Echoes from the Cavern Depths

Oooooooo...!

Whoa! What was that? That growl was so big it sounded like an echo from the bottom of the earth!

You heard it too?

Actually, an alert was deployed in the village just a short while ago. It seems that a savage monster has settled deep into the Demon's Den.

A savage monster? Isn't it kind of dangerous for something like that to be that close?

I can't argue that. But it doesn't look like it's leaving the Demon's Den anytime soon. And only tried to attack the villagers once. As long as we don't go poking about that place, we should be able to avoid harm.

You say so, but your expression says something else. Is there another problem going on?

Well, yeah. The ones who got attacked by the monster were a couple I know.

Are you for real?!

My friend's life was saved, but his wife was carried off by the thing. When we found him, he was just standing there, left behind all alone.

What an awful thing to happen...

I think I can guess why you looked so worried just now.

Ah... It's about my friend. He's been moping about it ever since. He quit his job and he refuses any visitors.

If someone wants to go and defeat the monster once and for all, he stops them, saying he'll be the one to get revenge. So then we offer to help him get that revenge, and he refuses, saying only one person should take on the risk.

That's cause for worry...

I just know this is eating him up. Lately he's been burning the midnight oil, so I'm thinking he might be preparing this revenge plot he's come up with. Say, do you think you could try and talk to him? See how he's doing?

Sure, I could try. I'll go and check in on him.

According to what he said, this should be the house...

Oh? Do you have some business with me?

Well, your friend asked me to come and check on you.

And...I'm really sorry about what happened at the Demon's Den and all.

Oh, that's all? I must've caused him a bit of worry.

But thank you for checking. I'm doing just fine, as you can see!

Are you sure you're all right?

Yep. My preparations are complete.

Preparations? For what?

To head into the Demon's Den.

...! So you are planning revenge? But it's too dangerous to go alone.

Revenge? Oh, it's none of the like! I just plan to go and pick up my wife.

Wait...

No way! You can't just waltz into the Demon's Den like it's some market store run!

Oh, I guess I misspoke. You see...

It doesn't matter! I can't watch you go off into the Demon's Den by yourself. Won't you let me go with you at least?

I dunno. You see...

...Oh, forget it. You mean well, so I guess I could have you come along.

And since you're from outside the village, then...

Then what?

Oh nothing...

If you're ready, then I am too. Let's head off to the Demon's Den right away. Here we go!

You've got a big bag there. What's inside?

Oh this? Well... It's just my greatest weapons I use as work tools.

Weapons? As a work tools?

A reassuring friend to me indeed. Now let's be on our way!

I bet I'm putting you through a lot of trouble though. Having to accompany me to such a dangerous place and all.

Don't sweat it. I can't leave you or your village hanging when you need help.

Thanks! Oh... Actually, I have a favor to ask.

What is it?

Can you promise not to tell anyone about anything you see from this point on? ...No matter what?

That's a weird favor to ask. But, sure...

Thanks! That's all I need.

Huh?

Why is the ground shaking?!

Groooooorgh!

Is that the monster's growl? It sounds terrifying, but also sort of like it's in pain...

Yeah, almost like it's refusing trespassers. We might've obliged before, but not today...

Hey, are you really going in there? If there's monster slaying to be done, then just wait here and leave it to me.

Sorry. I made a vow to my wife that I'd be by her side no matter what. So I'm going where she is. Even if it's dangerous.

......

Grooorgh!

Whoa! That growl is even closer than before! It could be just up...

...!

Is that the thing you and your wife ran into?!

Ah, it is. Without a doubt.

Then I'll handle it from here.

Huh?!

It seems to me like you've been brooding over this so much that you'd give your life if it meant the killing this thing. But I don't want to see that happen to you. So just leave the monster to me!

That was your plan from the beginning...

Thank you. I understand now. When the battle is over, I'll tell you everything.

Hey there, monster! Wanna play with me instead?

Whew... I guess that does it.

Thanks again! You're amazing! I witnessed the whole thing.

Now that the monster's defeated, we can finally get back to the village.

...... I'm afraid I can't go.

What do you mean? Wasn't defeating that monster what you wanted?

Yes, and I'm grateful that you got revenge for my wife. But I desperately want to see her, and those feelings won't ever change.

You want to see her? But I thought she...

Hm, where to start...? The truth is, my wife and I...

Grooorgh...

What?! Are there still monsters here? Is the thing I just fought different from the real monster?

Thank goodness... You'll finally show yourself.

Huh...?

I'm sorry. But I've got to hurry further this way.

You don't mind if I explain everything afterwards, right?

