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- Chapter 223 - Checkmate<Ref>Given the last chapter's chess reference and the fact that 玉 can be read as King (Shogi) I believe this chapter title's literal translation is something like "Turning over the King and picking it up" -> Checkmate seems more concise, and I couldn't think of a good way to make it clear that it's not THE king of Milis or something being referred to (just a chess piece).</Ref>
- Hello everyone.
- Rudeus Greyrat here.
- Presently, I'm surrounded by those guys.
- You know, those guys in polished blue armor. Eight knights were closing in around me.
- Today I think I'll take a moment to introduce them one by one.
- Knight #1, Therese, directly in front of me.
- Therese Latreia.
- Yep.
- My aunt, one of Latreia's lot.
- Out of all the Temple Knights in the expulsion faction, she has a slightly different nature.
- She was sympathetic to me despite my ties to the demon race...
- Rather, demons and humans, we're really not all that different, are we?
- You'd normally show me a kindhearted face, but what kind of expression are you wearing now?
- Your face is hidden by a helmet, so I can't tell.
- Let's proceed clockwise, to the right.
- And, on Therese's right...
- A man wearing a skull-like helmet.
- The side of his breastplate is cracked.
- That injury looks familiar.
- I don't know his name, but he looks like a knight with a name like [Skull Ash].
- He's a skull-head, no doubt.
- Next to him...
- A man wearing a garbage can-like helmet you'd see on the street corners of Milis.
- Out of the 7 other people here, only you chose to wear a red cloak.
- The Miko really likes that cloak, she would always wipe her dirty hands on it.
- I think his name was [Dust Box].
- And to his right...
- A man wearing a smooth helmet with the words [Sleep Peacefully] engraved in it.
- He's probably over two meters tall.
- Once I'd seen the Miko ride on top of his shoulders to pick fruits off the trees in the garden.
- His name was something like [Grave Keeper].
- Number four...
- He's wearing a helmet like a bamboo broom on his head.<Ref>Best picture I could find, it's the back of some lego-like doll's head http://blog-imgs-53.fc2.com/d/o/u/douzoukenkyu/CIMG0104_20121130030921.jpg</Ref>
- His armor is featureless.
- Well...
- Broom... cleaning...
- Ah, perhaps this guy was called [Trash Sweeper].
- Three remaining.
- Honestly I can barely tell them apart, I won't be able to remember them.
- If I'm not mistaken, they should have names like [Death] or [Grave].
- Whenever the Miko would call out to them, they would proudly puff out their chests.
- They were code names that made my back itch.
- Oh, that's right.
- [Black Coffin].
- [Burial Garment].<!--These are some shit-tier names.-->
- [Cortege Head].<Ref>The guy who leads a funeral procession. Koruteji = Cortege(?) All of these names seem to require a direct translation for Rudy's explanations to make sense. Also they're pretty much pronounced the same as their English translations.</Ref>
- It was something like that.
- The team name... what was it... eto...
- "It is time to commence the inquisition! Inquisition Chief of the [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)], Therese Latreia initiating!"
- "Hah!"
- The seven knights surrounding me stabbed their swords into the ground.
- That's right, they were called the [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)].
- I think Therese told me that once.
- "Then I shall begin questioning the accused. Are there any objections!?"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "Objection! Movement for immediate execution!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "Objections dismissed!"
- Aw, Dust-san looks depressed.
- That's right, his objection was rejected.<Ref> そうだね、これから調べようって時に調べずにやっちまおうって言っても、却下されるよね。Bad TL</Ref>
- ... Ah, it's my turn.
- "Rudeus Greyrat stands as the accused!"
- Eto... Please wait a moment.
- I can't swallow this situation.
- Somebody, give me a hint.
- Here's what happened...
- In order to rescue Zenith I met with Therese, the captain of the Miko's guard, at the religious headquarters, to lay the groundwork for negotiations, and was captured in a king-class barrier.
- According to their story, I'm apparently suspected of being a heretic plotting to kidnap the Miko.
- Ah, that's right, thank you inner monologue.
- Okay.
- Yeah, I might have considered kidnapping the Miko once or twice.
- However I gave up on that, I came here to ask Therese to help negotiate for Zenith's release.
