Chapter 94: Hero Wolf (2)

“This time, you cut down someone from the Allend family, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

Three members of the hero’s party were gathered. Petunia Titi’s seat was still empty, and Fabian was currently out on a mission. Mobius fiddled with the necklace containing a portrait and said to Wolf,

“Wolf. Revenge, you see, is quite sweet. When you get old, there’s nothing better to burn through the rest of your life than revenge. But, you’re still young. Young, and incredibly strong at that. I think it’s a huge waste for society, too, for you to pour your energy into revenge.”

Wolf shook his head at Mobius’s words. Mobius tucked the necklace he was holding back inside his clothes. For a moment, a portrait of some woman flashed before Wolf’s eyes. Wolf spoke.

“We need to instill absolute fear. So strong that no one would even dare think of harming us. We must tighten our grip and live more extravagantly.”

“Uheheheh! That’s right! Old Man Mobius. Don’t be too hard on Wolf.”

Alexander, shoveling food into his mouth, took Wolf’s side. Wolf wordlessly poured wine and pushed it towards Alexander, who bowed his shiny head with a nod and thanked Wolf. Mobius clicked his tongue as if he had no intention of arguing with Alexander and said,

“Still, don’t you think this time was a bit much? Hanging the head of the Allend family in the street like a dog. The nobles are all trembling with anxiety, wondering if they’ll be next. A backlash might come soon.”

“That’s why Fabian is working. With the Thieves’ Guild under me, who can possibly conspire in secret?”

Alexander said, taking a huge bite out of a pork leg.

“Right! Right! It’s best to do whatever you want, Wolf!”

Mobius glanced at Alexander once more. Alexander avoided Mobius’s gaze, just stuffing the meat down his throat. Wolf, who had been sitting with his chin propped on his hand for a moment, turned his gaze towards Petunia Titi’s empty seat.

Even though he had sent invitations multiple times, there was no reply from the Elf Forest. Wolf scratched his head and got up from his seat.

“I’m heading out first. You guys have fun.”

“Leaving already? I picked out some women for you. Come take a look.”

“Send them to the mansion.”

Wolf lightly rejected Alexander’s offer. Then, he leisurely walked down the hallway far from the dining table and disappeared. As the door closed, Alexander spat out the pork bone from his mouth and frowned.

“Aww, you could have at least said goodbye properly.”

Mobius fiddled with his necklace and said to Alexander,

“He’s definitely not doing well. It’s not good for someone so young to be consumed by revenge.”

Alexander chuckled as he picked up another drumstick. The tablecloth around his neck was already stained like an abstract painting. Seeing the greasy sheen around his mouth, Mobius scowled.

“Why are you acting like that, Old Man, when you’re practically living with revenge hanging from your lips? Huh?”

“Didn’t I just say? Wolf has a lot he can do for this country. What’s the point of a man now in his thirties clinging to pointless revenge? The family he considered his enemy is now destroyed. What on earth is he still swinging his sword for? Wolf needs to use his strength for better things now.”

“Hehehe, isn’t that the same for you, Old Man?”

Mobius fell silent, though his expression turned uncomfortable at Alexander’s words. He glanced at the necklace in his hand once more before tossing it into his clothes. Then he said to Alexander,

“Alexander. You’ve known Wolf longer than I have. Don’t you wish for him to take a better path?”

Alexander swallowed his meat and nodded.

“Old Man, have you ever seen Wolf back down from his stubbornness? And how can I possibly tell Wolf what to do? You know he’s the most stubborn person alive. He didn’t even pay attention when I told him to accept Titi’s confession.”

“Tsk… If only that woman were here, maybe things would be a little better.”

Mobius clicked his tongue, looking at Petunia Titi’s empty seat.

Alexander said,

“Wolf is like a fire that’s starting to die down. He burned so fiercely to complete his revenge, and now he’s flustered because there’s nowhere left to burn. My job is to help Wolf not collapse. To help him find joy again. That’s what I think. The way he’s swinging his sword recklessly now is just like a fire spreading to find more fuel. So, I need to make him realize that it’s time to stop burning things and start building a warm home and finding things to enjoy.”

