And Ill Incinerate You

Finlay continued to be a nuisance despite getting taught a lesson by Azzy a few times. Whenever I tried to say something, hed always interrupt with a Why! or a Ahem. If the Regressor or Azzy tried to get violent, hed promptly flee or use the vampire as an excuse to defend himself.

Although annoying, he didnt do anything bad enough to deserve death, and his advocate, the vampire, made us slightly hesitate to rough him up. The Regressor and I were caught in a predicament. It was like having something caught in my throat, yet I could neither swallow nor spit it out.

But sharing in suffering nurtured bonds. I had thought wed never look for each other in our entire lives, yet the two of us came together in one place just because of Finlay.

Tsk, now theres twice the annoyance. Im going to die of stress at this rate. I have to get rid of one no matter what.

Two? I get that one is Finlay, but whos the other?

You.

Thats preposterous!

As I cried out in outrage, the Regressor crossed her arms and explained.

You guys are alike. Meddling all the time, and doing as you please under Tyrkanzyakas protection. That wayward behavior, barely toeing the line? Also like two peas in a pod.

I can endure and overlook most insults, but thats something I can never acknowledge. No, I wont acknowledge it.

As angelically merciful as I was, even I had a limit to my patience.

Comparing me to Finlay? Ill take that as a personal attack.

I methodically refuted the Regressors words.

Look back on yourself! Meddling all the time? Thats your hobby, Trainee Shei! Taking Trainee Tyrkanzyakas protection? Whos the one with the master and disciple relationship?! And wayward behavior? If you want to name the most wayward person in the abyss, then youd have to look for a mirror before anything else!

Huuh?

Like peas in a pod! How about you take this chance to change your name? To Finshei instead! Its perfect! You two will look like a married couple!

What bullshit are you spitting!!

While feeling the most offended she ever felt since entering the abyss, the Regressor suddenly remembered the persona she had adopted.

For the umpteenth time, Im a man!

Oh, that was the character she was playing. Right. That had slipped my mind as well,

but fortunately, I had a way to back up my words.

Yes. A man who fancies men.

Oi!! Thats!

Its funny, thinking about it. Youre the one who screamed your liking for men, yet you get angry when its mentioned. Whats wrong? Are you ashamed of your preference after confessing it yourself?

Faced with my sound arguments, the Regressor couldnt say anything and merely huffed angrily.

Dont pick a fight you cant even win. Why keep messing with me when youve never won a verbal fight over me?

I picked my ears, continuing to speak.

Er, Im sorry, but please dont ever come to like me. It might not matter to you since its the truth, Trainee Shei, but I really hate being misunderstood that way. Im a thoroughly normal guy with normal tastes, after all.

Dont you worry! Thatll never happen, not even if the sky falls down on me!

After a final sharp retort, the Regressor crossed her arms again and lowered her voice.

Anyway. While Id like to get rid of you, it should be easier to deal with Finlay somehow. At the very least, we have to stop him swaggering about.

Isnt it a bit mean to talk about getting rid of someone in their face?

That was my intention.

She shot back in a provoking manner before sinking into quiet thoughts.

Finlay came down to the abyss with talk of waging war. Hes probably the most radical of pro-war activists. Since I know of the great war that is to come, I cant leave Tyrkanzyaka around a war-hungry vampire. I have to pull them apart, whether it be by persuasion or threats.

The heck, Regressor?

It turned out that in spite of what she told me, she had a surprisingly deep motive. In comparison, I wanted to get rid of Finlay simply because I didnt like him.

Now that made for a bit of contrast. Hmm. I couldnt possibly have a worse personality than her. I was the normal and kind sort of guy. Maybe the long stay in the abyss had corrupted me a little? I better be careful from now on.

Still, you do know, yes? Despite his appearances, Finlay is a neonate. Thats a vampire ranking below the ruling elders, who have inherited the Progenitors blood, and their elite retainer ancillae. Neonates arent that rare, but the Duke of Sanguines lineage carries clout.

Hes still a small fry. You and I both can easily take out someone like him.

Just you, not me alright? Id need at least a holy hand grenade to deal with him.

Hearing no answer from me, the Regressor cast me a puzzled look, but she mustve thought I was silent because there was no need to even answer. She moved on unconcernedly.

Moreover, the guy came here hoping for war. No good will come of him staying close to Tyrkan

The Regressor froze in the middle of her words, struck by a realization.

Hang on. The warden didnt accept the idea of sending Finlay outside. In fact, he tried to keep him here. There has to be a reason.

Mm? Well I did have a reason. I had no way of sending Finlay outside, after all.

Come to think of it, the State always tended to encourage and engage in wars. Thats right. Imprisoning the Progenitor must be part of their plan.

I mean, I dont know about that

Actually, something did come to mind. I was sure Captain Abbey mentioned this through her golem. War shouldnt be occurring yet, she said.