- In other words, this situation is some kind of mistake.
- Has somebody been spreading false rumors?
- I haven't told my kidnapping idea to that many people.
- Aisha, Gisu, Cliff... and the Pope?
- The Pope is the most likely suspect.
- Or, maybe Gisu was caught, and spilled everything after being tortured.
- ... Is Aisha safe?
- "The trial has begun! Defendant Rudeus, you are required to answer all questions honestly."
- "... Yes."
- I don't understand the situation.
- For the time being I should settle down and listen.
- If I start acting violently here it will only send me back to square one.
- "Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
- Have you or have you not been distributing books claiming that demon races are not evil, in order to seduce the hearts of believers?"
- They seem to have been investigating me.
- Well, the Pope also knew.
- I wonder if they have a database somewhere.
- "No."
- "Please answer honestly. Are you claiming that our investigation was misinformed?"
- "I'm not freely distributing the books, I'm properly making money."
- "That can't be possible, selling them at such a cheap price."<!--What is this, an infomercial?-->
- Well, I guess it is cheap.
- I'm more focused on volume than profit margins.
- "Therese you should also understand, I--"
- "The defendant is not permitted to speak outside of directly answering questions."
- I just want you to listen for a moment.
- I have a reason, to help Ruijerd.
- Even you should know that Therese.
- We've spoken about this in the past.
- "Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
- Do you worship the demon race and revere them as God?"
- "..."
- There's no use answering these kinds of questions.
- "No, I do not believe in God."
- "Unbelievable!"
- "The accused has lied!"
- "It's a lie!"
- "Liar!"
- "He must be lying!"
- "It is my judgment that the defendant is lying!"
- "That's a lie!"
- "According to the majority vote, it is concluded to be a lie."
- It was concluded.
- A majority vote, how democratic.
- That's right.
- I guess an inquisition is this kind of thing.
- "This is the last question.
- Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
- Have you planned to kidnap the Miko, the symbol of the Milis religion?"
- "No. I may have said as much as a joke, but it never reached the level of creating a plan."
- Well when I said it, it certainly wasn't a joke...
- But that doesn't mean I'd made preparations.
- Take it with a grain of salt... it was a joke.
- "Lie!"
- "The accused has lied!"
- "It's a lie!"
- "He's lying!"
- "It's a lie!"
- "It is my judgment that the defendant is lying!"
- "That is a lie!"
- Right.
- Well this is an interesting turn.
- I absolutely can't start laughing at my own inquisition.
- That's no way to determine if someone is lying, but laughing at this farce won't help.<Ref>普通の質問に対してありえない嘘を言って、笑ったヤツの頭の上にタライが落ちてくる感じで。 Bad TL, something about a tub falling on his head.</Ref>
- However, that was the last question...
- "According to the majority, it is concluded to be a lie."
- At Therese's solemn words, the seven knights struck their swords.
- Wow, that's intimidating.
- If I hadn't been observing their substance this past month, it might have gotten to me.
- "As a result of the trial, the defendant Rudeus Greyrat is hereby recognized as a heretic."
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "I object, such a judgment is unnecessary! I recommend sending the defendant home to tend to his rice harvest!" <!--Rudy-->
- "... No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- "No objection!"
- When I butted in with my objection, they glared at me for a moment.
- I'm sorry, it was Trash-san's turn.
- "The inquisition has been concluded. For the crime of attempted kidnapping, the judgment is capital punishment!"
- "What, is that like the death penalty?"
- I don't really expect an answer, but I decided to ask anyway.
- "No... your life will not be taken.
- Your hands will be cut off to prevent the use of magic, then your arms will be sealed within a barrier and encased in earth."
- I got my answer.
- Well, this isn't a situation to mess around in, what should I do...
- Their goal is to confine me.
- I'll have plenty of opportunities to attack later.
- However, they plan to seal me.
- They plan to cut off my hands, and me in a barrier.
- Furthermore they plan to encase my arms in earth.
- If that's the case, I won't be capable of magic or swordsmanship.
- I guess that's the meaning behind being [sealed].
- If you do that, I won't be able to touch my wives' breasts.
- I'd have to go back to using artificial arms...
