Act Like a Boss, Mr. Swallow

Chapter 17

***

[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Zain]

***

Are you serious, Sir Devde? To retrieve it? What are you talking about? Im really puzzled by the sudden actions of you. Didnt you just say that the weapon used by a companion earlier is exactly the same? Whats the connection between you and the Brachycephalic Tooth?

Hey, Melje.

Yeah? Well, speak.

About the 36 Masterpieces, the Brachycephalic Tooth. Are they really unique?

If the knowledge I have is correct, it should be. But why are you suddenly asking about this, Sir Devde?

So, it was true after all.

His pupils lost focus. The iris was murky, but a fierce glint remained. His tone was eerily flat, suppressing emotions that were eager to burst out. Devourer was clearly in a state where, with a little more provocation, intense emotions were ready to burst forth.

That thing, its the possession of a companion Ive been looking for.

A hollow laugh echoed in Meljes ears as he demanded an explanation. Just then, the shadow of the clouds covering the sun was cast.

I have to retrieve it.

Devourer, who declared so abruptly, smiled at Melje. Although his mouth displayed a gentle smile, his eyes remained lifeless. The smile conveyed nothing but disappointment.

Well, its nothing special. I hope you dont pay too much attention. Oh, and helping me ends here. I appreciate the short assistance.

Sir Devde, are you really saying that youre going to retrieve it?

I know how to get back to Hastin, and I can handle the future on my own.

Wait a minute. It would be wise for Sir Devde to make a more rational judgment. Stirring up trouble in the capital of the human empire is never a good deed, no matter how strong Sir Devde is

If its fate, well meet again later. Well, I hope you will be able to meet Mr Devourer, rather than me.

Sir Devde?

So, its best for you to get out of here as soon as possible.

A faint shadow of a cloud engulfed them. With the last words, Devourer turned away. He moved slowly. Even from a distance, Melje felt the faint gaze of the gatekeeper. Devourer was not hearing it, but Melje was still looking at Devourers back.

In Meljes gaze, there was no doubt, but there was still suspicion. She wanted to ask many things, but she couldnt find words to hold Devourers steps. Only after Devourer had taken a few steps did Melje cautiously open her mouth.

Sir Devdes comrade and the possessor of the Brachycephalic Tooth.

The sound of footsteps stopped.

If my knowledge is correct, there is only one person who comes to mind. It seems that I know who Sir Devde is looking for.

When she first heard about finding the silver-haired woman, the name of one person who had briefly crossed Meljes mind but she had erased it from her mind, thinking it was impossible.

The Blade Maid Renee.'

Devourer still didnt say anything.

However, silence itself indicated affirmation.

A small sigh was heard.

Melje couldnt see Devourers face, with his eyes turning black and his mouth slightly torn apart.

Looking at your reaction, It seems my guess is correct, Sir Devde.

How much more do you want to know?

No need to tell me. Even if Sir Devde says it in such a terrifying voice, I wont be scared. Ive already grasped what your identity is. Ms Renee is the gatekeeper of the great Primordial core, a supreme being. If thats the case, what Sir Devde, who calls such Ms Renee companion, is

Still, Devourer remained silent.

But the unsaid meant affirmation.

Trembling fingertips were aimed at Devourer.

Master of the Primordial Core, The Supreme Mr Devourer.

Yeah, I am Devour-

Underling.

Lets just say Im his underlying, damn it.

Hahaha! This is the intelligence of the Demon King.

Despite the serious atmosphere, the tension vanished in an instant.

Devourer, whose complex thoughts were instantly wiped away by Meljes blow, exhaled deeply.

It was a moment when the intricacy that had looked several moves ahead, even considering the worst-case scenario, suddenly transformed from calculation into foolishnessstill, it wasnt entirely incomprehensible that Meljes answer left Devourer puzzled. He must have said something like expelled from the dungeon around the time he mounted the Heavenly carriage, so if she firmly believed in that statement, the only conclusion she could reach was that he was once a monster affiliated with the Primordial Core.

Because one wouldnt think the boss had escaped from the dungeon.

Hehe, your expression says youve been caught. Dont make that kind of face, its embarrassing. Just think about how excited I was talking enthusiastically about the Primordial Core in front of Sir Devde. Yes, you must have laughed at me inwardly! Right! Thats bad! Why didnt you tell the truth and just continue to listen to my story!