Just then, the door opened. Beautiful priestesses selected from various regions walked towards the dining table, dressed in provocative attire. Though they were beauties of various styles, they all shared a burning ambition for success in their eyes. The priest leading them rubbed his hands together and said to Alexander,

“Saint Alexander. As you requested, I’ve brought the ‘Saintess’ applicants.”

“Oh, yes. The hero has gone to the mansion, so send them there.”

The priest asked cautiously,

“Won’t you sample them first?”

Alexander scoffed at the priest’s suggestion and looked at Mobius. Then he said to the priest again,

“Send them over immediately!”

As the women disappeared, Mobius shook his head and said,

“It’s a relief you still have some common sense. I was surprised when they looked at me, though.”

“Old Man. Were you expecting something?”

Mobius shook his head more vigorously and said in a low voice. His hand naturally went to his necklace.

“If my granddaughter had grown up, she would be about that age.”

Alexander gave an awkward smile, then started spooning up cream soup, saying,

“Sorry, Old Man. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

“It’s fine. Really. Everyone knows you like women, and I knew you’d called them here today. But, will embracing a woman really cheer Wolf up?”

Alexander nodded and said,

“Isn’t holding a woman and eating food the most enjoyable things in the world? If we gather like this every time, eat delicious food, and give him beautiful women, he’ll eventually cheer up. Right?”

“It’s nice that you’re so one-dimensional. Not everyone in the world is a lecher like you.”

“Hehehe, I wish I were a lecher. I’d have about five wives and spend all day just having wild sex.”

Mobius looked at Alexander. Alexander’s expression was carefree.

“Old Man Mobius. I will definitely make Wolf cheer up. You should come up with your own plan too. I want to see Wolf smile again.”

Mobius chuckled at Alexander’s words.

“Yeah. That’s right. I’m also preparing my own countermeasures. Let’s both give it our best shot.”

“Old Man. Let’s toast. Cheers.”

Mobius raised his glass. At the clear clinking sound of the glasses, Alexander recalled the time he first met Wolf.

Back then, Alexander had been relegated to the provinces and was drinking every day.

Someone knocked on the door of the small private villa where Alexander was staying, and a man in worn-out armor appeared. At that moment, Alexander was dining in front of a prostitute he’d bought from the countryside, who was undressed.

When the man appeared, the woman screamed in panic. Alexander threw the noisy woman onto the bed and faced the man without even bothering to adjust his clothes.

He had a mace within arm’s reach and was gathering holy power in his hand. Alexander, knowing the advantage was his, asked the man with a commanding attitude,

“Who are you?”

“I am Wolf.”

Alexander knew the name. Wolf the murderer. The wanted criminal who brutally murdered the young master of the Allend family at the academy and fled. Alexander couldn’t understand why such a scoundrel would come to his villa.

“Did you come to kill me?”

“I heard rumors. That the child of a concubine, hated and cast out by his family, lives here indulging in pleasure.”

Alexander let out a hollow laugh. He found it absurd that even a murderer would mock him now.

“You came to taunt me.”

“They say you were even castrated to make you a high priest, seeing your abundant talent for holy power.”

Hearing that, Alexander silently put on his robe, covering his lower body. Where the natural symbol of manhood should have been, only a terrible scar remained. Alexander could no longer afford to be leisurely. He frowned and picked up his mace.

“What do you want?”

If you poke a sore wound, anyone becomes a beast. Depending on Wolf’s next words, Alexander planned to decide whether to break his legs or his head.

“Don’t you want revenge?”

But the moment Alexander heard those words, he felt a strange emotion surge in his chest. The injustice of being pushed all the way here. The hatred and ostracism he received from his family. The castration he endured screaming at the age of 12.

Wolf slowly walked into the villa, extended his hand to Alexander, and said,

“Let’s get revenge. Alexander. On this world.”

Water droplets splashed from the glasses, scattering onto the table.

“To Wolf!”

Alexander downed his glass and laughed heartily, while Mobius stroked his beard and nodded.