"So, Mist has been dealt with. That's one fewer person who knows the truth, then."
Geis said, looking somewhat relieved.
Mist had been planning to kidnap Lady Nina and assault her, after all.
I'd put a stop to that, of course.
Still, I'd come to report to Geis as well.
"There are still some left, you know."
"Right. We must pay a visit to Linus, the Pope who kept Mist on a leash. This is a good opportunity. Alan."
"Yes?"
"You won't let the Pope off the hook, surely. I'd like to have Ward accompany you. We'll handle the troublesome cleanup."
"Sure thing, Geis."
Having more people working on it wasn't a problem.
I'd thinned the Pope's underlings quite a bit, but that didn't mean there weren't any hidden cards left.
"Ward."
"Yes, sir."
The butler who had been standing behind the Duke, his presence suppressed to nothing.
"You heard him. Go with Alan and dispose of the Pope's faction."
"I will chase them to the ends of hell and back. I shall make them understand what happens when they bare their fangs at the Duke's household."
Then it's settled.
Strike while the iron's hot, as they say.
"Then let's go storm the Grand Cathedral. Right now."
"So you were planning to charge straight in after all, Alan."
"Geese, I'm sick of taking the subtle approach this time around. I want to settle this once and for all."
"My lord. I am always prepared."
"Then — teleport. The Grand Cathedral in the royal capital, to the Pope's chamber."
◇◇◇
"Damn it, have those 'Diamond' people still not sent any reinforcements?!"
"Your Holiness, they say they are making preparations to ensure they take down Alan for certain..."
"I paid them a generous advance! Don't tell me they're planning to run off with the money!"
"Surely they wouldn't do that... They are professionals, after all..."
The Pope, wracked with anxiety, was fidgeting and had repeated a similar exchange with his subordinates several times when —
"Ugh, seriously!? Now I've gotta go wipe out the Dark Guild afterward too. Maybe I shouldn't have listened."
An odd-couple duo — a boy not yet of age and a large man in a butler's uniform — appeared before the Pope.
"Th-the intruders—!"
"Shut up."
A subordinate was pierced by a sword and collapsed into a growing pool of his own blood.
"Who are you?!"
"There's only one person who'd show up in a situation like this. The heretic Alan, at your service. Are those your last words?"
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Gentleman Thief] [Dark Magic] [Rock-Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Space-Time Magic] [Scorching Magic] [Frozen-Ice Magic] [Magic Hand] [Seduction] [Pain Relief] [Complete Status Abnormality Resistance] [Flame Spirit's Protection] [Phantom Demon] [Thunderbolt] [Dark Spirit's Protection] [Monstrous Strength] [Thunder God Sword] [Fortune] [Clear Sky Magic] [Humility] [Heaven's Gate]
Rank: Gold (Alisa: Gold)
Thank you always for reading! 😊