Fine. Let's just get going!

Ah... Here you are. I finally found you.

Oh!

So... We were looking for an ogre all this time?

Ogre? That's a little rude. And not the case at all...

Huh? Are you saying you two know each other?

Of course. I mean...

She's my wife.

Wh-What did you say?!

Ogre Rancorem... Isn't there anything you can do about her?

That won't be possible. Much time has passed since she has turned into an ogre...

Hmph...

It's all right. I didn't think it was possible to turn her back anyway.

But listen to me. No matter what you look like, you'll always be my wife.

And that's why I came. To see your face once more.

Oooooooo...

Yes. Yes, I know...

Oooooooo...

I figured you'd say that. But...

Even if you never wished to see me again, I just missed you so much. Didn't I swear to you? That no matter what, I'd always be by your side?

Grooorgh...

Don't worry. I took care of everything. I have no intention of going back to the village.

Don't tell me...

You know about the dark god's curse on the titan clan, don't you? That the curse would consume their flesh, and in the end, transform their appearance.

......

To us, it was a change that should've happened in the distant future. Maybe because that monster possessed powers to strengthen the curse, or maybe because of my wife's genetic make-up... After the attack, the curse suddenly progressed quickly.

And that's why returned without her?

Yes. I couldn't hold back the curse as it advanced. I'm sure she was only trying to keep me from getting hurt at least. And that's why she left me to disappear into the Demon's Den. Ever since then, rumors about the fearsome growls began to spread.

So that's what you meant when you said you wanted to see her...

I was wrong for not being clear with you upfront. It's not like I meant to hide it exactly. It's just that I had to make extra sure that you could keep a secret. A needless fear in the end.

It was a mistake to doubt someone who would face-off against a monster for my sake.

No worries. I can see why you were tight-lipped about it. But after you saw her, what did you plan to do then?

Well... I planned to save her.

Save her? How?

So, I can't stop the curse from running its course. But I can make sure she's no longer in agony... ...by using these weapons.

Wait. Are you saying what I think you're saying?

Yes, but don't worry. I said they were work tools, remember?

Let's see what we have here... A canvas and paint... An easel and plenty of brushes.

Say, do you remember these? It's the same things I used to paint you for the first time.

Oooooooo...

Ah, with those materials, then that makes you...

Right. I was a painter in Pador all this time. The reason I started painting was because I wanted to keep the beautiful image of my wife in my memory. That's why there's one thing I need to do right now.

Oooooooo...!

I'll prove it to you. Prove that even now, I still think you're as beautiful as ever. I want to be with you until death do us part. And keep painting your beautiful figure. So please...

......

Just like that time when I told you how I felt about you. If you'll let me live together with you...

Then please. Accept my painting.

...Ooo...

...Okay. That answer is good enough for me. Thank you. Just wait here for a bit...

Sounds like you're never going back to the village.

That's right. From now on, I will spend my life with my wife, deep in this quiet place where no one will find us. I'll set a barrier from the inside so no one can hurt us, and we'll live alone just the two of us.

And I hate to ask this of you, after all you've done for me... But could you tell the villagers that I passed away?

...All right. I will. If you're that determined to do this, then I won't stop you. But it's gonna be tough to tell your friend that. He was super worried about you.

I understand. I hate that he'll have to get such sad news. But if he knew the truth, it'd only be more of a burden to him.

......

Say, could you give me a little time? There's something I want to entrust to you. Something for if my friend wants to know the truth...

Looks like you took care of that monster for us. Thanks a lot! I'm sure my friend's wife can rest in peace now too.

But wait... Why isn't he with you?

Actually... The monster gave a sudden attack, and he didn't make it.

......

I'm very sorry. I really wanted to save him.

...... Are you...telling the truth?

Huh...?

Did he ask you to say that? Did he want you to tell me that he died?

Why would you think that?

He's a friend I've known a long time. Despite how he looks, he's stubborn once he makes up his mind. Won't listen to word you say. That's a troublesome request for him to make of you, no? How unfortunate.

Couldn't even come to tell me himself...

......

Well, about that... He wanted me to give something to you actually.

Huh...?

He was on the fence about whether or not to tell you the whole truth. But if he did, he thought it'd be a burden to you. So he told me to hand you this instead.

Is this...his painting?

Yeah, he painted it after he left the village. But he painted two of them, and left one for you.

...... Haha... I've never seen such a beautiful portrait. He improved quite a lot!

Did you see it? His wife is smiling so happily. I see now...

I understand... He's finally happy.

Yeah. Surely he is...somewhere in this world.