→ Future Plans Are Futile ←

As I meandered, deep in thought, the golem hanging at my side began to complain. Something about damage to its body and the need for a clear line of sight.

Out of nowhere, a large coffin appeared in the distance, silencing the golem. It was Tyr.

Spotting me, Tyr swiftly floated over, bringing her coffin to a smooth halt in front of me. She jumped down and began to speak.

“Hu! Are you all prepared? We do not know when we will set out. Be quick to make sure you have everything.”

“Empty-handed I came, empty-handed I’ll go. What more could I need now? I just packed a little food.”

That was a lie. Yesterday, while cooking, I swiped some of the regressor’s spices—items more valuable than their weight in gold. Selling them would net me a fortune. On top of that, I naturally packed food, water, and even clothing packets. I was practically invincible with my bag.

“What is the first thing you wish to do upon leaving?”

Liquidation! Turning goods into gold, mankind’s mightiest alchemy!

But I couldn’t just blurt that out. I hedged my response instead.

“I’m not sure. I thought about going back to my old place, but this golem keeps branding me a criminal, so that’s off the table. It looks like I’ll have to wander the world aimlessly.”

The previously motionless golem twitched at my comment, but Tyr didn’t seem particularly concerned. In fact, she seemed pleased.

?He has nowhere to go? Yes. If he is unattached, it will be easier for him to join me.?

Tyr tilted her head slightly, trying to hide her glee.

“I see..”

All the while, she peeked at my expression.

?Since we both have nowhere to go, there will be no issue traveling together. However..?

“Hem-hem. I, too, plan to roam the world without destination for the foreseeable future.”

“Oh dear, sounds tough.”

?..How can I persuade him to accompany me? This is so difficult.?

Tyr’s mind kept wandering even as our dialogue continued.

“Why would it be tough? I neither require food nor drink.”

“But you’re unfamiliar with the world. Don’t you think you’ll end up being swindled or cheated out of money?”

?There would be no problem if you were to teach me. You are more likely to swindle than be swindled, after all.?

She hinted at her wish, circling the topic in the hope that I’d catch her unspoken plea.

“I doubt any would have the gall to try playing tricks on me.”

“Who’d be so obvious about it? What if an innkeeper casually tries to charge you 10,000 alkeis? Do you even know what alkeis are?”

?You could educate me even on such trivial matters. I wish to hear your lessons, your delightful words.?

“It will happen at most once or twice. That is how people learn from their first journey. Eventually, they find good company, share tales, and discover different worlds. Is that not what traveling is about?”

“Do you know? A good companion can be the most dangerous swindler. A greedy merchant might overprice, but those would-be-companions will cheat your life out of you.”

?I care not even if you are a cheat. Whatever you ask of me, I am willing to give.?

“Life is about being with people, so how can one cheat another’s life?”

“Bad company lures you in to sell you elsewhere, while good company tempts you to chase dreams. Victims become lost to wander endlessly. Both paths lead to ruin.”

?Then, you would be the best companion in all the world, for you have fulfilled my dream.?

“You act with optimism, yet you hold such a surprisingly dark view of the world.”

“Isn’t that reality? Birds fly high yet look down. Trees stand tall, always looking up. Given the state of the world, I may as well be optimistic if no one else will.”

?Compared to your wealth of skills, I possess little but strength. All I can offer is protection, however..?

“..Hu.”

“Yes?”

?I long to listen to your stories, told in your delightful way. Share your wisdom of the curiosities in the world, and in return, under the starlit sky I shall recount ancient stories now forgotten. We will lose ourselves in conversation until the campfire dwindles to a wisp of smoke. You will drift off to sleep.?

“And before dawn’s first light, I will hide in the shadows away from day’s detestable glare. As morning breaks, I hope to see you searching for me, drowsy-eyed, finding me sheltered beneath my parasol. If our days continued just as before, where at times you might chat with others or playfully tease me..”

Tyr’s thoughts weaved into her speech midway. Still, she whispered on, either unaware or perhaps wishing to be lost in her reverie.

“In hindsight, that would not be much different from our time here. From the first moment you roused me, until now, as we stand before departure.. every second has been joyful.”

?Perhaps, I do not wish to leave this place yet..?

It was evident that Tyr quite liked her life here.

The occasional drifters falling in here did cause some disturbances, but excluding that, it’d be hard to find a place as carefree and tranquil as the abyss. For those enduring every day, striving to survive the next, this place might be akin to heaven.

Nevertheless, we couldn’t stay here forever; all good things must end. If we ventured outside..