Well

It felt like reading a novel full of new content.

Anyway! As you can see, I knew everything! So, Sir Devde, I know how dangerous your thoughts are. I will help you. I wont listen to your objections.

It wont make it any less dangerous if you help.

It wont increase either.

Im not so sure.

It seems like it might increase.

More importantly, can the Demon King move with such a simple logic?

Its not about having logical reasoning. Its about logic being attributed to what the Demon King says.

The Demon King isnt exempt from guilt either.

A really insane ideology. Devourer, thinking about how the situation had come to this point, burst into laughter.

Only then did a bright smile appear on Meljes lips.

Ah! That expression! Thats the Sir Devde I know.

Huh?

Were you aware? Until just now, Sir Devde seemed like a different existence. I dont know if it was my mistake, but it felt like something was about to burst from your head. Anyway, Im relieved that youre back to normal.

While Melje said so, circling around Devourer, still carrying the baggage, she let her long hair flutter in the wind. Behind her, as if plucking strings, a refreshing melody played.

Melje, who had stopped in front of Devourer, had a carefree smile on her face. Clear eyes, slightly raised cheekbones. Melje, tilting her head playfully in front of Devourer, put strength into her voice.

Its okay. Dont worry about anything. I will help you. So, never say such things in that tone from earlier again. Promise me.

Dont worry about anything

Renees life and death are uncertain. How can one not worry in such a situation? Meljes current actions may be due to not knowing the seriousness of the current situation, or perhaps she doesnt feel the gravity because its not her own affair. Maybe thats why she can laugh like that.

Dont worry about anything.

Its impossible not to worry. Its a foolish thing to say without knowing. But

Alright, sorry.

Devourer also managed to smile.

Ah, who knows.

* * *

I expected it, but no ones coming through the back door.

Muttering to himself, the servant in a shabby shirt yawned incessantly.

It was understandable. The back door was quiet compared to the grand front entrance. As the act of revealing oneself at the auction was a display of status for them, the affluent participants all came through the grand front entrance. Moreover, the reason for placing a servant at the back door was to prevent unwanted guests, such as drunkards or intruders. Unless they were confident nobles entering with pride through the grand front entrance, there was no reason for them to come through this back door.

With the earnings received today, what kind of evening meal should he buy? If he was lucky, he might get some gossip at the dinner after the auction. While contemplating this, two silhouettes approached the area where the servant was.

A woman adorned in vibrant colors with a lavish dress, and a man following her like a shadow, tracing her footsteps.

The woman appeared to be in her late teens, filled with the bloom of youth. Even from a distance, she belonged to the rare category of undeniable beauty.

The man following her, although a few years older than the girl, looked gentle but wore shabby clothing. It was not just shabby but downright frayed. It seemed like he deliberately wore tattered clothes all over, perhaps to emphasize his humble status.

Theyre not family, maybe a noble and her retinue.

There was nothing resembling family between them; the difference in hair color alone ruled that out. If they werent family, then judging by their attire, the man seemed more like a retinue.

While contemplating the idea of a noble parading around with such a refined young girl, the servant unintentionally chuckled. Fortunately, it seemed that the girl didnt hear the laughter. Being associated with nobles of that age, especially those with immature and prideful personalities, was almost a guarantee of an embarrassing situation.

Only after confirming that the noble girl and her retinue were approaching the door where he was stationed did the servant casually bow his head. The noble girl also responded by nodding her head briefly. Just as he was about to pull out the tired guideline, the servants gaze met the noble girls.

Beautiful.

A beauty that deserved a nine out of ten, the kind that could be agreed upon by everyone.

There seemed to be no other way to express it. Lifting his head and looking at the girl again, their eyes met by chance once more.

Im planning to participate in the auction today. Is it this way to enter?

Yes. You may enter through here. Before that, there is a necessary confirmation, may I ask for your name?

Oh, do you need my name? I am Melje of the Agrea family. This is my retinue, Mr. Sir Devde.

I see. Please wait a moment.

Agrea. It was the first time the servant had heard of that family. It certainly wasnt one of the Empires nine families, and it might be an unknown noble family.

