Chapter 730 – The Sun Covers the Sky (5)
I have a memory that suddenly comes to mind.
Again, when I was young. Around the time when I was not yet free from the curiosity and naivety of an elementary school student, stationery stores used to sell goldfish in fishbowl at low prices.
Other stationery stores were candidates for Living Tamagotchi, where chicks are major, but the one I used to use differentiated itself with fish and shellfish, not algae.
It was an effective marketing, considering I went all out and bought it.
So I would name the five goldfish I cherished and couldn’t tell them apart, and would pour rice cakes into them until the water in the fishbowl was dirty from their stomachs bursting.
But then one day
As I witnessed in real time the kites eating and tearing at their children in front of preschool children, I was amazed at the mystery of life and got goose bumps all over my body at what happened right after.
The mother goldfish chased and ate the children she gave birth to.
Now I know that the reason is that the fish tank was small and there was not enough space for the baby goldfish to hide.
If anything was wrong, it would be the ignorant Jammin Kang Buk-ho and the stationery lady who did not teach them how to raise goldfish.
However, at the time, that fratricide trauma gave me such a terrible and inhumane trauma, and Kang Buk-ho in his younger days could no longer look at the monsters with the protruding eyeballs with the same eyes as before.
Until the day when I, stricken with fear, avoided feeding them, and the dead goldfish were washed down the toilet by my father.
After thinking that far, my mind returned to the dark shelter of reality.
【… What will happen after going back to the stomach of that tona or something?]
【It is certain that she will not die.】
When I asked, the old man shook his head. It’s not like I’m trying to tell a hopeful story.
[It is neither reborn as an innocent child nor destroyed like a sacrifice. I will live forever in my mother’s arms. There will be no consciousness, so that is at least a comfort.]
【There is also a terrible one-sided motherhood.】
【You don’t want to lose your child.】
It was Kiara who was brainwashed while translating. The old man affirmed.
【A long, long time ago, Tonashillucatl, who lost the ‘Son of the Chief’, bestowed blessings on all the children who inherited his blood. So that dead children can return to their arms wherever they are.]
Reflexively, Odin opened his eyes again. There was no magical treatment on their bodies.
Even if there was, it wouldn’t be a rune magic system. It’s useless lately, these eyes.
【Is the Shinryong’s jewel blocking that damn skirt wind?】
【The role of a magnet to prevent being dragged away. Otherwise, you could call it a cradle. It can dwell in a jewel and disappear as if asleep. That’s why I had to get it back.]
The old man who was explaining suddenly noticed the existence of two people whose complexion had deteriorated—Nefertiti and Shedmenhotep—and smiled.
【I think I know roughly where the two of you are from. Never mind. It’s true that it was stolen, but our ancestors didn’t stop it on purpose.]
【… I guess you almost got caught by Azteca?]
【… This is amazing How did you know?]
I scratched my cheek as I inadvertently asked.
If Azteca discovered the jewel, it would not only be broken, but it would never be possible to make a similar object again. In that case, it is better to let them steal.
The old man stroked the statue with his free hand.
【Who knows? They said it was stolen property, but in fact, it might just be trusting the visitors. I came back after such a long time, so that’s it.]
【It’s okay? What do you mean! Everyone who died so far is said to be in the belly of that dragon!]
【That’s why I asked you to bring it back.】
It was Istetil who was crying out as if vomiting blood, but the old man replied as if he hadn’t thought of it. It is a cushion of thorns that is very uncomfortable for a third person.
【Didn’t you say it was a magnet? If you get close, you can free those trapped in Zhou God’s belly. Of course, it’s no different than the road to death.]
【… Damn old man Give it up. I’m coming.】
【Stop the bullshit, kid. The legs are fine. A young man must live.]
【Are you okay? Where?】
─Boom!
Istetil’s arm struck the wall of air. It was because of the wings of the skin that grew on her arm, but when the sound subsided, she held the statue in her hand.
As if demonstrating, he took the Shinryong’s jewel from the old man.
【Think of age and injuries. A turtle will run faster than you.]
【Ha… Like this ugly bitch.]
An old man who spit out a shot that conveys the pain. He rubbed his gloomy eyes.
【… The days are long these days. The sky is the realm of the Woo Gods. The power of Tonashillucatl has grown stronger. The idiots in Azteca are eager to use this opportunity to kill Wooshin.]
