Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: In the Name of Glory (6)
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***
Let me sum up the situation simply. From the perspective of the Radiant Church.
Is the fugitive Professor a different person from the Red Mutant? - Yes.
It was all in the research log. Me passing out in Turan, Charlotte carrying me to the temple, Isaac taking me from the temple to his mansion for experiments—everything was there. For starters, I'm human. At least, I'm not cut out to become some terrifying named monster like the Red Mutant.
So, is the Professor a lackey of the Black Mages, a minion of the Mutants? - Surprisingly, no.
The oracle suggested as much, and when I dug a little, the kid seemed really suspicious? Holed up in a city crawling with Mutants and came out alive. Thought it was him, caught him, but he says no. Can't even suspect him since he spoke under a confession spell—no lies there. Body's monstrous, but soul still rejects the Queen—it's human? From a priest's view, who would side with spirit over flesh if forced to choose, I'm not a bad guy. Hell, I'm a pretty decent one with iron will to escape the Queen's clutches.
So, should we let this guy live? - No way.
Body's close to Mutant, still hears voices, so who knows when he'll flip. The Church mistakes the voices I hear for the Queen's. Can't just leave him be. Oracle mentioned darkness lurking in the city? Probably talking about this potential threat. Better to just kill him! If he's good, he'll go to Ro-Haram's side!
-That's the conclusion they reached. Proved my innocence, but sentence is death. Excluding ways to cause a scene, only way to survive is prove my usefulness to them.
"The Queen's will... you can discern it? Is that true?"
And a direct line to the Queen's channel via communicator should seem plenty useful.
'Of course, it's bullshit.'
More precisely, my goal is to give off that vibe.
The Professor nodded, agreeing with Senadis's words.
"Though my soul escaped the Queen's grasp, my flesh still belongs to them. Even now, voices echo in my head, providing information. Spare me, and I'll help predict and counter the Mutants' movements going forward."
The Professor smirked slyly at High Priestess Senadis's face, filling with anticipation.
- Speed Wagon: That's about us?
- Professor: Yeah. Not wrong, right? Chat window's a system assist, so it's like convo in my head. Getting info is spot on. Already know Mutants' future moves to some extent? Peeped the 'clear data' after all. Seed's different, but can predict 'to some extent' like I said.
- Jokasss: Scam.
- Take a Look: Guy who says he's in business shows off live how slickly he cons.
- Deer Drug Please: When BDSM comes.... Hide women and kids.... Plug ears to avoid being swayed by their words.... Memo....
- Heung An Mandu: Looks like instructions for dealing with Type 3 mutants.
Hm. Definitely a scam if it's a scam. Cutting empty checks that look real to fool them. But in return, my head's still on my shoulders? Worth the con.
"...Then the oracle's 'darkness in the city' truly means the Salvation Church. You learned it from info you heard directly."
The Professor nodded vigorously at Senadis's words.
"Yes. Though newly formed, the Salvation Church isn't just scammers exploiting chaos. It's a horrific seed the Mutants planted targeting humanity's heart. They see Mutants as saviors, not just serving them but helping them 'save' humanity."
"Such... heretics more dire than imagined. Even ignorant commoners believing that nonsense..."
"Not just words—they show visible miracles to tempt. Using allied Mutants like limbs, whispering that devoting to Salvation Church gets you picked as a 'Chosen' like that famous Mutant up top, letting you ravage nobles who squeezed your blood and oppressed you."
"...You know their info. Do you know their base in Tobrun anywhere?"
Senadis held onto suspicion to the end. If you heard directly, you should know meeting spots— that nuance.
"Where masterless horses gather."
"Masterless horses... gather?"
Of course, I prepared this too. To sell as info broker, gotta show concrete results, right?
The Professor answered with a smug smile.
"As you know, this Lordric is famous as the land of knights. Many youths dream of knighthood, but only a few become Lordric knights. Dreamers head to the capital, get disappointed, and leave. And this city of mages, built on inferiority to knights, has facilities to hire those failed knights, doesn't it?"
"No way... the 'Singing Helmet' tavern?"
"Yes."
'Singing Helmet'. One of Tobrun's taverns, famous for free knights without lords gathering there. Among players, known spot for early-game meat shield frontliners.
'Easier code than expected. Well, commoners need to infer it.'
Horses are ridden by nobles or knights. Masterless horse? Nobles have lords. So horses mean knights. Masterless means wandering or free knights. Near Tobrun, only 'Singing Helmet' for that.
Most are obvious—guys who came to capital dreaming of knighthood with no skill. Stripped bare of money, sold family’s only work ox or donkey for cheap armor and sword, strutting like knights already, then taste reality's bitterness.
Tempt youths stewing in inferiority, frustration, rage at nobles who don't recognize them with 'You're the one to save the world!' or 'I'll give you power to crush the capital's top knight!' and they'd fall easy. Lots of awkwardly dressed folks coming and going, so outsiders blend in without suspicion. Failed knights' tavern, Singing Helmet—definitely the local Salvation Church base.
"Such outrage against heaven..."
"Now that I think, more than one or two believers mentioned Salvation Church..."
"We need countermeasures. Heretics expanding right before Ro-Haram's temple!"
"All Tobrun civilians except believers are potential heretics!"
"Purification! This city needs purification! Request heresy inquisitors from headquarters ASAP!"
