Wizard of the Deep Sea

TL/ED – Miso

The shoeshine boy noticed that I was wearing boots, not shoes.

But that should have been impossible. Unless they become part of the Family, Dark Night’s marionettes are used merely as mindless expendables. It was something I knew even before infiltrating this place.

Could it be that only this boy had uniquely regained self-awareness?

That couldn’t be. He had simply received such an order. To keep repeating his behavior as a shoeshiner.

Under that order, the boy had been able to distinguish between shoes and boots.

“Huh?”

Dark Night turned to look at me, as if asking what I meant, and I calmly continued my explanation.

“If I can unlock the memories of those I’m performing servitude on, I believe I could use that to bring up many more Fallen.”

“I see. How many, roughly?”

“I estimate about half of the Lower Tier would be possible.”

It was a slight exaggeration, but still the truth.

For some reason, the people of the Lower Tier were extremely afraid of becoming Dark Night’s marionettes. As long as I made them aware that they wouldn’t lose their memories, the problem would disappear.

They would truly judge that under Dark Night was a paradise and come walking here on their own.

Dark Night would want that too.

“Hmm, oppa.”

Instead of responding to my request, Dark Night suddenly looked affectionately down below the terrace and said something strange.

“These days, you’ve been helping out a lot, so I’m really happy. You’ve been going around a lot.”

“…I’m merely repaying what I received.”

“Still, I should give you some praise. Have you walked around this area?”

What kind of sudden nonsense is this?

“Yes. To get a sense of the geography, a bit.”

“Then you must’ve gotten a feel for the atmosphere.”

“Sorry?”

“This country. The place we’re living in. What do you think it’s like?”

I slightly furrowed my brow.

Dark Night was under a serious misunderstanding. This couldn’t be called a country. What kind of nation exists in this world without citizens?

Honestly, my impression was no more than that of a giant model garden made entirely of dolls. But I couldn’t say that outright, so I chose my words carefully.

“Well, it seems quite peaceful.”

“Yeah. Feels unnatural, doesn’t it?”

“…”

No way, she knew?

I had thought Dark Night saw this country as some kind of utopia, but it seemed she at least understood that wasn’t the case.

“But it’s still an ideal country.”

Nope. I guess I expected too much.

Dark Night grabbed the railing and looked fondly at the people smiling and chatting on the roadside.

“Oppa, have you ever had such a thought? If you were to become the king of a country, how would you rule it?”

“I have, a few times.”

“Really? Then, in that imagination, how did you govern the people?”

“I eliminated the worst outcomes.”

“Huh?”

I calmly explained to Dark Night, who was tilting her head.

“Humans act ceaselessly. Even if they sit still and do nothing, as long as they are alive, that itself is action. And all such actions are, before producing results, put to the test by something called fate. I acted for those whose fate tilted not toward luck, but toward misfortune.”

She made a slightly taken aback expression and tried to choose her words.

“Hmm, that’s hard to grasp… You must’ve really thought hard about it?”

“When all I have is time. And how do you govern, Dark Night-nim?”

“I revised the law.”

“Pardon?”

“Did you know? Laws are originally meant to oppress everyone just a little bit.”

Dark Night spoke something terrifying as she ran her fingers along the railing.

“When you’re hungry, you want to steal someone else’s food. When you’re angry, you want to hit someone. Even if you have no money, you want to live in a nice house… People hold back, but when the situation arises, such thoughts surface. It’s inevitable. That’s human nature.”

“But if everyone acted without hiding their nature, we would no longer be called humans, but beasts. That’s why laws exist, right? Hold back a little, not for others, but for yourself.”

“But just because laws were created, did crime disappear?”

“No.”

At my response, Dark Night smiled in satisfaction.

“That’s right, laws aren’t perfect. In the end, they only deal with things after they’ve happened, and they don’t actually stop impulses in the moment. Someone breaks the law, and someone else gets hurt. Even the perpetrator is a victim. Because it’s not perfect, a single moment of impulse leads to hurting others and also getting hurt oneself.”

I, too, walked over next to Dark Night and looked down beneath the railing.

“So that’s why you did this.”

“People misunderstand. They think I’m using threads to control others.”

Yes. It was a huge misunderstanding.

The thread that came down from the sky was still binding my body even indoors. At first, I just thought, “So that’s how it is”, but now that I think about it, threads shouldn’t work that way.

It’s not a world of threads, but a world of marionettes.

The thread didn’t seal or restrict the target. On the contrary, it was a lifeline that made the marionette move.

Thus, Puppet. I naturally gripped the railing more tightly.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

The transparent threads reflected the sunset in iridescence. In the city, there were tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of thin strands of light, as slender as the threads themselves, sparkling.

Dark Night murmured as she looked upon them with an ecstatic expression.

“I’m going to make this entire world my Family. Then no one will ever have to fight against their impulses again. They won’t have to fall victim to them. We, who live in hell, will create paradise.”

“…”

“Of course, they will have to sacrifice freedom, but in return, I can guarantee perfect safety. And-”

“A family is originally something that makes sacrifices.”

“Ah, you understand after all.”

As I looked at her smiling gently, I was reminded once again of what Number 1 had said.

This one really has lost it. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of experience led to the creation of this world.

“I actually called you because I wanted to ask you for a favor. If you discover a Great World called Ocean while gathering the Fallen, contact me.”

“…Ocean?”

“Yeah, the world of the sea.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“I apologize, but may I ask why you are looking for that world?”

“The Upper Tier is working on a certain plan. In fact, all of this, kidnapping wizards and mass-producing the Fallen, was done to find Ocean. If I find it, I can move on to the next stage.”

So it wasn’t me she was looking for.

But that doesn’t mean I can be at ease. Since Deep Sea and Ocean are similar in context, I could still be used as a substitute.

