Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Reconnaissance (2)
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Everything in the world is meant to be in balance.
Pros and cons, good and bad. Where there's light, there's shadow.
Yeah. That's how the world is supposed to work.
So, one side shouldn't overwhelm the other and break that balance.
"You're a Cradle student, Carlyle?"
"Wow—! We're enrolling soon too!"
"Then we'll be your juniors!"
The young ladies, giggling shrilly and keeping the mood and energy sky-high, surrounded Carlyle and bombarded him with questions.
And behind them walked the Hero, more than ready to turn Carlyle from a single organism into a plural one if he matched that vibe and tension.
"⋯⋯."
⋯⋯Isn't the shadow overpowering the light here? Balance it out a bit.
Gray's aura had rarely ever felt this warm and friendly, come to think of it.
Even so, this was seriously off.
She'd always been the type to throw punches first regardless of the target if she didn't like something, but right now it felt like she'd draw her sword too.
"That's true, but... I'm not sure I'd make a good senior."
"Huh? Why not?"
"You seem so kind! I'm confident I'd follow you around after enrolling!"
"That might get you killed."
Mostly by Gray, who was glaring at them like a beast from behind right now.
But taking Carlyle's words as a joke, the traffic light trio burst into laughter in unison.
"What kind of talk is that—!"
"You say the funniest things—!"
⋯⋯It wasn't even that funny, but their ha-ha-ho-ho laughter was almost admirable in a way.
Is this the kind of sensibility teenage girls have, where they can squeal at the sight of a falling leaf? Old fogeys like Carlyle had a hard time keeping up⋯⋯
"⋯⋯."
He also broke out in cold sweat toward the young lady whose hand kept twitching toward the Holy Sword's hilt.
No, come on, they could stick close sometimes. It wasn't like he was doing anything wrong.
What was she planning to do with that sword⋯⋯?
[⋯⋯You look happy. How's it feel to be a popular guy?]
'Happy? This?!'
[⋯⋯⋯⋯You could just say it feels good.]
'⋯⋯.'
Had she finally lost it?
What was good about getting death threats in real time⋯⋯?
"Vespa. Vespa, say something—"
As he turned his head toward Vespa while saying that, Carlyle shut his mouth.
"Yes?"
"⋯⋯."
"Carlyle, what's wrong?"
"⋯⋯Nothing."
There was frost on her smile.
It was a mask-like smile he'd never seen on this kind person before, one that made his blood curdle just looking at it.
Why was she like this too?
There was no safe haven for him anywhere in the world.
'Ah, no demons around anywhere?'
The atmosphere felt like walking on thin ice, enough to bring such irreverent thoughts to mind.
Fortunately, there were other encounters besides demons.
"Carlyle Bellfast, correct?"
A question like that suddenly dropped on Carlyle, who looked like he was dying in distress.
Looking up, he saw a priest smiling kindly.
"Cardinal Felix sent me. I'm Gregory, in charge of guiding you this time. I'm with the Exorcism Division in the Church."
Ah.
The 'cooperating personnel' from the Orthodox Church that Felix had mentioned beforehand.
To Carlyle right now, they were a godsend⋯⋯
"Yes, Gregory Priest. Nice to meet you."
"I've heard of your reputation, brother, and I'd love to have a deep talk, but... time probably won't allow it."
Gregory sighed and glanced back.
The factory district on the capital's outskirts, now closed for business, filled their view.
Dust choked their noses, and the sharp scents of iron and oil assaulted their faces.
"I heard the goal is to find objects emitting demonic energy inside, but... I have a really bad feeling about this."
"But it feels kinda lively?"
Vespa said, tilting her head.
"I thought demons meant something more gloomy and desolate. This seems pretty ordinary⋯⋯? Like everyday life."
Demons usually conjured images of shadowy, decadent hideouts, easy to conceal in. But this was a bustling daily space, teeming with people during peak hours.
