Chapter 296
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: Romanel
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The proud investigation team of the Owen Marquisate.
What did an investigation team do?
They responded when an incident occurred and resolved it.
Of course, they weren't always perfectly impartial. They dealt harshly with anyone who threatened the marquisate's reputation or tried to smear it with filth.
But Romanel had never once thought that was wrong.
To him, the marquis was like a king.
In his entire life, Romanel had never seen the marquis bow his head to anyone else or fail to achieve his will.
And he himself possessed the power to make that will a reality.
That was why he took pride in his work.
An eye for an eye against evil.
That was his creed, and the enemies of the marquisate were his enemies.
But what if...
What if the marquis declared him an enemy?
What if the man he'd devoted his life to called him 'evil'?
Then what should I, the 'evil' one, do to punish 'evil'...?
Romanel couldn't come up with an answer right away.
The doubt first reared its head that morning.
"Something's off."
It was about half a month after the investigation had begun.
Romanel shot an irritated glance at the fellow mage who'd just spoken up beside him.
"What's off? Are you saying we're not doing our jobs properly? We're giving it our all."
In fact, over the past half month, they hadn't just blindly chased leads on the assaults.
They'd observed the mana fluctuations that appeared when a Dimensional Reversal occurred, launched inquiries into the entity known as the Death Aspect, and even scrutinized the recent movements of the Sun Church.
Yet not a single solid clue had emerged.
Romanel's frustration was mounting.
But the mage shook his head, as if that wasn't it.
"The Sun Church is being suspiciously cooperative with us."
"...What?"
"Think about it. Sure, we've never been welcomed here, but they've never interfered with our work either."
Observing mana fluctuations was old hat by now, so they'd had to review the Sun Church's past reports.
The entity called the Death Aspect was only known from a prophecy received by the previous previous pope.
All that information had been provided with the Sun Church's permission.
"Obviously, it's a bluff. You don't seriously think they're handing over info willingly, do you? If it was useful, we would've found something by now."
"Give me some credit. But look at this. Up until a month ago, there were no precursors to the lich's finger at all. Then, in that one month, Bishop Mellea tried to extract the lich's finger bone."
"And that Bishop Mellea vanished for some reason, and the Sun Church isn't even looking for him. Doesn't that paint a pretty picture?"
They were trying to pin all the blame on this Bishop Mellea.
Apparently, the bishop had often used the lich's finger bone for his research anyway.
They probably planned to dump the entire incident on him.
"If that was their plan, shouldn't they have started after we arrived, at least?"
"Well..."
"The Sun Church began searching for Bishop Mellea three days before we got here. Exactly three days after receiving the official demand for an explanation, the bishop disappeared."
"Three days is plenty of time for him to notice their sham and bolt."
"But they wouldn't mobilize their entire force just to look for him."
"..."
That was true.
If their search for Bishop Mellea wasn't above board, they wouldn't have moved so many people.
They were already swamped cleaning up the Merdaine mess, yet they were even pulling troops from there to hunt for the bishop. That was suspicious.
"So, what are you getting at?"
"Are we even really investigating properly?"
"What?"
Now Romanel's expression turned fierce, irritation giving way to outright hostility.
"Are you saying the marquis gave us a half-assed mission?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
"Then what?"
"...Hard to say for sure. Something just feels off. Like some unknown info's worming into my head, warning me."
"Now you're talking nonsense."
Romanel clicked his tongue, slapped his colleague's shoulder, and walked past.
The mage watched Romanel's back, then scanned the surroundings.
'Holy knights.'
The few remaining holy knights in Merdaine encircled them.
It was a familiar sight.
For the past few days, they'd been 'escorting' them under the guise of protection—really just surveillance.
But why...
'It feels like genuine protection.'
Could this be tied to the unease?
The mage couldn't figure it out.
Back to the meeting between Jun, the saintess, and Crown Prince Dexter.
"Owen Linelt is likely at the center of this incident."
[The Owen Marquis, eh.]
"Yes. He's the linchpin of all the nobles, and his family has held that position historically."
[We predicted as much. A move this big—he wouldn't sit it out.]
