TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 30

Not long ago, Padma and Emerald had been tracking Albin’s whereabouts and arrived in a bustling city. They didn’t find him, but they did hear that the Sun Temple was searching for a white-haired, red-eyed child, claiming he was the new Holy Son.

“Then aren’t they looking for Albin?” Emerald asked.

Padma furrowed his brows. Having once been abandoned in the Bloodwine Pool, he had no fondness for human temples.

Inside a Golden Honeysuckle Trading Guild outpost, they searched for clues about Albin’s next possible destination. Since Emerald was illiterate, he relied entirely on Padma to read.

Padma opened a letter addressed to Albin. It was filled with trivial intelligence reports, seemingly instructions Albin had left behind in the Kingdom of Rattan Grass, helping some children who had supposedly died long ago.

That child was indeed that kind-hearted.

As Padma skimmed through the information, a sudden splitting headache struck him. Emerald noticed and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

Padma shook his head and continued flipping through the documents, roughly confirming Albin’s possible route.

“They headed south.”

Without hesitation, they set off in pursuit.

They couldn’t possibly leave that apocalyptic demon dragon alone with Albin—it was like sending a lamb into the jaws of a wolf.

Monsters could travel at night just as well, and within days, they caught up with Albin just as he was about to enter a city.

Emerald excitedly prepared to rush forward, only to be yanked back by the tail.

“Wait a moment,” Padma said warily, narrowing his eyes. “There are Sun Temple people over there.”

Emerald, dangling like a wind-blown bamboo shoot, dizzily asked, “Where?”

“That old priest is talking to Albin about something… I don’t trust it,” Padma muttered. “I’ll go check it out first. Your ability to disguise your demonic aura is too weak—you’ll be exposed the moment that old priest gets close. I’ll come back for you later.”

“Alright,” Emerald agreed. “Just throw me into the forest first.”

Padma did as requested, taking a big step, twisting his body for momentum, and launching Emerald like a shot put. With a whoosh, Emerald became a streaking meteor, landing among the trees like a ribbon draped over the branches.

–

At the City Gates.

The old priest stared at Albin’s hand, his eyes nearly popping out, but he found no holy markings.

Still unwilling to give up, he asked, “What about other parts of your body?”

While the Sun God’s holy mark usually appeared on the back of the hand, what if this time was an exception?

“There’s nothing,” Albin confirmed.

The priest’s unwavering conviction crumbled inch by inch, his gaze growing hazy and lost. He murmured in disbelief, lips trembling.

Albin frowned. “What exactly do you mean by ‘White Talent’?”

“Affinity with all attributes, and a Level 12 Talent.”

Albin was stunned.

A full-attribute Level 12 Talent—that sounded incredibly powerful.

The priest continued mumbling, “There’s no way he has no holy mark…”

Each temple had its own method for selecting the Holy Son, but the foundation was always talent.

The Sun Temple’s method was the simplest of all—no flashy trials, no complicated evaluations.

The Sun God only accepted the highest-level talents. Every past Holy Son had been a Level 12 Light or Fire talent.

So this made no sense.

Had the Sun God changed his preference? Or had they found the wrong person?

If he could, the priest would have asked the Sun God directly, but only priests and Holy Sons could communicate with the deity—and they currently had neither.

The former pope was gone, and Zeman was missing. They desperately needed a new Holy Son.

“Are you alright, Grandpa?” Albin asked, noticing the priest’s sudden hunching posture. Worried he might collapse, he reached out to support him. “It’s okay if you got the wrong person. You can just keep looking.”

The moment Albin’s fingers brushed against a decorative crystal on the priest’s robe, it suddenly shone with a dazzling white light.

The priest’s gaze snapped to the crystal—a portable detection crystal that could identify attributes but not accurately gauge talent. It was typically used when recruiting potential candidates from the countryside or poaching talent from rival factions.

Their last Holy Son, Zeman, had been poached like this—strike first, secure the prize!

The child’s talent was exactly as the reports described.

Somewhere along the way, something must have gone wrong, but regardless, a talent like this was too valuable. Even if he couldn’t become the Holy Son, he was still an elite recruit any faction would fight over.

