BBYW Vol. 4 Chapter 61 (WN)
Chapter 61 – The Human Head in the Garden
As soon as I returned to my residence in Thebes, I dropped on the bed and passed out.
The recapture of Fort Giza and the battle against Valon Sphinx. The journey to the “Undead Capital” and the dispatch of the evil deity. Lastly, the 5 day long trip back through the desert.
I had somehow pushed to the end, but I was at my absolute limits. Both my body and mind screamed for rest.
I slept like a log for one whole day, enjoying the comfort of a bed for the first time in a while.
Naam was still glued to my chest, so we ended up sleeping together…but I was too exhausted to pay any attention to her.
Incidentally, I had Sakuya inform Vert Sphinx that Naam would spend the night in this residence.
The head of the clan was naturally shaken to learn about his 13-years old daughter’s sleepover; if he also knew that she would be sleeping in the same bed of a man, however, he would have surely barged in, sword in hand thirsty for blood.
Anyhow, I got my well-deserved rest and was finally freed from the heavy sense of fatigue that had taken over my body.
“Phew…one day of rest can surely make you feel light!!”
“You sleep too much, Lord Dyngir.”
I woke up, left the room and found a sighing Sakuya.
She was holding a teapot: she had noticed I had woken up and prepared my morning tea.
“I’m hungry, get me something to eat too.”
“I have some sandwiches ready in the kitchen. I’ll bring everything to the dining room.”
“Great.”
I nodded eagerly and yawned.
After a good day of rest I took, my body felt extremely light. Naam had let me go while I was sleeping, so I left her on the bed.
“To sleep with a man at her age…the girl is going to have a promising future. Valon would weep if he knew, though.”
I sat at the table in the dining room and took a bite of the sandwich Sakuya brought.
The grilled lamb with spices was very flavorful, so I relished the taste as I chewed it. The western province’s tea leaves were also more bitter than the eastern ones I was used to; they too were a welcome stimulus to wake my brain up.
“Well then…I should go ahead and report to the Margrave…not that I’m looking forward to it, though…”
“Should I take care of it in your stead, Milord? You are still tired, I suppose.”
“Nah, the final report is part of war too. It’s my job, after all. I’ll endure, somehow.”
I patted Sakuya’s head lightly, after turning down her concerned proposal, and headed for the entrance.
“If Naam wakes up, make sure she stays here…I wouldn’t like her to hear what we’re going to talk about.”
“Certainly, it shall be done. Even if I have to use my sleeping powder.”
“No poison, please…by the way, Sakuya? What’s that?”
I pointed at a spot in the garden.
In a corner of the garden of the residence I was borrowing from House Sphinx…there was a human head on the ground.
“Oh, that? Just my older brother. Please pay it no mind, Milord.”
“I see…yeah, I’ll do just that.”
“Please do!! Please pay it mind!!”
I had already lost all interest, but the head yelled desperately.
It indeed belonged to Sakuya’s older brother and next-in-line for the position of head of the Fangs of Steel, Oboro.
“Oh, you’re still alive? Even though all you have left is the head…as skilled as usual, man.”
“Young Master!!! Enough jokes, please!! Help me—!!”
Oboro’s head wiggled and squirmed as he pleaded for my help.
His head had not been severed: he was buried from his neck down, apparently.
I felt excited for a second, thinking that he learned a new technique, so I was pretty disappointed.
“What game is this, Sakuya?”
I turned to the young girl, the most likely cause of Oboro’s current predicament.
“Punishment, Milord. For letting you go to the desert alone.”
Sakuya explained plainly.
I then recalled that, before using “Shape of Indra” to cross the desert, I gave Oboro a message to deliver to her.
Could it be that he returned to Thebes, told her that I would not be returning for a while, and was buried ever since?
“Please do not worry: he is only buried, nothing else. I have not administered him any poison, and even water him once a day.”
“I see..all good, then.”
“Not good! Not good at all! A crow almost plucked my eyes out this morning! The young master is back safe and sound, it’s high time you let me out!!”
“Oh, right. Sakuya, where’s the girl I brought back with me?”
Ignoring Oboro, I asked Sakuya about the “guest” I brought back from the desert.
“As you ordered, Lord Dyngir, I fed her and had her take a bath. She does not eat or even wear clothes on her own, though. Who or what exactly is she?”
Sakuya looked at me, puzzled,and replied to my question with another question instead.
The night before, when I went to my bedroom with Naam, I asked Sakuya to take care of Nefertina.
I had not said anything about her background, though.
(What am I supposed to say…? I don’t know the specifics myself…)
I held my aching head in my hands, then squeezed out a vaguely plausible explanation.
“Right, she’s…a mute, expressionless…spoil of war. A very realistic doll, basically. At least for now.”
“…I’m not sure I understand…is she a new lover, Milord?”
“…a lover…she isn’t. Well, it’s all pending for now. She’s not going to die easily, so just keep an eye on her every now and then, all right?”
“…understood.”
Sakuya wasn’t convinced at all, but still nodded to her master’s order.
“I’m off, then. I’ll definitely be back soon this time, so prepare a feast for tonight.”
“I will make sure you are thoroughly satisfied, Milord.”
“Er…you are not truly planning to leave me buried here, are you…? Young Master!! Please don’t goooo!!!”
Sakuya bowed deeply and watched me leave.
As a scream of anguish trailed behind my back, I headed towards the center of the city of Thebes, to the residence of House Sphinx.