Author's note:
TL;DR: I made a correction, Maxwell's right eye is black instead of blue, also read the LN vol 7 interlude if you haven't.
First of all, if you haven't read LN vol 7 yet, I recommend you do so now (or at least read the interlude at the end), as it is where Maxwell is fully introduced (he actually first appears in vol 6, but that appearance doesn't explain much). You can find fan translations at cgtranslations, or you can purchase the Yen Press translations if you want to support the official release.
So, when I wrote the description for Maxwell two chapters ago, I took some details, such as having one blue and one white eye, from a brief summary of Alderp's final scene in the WN that I found. This is because the LN had cut down on that scene, and among other things had described Maxwell's physical appearance in less detail. However, I recently saw a more thorough translation of the WN scene, and not only did I have the eyes backwards, but it turns out he only acquired the blue eye after making his contract with Alderp (also the white eye was from when he ate his mom. If you're wondering how a genderless devil has a mother, it's cause Natsume is a hack probably went through various stages when designing devils). So long story short, Maxwell has no blue eye yet. As far as I know it's unknown what the eye's original color was, so I've opted for the relatively safe assumption of black. I've updated the other chapter too. (Also, if you hadn't read LN vol 16 yet or you've forgotten, Max in the main series is missing the back of his head, which was the cause of his chronic amnesia and dysfunction when he was with Alderp. This story's Maxwell isn't suffering from that impairment, hence his drastically different behavior.)
O Month X Day
I met a murderer today. Cause of death: execution. After being forced out of his dream job on false charges, his resentment overcame his reason, and he killed his accuser in their sleep. When the police brought him in as a suspect, he willingly confessed to the charges, and went quietly to the execution block. His last words were, "My only regret is that I'll have to see that bastard again in hell."
And right now, he's burying his face in his hands in shame. I guess he wasn't counting on meeting a goddess before heading to the afterlife.
"… um, are you ready to talk now?"
He jumped at my voice.
"I'm so sorry, Eris-sama, you don't deserve to talk to scum like me, just send me to hell and get it over with."
"Do you really hate yourself that much?"
"… I'm just tired. My entire life was destroyed within the span of a few days. At this point I just want to get away from it all. There's nothing left for me down there, so even hell is preferable."
It was heart-wrenching to see his broken spirit. He was a good person all his life, but when everything came crashing down, he committed one of the worst sins out of desperation. I pitied him, but I also couldn't simply forgive his crime.
Luckily, there was another option.
"What if I told you there was a way to not go to hell?"
For the first time since he got here, a glimmer of hope crossed his face.
"… what would that be?"
"It's simple. You'll be reincarnated like normal, without your memories, but due to your sins you'll be born in poor circumstances and harsh conditions. If, despite your hardships, you manage to live a commendable and praiseworthy life next time, you'll be considered as having worked off your sins. You'll then have to reincarnate one more time and live a good third life to get a chance at getting into heaven."
He gave a dry laugh.
"Looks like I have my work cut out for me, huh?"
He looked at me with a rueful smile.
"But why would you give a murderer like me a second chance?"
I smiled back.
"Because I believe that no human is pure evil, and that everyone has the potential for good."
"Haha, you really are a goddess, aren't you? Very well, I'll take that challenge. Just watch, this time I'll be a saint!"
After he left, I let out a sigh. I wasn't completely honest with him. Though they are thankfully few in number, there are some people whose souls have grown rotten to the core. Though memories aren't carried over in reincarnation, a soul steeped in evil will be reborn as a twisted person, hence why they are sent to hell despite the need for souls to be put into the reincarnation cycle. It pains me when I have to do that, but it is necessary.
That man wasn't one of them, though. And his accuser, as corrupt as he was, wasn't either. He had also chosen to reincarnate, by the way. I hope that if they meet in their next lives, they'll be able to get along.
The next few days of the journey were, thankfully, uneventful. This route isn't particularly dangerous, but I was still surprised that nothing attacked us aside from the zombies on the first day.
The mood was better too. After days of apologies, and a liberal dose of surprisingly powerful puppy dog eyes, Sirius finally got Pax to ease up around him, though he also had to promise to keep his distance in future battles.
"We're making good time everyone; I expect we'll be arriving in the fields by noon tomorrow!"
