DLRV 5

Chapter : 05

Samuel did not disappoint the temple’s expectations.

He found me with such ease that the temple, confident in his abilities, would open the city gates and relax the previously strict inspections. The easing of city checkpoints was certainly welcome for me.

As if to confirm my assumptions, the surprise inspections that sometimes appeared on the streets were nowhere to be seen.

Now I could quietly secure a supply wagon to leave the city. If not that, at least I had more options than before.

I calmly organized my thoughts while stroking the temple’s treasure around my neck. Removing it might at least temporarily divert Samuel’s attention.

The problem was that the time I had would not be long—and within that short window, I had to leave the city for sure.

Contacting a back-alley broker to get a wagon or horse again would take far too long.

Honestly, I expected at least some kind of secret exit in the city, but the city walls were managed with such strict precision. Maybe I should check the underground canals instead?

As I considered several alternatives, I arrived at a grocery store. Samuel, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.

“Are you preparing the meal yourself?”

“Why, do you think I haven’t even gotten my hands wet?”

In truth, I had never cooked food myself.

But I was confident in my ability to pretend to be skilled at anything. As a member of the Roam family, I had to be able to deceive anyone.

Just like my mother’s dramatic performance about being bedridden from missing her daughter.

“You need not trouble yourself with such tasks.”

“It’s a hobby.”

I casually lifted a basket full of acorns, glancing up at the sky. A tiny bird hovered like a dot far above. I then returned my attention to the stall.

“…I wonder if this shop’s meat is fresh.”

I had visited dozens of butcher shops searching for freshly slaughtered, blood-dripping meat.

Samuel seemed puzzled by my seemingly incomprehensible behavior, but perhaps it was too trivial to question seriously, so he offered no objections. Maybe he genuinely thought I enjoyed cooking.

My hands had a knack for producing the absolute worst outcomes, yet even in Roam, nobody knew this.

The handkerchief I gave Maxell, for example, had been embroidered by a top artisan, yet everyone assumed it was my handiwork.

Lilia was reputed to be skilled with her hands. Capable in household tasks and simple crafts, she often gave handmade items or snacks to acquaintances. The handkerchiefs Maxell used were also Lilia’s creations.

Lilia was everything I was not.

She had been born into a fallen family, happened to make connections with a minor noble, moved to the capital, then accidentally caught the eye of a middling count, and later had the rare chance to attend a royal banquet.

Her life, according to rumor, was a string of fortunate coincidences—unlike my own life, which had been meticulously arranged from birth.

“Resurrected one?”

I snapped to attention at the quiet call. The butcher, who had wrapped the bloody meat, hesitated, glancing nervously at Samuel. As I reached to take the meat, Samuel already extended his hand.

“I’ll hold it for you.”

He seemed to think I had been hesitant to take the meat myself.

I almost reached for it but quickly changed my mind. The meat was heavy, plentiful, and smelled strong—there was no reason for me to carry it myself. If he offered to help under the wrong impression, I had no reason to refuse.

“Let’s head back to the room now.”

“You’re not cooking today?”

“No. I’m too exhausted from shopping for ingredients.”

“Are you planning to leave the raw meat in your room?”

“Why?”

Leaving raw meat in a small room would obviously make the stench spread and reduce its freshness. It might even spoil.

After all my effort finding freshly slaughtered meat, my behavior was incomprehensible to anyone watching.

But I had no intention of explaining. I even hoped Samuel might misinterpret my actions.

“Do you think I’ll cast some magic with it?”

“I did not say that.”

“You know it’s impossible. Evil spirits may delight in living things, but what can they do with dead meat?”

I muttered casually, and a cold expression flickered across Samuel’s face. It wasn’t frightening at all.

“I just want to make you suffer. That’s the point, right now.”

“This?”

“Yes. I intend to serve you a dish made with that meat.”

I had gone out of my way to gather unnecessary fresh meat, let it spoil, and now the dish made from it would be served to him. I wanted to trouble him.

My meaning was clear. Anyone capable of understanding speech would recognize the malicious intent.

