Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Blazing Black Flame Dangleon (2)
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-We've done enough, so let's hand the case over to the guard at this point!
The words sounded perfectly reasonable.
They even gave the impression of being the proper stance for a councilor truly devoted to the city's welfare.
However, the reality of councilors wasn't always so upright.
Whether they were truly acting for the city's sake...
Or solely to protect their own rice bowl...
To push their will through within the city, they needed corresponding power.
Thus, councilors threw all their efforts into factional struggles to seize even a little more of the various interests and rights surrounding Bondalles.
That was why Lan couldn't easily hand the case over to the guard.
The guard were nominally the fine folks responsible for Bondalles's safety and peace, but in reality, they were a group that aggressively wielded authority under the pretext of maintaining public order.
After the guard came under the jurisdiction of the councilors' factions, Bondalles's back alleys had entered an unprecedented boom.
All sorts of illegal businesses ran rampant, with massive funds flowing in from unknown places and out to unknown destinations.
It was from that time that the factions began building influence throughout the city, backed by enormous financial power.
So, what would happen if she handed this heretic incident over to such a faction?
Would they properly praise Lan's efforts in working for the city's security?
'Like hell they would.'
This heretic incident had occurred in Lan's jurisdiction.
Lan was certain.
If she couldn't resolve it on her own and handed it over to the guard, they would use it as an excuse to encroach on her territory.
Once the guard started rampaging in her area, it would become a hotbed for illegal businesses everywhere before long.
On the other hand, if she resolved it on her own?
Not only would she protect her territory, but she'd gain justification to seize some of the guard's authority.
-While you guard lot were twiddling your thumbs, we caught and interrogated the heretics trying to turn the city upside down.
How splendid and ironclad a justification that was.
Therefore, Lan wanted to handle this heretic matter on her own somehow.
The White Shadow Church was deeply involved, making it practically impossible?
Then at least, she wanted her contributions guaranteed.
For that, she still desperately needed the help of those three: Shakan, Maldrad, and Vallod.
Even if she handed the heretic matter to the guard, if they led the subjugation as responsible parties, Lan's contributions would be greatly assured.
With that in mind, Lan had called the three aside for further negotiations.
She promised extraordinary terms to request their cooperation.
But their reactions weren't great.
"Hmm..."
"..."
Vallod and Maldrad were deep in thought, hesitating to respond.
"Councilor Lan,"
In the midst of that, Shakan spoke up.
"I like you. So I want to help you as much as possible."
"Then—"
"But to be honest, I have no desire to get involved in your local faction squabbles."
"...!"
The barbarian tribe beastwoman warrior spoke with brutal honesty.
And that honesty spoke for Maldrad and Vallod, who had been agonizing over how to convey it.
At the point where handing the incident to the guard was deemed right, Lan's further request was no different from asking them to directly bolster her in the councilors' factional strife.
Getting involved in the power struggles of a massive city like Bondalles wasn't easy even for big shots like them.
No, it was even harder precisely because they were such big shots.
They held significant influence within their own groups.
Their intentions could be seen as representing their entire group's will.
"Ah—"
The young councilor Lan was at a loss for words.
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
Having immersed herself in the role of protecting citizens from heretics and corrupt powers, she belatedly realized she was imposing on them.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away."
The young, upright councilor who had sought to protect her people and citizens from corrupt powers ultimately bowed her head.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The expressions of the three who had successfully(?) persuaded Lan weren't entirely satisfied either.
Lan was a councilor of Bondalles who, unlike most, strove to be as upright and honorable as possible.
They had maintained personal ties with her and rushed over at her letter precisely because they knew that side of her well.
It was undoubtedly Lan's greatest strength.
...And also her weakness.
The Pelos family, Lan's house, being Bondalles's greatest had become a thing of the past.
Bondalles had changed.
The powers-that-be had begun revealing their ambitions more aggressively, making competition fiercer and uglier.
In that process, the Pelos prestige had waned day by day.
If Lan had been the type to use any means for power, she might have found a more efficient path than begging these three and getting refused.
She wouldn't have repeatedly suffered losses by clashing with other corrupt powers under the banner of protecting her people and citizens.
With this incident, Councilor Lan and the Pelos family's prestige would diminish further.
Bondalles would drift one step further from virtues like integrity and honor.
Regrettably, it was none of the three outsiders' concern.
It was unfortunate, but not reason enough to stake their and their groups' well-being.
"Tch. If we could at least grasp their exact forces. There might have been room to intervene."
Shakan spat out the realistically impossible notion like an excuse.
The White Shadow Church was a group so entrenched, operating conspiratorially, that uprooting them entirely was impossible.
Even Priestess Goldina probably didn't know exactly who her contact was.
In such circumstances, how could they ascertain their detailed forces?
The atmosphere sank like sinking into a swamp.
A grim picture of Bondalles's future easily formed in their minds.
"Everyone. It seems I've figured out the White Shadow Church personnel composition that will appear at the rendezvous point."
"..."
A sudden voice intruded at that moment.
They all turned toward the door.
There stood the man holding the crystal orb, cautiously gauging their reactions.
"What should we do? Should we strike our side first?"
"No..."
The three's hearts had already left Bondalles.
All that remained was for their bodies to follow.
But those hearts were forcibly summoned back to Bondalles.
They returned to the reception room and took their seats.
Shakan perched on the windowsill.
Vallod sat in a chair.
Maldrad leaned against the wall with arms crossed.
Their postures differed, but all their gazes fixed on Rishir.
And for some reason, their eyes uniformly showed exhaustion.
