WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 121: I Had a Drink

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"Teacher. We have a problem."

The immortal came to consult me with a bottle of liquor in hand. Without being asked, he filled our glasses, then spoke gravely, as though he carried the weight of his entire life alone.

"What is it?"

"You said we would escape this place on the next sunny day, correct?"

"I did."

"Hmm. What do you plan to do once you get outside?"

An impromptu life consultation?

I hadn't decided anything. Escaping came first, and I hadn't had the spare time to consider what came after.

I answered without much thought.

"I'll probably go back to where I used to live."

"The military state? I hear they have no mercy for criminals. Can you return there?"

"The military state has no mercy even if you haven't committed a crime."

"Hahaha! That's true! I know that well!"

"Besides, I was already a criminal. Nothing will change for me."

"Oh, I didn't know that!"

After laughing heartily, the immortal took a drink and got to the point.

"Teacher. There's something I'm curious about. Callis said she can no longer return to the military state."

"She probably can't."

"Why can't someone as high-ranking as a lieutenant colonel return to her own country?"

"She belonged to a secret society. They won't let someone who betrayed them live. She'd probably be assassinated as soon as she returned."

"Hmm! Wouldn't the military state protect such a valuable officer?"

"Do you know the easiest way for the secret society to assassinate Lieutenant Colonel Callis? They just have to report that she acted under orders from another secret society. Then she'll be arrested and executed immediately."

Level 3 citizens were too valuable to replace casually.

That didn't mean they were irreplaceable. The military state valued defending its system above all else and ruthlessly purged anyone who opposed it.

Even a Level 4 citizen could be cut down without hesitation if they went against the military state's will...

Of course, by the time someone reached Level 4, there was no reason for them to oppose the military state in the first place.

"What a suffocating place! I've always felt this way, but the military state's standards are far too harsh!"

Once he had confirmation that Callis would die if she returned, the immortal made up his mind.

"Then it can't be helped! Even hardship would be better than death. In that case, I must take her with me when I leave the military state."

"You're leaving the military state?"

"I must. Otherwise, if not me, she will die. I won't be welcome there anymore, either."

"Anymore? Mr. Rashy, were you ever welcome there to begin with?"

"Haha! You struck a sore spot! How did you know?"

"The military state doesn't care much for irregular beings. Except when there's a war."

"Haha. The military state is certainly consistent."

The immortal muttered bitterly. His sigh carried the smell of strong liquor and deep regret.

The liquor supplied by the regressor was Celestial Net Fragrance Wine, a precious drink that let one get drunk while keeping a clear mind. It was said that ministers of the old Empire drank it whenever they wanted to get drunk amid exhausting work.

I couldn't sit here and leave it untouched. I drank the liquor shimmering before me.

The alcohol running down my throat burned deep within me. The clear fragrance left behind by that fire seemed to seep through my entire body.

"Ah. This is incredible. Now this is liquor."

As expected of a high-end product chosen by the regressor. I'd meant to slow down, but ended up emptying the whole glass.

When I set it down on the table with a clack, the immortal nodded gladly.

"We should thank the young man! It's on a completely different level from the military state's harsh, bitter beer!"

"Don't compare it to that trash. It's an abomination made by using water-compression technology on cheap beer to improve rationing and transport efficiency."

I still didn't understand why something called regulation beer was a Level 2 luxury good. Luxury was supposed to be luxurious.

"If you don't mix it with water, how can you tell whether it's beer or barley porridge that punched you hard in the head while you were eating it? Why is such a terrible liquid considered a luxury good? It's the harm of efficiency worship. Just because the result is the same doesn't mean everything is the same."

"Hahahaha! What an amusing way to put it! I was surprised as well. How did it become a country where one can't even drink a glass of liquor freely?"

As our glasses went back and forth, so did the conversation.

People without memories to share often confirm their friendship at a drinking table by cursing the same things. Like a resident of the military state's back alleys, I savagely criticized the military state. The immortal agreed with me, yet he kept showing a lingering attachment to it.

I asked him,

"You haven't even been in this country long. What attachment could you possibly have?"

"It's not that I've grown attached. I regret that I haven't."

"If you're not attached, you can leave without looking back."

"That's what I regret. Even after I leave the military state, I don't think I'll miss it very much."

What was that supposed to mean? Of course he wouldn't. I doubted anyone living in the military state missed the military state.

The immortal filled his glass to the brim and muttered,

"I thought the military state was an astonishing country. It built cities, raised dams, and paved roads. It even made the land flow like rivers and connected the whole nation."

"One of the military state's few accomplishments."

"In comparison, my tribe was content just planting the large beans the military state had made. Perhaps because we don't die, there isn't a trace of urgency in us. I admired the military state because it was always trying to build something."

Our glasses clinked. The immortal drained his drink and leaned back. His gaze drifted somewhere far away.

"Since childhood, my tribe has drunk water mixed with soil and eaten crops and meat covered in dirt. When we come of age, we gather the energy accumulated in our bodies into one part. Then we cut away the part closest to the earth and offer it to Mother Earth."

The immortal sounded regretful and nostalgic as he described his tribe's traditions. Rubbing his right arm, he continued.

