After that, the document was written.
To summarize its contents: The full picture of this incident.
That the Holy Child was safe thanks to
Something along those lines.
The two main culprits — the Pope and the Cardinal — signed without hesitation, as was expected.
The cold sweat running down the Cardinal's forehead was quite adorable.
In exchange for the document, the Holy Child was returned, and the assembly was dismissed.
Each of the involved parties would be held accountable for this failure through a separate tribunal, as decided during the summary trial.
I didn't know what punishments they'd receive, but the Cardinal would probably find some way to slip through.
Well, cornering him wasn't my job.
As long as he wasn't the Human God's puppet, even if he was an obstacle, he wasn't an enemy.
Crushing one Cardinal wouldn't make the anti-demon faction vanish.
For the time being, I'd gotten what I came for.
The attack incident was closed as well.
--- After that, I returned home with
On the way back, Cliff muttered quietly.
"I'm sorry."
I looked at him blankly, and Cliff said: "What? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"Now that I think about it, this kidnapping started because of my careless words.
It ended well in the end, but...
I feel like I was just running my mouth, acting all high and mighty, and stirring things up."
"Is that so?"
Isn't that just how he always is?
Acting on his convictions, speaking bold truths, and somehow leading people to happiness.
That's the Cliff I've always known.
"I'm not holding it against you. Let's learn from this and do better next time."
"Yeah, I will."
Cliff's shoulders drooped, but... more than that, I was worried about Cliff's position in all this.
At home, Wendy was waiting.
Only Wendy.
"Oh, welcome back!"
Suddenly, a wave of anxiety washed over me — were
When I'd been writing the document, I'd probed them about it, but the Cardinal and the Temple Knights had only said "We don't know."
Were they keeping them as a trump card for later, or...
"Aisha! Geese! They're fine!"
My worries proved unfounded.
The two emerged from under the floor.
"Phew, welcome back, big brother... and Zenith Mom."
The two of them let out sighs of relief.
When I asked what had happened: Apparently, they'd received information early that morning that Claire and Kylaile had left the house and moved to the church headquarters, and they'd tried to go there to let me know.
But by then, it was too late.
By the time they arrived, the Temple Knights were already in an uproar.
Claire had been moved to the church headquarters, and I was attempting to make contact with Therese.
Something must have happened between the two of them.
Thinking this, they'd remembered my orders, returned to Cliff's mansion, packed their things, and hidden in the back of the house, planning to escape outside the city once night fell.
"A few times, Temple Knights came by on the way, but this time I sent them away properly!"
Wendy had actually done her job for once.
But so the Cardinal really had tried to get to Aisha and Geese as well.
That had been close.
"Still, big brother, Mom being back means...?"
"Yeah, it's over."
I told Aisha and Geese everything that had happened.
After hearing it all, Aisha let out an admiring sigh, her eyes sparkling, and said: "You know, big brother, you're kind of like a hero.
When everyone else messes up and gets stuck in a pinch, one day you just suddenly show up and solve everything."
What nonsense.
There's no hero as pathetic as me.
--- The next day.
I went to the church headquarters so the Holy Child could examine Zenith.
Claire and Kylaile came to pick us up at Cliff's mansion, and we traveled by carriage.
In the carriage, I spoke with Kylaile.
He seemed to deeply regret what had happened, apologizing to me multiple times.
I had no intention of blaming him for his mistakes.
He probably went about things the wrong way too, but...
People make mistakes.
What matters is whether you can reflect on them and do better next time.
I'm hardly one to talk about handling things well myself, so I couldn't very well complain about other people's errors.
Criticizing the mistake itself wouldn't move anything forward.
Of course, I had no responsibility to push them forward either.
Kylaile talked quite a bit, but Claire said nothing.
In the carriage with five of us, she maintained her silence.
What was she thinking?
Should I ask her?
While I was debating, we arrived at the church headquarters.
We went through the formal procedures and were granted an audience in the inner sanctum.
We were led to what was probably the room the Holy Child always used.
Just like when I'd met the Pope, there was a transparent barrier in the center, two chairs, and one window.