"What did you do this time?"
Shakan said in a weary tone.
Then, she noticed the crystal orb in Rishir's hand.
'Huh? Was that thing that color?'
Shakan pushed the doubt aside and continued.
"Don't tell me that demon bastard told you?"
The demon bastard.
At those words, Dangleon, resident of the crystal orb, roared.
"...!"
Shakan involuntarily straightened her posture at the overwhelming presence in that shout.
Vallod and Maldrad did the same.
The Blazing Black Flame Dangleon.
That name, etched vividly in continental history, was not one to be taken lightly by red tower mages who handled fire, demon hunters who slew demons, or warriors following their ancestors' footsteps.
Shivering at the demon's majesty they had momentarily forgotten, they thought.
Why did I forget about that demon?
"Hey, Dangleon. Mind your words. 'Mongrel bitch'?"
"They're just cool."
"Ha... Just shut up already."
Ah.
That was why.
They suddenly felt bewildered again.
How had this arrogant demon, who treated mortals like insects, ended up subjugated by a human?
The reason the three hadn't left Bondalles yet was entirely due to that absurd sight.
It never got old, always fresh and thrilling.
"Back to the point. Yes, that's right. This guy told me the personnel composition for the rendezvous. He also informed me about the White Shadow Church's overall plans."
"Rishir, out of concern, but taking a demon's words at face value isn't wise."
Vallod nodded at Maldrad's words.
"It was in Councilor Lan's possession for a while. Even if it's only telling the truth, the info might have changed in the meantime. Rendezvous spots and times change frequently depending on circumstances."
"Ah, no need to worry about that."
"How can you be so sure?"
"It's freshly acquired intel."
"?"
Rishir confessed what had just happened.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Not just the three, but even Lan's face drew question marks.
A demon pledging loyalty to a human?
And sacrificing most of its power to prove it?
Infiltrating heretic followers to steal their info?
Even a storyteller fabricating that would get pelted with stones.
But—
"Understood. Since it's you saying it, I'll believe."
Because it was Rishir saying it, they decided to believe.
At this point, they started worrying.
Were they turning into idiots who accepted anything just because it was those three letters 'Rishir'?
If some gray tower mage heard, they'd smile in satisfaction at gaining a colleague.
"Will you share the demon's acquired intel?"
Few understood a demon's nature better than demon worshipers.
They knew how arrogant and egocentric demons were.
Thus, it was unimaginable to them.
A demon betraying its followers and submitting to a human disrupting their ritual.
That was why.
The heretics, suddenly encountering Dangleon communicating via the sealing stone, found it abrupt but didn't suspect.
Though the ritual had a brief hiccup, they took Dangleon's word that it proceeded without issue and responded to his info-sharing request.
In truth, they had no obligation to share with Dangleon.
In their grand plan, he was just a part, not the whole.
However—
The tantrum of a demon who had lived eons was hard even for demon worshipers to endure.
In the end, Dangleon succeeded in extorting the full plan details from the heretics.
According to him—
On the day Goldina was set to secretly meet the heretics.
The heretics' plans were to unfold simultaneously across Bondalles.
First, the secret meeting with Goldina, in charge of Dangleon's liberation ritual.
One priest emerged to share ritual progress with Goldina.
"It's just hands and feet for now, but utter one word and I'll burn your lungs instantly, you heretic scum."
"...!"
He was subdued by the ambushing Rishir and Vallod.
Next, retrieving the fragment of demon Maltel stored in a merchant's mansion warehouse.
Another priest stepped out to infiltrate the mansion, eliminate witnesses, and secure the fragment.
"Damn it— What the... He was clearly just an ordinary merchant— Something's happening... You slave wench! Get out of the way— Urk!"
They were subdued by the ambushing Maldrad and Shakan.
...The demon's clutches were turning toward the demon worshipers.
High Priest Dranoph of the White Shadow Church felt like his head would split.
"..."
The smoothly progressing plan was hitting successive snags at the final stage.
As if someone was watching from above, toying with them by stepping on their shadows.
After deep thought, Dranoph reached an unbelievable conclusion.
'There's a filthy traitor within the church...'
Anyone able to leak full plan details would hold at least priest rank within the church.
Yet no obvious suspect came to mind.
The priests around him were all faithful believers.
Dranoph needed advice now.
'Lord Maltel...'
The demon he served didn't answer.
Not enough rituals had been performed yet.
In the end, he sought guidance from another exalted being.
"Dangleon. Contact with Barda, set to meet Goldina, has been cut off. And now even Gashuel, tasked with Lord Maltel's fragment retrieval. Any guesses?"
"What was it?"
"...!"
Podran. He was one of the three priests Dranoph had brought to Bondalles.
Also one of Dranoph's disciples.
"No, impossible!"
Dranoph denied it.
"..."
The White Shadow Church was one yet not one.
Numerous factions existed within, some treating each other not just as enemies but as blood foes.
'No way—'
Podran was undoubtedly Dranoph's disciple, but not wholly subservient.
'That bitch Rapita—'
Dranoph bit his lip.
The demon's voice had planted the seed of suspicion, sprouting.
"..."
The demon worshiper nodded along to the demon's voice.
"Didn't you say one more priest remained? Even alone, that high priest won't be easy, right?"
"Is that so?"
The black—no, gray mist inside the crystal orb roiled.
"Everyone. You heard that? Let's go right now."
"..."
Was it okay to wipe out demon worshipers like this?
At this rate, who even were the demon worshipers?
They suddenly felt a crisis of identity and pangs of conscience.