Thinking the other way round, that meant war had to happen eventually. So having the vampire relaxing in the abyss had to be part of the States war plan.

What are they up to? Can they even handle the consequences? According to the Regressors memories, a huge war was going to break out in the future.

But I stopped thinking about the matter at that point. Oh well. Everyone except for idiots knew the State was preparing for war. How important could it be? It was like saying thered be snow in the coming winter.

What mattered more than that right now

I intend to pull Finlay away from Tyrkanzyaka. You better not interfere.

I have to stop the war. If only to prevent them from running amok in the chaos. If this man stands in my way, then

was the Regressor eyeing me with an air of murder.

Now, what to do?

Mm. Right, this is what Ill do here.

Me, interfere? Id help out for sure, but why would I hinder you, Trainee Shei?

If you think about it, the reason Finlay couldnt leave the abyss is all because of your persuasion. Youre claiming to help me after what you did? That doesnt make sense.

The Regressor didnt even wait for a reply as she kept going, fixing a cutting gaze on me.

Youre thinking of getting in my way, arent you?

Her reasoning wasnt bad, but she was wrong.

As I had mentioned time and again, I just didnt want anyone to find out I was an insignificant laborer. But since I couldnt tell her that, I put on a bright smile instead, waving a hand in denial.

Ahaha. So thats how you took it. How naive.

What?

The Regressors expression remained fierce. She snorted as if prompting me to try and give an excuse.

Think differently. Now, I spoke up to keep Finlay here, so that hell stay close to Trainee Tyrkanzyaka.

I know. I was there too.

Are you taking the things I said at face value? Did you have that much faith in me?

The Regressors eyes widened. She didnt look as on edge as before, but instead, she showed doubt.

He was after something else? But from that mans perspective, is there anything else to be gained by putting Finlay and Tyrkanzyaka together?

Instead of believing everything I said, think about the result of my actions. Then youll know there is no reason at all for us to be at odds.

I hinted at her instead of being direct, like sprinkling bread crumbs on a trail. I waited for her to pick up each clue and trace the truth.

Wait. Maybe I thought wrong. If his purpose isnt to stick the two together What if it was to simply have Finlay remain?

She couldnt suspect the answer she had worked to findthough she had merely followed the clues I handed. Because when you put effort into something, you think you deserve a worthy reward. The puzzle you struggled to complete has to be beautiful. The solution you arduously deduced has to be perfect.

That was how the minds of people worked, and the Regressor was no exception.

Is it possible that he detained Finlay to prevent information from leaking out? Because if he goes out to the surface and starts blabbing, the forces that are trying to use Tyrkanzyaka might act!

The Regressor jumped to a thrilling conclusion of her own. She seemed to be trying to hide it, but I could see her lips curving proudly.

I felt curious again. What if she found out the truth? I was merely incapable of letting Finlay escape.

Well, anyhow.

Not everyone in the State desires war, after all. We can become comrades, Im sure of it.

I had successfully eased the Regressors wariness for the time being. She let down her guard enough to ask for my opinion despite still feeling uncertain.

Do you have a plan?

Persuasion, to start with.

Persuasion? Thats all?

Not kidnap, blackmail, or gaslighting?

I change my mind. Whichever way I look at it, I have the better personality here.

I have no idea what youre thinking, but we should take the most common means first.

Fine. Leave the persuading to me.

Sorry?

Im capable of doing some convincing myself you know. After all, Im her disciple right now. Itll be much easier for me to speak with her in that regard.

Hmm. She didnt seem very dependable, but since she was so strongly committed, I chose to see how it went.

I did murmur a few words of worry, though.

Im saying this just in case, but you cant go cutting arms, okay? Even a vampire will get ticked off.

Are you taking me for a psycho?!

Howd you know?

* * *

After deciding to persuade Tyrkanzyaka, the Regressor took a deep breath and marched over to the vampire alone. I hid behind a corner not far away and watched them.

Tyrkanzyaka. One moment, I have something to tell you.

The Regressor trying to coax somebody now that was a rare sight. I found it hard to believe in her since she looked like the sort who tended to solve adversities through strength or money. But still, she was the Regressor, a woman who had gone through heaven and hell. It wouldnt be strange for her to possess an ability I didnt know about.

Lets see how well you can talk the talk.

Dont meet Finlay!

?

The heck is this? Whats with your choice of words? Are you playing the daughter who doesnt like her stepdad? Who begs mom not to remarry?

The vampire paused for a second before replying.

How abrupt. Why do you say that?

Her question was borne of incredulity, which was a very natural reaction. Compared to that, the Regressors reply was

Anyway! That guy said he wanted to wage war! War is bad! Its dangerous!

