Chapter 285
Chapter 285
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Fanatics
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Hero and Saintess.
Demon and Black Mage.
They shall appear in the same place at the same time.
That was the Ash Words that had led the group commanded by the Order of the Ashes member Danil to this spot.
The Ashes spake thus:
If 'they' do not reach Iphrien, great calamity shall befall the city—
The Ash Words were, as always, vague, yet they pointed clearly in one direction.
Hero and Saintess.
Demon and Black Mage.
What would happen if they gathered in one place was predetermined.
Which among them would benefit the city was also set in stone.
Thus, Danil's mission was clear.
Subjugate the demon and black mage, protect the hero and saintess, and escort them safely to the city!
That was why the Order of the Ashes had been waiting for Rishir's group.
...It was also why the Order of the Ashes was now in disarray.
"...Come to think of it, I haven't even introduced myself yet. Wielder of the holy sword. I am Danil, a member of the Order, Hand of the Ashes, carrying out His will."
Danil of the Order of the Ashes.
The middle-aged man's deep eyes held something thicker than mere experience.
As if, even with a person right in front of him, he gazed toward some distant place—a kind of madness, perhaps.
He was one prepared to endure anything to follow the Ash Words.
Even death or horrors akin to utter disgrace.
The zealot's eyes never wavered, no matter the situation.
Except right now.
"You say you might be the saintess—what on earth do you mean?"
Knowing it rude, Danil couldn't help but let his gaze drop to the man's waist.
The young man's refined features were undeniable, but claiming to be the saintess had obvious practical limitations.
"And you claim to know about the demon and black mage lurking nearby—"
Danil's words halted there.
He was confused whether he was properly understanding or speaking.
'Surely—'
When he mentioned the saintess,
The hero said:
—Probably me.
Then, when he brought up the black mage and demon.
The hero said once more:
—Ah, got it for sure.
—Yeah, that's me.
Danil pondered.
What should he doubt here?
His own comprehension of the intent behind the words?
Or the hero's logical expression of thoughts?
"..."
And so.
As the zealot rarely fell into confusion, the hero seized the opening.
"Hand of the Ashes, Danil. If you wouldn't mind, could you explain the full story? It might help us understand each other's positions."
"..."
The Order of the Ashes.
Their policy of action, following the Ash Words, was predetermined in advance.
Thus, they needed no explanations.
Except right now.
Even following policy to block the black mage and demon, they hadn't shown so much as a nose.
"The Ashes spake—"
Uncharacteristically, the zealot explained the full events.
The Ash Words.
Simplified for an outsider to understand easily.
It grated against his instincts, even for the Ashes' authority—
But no choice.
'I must steer the conversation...!'
The zealot thought, eyeing the man before him.
He seemed to have latched onto the wrong one.
He didn't want things to get more complicated.
The moment the zealot Danil regained his reason.
This was before Rishir began a proper conversation with Danil.
—Rishir, be careful. The Order of the Ashes—they're zealots who rarely listen to reason!
Delron had solemnly warned Rishir.
The Order of the Ashes.
Be exceedingly cautious when dealing with those zealots!
Why?
Because they held the Ash Words as absolute value, they weren't courteous enough to seek understanding from outsiders!
"If 'they' do not reach Iphrien, great calamity shall befall the city. Thus, we judged based on those Ash Words. The demon and black mage would block the hero and saintess's path, so we must help 'them'—the hero and saintess—reach Iphrien safely—"
Except right now.
'Are these really the Order of the Ashes...?'
Delron, who had been burned by those zealots multiple times before,
Couldn't help but feel baffled by their neighborly kindness.
"Hmm... I see."
Rishir nodded as if understanding.
Once more!
"Y-you understand...?"
In the same situation before his return, the answer had been 'I'm the saintess black mage demon'.
The zealot desperately hoped for a normal response this time.
"Yes. I believe I get it right. Actually, just before arriving here, there was a clash with a black mage."
"Is that true!?"
Rishir's eyes flicked briefly to the upper left.
It was familiar to him.
Having others accept things related to him by casually spilling the right words!
"White Shadow Church!"
Rishir's consideration worked.
The zealot brightened up.
Finally, the conversation was clicking!
"Vile demon-worshipping cult!!! What did you do to them?"
"Thanks to some help, we resolved it well."
"...The Ashes spake—that the darkness was by no means minor."
Danil's zealot side, briefly set aside, returned.
Prioritizing the Ash Words, he doubted the man's words.
'So their 'precog' from that Ash whatever is more accurate than what I saw and experienced? What the—'
Rishir paled inwardly.
He could see why Delron had warned him so vehemently.
These zealots truly didn't respond to reason.
'What now?'
Trying to persuade them rashly would only provoke them.
Fanatical faith was like a blazing flame, flaring brighter with poured water.
'No helping it.'
After much deliberation, Rishir decided.
Better to reveal the truth plainly than half-ass a cover!
"...You're right. That darkness might indeed not be minor."
"Precisely."
As the other showed full deference, the zealot finally smiled.
A benevolent yet coercive smile.
Ready to deny instantly if the answer contradicted his beliefs—that kind of smile.