The priest’s face softened into a kindly smile. “Good child, you’re truly gifted. Come study magic at the Sun Temple—we’ll provide you with the best treatment. The Sun God will surely bless you and bring you endless glory.”

Seeing Albin’s hesitation, he quickly added, “There’s a Sun Temple in this city as well. Are you merchants?”

He glanced at the startled bookseller behind Albin and said amicably, “If you don’t have a place to stay, you’re welcome at the temple. We will take good care of you. Are you this child’s father?”

The bookseller frantically waved his hands. “No, I was just asked to escort him.”

“In that case…” The priest was about to continue when a hand landed on Albin’s shoulder. A pink-haired man, dressed like a butler, interrupted with a hostile tone, looking at the priest as if he were a child trafficker.

“I am this child’s guardian.”

Albin looked up in surprise. “Brother Padma!”

Why was Padma here?

Wait, wasn’t Padma a monster? Wasn’t it dangerous for him to show up so openly before a priest?

Albin nervously darted his eyes around, half-expecting the priest to suddenly shout, “Aha! You demon! Prepare to be exorcised!”

The priest scrutinized Padma seriously, while Padma smiled pleasantly, unfazed by his gaze.

Like a perfect butler, Padma positioned himself between Albin and the priest, bowing elegantly and politely declining. “No need to trouble yourself, Your Holiness. I have already arranged accommodations for Young Master Albin.”

Albin’s heart pounded.

Fortunately, the priest didn’t see through Padma’s demonic nature. He only studied their relationship with slight suspicion.

Peeking from behind Padma’s arm, Albin also declined the priest’s offer. “Thank you, Grandpa, but we don’t need to stay at the temple.”

Although he was curious about the temple’s accommodations, he was also worried about Padma getting exposed.

The priest did not insist.

“Child,” he said instead, “Even if you don’t stay at the temple, you should take your time here. This is a beautiful city, blessed by the Sun God. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

Albin nodded. “I’ll stay for a few days.”

He planned to wait here for his father to catch up.

With that, the priest smiled and signaled the guards to let them in, even waiving the usual entrance fees.

Of course, Padma’s so-called “arranged accommodations” were just an excuse to fool the priest.

After entering the city, he apologized to Albin, saying, “I’m sorry for what I said earlier, but I think since you don’t have any close adults around you, it’s best not to face the people from the Sun Temple alone. I’m afraid they might deceive you.”

“You didn’t say anything wrong.” Albin reassured him that there was no need to apologize. “Thanks to Brother Padma for helping me out. I really didn’t know how to deal with them.”

Even after hearing what the village elder had said, he still had mixed feelings about the temple. He wasn’t sure whether they were good people or bad.

Albin muttered, “I never expected that I would have some kind of ‘White Talent’… Can this talent make someone really powerful?”

He still felt dazed. Finding out about his talent so suddenly, he couldn’t quite grasp the reality of it.

“Of course!” The book merchant spoke with some excitement. “A talent with full +12 attributes—every major temple will probably fight over you to make you their Holy Son! I think the Sun Temple has that intention too.”

“Really?” Albin’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Of course it’s true.” The book merchant sighed, ruffling Albin’s hair. “I never expected to meet such a genius.”

Albin puffed out his chest and grinned. “Wow, I really am amazing! No wonder—I’m me!”

“It’s a shame that my father isn’t here… I have to tell him this great news!” He was already imagining how Zeman would praise him upon learning about it.

Dad would definitely be very happy!

The three of them checked into an inn. According to the original plan, the book merchant’s commission would be completed once he brought Albin and his father here. But now that Zeman was temporarily away, the book merchant decided to look after Albin for a few more days—he had business to conduct in the city anyway.

He never considered leaving Albin in Padma’s care. After all, Padma was a suddenly appearing steward. Even though Albin claimed to know him, the book merchant remained cautious.

Padma didn’t mind the book merchant’s wariness. However, upon learning that Albin’s father was absent again, his gaze flickered.

After entering their room at the inn, Padma put down his suitcase, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “Albin, do you know your father’s true identity?”

