Chapter 69. Wal, Wal, Wal (3)

“What are you trying to do again?”

Kazar put down the meat he was eating and asked seriously. Every time Ernolf went off to that so-called Library of the Gods or whatever, Kazar felt uneasy. Not only was Ernolf’s weak heart in danger of stopping, but even if he came back safely, he always returned with crazy ideas—like raiding tombs or dungeons after seeing something there.

At those times Ernolf had the look of a “madman with clear eyes.”

“I plan to hatch this.”

Ernolf pulled out a box from his robes and showed him the fairy egg.

“Oh, it’s that?”

Kazar picked his plate back up and kept eating, relieved that Ernolf wasn’t planning something too dangerous.

“It’s a Nightmare Fairy, so I must attempt it in a place where no light reaches.”

“So, you’re going into a cave?”

“Yes.”

When Ernolf said it would take a whole day, Kazar happily agreed.

“Sure, go ahead. I’ll just train here while you’re inside.”

This time Ernolf looked at him with suspicion.
Kazar had thrown a fit when left alone for even a short while, like when Ernolf visited Imago’s tomb. Now Ernolf was saying he would be gone all day, yet Kazar was being far too agreeable. That felt strange.

“Go on quickly. Leave this place to me.”

What Kazar really meant was, “The sooner you leave, the sooner I can run.”

“Shall I go with you to the cave? What if a bear jumps out?”

“I’ll be fine. I can deal with beasts like that. I’ll return.”

“Alright, good luck!”

With a reliable smile, Kazar waved his hand. Ernolf waved back and set off for the cave, heart pounding in anticipation of hatching the Nightmare Fairy.

What should I name it? Ah, I’ll decide after I see its face. The name should suit its appearance.

The egg had been abandoned for a long time, so it might fail to hatch. Ernolf knew that, but he couldn’t suppress his excitement.

Meanwhile, Kazar stood by the roasting meat and looked up at the mountain peak. When he saw Ernolf chase out the cave beasts and seal the entrance with magic, he shouted with joy.

“Hell yeah!”

As soon as the entrance was completely blocked with boulders, Kazar took off like the wind.

“Wal, wait for me. Big brother’s coming to get you!”

When Wal was alive, he had obeyed Kazar in everything—raids, assassinations, massacres, sabotage. He never once refused. Wal was the very image of a loyal dog.

Kazar believed that once he had Wal again, he could entrust him with all the dirty work he couldn’t reveal to Tirad. A man with nothing who sought power couldn’t walk only on the bright path. Wal was exactly the kind of tool he needed.

In the burnt ruins of a forest village, bodies continued to pile up. Mercenaries dragged the corpses of slaughtered werewolves into heaps, poured oil over them, and set them aflame.

“Hurry up! We have to burn them all before the rain comes!”

He claimed that if the corpses rotted, disease would spread. Following the high-ranking mercenary’s orders, the men worked tirelessly like ants. Even though they were exhausted from fighting werewolves all night, none dared slack off.

Baron Detori, who had ordered the extermination, was very satisfied with their diligence.

“This is why people hire the Kassion Company.”

Recently, bad rumors had spread about them. Supposedly, their captain had fled cowardly in the middle of a duel. Many had wanted to cancel their contracts, but Baron Detori had kept them on, thinking it would be a waste of money already spent—and it seemed the right choice.

“From the highest ranks down to the lowest, their discipline hasn’t collapsed. Kassion must be more capable than he looks.”

As Detori planned to develop new mines and expand his businesses while keeping rival lords in check, he needed talented commanders. He began considering Kassion as a candidate.

“They say he ran because he thought he would lose, Father. If things get bad, the type to run first can’t be trusted.”

His son brought up the saying that rats abandon a sinking ship first, and opposed hiring Kassion.

“Well, even Baron Bujoni threw him out for being too sly. That says a lot.”

“It would be better to hire the man who defeated him.”

“That’s a good point.”

While agreeing with his son, Detori finally looked at the “trophy” his boy had brought.

“What’s that?”

Inside a small iron cage crouched a boy, his body covered in fur.

“It’s the one you were told about. You wanted to see what a werewolf half-breed looked like, so I captured him alive.”

“Oh, so this is the hybrid!”

Detori stood on planks laid over the mud so his boots wouldn’t get dirty. Servants hurried to move the boards each time he stepped forward.

“Raise your head!”

At his command, his son Jove kicked the cage. The naked Wal snapped his head up.

“They say only one in ten thousand births produces a half-breed like this. It’s rare he survived.”

