Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Baron's Defiance
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I pulled back the curtains at the window and peered down toward the annex. The head steward, his face frozen in a cold pallor, stood with the manor’s butler beside him, engaged in some grave discussion.
‘It’s probably because the Beth Church devotee we captured has vanished.’
They must be baffled.
There was no way they could comprehend how someone had slipped in and out of the locked basement of the annex without a sound, and even spirited away the prisoner held there.
‘They handled it faster than expected.’
I couldn’t help but admire the capabilities of Mori, the doppelganger who could steal faces, and Bill, the black fairy assassin.
This matter would surely reach Baron Grimhal’s ears soon enough.
Swoosh…
When I turned around, Mori and Bill were standing right there.
“Is the rescued devotee…?”
“She’s staying in my quarters.”
Bill was the one who answered.
“No risk of surveillance?”
“She’s under watch, no doubt. But their eyes don’t reach inside, so a day should be fine.”
Bill and Mori weren’t the only ones in the room right now.
“How did you manage it so quickly…?”
Even Saintess Adelia, whom I’d assigned the task to, was here under the pretense of tea time.
She must have been stunned.
I myself was surprised by their efficiency.
“You’re dismissed.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Once Bill and Mori withdrew, only Adelia and I remained in the quiet room.
“Adelia, what’s your next move?”
“I plan to prove Baron Grimhal’s guilt at tomorrow’s final banquet.”
“I see.”
As I responded, I felt my interest in the ensuing events gradually fading.
‘Ah, right. My part’s done.’
I’d completed the job she’d requested in exchange for the magic stones, so whatever happened next had little to do with me.
All I needed was the promised magic stones.
“The baron… will face Beth’s judgment.”
“…Good luck.”
“I’ll hand over the promised magic stones near Liudira.”
“They’re not ready yet?”
“Yes. Even for me, mobilizing that quantity comes with restrictions. I’ve already sent an emissary, so paladins dispatched from the church should be preparing them.”
“…Understood.”
I had no choice but to accept it.
Top-grade magic stones were nearly impossible for any individual to obtain in this world of Solaria right now.
And three crates’ worth? That was far too much to carry during travel.
So, this job wraps up neatly.
Still, there was one concern.
“You think Baron Grimhal will quietly show up to trial?”
“Opposing the Church of Beth is as good as inviting death to your doorstep. Admitting his wrongs and accepting fitting punishment is the baron’s most peaceful option.”
…Doubtful.
If I were the baron, I wouldn’t see it that way.
‘Well, outsiders like them can handle it themselves.’
Even so, better to cover the bases.
“The information we have doesn’t differ much from the baron’s. Adelia, keep in mind that once he learns you extracted the Beth devotee from the basement, he might resort to desperate measures.”
“…Thank you for the advice.”
“…Until I get those magic stones, you’re still my client.”
* * *
The banquet was scheduled for the evening of the third day.
Curiously, no overnight stay was permitted; after the feast, they’d hit the pilgrimage road again.
The moment Adelia boarded her carriage and smoothly handed over the magic stones, I’d be done with the Church of Beth.
‘That aside… the baron’s side is awfully quiet.’
They must have realized Adelia’s group knew about the annex incident, yet Baron Grimhal continued hosting his guests with unflappable smiles.
“Is the food to your liking?”
“Your hospitality is overwhelming. A single bowl would suffice for a girl like me, yet this abundance feels sinful to leave behind.”
Sin.
Adelia deliberately emphasized the word “sin.”
Then she watched for the baron’s reaction.
Stroke, stroke…
Grimhal caressed his mustache.
“Haha… No need to feel burdened. Think of it as the generosity of a foolish noble whose only wealth is gold. If my enthusiasm came off as clumsy, please overlook it—I’d be grateful.”
“It’s simply hospitality that leaves me at a loss. I meant no blame.”
“Of course, Saintess, you wouldn’t fault this Grimhal.”
Wouldn’t fault him…
I nearly let out a scoff.
Both the saintess and Grimhal were probing each other, stressing certain words on purpose.
‘The Church of Beth is full of such shady types.’
The ice-thin tension was broken by the woman seated beside me.
Yaaawn—
Amon stretched out a lazy yawn for all to see and whispered in my ear.
“Boring. When do we get to leave this place?”
“Patience—just a bit longer. It feels like the end’s near.”
“Hmm… I doubt it.”
“Why…?”
That’s when I understood why Amon said that.
‘Presences…’
Not the guards patrolling the manor. Even they alone, the paladins could match them in a full-force fight.
Presences were lining up, streaming into the manor.
A quick glance out the window showed carriages bearing torches continuously entering through the main gate.
‘…Knew it.’
This had to be Grimhal’s scheme.
Adelia’s paladins seemed to notice the carriage procession too, leaning toward her and murmuring.
Conflict was inevitable.
Trouble was brewing for sure…
…Wait, isn’t this actually good for me?
I fixed my gaze outside and pricked up my ears.
* * *
The saintess, still oblivious to the carriage line, spoke to one of her paladins.
“Mary.”
“Yes.”
“Bring him.”
“B-But…”
“Now.”
“…Yes.”
Mary scurried out of the banquet hall, looking thoroughly cowed.
No one in the room stirred. Despite the lavish feast, no one ate or conversed.