In the dimly lit room, six guards stood watch.
Therese was nowhere to be seen.
She'd probably been reassigned.
In any case, the examination would take place surrounded by her entourage.
Though this time, they weren't particularly on guard.
Every one of the guards wore a guilty look and avoided making eye contact with me.
I didn't need their apologies.
This was just how the job went.
I'd knocked them all unconscious with my fists, after all. We were even.
They'd receive separate punishment for their duty-related failures, so let's call it that.
At any rate, I wanted us to be on good terms.
Having people like that hold a grudge was a scary thought.
I'd rather stay friendly as much as possible.
"Then, let's begin."
The Holy Child and Zenith sat facing each other in chairs.
Dust grabbed Zenith's head, held it steady, and pried her eyes open.
The Holy Child leaned in close and peered into them.
It looked like an eye exam at the optometrist's.
"......o"
The Holy Child's and Zenith's gazes lit up.
Their gazes lit up.
...That's the only way to describe it.
A faint beam of light ran between their locked eyes.
This kind of light had never appeared before.
"As expected of the Holy Child..."
"As divine as ever..."
The entourage let out hushed sighs.
This light had never appeared before.
Was it for show?
No — maybe it only manifested when she was using her power seriously.
Just as fire magic produces more heat and light when you increase the mana, perhaps the Holy Child's ability only displayed such phenomena when used at full power.
An optical fiber.
"......"
I could see Claire clenching her fists tightly against her chest.
Seeing that prayer-like pose, I steeled myself.
Right now, Zenith's most intimate memories were being laid bare.
That deep within the labyrinth.
The memory of flying into the mana crystal might be visible too.
If we could find the cause in Zenith's memories, perhaps we could find a solution.
I wanted a clue.
With a clue, maybe one of my knowledgeable acquaintances could figure something out.
Like Orsted, or Kishirika.
"......ah"
The Holy Child let out a small voice and flinched.
Dust immediately released Zenith's head and gently touched the Holy Child's shoulder.
Was the download finished?
"......"
The Holy Child slowly stood up, her eyes still wide.
She looked straight at me.
"Rudeus Greyrat."
"Yes."
Being called by my full name, I straightened up.
"I've seen Zenith Greyrat's memories."
"How were they?"
"Until the teleportation incident, she was living in
So that's where she started.
Well, I needed to make it clear I'd actually seen them, otherwise she'd think I was just making things up.
"After parting with you, Zenith worried about you every day. Whether you were eating properly, whether you were changing your clothes, whether you were flirting with multiple girls..."
Right.
Sorry about that.
Though back then, I wasn't actually cheating.
The Rudeus Continent was still at peace before it was ruled by the lower half.
It even managed to go several years without invading the defenseless Kingdom of Sylph.
You'd never guess that from how I've treated
"Her memories turn completely blank when she's worried about you, and they cut off for a time."
The teleportation incident.
I'd witnessed that moment.
But most people had no idea what happened — they were teleported before they even realized it.
"After that, her memories remain sealed in darkness for a while."
"...For a while?"
"Yes. It's like time passes in a long, dreamless sleep."
No memories.
So, as I'd suspected, the teleportation incident had deposited her inside the labyrinth after all.
The odds of that should have been vanishingly small...
But low didn't mean impossible.
After a teleport, there was always the possibility of ending up inside a wall.
If you properly set the entrance and exit of a teleportation circle, random teleportation like that wouldn't happen...
But that teleportation incident had truly been a surprise attack.
If I remembered correctly, it was the aftershock of something related to
Well, what was done was done.
If humans hadn't treated teleportation circles as forbidden and had properly managed them instead, this whole thing could've been avoided.
Yeah.
I should suggest this to Ariel as well.
If I submitted a research report on teleportation, Ariel could probably make something happen.
...Wait.
But then — how did Geese find Zenith?
If I remembered right, he'd gathered information and said something about the depths of the teleportation labyrinth...
Huh?
"After that, she begins to dream."
The Holy Child's words pulled me back to the present.
I'd interrogate Geese later.