I posed a question, a gentle smile hanging on my lips.

“Tyr. Is there any chance you could protect me?”

Tyr looked up abruptly, much like someone who was jolted out of their sleep.

“Of course.”

“From any threat that might come my way?”

“There is nothing to fear.”

“What if a being with the power to destroy the world came after me?”

“I would defend you, even at the cost of my life.”

“Even though you might die?”

“Death is nothing so terrifying. Losing something as dear as life—that is true horror.”

Those words carried weight, coming from someone who had tasted death. I supposed this was why people always wanted experienced professionals.

In any case, I really did appreciate the sentiment. I replied with a chuckle.

“Thank you, Tyr. You’re so dependable.”

?He is taking my words lightly, even though he seemed to hang on every word from that Gaian disciple.?

Tyr strode closer, cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction.

“You seem to regard that taoist of Mother Earth very highly.”

Her actions contradicted her menacing approach, though, timidly tugging at my sleeve as she spoke.

“Remember this. I am far more renowned and incomparably ancient than she is.”

That was for sure. Not even the Earth Sage could compare to Tyr, who had established the very concept of vampires and even held her own against Sanctum.

But well, putting that aside..

“I don’t think being ancient is much to brag about.”

“Really, you have a retort for everything!”

“That’s how comfortable I feel around you. I can’t speak like this with the Earth Sage, can I? I don’t have a nickname for her like I do for you either.”

“..!”

Tyr’s face lit up with a radiant smile, but only for a moment. She began looking around with an air of excitement, as if she had left something behind.

“My preparations seem incomplete. Wait a moment. I must gather a few more things.”

?I would need no food or shelter if I were to set off alone. But Hu, being fully alive, will need plenty to eat. As for shelter.. Hm, if it comes to worst, he can share my coffin..?

Tyr’s train of thought derailed at that point, making her suddenly blush. She shook her head violently.

?W-what indecency am I thinking?! Hu can simply sleep in the coffin, while I keep watch throughout the night!?

Hang on. Wouldn’t that make it look like I booted an elder out of her own bed? And more importantly, why wasn’t she considering booking an inn? Camping outdoors was both exhausting and dangerous.

In any case, Tyr went away to pack whatever else she could in her coffin. Once she was far enough away, the golem that had been hanging from my side, feigning lifelessness, lifted its head.

『..Were you not arrested for gambling?』

Come to think of it, the signaller was conscious all along. I tended to forget when others were around, probably because her thoughts were unreadable.

But why bring up my crime? Was she making fun of me, even though she’s the one who brought me in?

“Don’t you know my crime better than I do, Captain Abbey? It’s as you know.”

『Was your main occupation a host, by any chance?』

“Oh please. How many host bars are there in the Military State?”

I had only worked as a substitute host before and never gathered much popularity. In that ruthless neighborhood, looks were all that mattered.

“Now, now. We’ve had enough of the outdoors, yes? Time to head back.”

I now knew that the Military State basically planned to use the abyss and its inmates. Though the specifics were unclear, it most likely involved warfare. The name of the country spoke for itself, didn’t it?

If my guess was correct, then there’d be about a year until war broke out. That pretty much aligned with the regressor’s predictions.

I sighed, sensing something big was coming.

“I should fly out of the country or something. Follow the coastline upwards, maybe? If I run all the way to the Federation..”

『..Just now, I seem to have overheard a criminal plotting to flee the country.』

Ohh, right. The golem was still here. It really did slip my mind when it kept quiet.

“You’re misunderstanding. Really.”

Just as I was backtracking, a voice called out to me from the shadows.

“..Hey. Give me a minute.”

It was the regressor.

She had been lost in contemplation ever since the Earth Sage’s arrival. It appeared she had only now reached a conclusion to her thoughts. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, carried unwavering resolve. historical

“I have something to say. It won’t be long.”

Until now, she had only ever revealed her presence in fleeting glimpses. But here she was, finally standing before me.. thrown off by how I was cradling the golem under my arm like some treasure.

The regressor frowned, her initial tension deflating.

“Is that golem some kind of plush toy? Why do you carry it everywhere?”

I was about to say yes, but the golem beat me to the chase.

『Plush toy? I must object to such an outrageous—』

The regressor had less patience for the Military State than anyone I knew. She interrupted, casting a withering glare at the golem.

“Whatever. Golem, wanna disconnect yourself, or shall I do it for you?”

『..I will disconnect.』

“Then go. Now.”

The golem “stiffly” went slack, its limbs quivering. Glancing at it, I saw its crystal orbs—essentially its eyes—darting around.