“I don’t! Do you, Brother Padma?” Albin’s curiosity was piqued. “I’ve never known what my dad does. He always leaves mysteriously…”

Padma thought of that sinister dragon and felt that Albin couldn’t be kept in the dark any longer.

That was the very reason he had come.

He had to expose the dragon’s true nature and take Albin away from its grasp.

Why should a dragon be allowed to have a child like this?

“He is actually—”

Before he could finish, Albin suddenly stood on tiptoe and pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shh—” Albin winked at him, signaling him to stay silent.

Padma was taken aback. “Don’t you want to know who he really is? Don’t you want to know why he always leaves? Don’t you want to understand his true intentions toward you?”

“I do want to know, but my dad doesn’t want to tell me—that’s his secret.”

Albin answered seriously, “Everyone has little secrets. I have some, and Brother Padma probably does too, right? This is my dad’s secret, so I want him to tell me himself, not learn about it from someone else.”

Padma was silent for a moment before asking, “What if… he never plans to tell you?”

Albin pondered. “Then I guess I’ll never know. But I’d still be curious. I’d openly ask him about it, or maybe I’d discover it by accident. If my dad still doesn’t want me to know, I could just pretend I never did.”

Curiosity was one thing, but he wouldn’t snoop behind someone’s back.

If this were a classroom, such behavior would make other students dislike him.

“What if his secret could put you in danger?” Padma pressed.

Albin pouted in protest. “Dad would never hurt me.”

Padma remained unconvinced. “But what if he could?”

Albin frowned—he didn’t like that assumption.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve never been in that situation.”

He had always lived in a safe environment. No one had ever tried to hurt him.

Padma stared at the innocent, clueless child who had no understanding of the cruel world. Instead, he turned the question around: “What if you discovered someone else’s secret that could harm your father? Would you tell him?”

Albin thought carefully.

“It doesn’t matter if the person in danger is my dad or someone else—if it could hurt someone, I would tell. I have to stop people from getting hurt, even if it means they’d hate me.”

He lifted his head and gave Padma a bright, confident smile.

He understood what Padma was implying—Padma was trying to say that his father’s secret was dangerous to him.

But Albin couldn’t believe that.

Before Padma could speak again, Albin quickly asked, “Brother Padma, if I found out this secret, how would I react?”

He wanted to use this to determine whether he should know the truth.

Padma was momentarily stumped.

A normal child, upon learning their adoptive father was a terrifying dragon that wanted to drink their blood, would undoubtedly be frightened and run away, obediently seeking shelter elsewhere.

But this child in front of him didn’t think normally.

Padma fell into deep thought.

This kid already adored the dragon without knowing the truth. If he found out the dragon was his father, he’d probably love him even more, right?

No, that was unacceptable!

He couldn’t let the dragon gain even more favor.

The identity of the Sun Temple’s Holy Son—though Padma despised it—was also a status boost in human society. He couldn’t reveal that either!

As for the blood-slave matter…

Thinking back to the vision of Albin in his dream, Padma had an unsettling thought.

If this kid learned that his blood could ease his father’s curse, he might actually throw himself into the dragon’s jaws willingly.

No, that was out of the question too!

Padma covered his face with his gloved hand, hiding his darkening expression.

How did all these supposed “bad” truths only make Zeman look better?

Was there no way to make Albin dislike him?

“Brother Padma?” Albin called.

Padma snapped out of his thoughts and put on a helpless smile.

“I understand now. I think this secret might not be suitable for you to know.”

“See? That’s what I thought too!” Albin sighed in relief. “I’ll just wait for Dad to tell me himself.”

It seemed that Brother Padma must have misunderstood his father.

Albin flopped onto the inn bed to rest. After a whole day of traveling by carriage, exhaustion washed over him.

“Oh, Brother Padma, why are you here anyway?—Ah! I can handle my own luggage!” He quickly jumped off the bed to stop Padma from helping him unpack.

With his soft pink hair draping over his shoulders, Padma looked pitiful, as if he had suffered great misfortune. His brows were furrowed with a hint of sorrow and defeat. “I was dismissed by the earl. I have no job and no place to stay.”

“What?! What should we do?” Albin immediately worried. “Why did the earl dismiss you?”

