Episode 14: Eating alone (1)
Practical evaluation is over.
The hounds’ non-work trip continued.
Usually, hounds receive the flesh or organs of the game they have caught as a reward and share it according to rank.
The same was true of the children of the Baskervilles.
They acquired shields, swords, necklaces, etc. made from parts of the corpses of the monsters they caught during the practical evaluation as trophies.
Through this opportunity, the young hounds grew more dignified and strengthened their bodies and minds.
The nervous warfare that had been tense until the written test was over disappeared as if it had been washed after the ranks were set, and some children were even more sticky than before.
Perhaps because of the experience of rolling together in extreme conditions for a long time, an unknown and strange brotherhood was emerging throughout the class.
Of course, there were still some siblings who didn’t get along well, but most of them solved their problems during the practical exam or died without even knowing the rat or bird, so unexpectedly, infighting rarely occurred in the class.
In this way, for a few days a year, a relaxed atmosphere pervades the Baskervilles after the practical exam.
* * *
you will go
Hugo Baskerville, head of the Baskerville family, was receiving a report from Butler Barrymore.
“… … Who caught what?”
It is almost unheard of for a superhuman who has risen to the level of a sword master to doubt his own body.
But at this moment, Hugo was clearly doubting his ears.
Deacon Barrymore read the report again in a clear, excited voice.
“Vikir van Baskerville in the class of 8. ‘Inadvertently’ crossed the boundary line and entered the forbidden zone during practical evaluation. Successfully hunted down Cerberus, a monster of danger grade A+. That is all.”
It’s the second report I’m talking about, but it’s always thrilling.
An 8-year-old child went out to the forbidden land of red and black mountains and came back alive.
Actually, this alone is great enough.
Just being able to draw a map or hear testimonies that help us guess the topography or ecosystem outside the Unsea Zone is a tremendous achievement.
However, this unprecedented 8-year-old child went to hell and not only returned safely, but also brought back Cerberus, the guard dog of hell!
“… … Cerberus is a high-ranking monster that even the family guardian knights feel burdened to deal with.”
Hugo stroked his beard with a puzzled expression.
However, the detailed report that followed was even more absurd.
Hugo corrected the report once and put on his reading glasses.
“You lured Cerberus into a trap and stabbed him with a wooden spear? Do you think this makes sense?”
“Originally, it was an object that was injured by barbarians, and there is also information that poison was applied to the throat, Head of the House.”
“No matter how injured it is, it is the same. What poison was strong enough to send Cerberus away? Where else did he get that?”
“that is… … Nothing else was recorded in the hunting log. I was going to ask the young master, but he said he was tired and went right back to the dorm.”
At Deacon Barrymore’s words, Hugo put on a dazed expression for a moment, then chuckled.
“The young man is already puzzled. but. Information is power, and power is value. Self-worth is what you have to raise and protect.”
Hugo turned his gaze back to the report.
It is admirable that he did not immediately reveal the poison that caught Cerberus, but it is also admirable that he did not take Cerberus’ corpse directly to the guide dogs, but covered it with soil and concealed it until the practical evaluation was over.
Deacon Barrymore admired.
“Your patience is truly amazing. When I was an eight-year-old, I would do anything to be praised by adults and respected by my siblings. If I had caught Cerberus at the age of 8, I would have turned it over to the Guardian Knights right away. To get praise and attention.”
“Whoop whoop. If I did, I would end up looking like old Santiago.”
The old man Hugo refers to is a fisherman from a legend of the distant past.
He went out to sea and caught a huge monster fish, but while he was tying the fish to his boat and dragging it, he met a group of sharks, took all his flesh, and returned home with only a huge bone.
“If Bikir had caught Cerberus, he would have been the target of many brothers the moment he dragged the huge corpse around. If it wasn’t enough to take away all the achievements, he could have been killed.”
After hearing Hugo’s words, Deacon Barrymore feels a chill running down his spine at the bloody family customs of the Baskervilles.
“To be honest, I was very surprised. It’s not a middle name of ‘Le’ or ‘Ra’, but a talented person like this is coming out of the youngsters who have a middle name of Ban.”
“The butler doesn’t know anything. I am different from the previous family heads. Bloodline is not considered important when raising hounds. There are ugly dogs of good blood, and there are good dogs of poor blood. I don’t care if it’s a son from an imperial woman or a son from a street prostitute. As long as you have enough talent and courage.”
Hugo’s eyes, muttering in a low voice, are looking out the window at the distant spire.
second son.
Deacon Barrymore noticed that Hugo was thinking of his second son, who was in training at the top of the spire.
“It is said that even among dogs of good blood, there are ugly ones. Will you understand?”
“… … I’m sorry.”
Hugo waved his hand.
“are you okay. I’m the only one who loses if I have to be upset because of my stupid son. I just need a diversion.”
His gaze fell out of the window, this time to the report.
Deacon Barrymore bowed his head when he realized his master’s intentions.
“I’ll call the young Bikir.”
* * *
It was several hours later that Vikir stood in front of Hugo.
Hugo still did not deal with fish heads and tails.
I just brought out the thing about the torso right away.
“How did you catch Cerberus?”
“I caught it with chocolate on my throat.”