"A dream?"
"Yes, a dream. She begins to experience things as if she were a stuffed animal."
"...A stuffed animal."
"But it's a happy dream."
The Holy Child closed her eyes.
As if viewing images behind her eyelids, she began to speak in a flowing stream.
"A dream of living at ease in an unfamiliar house.
Spending time with Lillia, sunbathing in the garden, tending to the plants."
Then, the Holy Child's tone changed.
She began speaking in Zenith's voice.
"Paul is gone, but Rudy married Sylphie and had children.
But he really is that man's son — Rudy just keeps adding
Norn complains but still goes to school properly, and when we run into each other, she doesn't forget to say 'I'm off to school, Mom!' She and Aisha get along well. Aisha loves flowers — when I said I like apples and daffodils, she said 'Zenith-sama too!' I told her she could call me 'Mom,' but Lillia made such a face. I suppose she still wants to be 'Mom' to Aisha herself.
Roxy is teaching at a school nearby.
She's apparently a very popular teacher — Norn told me so.
She must be quite old since she's a demon, but... Rudy loved Roxy so much, so maybe age doesn't matter.
I met Eris for the first time, and I could tell she really loves Rudy.
When no one was around, she came up to me. Blushing from ear to ear, she said, 'I'm not much, but please treat me kindly.' I couldn't help but laugh. I told her that was something she should say to Rudy, not to me — she didn't need to be so formal with someone like me.
At that, Eris blushed even more and shrank into herself.
She's so brave and bold normally, but she was just adorable."
This was the memory of the past few years.
It was slightly different from my own.
Norn rarely spoke to Zenith.
Aisha was usually absorbed in gardening and wouldn't respond even if Zenith talked to her.
But perhaps, from Zenith's perspective...
Everyone was answering her, and she was having conversations with them.
"And then, Rudy's children.
Lucy is a precocious one. She's still little, but she insists on being the big sister.
She listens hard to what Sylphie tells her and practices magic every day so Rudy will notice.
But you know, around me, she lets out a little complaint. She says she can't do it as well as Mom — that she's disappointed in herself.
I tell her it's okay. She'll get better someday, and even if she doesn't, she'll get good at other things.
Then she says she'll try a little harder. It's so cute.
Lara clings to me. She could talk from the moment she was born, and she calls out to me all the time.
'Grandma, Grandma!' And then Leo comes to get me. 'My lady! My lady! It's terrible! Lara has wet herself!' Lately, she climbs onto my lap a lot, and the three of us — Leo, Lara, and I — sit in the sun and chat. 'What's outside the house?' or 'Where was Papa's hometown?' — things like that.
Ars loves breasts. Just like Rudy used to be.
When I hold him, he looks so content, hugging right up to my chest.
Even a grandma's chest will do for him, huh.
He must've inherited Paul and Rudy's worst traits.
Just like Rudy, he might make a lot of girls cry — but make sure you make them all happy in the end, okay?"
I didn't realize it until I noticed the heat behind my eyes.
Tears were streaming down my face.
Lucy didn't really come near Zenith, and Lara couldn't speak.
More than half of this was Zenith's delusion.
A fantasy born from those vacant eyes.
The world Zenith saw was kind.
"Oh, that's right — speaking of Rudy. That boy became someone's subordinate.
The Dragon God, Orsted.
He's apparently a distant disciple of the Dragon God Urpen, one of the 'Three Heroes who Slew the Demon God.' He's incredibly strong and has the most terrifying face, so everyone's afraid of him. But he doesn't look scary to me.
Deep down, he actually wants to be friends with everyone.
He especially cares about Rudy. He comes by to check on us often.
I talk to him sometimes, but he's not used to talking to other people, so he gets all flustered.
But he's a kind man. When Lucy was struggling with magic, he taught her some tips... though they were too advanced for Lucy to really understand.
When I asked him to hold Lara, he did so hesitantly, but his touch was so gentle.
He's not great with Leo and Ars, though.
The other day, Ars cried so hard at him that when Eris showed up, he fled on the spot.
