Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Arrival at Grimhal Manor
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Clack...
Clack...
Snort...
The horse's whinny shattered the silence inside the carriage.
"So, you're saying you're traveling to Baron Grimhal's territory with these demons of unknown origins?"
"Mary, only one of them is actually a demon."
"...And the others?"
"I don't know their exact identities either."
"But why take on the job...!"
"Because the God of the Veil, Bes, gave us his word."
The Church of Bes worships Bes, the god who rules over the veil. It might seem sinister or shadowy just from the name, but their doctrines are anything but.
Their core teachings revolve around embrace.
Embracing all believers.
All humans, demons, elves, dwarves, and more across the Solaria continent. The church bids them to draw these souls into the vast embrace of the veil, a haven for those shunned by the sun.
"Are you uncomfortable traveling with demons?"
"Well..."
A burly man with a scar across his face spoke up instead.
"Honestly, yes. If it were any other matter, fine—but we're not visiting Baron Grimhal in peace, are we?"
"Holy Maiden, Sir Kazari is absolutely right on this. It would be better to request aid from the church headquarters..."
"There are two reasons we're not doing that."
Adelia held up two fingers and began her explanation.
"First, if we request support from headquarters for this mission, it'll raise doubts about my abilities. That's an undeniable fact."
"...You're right."
"Second, it's simple. Lord Bes truly decreed that things would resolve if we joined forces with the black-haired man."
"But..."
"Doubting his word is tantamount to denying my faith. True devotion... sometimes means believing the unbelievable."
Her eyes sparkled with fervent light, forcing the paladins—Sir Kazari, Mary, and Alon—present to sigh deeply in unison.
"You're right."
"I'll follow..."
"No choice, then."
With the important discussion concluded, everyone leaned back against the carriage seats.
"By the way, what's that man's name?"
"He introduced himself as Phon. Who knows if that's real."
"Phon... Hmm... Phon..."
"Mary? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing."
"...Do you like him?"
"He's a demon."
"And?"
"His background's a mystery. He's full of red flags."
"...So?"
"...He's handsome."
Pfft!
"True, he does have that sculpted pretty-boy look."
"That's why even Mary here's interested."
"W-Who said I was interested...!"
* * *
"Explain, Amon."
"About your body?"
"Yeah."
Amon seemed to know something about my body. I'd hidden nothing, but it irked me that there were facts I didn't know.
"Your body is currently linked to the Rotten Root."
"I know that."
"Not in a simple sense. You share life force with it."
"With the dungeon?"
"Precisely, the dungeon core. Your life force is fused with the core's. You can't sever the connection until the core grows stronger."
I'd known this to some extent too.
"But how did you know my body wouldn't fail me right away?"
"You recently devoured a powerful soul, didn't you?"
"A powerful... soul?"
"To put it simply, the dungeon core grows more resilient the more souls it consumes."
A powerful soul...
"You mean Kal Kurs?"
"Whatever it was, if you recalled it, that's the one. That soul became your life force."
"...Strange."
Tsk...
"So, to live, I have to kill?"
"It's nothing major. Beasts, humans—most life forms kill to survive. Living is killing, at its core. Nothing special about it."
I sank deeper into the chair at Amon's words.
Nothing special.
An assessment of the path ahead, into the future.
I thought it was a good way to put it.
"More importantly, isn't getting involved with church folk dangerous?"
Bill asked.
"The Church of Bes isn't your typical group. Even the Empire brands them heretics, so our interests align for once."
"The church that worships the God of the Veil."
"They're shunned for their doctrines on integrating other races. As long as we don't get too deeply entangled, it's fine. This is a one-time thing, and their offered price is exactly what I need right now."
"Then I understand."
Knock knock...
Mori knocked on the carriage with a voice laced with amusement.
"We've arrived. This seems to be Baron Grimhal's manor."
Creak...
The carriage halted.
'...Impressive.'
A massive manor sprawled before us. The gardens alone seemed larger than the black market grounds.