From quiet whispers to emotional debates. Debates to fierce arguments. Radiant Church priests shed kindly priest looks at 'heretic', reborn as light-blinded zealots.
'Hm... Lit the fuse too hot? If I leave to them, won't they burn the whole thatched house to kill one bedbug?'
Qualitatively different from earlier when I proved not Queen's kin—fierce rage storm. Salvation Church is issue, but leave raw to these guys, might raze whole Tobrun.
'Sometimes folks think anything goes with 'belief'. See minor things as stepping stones to greater cause.'
Knew they were that type. Still, seeing live is pretty repulsive.
Initially thought to coax gently for a spot in Church, but no. Physiologically incompatible. Better gouge what I can and bail.
[...Mad?]
'A bit.'
Hyde silent a moment, then snapped floating finger in air. Speaking of, that guy. Gained a thumb somehow. When'd he take it? Still feel sensation.
[Dome, huh?]
At Hyde's words, Professor scowled mercilessly.
'You share head with good guy like me, yet zero consideration?'
[Self-centered's kid privilege. Or maybe you're not that good.]
'Bullshit.'
That instant, nauseating past images fogging up, blurring in mind. He talks big, but Hyde's showing 'consideration' his way. Guy could edit memories shown since first meet.
'Quick learner.'
[Kids learn fast, duh.]
'That's why you're no kid saying that, you one-year-old 24-year-old.'
Giggle giggle-
Amid sneering laugh, mom's memories naturally散어—felt them fade to mind's corner like time passed. Not forgotten, just receded. Let me refocus on game.
Snapping from thoughts, opened eyes—priests and holy knights' rage subsided to quiet.
'No, not subsided.'
Fierce glares. Grim lips. Rage not cooled—passed tipping point, ready for action. They'd finished prep, awaiting bishop's order.
High Priestess felt eyes on her, sighed softly, intoned holy words.
"Ratura."
"...Ratura, Ro-Haram."
"Ratura, Ro-Haram."
"Ratura, Ro-Haram."
Eyes calmly closed, Senadis reached into white robe, pulled delicate glass vial.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Solemn-faced, she approached, looked down at still-kneeling Professor.
"One final question for you."
Solemn, holy voice. Blinding holy light leaking from her—couldn't make out face looking up.
"Professor. Your flesh tainted by wicked heretics' hands, spirit soiled by Queen's grasp. No matter how you live human, flesh abandoned lonely on cold earth, soul won't reach stars. Even so, swear to devote remaining life to humanity?"
'Really. These folks hide true feelings no better than one-year-old Hyde.'
Each sentence treated me not human kin but outsider. Still asking if, as tool, I'll oppose Mutants and live for humans.
"Yes. I swear."
Annoying, but Professor bowed, voiced affirmation. Swear yes, but not for them. Planned to live best here anyway.
But to High Priestess's ears, it sounded different—stiff mask-face softened slightly more.
"...Lord said. Light shines equally on all, even lowest dawn's rays. This Lord's will too. Judgment: Fugitive Professor. You are... innocent."
'Yes! Passed!'
Professor inwardly cheered, but Senadis, who should end trial, kept talking?
"Moreover, enduring such trials to kneel before Ro-Haram, confess sins—clearly Lord's will upon you."
Hm? Wait. More left? Just said tainted etc. Can't give Church rank per doctrine?
With that, she tilted vial, dripped contents slowly over bowed Professor's head. Tension easing calm scent. Holy oil—top-grade sacred anointing oil for god-offering.
"You, anointed yet can't serve clergy, Professor. From old, in chaotic times Church entrusts outsiders with Church name and grave missions. I bestow Radiant Church 'Hero' rank. Become torch lighting humanity's future."
"Wha... what? Wa-wait a-"
Clank!
"Sacred rite. Don't speak rashly."
I opened mouth in panic, holy knight beside bishop hand on hilt, growled quietly.
Drip. Drip.
Last drop fell on my head, Senadis smiled brightly like first meet, said to Professor.
"Tainted soul, Professor. As proxy bearing Church name, swear to accept 'Hero' title?"
"Uh... uh..."
This, wrong. No such scene in my plan!
In solemn air, eyes on silent Professor glittered sharper. Say 'No thanks?' here—
'How dare refuse sacred mission!'
'Heretic dog after all! Lied before Ro-Haram icon via heresy spell!'
'Kill!'
'Hang from tallest tower to dry-death!'
Hm... Obvious. Tainted sinner refusing sacred mission—priests and knights' boiling rage dumps on me.
- Soy Sauce Gaybar: High Priestess suddenly floors it?
- Take a Look: Threatened death, now Hero. Illegal U-turn.
- Highway Nacho Man: Hero: Refuse=heretic. Heretic anyway.
- Jokasss: Still, Radiant Church Hero ain't bad?
- Take a Look: Who knows. Terms unseen, forcing contract stamp.
Cold sweat down back snapped Professor alert. Done. Done, but not trial—I'm done!
'Checkmate. I lost! Didn't fool them—they fooled me!'
Finally grasped odd unease source. Thought I schemed well, fooled all.
'That smug smile! El Senadis played along from somewhere! Gathered priests to fool both me and them, stage this!'
Professor saw her bright first-meet smile, thought giant serpent flicking tongue.
***