"That is how we offer part of our bodies and bury it in the earth, then receive new bodies. My right arm is one such offering body."

So that was why his right arm ran around on its own. He had done something strange to it.

Humans really did commit insane acts as if they were nothing.

"That gave us immortality, but... perhaps because of it, we stagnated. The military state is building a nation of iron, while the most we've managed is changing the kinds of beans we plant. I came to see the military state because I was sick of looking at scenery no different from what I saw as a child. But..."

The immortal looked around once. The color of concrete, like a symbol of the military state, filled his gaze.

"I don't know. When I think of my tribe, I feel resentment and longing. Yet this country... inspires no feeling in me at all."

"That may be because you were imprisoned and left with your whole body torn apart."

"Haha. No. I don't concern myself with such trivial matters."

How was that trivial?

Laughing it off with an immortal's perspective, he poured the rest of the liquor into his glass.

"I suppose I feel this way because staying here longer wouldn't make anything better. I committed a crime, so I can't stay anyway. I've seen all there is to see, so it's time to leave."

Then he drained it in one gulp and made his decision.

"I will cross the border and go to Mother Earth. I will invite Callis to come with me, though I don't know whether she'll accept."

Of course she would. That was probably what he had been hoping for when he brought it up.

The immortal rose from his seat. His face was slightly red, but he walked perfectly steadily. He seemed surprised by himself.

"Is it because it's such delicious liquor? I drank this much, yet I only feel pleasantly drunk. My mind remains perfectly clear!"

"It's Celestial Net Fragrance Wine, liquor that gets you drunk while keeping your mind clear. It only makes you feel good without harming your body."

"There really are all sorts of liquor in the world!"

"You invited me to drink without even knowing what it was?"

"What would I know? Callis asked to drink, so I brought it out!"

Huh? Callis?

Then why had he brought it to me? Let's see what his memories said.

After reading them briefly, it seemed Callis had acted like a tragic heroine. With a wistful expression, she said she had nowhere left to go and wanted to drink because she felt so conflicted. Preferably together.

The immortal accepted the suggestion and brought the liquor over, but then...

"Once I brought it out, I realized Callis was too injured to even walk properly! I snatched the glass away before she could drink it! Hah, that was close!"

She had fallen into her own trap. She had recovered enough to sneak food at night, so who told her to pretend she was that sick?

There was one problem, though.

"...You brought it straight to me?"

"The bottle had already been opened, so what else could I do? We had to drink it!"

"Why me?"

"I couldn't give it to a young man or a vampire who can't taste anything! It would be the same for the Beast King ladies, so by elimination, you were the only choice! I also had something I wanted to ask you!"

That meant I would earn Callis's resentment instead of him.

Ugh, this was why I should read the memories of anyone who brought liquor. It had been a while, so I guess I'd let my guard down.

It wasn't malicious, so I didn't particularly mind. Still, Callis had her wishes.

With a sigh, I pointed toward the cupboard.

"Mr. Rashy. There's a bottle of medicinal liquor in that cupboard. It's full of fiery energy and is said to drive out every foul influence and heal the body."

"Oh! There's liquor like that as well?"

"Yes. It should be safe even for an injured person to drink."

"You should've told me sooner! She would've recovered faster!"

Not realizing that she had already fully recovered, the immortal hurried over and took out the medicinal liquor. He grabbed another glass and a few pieces of meat to snack on, then left.

"Then I'll be going!"

I waved him off.

Experience the cruelty of civilization, savage. You've already fallen into the trap.

Still, what would I do after getting out of here?

Hmm. I'd never thought about it.

First, I should return to the back alleys of Amitenggrad and collect the assets and belongings I'd hidden away.

After that, I didn't know.

Nothing was more pointless than grand plans for the future. The future couldn't be predicted. Especially not by someone who had spent so long isolated in the Abyss and couldn't possibly know how the world had changed.

I needed to gather information after getting out, then do my best according to the situation.

To avoid danger and survive.

Having drunk just enough to feel good, I headed into the yard to play with Azzy. I brought along a piece of chicken for her.

That was when I saw a strange sight.

"Meow! Stop right meow!"

Beyond the darkness outside the space lit by the ceiling lights, Nabi was racing after a round light zigzagging away from her.

"Meow! You're pretty fast! But you can't keep up with my speed... Meow?"

Something seemed to run through the barely visible darkness, then Nabi landed atop the beam of the searchlight with a thud. She gave a triumphant cry and pressed her front paw into the light.

But the insubstantial light slipped between her claws, crawled smoothly across the ground, and fled. Nabi, thoroughly provoked, leaped after it.

"Meow! Meow! You're quite nimble!"

"Woof woof!"

"Meow! Stupid dog! Move out of the way!"

This time, Azzy appeared and stepped on the round light. Naturally, Azzy couldn't catch it either, and while she ran past, the round light zigzagged away again.

That was strange. Searchlights were supposed to follow objects. Why was it avoiding Nabi and Azzy?

When I turned to see what was going on...

The regressor stood lightly atop the searchlight attached to the prison's outer wall, controlling the beam.

The regressor was playing with Azzy and Nabi herself. And with a game like this.