The landscaping alone revealed how exacting the manor's owner must be.
At the manor gates stood a middle-aged man in a flamboyant cloak and oversized brooch. The horde of servants gathered around him demonstrated how he managed such a vast estate effortlessly.
Stroke...
The Baron Grimhal stepped forward, stroking his mustache—caught between elegance and absurdity.
"Your personal visit honors us beyond measure, Lady Adelia. Lanford Grimhal... is at a loss for words."
"Sir Lanford, the new head of House Grimhal, please dispense with formalities. Tending to the faithful is one of my few sacred duties."
"Heh heh... You are truly beautiful, Lady Adelia. My heart beats lively after so long."
Baron Grimhal knelt and kissed the back of Adelia's hand, his lips lingering as if savoring it. I couldn't suppress a frown.
"And might I inquire about your companions...?"
"They are wanderers. They're merely keeping me company on my pilgrimage for personal reasons."
"Hahaha! How bold! Then let us make introductions inside."
My eyes met Baron Grimhal's.
'Ho...'
One glimpse of his gleaming gaze told me everything about the man.
'...Not hiding it, huh?'
Perhaps bolstered by confidence in his fortress-like home, he made no effort to conceal his madness.
"Faust."
"......"
"Do you know we're walking into the wolf's jaws?"
"Yeah, seems like it."
Presences lurked everywhere around the manor, concealed.
Amon grinned.
"We won't be bored during our stay."
My own assessment differed.
"I'll need more magic stones for this to break even."
"That works too."
Step...
Step...
Our figures heading toward the manor gates must have looked precarious, like a scene from a horror flick.
Yet a strange feeling stirred within me.
'...Am I excited?'
Something was bound to happen.
A madman, ominous signs.
And this isolated manor as the stage.
That thrilled me.
I'd wring out compensation no matter the excuse.
Stroke...
Mary sidled up during the walk and spoke.
"Don't go wandering off... You're just a temporary fill-in for the gaps while the paladins investigate."
"Sound advice. I'll comply."
"You're actually listening...!"
It was a warning for side characters to stay put and not cause trouble. Mary suspiciously sidled back to Adelia with a hum-hmm!
Soon after, servants guided us to our quarters for the stay. True to the grand manor, there were plenty of rooms.
The princess's group and the three paladins each got their own rooms, while our side was split by gender into two rooms total. They probably didn't realize this made movement easier for us.
We were then led to dinner, taking seats at the long table where Baron Grimhal occupied the head and Adelia sat opposite.
'...Dinner at a long table, huh.'
I'd never eaten at such an odd setup.
Adelia and Lanford Grimhal chatted mostly about topics only they knew, so I tuned it out and ate. That's when Baron Grimhal turned his attention to us.
"Hmm... Come to think of it, Lady Adelia's companions... They have extraordinary auras."
"...Do they?"
"Men and women alike, stunning beauties. This is praise without ulterior motive, so please don't misunderstand."
Twitch.
Amon's lip curled.
Fearing she might snap, my hackles rose—but a clear, bell-like voice emerged from her.
"Hehe... Thank you."
Hearing the reply, Grimhal lost interest in us and resumed with Adelia. I glanced at Amon in surprise, and she whispered just for me.
"Your flustered reaction was amusing."
The brat had enjoyed watching me squirm.
"By the way, I've heard of strange happenings in the local parish lately..."
Adelia broached the main topic.
"Ah... The disappearances. Yes. Several believers have gone missing these past few months. We've tried handling it at the parish level, but no leads. It's... embarrassing. For word to reach headquarters. Ah... Surely that's why you've come to this Grimhal..."
"No, not at all. I wanted to check on the parish atmosphere and pay a visit to you, Sir Grimhal, a key benefactor."
"Uhahaha! Ah... Sorry. Got carried away with joy."
"We plan to stay about three days."
"Three days... I'll ensure your comfort."
And with that, dinner ended.
The paladins sprang into action immediately after. Questioning servants, searching suspicious spots.