“Perhaps he found my cooking unsatisfactory.” Padma sighed, lowering his gaze in apparent dejection. “It’s my fault for having such poor skills…”

“That’s not true! Brother Padma’s cooking is amazing! I think it’s delicious!” Albin declared passionately. “Don’t be discouraged, Brother Padma! Someone will love your cooking as much as I do!”

Padma smiled faintly. “I hope so. I was planning to travel south…”

Albin gasped. “Wow! You’re heading south too?”

Padma feigned surprise. “Which country are you going to?”

“The Rose Kingdom!”

Padma’s surprise deepened.

“What a coincidence, I’m also heading to the Rose Kingdom. A marquise who appreciates my skills is vacationing there, and I plan to seek a new job with her.”

“You’ll definitely succeed!” Albin was delighted that Padma would soon have a new job. “My dad and I are going there too. Since we’re headed the same way, do you want to travel together?”

Padma’s eyes lit up with surprise, and he eagerly agreed. “Sure! I have some savings, so I’ll cover my own expenses along the way.”

But then, as if remembering something, his joy suddenly faded. He lowered his gaze and murmured, “But if I travel with you, will your father disapprove?”

“It’s just sharing the road. My father is the kindest person—I’ll talk to him properly.” Albin was full of confidence.

Hearing him describe Zeman as kind, Padma’s smile faltered slightly. He suppressed a twitch at the corner of his mouth and said leisurely, “That would be best. Since he’s your father, I suppose he wouldn’t be a petty person. I must have misunderstood before.”

Albin nodded firmly. “That’s right! My dad is a great man.”

“Thank you both for letting me join you on the journey. During the trip, let me take care of you instead.” Padma spoke with conviction. “There’s still some time before we leave—I need to refine my skills. I can’t afford to be rusty and disappoint the marquise.”

So that was his plan.

Albin no longer stopped him from helping pack their belongings but instead moved closer to lend a hand.

“Brother Padma, why do magical creatures attack humans?” Albin asked in confusion. “Clearly, magical beings like you can get along well with humans. Even Mr. Dragon is very kind.”

Faced with this question, Padma originally wanted to sneer, to curse humans and gods alike, to make this child utterly disappointed in humanity.

He wanted to stain this pure child with his own colors.

But when he met Albin’s sincere, eager red eyes, his resentment unexpectedly calmed.

Wasn’t the child’s preciousness precisely in that untouchable purity?

If he revealed the truth, would Albin make the same choice as in his dreams?

In his dreams, the child had been a beacon of hope for magical beings.

“Stay away from other magical creatures,” he finally reined in his hatred and warned calmly. “From the moment we are born, we are destined to lose control.”

“Many magical creatures hate humans. Some, like you, are naive and want to coexist peacefully. But the closer they get to humans, the more devastating their destruction becomes when they lose control.”

“Will you and Mr. Dragon lose control too?”

“I haven’t lost control yet, but that dragon would be terrifying if he did.” Padma added, “But don’t judge by appearances. Some seemingly weak magical creatures can be even more dangerous when they lose control.”

He thought silently of one example.

Like that harmless-looking little emerald snake.

Albin asked, “Is there any way to prevent magical creatures from losing control?”

Padma frowned. “Why do you care so much about magical creatures?”

After all, this child identified as human.

“Because our fates are intertwined. We live on the same land and affect each other. If we can, why should we fight instead of helping one another?”

Albin thought, if magical creatures and humans cooperated, there’d be no need to hunt them. Everyone would live safer lives. Magical creatures like Emerald wouldn’t starve before receiving aid, and humanoid beings like Padma could work for wages just like humans—maybe fox-like beings would even be more popular!

As for Mr. Dragon…

Maybe people could ride dragons for long-distance travel in the future! (Slurp) That’d be super cool!

Just like the storybooks he had read—what an amazing thought!

Padma did not tell him the truth about the curse.

This child was only eight years old. He had never been raised by magical creatures, nor should he bear responsibilities that weren’t his.

The task of killing gods to break the curse belonged to magical beings.

He ruffled Albin’s hair, smiling gently. “It’s too early for a child to think about these things.”

