Chapter 85: The Sun Will Not Disappear x I Will Chase You to the Dark Continent
Mother Kikyo's belly grew larger by the day. Father Silva could often be seen supporting her as they took evening strolls in the garden after dinner to aid digestion. During these times, Silva would shed his usual stern fatherly facade and perfectly embody the role of a considerate husband.
Roy emerged from visiting Grandpa Zzigg, having lasted three minutes this time. He leaned against the window frame, watching them quietly, relaxing his mind while waiting for Gotoh to bring his meal. He heard footsteps approaching from afar. White hair flowing, Grandfather Zeno arrived, hands behind his back, joining him in admiring the night view. In the garden, Kikyo was complaining about something, playfully punching Silva's arm.
"Your Great-Great-Grandfather asked me to tell you," Zeno began, "our family has had only one son for three generations. We don't have any brothers to offer advice. So..."
"From now on, hit him when you need to, scold him when you need to. As long as you don't kill him, the family has no objections."
"He went too far." Illumi was still hanging from the willow tree. He had declared that unless Roy personally untied him, he would hang there forever, might as well just die. Roy acted as if he hadn't heard. Silva and Kikyo, strolling nearby, also pretended not to see. Milluki, however, had paid him a visit that evening, urinating beneath him. If he could have reached, he probably would have aimed for his head. Even that, Illumi endured.
"Manipulators are all like that. The more they can't have something, the more they want to possess it. Roy," Zeno turned, looking at the boy with amusement, "I reckon you'll have your hands full with him in the future."
Is that so? The sun sets, but it does not disappear. The sun never belongs to just one person. How could it be possessed? Roy was unconcerned. "It's not a big problem."
"Cross the line once, get beaten once."
"Until he doesn't dare reach out again."
It was simple and brutal, yet effective. Zeno agreed, glancing at Illumi. My foolish, dear little brother shivered in the cold wind, swinging slightly. Zeno changed the subject. "Your request to access the family's intelligence agency—I denied it."
Zeno stated calmly, "Since you understand that some lines cannot be crossed, you yourself must adhere to the rules even more strictly."
The world of Hunters wasn't just about fighting; information gathering was crucial. The conversation with his father, Tanjuro, during the New Year was still fresh in Roy's mind. He felt it was time to take further action. Not just to delve deeper into Conjuration to cure Tanjuro, but also to secure a reliable and stable source of intelligence. The official Hunter Association website was a good option.
"I understand." Only the successive family heads had the authority to command the intelligence agency. That was an ironclad rule. In the original story, Milluki became a computer genius—perhaps this restriction was part of the reason.
"You understand well." Zeno turned, looking at the boy with satisfaction. "Since you seek freedom, you must rely on your own abilities. I look forward to the day your name is heard across the continents."
"It will be," the boy grinned. "I won't disappoint you, Grandfather."
"Heh heh..." Zeno chuckled, said nothing more, clapped his shoulder, and walked away with his hands behind his back. The weather was getting colder, and the Oldest Master was spending more and more time cooped up in his room. Zeno needed to check on him from time to time—if nothing else, giving him a massage to loosen his old bones was a good thing.
Tap... tap... Zeno's footsteps faded.
In the garden, Kikyo got the ice cream she wanted and contentedly linked her arm through Silva's.
Roy watched silently for a moment, then turned and headed back to his bedroom. Just as Gotoh pushed the dinner cart in, he saw the Young Master staring strangely at his face for a long time. Gotoh suspiciously touched his own beard and began setting the table.
"This morning, Illumi disguised himself as you and got into my bed." Roy took a bite of roast meat pizza sprinkled with chopped onions, speaking nonchalantly.
Gotoh: "..." He didn't know how to respond. His appearance... in bed... No wonder he'd been wondering why the Young Master was so furious this morning. Now it made sense. He deserved punishment! But, since it involved Young Master Illumi, it wasn't appropriate for a servant to inquire further. Gotoh simply served Roy his meal while reporting, "The tickets you asked me to buy have been booked in advance."
"We depart on December 27th, transfer once in Guianas, depart again on December 29th, and expect to arrive in the Saherta Republic on January 2nd. From there, we'll take a boat to Whale Island."
Roy had anticipated his request would likely be denied, so he had told Gotoh to prepare a backup plan: pursue the Hunter website route by getting a Hunter License first.
"Guianas... is that the entertainment capital famous for its performance industry?" Roy finished his pizza and wiped his hands with a napkin.
Gotoh pushed up his glasses. "Yes. Their circuses are very famous. We have a one-day layover; you could go sightseeing if you wish, Young Master."
Roy gave a noncommittal hum. The mention of circuses reminded him of someone—a man with extensive experience in apple cultivation, quite skilled with playing cards. His origins seemed to trace back to Guianas, specifically the Moritonio Troupe, famous for its "Flying Swim" act.
'Faceless' John Doe... psychopathic serial killer... Nen ability 'Pressured to Death'... Roy glanced at his panel. His "Life Energy" was depleted, urgently needing replenishment.
"Go make the preparations. We can't be late for the Hunter Exam on January 7th."
"Yes, sir."
Gotoh cleared the table and left.
Over the next few days, Roy ate, drank, and trained as usual. December arrived. The weather grew colder. Unlike Whale Island, which was like summer year-round, Kukuroo Mountain in winter had lost all its greenery, revealing a bleak landscape.
Roy's routine continued: poison in the morning, practicing 'Sun Breathing' to strengthen his physique; poison taking effect in the afternoon, sunbathing while visualizing the sun; climbing out of the ground in the evening to pay respects to Grandpa Zzigg. The days passed, busy and fulfilling.
Meanwhile, Illumi hung from the tree for several days before cutting himself down in the middle of the night when no one was looking. The boy emerged from the earth, hands in pockets, and followed Roy toward the basement. They walked side-by-side, yet apart, neither touching the other.
After a while, Illumi asked, "How could you see through my disguise?" Clearly, this question had been bothering him for days.
"Because there's no light in your eyes." Lack of light is blasphemy against the sun, Roy stated truthfully.
Illumi: "..." He stopped, reached up to touch his face, unconvinced. Who says there's no light? Every night, he transformed into Roy's likeness, carefully comparing himself in the mirror. Back then, his eyes seemed plenty bright!
"Hey," the boy called out to his older brother, "even if you saw through me, don't think you can ditch me! Not even if you run away to the Dark Continent!"
Roy didn't stop or turn back, having no intention of replying. His gaze flickered to the corner. The camera there flashed red, clearly capturing the boy's defiant words.
So, my foolish, dear little brother, perhaps you should worry about yourself first.
That night.
"Report, Master. Young Master Illumi says he's going to the Dark Continent."
"Is that so?"
The moon was high. Illumi had just cut himself down, only to be promptly hung up again.
Maha gave the order, Zeno relayed the message, Silva did the deed, and Milluki... provided the urine.
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