They seemed amateurish, but since helping wouldn't net me anything, I left them be.
Just sit tight for three days and get a pile of magic stones—what's the rush?
But things changed at noon on the second day.
Knock knock...
"It's Adelia. Care for tea time?"
...Tea time at noon.
Creak...
As Adelia sat, Lucifer perked up at the words—having overheard from somewhere—and appeared.
Pat pat pat...
She set tea before me and Adelia, then stepped back with flushed cheeks.
"Please enjoy the aroma."
"Ah... Thank you."
"...Hurry!"
"...Yes."
The fierce atmosphere—like we had to chug it in one go—made me glance at Lucifer.
"Ha... Sorry. I'll withdraw."
With Lucifer gone, Adelia began.
"The plan's gone awry."
"Straight to the point. Calm down a bit."
"We're short on time."
"...What went wrong?"
Sigh...
Adelia explained calmly.
"I'll admit it frankly. This is new territory for us, so we're inexperienced."
"The investigation?"
"Yes, they're all so upright..."
"You're saying they lack finesse."
"......"
Well, now...
"Adelia."
"Yes."
"We're both busy. No time to waste. You want something, right?"
"......"
"Whether solving the missing believers' case or suspicions on Baron Grimhal—whatever. Investigation will uncover it. But you... need to be honest with me about your desires."
"...Why?"
"Otherwise, I won't help."
Adelia bit her lip and spoke.
"I want to bring Baron Grimhal to a religious trial."
"...Why?"
"First, I suspect the one backing Grimhal is sponsoring one of my rivals."
"Shaking a competitor's power base? Logical."
"Second, it's not just suspicion that Grimhal's behind the disappearances. ...I'm certain."
"Evidence?"
"The common thread that all missing believers contacted Grimhal..."
"I said that."
"But I didn't mention they were all other races."
"...Hm?"
Huh?
Come to think of it...
"The servants in this manor..."
"Yes. Far too few humans."
Out of nearly a dozen, only the butler and a few managerial maids were human.
"...Definitely suspicious."
"Third, there's a hidden space in the manor."
"Where?"
"Underground."
"Can't just stroll in."
"Infiltrate or force it... Both carry risks."
Stubborn paladins sneaking into the baron's guarded basement? Impossible. And demanding to force it open would drag suspicions into the open.
"Forcing it is a last resort... And if we do, but find nothing, we're in trouble."
"...Exactly."
"You came to me before the last resort?"
"......"
"Adelia, your scheme's transparent."
"...What?"
She frowned.
"When trouble brews, you'll cut ties at the perfect moment. Claim it was my solo act. Deny it?"
She wanted us—unaffiliated with the church—to take the active role. If issues arose, we'd be abandoned.
Well? Speak.
"...Yes."
If she'd denied it, my stance wouldn't change. Honesty is her strength and flaw.
"...Do you trust me?"
"I follow Bes's word."
So that Bes guy chose me? A black-haired demon hiding his identity?
Clever bastard.
"You're using me... and I'm using you. Now that we're clear..."
"Magic stones..."
"......"
"I'll add another crate of equal weight."
I forcibly restrained my rising lip.
Clack... clatter!
"Terms?"
"Uncover Grimhal's crimes during our stay."
[The aid reward has been updated.]
[The reward is 6,000 top-grade magic stones.]
"Once I start, I won't hold back on methods. You okay with that?"
Meaning casualties possible.
Adelia didn't blink, her beautiful face serene.
"Doesn't matter."
"Why?"
"It's the path of the god."
Arrogant!
Rotten to the core.
Fine by me!
"Mori."
Slither...
The doppelganger Mori—who'd been eavesdropping—emerged from behind the curtain.
"Yes."
Adelia's pupils dilated at the sight. Even she couldn't stay expressionless this time.
Mori wore the exact outfit and face of one of the manor maids, beaming cheerfully.
I rested my chin on one hand and ordered.
"Begin."