Second Conversation

Shiraishi Wataru would also gradually reveal a little more through riddles, letting the human factions feel they had some part in things.

Of course, in his version of events, the treasures were the Wheel of Wisdom and the inheritance, but there were also other, less precious treasures and inheritances. He could make those up as he went.

Now that there was a motive, it was easy to understand why the Faker had broken with his usual solitary ways and started building up his own faction. It had to be because he couldn't remain in this world for long, so he needed an agent to search for treasures on his behalf.

But as the Faker, his methods of finding them weren't exactly conventional.

"Keep an eye on the other factions. If they get their hands on a 'treasure,' find a way to take it from them?"

"Heh. Exactly. That's your task."

Inside a dilapidated room in the temple, a huge hole gaped in the roof, and green grass poked through cracks in the floor. The weakened Ito Seigo sat facing the Faker.

Ito Seigo nodded. As long as he didn't want to die, he had no room to bargain. Besides, although he was wary of the Faker, he was also somewhat grateful for the power he'd given him. It had let him recognize what he truly felt.

"From what I've seen so far, only the Holy Infant has descended. There may be others hiding out there, but anyone interested in treasures will need to find a promising local. Just keep an eye out. There's no rush, though. Your injuries are serious, so stay here and recover for a while. With your current abilities, you can live comfortably even in the wilderness."

After giving his instructions, the Faker stood and left without another word.

By the time Ito managed to get to his feet and follow with unsteady steps, only the chirping of insects and birds remained outside. The Faker was nowhere to be seen.

Ito slowly sat down and let out a long sigh.

No one would dare mess with his parents' graves again. Who wouldn't be afraid of him transforming once more? Even if they had to grit their teeth, the authorities would protect the graves.

Still, he found himself worrying about his ex-girlfriend.

Now that he thought about it, she was the one who'd seen things most clearly.

Unfortunately, he'd let her down.

As memories drifted through his mind and a gentle breeze brushed past him, Ito slowly fell asleep.

Over the next few days, Shiraishi Wataru used the news and his Listen ability to find two more ordinary people who seemed to be consumed by negative emotions. But after looking into them, he realized that although they acted world-weary, they were really just seeking attention. Deep down, they probably understood that the world wasn't to blame for all their problems.

He also looked into several ordinary people whose family members had been murdered, but found that most people's hatred didn't last. It didn't grow stronger with the passage of time, and the classic protagonist who endured for ten years before turning the tables and avenging a great wrong was a rare thing indeed.

None of these people underwent a transformation after he became one with them.

But when all was said and done, Ito's main emotion wasn't hatred. It was extreme regret—he hated himself even more than he hated anyone else.

So where could he find people whose emotions had reached an extreme?

Shiraishi Wataru jotted down a few targets, an idea taking shape in his mind.

Meanwhile, the authorities' higher-ups had officially shifted their view of the Holy Infant Society from hostile to potentially cooperative. It was time to wake the Holy Infant and let him speak in riddles.

Damn, being a cryptic know-it-all really was satisfying! In the end, Shiraishi Wataru had become the very thing he'd once hated most.

The research base.

Three minutes after the Holy Infant descended once more, nearly every other operation at the base ground to a halt. Every qualified biologist, chemist, and psychologist was summoned to the monitoring room to observe the Holy Infant's every move. If he so much as stretched, I wanted ten in-depth research reports on it!

To continue the friendly exchange from last time, a helicopter had already set out to bring William over. But before that, they needed to ask whether the Holy Infant had any other requests.

Kasegawa Haru had been no more than an ordinary researcher. But ever since the Holy Infant arrived, she'd been promoted to the Holy Infant Lord's personal attendant, thanks to her warm, approachable appearance and temperament.

It really did count as a promotion. Her researcher clearance had only been Level D. Thank goodness this wasn't called the Foundation, or she'd have run for the hills on her first day.

After becoming the Holy Infant's personal attendant, her clearance shot up to B-minus. Her daily duties were simple: sit outside the Holy Infant's room and make sure three meals were prepared on time. Whether he woke up or not, she had to get the kitchen to make the food, take it to his room, then remove it after mealtime and throw it away.

If the Holy Infant woke up, she had to follow instructions and make initial contact with him.

Unfortunately, the Holy Infant had only woken once so far, and that time he'd gone straight to see William. It had nothing to do with her. Since then, she'd just planned the daily menus, carried the food in, and carried it back out again.

"What a waste!"

She'd grumbled about it in private more than once.

But she also understood that the food wasted so far didn't amount to even a day's worth of funding or supplies for any random experiment at the research base.

Thinking that today would be another wasted day, she went to the kitchen and brought back lunch.

There was century egg and lean pork congee, all kinds of sushi, bread, steak, fried fish, hamburgers, and fries. The menu was extensive, with flavors from all over the world.

But when she brought everything to the room and dutifully announced that the meal was ready, she never expected to get an actual response!

Shiraishi Wataru made the Holy Infant sit down at the table. He glanced at Kasegawa Haru, whose leg was trembling, and said casually, "Sit down and eat with me."

"This is your lunch, Holy Infant Lord. I'll just serve you from the side," Kasegawa replied instinctively. Only then did guidance begin coming through her earpiece.

"You should accept. If the Holy Infant invites you again, don't refuse."

The guidance officer's voice carried a hint of displeasure.

Kasegawa lowered her head. She was so nervous. She really needed to use the bathroom. She was about to pee herself.

Shiraishi Wataru took a sip of the congee. It tasted better than he'd expected, reminding him of his previous life. "This congee is good."

At those words, the people behind the monitors immediately erupted into chaos.

"Go, go, go! Find out whether century egg and lean pork congee has any historical origins or legends!"

"Prepare more Chinese food and congee next time!"

"Should we tell the kitchen to make another pot?"

Shiraishi Wataru ate a little. Since this body had been kept in cold hibernation the whole time, it used very little energy.

"You should eat too. Don't let it go to waste." After a few bites, Shiraishi Wataru was full. He looked at the table loaded with food and spoke to Kasegawa.

Kasegawa carefully sat down in a chair. "Thank you, Holy Infant Lord."

"You're not a member of the Society. There's no need to call me Lord, and you don't need to thank me." Shiraishi Wataru was displaying a friendliness that sharply contradicted the accounts given by some Holy Infant Members.

Kasegawa faithfully followed the principle of "say less, do less," as one of her seniors had taught her. She put on a goofy smile and began eating slowly.