- Zariff's prosthetic hand doesn't have a bad sense of touch, but it's doesn't feel very good for the person being massaged.
- After all, a human hand should be warm and soft, and there's no warmth in a prosthetic hand.
- "Therese-san, do you like to cripple people as a hobby?"
- "... Isn't it a good hobby not to kill people?"
- I feel like I've gotten a glance at her true nature.
- I wonder if she really thinks that way.
- Free to live for the price of two hands...<Ref> 両手が自由なら人を殺すって……。Bad TL</Ref>
- Even though it's the opposite... I need these hands for love not war.
- "Er, but if I embrace my wife without any hands, won't I look stupid?"
- "Ha? What...?"
- "Eh, ah, for example, embracing my wife... pleasurably, you know."
- "Che!"
- After being told such an embarrassing thing twice, she finally got it and clicked her tongue at me.
- What for...
- Meh.
- Even if you catch me being ero, it's not like I need your approval.
- "Well in that case, I guess you guys aren't just going to let me escape?"
- "That's right."
- "That trial was a joke, are you serious?"
- "That's right."
- "If you called over Miko-sama, I could prove my innocence... Certainly Miko-sama should be at such a trial?"
- "... A gathering of seven Temple Knights has more than enough authority to convict a simple heretic."
- "In other words, you do not plan to call Miko-sama over."
- "That... is correct."
- I can't see Therese's expression under her helmet.
- But her voice was trembling, just a little.
- "You've been kind to me up until now, was that all an act leading to this moment?"
- "... No, we, even Miko-sama had accepted you. This is your betrayal Rudeus-kimi."
- "This is not my betrayal, I trusted you Therese, and came to get along with Miko-sama who is important to you."
- "...."
- No answer.
- She should have heard me.
- Ha...
- It's a pity.
- It's really a shame.
- This time, I really intended to get along with both sides.
- I tried to restrain myself, I denied my rage, I was going to try to rescue Zenith peacefully.
- "Therese, what will become of my mother?"
- ".... I will take responsibility in persuading Claire. But at this time, that is irrelevant."
- Fumu.
- Judging from her answer, it doesn't seem that Therese is the main culprit.
- "I am certainly not a Milis believer, though I do have a connection with the Pope... But you understood that from the beginning, didn't you? So why--"
- "Haven't you asked enough questions?"
- My question was cut off by a cold voice.
- No sign of an answer.
- Though I suppose this wasn't a 'give and take' in the first place.
- "Then allow me to ask a final question, was this information given to you as a divine revelation in a dream?"
- "No. This information is from a credible source. We would not trust the words of an incredible person."
- "Even if the God in the dream calls himself Milis?"
- The moment I said that, the knights around me began shouting protests.
- "Milis is not an oracle!"
- "That is why Milis is God."
- "Even if there was a divine revelation, such a thing would not be given to lowly knights such as ourselves!"
- "Only Miko-sama could be worthy of receiving such a revelation."
- "That's right! Milis-sama doesn't even call out to the Miko!"
- "Milis is God!"
- "Those who doubt God are the devil!"
- Then, surrounded by those voices, Therese proudly said...
- "Yes, that's right. Well said everyone... Rudeus-kimi, our faith is absolute."
- "... I am relieved to hear that."
- For the time being I may be surrounded by fanatics, but there doesn't seem to be an apostle of Hitogami among them.
- Everyone here seems to be a pious Milis believer.
- It's enough evidence just listening to them.
- "...."
- I lifted my hands out of the sleeves of my robe.
- The sound reverberated through the cool air.<Ref>Unimportant バッと、自分でもかっこいいと思えるような音が響く。Bad TL.</Ref>
- My left hand is equipped to deal with this kind of situation.
- "[Absorption]"
- I activated the magic absorbing stone in my palm.
- The barrier at my feet disappeared without a sound.
- The Temple Knights' eyes opened wide.
- "Well then, shall we begin the fight?"
- ---
- "All hands! Spread out!"
- At Therese's command, the Temple Knights jumped back.
- I sidestepped towards the Temple Knights as they were trying to take distance, and started generating rock bullets with both hands.
- Speed and hardness so-so.
- Only to the degree that they might die if I hit them in the vitals.
- Firing.
- You're up first, Dust Box!
