Chapter 266

Chapter 266: Entrance of Fall #2

Paranoi hastily devoured dry bread and thin soup as if she hadn’t eaten for days.

“It’s so delicious…!”

“Yeah, eat up. I’ll have one too, maybe?”

“Ah! This is my order, so don’t you dare steal it…! If you’re going to do that, I’ll just order more for Mr. Hassan…!”

She even began to eye me warily as if I might snatch her meal. Had she been living wild or something? Looking closer, I could see faint scars on her forehead and the back of her hands.

I was about to ask how she’d been faring, but decided against it. She was still eating, and anyway, it was going to be a long sleepless night. We’d have plenty of time to talk later.

Just watching her eat gave me a bit of a full feeling. Though not exactly to the point of being stuffed, it was still nice to sit across from someone who didn’t regard me as an enemy. Recently, my frazzled nerves have been somewhat soothed by moments like these.

As I recall, nymphs are said to emit a calming aura that soothes people around them. Paranoi must be the same. Or maybe not.

After polishing off three servings worth of food all by herself, Paranoi finally seemed satisfied.

“I feel like I can live again. Though, thinking about it now, it wasn’t that tasty…”

What was that supposed to mean?

But trying to understand Paranoi would make me a third-rater. So I just nodded along and asked:

“That’s good. So what’s up? And how did you know I was here?”

“I came at Lady Luna’s request.”

“Luna?”

Hearing Luna’s name made me feel both happy and worried all at once, with a touch of anxiety thrown in.

“Is she doing well?”

“She’s fine. But there’s that terrifying executioner Hippolyte there too…!”

“Is that so?”

It seems Hippolyte is with Luna. Thinking about it, that’s actually quite reassuring. There’s probably no safer place than being near Hippolyte. Though… being with Hippolyte…

What could that mean?

I was about to dwell on it when Paranoi interrupted my thoughts.

“Lord Hassan would like to meet you. When would be convenient for you?”

“Me?”

It’s been several days since the trial that I haven’t seen Luna.

Spending each day ending here in this dreary inn, it’s natural that I’d miss Luna, who used to sleep under the same blanket as me. Apparently, Luna feels the same way.

But not yet.

“For the time being, it won’t be possible. You know why, don’t you.”

What came to mind were those people who threw rocks at me while hiding in the streets, or today’s incident where a robber tried to strangle me at the inn.

I was acquitted at the trial, but that doesn’t mean my sins have disappeared. The perception of “he started the fire” still lingers, so those who’ve never liked me…

“Hey, isn’t that Samaritan? If I take you down, I’ll be a hero to the citizens too, right?”

There are always guys like that trying to pick fights with me to earn glory, making every day nerve-wracking.

If I were to meet Luna or any of my acquaintances during this period, it would certainly result in collateral damage. So I’ve decided to continue living this lonely life until this commotion dies down.

“Hey kid, are you scared of me? I recognize that mug of yours. I’ve heard of Vendet, the strongest chain-fighter in the North Gate district. I’ve even taken down a Silver Tier adventurer!”

Bang!

A man with reggae-style hair and chains wrapped around his fists slammed the table I was sitting at. Clean plates and bowls clattered to the floor.

“This, this b*stard! How dare you pick a fight with Lord Hassan! This is simply unacceptable…! The last sausage I was saving has fallen to the floor…!”

“Huh? And what’s this small fry? A nymph?”

“One who doesn’t cherish food is the greatest enemy of the Great Lord Hassan! You, you are now a dead man…! Crying and begging will be useless…!”

“Hey, kid, what’s with the chatter? Are you too afraid to speak up?”

“Kid?! I’m Paranoi, not some kid! Lord Hassan, this man has insulted me, the great Paranoi who serves as your right arm! He’s besmirched my aura and thus your honor too! Please show him what you’re made of…!”

This fool keeps going nonstop.

I stood up from my chair.

I faced the man with the chain-wrapped fists, probably Vendet. He’s a few centimeters shorter than me but built solidly like a strong man.

