Wrapped in Sophia's warmth, I was a complete mess—no wait, my mental state recovered, so I managed not to fall into darkness.
But that didn't mean the Church's problem was solved.
Besides, the Saint's final words were still weighing on my mind.
"...Then, as one last bit of meddling: it seems the Mist of Shadow Fog is on the move. Please be careful."
Mist of Shadow Fog, huh...
Could I take them now?
◇◇◇
"What?! Anna of 'Dark Heaven' has been captured...?!"
"Y-Yes, Your Holiness. She was neutralized and then taken prisoner by that detestable Saint."
Pope Linus, who sat at the pinnacle of the Holy Church of Misery.
He hadn't clawed his way to the top through deep popular support or masterful political scheming. Rather, he'd used his private army of combatants to remove his rivals from the world entirely.
Among the shadow forces that powered his tyranny, Anna of 'Dark Heaven' was ranked so high it was faster to count her from the top. He'd dispatched her, but Alan had wiped her memories, leaving her a hollow shell.
The subordinate bishop who'd come to deliver the report continued.
"According to the spy we planted on the Saint's side, Anna has lost all her memories, can't speak a word, and her [Neo Assassin] is gone as well."
"What do you mean...? There's no one on the Saint's side with the power to neutralize and capture Anna."
"Which is why we believe she had an accomplice. Most likely, it was the adventurer Alan—the target of this very operation."
"Ah, the adventurer who performed healing without our permission. If I recall, he was Gold-rank. We dispatched a Subjugation Squad to bring him into the fold, correct?"
"Yes. However, every member of the Subjugation Squad was killed. As hard as it may be to believe, the evidence suggests he turned the tables on the Squad, captured Anna, and handed her over to the Saint."
"Not only does he refuse to be swayed by us, but he sides with the Saint as well? Then we'll show him just how great we are. Gather the faithful!!"
◇◇◇
The Grand Cathedral of the Holy Misery Church, situated in a prime district of the royal capital.
A large number of the faithful had been gathered there.
"In the name of Pope Linus, I hereby declare Gold-rank adventurer Alan a 'heretic who has defied God'!!"
In that grand hall, the Pope made this proclamation before the assembled congregation.
While he had already dispatched assassins, he had decided to take other measures as well.
Posters bearing a sketch of the heretic Alan were distributed en masse.
That said, ordinary followers had no power to do anything about a heretic.
The most they could do was ostracize him within their means.
Of course, there was a separate combat force, but the general followers were not informed of it—they would simply be told afterward that "the heretic has repented."
And so, most of the faithful thought little more than, "I suppose that guy will repent and become one more believer."
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Phantom Thief Gentleman] [Dark Magic] [Rock Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Space-Time Magic] [Scorching Magic] [Frozen Ice Magic] [Magic Hand] [Seduction] [Pain Relief] [Complete Status Abnormality Resistance] [Protection of the Flame Spirit] [Phantom Demon] [Swift Wind and Thunder] [Protection of the Dark Spirit] [Supernatural Strength] [Thunder God Sword] [Strong Luck] [Clear Storm Magic] [Humility]
Rank: Gold (Alisa: Gold)
Thank you always for your readership 😊