- "Support!"
- "Goodbye!"
- The two rock bullets I fired towards Dust were deflected by the Temple Knights at his sides.
- In their hands were something like translucent shields.
- Elementary ranked barrier magic, [Magic Shield].
- ... Is that really elementary ranked? I was stopped by an elementary ranked spell?
- "Dust, Grave, Skull right flank!
- Trash, Coffin, Burial take the left!
- Cortege and I will act as a mobile unit!"
- Three people on each side fired magic off in unison.
- Fire, water, and earth.
- Three different attributes, not that it matters.
- "[Absorption]"
- While dissolving the magic with my gauntlet, I fired rock bullets to counter.
- But, they were repelled.
- The guy casting the barrier magic seems to be defending from behind.
- "--With your blessing the small ember becomes a searing flame! [Flamethrower]!"
- "--Bring down your majestic sword of ice, and strike! [Icicle Break]!"
- At the same time magic was fired off from the other side.
- Fire and water.
- That's not it! The third one had his hands on the ground.
- An Earth Lance!
- "[Absorption]!"
- I dissolved the fire and water magic simultaneously.
- At the same time I countered the Earth Lance by creating a quagmire to disable it.
- Oops, I was too slow.
- I can't fire a counter.
- But my legs still work.
- I instantly back-stepped to avoid the magic flying at me from the other side.
- Only one spell.
- Only a fire spell. It looked like a normal [Fire Ball]?
- Only one?
- There are three enemies on that side, why not three?
- I don't have time to think about that.
- I aimed my hands at both their left and right flanks.
- "[Stone Cannon]!"
- Because I had gained some distance stepping back, I saw it well.
- The Temple Knights' formation had three people on each side.
- Among them, two people had translucent shields, and jumped to defend from my rock bullets.
- Well played.
- Though I'd increased the speed and mass of the rock bullets from earlier, they easily deflected them.
- That style looks familiar.
- The Water God Style.
- I see, it can even be used in conjunction with barrier magic. That's amazing.
- "Spirits of the earth! Answer my call and rise fourth to pierce the heavens! [Earth Lance]!"
- "Magnificent spirits of the water, I appeal to the Emperor of Thunder! Bring down your majestic sword of ice, and strike! [Icicle Break]!"
- In that moment, two of the Knights without the shields fired off spells.
- Naturally, I dissolved them... Now, what to do.
- The enemy has separated into a left flank and a right flank with three people each.
- Among those three people, two use barriers to deflect my magic.
- Because I've only been firing two bullets at a time, their two barrier strategy has been serving them well.
- The third person counters by firing off an attack spell.
- Then the flank that I didn't attack momentarily drops their shields.
- And, when I'm defenseless, they fire off three spells.
- They were able to fire off spells with three different attributes because they didn't leave two on defense.
- I guess they're a bit short on information about me, since they're unaware that my magic absorption stone can simultaneously negate all magic.
- At first they were only able to use magic to attack me from one side, probably because of the distance.
- At that distance I was able to break into the core of their formation.
- It should be possible to get an attack in while they're chanting...
- They should be particularly vulnerable while their shields are down...
- But, it won't work unless I break into their formation.
- ... That might not be a good idea.
- Well, let's see how you like this?
- "[Fireball]!"
- While deliberately shouting loudly, I started packing mana into the spell.
- Enough to generate a fire ball about two meters in diameter.
- It had the size and heat of an advanced ranked spell.
- But compared to the rock bullet's speed, it's slow.
- Gently, I threw it like a slowball.
- Aiming for both flanks.
- "Support!"
- Two knights stepped forward with barriers to block.
- But, the magic barrier has a weakness.
- "Ran Ma [Disturb Magic]!"
- "!?"
- I dissolved their barriers with [Ran Ma].
- Both of the barriers protecting the left flank fell simultaneously.
- Barrier magic, like most spells, continues to consume mana as you use it.
- It's the same even for elementary ranked barrier magic.
- In other words, even if they aren't chanting, I can negate it with [Ran Ma].
- The right flank will still be protected, but, this is their loss.
- "...Tsu!"
- And the moment I thought that, something came flying at me from behind.
- While looking back, I brought right arm up to defend.