Oi, Regressor. Could you demonstrate some vocabulary? What are you a foreigner? Or is it that you never really talked to people all that often? But then again, didnt you talk just fine with me?

I couldnt bear to listen further, so I decided to close my ears and read her thoughts in advance.

Before I regressed, you joined the war in a mangled state. Itll be a bloodbath that no one stands to benefit from. All that waits at the end of it is total destruction. Im trying to stop that future from happening, and for that, its better that you stay far away from the war.

Well her thoughts were pretty normal, so what was with her blabbering? What in the world was the problem with this Regressor?

Ohh. I think I get it somewhat.

Holes formed in her logic because she wanted to hide the truth about her regression, and her attempt to force those holes shut was what resulted in that childish outburst.

I was starting to pity the woman now. What was I to do with her?

I thought you would understand. Finlay is a much lesser retainer of mine. He cannot even oppose my will.

I know! But still!

And I will not take back a decision I have made. A bearer of heavy responsibility must weigh their words. I shant be changing my mind for the time being. I understand what you want to say, so you may stop speaking.

The Regressor merely nodded a few times, turned around, and returned to the corner where I was hiding. Then she evasively reported the outcome.

So she says.

Er, Im sorry for making an unreasonable demand. Forget about persuading and whatnot from now on. Use power or money to solve things if you can.

Eh? I feel oddly annoyed. Is he being sarcastic?

The fact that she was confused showed how miserable her communication skills were. I felt sorry for the world this Regressor had to save.

I stepped out with a sigh.

Wait there. Im the master of mind games, the magician who toys with the heart of man, and the paramour who does secret things with Trainee Tyrkanzyaka in secret places. A mere disciple cant compete. Ill handle the case.

Right. You try thWhat? Paramour?

Heave-ho. Ill be right back.

I sprang out of the corner before the Regressor could say anything and swiftly raised a hand in hello while approaching the vampire.

Trainee Tyrkanzyaka. What a coincidence.

What in the world are you two scheming?

Haha. Scheming? Oh, would you like a massage? My fingers are in fine condition today.

The vampire didnt withdraw her suspicion despite my offer.

You are being too obvious. Why would a fellow who is usually so reluctant come to me first with his fingers outstretched? Not to mention that Shei is still watching from over there.

She was being distrustful for once, which was a surprise. Was she the same person who promptly opened up her heart after seeing me defibrillate the undying? Did she develop an awareness for danger?

So, is it a no?

I did not say that. A little later. As in, when no one is looking.

I take that back. Maybe it was because she was dead, but this corpse utterly lacked awareness.

Anyhow.

Ive come to warn you in place of Trainee Shei.

You too?

It may be wearisome to hear, but my advice is golden, I tell you. The vampire called Finlay. Something about him is off. I think you better be careful.

I was being serious, but the vampire didnt pay heed.

It seems I have brought too much hate upon Finlay. I understand. I shall henceforth exercise discretion.

By discretion you mean?

I shall not bother you lads with his acts of service. He submits to my commands, so a word should suffice.

The vampire presumed the Regressor and I had come to her because Finlay was being a bother, so she promised to remedy the situation.

Huh? Isnt this fine? I mean, its honestly a tempting offer. I was just annoyed by Finlay, after all.

So I immediately nodded.

If youll do that for me, then great.

Ah, wait. At what time should I visit you?

When did you ever consider the time? Come when you feel like it.

Very well.

Whew. Now this is a win-win.

I went back with a delighted face. The Regressor, leaning against the wall, greeted me with a cold expression.

What have you done?

What? I achieved a human triumph.

Triumph my foot. You only scheduled a tryst with Tyrkanzyaka instead of solving anything!

There was no scheduling. She said shed come at her own time.

I couldnt give a damn! About something! Like that!

Didnt you ask?

Argh, anyway! Since youve decided to cooperate, do it properly!

And so I was reluctantly driven back to face the vampire.

I met her eyes awkwardly. She heaved a sigh.

I cannot for my life comprehend your aversion. What is so strange about him? I have bonded with the two of you, so what reason is there for me to not keep my retainer Finlay by my side?

Er, its the difference in time spent together, I guess? Its irritating because Finlay hasnt been here even a week, yet he acts like an ass in a lions skin.

What does it matter? It has not been a month since I met you boys either.

To a vampire, a month and a week both amounted to a blink of an eye. She would hardly feel a difference between us and Finlay.

With no words to refute, I nodded.

Thinking about it, youre right. A month or a week is like the fleeting glitter of a firefly compared to your lifetime, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka. Even humans with ordinary lifespans consider a month short, so for a 12th-century girl, well

The vampire fell into confused silence for a moment.

12th-century, girl?

Oops. Ill be going now!

The Regressor was still waiting on the other side, but that wasnt the only place with a corner around the walls. So I made a run for the opposite corner.