—I thought I was a goner for a while there, but you really came to the rescue! And a meal like this on top of that? You really didn't have to. Though I guess that's not an appropriate thing to say as I'm eating, haha… What kind of meat is this?
—Hare.—Bestia's response was one-worded.
—It's damned tender for rabbit.—The wanderer noticed.—And here I thought it was beef. You have quite the skilled chef.
—Hehehe…—The Maid's reaction was clear.
—Oh, is she the one who cooked this? Is she your wife?
—Oh no, I am nearly a servant.—The Maid corrected.
—A female servant, huh? Don't see that very often. This mansion's just full of surprises. I can hardly believe it. Lost for days, and as soon as I think I'm dead, there it is. Thinking back on it now, it's miraculous. But why are you two living alone in a house on a cliff?
—We…—Bestia started.
—Oh, I beg your pardon.—The wanderer interrupted.—Asking so many questions without telling you about myself. My apologies. Just a little too excited to finally see other people. I'm a merchant; I do international trade. Until a few years back, spice exports pretty much all came from one place. But now that we've established trade routes of our own, my country's fighting tooth and nail to push its exports. And in fact, some have lost a few teeth in the fight already. But that's just how it works. It's a cutthroat world–you do what you must to survive.
"That's just how it works," the Marchant said, a sorrowful look on his face. He was quite clearly putting on a show, though.
Confidence in himself and his homeland radiated from that man.
—I came to this land to do business. But, much to my chagrin, I somehow ended up lost in the forest. Had I wandered around for much longer, I'd have lost the chance to ever see my beloved again.
—Your beloved?—Bestia finally spoke.
—Yessir. I'm constantly out on business, so we only get to see each other a few times a year. But she always waits for my return. I'd like to introduce you to her if I ever get the chance. She's a pretty girl, if not especially striking.
—...Is that so?—Bestia needed a confirmation.
The Merchant was a man of many words, and I, for one, do not mind a lively supper table.
Though I know not how Bestia felt, at the very least, I was glad we had invited the wanderer into the mansion.
He was, after all, holding a proper conversation with someone, and he seemed to be having success concealing his piercing, beast-like gaze.
However…
—Oh, right, I stopped by the village before entering the forest, and I heard a bone-chilling tale there.
As soon as the Merchant brought up the subject, a palpable tension spread through the room.
—They say… there have been sightings of a beast. It's a creature unlike anything anyone's seen before. Not a wolf or a bear or anything like that. It even attacked the village once, killing several people. Thankfully, the men managed to drive it out… but the creature is still alive. There's nothing in this world scarier than a vicious beast. So you should keep an eye out. Wouldn't want to accidentally let a murderous beast into your home. At the villagers' instance, I had the smithy forge me a knife.
—Is that knife–—Beastia catched up.–with you now?
—Well, yeah, I've got it on me.—The Merchant expression was a confusion at first, but then calmed down a bit.—Only good to defend myself with, but it's better than–
—That knife… You brought that knife…—Bestia continued.—You're here to kill me with that knife!
—Wha–?!
—You're going! To stab me! Again and again! With that knife! Like they did last time! That's why you're here, isn't it?!
—Wha– What are you talking about?! What's gotten into you?!
—Stab and stab and stab!—Bestia seemed not to listen of any of the Wanderer's words.
—C-Calm down! What are you so worried about?! I'm not going to hurt you with this…
—***************
—Wh-What… did you just say?!
—************************
—Eek!
I like to imagine that before the world ate the poor little girl, he said,
"Is this what I always looked like?"
—TH*****AT**BE******AST**
—What's your problem?! What's wrong?! T-Talk like a human!
—******I***S***M*******E****
—Sto– Stop! Stay back! G-Get any closer and I'll stab you to death!
—You act**like*you only***just realized I'm a beast…
—Eek!
—THAA**AAT'S RIIII****IIIIGHT! I'M**A BEAST! IIII****KILLED THEM…
—Stay back!
—AND I'LL**LL DOOOO*THE SAAA*AME TO YOUUUU!
—Aaaaaaaah! H-Heeeeeeeeeeeelp!
In his hand, Bestia held his sword. Perhaps it had been hidden under the table–or maybe behind his chair?
Regardless, it was as though he expected this to happen.
The Merchant kicked aside a chair, attempting to flee, but Bestia closed the distance in an instant, knocking him back.
He lost his balance and slammed against the wall, but still he made to escape, though the beast stood blocking his path.
—N-Noooo… Please, stop this! Don't kill me! My beloved is waiting for me back home! I can't l-leave her behind!
—AND WHY–SHOULD I CARE?
—Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!
A dreadful scream echoed through the dining room. I reflexively covered my ears.