- With a loud [Ga~an], something broke into pieces and shattered.
- A brown rock, flying towards my face, was reduced to debris.
- I received some of the impact around my elbow.
- It was a rock bullet.
- This was the first time my opponents have used that spell.
- "Rudeus can use magic with both hands!
- Two people are on defense, if an attack comes switch.
- There's no room for mistakes!"
- Therese and another person had snuck up behind me.
- Now, I have to defend from the rear as well.
- "...."
- Before I noticed it, I had been surrounded.
- I'm beginning to fall behind, that was a blunder.
- No, I wonder what kind of countermeasures they have for close-combat.
- The knights who received the fireball earlier are alive and well, with the exception of some smoke coming off their armor.
- "Rudeus-kimi. We are the strongest in the Temple Knights. You have no chance of winning."
- "Really?"
- "In the past ten days we have investigated your fighting style.
- Thanks to your fame, we were able to arrange countermeasures."
- Fumu.
- Then, why haven't you drawn your swords?
- I only use magic.
- No, in the current situation, they may not be able to avoid my magic in close-combat.
- Of course, I still have some tricks up my sleeves.
- They might be weary of that, and avoiding close-quarters combat as a precaution.
- Given my present situation, their strategy could be called effective.
- But, if this becomes a fight of attrition, then I will have the upper hand.
- They might have more countermeasures...
- Then, it's about time I made my next move.
- "Rudeus-kimi, please surrender! You may have been able to use your magic tool to escape our barrier, but this is your loss, give up!"
- "Hou?"
- "The entrance to the garden is blocked by barrier magic! Help will not come!"
- Is that right.
- If you say it like that, then it's perfect.
- They must have carefully devised this strategy to capture me.
- I can't win with half-assed tactics.
- I have to be thorough.
- I might have to experiment in order to break through.
- But, if I lose as a result, that would be disastrous.
- "...[Quagmire]."
- It's time to get serious.
- --- Therese's Perspective ---
- At the same time Rudeus let out that murmur, my feet sunk into mud.
- We were given information about this magic as well.
- It's the same as Rudeus Greyrat's nickname, [Quagmire].
- Normally, this magic would just produce a slick puddle at your opponents' feet.
- But, as expected, this is a massive spell.
- The entirety of this huge garden has become a muddy swamp.
- Miko-sama's beloved Saraku trees and Balta trees began to creak as they started to sink into the mud.<Ref>Saraku trees are a play on words, where 'ku' and 'ra' from Sakura trees (which are described as looking identical) were switched.</Ref>
- But, you can't stop us with something like this.
- Trash has already started the chant to counter it.
- "...[Dense Fog]."
- In the next instant, we were swallowed by a vast white fog.
- This is bad!
- "Stay alert! First we'll counter the quagmire, do not accidentally attack your comrades in the fog!"
- The next moment, purple lightning leapt over the ground.
- It was too fast, in an instant I heard a sharp [kii~] and the sound of an explosion.
- "Do not panic! Our armor is resistant to [Electric]! Make sure he doesn't escape! Go!"
- [OK!] echoed out from the fog.
- All right.
- According to our information, Rudeus is weak in close combat.
- All of the members of [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)] are advanced rank or higher swordsmen, and capable of all advanced rank attack and barrier magic.
- Even standing alone we are powerful, we are all well-versed in one on one combat, the fight is still in our favor.
- Though I'm only around the intermediate rank in the Water God Style, Cortege is nearly saint ranked.
- Even if Rudeus has power on par with an emperor ranked magician, it will not be possible for him to break through our defense.
- We have not made a mistake in our strategy.
- "--We are countering the [Quagmire]!"
- "[Shifting sand]!"
- As Cortege finished his chant, Trash's voice was heard.
- The mud at our feet quickly turned to sand, and we freed out feet.
- I'm sorry, Rudeus-kimi.
- [Quagmire] can be countered with the advanced rank magic [Shifting Sand].
- But this isn't something they would have taught at the magic university.
- Research for countering melded magic is still in its infancy...
- I wonder if this is the first time his quagmire has been countered?
- I don't know what you were planning, but this is checkmate.
- Of course, I don't believe you were plotting to kidnap Miko-sama.
- Miko-sama truly treasured your friendship.