“Ah, you’re bigger than I’d heard.”

The guy glared at me even though I was right in his face, showing no fear. He looked like a martial artist sizing each other up before a match.

So he’s confident in his skills, huh? He’s a former hoodlum who’s bragged about taking down a Silver Tier adventurer, so it’s understandable he’d be overly arrogant.

I grabbed him by the shoulders with both hands and pressed my thumb into the spaces between his bones, channeling my energy.

“Urgh-?!”

The man’s legs buckled and he collapsed to the ground.

“What, what is this power!?”

“You’ve been touted as someone who could take down a Silver Tier adventurer, so I had high expectations, but you’re weak.”

“Hah, hah, this isn’t kneeling, it’s coiling for power!”

“If you’re coiling, meet my knee.”

I delivered a knee strike to his face, which was now lower due to his posture.

Of all the parts of the body that can be used as weapons, the elbow and knee are the strongest. Taking a knee strike to the nose caused serious damage.

“Indeed! You’ve taken down that impudent one with the 120th fatal technique, ‘The Knee’! Even in Tartarus, that foolish one will surely repent now…!”

The 120th fatal technique knee, huh? Is Paranoi getting tired of coming up with names too? Though the guy did look less threatening now, and I just ended up laughing.

“d*mn. Anyway, as you can see, I can’t meet up with Luna. You understand, right?”

“Indeed, it wouldn’t do to let Lady Luna witness the incessant challenges from these punks.”

“Exactly. You catch on fast. That’s what I expect from my right-hand man.”

“In that case, how about raising my share to 80%?”

“I’ll consider it. Anyway, let’s get up and go. We’ll have to change inns again starting tomorrow, d*mn it. I don’t know how people keep hearing about me and coming like this.”

I returned with Paranoi to the room with the worn-out door handles.

“Are you going to sleep here?”

“It’s late now, so it seems best. Besides, if the great Paranoi of the Frontier of Hell were to be wandering around late at night, it would be pitiful for those who meet me. They wouldn’t escape d*ath.”

The night is scary, I get it. But this is a single room with only one, narrow bed. I was wondering what to do when Paranoi curled up and lay down on the bare wooden floor.

“Then you’re going to sleep on the floor?”

“This is practically a palace because there’s wooden floor. There’s a roof to keep out the rain and walls to block the wind…”

What is this? Is this Paranoi really fine living so simply?

The Paranoi I remember was rather greedy. This doesn’t seem like her just politely giving me the bed. It feels like a lot has happened to her while we were apart.

I spread out the cover I was using on the floor for her and casually asked:

“How have you been? I heard you joined some foundation.”

“T-That didn’t happen. I know nothing-.”

Suddenly Paranoi started trembling, so I couldn’t continue asking.

Eventually, we lay down under the same roof with a slightly strange feeling. Only, my eyes still held bright energy and sleep wouldn’t come.

“Hey, Paranoi.”

“Yes, Lord Hassan?”

“Didn’t Luna have anything else to say about me? Other than wanting to meet.”

“Not particularly.”

I felt a stirring in my chest.

After all, the reason I’m separated from Luna isn’t just because of the hoodlums. There’s another reason that only Luna and I know about.

The day the trial ended, we had a bit of a fight. It wasn’t a loud argument – I was mostly just listening. I had never seen Luna so angry before, so it surprised me a bit.

Since I’d gone ahead and done things my own way, I could understand her anger. All I could say was that I was sorry.

Hassan, this is your chance. If there’s anything else you’re hiding from me, anything you’re trying to do behind my back – tell me now. I’ll be even angrier if I find out later, so speak up.

I confessed to Luna everything that I had hidden from her. Thinking back now, perhaps it was a trap she set for me.

Hippolyte…?

Yes.

What was Luna’s expression back then?

What did we say to each other after?

Reflecting on it now, should I have said that? Could there have been a better choice of words?

Perhaps the reason Luna wants to meet me is because she has something truly important to say. Something like “let’s break up.” It’s probably something like that. Just thinking about it makes me feel terrible.