As the atmosphere lightened up, Filman also returned to his usual chatty self. I didn't appreciate it properly before, but Filman really has a gift for conversation.
"Now before we get there, there's a couple of things I should tell you. Or to be more specific, there are a couple rules to follow up there. Make sure to follow them to ensure the safety of not just you, but everyone around you, alright?"
… we're visiting a cabbage field, right?
"First rule: When not accompanying me, stay within the designated visitor area."
A cabbage field has a designated visitor area?
"Rule 2: Do not pick up anything you see on the ground. If anything is on the ground, it's because that's where it's supposed to be."
Uh…
"Third law: Cabbage Corp is not responsible for any injuries or damage to personal items. So, don't go crying to court, you're going to lose."
The heck. Filman continued listing off rules for the next few minutes. By the end of it I felt like I was going to a top secret archaeological site rather than a farm. I know I wanted to see more of the world, but…
The night passed peacefully, much like the last few. When I woke up, however, I was feeling extremely nauseous, my brain feeling like it had been thrown into a tornado. My stomach followed suit, and I nearly emptied last night's dinner on the ground.
"You feeling okay, buddy?"
"Yeah, yesh, I- … I'm fine."
Sirius was understandably concerned about my retching. As I was trying unsuccessfully to act tough, Filman came over with some sort of concoction.
"Here, drink this. It'll settle the stomach and soothe the head."
I grabbed it and chugged it down, not even taking the time to taste it. It took effect shockingly fast, and within minutes I was steady on my feet again.
"Thanks, Filman, you're a lifesaver."
"Any time, my friend. So what was that about, anyway? Yesterday's dinner not sitting with you well? Or perhaps you caught something?"
"No idea."
The dinner last night was standard travel rations, which I've eaten before with no problems. And I gave this avatar a superpowered immune system, for obvious reasons. Though it's equivalent to a normal human for the most part, I did take a couple liberties to keep myself out of serious trouble. Ugh, just thinking about this is making my head hurt.
"Well, hopefully you'll be better by noon. With this mission, we can't exactly have you retching all over the place."
Filman reminded me of our mission.
Right. The mission…
"Do you really expect them to resist arrest, Filman?"
"I'd be surprised if they didn't, my good man."
That's right, we came here to help Filman… arrest the farmers… right?
ARGH, my head feels like it's splitting open!
"Woah, Chris really isn't looking too hot. Maybe we should wait till tomorrow?"
"N-No, I'll be… ugh… I'll be fine. My head's already feeling better."
The splitting headache went away as fast as it came.
"If you say so…"
Though I was feeling better physically, my mind was filled with anxiety.
Something is seriously wrong, but I don't know what.
… no, I do have an inkling, but simply focusing on that thought gives me a migraine, so I should give it a rest for now. At least until I'm fully recovered.
"Alright everyone, we've arrived! The official Belzerg cabbage fields!"
The only word that came to my mind was 'massive.' The now-cabbageless fields stretched all the way to the horizon.
They weren't empty, however. There were countless shapes strewn about the fields. It was hard to tell what they were at first, but as we got closer it became apparent.
"Aren't those…"
"Fertilizer. And remember rule 2, don't touch them."
"Right."
We continued on past the fields, all similarly littered with… "fertilizer," for about half an hour before the main farmhouse came into view. I didn't see a single farmhand or worker the whole time. They must've left for other work now that the year's harvest was done. Before we went up there, Filman refreshed us on the plan.
"Let me do the talking. I'll present this warrant, and if they don't come quietly, you all just need to act intimidating, alright?"
He held up the warrant as he said that. It was a very official-looking document… but the writing…
"Agh, my head!"
"The headache again!? Hurry, sit down. Filman, get some more of that medicine of yours!"
"Of course!"
The pain wasn't as bad this time, since I'd mostly recovered from this morning. As I drank the medicine, my mind starting racing. I was certain now. Something's not right about this mission. When I was looking at the warrant– as soon as I thought that, a dull ache began again, but I forced myself through it. The writing on that warrant looked… unstable, like I was looking at moving ripples in a pond rather than flat paper. And when I had this same experience this morning, it was also– I pushed aside the rising headache as I finished the thought– when we were discussing this mission.
Speaking of which, why isn't anyone else noticing? After finishing the medicine, I stood up and turned to Filman.
