Welcome to the Demon’s Cabin - Chapter 22

“But are you certain they are edible fish?”

“I am not too sure about that myself.”

“…….”

“But they are just ordinary freshwater fish, not monsters. Would they not be fine for the most part?”

Idris’s complexion, which had regained a bit of color, turned cold again. His eyes were full of disbelief. He seemed to be trying to manage his expression as his facial muscles twitched slightly, but it was not enough to hide the look in his eyes.

‘Why is he being so sensitive.’

Between his constant gloom and his inability to hide the negative emotions that popped up, his reaction was more intense than she had imagined. He was someone who had rarely expressed dissatisfaction until now. Was a lack of grain really that big of a deal? She understood it intellectually, but it did not resonate with her at all.

For Irene, who had only ever cried after losing herself in a feeding frenzy and had never known hunger, it was an anxiety that was difficult to understand.

“Ms. Irene. Have you perhaps heard of the Cotton Candy Medaka?”

“Pardon? No. I have never heard of it. Is there such a fish?”

“It is not actually a type of medaka, but it is a fish that looks similar. It is notorious for being able to survive in extreme environments and for being a ‘one-way ticket’ the moment you eat it.”

At the sudden explanation of a fish, Irene tilted her head habitually.

“Hmm. Are you saying that lethal medaka might be living in my lake? I do not think that is likely.”

It was such a beautiful, clear lake. The fish were all tiny and gentle, too. She had even stroked the fish on occasion, but she had never felt anything strange.

“One cannot rule out the possibility. In appearance, like other medaka, they are long and flat with a body about two finger-joints in length. As for their characteristics, they travel in schools, are yellow in color, and unlike other medaka, their dorsal fin is split into two and moves as if fluttering.”

“……! I think I have seen them.”

Their appearance was exactly the same as the schools of small fish she often saw traveling near the surface. She remembered them clearly because she had once thought those dorsal fins were unique and pretty.

“Yes. I thought as much. In places where the environment is poor and only small fish live, nine times out of ten, they are there.”

“Why is that? Is the environment they live in very different from that of large fish?”

“No. It is simply because any individual with a mouth large enough to swallow a Cotton Candy Medaka ate them and died.”

“……Ah.”

“The schools of Cotton Candy Medaka even attack and tear apart large fish that have become easy targets due to their decreased numbers. They are highly aggressive creatures.”

Surprised by the sudden revelation of the lake’s cruel ecosystem, Irene covered her mouth with both hands. Even if they were outlaw-like fish, they naturally possessed at least a minimum amount of survival instinct, so they had never lunged at her, leaving her entirely unaware.

“Wow, how terrifying. It will be difficult to just catch and eat fish recklessly then. Even if it is not the Cotton Candy Medaka, I will have to look into it carefully.”

“Yes. It never hurts to be careful.”

Suddenly, the question occurred to her: ‘He is clearly a knight who can even use aura, so would it not be fine to eat a poisonous fish?’ But Irene convinced herself that perhaps aura was not particularly helpful in neutralizing poison.

“But if they are such violent fish, do they not take over the entire lake?”

“They cannot. Their fertility is weak, and because they fight and eat each other, their numbers do not grow significantly.”

“Then why do they live in schools? Their own kind is effectively an enemy.”

“I wonder. Perhaps they feel it is safer to school together, even with kin holding blades, than to wander alone.”

“I do not understand it.”

What was so good about a life lived without a single member of one’s own kind to trust? To think that a collective life without trust could be sustained, did they forget cruel events as soon as they happened?

She was slightly envious of that conveniently poor memory. Because living with the memory of being suddenly stabbed by the people she loved was a truly agonizing and miserable thing. Irene asked another question to stop her thoughts from drifting toward a bad place.

“Is the name not far too cute for their habits? Why would they name it the Cotton Candy Medaka? Does it perhaps taste like cotton candy?”

“No. The taste is just ordinary, and the first person to discover it named it. Apparently, nine of his comrades who grilled and ate it all died, and he was the only one who barely survived. He said that after eating the fish, he saw a vision of playing atop clouds made of cotton candy.”

“No, why on earth would he use that name for such a terrible memory?”

“I do not think it is a well-chosen name either. It looks like child’s play compared to its toxicity.”

Idris nodded readily, agreeing with her words. A warm wind blew through, disheveling his blonde hair.

He forced a smile and informed Irene that they had almost arrived. The soul-weary smile of someone who had given up on everything was a masterpiece. Even the focus had vanished from the blue eyes that had only just regained their spirit.

‘This will not do……! If he loses his mind like that, what about me, who hasn’t even been able to enjoy this for a few days?’

Though it was from a significantly different direction, she finally understood Idris’s sense of crisis.

‘This person must have been just as anxious, right?’

How should she comfort him? First, let us not say anything, and let us not shout. Let us find a solution diligently and tell him. Should I look through the herbal encyclopedia as well since it might be helpful?

And Irene’s resolve was shattered miserably the moment she saw Idris opening the vine-decorated wooden door and stepping inside. Aghast, she screamed with all her might.

“Shoes! Mr. Idris, your shoes!!!”