These sneaky bastards hiding here?
"Well, I thought so too, but Carlyle here insisted we search here first—"
"They nest in places like this more than you'd think. They exploit preconceptions well."
Carlyle answered flatly.
Two principles for tracking demons.
The lamp casts no light beneath it—recheck blind spots in perception.
And consider if it's a place where an incident would 'kill the maximum number of people.'
"The intersection of both usually hits the mark. This place fits on that front."
That was why Carlyle had picked this spot first among candidates.
If they were plotting something, this was candidate number one.
"⋯⋯."
As he laid that out, blank stares turned on him from all around.
Especially Gregory Priest's gaze, full of suspicion.
"Have you... ever been with the Orthodox Church before, brother?"
"⋯⋯No, but I've dealt with demons a bit."
Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times.
Until their habits were etched into his soul, muscles, and bones.
Gregory Priest stared hard at Carlyle as he mulled that over.
His eyes were thick with the sentiment of never having seen a guy like this before.
"Her Eminence called you an excellent talent, but this is impressive. Even the Exorcism Division has gaps in demon habits. I'd love to share knowledge sometime."
The priest chuckled heartily and said that, earning an awkward smile from Carlyle.
"Well, shall we head in?"
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Thanks to some event called the Fever Ceremony granting extended leave, the factory district interior was eerily quiet.
And the moment they entered.
Carlyle took a deep breath amid a dizzying sensation in his head.
"⋯⋯."
The acrid Demonic Energy rotted his nose and gnawed at his skin.
He could feel it.
This was a big one.
Something was definitely inside.
"⋯⋯Vespa. Can you stay here with the young ladies?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Let's split into two teams."
One team: Gray, Carlyle, Gregory Priest.
Other: Vespa and the traffic light trio.
The split wasn't arbitrary—something was bound to happen, so it was necessary.
Dividing combatants from those who mustn't get hurt.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯Carlyle, you okay?"
Sensing something off in his demeanor, Vespa hesitated and asked.
"I'm fine. Take good care of the young ladies."
He left Vespa and the three at the factory district entrance.
With instructions to run if it got dangerous.
The moment they entered the dark building, Gray spoke with narrowed eyes.
"⋯⋯You okay?"
"Yes?"
"You look rough."
Same thing Vespa said.
Carlyle gave a wry smile in response.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Don't bullshit me."
But Gray's voice was utterly serious.
"You're shaking inside, aren't you?"
"⋯⋯."
"Even moving looks hard."
What to say?
She got sharp like this every time he forgot.
"Not fully recovered?"
⋯⋯Hard to deny.
Recovery from the poison he'd taken fighting the Hydra before was agonizingly slow.
If not for the physical upgrades from tumbling around with the Dean, he'd have died ages ago.
Plus, backlash from drawing on the Hero's energy left his combat response noticeably dulled.
"⋯⋯This much is fine."
Even if a real demon popped out, Gray was here.
Odds of a major disaster were low.
She nodded slightly at his reassurance.
"Stick right by me. No funny business."
Reliable. As expected of the lady.
"I'll kill you if you drag me down with nonsense?"
⋯⋯Beastly talk. As expected of the lady.
As they bantered, Gregory Priest watched Gray and Carlyle alternately with intrigued eyes.
"⋯⋯Fascinating."
"Yes?"
"I've heard rumors of the Hero's... unique temperament. What's your relationship with her, Carlyle brother?"
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
Innocent question.
But the moment it landed, Gray's gaze shifted subtly.
She glanced at Carlyle, curious what he'd say.
"Servant and master."
Her face soured instantly at the answer.
⋯⋯Just stating facts, why?
"I'm going ahead."
Gregory chuckled as Gray dashed forward.
"The Hero must favor you greatly, Carlyle brother."
"⋯⋯"
"That's how it looks to me."
⋯⋯Something.
"Must be precious to her. You."
He stared at Carlyle, as if discovering something intriguing.
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