Act Like a Boss, Mr. Swallow

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[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Demon God]

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“Well, there was an incident.”

Having concluded his investigation of the noble’s secret affairs, Patrick immediately headed to the back alley. It was to share information with Devourer.

Devourer, whom Patrick found in the back alley, was sleeping among a tangled crowd of people like a threadbare blanket.

“Getting friendly with humans is good, but it seems like you got too close for comfort.”

“…So, what happened?”

Devourer, having heard Patrick’s explanation, scratched his head and asked.

Whether it was due to being caught up for negligence on duty or being dragged here with the back of his neck, he seemed unable to regain his composure. Small teardrops were forming at the corners of his eyes. It was clear that excessive yawning had become a habit.

“There’s nothing to be done, it just ended there. I vaguely covered it up. I asked out of curiosity, without any other meaning.”

“You didn’t say you felt empathy? You just left the undead alone?”

“Feeling empathy doesn’t mean all undead are the same. Necromancers sometimes emit that aura under certain circumstances, and among humans even slightly associated with dark magic, there are those who emit such vibes depending on the internal corruption.”

In essence, it was a warning to be cautious.

“…Then why did you say the last words?”

Devourer asked as if he couldn’t understand Patrick’s actions at all.

In Devourer’s common sense, if there were suspicions, one could just knock them all down and find out.

Patrick gazed at Devourer with a hint of contemplation and instead of a sigh, added a brief remark.

“I had my reasons.”

In Patrick’s view, the countess seemed like someone with hidden intentions. There must be some belief that led her to leave the territory in such a neglected state. Taking an extra step in suspicion, if a man feeling a sense of camaraderie is involved in this incident, it’s highly likely.

For such individuals, the existence of an “overtly suspicious knight” would undoubtedly act as a wildcard. Acting hastily would inevitably leave traces somewhere. If the anxious countess approaches Patrick first, there’s nothing more grateful than that.

“If it were me, I would have knocked them all down right there.”

“Boss, can’t you distinguish whether you came to resolve the incident or to destroy the village?”

‘I’m really glad it’s me going instead of the boss.’

Patrick muttered as if telling him to listen.

Of course, he said it like that, but it doesn’t mean Patrick didn’t ponder over it. However, as always, one must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. After causing a commotion, if it turns out that the situation with the man and Hastin has no significant connection, it would be incredibly difficult to rectify the mess he created.

“Boss, do you have any idea what’s going on?”

After organizing his thoughts and letting out a sigh, Patrick asked. Devourer, who had become more of a ‘back alley resident’ than getting friendly with the people in the back alley, would have gathered quite a bit of information even if he was just sprawled out sleeping.

Devourer responded to Patrick’s question with a serious expression, creating a tense atmosphere.

“For starters, I find the countess suspicious.”

“…Wasn’t that something I’ve been saying tirelessly since before we came to the village?”

“I’ve found a few other things besides that… Oh, here, the humans here are surviving on abandoned crops, claiming there’s a plague. I was wondering why the village was so quiet, but turns out, some of the humans hiding in their homes are starving to death.”

“Besides that, have you found out anything about the rosary?”

“I didn’t think so.”

A crisp sound, like bones grating against gold, echoed clearly from Patrick.

“So, to sum it up, you haven’t found out anything that actually needs to be found out.”

“Didn’t I tell you last time that it would take a while…”

Devourer, whose voice was gradually diminishing, muttered something like ‘I did try, you know,’ and then, as if remembering a suitable excuse, added, “What was that girl’s name? Oh, Rosalina, I think. That girl seems to have more emotional fluctuations than I thought. It’s not easy to approach her.”

It seemed like he wasn’t in his right mind, but after hearing Devourer’s explanation, Patrick nodded as if understanding.

“That does make sense.”

The reality can be quite harsh for a person of immature age to grasp. Hastin’s situation is not ideal, and the fact that the people around her are suffering due to her actions adds to the complexity. It must be emotionally challenging.

“Still, it’s better to find out quickly. We can’t just wait indefinitely until the girl regains stability.”

“But there isn’t any particularly good method, is there?”

“…It would have been good to learn some mind control magic.”

I should have chosen a staff instead of a sword. As regret set in, Patrick suddenly thought of Melje.

I should have just brought Melje. But then again, the gatekeeper can’t say such things in front of the boss.

Patrick gathered his resolve.

“I should have just brought Melje.”

“…You brought me against my will and are now saying that?”

Saying that, Devourer sighed simultaneously.

It’s easy to ruin the mental state of a perfectly fine human. But restoring the shattered mental state of a person is a difficult task. Currently, there were no sharp reproaches.

“…Ah, what about this method?”

Both of them shook their heads, immersed in despair for a moment.

Something seemed to have come to Patrick, and he casually suggested.

Devourer, who had lowered his head deeply, raised it at Patrick’s words. He seemed to have swallowed his saliva with a gulp in that short time.

Where are the limits of the boss…

In a situation where it seemed almost impossible to find anything else, Patrick quietly rummaged through his pockets. Devourer, who had been absentmindedly watching the scene without any particular thoughts, suddenly frowned.

“You didn’t, by any chance, go around with ribs removed to do that, did you?”

Patrick had always found it strange that he fumbled through his pockets every time he took something out.

Come to think of it, there had to be enough space to put his hand inside the pocket.

Not understanding what was so proud about it, Patrick stood up straight and proudly said, “Just remove three ribs. It’s one of the blessings given to me, who is destined to wear armor, not an outer garment.”