- You were sincerely worried about Zenith, and asked for my help...
- I understand that was all you wanted.
- But, it can't be helped.
- Because these are instructions directly from the Cardinal.
- Regardless of the authenticity of the information, we have to follow our orders.
- Only Dust was truly enraged, because he earnestly loves Miko-sama...
- At the very least, your life won't be taken.
- I give you my word.
- To be labeled by the Cardinal as a heretic and only deprived of your hands is an incredibly lenient judgment.
- Therefore, we aren't even using poisoned swords.
- It's all right, Rudeus-kimi.
- Although you are still young, don't you have a good bride?
- With Eris supporting you, you'll be able to survive even without hands.
- Moreover, you're even the Dragon God's subordinate.
- I heard about it when I was a child, the Dragon Tribe has a mysterious power.
- By some chance, it might be able to break our seal.
- You can live out the rest of your life in a place our eyes cannot reach.
- And, as for Zenith, I'll manage somehow.
- But even though I told you that...
- "--Resist the [Dense Fog]."
- Cortege's voice brought me back out of my thoughts.
- At the same time, I suddenly had a sense of discomfort.
- ... Something's strange.
- What is it?
- Nothing has happened.
- That's it. After creating the dense fog, Rudeus hasn't moved an inch.
- Will he try to escape? Or continue to fight?
- However, even if I can't see more than a meter ahead, I should still be able to hear him.
- After the initial [Electric], there was nothing.
- Has he already escaped?
- A [Quagmire], followed by [Dense Fog] and then [Electric] certainly stopped our advance.
- Using so many different magics, but it's already too--
- "--[Wind Blast]!"
- The wind magic cleared the fog in an instant.
- "..."
- "...."
- "...... Eh?"
- I can hardly believe my eyes.
- After the fog lifted, Rudeus was gone.
- All that was left was a torn, crumpled scroll.
- And a huge... rock?
- A statue?
- Armor?
- "... Summoning magic?"
- I muttered those words to myself... Then, in the next moment...
- The huge armor began to move.
- This is beyond imagination, huge. It was moving at a tremendous speed.
- --- Rudeus' Perspective ---
- I may have been at a disadvantage, but it's time to take the kid gloves off.
- The fog is rapidly clearing.
- Those guys are dumbfounded, they weren't prepared for this.
- While opening my foresight eye I confirmed the positions of the guys with the barriers, one shot, two shots, three shots.
- I easily penetrated their defenses.
- Then smashed them with the MK-I's shield.
- Of course, I went easy on them.
- I only knocked them out.
- They probably aren't dead.
- At the same time I took another three down with the Gatling gun.
- I swung my left arm in a wide arc.
- There was a sound like a loud hum as my Gatling gun spat out a stream of rock bullets.
- The three folded like twigs as my rock bullets crushed their shins.
- I took care not to blow their legs off.
- I also avoided their vitals, they shouldn't be dead, just stunned.
- But, just in case, I nailed each of them in the head with another rock bullet to make sure they were out cold.
- Two left.
- I took a step back before turning around, like Orsted taught me to.
- If an enemy attacks from behind, you have to use quick footwork to avoid them.
- I didn't feel an attack coming, but it was just to make sure.
- When I turned around, Therese was in front of me.
- Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was hanging open, watching me.
- The one next to her started to unsheathe his sword to defend her.
- But, too late.
- You're too slow.
- If it had been Eris, she would have cut him down ten times before he had drawn his sword.
- With the MK-I I can easily deal with this level of speed.
- These guys can't compare to my training.
- Before he could unsheathe his sword, I swatted him away with my fist.
- He was blown away before he could make a sound, and crashed into the wall of the headquarters, stunned.
- Therese was still standing there with a frozen look of amazement.
- She had a face as if she had no idea what had happened.
- "W-, what..."
- To her, I gave my minimum considerations, and knocked her out with a rock bullet rather than my fist.
- Done.
- After all, the MK-I can only be described as overwhelming.
- I was able to finish off my opponents before they had a single opportunity to attack, and unceremoniously broke through all of their defenses.
- I wonder if I'm being immature?
- Therese, and the other Temple Knights, were scattered on the ground around me.
- Nobody died.