Such a strong and kind man. I don't know what Rudy is doing as his subordinate, but I'm proud of him for it.
Paul would surely think so too."
How much of this was true?
Orsted rarely visited our house, as far as I knew...
Maybe he came when I wasn't around?
"Rudy has truly grown into an impressive person.
Norn and Aisha are adults now, and another child is on the way with Sylphie.
Lillia was panicking, saying she couldn't leave my side, but what a fool.
Between me and the children, the children obviously come first.
I'll leave Sylphie's care to Lillia and go visit my mother.
It'll be fine — I used to be an adventurer too, so there's no need to worry so much.
Rudy, Aisha, and Rudy's friend Cliff...
Hehe, the thought of traveling with Rudy again is so exciting."
The Holy Child had reached very recent memories.
"Mother had become such an old woman.
Totally different from before. Instead of scolding me, she looked like she was about to cry, calling 'Zenith, Zenith.' Worrying about whether I was hurt somewhere, or sick, and dragging me to see a doctor.
I'm perfectly fine, as you can see.
But she's such a worrier. She takes me to see a doctor almost daily.
That strict mother of mine, looking like she's about to cry, not scolding me at all.
Just coming to see my face every day out of worry.
Oh, and Father came too.
Father had grown a mustache!
He never had one before, so I asked him about it, and he said he grew it because he'd risen in rank.
When I told him it didn't suit him, he just smiled wryly."
I noticed that Claire had buried her face in Kylaile's chest.
Kylaile was also stroking his own mustache, tears glistening in his eyes.
"Though, Mother and Rudy don't get along.
Rudy hates being talked down to, so he and Mother end up fighting.
I wish they'd make up somehow...
But as I expected, Rudy ended up cornering her.
It was the same with Paul — Rudy really is merciless in these situations...
I need to be the one to mediate!"
At that point, the Holy Child opened her eyes.
Was that the end?
"Haa."
The Holy Child pressed a finger to the corner of her eye and let out a sigh.
Then she slumped into the chair she'd been sitting in earlier.
The entourage immediately swarmed around her.
Where had they gotten them from? A steaming towel, a cup of water, and other refreshments appeared almost instantly.
Her shoulders and arms were being massaged.
She was treated like a celebrity.
"I'm sorry, but that's all I can do. How was it?"
The Holy Child looked utterly spent.
Was that ability really that exhausting?
It probably was.
Retracing Zenith's memories, downloading them into her own brain.
The scenes flooding through her mind in an instant, enough to improvise an acting performance of Zenith on the spot.
If that much information poured in at once, of course she'd be exhausted.
I wouldn't mind a shoulder massage myself.
"No, thank you very much."
I still didn't know how to treat Zenith.
But I understood how she felt after becoming what she was.
Just hearing that made this trip to Milis worthwhile.
"At the very least, she's feeling happy right now.
She's fully aware that Paul has passed away.
She understands her current situation."
She certainly did understand her situation.
More thoroughly than I'd expected.
There was still a dreamlike quality to her, and the Holy Child's delivery had given it a fairy-tale luster, but there were no contradictions in the number of children.
The children's personalities... Lara was a bit different, I suppose.
But Lara really did cling to Zenith.
From Zenith's perspective, Lara was probably trying very hard to communicate something.
"There's one more thing I learned."
"...?"
"She can... to some extent, it seems she can read people's thoughts."
Read thoughts?
"Given her current state, she can't read everything accurately, and the parts she can't read seem to be filled in on their own..."
At that point, the Holy Child lowered her voice.
She beckoned me over with a small gesture, signaling me to lend her my ear.
The entourage immediately covered their ears and turned around.
I leaned close to the Holy Child.
Then, in a small voice, she said: "She is a 'Holy Child.'"
I slowly nodded at those words.
I'd known from the beginning.
That there was a high likelihood she was cursed.
"If this becomes known, it'll cause another uproar, so I recommend keeping it secret."
"Naturally. But I've been living as Orsted's subordinate. I'll protect her with my life."
"To speak so boldly — you truly are impressive."