I stared at Samuel, hoping to see even a flicker of intimidation in his expression. His ash-gray eyes remained calm.

“God imposes trials in many forms. Acceptance is the duty of His servants.”

“…I should head back and rest.”

Ah, I was exhausted.

My feelings must have shown on my face, for Samuel asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone:

“If tormenting actions waste unnecessary effort, is it worth performing them?”

“Are you asking why I want to trouble you?”

“Yes.”

“Evil is evil; no grand reasoning is needed. Haven’t you heard of my reputation? I am infamous for my cruelty.”

“Now that you are resurrected, worldly names no longer matter.”

“Like you?”

The sarcasm vanished, replaced by a chilling calm.

I asked again; Samuel did not answer. It was clear that even if he remained silent, the answer would favor him. I slowed my pace and replied nonchalantly:

“I am not a devotee of the temple.”

“But you are a resurrected one.”

A bitter wave of irritation rose in me. I intended to abandon my worldly name, but not because I was resurrected.

“My name isn’t ‘Resurrected One,’ Sir Samuel.”

Immediately after speaking, I felt a twinge of regret. What kind of conversation am I trying to have with a zealot who interprets all unexplained malice as divine trial?

Clearly, he didn’t even know my name.

“If God…”

“If you proselytize again—”

I stopped abruptly, pointing at the bag in Samuel’s hand. I warned him seriously:

“God will punish you by making you eat raw meat.”

Samuel closed his mouth.

Apparently, even he didn’t want to eat bloody raw meat. The walk home became slightly quieter.

For the first time, his devotion actually came in handy.

The night wind was cold. The window had been open for over an hour, and the room’s air had cooled like the outside.

I had draped the raw meat across the windowsill, waiting. Was it too much to hope the scent of blood would reach high into the sky?

I glanced warily at the window, fearing that an unnecessary beast might appear. Suddenly, a large black shadow swooped in.

[Anelli!]

The squirrel, startled while gnawing on acorns, leapt onto my lap. I stroked its back and looked out the window.

A white-headed eagle poked its head outside. I exhaled in relief.

“You’re late.”

My whisper seemed to scold; the eagle flapped its wings.

[Were you waiting for me, Anelli?]

“Yes.”

I nodded obediently, and the eagle’s fierce eyes turned to me.

Though its gaze seemed angry, the eagle actually had a gentle temperament. After receiving raw meat from me, it no longer attempted to attack the squirrel.

[How did you know I’d be here?]

“How could I not know?”

I laughed at the question. Flying across the sky, it had been calling my name incessantly.

[Did you hear me?]

“Yes.”

Even knowing I was the only one who could hear, my heart raced as I wondered if someone else might. My eyes kept drifting toward where the eagle’s cry seemed to echo.

“You came to help me, right?”

[You gave me raw meat, Anelli! Thanks to you, our young ones are growing well!]

The eagle had appeared in front of the Grand Temple to gather food for its young. It was thankful because I ensured its chicks wouldn’t go hungry.

…Even beasts care for their young.

Suppressing that sudden thought, I leaned closer to the eagle’s head.

“Is there a way?”

[I told my big brother!]

The eagle lifted its yellow beak proudly.

Big brother?

[He can lift you and carry you.]

“What?”

I unconsciously raised my voice in surprise, then immediately hushed myself, glancing at the doorway.

Samuel was still probably outside. I bit my tongue, calming my voice, and whispered again:

“Such a large bird exists?”

[Yes!]

Seeing the confidence in its eyes, I believed it.

“When can it do this?”

[It has to be where my big brother can grab you.]

Indeed, a bird large enough to carry a person couldn’t navigate narrow alleyways. Perhaps the city’s central square would be ideal. I paused to consider, glancing at the door—Samuel would need to be distracted.

Playing with the temple’s magical item around my neck, I looked down at the squirrel on my lap. No creature this nimble could match it.

“All right, this is the final operation.”

The squirrel, holding the acorns, looked up at me in bewilderment. I smiled at its gaze.

In the clear squirrel eyes, I could faintly see my own reflection.