The Bishop's Masterful Performance
“Hyung, did you go to some acting academy?”
In the top-floor room of the Norton mansion. Juyeonu quietly approached where they'd arrived via the same infiltration route.
“What're you talking about?”
“The bishop act. You even recited scripture like a pro—thought you were a whole different person. Were you prepping with an actor or something?”
-Agreed.
- Thought he was a legit psycho;
- This is what it takes to be a streamer, huh.
- Ban all those lazy cash-grab streamers.
- Fr lmao
The bishop performance was short but packed a punch. But having spent an entire possession loop as a bishop—one of his longer ones—the mannerisms were second nature.
“Dunno about acting. Scripture shows up a lot in novels.”
“I'd really love to read that webnovel sometime. How many chapters did it have? Stuff like that shows up?”
“…Around 2,000?”
“Whoa, that long? Makes sense they'd throw in all sorts of things.”
Juyeonu nodded at the offhand explanation. Since the webnovel didn't exist, the truth would stay buried forever.
“Please wait a moment!”
Brooke was bustling around his room. A safe within a safe. A hidden wall cabinet. A uniquely folded box. A quill pen transcribing records verbatim. The evidence pulled from all sorts of magic tools was no small amount.
“This much evidence? But in other players' stories, why'd they just let him slide?”
Juyeonu eyed Brooke curiously. Most players got Bares's help to bring Brooke to justice. But with this much proof, it felt off that he'd just accept it quietly.
“Because Bares was still intact. He was planning to expose the evidence once he saw how Bares would help him. He'd have been killed anyway, though.”
“What? Bares killed Brooke?”
“Left alive, he'd just be a liability. Killed him en route to the capital. Easy with some hired bandits.”
-Whoa;
- Now that you mention it, no word after the trial.
- Not shocked it's Bares.
- Guy had it coming fr.
Brooke never trusted anyone fully. But with Bares still in one piece, he'd at least watch how he'd handle things.
“So why's he cooperating now? Bares is still fine.”
“Holy Nation's branded him a traitor. With a bishop showing up, Bares's future's toast.”
No matter how much power Bares had scraped together, the Holy Nation was a mountain he couldn't budge. An individual standing against it was impossible.
“I've gathered everything!”
Brooke finally stopped scurrying around. Hanbit turned his gaze to the pile of evidence below.
Then, switching voices, he said, “Is this truly everything?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if it's everything. Are Bares's sins against the divine—and your innocence—fully proven by this?”
“That……”
Brooke's voice trembled again, as if struck to the core. Thousands of thoughts raced through his mind in moments. Finally, he reached a decision and pulled a pendant from around his neck.
“May I ask one favor?”
“The divine does not ignore your labors. Speak.”
“…This contains my crime of betraying kin as well. I've strayed from the teachings, but if my innocence is proven, may I receive the Holy Nation's protection to govern Edlen?”
“Hm.”
Brooke flinched, perhaps recalling a verse from the scripture Hanbit had recited. But the scripture only cared about protecting god and believers. Other nations? Utterly irrelevant. Of course, Hanbit wasn't actually a Holy Nation devotee.
“Very well. I shall convey it to the archbishop myself.”
“The archbishop……! Thank you! I'll unlock it right now!”
Brooke's eyes widened at the big name, thrilled. He snatched the pendant and pricked his finger on its sharp edge.
Slick—
A red drop welled up and was swiftly absorbed. The faintly glowing pendant clicked as some lock released.
Click—
Brooke checked it and handed it over. “Please take it. A magic tool that records voices.”
“Voices?”
“Yes! Detailed plans with Bares, even his solo mutterings—all captured!”
“Hm.”
With the evidence he'd wanted in hand, Hanbit deliberately paused, feigning thought. Then he slowly nodded at Brooke.
“Good. Until judgment falls on Bares, act naturally. Botch it, and the next ones you meet will be the Holy Nation's knights.”
“Y-yes, I'll keep that in mind!”
A light scare, and Brooke bowed deeply. He might look dim, but when his life was on the line, he delivered.
No way he'd blunder into Bares's radar.
Hanbit gathered all the evidence and spoke sternly once more. “I depart. No matter what happens, endure with faith in the divine.”
“Yes!”
With that exchange, Hanbit and Juyeonu slipped out of the room. As they reached the secret passage where their comrades waited, an alert chimed.
Ding—
[Main Quest #11 completed.]
[Received 150,000 gold.]
[7 stat points granted.]
[50,000 EXP gained.]
[Level up by 1.]
[1 stat point granted.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #12: Cleanup]
You've cleverly extracted heaps of evidence from Brooke. Share opinions with comrades and plan next steps.
Objective: Return to the rendezvous point.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 81%
***
“This is all the evidence?”
“…Unbelievable.”
In the underground secret space turned rendezvous, people gawked at the table piled high with proof.
But some contents were decisive enough to seal the deal.
“This'll leave Bares and Brooke no wiggle room. If the Royal Knights show, we can end them for good.”
“Lord William's name cleared at last……!”
The old retainers raised joyful voices. Watching, Hanbit addressed them.
“First, we'll hold a formal trial.”
“A trial?”
“Haven't you heard? Edlen's legal system is firmly in Bares's grip.”
Mention of a trial drew worried looks from those in the know. But steering it that way was the plan.
“Bares knows something's off too. I've publicly dug into the Holy Nation angle, and Edlen's effectively blockaded. We buy time till the Royal Knights arrive.”
“Keep him from scheming?”
Cown stroked his chin and asked. Hanbit nodded.
“Exactly. Make him think the trial's our best shot. Cherry-pick evidence for max use.”
“Indeed……”
“Against that bastard, it could work.”
The retainers came around as they grasped it.
With the mood set, Hanbit laid out details. “Compare this evidence with official records and organize. Secret letters mean we need witnesses too. Make everything official by trial time.”
“Overlaps a ton with our prior probes. All internal to Edlen, so it won't take long.”
“Can't give Brooke or Bares time to stew.”
Vigor and passion lit the retainers' eyes—guilt, longing, rage fused into hope.
“Thanks, everyone.”
The retainers snatched the evidence and left swiftly. With that fire, it'd take less than a day.
“So, what about you two?”
Wrapping up, Hanbit turned to a corner. Liora and Plona were poking around Camon's workshop.
“Looking for anything useful.”
Liora, who'd seen the evidence already, looked troubled. Powerless, she couldn't spot her role.
“Find anything?”
“Nah, nothing major.”
Liora's voice drooped a bit. She wanted to help, but nothing fit her right now. Even under Asla's watch, enemies were gunning for her.
“Ugh……”
Huddled beside her, Plona poked a thin paper toy fragment.
“What's up?”
“There's a gap here… won't fit.”
Plona pursed her lips in deep focus. Seeing their efforts tugged at Hanbit. Nothing more to find here.
“Don't push too hard. Prep's going fine.”
“Okaay……”
-T_T
- She's deflated lol
- Kawaii.
- Give her something.
- Sylph, you're our hope.
Viewers felt the same, but oh well. Hanbit turned to sort remaining evidence.
Then—
“Eek!”
Liora's voice yelped from behind. He whipped around reflexively. An unexpected scene unfolded.
Pop—!
“……?”
At Liora's feet in the workshop corner. A small toy there spewed inky blue light.
“Hm.”
Asla, who'd half-drawn his sword, sheathed it. Not dangerous, then.
“Huh?”
Startled briefly, she crouched, spotting something. A wooden box hidden under Plona's toy.
Liora pulled something from it and looked at Hanbit. “…Another note here?”