No, you could just wear a coat with pockets. Moreover, if you don’t like that, you could just attach pockets to a belt and carry them around.

“You don’t have to look at me with such a worried expression. After all, it’s detachable and attachable.”

“If you had put the detached bones back in your body…”

Regardless of whether he said that or not, Patrick lightly ignored Devourer’s words and offered a bundle with a faint smile.

“Anyway, this is the food I obtained from the countess’s castle this time.”

“Eat and think after?”

“No, let’s try to win the favor of a girl named Rosalina with this.”

The grains that the people in the alley are eating are nothing more than rations for survival.

But the bundle Patrick received is something explicitly ordered by the countess. It’s undoubtedly filled with a level of food that can’t be compared to mere survival rations.

There is nothing in the alley right now that is more valuable than this.

“But will that method really work…?” Devourer questioned as he faced Patrick, who held out a bundle of food.

“With the current situation, I can’t be sure it will work well. Anyway, it’s better than just waiting idly,” Patrick replied.

“…Why don’t you go yourself then?”

“Have a safe journey, boss.”

Interrupting Devourer’s words, Patrick placed the bundle of food on Devourer’s hands. Devourer, feeling awkward despite the expression of discontent, scratched the back of his head as he held the food in his hands.

“Boss, you should be careful not to make any verbal slip-ups. If the bond with humans is strong, giving her food separately might backfire,” Patrick said.

“Even if you say that, it might not go well… But let’s give it a try.”

As Devourer stood up from his seat, Patrick offered one final piece of advice.

“And, it’s obvious, but if you decide to give, give it all. This is a persuasive measure to gather information about Rosalina. If you have any thoughts about sharing or dividing it, boss, give up on that. You’ll have to rely on the rations you receive separately at the inn for a while.”

Seemingly unimpressed by Patrick’s words, Devourer got up from his seat. After another round of scratching his head and even letting out a yawn, Devourer responded to Patrick’s advice.

“I’ll give it a shot.”

It was a response that lacked any sincerity, as if there was not a trace of genuine commitment.

***

“Let’s share the food.”

The first words that Devourer uttered after calling Rosalina separately.

“…What?”

Rosalina still seemed to be afraid of Devourer. When Devourer suddenly held out the bundle, Rosalina took a few steps back in surprise. She definitely didn’t look well.

Recalling Tott’s words, since the incident of the ‘Black Disaster,’ their condition hadn’t been good since they started living together in the alley. Tott mentioned that it was only after a few days of getting used to alley life that Rosalina began to show signs of vitality, and now Devourer and Patrick had brought her back to square one.

“Let’s share the food.”

As if he had completely forgotten Patrick’s advice, Devourer subtly suggested.

Rosalina still seemed frightened. Devourer, who glanced at Rosalina with a hint of concern, slumped down on the spot.

Startled by Devourer’s actions, Rosalina cautiously approached.

“…Why are you giving it only to me?”

Once again, he examined Rosalina’s expression. The atmosphere seemed even more guarded than before.

Questions and suspicions arose – why was he withholding food from others and giving it only to her?

The girl is wary of kindness for reasons unknown.

‘Ah, this situation is not looking good at all.’

It seemed like the situation Patrick mentioned as ‘not good’ was unfolding.

Thanks a lot, Patrick.

Devourer resolved that if Patrick came back saying something like, “Oh, it seems this method isn’t working. Boss, let’s go back to the beginning and try again,” he would truly return to the primordial core.

Having made up his mind, Devourer silently opened the bundle. The food inside was more refined than he expected.

Thin bread made from flour, large chunks of cheese, dried fruits, and water stored in a magically treated leather pouch.

‘…Didn’t expect much, but…’

It could be considered an upgraded version of the meals given at the inn. It might be considered low-level for goods from the countess’s estate, but on the flip side, it indicated the severity of the situation within the territory if this was all they could provide.

“If you’re not going to eat it, I’ll eat it all.”

There was no room for further negotiation.

With that judgment, Devourer, grumbling to himself, began to eat the food.

The first thing he grabbed was the bread – thin, round, and not as hard as wheat bread.

Okay, this isn’t lethal bread. After muttering to himself, Devourer was about to put the bread into his mouth.

“…Huh?”

The girl’s eyes widened, sensing that something was amiss. It all began with the girl’s mixed sigh of inquiry.

Upon the sudden questioning sound from the girl, Devourer, who was about to eat the bread, turned his head to look at Rosalina.

Wide-eyed, Rosalina was staring at the bread Devourer was holding. Simultaneously, the corners of the girl’s mouth, looking at the bread, slowly lifted.

“This is the bread that the leader gave, isn’t it?”

The girl, who had walked up to Devourer, lifted the same bread from the bundle and spoke.

Devourer’s expression froze as he witnessed the dramatic change in the girl’s face. A genuine smile spread across the girl’s face, appearing truly happy.

It wasn’t a mere emotional fluctuation in expression.

Devourer had seen similar smiles from humans somewhere before. Thinking about it, there were a few similar instances. Some members of the expedition force that came to the primordial core had displayed such smiles.

That was the smile of humans who had lost their sanity.

The smiles of those who had gone mad.

The laughing girl and Devourer’s gaze met. The girl’s eyes, as Devourer saw them, seemed empty.

No, they seemed to have nothing. The girl’s eyes were undeniably filled with something, but only ordinary people couldn’t comprehend what.

“Sir Knight! Sir Knight, did you also believe in him?”

With a smile tainted by madness, Rosalina asked.

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[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Demon God]

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