"… hey Filman, remind me why we came here again?"
"Huh? You're suffering amnesia now too?"
"Um, yeah, my mind's a little foggy right now. Could you start from the beginning?"
"Well, after the disastrous cabbage incident, I hired you and the others to escort me here so that we can arrest the farmers for terrorism and treason against the state."
No. No, that doesn't add up.
"If it's a state-sanctioned arrest, then why are they sending an Agricultural Guild representative and adventurers instead of knights?"
"Because…"
Filman paused, a bewildered expression on his face.
"… that is strange, isn't it?"
Sirius also seemed to realize something was up.
"It's because it would take too long to mobilize knights, so adventurers were contracted to ensure a prompt response."
Suddenly, Maxwell stepped in with an explanation. He was expressionless as always, but the tone of his voice was a bit odd.
"Silver-haired Thief, you don't seem to be in a sound state of mind right now. Perhaps you should just sit this mission out? Getting rest and taking care of yourself should be your highest priority."
I was preparing to ask some more questions, but he preempted them with his own thoughts. As he said that, another wave of nausea came over me and I stumbled back into a sitting position.
His suggestion was attractive. He had a point. There's clearly something wrong with me, so I should just let them handle this. After all, they're just farmers, and it shouldn't be hard to arrest them…
But my gut is telling me that if I let this go, I'll regret it. I rose back to my feet. The medicine I drank earlier was already clearing my head again.
"No, I'm good to go. Let's do this."
"Still look unwell. Not good to push yourself–"
"I appreciate your concern, Pax, but I said I'm good to go. Now come on, we're burning daylight."
The only way I'm going to confirm my suspicions is by going directly to the source of the problem. Seeing that my mind was made up, Filman sighed in resignation.
"Okay then. I'll head in first, and you all follow behind me, alright? Not too close though, and try not to act hostile. We don't want to make them feel too threatened. Sirius on the right, Pax on the left, and Chris and Maxwell right next to me."
"If that's what we're going for, then perhaps I should wait outside unless I'm needed. I have been told that my presence can be unsettling to some."
"That's not a bad idea Maxwell. Just make sure you can get inside quickly if we call on you."
"But of course."
With our course of action decided, we headed for the farmhouse. Maxwell took up a position behind a nearby tree, where he wouldn't be seen, while Filman knocked on the door.
"FBI, open up!"
Eh?
"FBI? What's that?"
"It's my initials. Filman Ben Illiot. I like to use it when I'm on official business since it has this… authoritative feel, you know?"
"I see."
The door soon opened, and a smiling middle-aged man with a bushy beard greeted us.
"Fil! What brings ya out here at this time o' year, my good man?"
"I think you know why, Frank."
Frank's smile grew wider.
"Well don' just stand there, come on in! Yer friends too!"
He looked over his shoulder and shouted into the farmhouse.
"Hey! Dylan, Mick! Fil's here!"
Frank led us through the house to the living room, which had two sofas flanking a long table. Two other men were sitting on one of them, one with a large mustache and the other clean-shaven.
They all looked too happy for suspected terrorists. They're either innocent or completely insane.
Frank sat next to his fellow farmers as he gestured to the open sofa.
"Go ahead and take a seat! So, what'd ya think, Filman? Did this year's harvest blow ya away?"
"They were certainly… vigorous."
As we took our seats, Filman responded to Frank's rather unfortunate phrasing with a strained smile. Frank didn't seem to notice his discomfort.
"Oh yes, the strongest crop we've ever 'ad! Ya shoulda seen them when they was takin' off, was like they was launched out o' a catapult!"
"Nah, Frank, was more like a trebuchet."
"No, no, Dylan, both o' ya 'ave got it wrong. It was more o' a ballista-like trajectory."
"Ya'll are talkin' out o' yer bums! I'll 'ave ya know I've actually seen a catapult bein' fired before, unlike a certain pair o' layabouts who've never travelled afar. Anyway, it was really quite the sight."
"Yea, hope ya'll didn't 'ave too much trouble downwind, hahaha!"
"So the unusual cabbages this year were something you did intentionally?"
"That's right!"
"And you saw them taking off at far greater speeds than normal?"
"Wasn't enough to make up fo' the extra time it needed to mature, sadly."
Frank's smile faded a bit as he finally noticed Filman's attitude.