"Right now, we stand in the same place at the same time. Drawn by one grand current. Hero. You may not realize it, but you have seen the same as us. Please share plainly what you saw and felt."
The zealot's madness turned toward the man.
"Truth is. I'm currently the hero, saintess, demon, and black mage all at once."
"...You mentioned receiving help—what kind?"
The zealot hastily regained reason and listened intently.
Before arriving here, they clashed with black mages and repelled them without issue.
The hero's tale became an explanation for the Ash Words.
In its own way.
"But the Ashes clearly—"
The Ash Words had clearly hinted at this very place and time.
If the hero's story was true, that battle should have occurred right before the Order's eyes.
For a zealot who believed the Ash Words absolutely, the hero's account rang false.
The zealot eyed the hero's elf companion and bald man.
They met his gaze squarely.
That gaze asserted the hero's story was pure truth without a shred of lie.
"Is there any part you don't understand?"
Then.
The hero stared at the zealot.
His courteous demeanor, full of consideration, seemed ready to share the 'truth' anytime the other wished.
"No! I understand perfectly!"
The zealot blurted in alarm.
From the brief exchange, he'd sensed:
The hero possessed an extraordinary mental world and linguistic framework.
How could a clash with black mages be expressed as 'I'm hero saintess black mage demon'?
Surely, twisted understanding and belief lay within.
'This advancing hero is quite the unique one...! Better not provoke him rashly—'
Having regained reason unwillingly, the zealot judged it wise not to impose the Ashes' will sloppily on this man.
"Ah! Glad you understand. So, does that resolve all issues here?"
"Issues here?"
"As I said, I'm an envoy representing the expedition, heading to deliver a letter to Iphrien—"
"By expedition, you mean the elves' one?"
"Yes."
"..."
Danil stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment.
Soon, he extended a hand to Rishir.
"The letter, if you please—"
"Pardon?"
Rishir was taken aback.
He already knew from Delron how immense the Order's authority was.
But—
'They inspect letters to the city upper echelons too?'
Rishir glanced at Latsil and Delron's reactions.
"..."
Latsil, finding the human's attitude distasteful, had reverted to her usual prickly demeanor toward humans.
Delron felt the same displeasure, but—
—Rishir. No choice.
He urged cautiously with his eyes.
As a citizen of nearby Toremun, he knew the zealots' notoriety well.
'Well, there are definitely crazy folks who tamper with letters via magic—'
Rishir soothed himself and handed the letter to Danil.
"..."
Danil carefully reviewed the contents before tucking it into his bosom.
Rishir relaxed.
At least, he planned to deliver it properly to the city leadership.
"Passage granted."
"Pardon?"
Rishir doubted his ears.
Setting aside the confidence to casually admit an entire expedition into the city.
'Deciding on troops passing through the city right here, outside?')
Rishir unwittingly let out a chuckle.
He'd thought he fully grasped the Order's vast authority from Delron's repeated emphasis—
But their actual power far exceeded his imagination.
"One condition."
"Speak."
"Hero, please remain in Iphrien for a time."
"..."
Rishir saw the blaze in the zealot's eyes.
'That Ash Words thing.'
He realized instantly.
They would never compromise on this condition.
Rishir's group promptly returned to camp and relayed the city's demand.
As the expedition's mood grew restless,
Rishir spoke up.
"Well, isn't this a good thing?"
"Rishir?"
"They emphasized it themselves, right? Just a short time. If me staying briefly saves time for the whole expedition, it's a solid deal. You all go ahead, and I'll catch up soon."
"...Is there another reason?"
Karoer, gazing steadily at Rishir, asked.
"Uh—"
The high elf's transcendent eyes seemed to pierce his soul.
Rishir answered, considerably startled.
"Actually, the demon sword told me."
"The demon sword?"
"The remaining one might be—in this city."
That was why Rishir had faintly anticipated visiting Iphrien.
As the city drew near, the beast had perked up, hinting at the possibility.
"Ah."
The high elf finally withdrew the dissatisfaction from her expression.
"Understood. If it aligns with your goal, I'll gladly comply."
Soon.
After consulting briefly with Lunadien, Karoer spoke.
"We'll pass through Iphrien and wait at the point beyond. As they said, your stay should be brief."
The expedition prepared to traverse the city.
Meanwhile.
Rishir gathered his companions who had completed the envoy mission with him.
"Oh, I almost forgot to say this. Everyone. Sorry. Or should I say thanks—"
"Pardon? Rishir, what—"
"What's up all of a sudden, Rishir?"
"Just now, when convincing the Order. To persuade them, I had to make up some words—and you all went along with it so willingly. Sorry. Didn't mean to drag you into lying because of me—"
"?"
Latsil exchanged glances with Delron before speaking.
"Lying? What lie?"
"Huh? You know, that we found and beat a black mage before meeting the Order—"
"What!? That was a lie!?"
"...Huh? What do you mean, Latsil? I've been with you all the whole time."
"But it's Rishir!? We figured you handled it on your own somehow! Like sending your soul or whatever."
Delron nodded vigorously in agreement beside her.
"..."
Rishir was bewildered.
The Order of the Ashes.
He felt greater madness now than during his talks with those zealots.