“It’s that rare?”

“Yes. They’re more intelligent than common werewolves, and there are rare cases of them having an aura heart or mana heart instead of a monster core. I read that in a book.”

“Ah, a book.”

Unlike many petty nobles, Detori was well-read. His son found it annoying whenever his father acted scholarly.

“Tsk… but this one looks more beast than human. Does he always look like this?”

“Yes. Even when he changes back, his body stays covered in filthy hair. But when he transforms into a wolf, he looks pretty impressive.”

“Really? Then let’s see it. Make him transform.”

At his order, Jove kicked the cage again. Wal only flinched and trembled, refusing to change.

“Tsk, kicking won’t do.”

Detori drew his sword and jabbed the blade at Wal.

“Transform, beast! Do it!”

Each time the sword poked him, Wal curled tighter, shielding himself with his arms.

“Maybe he can’t in that tiny cage. His size grows when he transforms.”

“Take him out.”

“Here?”

Detori was the type who couldn’t rest until his curiosity was satisfied.

“Yes.”

Sighing secretly, Jove called over a few mercenaries.

Yes, you bastards. Hurry and let me out.

Wal growled low as they approached. His bloodshot eyes burned with the memory of his mother’s limbs torn apart. The instant he was free, he planned to shred the lord and his son just as his mother had been.

Clang!

The cage opened.

“Graaah!”

Wal leapt out, transforming instantly. His body swelled, claws and fangs lengthened, muscles grew taut, and all his senses sharpened.

“Haaap!”

He lunged for Detori’s face, ready to bite.

But Detori let out a sharp shout.

At once, Wal’s body froze against his will. A mercenary nearby cried out in shock.

“Whoa!”

Only because he could use aura did he manage that much. The others, weaker, were frozen stiff just like Wal.

Why can’t I move?!

Wal panicked. Jove smirked at him.

“First time seeing a Sword Master, mutt?”

Though not one himself, Jove puffed up with pride.

Detori had just stepped into the rank of Sword Master. Even at the entry level, such warriors were so rare and powerful that finding a match was difficult. If even one Sword Master like Detori had joined the subjugation squad back when Ernolf fought Paragol, things would’ve been much easier.

“What are you waiting for? Put the collars on!”

At Jove’s shout, mercenaries fastened three iron leashes around Wal’s neck and arms. With three men pulling, Detori finally withdrew his aura.

“Smaller than a normal werewolf.”

“Right?”

“And doesn’t look too bright.”

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Detori judged his catch underwhelming.

“Still, half-breeds are rare. Waste not. Take him to the taxidermist. Skin him and make a specimen for the display hall.”

“Yes, Father.”

Jove ordered mercenaries to deliver him to the taxidermist’s house.

They loaded Wal into a cart and left the gray wolf village. As the cart rattled away, Wal stared at the ashes of his village and the bodies of his people piled like garbage and burned.

He had hated them so much—yet watching them butchered and incinerated brought a surge of indescribable feelings.

Bang! Bang!

Wal slammed his fists against the cage bars, howling in anguish. He hated himself for being helpless, unable to do anything.

“Anyone home?”

“Who is it?”

“You’re the taxidermist?”

“Yes.”

“The lord sent you a specimen.”

The mercenary pulled off the cloth covering the cage. Wal snarled. The taxidermist flinched back, then stepped closer to peer inside.

“I thought it was a bear, but it’s human.”

“You’re insane if that looks human.”

“Not a werewolf either…”

“It’s a half-breed.”

At that, the taxidermist’s eyes gleamed, just like Detori’s had.

“What a fascinating thing they’ve sent! I’ll get to work right away.”

“Good. The sooner you start, the sooner it’ll be done.”

Since it was dangerous to handle Wal alone, Jove left three mercenaries to assist.

But the taxidermist had his own methods. He shoved the entire cage into a small room and released a narcotic gas.

“You’re putting it to sleep? That’d be handy for monster hunting.”

“It only works in enclosed spaces. Out in the open it’s useless.”

“Ah, I see.”

While they chatted, the gas settled. The taxidermist donned a leather apron soaked in oil and pulled on gloves. He strapped on a plague-like mask with a long pointed beak, then handed instructions to the mercenaries to open all the windows and doors once he began.

When they had taken position, he gripped a sharp knife and opened the door.

Wal had not completely lost consciousness. His mind floated in a hazy half-sleep, but his eyes still opened to watch as the masked figure approached.

“Don’t worry, little one. I’ll peel off your skin beautifully—without leaving a single scratch.”

The blade rose toward him…