They simply watched whoever Mary was fetching. It was a beastkin man, his wounds still crusted over.
The man with wolf ears and fluffy fur staggered in and took a seat at one end of the banquet hall. Baron Grimhal’s expression remained as blank as a sheet of paper.
Saintess Adelia addressed the beastkin man.
“Will you tell us what happened in this manor?”
“I… I am a believer of the Church of Beth. And Baron Grimhal here is the same…”
The story began.
“After concluding my dealings with the baron, I was kidnapped by thugs on my way back. When I awoke… it was hell.”
The man spoke calmly.
“All of us… had limbs severed or endured brutal torture. The others imprisoned around the same time as me… most died.”
“Who was involved in this?”
The man pointed straight ahead.
“Baron Grimhal, right before your eyes.”
“…….”
“…….”
The atmosphere froze solid in an instant.
Mary supported the man as he swayed, his strength spent.
“You’ve done well.”
Mary laid the collapsed man aside.
Adelia spoke.
“Baron Grimhal, you…”
Grimhal chuckled it off casually.
“Saintess, hear me out before you judge.”
“…….”
“I love the Church of Beth. Its doctrine of love transcending race aligns perfectly with this Grimhal’s will.”
“Then why would you…”
“It was merely a quirky form of love. Some might call it sadistic. But remember this…”
He began to growl.
“I am Grimhal, and this is Grimhal’s domain.”
“…….”
“Factions within the church are clashing fiercely. Not everyone reveres your truth, Saintess. How about this? Let this Grimhal become your patron.”
“…What?”
“Money if it’s money, troops if it’s troops… I lack for nothing. Ah! Except… love. The love I lack… you can fill it, Saintess.”
Crash!
Mary and the other paladins shot to their feet, pointing accusingly.
“You scoundrel…!”
“How dare you!”
Just then, Adelia’s group finally noticed the carriages flooding the courtyard.
The tense back-and-forth had kept them from noticing the non-threatening arrivals.
“Baron Grimhal, what is the meaning of this?”
“Meaning of what…?”
“Are you threatening us?”
“Threaten? Perish the thought.”
“Then what are those carriages?”
“Haha! Guests arriving after you depart, Saintess. They won’t disembark until I permit it. However…”
Grimhal’s eyes narrowed.
“If our conversation drags on unexpectedly, who knows?”
“…….”
No one could reach for their sword.
Drawing now would spark bloodshed—and Adelia’s side would be at a severe disadvantage.
“Well? You gain the power you lack to claim church authority, and I earn a shred of forgiveness. Go on… speak.”
Grimhal bared his fangs.
“Was there… any incident in this manor?”
“…….”
Humiliating.
Adelia surely wanted to scream that this was humiliating. Her face showed it plainly.
But pressing charges against Grimhal here was suicide.
Should she back down?
Must she retreat?
Grimhal savored even the wandering of her lost gaze.
If she yielded now… what then?
One retreat becomes a thousand.
Her faith demanded as much.
“God of Beth… why have you…”
Given me this trial?
About to voice that, Adelia suddenly recalled the words of the God of Beth from her dream.
- Go to the black-haired man.
She turned to the man she’d nearly forgotten. The black-haired figure was gazing out the window.
As if utterly uninvolved.
His focus was entirely on the events outside.
“What… are you doing right now?”
“Is the boring talk over?”
“…….”
Faust answered Adelia’s question.
“I was counting carriages.”
“…What?”
“Fourteen of them.”
Catching his intent, Adelia asked in elation.
“If threatened by fourteen carriages, would you… be in trouble?”
“In trouble.”
“How much?”
“Well…”
Faust’s lips curved up.
“As much as two crates’ worth.”
A priced predicament.
“I’ll resolve that trouble for you.”
“Then why are you still here?”
“…….”
Faust pressed Adelia.
“Dragging out this dull conversation.”
Adelia sprang up and bellowed her declaration at Grimhal.
Boom-!
“Ranford Grimhal! For crimes of discrimination against other races and horrific murders, I summon you to religious trial! Face Beth’s divine wrath!”
“…Hah.”
Baron Grimhal grinned, teeth flashing.
“Kuk… kuahaha! Ridiculous. Who can punish me?”
Rumble-!
With thunder’s roar, Grimhal’s private soldiers—including those from the carriages—stormed the manor. Their numbers dwarfed Adelia’s side several times over.
Faust, hand on his waist-mounted sword, addressed Adelia.
“Adelia, one question.”
“Yes.”
“Can you take responsibility for what happens here?”
“Responsibility…?”
“Everything that occurs is on you, and we’ll speak no more of it. You won’t divulge what you’ve seen. Can you swear this to Beth?”
“…I swear.”
“You all too?”
Adelia nodded, and the grim-faced paladins followed suit.
“I swear.”
“I… swear. What do you intend…?”
Satisfied with their oaths, Faust released his sword hilt.
“Who dares judge me? No god is here!”
Faust turned to Amon.
“Amon.”
“Time to end the tedious talk?”
“Yes.”
Swish…
Amon doffed her robe’s hood, revealing her horns.
“Close your eyes. All of you.”
Whoosh…
Every light in the hall extinguished.
“Amon is here.”
The great demon incarnate on earth clapped her palms together.
Ruuuuumble-!
Thunder far greater than before crashed down.
[Amon uses Unarmed: Demon Hand.]