“It’s not too early!” Albin proudly lifted his chin. “I’m a genius! The people at the Sun Temple even mistook me for the Holy Child and swore I had a sacred mark! It was a mix-up, but if I were the Holy Child, I’d definitely make a difference!”

He figured the Sun Temple had picked the wrong Holy Child—unless the Sun God enjoyed getting cursed at.

Hmm… The Sun God wasn’t that twisted, was he?

“A sacred mark?” Padma frowned. That sounded like some kind of insignia.

“They say those chosen as Holy Children have red markings on their bodies.” Albin pulled at his nightshirt, when suddenly—clink!

He looked up to see Padma, who had been about to light a lamp, accidentally drop the oil lamp. His expression shifted, and his pink fox-like eyes suddenly turned sharp.

Padma quickly regained his composure. Seeing the spilled oil, he picked up the lamp and said, “I’ll go refill the oil.”

But as he left the room, his expression grew increasingly grim.

Lowering his head, he glanced at his collarbone beneath his shirt. There, since the day he had taken human form, was a strange, cup-shaped red mark.

A memory surfaced.

The boy who had hunted him had been a scapegoat chosen by the nobles. To avoid discovery by the temple, they had stalled for time until the very day of the ritual before handing the boy over, making it seem like they had hesitated out of reluctance to sacrifice their beloved son.

That boy, who had just returned with his latest hunt, was taken away before he could even argue. Tied to the boy, barely alive, Padma was pushed into the Bloodwine Pool of the Dionysian Temple.

His memories beyond that were hazy, except for a playful voice.

“Oh? A fox this time? Interesting.”

He thought he would die. But after an unknown period, he awoke in an unfamiliar place.

Escaping human settlements, he realized he had survived because he had awakened the ability of [Regeneration].

But ever since then, he suffered from a strange affliction—blackouts, waking in unfamiliar places.

He had always believed this was the price of [Regeneration].

Yet Albin’s words had planted a terrifying suspicion in his mind.

Padma placed a hand over his collarbone.

The blood-red mark resembling the Dionysian Temple’s sacred chalice—could it be a divine mark?

In his time among humans, he had learned some myths.

The Dionysian God’s domain was precisely [Regeneration].

Was it mere coincidence? That after being thrown into the Bloodwine Pool, he gained the god’s power and mark?

He had no answers yet. Suppressing his unease, Padma returned with the oil lamp and dinner.

As Albin happily discussed the Holy Child selection criteria, Padma suddenly asked, “Albin, do you know the name of the Dionysian Temple’s priest?”

Albin happened to know. “His name is Latu. I even met him once, but I heard he’s been missing for a long time.”

Padma turned pale.

Back then, the boy who deceived him had not given a noble’s name, only his own.

“Little fox, hello. I’m Latu. Can I help treat your wounds?”

A terrifying thought emerged.

The boy who had tricked him—Latu—bore the same face as him.

And if they were the same person…

A chilling realization sent a wave of nausea through him.

Had the human he despised been living inside him all along?

“Ah, I just remembered—when I first met Brother Padma, he seemed a little familiar. You and Latu look somewhat alike. But your hair color, eye color, and aura are quite different.”

No, that Latu couldn’t possibly look like him.

And if they were truly the same person, that imposter could never have been chosen by the god of wine.

So then, who was the one actually chosen by the god of wine at that time?

And why did Latu appear with his face?

Why did he so often lose his memories?

A suspicion surfaced in Padma’s mind.

A chill swept over him, as if an invisible malice surrounded him. His stomach twisted violently, an indescribable disgust and repulsion surging up inside him. He covered his mouth and couldn’t suppress a dry heave.

—The human he despised might be residing within his body, using it without his knowledge.

—The god he loathed might have already marked him, relishing in the cruel joke of choosing a monster as a priest.

Albin hurried forward to support him, checking his condition. “Brother Padma, what’s wrong? I’ll go find a doctor—”

Padma suddenly grabbed his wrist, his entire body trembling.

“I’m fine… I just suddenly remembered something. Right now, I don’t want to see any humans.” His voice squeezed out through clenched teeth, filled with deep hatred.

Albin studied him, clearly worried.

