Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 158



Only Krnovel

The Regressor’s Notepad 158

Ghost (1)

We are floating on the sea of ​​the soul.

It’s quite peaceful. The scenery is like a movie, and the wind and waves are calm.

[3:13:03]

The remaining time is also quite adequate.

“No, I said the statue was joking!! That damn statue!!”

Raye on deck is still complaining.

“Looking at it, I don’t think I should trust what the spirits say. I don’t know what the purpose of this test is.”

Crack-!

Just then, a bite occurred on the fishing rod I had set up. I quickly pulled it up.

Gurruruk──!

A large fish was caught.

It’s probably about 70cm long. This is the 10th one.

I told the group.

“Should we eat now?”

“good!”

Raye was the first to run over and shout.

“Wow! I caught a really big one, Zion! Let’s make some sashimi and eat it!”

“It’s better to eat it grilled.”

“What, you don’t like Zion? It’s a child’s taste~”

“It’s a waste.”

It’s a waste of calories to run around when you don’t know when the test will end.

The boat had a simple kitchen, so I cleaned the fish there.

As I was about to start cooking, someone quietly came up to me and stood next to me.

“Zion.”

It was Soliet. She asked, fiddling with the handle of the frying pan.

“Can I help you with anything?”

“No. It’s okay.”

“… … .”

Then he steps back slightly and opens the kitchen cupboard.

“There are quite a few seasonings available.”

As she said, there was a lot of salt, pepper, and such. Of course, there were no brands or anything, just in glass bottles.

“I know.”

I picked up the salt shaker and sprinkled it on the cleaned fish.

Soliet glanced over and asked.

“Zion. Aren’t you curious about what the Bethenden team members are doing?”

“You must be eating.”

“… … Zion is cold.”

“──What is Bedundun?”

It was Raye who happened to be looking into the kitchen. She approached him, tilting her head. Then, Solliet immediately put on a sales face.

“It’s a game. It’s fun, Raye. It’s a little dangerous, though.”

“Really? I don’t really like games… … .”

I put the fish on the frying pan. Solliet smiled slightly as she watched the fish cook sizzling.

“It looks delicious.”

“Ah, I can’t stand it. I’ll go out.”

Raye swallowed and went out of the kitchen.

Again, we were left alone.

“……Zion.”

Soliet called out to me cautiously. I looked back at her.

“why.”

“… … .”

There’s nothing much to say.

I have nothing else to say.

To be honest, it might be awkward for me, and it actually feels a little awkward, but it’s not to the point where we can’t talk to each other.

In fact, it is more comfortable than before.

To put it bluntly, is it because I was able to let it all out so easily?

“……no.”

Solliet looked at me intently and shook her head. I gestured to her at the plates on the shelf.

“If you want to do something, just throw away the dishes.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As if she had finally found something to do, she picked out her plate with enthusiasm and passion.

* * *

Freshly cooked grilled fish. Solliet picked up the tender meat with her chopsticks and ate it, steam rising from the plate.

“Wow──!!”

Raye next to her shouted first. Solliet almost flinched.

“Zion, this is really delicious!! Did you make this by yourself?”

“Solid also got involved.”

Solliet shrugged proudly at Zion’s words.

“I was in charge of serving and plating.”

“I didn’t cook.”

“… … I also found salt.”

“Anyway, it’s really delicious!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She laughed quietly.

It’s delicious.

Since when, no, since [Planarium].

I feel like my appetite is coming back.

Since ‘that day’, I have lived my life practically giving up the pleasure of eating.

Solliet picked up another piece of meat and ate it.

“……and.”

A rich flavor that spreads in your mouth.

From that she gains a little confidence.

Just as my appetite returned, I too could recover.

Now we can move forward into the present, not the past… … .

“……Zion.”

Soliet called him. He looked back at himself and nodded.

“huh?”

“It’s delicious.”

“Oh. That’s good.”

Zion chuckled, and Gerken next to him nodded.

“… … It’s delicious. But now it’s time to look for somewhere else.”

There’s one hour left. Fortunately, there’s no indication on the ticket. At least that means there aren’t any enemies around here.

“It’s okay. Just go a little further and you’ll see land.”

Zion said. Gerken looked around the sea. Raye also stretched his neck and muttered.

“It’s a vast ocean?”

“I can see it. Just eat something first.”

