Chapter 182: My Children Are Different Now (3)

“Bastards... Those savages only care about muscles...”

The aspiring Sylvan actress sobbed for a bit more before leaving. She was sad and frustrated about so many things in her life that she cried all the way home, though she received the same treatment there.

“Where in the world have you been to come home now? Don’t tell me you’ve been roaming around the theater district again.”

“You’re old enough to get your shit together, but you still refuse to do that. Kid, Cavefire plays exist solely to brainwash Terras. In the end, they all end up telling you to serve and worship Kekerukker. What is so good about them that makes you drool over them?”

Unlike Terras, Sylvans lived in magnificent and luxurious mansions. The aspiring actress’ family was no exception. To the Sylvans, being born into a merchant family and becoming a merchant was the natural course of life, so the aspiring Sylvan was an oddball among her species.

“No, you’re wrong...” the aspiring Sylvan actress muttered as she munched on her dinner at the table. “No Cavefire play tells you to worship Kekerukker... The plays are actually about the things Kekerukker worships...”

“What did she just say?”

“I don’t know. She mumbles so quietly that I can’t tell.”

“You’re also an adult now. I’ve made a ledger for the cost of feeding and clothing you so far. I won’t take inflation into account and give it to you interest-free, so pay it back quickly. If you’re not going to do that, get out of my house.”

“Why do you only care about money?” the aspiring Sylvan actress protested. “Why is our species so obsessed with earning money?”

“Earning money is fun.”

“I don’t find it fun at all! How is it fun to rip off ignorant Terras?”

“Scamming and mooching off idiots is the most enjoyable part of life. Anyway, are you going to pay me back for raising you or not?”

The aspiring Sylvan actress stood up in frustration. “My species is crazy. Every elf thinks it’s normal to repay your parents for all the money they’ve spent on you until you become an adult because it’s both a tradition and an obligation!”

“Of course. We spent money on raising you.”

“Yeah, you had to pay a midwife for when I was born, but you also included the costs of what I ate and wore on the day I was born! Would not keeping a ledger kill you? Forget it! I’m sick of this house! I’ll just leave!”

The aspiring Sylvan actress strode out of the house. The moment she was about to step out the front door, her parents called out to her.

“Hey! Sonia!”

“What is it?” Sonia snapped.

“No matter where you go, you should always have your debt ledger with you! Here!”

The parents brought a cart piled with scrolls. All of them were ledgers of Sonia’s debt.

“If you run away from home, you are no longer part of the family, so we will add interest to your debt, inflation included. Don’t feel too pressured. We’ll give you the lowest interest rate. If you get a job at any merchant guild and work for twelve years, you’ll be able to repay it. Just work hard and earn money.”

“What the fuck is th—”

“From now on, every time you curse, I’ll raise the interest rate by one percent.

Oh

, I also added the cost of the cart. For some reason, I had a feeling you were going to run away from home someday, so I planned in advance. Be grateful that I chose something sturdy but cheap. What are you doing, Sonia? Hurry up and leave already.”

The aspiring Sylvan pulled the cart with a tearful expression on her face. Before long, tears started falling. The Guardian and I were watching Sonia’s predicament.

“Are there any normal species in this world...?” I mumbled.

—You can say that again. I know that your Tower has an unusual number of wackos, but this is starting to unsettle me...

Sonia didn’t have money, so she couldn’t even book a room at a shabby inn. All she could do was squat down next to a theater and fall asleep using the cart to shield her from the wind. Tragic sniffles blended into the moonlight shining down the streets.

[You have purchased Dream Appearance.]

[You have used 100 species points!]

[You now have 8,702 species points.]

It was my turn to show up.

“Sonia,” I called out after entering the dream.

Unlike Gorke or Uburka, Sonia’s dreamscape was... quite secular. I found myself in a gorgeous party venue where Terra servants with bulging muscles were treating Sonia like a god.

“I’m sorry, Great Actress Sonia. We failed to appreciate a genius actress like you...”

“

Hahahaha

! All you have are muscles. Your acting skills suck! Come on, pour me a drink!”

“

Ugor.

It’s an honor to be able to fill the glass of Great Actress Sonia...”

Amazing. I was most amazed by the Countess, who had successfully corrupted Sylvans with worldly secularity.

“Sonia. Sonia! Come to your senses.”

Sonia frowned. “

Huh

? What? Why is there a scrawny Puren in my dream?”

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

“I’m the guide of Terras, the one you call Kekerukker. Since your species joined the Terras, you’re also one of my children now.”

“

Hah

?”