"Is the sun about to rise in the west?"

She had said she couldn't handle them like beasts because they were in human form. Had she finally changed her mind?

The regressor had been engrossed in moving the light, but when our eyes met, she flustered.

"Ah, this is..."

"What brought this on? You're playing with them?"

"Well, that's..."

'When Nabi was chasing the searchlight by herself, the light wouldn't move...'

Searchlights were made to chase escapees. Far from running away from Nabi, it tried to catch her. Even if Nabi pressed a paw onto it, the light didn't move.

So after a while, Nabi would get bored with the light that only shone on her and come back. Prey that didn't run away was no fun.

"So you felt bad seeing her disappointed, and moved the light yourself? Then Azzy ended up joining in too?"

"Don't misunderstand! I just... thought I shouldn't let them smoke mana herbs every day, that's all!"

The regressor made excuses as though she had committed a crime.

Who said anything? What could I possibly misunderstand?

"Shei, you did well."

"What?"

"Wow. You've finally matured. Yes, if you keep animals, you should think about taking care of them too. Do you know how hard it's been looking after them all by myself? Hoo. I'm so moved I could cry."

"You're lying. The corners of your eyes are completely dry."

"It's just an expression."

The regressor snickered as she controlled the direction of the light. She moved the searchlight so Nabi and Azzy couldn't catch it easily, then suddenly said,

"The canned food you gave me. I've been putting it to good use."

"The snacks?"

"Yes. They like them. I thought they'd hate them because they smell fishy and have no flavor..."

"Why are you eating it?"

"I only tasted it! Beast King or not, they're still in human bodies! I was checking in case they couldn't eat it!"

"It smells fishy because it wasn't made for humans to eat. Azzy is the only one who likes human food enough to eat it. Trying to feed them human food from the start is what's strange."

We were having such an ordinary conversation when...

Boom.

The ground shook, and the searchlights suddenly began moving on their own.

The regressor had already removed her hand from the searchlight. Her eyes widened as she stared in the direction the sound had come from.

The searchlights had detected a new intruder and begun following the trace. Beams scattered in every direction moved in straight lines and converged on one spot.

And at the point where those lines crossed stood...

A person.

She was a tall woman with apricot-colored skin.

Her black hair, tied into a single strand, flowed down her back. Earrings shaped like little human dolls swayed from her ears. Beneath loose robes that looked like something a Taoist practitioner might wear, firm muscles showed through. Five bracelets clinked together a beat later.

"Woof! Danger!"

"Meow! I'll get there first!"

The two Beast Kings, who had followed the light, arrived just then. Azzy realized there was a human there and twisted away, but Nabi, absorbed in play, charged straight at the woman without slowing down.

A front paw swung through the air. A human stood along its path. A Beast King's charge, an attack that would be a disaster to any human.

But...

Boom.

Nabi's front paw was stopped by the woman's arm.

She spread her legs wide and raised her arm, enduring Nabi's blow.

No, could that really be called enduring it?

If a cat scratched its claws against a huge tree, would anyone say the old tree had endured an attack?

No. The tree wasn't going to break from a cat's claws in the first place. It had simply been there while the cat came and scratched it.

In that sense, she was like a huge tree.

That wasn't all.

Azzy should have lost her balance while avoiding the suddenly appearing human and tumbled across the ground.

Yet Azzy was now tucked beneath the woman's arm.

"Woof?"

As Azzy dangled there in confusion...

"King of Dogs, King of Cats. It seems I have come to the right place. Mother Earth, I give thanks. Through Mother's grace, I have found my path even within this hell."

A quiet prayer rang out.

Both Nabi and Azzy had gone still in the grip of that powerful body. She had received two Beast Kings alone, using nothing but physical strength. It was an absurd feat.

The regressor's eyes widened.

'Why is she already here? She wasn't supposed to arrive until much later!'

When Azzy struggled under her arm, the woman carefully set her down. Azzy hopped around her in circles.

"Woof! Hello! Nice to meet you!"

"It's good to meet you, King of Dogs. A follower of Mother Earth greets a representative of existence."

The woman bowed her head before Azzy, and Azzy copied her with a nod.

"King of Cats..."

But wary Nabi had fled far away and was glaring at the stranger. The woman gave Nabi a small smile, then turned toward the prison.

Ah, our eyes met. Looking this way, she called out.

"I am a passing traveler!"

Then came the stamp of her foot.

Boom.

That small yet immense gesture announcing her arrival shook all of Tantalus.

"This meeting, too, has come through Mother Earth's guidance. This traveler asks to be received for one day!"

The whole world rested in Mother Earth's embrace, and once people shared the same ground, they were all connected.

A host must not turn away a traveler, and a traveler must work as diligently as the host's own hands and feet.

A devout follower of Mother Earth invoked an ancient rule.

But to begin with...

Anyone who could come to the Abyss, their hell, a place where every connection to the world had been severed...

Would naturally be no ordinary follower.

Fortunately, before I read that follower of Mother Earth's memories, I heard the regressor's thought.

'The Earth Mother's Envoy. Jiseon, the Earth Immortal!'

Footnotes:

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