snake of Degrate.
Special-grade snakes might be different, but ordinary snakes would carry out their orders with their own judgment excluded.
“What is going on?”
Haryun looked back and forth between Jeremiah and me with confused eyes.
She didn't seem to know anything, but I, who had been with her at the auction, seemed to know everything.
“I told you he wouldn't stand still, didn't I? Right?”
“…It is my failing. I did not prepare even though I knew the possibility.”
At my gaze, Jeremiah lowered his head.
There was no excuse. It was a complete mistake. If I had not been there, Jeremiah would have died.
Against Alex Bemal, Jeremiah did not have the confidence to protect Haryun.
“You should have. You’re her guard, aren’t you?”
My tone was gentle.
But it was sharp enough to dig into Jeremiah’s heart.
“Carelessness is Haryun’s part, not yours. You know that, right? If I hadn’t been with her, Haryun would have been with you all day today.”
“…I am sorry.”
“It’s not me you should be sorry to.”
“I will not forget this kindness.”
“It’s fine. Let’s make this an exception. I told you. Using me as a companion is also an ability.”
Degrate.
That group was one of the abilities I possessed. Jeremiah had survived thanks to that ability.
“Is he alright?”
“I injected a poison that suppresses the flow of mana and paralyzed his mouth.”
“Perfect.”
I pushed aside the pig carcasses hanging on hooks and walked.
“Mmph. Mmph.”
A man hanging on a hook like a pig carcass was drooling with his mouth open.
It was a face I was seeing for the first time. He must be Hejel’s subordinate. Haryun’s face was colored with disbelief.
“…Alex Bemal.”
Mmmph! The dropping drool grew larger.
Alex’s eyes widened as he saw Haryun.
“Did you really attack Sir Jeremiah?”
Since waking up.
No, since she realized that this Bellows-work was not for her.
Haryun had been in low spirits. I knew the reason and had not touched upon it.
“You are Hejel Bahab’s guard knight.”
“Mmph!”
“Did Hejel really order you? To kill me?”
And my mother knew about it?
“Was it Sir Jeremiah that you said I might be able to pick up if I went quickly?”
The last question was directed at me.
He had predicted the attack that Akarr had known about.
“I didn’t know there was a slum in the north.”
“Then?”
“I said there’s no harm in being careful.”
“A judgment befitting of the benefactor.”
James, who was listening from the side, nodded.
When we had left the Butcher Shop earlier, I had requested a snake. I had made them stay nearby to prepare for the what-ifs.
“…Am I an idiot?”
Haryun finally said in self-deprecation.
Regarding the events that had happened in Hella today, Haryun had not been involved in any of them.
I had led everything, and while following, she had known nothing.
“Is it because I’m an idiot? Is that why my mother acted like that, and Hejel ordered a murder? Because even if they did, I wouldn’t know anything?”
She had seen the ugliness of Bahab.
After meeting me, Haryun felt that she was changing. She thought she was moving forward.
But not yet. A milestone had appeared, but the road was still long. She thought she had come a long way, but she was still in a well.
“No. It’s normal not to know. Everyone’s like that.”
“…You knew.”
“That’s because I’m special. Not because you’re an idiot.”
The reason she had thought she saw the sunlight was not because Haryun had gotten out of the well.
It was because the sunlight was so intense that it could illuminate the deep well.
“In fact, you’re better than Hejel. He just tries to follow his mom without thinking, right? He’s not a puppet. He’s the idiot.”
Mmph mmph! As his master was insulted, drool flew in all directions. I, who had avoided a few drops, frowned.
“Look. He’s dirty like his master. Can’t you do something about that drool?”
“I will kill him.”
“No. Hmm. Should we release the paralysis for now? Want to have a chat? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
I asked Haryun.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
Haryun said firmly.
The self-deprecation had disappeared. The helplessness that had filled her face was gone.
“It’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because it’s not worth it.”
“Right.”
That change. Facing it, I smiled.
Children are always like this. They learn quickly, and sometimes they realize something out of the blue. It’s rewarding to watch.
If the direction is wrong, you can correct it from the side. A still-malleable mind makes that possible.
“I’m going to take this to my mother and report it. You said I ruined my Bellows-work because of you, right? I’m going to make him my first Bellows-work.”
“That’s good too. Then I’ll kill him?”
“Pardon?”
“You said you’d make him your Bellows-work. The head is enough. They already know about the attack.”
“Th-that’s… still……”
Her hardened resolve wavered.
Haryun looked at me with panicked eyes.
She had found her direction again? She hadn't even reached the starting point yet. Haryun still needed time.
“Why? You’re going to kill him?”
In fact, here it was right to do as Haryun wanted.
“There’s no need to kill him.”
“A dog that bites its master is put down. You don’t want that?”
She wouldn't.
I didn't want to make her get her hands dirty for no reason either.
There was no good in being fast. There was no reason for her to experience murder already.
Considering Haryun, it was right to keep Alex Bemal alive.
“I don’t like it. Then I wouldn't be any different from Hejel.”
“You would be. We’re just hitting back.”
“Hitting back doesn’t necessarily mean killing.”
“True. The disposal is also up to the master. But you said you wanted to become the Duke.
Aren’t you going to do it?”
“I will. But I won’t become the same Bahab as now.”
Haryun stated her hardened resolve.
She would defeat Hejel and become the successor. She would become the Duke of Bahab and eliminate Hella. She would become a different Bahab.
“You’re greedy.”
“Can’t I be?”
“There’s nothing stopping you. But your mom won’t like it.”
“If I defeat Hejel, even my mother won’t be able to do anything.”
A normal Bahab.
A truly mismatched combination.
I imagined it and smirked.
“Really? Right. That would be fine too.”
I felt sorry for Haryun, but there was no such future. Bahab would disappear.
Haryun becoming the Duchess? Such a future might exist.
But I could say with certainty, the Haryun of that time would not be a Bahab…….
“I’ll look forward to it.”
As I spoke.
I stabbed Alex Bemal in the neck.
His wide-open eyes shot resentment. I smiled back.
“You… why…!”
“This isn't your dog.”
It's a dog of Bahab that deserves to die.