Hooked! (7)

"I suppose you've seen the state of the wolf's corpse. It's not decaying or damaged. It's a body favoured by the world. It has been different since its creation. Don't you understand?"

Behind the Count's eyes, there flickered a near-fanatic gleam, pulsing like a beacon. Was this the effect of "Submission"?

Rather than immediately responding or affirming the Count's words, I chose to take a step back, allowing him to delve deeper into his fervour. This way, I could encourage him to spill more about what he truly believed, without me needing to push too hard.

"..."

"To move with that body means to receive the world's gaze upon you."

The world's gaze. It felt as if he was speaking of a spotlight that absolutely governs this dramatic world. The way he specifically mentioned the world rather than the divine struck a chord of unease within me.

Those who do not receive the spotlight's gaze are merely used as background in the scene, eventually turning to ash and disappearing in this world.

But how does that individual behind Count Bermont know about this? How could they possibly be aware?

"Are you saying that the dead will occupy the body… and live as that person?"

Just like Leovald is now moving within the body of Leonardo?

"That sounds like a dream. First off, I question whether that's even possible. But if the wolf's flesh is indeed so perfect, then why did the wolf die so soon? It's strange, isn't it?"

At that, the light flickered again behind the Count's eyes, and he responded, 

"That is how the Lord has created it. To occupy the shell, you must first empty the inside."

"So, you're saying the reason the wolf died was part of that plan from the start?" 

I had uncovered one answer among the three questions I needed: the corpse of Leovald was meant for someone to occupy.

'Now, I need to draw out the rest.'

It seemed difficult to extract the remaining answers here. So, I decided to pivot back to the identity of the person behind it. Leaning back into my chair, I asked with a hint of incredulity, "Is that it? Once the Lord enters the wolf's body, does that mean it's over? Just living on as the skin and name of the wolf?"

The Count hesitated before answering. Did he feel that I was being overly persistent in my questioning? I quietly waited for his response, pretending not to read any currents in the silence that stretched between us.

"He will set right what has gone wrong."

"What do you mean by 'what has gone wrong'?"

"Erosion."

The Count spat out the word succinctly.

"His great intention is to drive out the erosion from this land."

By erosion, he was referring to the entities that had suddenly invaded this land a decade ago, plunging the world into turmoil—a backdrop to the stage.

It sounded like a noble goal to drive them out, but I couldn't help but question the truth behind it. Just look at the Count's subordinates; they were already exploiting that very situation to control humans.

"It sounds like an impressive plan, but… if that's the case, wouldn't the wolf have been capable of achieving that while he was alive? His reputation was formidable, and it's only natural for someone who was endowed with such a body to accomplish great deeds. Was it really necessary to kill him?"

The Count's eyes flickered again. His fanaticism compelled him to speak for the one he served. 

"No one is more suited to this task than him."

"I find it hard to understand why he insists on doing something that could easily be delegated to someone else, but if that's the case, I'd like to meet this self-sacrificing figure someday and make a good impression. Where would I find him?"

However, instead of answering, the Count abruptly cut off the conversation with a stern expression.

"That's enough. Let's get to the main point: the transfer of the wolf."

"Hmm."

Pressing further would be overly blatant. With a sense of disappointment at the abrupt topic change, I responded.

"Since you've shown such sincerity, let's reach a reasonable agreement. The corpse… well, if it's to be used for that purpose, it's a bit frightening to keep it around any longer. I'll hand it over willingly, so let's set a date and place for the exchange."

At that, the Count replied tersely.

"No need to set a date. It should be transferred today."

"Is it really that urgent? That's difficult for me. Considering the time it takes to move it from the hidden location, you'll need to be lenient."

"If manpower is an issue, we can provide help."

With a snap of his fingers, the Count's subordinates appeared silently from the shadows, effectively surrounding us. 

The sudden shift in atmosphere made Viscount Lopez roll his eyes nervously, and I raised my hands in a gesture of surrender, trying to placate the Count with a tone of exasperation.

"Calm down. The way you're treating a potential business partner is a bit much, don't you think?"

"Words are just words. The discussion is over, so bring the wolf."

"Fine, but could you remove this little encirclement? I'll go get it right now. Let's go, Leo."

However, the Count's subordinates didn't budge. Instead, they tried to create more distance between Leonardo and me. The Count spoke in a domineering tone.

"One of you will stay here as insurance. I'll assign my men to the other, and they'll accompany you with the body to the north gate."

"It's sad to see such deep mistrust."

I shrugged and readily accepted his proposal. Grabbing the bag containing the "token of sincerity" from the table along with my beer mug, I poked two of the Count's subordinates with my fingers.

"Alright! Then I'll take these two with me. Leo, you'll behave while I'm gone, right?"

I glanced back at Leonardo, gently reminding him, and he stood silently, his body drooping slightly. But in that fleeting moment, our eyes met, confirming our intentions, and we turned away from each other, walking off in opposite directions. I had anticipated this much.

As I casually twirled the wooden beer mug in my hand, I flashed a smile at the stairs ahead. I threw an arm around one of the subordinates beside me; their touch felt a little cold against my skin.

Then, with a swift motion, I kicked their leg and pushed their back.

Crash! 

The loud noise erupted, and I raised my hand to cover my face, pretending to laugh uncontrollably to mask my suspicious appearance.

"Oh no! I'm completely wasted! Come on, get it together, buddy! Are you alright?"

That was the signal. A commotion erupted behind me. Hearing the sound of something like a glass flying through the air, I realized Leonardo had overturned a table, and with that noise echoing in my ears, I swiftly moved to my next action.

As if my laughter had triggered my movements, I sharply jabbed my elbow into the solar plexus of the other subordinate next to me, putting my full weight into the blow.

Thud! He staggered back, hitting the wall of the narrow corridor, causing another loud crash.

The tavern owner shouted, "If you're that drunk, get outside for some fresh air!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I've had a bit too much to drink today!"

I flipped my beer mug upside down, dousing the subordinate in the smell of alcohol. Then, I kicked him hard in the chest, sending him crashing back down to the ground. Of course, my initial technique had worked well, but the durability of the creature disguised in human form was far beyond that of an ordinary human, and it seemed he hadn't taken much damage.

Instead, he stubbornly tried to grab my ankle, so I quickly yanked my foot away. In a swift motion, I shoved the beer mug into his face, smashing his nose before belatedly shouting.

"Cheers!"

Meanwhile, behind me, Leonardo was entangled in a fight, tripping the approaching subordinates and throwing them out of the window. He was doing well, using the hidden noble as a shield in the fray.

"If you're going to fight, take it outside!"

"I'm so sorry!"

After deeply apologizing to the angry tavern owner, I swung the heavy bag filled with coins at the subordinate's face.

Thwack! This time, a solid sound echoed as the bag burst open, spilling silver coins everywhere.

As the coins rained down like hail, the drunken patrons on the first floor stared in shock, their expressions blank. Soon, they erupted into cheers. When you're drunk, you either feel utterly miserable or blissfully happy, after all.

The tavern was alive with the sounds of thunderous cheers and the stomping feet of revelers, alongside the tavern owner's voice warning them to clear out, claiming the spilled coins were his drink money.

Suddenly, I was swiftly yanked by Leonardo, who had come running in.

"Be careful not to bite your tongue."

"Uh-huh."

"Grab him!"

With a sharp snap of the Count's fingers, I felt the henchmen rushing after us, but in that moment, Leonardo tightly gripped my body and leaped through the window, jumping down from the second floor.

As soon as we landed, I quickly steadied myself on both feet and urged Leonardo forward.

"Let's get out of here quickly."