Well, having been kidnapped this time around, my words might ring a bit hollow.
But that was how I felt.
However, I'd learned two things from this incident.
One was Zenith's ability.
The ability to read thoughts.
We didn't know the full extent, but at the very least, it wasn't something that would directly lead to death.
That meant I could rest easy going forward.
The other was Geese.
There were some inconsistencies in what he'd been saying.
Now that I thought about it, his behavior during this whole affair had been suspicious.
Knowing full well that the Ratelia family was anti-demon, he'd approached them, and at their word, had spirited Zenith away.
I'd need to confront him today.
"Holy Child, I'm glad I got to meet you. I should thank you somehow."
I didn't know how to restore her memories — or rather, bring her back to her senses.
But her condition didn't seem as bad as I'd feared.
If she was conscious.
If she was simply experiencing things like a dream.
And maybe, from time to time, she might even wake up.
"Thank you. May I make two requests?"
"Go ahead."
"That bracelet — will you give it to me?"
"A bracelet?"
I looked at my arm.
Orsted's bracelet gleamed there.
"Sure."
"...But this bracelet can't be removed. Would something else do?"
"That's fine. Anything that makes it clear you're Orsted's subordinate at a glance."
Something that made it clear you were Orsted's subordinate.
In other words...
"Holy Child, you wish to join Orsted as well?"
"Yes. I don't want to die before I turn thirty."
"Understood."
Come to think of it, she'd told me her fate was weak.
If things continued as they were, she was destined to die.
She didn't look particularly unhealthy or sickly, so she was probably assassinated.
But if she were under Orsted's protection...
The Cardinal, who already felt guilty about this incident, and the Pope, who believed I was on his side — both would find it much harder to act against her.
I couldn't say for certain.
Hmm...
Well then, let's make it certain.
"I'll have the proof of identification prepared within a few days."
"Thank you! That means I can live to be fifty!"
She'd helped me this time around.
Later, I'd have not just a badge with the Dragon God's mark made for her, but also summon a guardian magical beast.
"And the second request?"
"Please pardon Therese. If things continue as they are, she'll be sent away to some remote posting again."
"Isn't that... inevitable?"
She followed orders but failed to carry them out.
"Perhaps so. But because she was defeated by Rudeus this time, the Cardinal suffered a serious blow as well. If she's sent away, she'll be killed. I want her as my bodyguard."
She'd be useless if discarded.
The Cardinal's faction might kill Therese out of spite.
In the end, things had turned out the way they did, but...
She'd helped me up to that point, and that was a fact.
She'd been used and simply following orders — being killed would be too harsh.
"Understood."
"Thank you. Then please sign the petition."
One of the entourage immediately produced the document.
They were well prepared.
Had they planned this from the start?
"Rudeus, I look forward to working with you from now on."
And so, the Holy Child became Orsted's subordinate.
--- "Rudeus."
Afterward, while I was waiting for the carriage in the reception room, Claire spoke to me.
She still wore that cold, expressionless face.
This was her natural expression — or perhaps how she looked when she was tense.
"This isn't the sort of place for this kind of conversation, and I thought I'd wait until things had calmed down, but I hear you have plans after this, so let's talk now. If that's alright."
I nodded silently.
Was she going to chew me out for taking three wives?
Two might have been forgivable, but three.
By Millis doctrine, that was unforgivable.
"It's about what I did."
"Yes."
Not that — it was about herself first.
Right.
After pulling a stunt like that, she wasn't about to condemn me.
Well, even so, those were separate issues.
Without changing her expression at all, she said: "What I attempted to do this time is unforgivable for a human being."
"That's true."
No matter how much it was for Zenith's sake, that treatment method had been too much.
If she'd gone through with it, I wouldn't be sitting here listening calmly.
"Therefore, please punish me."
"Punish you...?"
"Yes, punish me. I, who tried to take Zenith from you and commit such a heinous act, deserve an appropriate punishment."
"Wouldn't an apology suffice?"
"That would set a bad precedent. A crime demands a punishment."
I understood what she was saying.
In short: if sorry were enough, we wouldn't need the police.