But that was my chance. The time for me to acknowledge my own sins and improve our relationship might not have come again.

“Hmm…”

If Luna and Hippolyte are getting along well together, maybe there’s still some hope.

Luna, I’m sorry. I don’t even have an excuse.

…

I prayed earnestly that day, but on that day, Luna gave me no answer. She didn’t say a word and didn’t try to stop me as I packed my things and left the cabin.

Perhaps that was her answer.

Various thoughts swirled in my mind, causing me pain.

Hell isn’t somewhere else. My heart and mind are hell enough.

Even though I’ve been acquitted, I’m clearly suffering the consequences of the sins I’ve committed.

This must be the retribution, my karma.

d*mn it.

That’s why it’s better to keep yourself busy. When your hands are idle and your body is at rest, your mind gets filled with thoughts and becomes complicated.

So I got up and started doing push-ups. Starting with both hands, removing one finger at a time until finally doing push-ups with just my thumb.

That cleared my head a bit.

d*mn, I feel like I’m going to d*e. What is Luna thinking about right now? Is she asleep? Or is she also spending the night like this?

I hope Luna will forgive me. But if she’s already moved on from me…

Perhaps I should start preparing myself emotionally.

“Huff… One hundred fifty five…”

Love is truly difficult.

It’s so hard that it’s hard to understand how people repeatedly go through this process and end up smiling happily.

“Six hundred, thirty eight…”

In the end, I stayed up all night.

*

“Lord Hassan, your face looks dark… Are you alright?”

As I sat up from a restless night, Paranoi approached me from the floor.

Examining my face in the broken glass scattered on the inn floor, it was indeed as Paranoi said – my face was extremely dark.

Deep circles under my eyes showed heavy dark shadows, and my unshaven face made me look like a savage who’d been howling in the wilderness for days.

“Indeed, with such a terrifying face, those halfway decent hoodlums would run away immediately…! It’s a hellish face!”

“Like dog sh*t, you mean?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

“…”

Normally I would’ve said something, but strangely, Paranoi’s chatter was making me feel a bit better.

I remembered friends who’d gone through breakups. They hated being alone, drank heavily with friends late at night.

Back then I only vaguely understood their feelings. Now that I’ve experienced it myself, I get it.

The silence, the memories that wash over you when you’re alone, the regrets and good memories, the intense emotions – they’re all unbearable.

“Paranoi.”

“What is it?”

“Thanks. You’ve given me some energy.”

“So, will you increase my share to 80%?”

“If you do well today, I’ll raise it to 90%.”

“I’ll take any task you give me…!”

Paranoi seemed eager to help with my work. Though it stung my conscience to take advantage of this young one, having someone around who’s chattering away is giving me strength.

We have to live through another day.

So I headed towards the East Gate street.

“Samaritan…”

“Scary…”

People were muttering about me, so I pulled my robe’s hood deeper over my head. Paranoi seemed dissatisfied with the situation.

“Stupid people. Pointing fingers at Lord Hassan without knowing who he is. It’s pitifully foolish not to be grateful for the blessings of the flames Lord Hassan bestows.”

“Shut up.”

I arrived at the launderette operated by Galad. However, Galad pointed elsewhere with his finger.

“We’ve finished repairing our launderette today. Expected to take a month, but with your help it got done in weeks.”

“Is that so?”

“Now go to the waste incineration site at the North Gate. That’s the last one. It’ll be tough though. Are you alright?”

Galad seemed to be checking my complexion visible under my robe.

“Shouldn’t you reveal the truth now?”

“I’m fine.”

With our greetings concluded, I headed from the launderette to the waste incineration site.

The waste incineration site wasn’t damaged in the fire, but it’s a place where sinners and prisoners are sent to do service work.

There, I encountered a woman with long ears who was stirring mud with a shovel, her face smeared with black paint.

“Elfrida, so you were here.”

The woman turned around.

It’s been a while since I last saw her.

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