“Didn’t you say today that you don’t care if Kekerukker, the Great Cat, or a devil helped you debut? Rejoice. I descended after hearing your miserable cries.”

“What the fuck—”

We had a bonding moment with our fists.

“Sorry for not recognizing you, Mr. Kekerukker!”

“I forgive you. Even Gorke suspected me of being a devil at first but in the end, he realized how sincere I was and praised me. This world is rough, so it’s perfectly okay to be suspicious of others.”

“Yes! Thank you for your forgiveness, Kekerukker!”

“From now on, call me Merciful and Kind Kekerukker.”

“What?” Sonia glanced up at me, still kneeling. She seemed to think of me as a lunatic.

I smiled and showed her my fist. “What? Do you have a problem?”

“Oh, not at all, Merciful and Kind Kekerukker!”

“Let’s chat then.”

I sat on a silk-cushioned chair and drank watermelon beer. What? It tasted like cucumber and was strangely sweet... Why were my kids obsessed with this bizarre drink?

“Sonia, don’t be afraid of me. I’m just here to grant your wish.”

“I see...”

“Good. You want to become an actress, right? I will make sure that happens.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes, really. I, Kekerukker, have never lied to my children, but before I lend you my power, I need a short ideological verification.”

Sonia blinked. “Ideological verification...?”

I shook my head with a solemn air. “Recently, a flood of false stories has been deceiving many of my children, so I can’t help but lament over it. I’ll ask you some questions to see whether you are qualified to be the third prophet, so riddle me this. What kind of person is the Fire Emperor?”

“

Uh...

” Sonia tilted her head. “Well... he’s a son of a bitch. According to the most classic Cavefire play, Kekerukker was living an ordinary life, but one day, he had a great awakening after meeting the worst bastard in the world, the Fire Emperor. These days, more and more people tend to enjoy the trope that later reveals how the Fire Emperor is actually a good guy, but I don’t think highly of that trope. There are plenty of assholes in the world. It’s possible for people to change, but there is just no way of fixing assholes...”

I placed my hand on the aspiring Sylvan actress’ shoulder. “Sonia, you really have a promising future!”

“W-What?”

I smiled from ear to ear. “They say people can tell a tree will grow well even as a seed leaf! And you have the potential to be a world tree!”

“

Ah...

Okay...”

“How could a good child like you be born among the Sylvans, who only care about money? You’re a lotus blooming in the mud, a black pearl in its shell. This is truly a fateful encounter!”

Sonia scratched her head sheepishly. “Is that so?

Hehe

, you’re so flattering, I don’t know what to say...”

A warm friendship that transcended species and eras blossomed between us.

“But how exactly will you help me?” Sonia asked.

“It’s simple. Let me possess you for the time being.”

There was one item that I had my eyes on in the Civilization Store—the advanced version of Animal Posesssion.

Person Possession

Grade: A

Effect: You can possess a person of choice. The person you possess becomes a spirit and sticks with you. When the person dies as a spirit or when you are done possessing them, they will return to their body!

Cost: 2,000 species points

※The item can only be used if the person in question agrees to being possessed.

“Y-You want to take over my body? Don’t tell me—”

“I don’t know what you may be imagining right now, but my heart belongs to Raviel only.”

“

Ah

, yes... That’s true. I forgot.”

“I will just possess your body for the time being. It won’t be for long, only until I can turn you into a great actress. If you want me to leave before then, I’ll get out right away.”

Sonia’s eyes wandered. “Do I have to sacrifice my soul for this?”

“What use do I have for your soul? Even after I possess you, your consciousness will still be around.”

Sonia didn’t give an immediate answer.

“If you don’t like it, forget about it. There are a lot of Terras who would be happy if I were to possess them.”

“

Oh

, no no!” Sonia said. “Please possess me, Merciful and Kind Kekerukker! I’ll do anything if I can go on stage and debut!”

“Yes, that’s the spirit! If you want something, you must achieve it, even if it means chasing your dream to the end of the universe.”

I purchased the item right away.

[You have purchased Person Possession.]

[You have used 2,000 species points!]

[You now have 6,702 species points.]

“You have no regrets, right?” I asked.

“Right!”

“No complaints?”

Sonia shook her head as hard as she could. “None at all!”

“Good. Then I’ll consider this your agreement to letting me possess you.”

“P-please!”

I heard a sound resembling a toilet being flushed before dizziness overtook my senses. I closed my eyes tightly before reopening them. Before I knew it, I saw the cityscape, drowned by the red shade of early dawn.

I kept clenching and unclenching my fists. My hands were soft and white. It seemed Sonia had never held a sword in her life.