"There somethin' wrong, Fil? I'd thought ya'd be happier, considerin' we gave that city of yers just what it deserved."
Filman sighed, then pulled out the warrant. I made sure not to look directly at its contents this time.
"I didn't want it to come to this, but it seems like I have no choice. Frank, Dylan, and Mick, by the authority of the governing Lord of Accelia, Feldus-sama, you are hereby under arrest for terrorism and treason against the state."
There was a full 10 seconds of silence as the three farmers sat there with their mouths open, trying to process those unexpected words. The first reaction came from Frank, as his previously jolly expression was replaced with anger.
"… is this some kinda damn joke? After all the work we've done, this is how we're treated?"
"You admitted yourself that you sent cabbages with destructive force towards the city of Accelia. You knowingly endangered the lives of innocent citizens."
"That's bullshit! There's no way people were hurt, yer just making this shit up to get rid of us for yer own gain!"
He stood up, and the other two men followed suit.
"Ya think ya can just waltz in here and destroy our livelihood?"
Their hands moved towards their belts, where they had small knives strapped on. They looked more like tools than weapons, though.
Filman made a small motion with his head, and the three of us adventurers stood up, our hands resting on the hilts of our weapons. Pax's shortsword was on her left hip, while Sirius's sheathe was positioned on the back of his waist with the hilt on the right, so Filman had organized them earlier so that their blades would be fully exposed to maximize the intimidation factor. Meanwhile, I was in the middle, just to the side of where Filman was sitting. Compared to Sirius's fancy greatsword and Pax's weapons and armor, my equipment was the least impressive, but by standing near Filman, who was the person speaking to them, they'll focus more on him than me, so as long as I took a menacing stance I'd be effective.
The effect was immediate: the men instantly moved their hands away from their belts and up into the air.
Why the heck does a member of the Agricultural guild know so much about intimidation anyway? Since he's a representative I guess he's probably closer to a merchant or diplomat than a farmer, but still. I made a note to never get on his bad side.
After seeing who he was up against, Frank's anger shifted to nervousness.
"Hey, Fil, buddy, we can talk this out, right? Ya know we ain't terrorists, right?"
"I've already heard all I need to hear. I don't like this any more than you do, but I have a duty to this country that's treated me so well. If you plead guilty perhaps you can get off with life imprisonment."
For the first time, the farmers' faces showed genuine fear.
"Ya can't be serious. Who's gonna run this place?"
"We'll bring some replacements from the Guild, there'll be enough time before planting season to train them."
Dylan tried reasoning with Filman, but it was for naught.
"I really do recommend being as cooperative as possible, if you want to avoid execution."
As Filman said that, Mick made a small movement, probably to turn and run, but Pax immediately responded by taking a sharp step forward, and the man froze where he was.
By now, the hopelessness of the farmers' situation was finally setting in, and their faces filled with despair at the thought of their entire futures being taken away.
Having personally met the souls of both saints and murderers, I could tell right away.
"Stop."
These men were innocent.
"Chris, what are you doing? What happened to the plan?"
"Forget the plan. This entire mission is a sham."
My headache flared up again, but I refused to back down.
"Nothing about this makes sense. I know for a fact I didn't sign up for a weeklong journey just to harass some poor farmers. And why would we set out to arrest them if we didn't have any evidence before coming here?"
"… now that you mention it… but, then why are we here?"
Sirius was starting to have doubts too, but he couldn't shake off the memories he was sure he had.
Why did I come here? Let's see.
I had just returned from the goblin quest and was currently recovering from that trauma.
I heard mages talking about how much stronger the cabbages were.
Stronger, faster, healthier, tougher, smarter…
That's right! I came here on this journey to find that relic!
As soon as I remembered that, the headache instantly vanished, as if it had dissolved, and all of my true memories came rushing back. We came here to investigate, not arrest.
And Sirius didn't injure Pax, a zombie did.
"Wait, no, this is wrong…"
"Tricked somehow. Memories confused."
"What am I doing?"
And the others seemed to be getting their memories back as well. Seems like when I broke whatever spell caused that, it freed the others too.
Clap, clap, clap.
"Well, way to spoil my meal. I had hoped to savor that despair for just a bit longer. You really are a bothersome little Thief, aren't you?"