They concentrated on their meal, and with about 30 minutes left, Zion took the boat out again.

After running like that for about 20 minutes, land appeared.

“Wow, that’s true. Zion has really good eyesight.”

“Everyone, get off.”

7 minutes remaining.

The group got off the boat.

“let’s go.”

Zion took the lead.

“… … .”

Solliet walked along, looking at his back.

Suddenly, a memory came to mind. There was a time when I was carried on his back.

His back was broader than before.

Physically and psychologically.

“Hey! There’s a stone statue over there!”

Then Raye pointed somewhere. There was a four-headed stone statue.

The team members first approached it.

“That kid!!”

No, I chased after Raye, who was running as if he was going to break it at any moment.

“Hey! Are you listening?”

At those words, the stone statue moved again.

──You managed to get here.

“What the heck! I almost got into trouble because of you!”

──Hahahaha. Take this as a lesson.

The stone statue moved its mouth as it spoke. Raye flinched and stepped back.

“What are you trying to do again!”

──Whew!

The stone statue spat out a piece of paper.

──This is a map that leads to the destination. This time, it’s the truth.

Raye’s face became slightly cold, but soon she shouted.

“… … I don’t believe it!”

──Hahaha! Believe it or not, it’s your freedom! It’s also your ability to distinguish between truth and lies!

“What?! Don’t be fooled, guys! This guy is a total idiot!”

“… … ”

But Zion picked up the paper without saying a word. Solliet glanced at it too.

There was a large destination sign not far away.

“But this is the only hint I have.”

Zion said, waving the map.

“… … That’s true, but.”

Raye glared at the statue with suspicious eyes.

“Is it real this time? Can I trust you?”

Suddenly, the speech changed back to formal speech. The stone statue nodded while laughing.

──That’s right. It’s right to be skeptical of the soul’s words, but this time, I promise. It’s true.

“… … At the risk of your soul’s honor?”

──With the honor of my soul at stake!

“then…….”

Raye looked at the group’s faces.

“What do you want to do? Should we be fooled just once?”

* * *

[airplane]

The [destination] written on the stone statue’s map was the airport. A moderately sized airship was parked there, and a stone statue was standing on the dock leading to its entrance.

“Over there!”

Raye ran quickly.

“Professor Seok Sang, you really didn’t lie this time?”

Before I knew it, it had changed to an extremely polite form of address.

──Hahaha! I passed the first test!

The stone statue spoke with a smile. Raye rubbed her hands together.

“I believed you~”

──Good! Okay! Now, let’s get on the airship one by one! Let’s go through the check-in process!

“Over here!”

Raye held out the ticket first. The stone statue bit it.

──Whew! Check! Come up! Passed the first test!

“Yay!”

Raye hurried in. I also handed over my ticket.

──Ouch! Check!

I climbed the stairs and entered the airship.

Wheeeeeeee… … .

The moment I entered, I felt a strange sense of discomfort. It was as if a strange wind was sticking to my skin.

“… … ?”

However, nothing happened. I looked around the inside of the airship. There were many seats, but they were empty, and Raye was sitting in the front seat.

“Zion, come here! There are plenty of seats!”

Waving his hands around.

Then came Soliet and Gerken.

“Wow. It’s spacious.”

“Uh. Let’s sit down.”

We sat side by side next to Raye.

“Is there no in-flight meal?”

Raye looks around, and Solliet looks slightly nervous.

I thought she was cute for no reason. She felt my gaze and muttered with a blush on her face.

“This is my first time on an airship.”

“Really? Is this your first time on a Sollit airship~?”

“──Oh, what is it?”

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

“Wasn’t that Raye’s voice just now?”

We looked back at it.

It was a new party.

Kane, Escher, Brown, and Elise. They just entered the airship.

Raye waved her hand.

“Hey Ellie~!”

“Can’t you see us?”

Kane narrowed his eyes.

──Everyone, take your seats! We’re about to set sail!

At the very front of the airship. The stone statue moved its mouth again.

Elise’s party sat side by side behind us. Raye turned to Elise and smiled sinisterly.

“Ellie. Do you want to switch seats with me?”

“… …What are you talking about?”

“Can’t you see who’s sitting next to me~? Hehe~ It’s Zion~”

“… … .”

I also looked back. When our eyes met, Elise flinched and trembled, gritting her teeth as she muttered.

