Heat the Pig Liver - Volume 3: Interlude 5

Interlude 5 – A Certain Middle-Aged Man’s Past

The structure of the capital, which had been reinforced over the course of 100 years, was much stronger than the man had imagined.

 

It was impossible even for this man, who proclaimed to be Mestria’s most skilled mage, to slip through the king’s surveillance and rewrite the information.  Not only was his eldest daughter taken “underground,” his second daughter was as well.  They won’t even receive any special work privileges, and will live as Yesmas like every other daughter of the capital’s citizens.  This way, no one would know that they carry the blood of royalties.

 

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for.  I’ve already prepared myself.  It’s the same for everyone else as well.”

 

The man’s wife spoke resolutely.  She was a beautiful woman with clear brown eyes.

 

Practically all children born in the capital were separated from their parents at birth and became the property of the royal dynasty.  Parents were only allowed to name their children and be informed of their death.

 

All other interferences were prohibited by law, and if violated, everyone involved would die.

 

“They’re your children after all.  Ys and Jess…  I’m sure they’ll be able to survive.  Let’s believe in them and wait patiently.”

 

“You’re right.  Since they’re your daughters, I’m sure they’ll grow up to be beautiful and loved.”

 

Eleven years after his wife nodded in tears, their first daughter died.

 

The monastery that hid her had been set on fire by the prince.  Their daughter, who escaped from there, was killed by the Yesma hunters.

 

And the prince was the man’s older brother.

 

In order to investigate her connection to the monastery, the man’s wife’s family was investigated.  Although her innocence was proven and her husband’s secret was kept hidden, she was driven into a corner by fear and despair.

 

If our lies were discovered and something were to happen to Jess…

 

Under the beautiful starry sky, the man’s beloved woman threw herself off a cliff and committed suicide.

 

The man lost himself in this overly cruel chain of fate.  After transforming himself into a dog and soaking his leg in the Fountain of Memories to complete the seal on his ankle, he left the capital without telling anyone.

 

Then the man met the boy of his destiny.

 

It would be five years later that the boy would accompany a girl with a pig on her journey.