Bikir was the same.
single entry. Harvest season. Immediate answer.
There was no flab or grease in Hugo’s conversation with Bikir.
Hugo’s eyes widened.
“Is it chocolate?”
“Chocolate is poison to canine monsters.”
“Huh. Is that why you asked for chocolate the other day?”
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“yes.”
Bikir answered briefly.
After thinking for a while, Hugo opened his mouth again.
“If true, the value of the information is quite great. It will be useful when subjugating canine monsters. There will be many advantages in trade with the information guild when raising dispatch results.”
“I think so too.”
The corner of Hugo’s mouth went up slightly at Vikir’s nonchalant reply.
Hugo asked in a presumably cold voice.
“When the butler asked, I heard that you didn’t answer properly about hunting Cerberus.”
“you’re right. Because he is not my master.”
“Are you the owner?”
“yes.”
“Then who is your master?”
To Hugo’s question, Vikir answers again calmly.
“I belong to a family, so wouldn’t the owner of the family be mine?”
At that, Hugo finally nodded and smiled contentedly.
“You learned well. As a reward, the carcass of the monster you caught will belong to you in its entirety.”
Cerberus, a monster of danger grade A+. Its corpse was worth the cost.
Teeth and claws were used as weapons, organs and flesh as health food, and bones and hide as armor.
There is nothing to throw away from the corpses of high-ranking monsters.
It was a great reward to receive all of this in its entirety.
Furthermore, Hugo gave Bikir another prize.
“Since you ranked first in both writing and practical skills, the expectations of your family are high. If there is anything you want, tell me.”
“Didn’t you already hand over the corpse of Cerberus?”
“That is my idea. I want to hear what you think.”
Bikir opened her eyes slightly wide.
Hugo’s words were somewhat surprising.
This is because he has never had a history of asking his children for their thoughts.
The hounds just give orders. Who would ask a dog what he thinks?
But these variables are always welcome.
Thinking it would make things easier, Vikir voiced his opinion.
“I want to go into the Mansang Library.”
“… … !”
At those words, Hugo’s eyes narrowed.
The Mansang Library is a huge library located deep inside the fortress of the Baskerville family.
Hugo raised his chin and pondered for a moment. It’s rare for him.
“… … Hmm. Go all the way. It is a place that only those of the bloodline, including Gaju and Sogaju, can enter. Did you know and ask?”
At those words, Bikir widened his eyes.
A look that I didn’t know at all. But she didn’t even know.
‘I didn’t know because there was nothing to go into the library in my previous life.’
Culture, swordsmanship, and other knowledge were enough to be provided in classes within the family.
He lived content with the reality and did not show any desire to learn more.
That was the dog’s virtue and was tamed that way.
“… … I didn’t know. If it doesn’t work, I’ll give up.”
Bikir quickened his foot. Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s enough to sneak in under cover of night.
But things turned out easier than expected.
“You may come in.”
Hugo’s judgment was quick.
Before Bikir could put on a blank expression, Hugo continued.
“I can’t give you too much time. Will ten days be enough?”
“All it takes is one day.”
There is no need to instill caution in Hugo by staying in the library for a long time.
Hugo looked down at Vikir with a faint smile.
“What book do you want to read in just one day?”
“I learned about ‘family history’ during a liberal arts class and just wanted to know more. As one Baskerville.”
He just mentioned any book in moderation, but Hugo must have liked Vikir’s answer quite a bit.
“Family history. Feel so good. It’s good to be proud of yourself by studying the honorable history of your family.”
If you see him talking about pride that he didn’t even mention.
Hugo even recommended a book for Vikir to read.
“If you look in the middle row of the library in the 6th control area, in the depths of the Mansang Library, there is a swordsmanship manual called ‘Baskerville 6 Type’. Read it.”
Bikir couldn’t believe his ears when he heard that.
The world’s Hugo recommends a swordsmanship textbook?
Beyond 4 meals, which is the limit that Mr. Ban’s surname can go up to, how many 6 meals?
Baskerville carnivore.
This swordsmanship, which allowed him to draw six teeth, could only be mastered by the elite among executives and direct descendants within the family.
Hugo has now allowed it to Bikir. Even if it’s a very brief reading.
Considering that the current Hugo had seven teeth, and the Hugo before the return knew how to produce nine teeth, Hugo’s current treatment was truly unconventional.
Compared to the four ceremonies Bikir had learned before returning, meat-eating was a powerful swordsmanship that was on a different level.
but.
Bikir, who was aiming for something else, would not be very impressed.
‘… … Only carnivores.’
A foolish idea that would make others faint if they heard it.
But I’m not stupid enough to get out of the way to show it off.
“thank you. I will definitely read it and live up to your expectations.”
Vikir bowed her head and thanked Hugo.
It was a very humble and polite greeting, seemingly flawless.
Of course, if he had known what kind of evil lurked inside him, Hugo would have stopped all the secretaries in the Mansang Library even if he had to burn them all.
“… … .”
Thinking that he has finished all his errands, Hugo just indifferently turns his head away.
Having obtained access to the Mansang Library, Bikir greeted politely until the end and then turned around and left the room.
and.
He began to head straight for the most valuable treasure in all of the Baskervilles.