“… … Be quiet. Before I kill you.”

──Everyone, fasten your seatbelts! We’re about to take off!

Clank- clank- the sound of a seat belt being fastened rang out.

Boooooooooooooooooooooo The airship rose.

──Takeoff successful!

Soliet whispered in my ear.

… … Zion. Isn’t that statue too noisy?”

Now they’re gossiping too.

I smiled and nodded.

“I know.”

──Now you can take off your seatbelt!

But I keep feeling like someone is watching me from behind.

It was Elise. She looked at Soliet and me alternately with an uncomfortable look in her eyes.

──Then, let’s start the second test right away!

Everyone was startled by the sudden words. They were leaning back against the chair, and quickly turned their gaze towards the stone statue.

The stone statue’s expression hardened into a frightening expression.

──Hehehe. This is the spirit’s airship. There’s a ‘fake’ in it.

Blink, blink – The lights inside the airship suddenly flicker.

The atmosphere also became gloomy and depressed.

──The spirit is in human form. It is mixed in here. Pick out the spirit before the airship takes off. If you fail to do so, you may lose your body forever.

“What, what did you say?!”

Raye was startled. I looked around the seat next to me. Raye, Gerken, Soliet.

Behind them are Elise, Escher, Kane, and James.

Was there any room for the spirit to intervene?

──But! If it’s too difficult, it won’t be fun, so I’ll take questions! Once per person! I’ll answer every question truthfully. You can ask quietly, or you can ask in public!

Click- Elise unbuckled her seatbelt first. She got up from her seat and looked around.

I also unbuckled my seatbelt. Looking at me like that, Elise asked me casually.

“… … It’s not you, is it?”

Soliet came in between.

“It is not Zion. It has been with us until now.”

“‘Until now’… … ?”

Elise’s brow furrowed slightly. She bit her lip as if to smirk.

“Solid. Did I ask you?”

“… … Since we were together the whole time, it means it’s certain.”

Solliet answered. Elise cracked her neck. She looked ready to fight at any moment.

“first!”

match-!

Just then, Escher clapped his hands.

“Let me ask you a question. First of all, there’s one fake among us, right?”

Then he approached the stone statue first.

“Hmm. Mr. Stone Statue. Does the vengeful spirit know that he is a vengeful spirit?”

──I don’t know.

“… … Hmm. You don’t know?”

Escher came back, eyebrows furrowed.

“Oh. This time I’ll do it!”

Raye quickly approached the stone statue. She put both hands on her belly and bowed in greeting.

“Hello, Seok Sang Seon Sang. I’m Raye. You know me, right?”

──I know!

“That’s great! Then-”

──Next!

“……yes?”

Raye asked blankly.

“I haven’t asked yet.”

──Your questions are over. You asked if I knew you, and I said I knew you.

“What, what are you talking about! That’s just a self-introduction!”

Raye’s face turned bright red. The stone statue nodded coldly.

──Go back, you idiot.

“What, what are you saying?! This piece of shit! Do you want to die?!”

“Come out.”

Elise pulled Raye out, lightly slapping her cheek as well.

“Who wants to do it next?”

“me.”

I raised my hand. Elise looked at me intently and nodded.

“Try it.”

I approached the statue. I stood in front of it and replayed the words it had said.

-This is the spirit’s airship.

-There’s a ‘fake’ in there.

-The spirit has a human form.

-It’s mixed in here.

“… … .”

Suddenly, a thought pops into my head.

“I’ll ask you a question personally.”

──As much as you want.

I looked around quietly at the people inside.

Laye, still stamping her feet and grumbling in frustration. Soliet looking at me. Elise looking back and forth between Soliet and me. Asher and Kane with suspicious eyes. Gerken standing there, seemingly thinking calmly.

“Stone statue.”

I whispered in the statue’s ear.

“Did you lie on this airship?”

Perhaps the most important question of all.

──No. I only told the truth.

“At the risk of your soul’s honor?”

──That’s right.

I nodded. Thanks to that, I understood right away.

No, it wasn’t, when I got on the airship.

The unexplained sense of discomfort that crossed my mind at that time was bothering me the whole time.

“Do you understand?”

Elise asked back. I answered with a smirk.

“Oh. I knew it. Who the fake is.”

“Oh really? Who are you?!”

Raye’s eyes widened.

“Fake is… … .”

I stretched out my finger.