“Then I’ll just hug you! I won’t say anything. I’m just a hugging bear.” He spoke gently, wrapping his arms around Padma as if trying to share his pain.

Padma’s trembling hand stroked the small head in his embrace, feeling that soft warmth. A soothing energy seemed to flow into his heart.

At that moment, he was immensely grateful that this child was not human.

This child had a pure soul, one capable of cleansing, a soul that did not stir his hatred.

After a long while, he felt his emotions gradually calm under that warmth. His hands no longer trembled.

He let out a bitter laugh. Perhaps it was just his imagination.

After all, such a thought was too absurd.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to shake off its influence.

Seeing that Padma was feeling a little better, Albin let out a relieved sigh.

“Brother Padma, if you’re feeling down, you can talk to me. Even if you don’t want to talk, the hugging bear will always be here.”

“Alright.” Padma lowered his gaze, hiding the unrest that had yet to fully subside, as if nothing had happened. He repeatedly reassured Albin that there was no need to worry.

He had actually made a child worry about him.

Watching Albin sitting at the table, working on his literacy assignments, Padma couldn’t help but smile at his own heavy mood.

If monsters really ended up being saved by a child who hadn’t even mastered reading, that would be utterly disgraceful.

“Ta-da~” Albin held up the parchment for Padma to check his copied words.

Seeing the confident expression on his face, Padma looked at the page with great anticipation.

But when he saw the handwriting, his eye twitched. After thinking for a while, he felt the only way to describe it was that the letters looked like they had crawled out of an emerald swamp.

“Very… playful. Truly the handwriting of a genius.”

Albin was completely unfazed. “It’s the quill’s fault! It’s too hard to use!”

Padma sighed, moved behind him, and leaned down, taking his hand in his own. He dipped the quill into ink and guided him stroke by stroke.

“Remember the way I move the pen and the pressure I use.”

To blend into noble society, he had specially trained in calligraphy. Whether it was intricate, decorative script or the simple letters suited for a child’s learning, he wrote them all with effortless elegance.

“Brother Padma, are you feeling better now?”

Padma paused, a drop of ink falling onto the paper. He turned the blot into a flowing, ornate letter and smiled. “Thank you, hugging bear.”

That his smile could one day genuinely hold gratitude—it was an unfamiliar feeling.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but laugh softly again.

The winter night fell quickly. Soon, the room was completely dark, save for the dim glow of an oil lamp, which wasn’t ideal for the eyes. Not wanting Albin to practice too long, Padma told him to wash up and go to bed.

There were two beds in the room. The book merchant slept in a neighboring chamber, while Padma and Albin each had their own bed. Soon, both drifted into deep sleep.

A sliver of moonlight spilled into the room, illuminating Padma’s bed.

The man on the bed, with soft pink hair, suddenly had his locks darken into a deep wine red. His facial features shifted slightly. His eyes abruptly opened, revealing the same wine-red hue. He rose from the bed and walked straight toward Albin’s.

His hairstyle was wild and untamed, unlike Padma’s usual sleek and orderly appearance.

He lifted the blanket and reached out, fingertips lightly touching the spot just below Albin’s collarbone.

At that moment, a voice filled with murderous intent rang out from behind him.

“Wine God, get away from my brother!”

The Wine God, Wan En, turned around. Seeing Moon, clad in a raven-feathered ceremonial robe, his violet eyes filled with killing intent, Wan En raised an eyebrow.

“You’ve taken an interest in this child too?” He laughed, raising his hands as if in surrender.

“This child is truly special—not only do you and the Sun God both favor him, but even the countless personalities within me seem to like him. Too bad you’re too late. I’ve already marked him, and I can’t wait to make him my new persona.”

He glanced downward, intending to proudly show off the divine mark he had just left.

But—

Why was there nothing there?

Where was the chalice-shaped divine mark?

His smile suddenly froze.

Wait! Last time, at the blood-wine pool, the Godslayer Spear had interfered, so he’d failed to mark him in the rush. But this time, he had personally come to brand him—so why was it still not working?

Did that make any sense?

In the next instant, a massive black scythe sliced clean through his head. Blood sprayed across the wall in a sharp crimson line.

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