The woodcutter spoke at length.
He told the woman everything he had just learned from his younger brother today.
The more the woman listened, the more her expression turned as... strange as the woodcutter's.
"...Did your younger brother really say that?"
It took her several seconds to digest what the woodcutter had told her...
Of course.
Actually digesting it was impossible.
But at least the woman managed to sort out her thoughts a little.
"There's a black monster by his side..."
Was this some kind of absurd fantasy?
Because...
"Neither of us has ever seen it."
The woman was certain of that.
"We're with your younger brother every day..."
Though because he had to study, they actually didn't see him very often.
But they lived under the same roof.
If there really was some black monster by his side...
"How come we never saw it?"
"I bring him meals every day..."
The woodcutter gave a bitter smile.
"Exactly."
"If there really is a black monster by his side, just like he says..."
"How could we have failed to notice?"
"But he says we can't see it."
"We can't see it?"
The woman's mouth fell open slightly. "That black monster?"
"We can't see it?"
"Why?"
"Didn't your younger brother say it was by his side?"
"Yes."
The woodcutter nodded. "But we just can't see it."
"That's why your younger brother believes so firmly that the Black Monster is some kind of auspicious omen sent to him by God."
"One that can bless him with success in the imperial examinations."
"But didn't your younger brother fail the exam?"
The woman blurted out.
Then, as if realizing what she had said, she pressed her lips together.
"Yes."
The woodcutter nodded.
"So your younger brother thinks he