- Unless I find one of Hitogami's apostles, I'd like to avoid killing as much as possible.
- That's my rule.
- I was able to afford it this time.
- "Haah~... I feel refreshed."
- Recently, perhaps because I've had so much frustration accumulating, that was awfully refreshing.
- After all, it's no good if you don't go on a rampage once in awhile.
- At least according to Eris...
- No, that's too violent.
- However, what should I do now?
- After all this, the Temple Knights will undoubtedly turn into my enemy.
- To begin with, who was I betrayed by?
- The only ones who knew about the kidnapping idea were me, Aisha, Gisu... also Cliff and the Pope?
- What about that girl in Cliff's house?
- First of all, it absolutely wasn't Aisha.
- If she wanted to betray me, she wouldn't need to do such a thing.
- It would be something like [Oniichan, give me a piggyback ride!] and then, while I was enjoying the feeling of her breasts on my back... she'd slit my throat.
- Or she could just mix some poison into my drink.
- Cliff and Gisu are also unlikely.
- They're in similar positions.
- They wouldn't need to use such a roundabout way to get rid of me when my back is exposed.
- Then, is it the Pope?
- Would the Pope try to kill me off with this timing?
- What would he gain?
- No, maybe it's the opposite.
- Perhaps he simply wanted me to remove a few Temple Knights from the board.
- From the Pope's perspective, even though I gave him my support, I never actually did anything to support him.
- Perhaps this was his plan to put me to use.
- And then, while I stall her escorts, the Pope has the perfect opportunity to kidnap the Miko...
- Wait wait.
- Therese said that the information came from a credible source.
- For her, would the Pope be a trustworthy source?
- The Pope is her enemy.
- Above anyone else, wouldn't he be an untrustworthy source?
- In the first place, there's also the possibility that accusing me of plotting to kidnap the Miko is just a coincidence.
- Although there's a grain of truth, someone could have just made it up.
- Wait.
- Rather than thinking this is an accident, I should consider Hitogami's involvement.
- Once again, it's possible that one of Hitogami's apostles is lurking behind the scenes.
- Yeah, compared to a betrayal, it seems likely that guy was involved.
- What is Hitogami's intent?
- I can't see the future, I have no idea.
- Everything bad happens because of that guy.
- "...."
- I have no idea who the culprit is.
- Thinking about it is useless.
- I have more immediate problems.
- The problem is determining who my enemies are.
- Currently, I don't know what has happened to the Miko.
- But the Temple Knights guarding her are already in this state...
- From this, I can assume the Cardinal's faction will start moving against me.
- First of all, they tried to arrest me for attempting to kidnap the Miko.
- From here on out, they'll probably go after Cliff who brought me here, and Cliff's grandfather the Pope.
- Ara?
- I guess that means this wasn't the Pope's plan?
- Uugh, it's troublesome to even come up with potential culprits.
- What should I do...
- What can I do...
- I could gather everyone and escape from the capital?
- No, what about Zenith?
- I can't leave without Zenith.
- I need to go to the Latreia house and rescue Zenith...
- But, what if she isn't there?
- If they're carrying out this kind of strategy, wouldn't they move Zenith to another location?
- Still, do I just keep fighting with these knights until Milis is destroyed?
- That seems like something Hitogami would want.
- Meh.
- Still...
- I could do it...
- For the time being, I'll evacuate Aisha, Cliff, and Gisu.
- Then I'll go to the Latreia house to rescue Zenith.
- If that doesn't work, I can always go up to the palace and capture one of the royal family to use in a hostage exchange.
- That could also work.
- It's all good.
- I'm tired of thinking.
- "... Ah."
- Suddenly, a voice.
- Someone looking out from the edge of the garden warped by my quagmire...
- In front of a door in the headquarters that could only be unlocked with a special key, a lone girl stood.
- Standing there, key in hand.
- Alone.
- "...."
- It felt like she was looking into my eyes.
- I tried to look away, but it was too late.
- She had a look like she saw through me, and smiled.
- Then opened her arms towards me.
- I recognize that gesture...
- It may have been intuition...
- It was a split-second decision...
- I kidnapped the Miko.
- Author's Q&A for MT 223: http://pastebin.com/aH8533NL
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