"Exactly. And the Owen Marquis will dispatch an investigation team here... and kill them."
[I see. So he'll frame the Sun Church for it. Think they'll just waltz in and poison themselves?]
As if tasting bitter disgust, Dexter's mana hologram face twisted viciously.
The saintess, who had been listening intently, spoke up.
"I don't think so."
[Hmm. Saintess, explain.]
"No matter how powerful the marquis, he can't arbitrarily manipulate a Level 6 mind."
The investigation team's average combat power was around Levels 4 to 5. Among the top elites, there were Level 6s, and given the gravity of the situation, Owen would send his best.
"Even if he ordered them to 'commit suicide,' they wouldn't obey."
[True enough. And even if he tried mental manipulation, it wouldn't work in your presence.]
"Yes. Such mental magic typically counts as a curse."
Having fully reached Level 8 after the battle with the lich, the saintess exuded confidence.
"But they still want the team dead. That leaves only one option."
"Assassination."
"Exactly."
Listening, Jun suddenly recalled a face.
If someone were to attempt an assassination in this affair... and to deal the Sun Church the most devastating blow, who would they send?
[The nobles are going all-in right now. Like it's their last stand. They know if this reaches His Majesty's ears after his return, their necks won't stay intact.]
At last, the emperor would have the justification to wield the sword he'd held back for lack of cause.
So they wouldn't use some ragtag assassin squad.
"...Captain Jun. Before this all started, you asked me."
-Has there ever been a prior request to remove the lich's finger bone?
At the time when the lich's resurrection was imminent, Bishop Mellea had tried to extract the lich's finger bone.
Jun had questioned it with a hint of suspicion.
Of course, he'd tried not to show it, and the saintess hadn't caught on then.
But now, at Level 8, beyond human limits, her insight dredged up that moment.
"Bishop Mellea. What if he's the one who steps up?"
"It'd be the Sun Church's greatest vulnerability."
A Sun Church bishop assaults—or is behind—the investigation team probing the Dimensional Reversal.
If that leaked out... public opinion would tank, and countless nobles would draw their swords from the sheath of 'justification' against the Church.
Dexter, unaware of Bishop Mellea, couldn't follow but sensed the gravity and waited.
"...Bishop Mellea. We need to find him first."
Bishop Mellea slipped into Merdaine quietly with the assassins he'd hired.
He stroked the hilt of his longtime beloved sword with one hand.
An old habit from his active days. A ritual before major battles.
"..."
The sword he'd always drawn only to punish the world's evils.
Now, he had to draw it for his own selfish desires.
'No excuses left.'
If he died, he wouldn't reach God's side.
But asked if he regretted this act, he'd shake his head firmly.
Age had come, and he could no longer rely solely on faith like in his youth.
Or more precisely...
He'd gained something he loved more than God.
Yet the cruel world had snatched away his most precious treasure.
To reclaim it, he'd stain these hands with blood without hesitation.
"Let's go."
The assassin squad, assembled by pouring in all his hoarded gold.
All elites, including even a Level 7 among them.
The eight of them infiltrated Gurtaren Castle.
Normally, the saintess's holy power would detect them instantly, but Mellea's holy power nullified it.
"That way."
Per the intel, assassinate the investigation team in Merdaine.
Resolve this, and he'd get what he wanted.
Half a month.
Over that time, they'd stalked the team's gaps.
But the holy knights guarded them like iron walls—no opening for attack.
Not surprising.
The Sun Church knew if the team got hurt, proving innocence would take ages. Best to avoid it.
Swish...
Soundless steps inward. Mellea and the assassins crossed the sleep gas they'd deployed earlier.
This gas was special—poison from an 8th-layer plant. Even Level 7 monsters couldn't withstand it.
The Level 6 investigation team at best? They'd drop without noticing.
Right as they closed in...
[Stop.]
A third voice rang out, halting their movements.
Not by choice.
It felt like the world itself had bound them.
And from the darkness emerged someone with snow-white hair.
A mage with long hair tied back.
It was Jun.
Living as the Mage of the Hero Party 297