Most nobles entered into alliances with other families before reaching maturity, so was this beautiful girl still unmarried from any family? Thinking this made the commoner status of the servant seem all the more pitiful.

If I were a noble, I would have confessed right away.

After a brief contemplation, the servant, with the two letters Melje etched into his heart, scanned the list. There was no Agrea family on the list. The name Melje was also absent.

I apologize, but I cant find your name on the list.

It felt as if he wanted to let them in, but the name Melje, even after checking again, was not on the list. Allowing someone not on the list into the auction might lead to a body covered in the dew of the gallows, so the servant expressed his apologies while bowing deeply.

Ah? That cant be right. Let me check again Oh, Sir Devde, was it the invitation? Dont you have it with you now?

Ah, you mean the invitation. Well

A slightly embarrassed tone in a higher octave. The girls question was answered by a gentlemanly voice that seemed to be more mature than the girls.

Yes? The invitation. Im sorry, but for this auction, you need an invitation

Here it is.

Thud!

Suddenly, the view spun around. The view spun at an impossible angle, beyond what a human neck could handle. And then, it slowly descended. In the falling view, the servant witnessed his own body. There was no neck. After several spins, the eyeballs finally touched the ground.

Here, I found your invitation to the afterlife.

Sir Devde, the retinue, crushed the servants head with a mocking smile.

As expected, got caught right away.

Yeah, thats right. If I knew Id be caught from the entrance, I shouldve dressed more casually. But changing the way I talk is quite challenging. I feel comfortable with this way of speaking.

But isnt it more likely that well get caught if we just recklessly do this?

Yeah, probably. Sir Devde, lets hurry.

The two shadows sneaked into the building.

Side. 1

I had a nightmare.

It was vivid enough to be called a nightmare.

In the dream, I, in a grotesque body, was instinctively running away to survive. I regained consciousness far from the Grephenia Forest, after crossing a small stream and stumbling over rocks. It took a while for my bodys sensations to return after flipping over and drinking the cold water from the stream.

Ha, Ahaha. Aaah.

In the dream, I felt despair. I felt powerless. Whatever it was that was so agonizing, even the act of breathing was difficult as something intangible twisted and squeezed my throat.

What happened? What did I do?

I lifted my head.

The face of a maid, illuminated by the moonlight reflected on clear water, appeared. It was repulsive. The silver hair soaked in water didnt look so hideous. The maid, who used to live with the saying, I cant live without him, had fled this far to survive from him, and that was repulsive. It was so repulsive that I wanted to tear off my face right away.

No, rather, should I cut off my ankle? If I cut off my ankle, will I not be able to move further away? The thought occurred to me, but there were no tools in the water, and I sat there hesitating. Although I wanted to cry, I couldnt shed tears due to guilt, so I raised my head and laughed feebly while looking at the moon.

The dream always ended that way.

Dont deny it, Renee Rello. You know better than anyone.

Its already too late. Its already too late.

I, Renee Rello, can never return to the Primordial Core.

Ah, itd be better if the dream would end quickly.

Renee, who woke up from sleep, slowly lifted her upper body. Cruelly, there was no difference between reality and the dream.

The memories that had gnawed at her several times were vivid, and those agonizing memories took the form of a nightmare even in her dreams. Like a masochistic act enjoying tormenting herself, one by one, slowly.

The subconscious mind didnt even allow the act of finding solace in dreams.

Renewed struggles with the remnants of memories from a few days ago, the nightmare persisted in Renees dreams. Struggling to shake it off, she would tire herself out and fall asleep. Once asleep, memories she had tried to forget would blossom into nightmares.

Like enjoying self-inflicted painslowly, one by one.

Even in her dreams, the unconscious mind didnt permit seeking solace.

It had been a day since Renee Rello had left the Primordial Core.

Wind swept across the desolate plain. The sound of dry leaves from dead trees rustled in the air. Yellowed grass crunched beneath her feet. Ravenous crows squawked in the empty sky.

In a space where everything was dead, Renee sat on the cold ruins of the steep fortress, gasping for breath.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on no/vel(b)in(.)co/m

Bloody, mad eyes filled with madness and brilliance were observing her from behind.

As Renee slowly turned her head back, her gaze met those eyes.

Poor child.

Phase 5

***

[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Zain]

Join our Discord for release /invite/dbdMDhzWa2

***