Chapter 71

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Suddenly, could someone come up with a name for Cerberus's child?

It can be a comment, a message, or even a casual report on an activity.

I can't offer any reward, but I'll choose based on my own judgment.

Thank you for your continued support of this work!

Alice shouted her brother's name and tried to rush to the cage, but was stopped by the guild members.

Through the bars, Cerberus's fierce figure lunging at Camus could be seen. It's too late! Cerberus's three heads would tear Camus apart mercilessly.

Everyone held their breath, except for Melissa, who whispered beside me.

"Camus will be fine. Absolutely."

I couldn't help but look at Melissa.

She was pale but bravely stared straight at the cage.

"Good, good, you guys must be really hungry. Here, I'll play with you later, so eat quickly!"

Camus was alive.

He was pinned down by Cerberus's front paws but the three heads were taking turns licking Camus's face.

"Does Camus have a skill...?"

"Yes, he seems to have the Pawn Dog skill. He really takes risks!"

The Cerberus that seemed so fierce was now playfully frolicking like a puppy.

Among beastmasters, only a select few possess the powerful "Pawn Dog" skill.

Most beastmasters gradually tame monsters using magic items like horns.

However, with the "Pawn Dog" skill, even a child like Cerberus can be tamed.

Camus apparently has such a skill.

Alice, standing in front of the cage, seemed relieved.

From her reaction, it seems Camus acquired this skill during the six months of his missing memory.

A mother was scolding a girl who had rushed out.

Apparently, she was a neighbor's child who had approached despite being told not to.

While Cerberus was engrossed in his long-awaited meal, Camus slowly emerged from the cage.

"Well, this should be fine for a while. Alice, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"Would you like to talk?"

Alice smiled and nodded vigorously.

"However, I have no intention of remembering the past."

At those words, Alice's relaxed expression froze.

As dusk approached, we returned to the dining hall.

I thought it would be better for the siblings to talk alone, but Alice stopped me.

"Noah. Can you stay with me...?"

The always composed Alice was clutching the hem of my clothes. She was clearly shaken, though she didn't show it.

Camus is not Nicol. He is someone else with the face of a well-known brother.

Moreover, Camus said he has no intention of returning to his original life, meaning he has no intention of recovering Nicol's memories.

I sat next to Alice, with Melissa facing us.

Alice and Camus looked at each other as if in a mirror.

"My memory starts from when I woke up in Melissa's bed."

"I found Camus, surrounded by Bushwolves, covered in blood. I was very surprised. I thought he would be eaten by the Bushwolves."

Melissa continued where Camus left off.

Bushwolves are small monsters that live in the forest in groups of about ten.

"But it was different. The Bushwolves had brought Camus here to save him. I don't know what happened, but I immediately returned to the village to get my father."

When they returned, the Bushwolves were watching them from a distance.

"When I woke up, I didn't understand anything, but Melissa took care of me. The village chief, who was useless, took me in and treated me like family."

Eventually, Camus could move well enough to live without much trouble.

The lack of memory only affected his relationships and memories, not the actions needed for daily life.

"Finally, when I went outside to find something I could do, Melissa and I were almost attacked by a monster in the forest."

Camus apparently acquired his skill while desperately trying to protect Melissa.

"Camus always takes risks."

"Melissa worries too much. I had already activated the 'Pawn Dog' skill before entering the cage."

Indeed, even to save a girl, entering the cage with Cerberus was dangerous. The skill might have protected him, but Cerberus was still baring its fangs until the last moment.

Melissa's unconvinced gaze prompted Camus to continue.

"Only the middle head. Did you really think I had to cast the skill on each head separately?"

Activating the 'Pawn Dog' skill can take time, depending on the monster. In Cerberus's case, the skill had to be cast on all three heads simultaneously.

"...I see. Even as Nicol, you were always better with animals than me. You even taught me how to ride a dragon."

Alice looked at Camus and said softly.

Camus must have had the talent of a beastmaster from the beginning.

When he was attacked and left alone, that talent helped him survive.

What happened to him is unknown. Unless Camus recovers his memories as Nicol, it will remain a mystery.

However, when he reached this village and found someone he wanted to protect, Camus fought desperately and made the skill his own.

"Initially, I wanted to know who I was. But thinking about what would happen if my memory returned, I got scared."

If Nicol's memories returned, would Camus's memories disappear? Or would he remember both?

No one knows.

"No one searched for me for over half a year, even though I was lying there in such a state. If that's the kind of life I had, I prefer being who I am now."

"...I see."

I wanted to tell Alice how hard she had searched for her brother, but she bit her lip and remained silent.

From the interaction between Camus and Melissa, it was clear that he was happy now.

I understood Camus's feelings, and I could see that Alice, understanding them, didn't want to destroy his happiness.

"But maybe it's because of our appearance, I can tell we're not strangers. I've had a strange feeling all day. It's weird, isn't it..."

Alice's clenched hand slowly opened as Camus continued.

"I'm Alice. Your twin sister. I took your place."

Everyone tilted their heads at Alice's words.

"Does that mean I was abandoned by my family?"

"No, you left on your own. I wanted to be a knight, so I took the position you were supposed to have."

Alice's tone was matter-of-fact, almost cold.

"So, if I return home, Alice will be in trouble?"

"Yes."

"I see."

Her tone was so matter-of-fact that even we, who knew the situation, might have mistaken her for a cold person.

However, there was no hatred or anger between them.

In just a few words, they seemed to understand each other completely.

Perhaps twins have some mysterious connection, even without memories.

"I'm Camus. A beastmaster in this village. I don't intend to remember the past, but I don't deny that we are twins. Nice to meet you again, Alice."

"Nice to meet you too, Camus."

They extended their hands simultaneously and tapped each other's shoulders in a perfectly symmetrical motion.

Twins should be together!

That's purely my preference. If asked why they were separated, I can only say it's my preference. It's a bit of a problem.

Next, we'll return to the capital!

2015/01/12 Revised