【What do you know? I’m going to look for my younger siblings. They are still young girls. Among the citizens taken as mothers, there must be people who are still alive.]
Istetil looking down at the lizard statue.
Her eyes rolled towards us.
【I’m sorry, but that’s how it happened. Ask someone else if it’s a ruin or something. If you look for an evacuation center, there might be some that can walk around.]
【Nope. That’s why we’re in trouble.]
Kiara’s words stopped when she said she was about to leave. Stopping as if caught in her physical hand, Istetil contorted her brown face.
Of course, Kiara didn’t even budge an eyebrow.
【Dignity and honor. Pride and family love. It’s very romantic. I also like that choice, but even the noble spirit of self-sacrifice is difficult today.]
【… It is difficult? What do you mean?】
【Success or failure, as long as Mr. Istetil doesn’t die, our existence will be known to Azteca. The threat, which was only a possibility, is confirmed in the form of pursuers and enemies.]
That was right. If Istetil is subdued alive, or if evidence is left behind.
‘If Azteca notices us, it will definitely attack.’
If you listen to the story, the stronger they are, the more they prefer to be sacrificed.
Just looking at the members of the advance party, they would attack, claiming that it was a foreign food ingredient with a goddamn taste.
‘It’s difficult to avoid.’
Even if you hurry, it will be difficult to meet time. Have you ever seen a site survey done in 2-3 days? It would be pointless to reorganize and return from Atlantis. Then it just becomes a war.
【The price of the jewel that you promised Lord Wolfhedin was cooperation in exploration. Even if you don’t follow me, please wait for a few days.]
【Because if you have a few days, you can safely leave?】
【Yes.】
Even after hearing that answer, Istetil did not reveal his teeth.
He is too. There is no need to threaten when you are going to fight. ‘Cause she’s not a beast
─Suck.
Skolakiche, who had been lying in the shelter, got up.
There were few survivors, but there were also those who returned with us.
The number of people is more than them.
【Istetil!】
【Put the Elder to sleep. It’s too early for him to retire.]
Skolakiche knocked the old man out of bed.
─Puck! The old man, who was not strange when he passed out because of his injury, fell helplessly to the bed. Istetil, who had stretched out his arm in front of his men to restrain the seon-gong, questioned emotionlessly.
【In those few days, how many people must die who could have been saved?】
【How many people do we have to die to save them?】
At this moment, Kiara was a mature adventurer, not the half-dwarf who always wandered around. When the success of an expedition and the safety of a team are weighed on a scale, it becomes ruthless.
Sensing the mood of the situation, Shed Menhotep tightened his fingers.
“… Fuck, are you suddenly like this?”
“Dana. Go behind Nord.”
Nefertiti stopped Dana from pulling my clothes. Asherad spilled Skolakiche, who had followed him behind the shelter. Istetil in front and his subordinates in the back. If it’s a siege, it’s a siege.
【… Chiara Colido. You are a good human being.]
Istetil said, raising his nails.
【Respect goodness while keeping credo. It’s a short relationship, but I understand why.]
The voice was the softest ever. It wasn’t acting, it was her sincerity.
【If I go to Azteca, I will surely die. It is also true that the assumption that the family might be alive is not a reason to give up one’s life.]
【You know so well, why?】
【Do you have a family?】
Kiara was silent, and Istetil shrugged her shoulders.
【Then it’s useless to explain. A family is not a relationship that requires a reason.]
She answered Kiara and told me.
【Send it. I will never talk about you. If you can’t put this jewel into the belly of the damned Wooshin, I promise to save even the captives and commit suicide right away.]
【… Are you thinking of giving up your life?]
【Fortunately, it seemed like something that could be thrown away. It seems that my soul is not mine.]
【Hmm. I see.]
Watching the fleeting debate, I threw a word.
【Then will you give me that life?】
【… Would you have said you weren’t interested in men?]
【Is the emperor of Azteca male at the time?】
【… No, I heard it was a woman.]
【Then that’s all right.】
I let out a friendly smile. I think I managed to build trust, wouldn’t it look more trustworthy than the first day I met you?
【Come with us. Archaeological map, Azteca.]
You can save people who have been arrested and take a peek to see if our home visits have been caught. Who knows who recaptured the citizens, as long as our identities are not revealed?
I don’t know why you keep fighting over this easy problem.