—P-Please help! A-Aaaah, someone, anyone!
—Noooo one's going to come for you! This maaansion's a loooong way from town!
—A-Aah, ahh… help… Th-That woman! Where did she– Why isn't she here?! She was just–Ngraaaaaaaah!
—YOU'LL KILL ME! *IF I DO*N'T KILL YOU! AND SO, I MU**ST SH*OW YOU THAT I WILL! I MUST SHOW YOU THAT I'M SERIOUS! I MUST KILL YOU, OR YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU JUST WON'T UNDERSTAAAAND! IF I DON'T SHOW YOU FIRSTHAND, YOU WON'T UNDERSTAAAAAND! I'LL MAKE YOU UNDERSTAAAAND**I'LL MAKE YOUR FLESH AND BONES UNDERSTAAAAND**KILL**I'LL KILL YOU, I'LL KILLLL YOUUUU!
—GgggrrrraaaaAAAAaaaaaaaaah!
—KIIIILLLLL YOOOOUUU!
—A-Ahh, agh… aa… M– Mon…st…er…
—THAAAAT'S RIIIIGHT… I AM… A BEAST! HahaHA*HEEHEEHEE****AHAHAHHAHAHAHA*****HEEHEEHEEHEEHEE*****HEEHEEHAHAHAHAhahahahaAHAHAHAhaaaahahahahahahaha****hahahohohoHOHOheeheehahahahaahahahaaha*****HEEHEEHEEHEEEheeeheeheeheeeeheehahaha***HAHAHAHAhahaHAhahaHAHAhahahah****hahaha*AHAH***HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAhahaha*******HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE********HOHOHOHOhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaaaaaahahaHEEHEEheeheeheeheeheeheeheeHEEHAHhaaahahhahahahahaHEEEEEEHEEHEEHEEHEEheeheeheeheeHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaaahahahahahahoheeheeHEEHEEEHEEHheehheeeheeaahahahahahahahahhahaAHAHHAhahahaheeheeeheheeheeheeheeheeheeheeeaaeeaaheheehahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
They had been enjoying a peaceful meal around the table together just minutes earlier. So what had triggered this?
If I were to guess, the Merchant saying the word "kinfe" is what caused the beast to snap. A simple, small thing set him off.
I could not comprehend it.
Bestia, who had said he wished for peace, was staring down at the ravaged corpse of the Merchant…
with a look of ecstasy on his face.
Master… can you understand how he felt? Even just a little?
Did he not year for peace, but for slaughter?
…..
—Alll right, that does it for today's shopping…—It was a young woman in the park.—And now, the moment we've all been waiting for–snacktime! There's nothing better than having a ham sandwich in the park! … Oh dear. Maybe I should lower my voice when I'm talking to myself. But it's so nice out, I just can't help myself.—"Does the weather have anything to do with talking to oneself?"—Not important! Food, food.—"If he were here… it would taste even better. I wonder when I'll get to see him next…"
—Pauline… Pauline!—It was another woman, an older one.—There you are!
—Mngh. O-Oh dear! That's got you so frazzled, Mom?
—Ahh… Ohh, Pauline…—
—Wh-What is it? Did something happen? What's the matter, Mom?
—...N-Nnnnhhh…
—M-Mom…
—Pauline…
—This isn't like you, Mom. It's not like you at all. Tell me, what happened?
—I told you… to stay away… from men who trade…
—Huh?
—Oh, Pauline! My dear daughter! Why must God be so cruel to such a sweet girl?
—...Y-You're hurting me, Mom! Don't squeeze so tight. What's gotten into you?!
—Listen carefully, Pauline. You must be calm and hear me out, understood? Your lover–the beloved man you wait for–is dead…
…..
The beast's humanity began slipping away from him after that encounter.
He had returned to the thing I had found in the cellar. Actually, he prowled the mansion's halls looking more barbaric than ever.
—****************
Despite all the effort he had put into learning to act like a human, he now ripped the velvet curtains off the wall, howling shrilly…
stomping back and forth through the hallways, and ravaging the garden.
I watched him intently, though from a distance.
Bestia was not merely a beast, but an out-of-control bloodthirsty beast.
Just a few days ago, we had been tending the garden together, but that was no longer possible.
I was quite disappointed.
—***********************
Eventually, Bestia discovered my hiding place. I had not felt regret in a very long time, but I felt deep regret in that moment.
—Moooooooore! Don't have enough, not enough, I need more, I need moooooooore! I must satisfy these urges!
—Are you saying peace was not enough to sate you? Did I mishear you when you asked for peace?