“It’s a little awkward, but... Well, it feels better than when I possessed that lion for the first time. I’ll get used to it soon.”

Sonia’s voice startled me. It sounded as if she was speaking directly from my mind.

—Oh my Great Cat.

You really possessed me.

“Haven’t I told you that I never lie?”

—I’m sorry. Really. To be honest, I suspected that you’re a devil who wants to scam me... There are so many rumors these days about a devil taking over a person’s mind, as well as sightings of strange-looking monsters...

I circulated aura inside me. Were Sylvans sensitive to aura? Or was Sonia surprisingly talented? After doing this four or five times, fire appeared in my palm.

—O-Oh my Great Cat.

Judging by how surprised Sonia was, I guessed she was very talented.

—Unbelievable! How can you kindle the soulfire this easily?

With a squeak, the theater door opened.

“Who’s there? It’s dawn. Why are you here?”

The troupe master who had kicked Sonia out yesterday stared at me, seemingly having just woken up. Perhaps he lived here. When we locked eyes, the troupe master immediately frowned, clearly fed up.

“

Uger?

What? You again? The test is over. Roles for the next Cavefire play have also been decided. I have nothing to give you, so please stop coming here. Since you’re a Sylvan, you’ll live a luxurious life even if you don’t become an actress.”

I got down on my knees. “Troupe Master, I ran away from home.”

“What?”

“Look at the cart here. These are debt ledgers that my family gave me for feeding and clothing me until now. I said I’ll become an actress even if I die, so they kicked me out with the ledgers. They’re also going to charge me with interest. I really have nowhere to go now!

“It’s okay if you give me the role of a minion or an extra. Please just put me on stage! Judge me for my acting, not my muscles! In the name of Kekerukker, Gorke, and Uburka, I’ll repay your trust, no matter what!”

The troupe master covered his forehead with one hand. “

Uger

, how were you born as a Sylvan...? Okay. I’ll give you one last chance. I’m serious. Still, I can’t just give you a role just because you asked for it. Prove that you can captivate the audience even with your flimsy muscles.”

“How can I prove that?”

The troupe master sat on the ground and crossed his arms. “Try improvising, This is a special chance I’m giving you. There will be no more special treatment from me going forward.”

Okay.

“What play do you want me to improvise?” I asked.

“Every actress has a role that can be considered their gateway to the stage. This performance determines your quality as an actress. Although this is an old play, it’s very difficult, so it’ll be a good indicator of your skills.”

“You mean...”

With a solemn voice, the troupe master said, “

Raviel and Kekerukker

. Improvise the scene where Kekerukker confesses his love to Raviel and reveals his feelings.”

Huh?

“Don’t fault me for asking something so difficult. As I said, this is your second chance already. There are also quite a lot of troupe masters who only allow Terras to become actors.”

I tilted my head. “

Uh...

Would this be enough?”

The troupe master scoffed. “I knew it. You’re a greenhorn. The scene where Kekerukker confesses to Raviel is difficult even for experienced actors. To Kekerukker, Raviel is a goddess, so you must use all the words in your vocabulary to praise the goddess’ beauty. You have to make it clear that you’ll die if your love is denied. Portraying this level of desperation is not easy at all!”

“

Hmm...

”

“Incompetent actors try to get this scene over just by crying a lot, but they can’t be more wrong! That’s not what that scene needs. Kekerukker isn’t begging for love. He just wants his love to be part of Raviel’s glory as he expresses his feelings for the goddess. Anyone who hasn’t completely given themselves to another person can’t act this part properly.”

Really? I was confident that I could praise my lover non-stop for three hundred and sixty-hours. Wasn’t it the easiest thing to do in this world?

“So you want me to act out the scene where Kekerukker confesses to Raviel, right?”

“That’s right. Of course, I don’t think a stingy Sylvan like you understands love.”

I took a deep breath. “All right.”

I imagined Raviel sitting in front of me with her chin resting on her palm. Her hair and her slightly open ruby eyes made her look like a silver fox getting ready to hibernate. It seemed she had slept less than usual. She would whisper “I’m sleepy. Try to wake me up, Gong-Ja.”

Because of her, I could love the universe a little more.

“Raviel, my soul, my eternal crimson. I didn’t know the color red until I met you. I thought I did, but your eyes... When I look into your eyes...”

Exactly two minutes later after I started, the troupe master’s expression changed. He sprang to his feet, astonished.

“Unbelievable! Th-This smooth talk... This ridiculous confession of love... This is like a centipede chicken trying desperately to be cute... E-Everything is perfect! It’s like you’re Kekerukker himself!”

That’s right, kid. Daddy's home.