But then why is she searching for Ocean and not Deep Sea? For now, I lowered my head and gave a nod.

“Understood. If anyone claims they are from a sea-related world, I will capture them by any means necessary.”

“Good. Then…”

Dark Night, who had been nodding in satisfaction, suddenly clapped her hands.

“What you want is to handle the children’s memories, right?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, I can do it, but it’ll be a hassle. Returning memories means allowing that much freedom. The kids might betray you.”

“I will manage it well, somehow.”

As I gave her a firm look of confidence, she nodded as if she had no choice.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll trust you now too. Come tomorrow morning. I’ll need some time to prepare.”

“Yes.”

I bowed my head, barely hiding the smile.

I’d known for quite some time that Dark Night was a madwoman.

What mattered was that I’d gotten a definite answer.

It took a long time.

But now, I can finally begin.

*

The next morning. Castle.

I headed to Dark Night’s room to receive the so-called Baptism.

“Ah, you’re here?”

“Yes. Are you ready?”

She had been waiting in simple clothing, twirling the remaining threads around her fingers.

“There’s nothing much to prepare. It just takes one night to extract this amount of thread, that’s all.”

“I see.”

“It won’t take long. Just kneel here and stay still.”

From the way she said it lightly, it seemed that this Baptism wasn’t anything serious.

I felt relieved as I waited.

“Please wait a moment.”

-Clack. Suddenly, the door opened and someone entered.

It was Number 1, wearing a broad, gentle smile.

“Mother? What’s the matter?”

“Apologies for the early hour. I believe there is something Dark Night-nim should be made aware of, so I came to inform you.”

Without hesitation, he walked forward and gave me a sly smile.

An uneasy feeling surged within me. That kind of expression is usually made by someone who has already concluded their victory in their mind.

“Number 33.”

“Yes.”

“Take off your mask.”

“…”

The unease became reality. As I showed no reaction and simply stared back, Dark Night interjected with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

“Oppa, didn’t you say you still had discomfort toward subordinates? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“Dark Night-nim. Number 33 infiltrated our Family with a different purpose.”

“…What?”

“You were deceived by empty words. From the start, he was a spy. Take it off immediately. If you don’t, I will execute you on the spot.”

I silently looked at the triumphant Number 1, then removed my mask.

My height shrank in an instant, and my youthful face as a still-young boy was revealed.

Dark Night was startled and stroked my head.

“What, you weren’t an oppa but a younger brother?”

I didn’t know why she was stroking me. She looked to Number 1, as if wanting more explanation.

“Mother, the problem isn’t just that he lied about his age, is it?”

It would have been nice if it ended there.

“Yes. Number 33 is an agent of the Empire.”

The situation instantly spiraled into the worst-case scenario.

“…!”

“It may be hard to believe, but he was a disciple of Dersia, and an envoy under the Princess. Here, I’ve brought the related documents.”

“I once was.”

I added calmly as I watched Number 1 hand over the booklet.

“But not anymore. I was betrayed by my master, and imprisoned due to the Princess’s scheme. I escaped with Decay’s help. I have no remaining ties to the Empire.”

“Nonsense!”

Number 1 shouted, glaring at me.

“Then why did you hide that fact and join the Family? You must have had another motive!”

“…Oppa.”

The most important reaction was Dark Night’s.

Hmm, as expected, she seemed shaken.

In her dull, lightless eyes, betrayal was clearly reflected.

“Explain. Why did you hide that you were Dersia’s disciple?”

“…I’m sorry. I was afraid you might not think well of me.”

How Number 1 discovered my past, hmm, I couldn’t tell.

I had hidden Damyu well. And if he had found her, he would’ve brought her here to make her confess in person.

The problem is, besides her, no one else knows my past. I had no idea what method he used.

But that’s not what’s important. Even now, I could see Dark Night’s trust level deteriorating in real-time.

Whatever decision I made, it had to be quick.

“Expel him from the Family immediately and imprison him for interrogation…”

There was only one thing Number 1 didn’t expect.

That I always assume the worst.

“But Dark Night-nim. Please believe in me.”

I knelt down and looked up at her.

“I chose this place because I was genuinely drawn to you. I had no ulterior motives whatsoever.”

“…”

As she looked down at me in silence, Dark Night spoke one line.

“Can you prove it?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Please seal my memories from before I came to this place.”

“…What?”

It wasn’t Dark Night who voiced the question, but Number 1.

He stiffened and looked at me with disbelief in his eyes.

“…W-what did you just ask for?”

“What I just said is everything. Please erase all memories from before I met Dark Night-nim, and leave only those after.”

“You, do you even understand what you’re saying right now?”

I do.

Memory is an essential component of what makes a person who they are.

When asked, “Would you do it, be reborn in a wealthy family but lose all your memories?” no one answers yes. It’s the same concept. Losing your memories is the same as dying.

In other words, what I had just said was no different from declaring I would die.

“I was sincerely moved by you, Dark Night-nim. No matter what my previous memories were, I consider them to hold no value.”

Still looking straight up at her, who had yet to speak, I responded in a desperate voice.

“Please, would you grant me just one chance?”

“…If your memories are sealed,”

Dark Night replied with a confused expression.

“You’ll be reduced to a state where you can only speak literally. The only memory you’ll have is meeting me here at the Castle. You’ll either go insane or fall into panic.”

“Th-that’s right! This one is just trying to get out of the current situation-”

“Which is why I ask you to do it. Right now, please.”

“…”

I hadn’t put on a show of resolve.

She met my calm eyes and, without a word, stepped forward and placed her hand on my head.

“I don’t usually do things like this…”

“You’re insane.”

“But for some reason, I want to this time. Just once, I’ll try trusting you.”

Along with Number 1’s groan of disbelief,

I died.