—I was mistaken… Asking for peace won't solve anything! Blood! Despair! Eyes filled with terror! These are the things I need! And I've always known it! You said this mansion fulfills people's desires! Then… Then… Give me prey! No more hares–live humans!
Why did I ever teach him to speak human language?
Before long, the mansion granted his wish.
Once a week, a villager or a traveling merchant from somewhere would wander into the forest, ending up at the mansion on the cliff.
Though something felt suspicious about the man who greeted them at the door, on the surface, he looked like a proper nobleman…
so they all eventually chose to trust Bestia.
The mansion had an air of loneliness about it, but it was adequate to provide rest for their weary feat.
There was food and a bed, and most comforting of all, there were other people.
The lord of the house treated the lost souls like esteemed guests. He poured them fine wine and had me cook for them.
No one suspected in the slightest that he was a beast. He put on a reasonably convincing act.
Because, yes, I had taught him how to behave like a master.
The visitors all went to bed contented.
But, as I am sure you can imagine, Master, they would never see the light of day again–
the penetratingly bright sunlight particular to this area.
A beast! It's a beast!
You disgusting creature!
You hideous monster!
Kill him!
—If that's… how you humans want to do things… then I'll play your little game. I'll play it… even better than you. I'll kill you. I'LL SLAAAAUGHTER YOUUUU!
—No, please don't!
—That's it! Cry for me! Beg for your life! Pray for my mercy! Weep! Ang struggle! And suffer! And die!—"No one understands! No one can possibly understand my despair! What did I ever do? Was it just because I'm a beast? When did I become a beast? Why do beasts have to die? Beasts are savage… and so they must die. I'm a beast… therefore I'm savage. In which case… I'll kill them… I'll show them what makes a beast so terrifying!"—HahahahahaaaahhahahahaHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Moonlight crept through the torn velvet curtains, shining down upon the bloodsoaked beast.
It was a sight that would incite terror in anyone.
—Look at this. No one can stand up to me. Humans have no chance against beeeeasts! Hee, heehee, heeeeheeheehee, haahahhahhahahahaAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAheeheeheeheeheeHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE! Moooooooooooore… I neeeed mooooooooore! Giiiiiiiiiiiive me mooOORE PREEEEEEY!
The mansion continued to sate the beast's demented craving, sending not one, but multiple villagers into his claws.
Into these bloodstained walls, off which echoed his monstrous howls.
—Stop, please! I'm begging you, spare me! O-O, God!
—Sorrrrrrrry… I'm not familiar with your god… Beasts have no neeeeeeeed of gods!
—I have a wife and son back at the village! Please, let me return to them!
—Why don't you bring them back to me–I'll send them to the same place you're going!
—I-I… I am with child! Please, let me go–
—Aaaaaaaaare you noooooooow? In that case, I'll kill the baby first!
—You damned monster!
—Eeeeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee! Thaaaat's riiiight! I'm a moooooooonster! And by killing… no one can defy me! I have to show the world that I–that beasts are the most frightening things on this earth!
The beast began to change his style, making sick banquets out of his kills.
Some days, he would tie his guests up in the cellar, playing with them for hours until they finally died. Some days, he would drain them of their blood and bathe in it.
Some days, he would spread them out on the table and feast upon them.
Every week, another atrocious party. He did everything imaginable.
As a faithful servant of this house, I am confident I can do most anything I am asked.
Though you can surely imagine my surprise at having to use the cooking skills I learned while serving the flaxen-haired family to do that.
I can only wonder if it actually tasted any good.
Bestia's peculiar sword was always with him for his twisted banquets of self-gratification. However much blood stained it, it never lost its sheen.
It was as though the sword drank of the flesh of humans.
Master, can you imagine just how wretched I felt?
The mansion, once a beautiful sight to behold, reeked of death and acrimony.
The stench of rotting flesh seeped up from the cellar.
Even the years it spent forsaken and in ruins were preferable to that.
Or perhaps I only had myself to blame.
It was I who had invited the beast into the mansion.
—More, moooore… Not enough… This isn't enough to satisfy me…
But Bestia still sought to hold more of his perverse parties. Lost villagers were no longer enough to quell his urges.
He was, indeed, a genuine beast. And in time, this is what he began to wish for:
—Can't you get me any better prey?! Something truly exquisite! The perfect prey to quench this maddening thirst of mine!
Do you know what he meant when he asked for the "perfect" prey, Master?
Perhaps a hero, someone courageous enough to stand up to him, with whom he could enjoy a battle to the death.
Perhaps a dazzling young nymph to satisfy his other primal urges. Or perhaps what he wanted was not human at all, but a demon or a phantom.
I would soon find out, as the mansion attempted to grant his wish, bringing yet another guest to the house on the cliff.