Everyone involved in this incident was receiving some form of punishment.
But Claire had been let off scot-free.
She couldn't accept that.
"...What kind of punishment do you think is appropriate?"
"Whipping or beating with a rod would be fine. Cutting off both arms would be fine... you could even kill me, and I wouldn't object."
Um...
That seemed a bit much.
"After hearing about Zenith just now, you should clearly understand how selfishly and recklessly I was acting. A daughter who clung to me like an infant — I was about to throw her into hell. I don't need your mercy. A fool like me needs the iron hammer of judgment."
Her fists were trembling.
She'd interpreted what she'd heard that way.
But to my ears, it hadn't sounded like that.
It had sounded like something else entirely.
Zenith had forgiven her.
I didn't think Zenith fully understood what had been done to her.
But she'd sensed Claire's anguish.
She understood that Claire had been doing it for her sake.
That was why, at the tribunal, when Claire stood alone with no allies, willing to take all the blame herself — Zenith had forgiven her.
That was why, in that moment, Zenith had struck me and Kylaile, but not Claire.
...That was stretching it a bit.
No, no.
Well, punishing Claire was the natural course of action.
Claire herself wasn't looking for forgiveness — she wanted punishment.
Until she was punished, she wouldn't budge.
Hmm.
Actually, maybe that stubbornness was what had produced this whole mess in the first place.
All right.
"I understand... then..."
"......"
Claire was watching me with a tense expression.
Forgive me, but I'm going to make this work in my favor.
"Convert."
"You mean, adopt the same religion as you? Worship the demon race?"
Wrong.
I didn't mean convert.
I didn't need her to become a follower of Roxy's religion.
In this situation, what was the right way to put it?
Well, the exact wording didn't really matter.
"No. You don't need to give up being a Millis follower. I'd just be grateful if you'd abandon the idea of rejecting the demon race."
"Does this apply to the entire Ratelia family?"
"Just you is fine. My wives include demon-race women, and I'd rather they not be called 'filthy.' Also, please accept my religion and refrain from interfering with our approach to raising our children."
"......"
"And one more thing — next time you're conflicted about something like this, talk to me first. I have the power to resolve most problems... I think."
Claire stared at me as if dumbfounded.
But she quickly nodded.
"Very well."
Claire looked unsatisfied.
Was this a punishment or not? She probably couldn't tell.
Neither could I.
But she seemed to decide that if it was a punishment, she'd accept it, and nodded again.
"Hereafter, Claire Ratelia will become sympathetic to the demon race and devote herself wholeheartedly to that cause. I trust you, and I will neither interfere with your religion or your approach to raising your children, nor allow anyone else to do so."
"I appreciate it... but please don't push too hard. Forcing your beliefs on others is poison."
"...Naturally."
For the time being, if this stubborn old woman became a little more flexible, it would save me from future conflicts regarding my wives and daughters.
Right now she was docile, but there was an old saying about not letting someone get too close to your throat.
The next time we met — if there was a next time — I didn't want another argument.
"That's all I have to say."
"...Thank you for your kindness."
Claire nodded silently but with a solemn expression.
You really are terrible at apologizing, you know that?
--- Well, after that, I returned to Cliff's house again.
I'd pay a visit to the Ratelia family later, but first — Geese.
There were so many things I needed to ask.
About this incident. About the one before.
Looking back, the timing had always been perfect with that guy.
I needed to get some answers.
"All right, I'm going to go find Geese."
I left Aisha and Zenith at the house.
And set out immediately to search for Geese.
"Big brother, wait a second!"
Aisha stopped me.
She looked somewhat flustered and held something out to me.
"This!"
In her hand was a letter.
A letter sealed with wax.
On the front was written: "To Rudeus."
"Wendy said that right after you guys left, Geese came by and dropped this off!"
I took it from her without a word.
A letter left at this timing.
I had a bad feeling.
I broke the seal immediately and read the contents.
--- To Rudeus.
Hey, Senpai.
The fact that you heard the Holy Child's report, came back here, and are reading this letter means you've probably figured out what happened by now.
You get it, right?
There's no way you still don't get it, right?
If you still don't get it, then this letter was a miscalculation on my part... but whatever.
Right now, you've got questions, don't you?
How I knew where Zenith was, when there was no way I should've known.
Why I was able to spirit her away at just the right moment.
And going even further back, it was the same when we first met.
Finding you by chance in the Superd tribe's village.
How? Why?
Even an S-rank adventurer like Geese can't pull off the impossible, right?
Here's your answer.
It was all on the Human God's orders.
I've been acting on the Human God's guidance.
In other words, I was an "Apostle of the Human God."
That means I was deceiving you, Senpai.
Surprised?
Did you think "I knew it"?
Or are you angry?
You're angry, aren't you?
Ha, of course you are.
But you see, I've been living my life listening to that god's voice since I was a kid.
When I was dying, when I was in a pinch, hearing that voice saved my life.
For a guy with no fighting ability, that voice was salvation.
You were the same, weren't you, Senpai?
When you came back from the Demon Continent, the Human God helped you.
He set up the meeting with
Even telling you where Zenith was — that was the Human God.
And yet, Senpai.
You betrayed the Human God.
I'm sure you had your reasons.
The Human God isn't exactly a benevolent god, either.
He was giving us guidance to make us do something.
Whatever that something was, it may have crossed your line.
But you can't just turn everything on its head and betray him.
Even if we were used, the debts we received are still there.
Otherwise, the math doesn't work.
At least, that's what I thought when my homeland was destroyed.
The Human God used me and destroyed my homeland.
The Human God laughed at me. "You were used by me," he said.
Of course I was angry.
What the hell, you piece of shit, you used me, fuck you.
But you know, at that moment, the Human God said this: "I've been helping you all this time, so isn't this a fair exchange?"
I'm sure that was just to egg me on.
To pour oil on my rage and laugh even harder.
But you know what?
At that moment, I thought...
He's got a point.
When you consider all the times he saved me, it's hard to argue.
Honestly, I still hold a grudge. But that's what it means to do the right thing... right?
Of course, you probably don't see it that way.
Even now, reading this, you're probably thinking "Newbie, that's just wrong."
But even if it's wrong from your perspective, it's not wrong from mine.
From where I stand, you're ungrateful.
You turn your fangs on the one who saved you.
So Senpai, sorry, but I'm going to be on their side this time.
This time was like a test run.
I wanted to gauge your strength, so I set a nice trap and threw the Temple Knights at you.
You cut through them pretty easily, though...
Either way, I learned that this approach won't be enough to take you down.
But showing you all my cards was a mistake.
Next time, I'll gather a force that can definitely win, and face you head-on with a formal declaration of war.
Wash your neck and wait.
I have no grudge against you.
The prison thing was fun, and I won't forget traveling the Sacred Sword Highway together.
The labyrinth exploration too — it was the first time I'd felt that excited in a long while.
That's genuine.
But that's all it was.
I have no grudge, but I have no debt to you either.
I do have a grudge against the Human God, but I still owe him a great deal.
Even with a grudge, I repay the debt.
That's my creed.
Geese Nukadia --- I burst out of the house immediately.
"Geese!"
Geese was an enemy.
He'd somehow even obtained battle armor.
He said he was gathering forces.
How was he doing that?
He said he was coming head-on next time.
Should I believe him or not?
It didn't matter.
If he said he was going to act, I had to stop him.
I had to kill Geese to stop him.
First — the commercial district.
I burst into the merchant guild branch office.
Immediately, I sent a message to Orsted, detailing the situation, identifying the Human God's apostle, and including the contents of the letter.
Without waiting for a reply, I set out to chase Geese.
But I had no idea which direction he'd gone.
On my own, I had no efficiency at all.
Thinking this, I rushed to the church headquarters and had Geese placed on the wanted list.
I also mobilized the Temple Knights to search Milishion and the surrounding areas.
But he was the Human God's apostle.
Geese, who could see the future.
A man with zero combat ability who'd become an S-rank adventurer.
There was no way he would be caught.