5 – Episode 1. The Rake’s Method for Regaining Trust (5)
“Even if we catch the demon worshippers who committed serial murders in the city of Fran, unless we strike at their stronghold, incidents like this will happen over and over again.”
“If we kill the witch, they will have no reason to come here.”
That might be a simple way to think about it.
“No, it’s the opposite. If we kill the witch, the demon worshippers will do everything in their power to use all sorts of schemes to obliterate the House of Duke Sirius as revenge for killing the witch.”
This was an exaggeration.
In actuality, the military might of the House of Duke Sirius was strong enough that I could confidently claim it could topple a small kingdom.
Faced with the scale of the already once-ruined Veral sect, a full-on confrontation with the House of Sirius was an impossibility.
Moreover, choosing to contend against the House of Sirius, that enjoyed the total favor of the Imperial family, was equivalent to challenging the Empire itself.
“A worm will still be a worm, no matter how much it struggles.”
“But we’ll surely suffer damage too. Just like in these serial killings.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“I’m talking about practicality.”
Practicality.
As I was summoned by Houston and went to his office, I began to ponder.
Did Clara currently possess any value worthy of keeping her alive?
Houston doesn’t know that she is a saint. Even if I were aware that she is a saint, I don’t have any way to prove it.
That’s why I turned my focus on evaluating Clara’s current standing.
Witch.
Demon worshipper.
Veral Sect.
And at the end of these thoughts, I arrived at a single value.
“Take this opportunity to use that child who’s mistaken for a witch, to kill demon worshippers in the city of Frang, and even further, strike at their stronghold.”
In fact, I already know the location of the demon worshippers’ stronghold in the Sirius region through the novel where Clara tells the princess about their location.
But it’s far better to exploit it this way than give it away without anything in return.
“What are you…?”
“If we keep that witch with us, the demon worshippers will inevitably reveal themselves. They will think it might be the only way to summon the demons.”
Whether my statement was compelling or not, Houston’s eyebrows wavered. He covered his mouth and kept silent. When he opened his mouth again after a long silence, he was shaking his head.
“No, can’t do. That method could lead to numerous casualties.”
“Father, threat is the same either way.For one, do you intend to let the Veral sect, who blatantly committed murder in the Sirius territory, go unpunished? At least blowing up their hideout will serve as a warning, wouldn’t you agree?”
“A warning….”
“Demon worshippers need to be eliminated. Or do you plan to get pushed around by them like this?”
At my straightforward provocation, his forehead veins surfaced.
“The House of Sirius won’t be shaken, no matter what those bastards do!”
Houston’s significant hostility caused me to instinctively constrict, but backing down here could only endanger not only saving Clara, but even my own life.
“It won’t be easy to find those who insulted Sirius. After all, the hint Gibi gave us only reveals the identity of the serial killer. Even if you send out the knights, they most likely won’t catch them.”
“That remark is a dismissal of the Sirius Knights. You realize that, don’t you?”
“Why not put aside status and dignity for the moment? You do realize they have no problem evading the knights once they’ve made up their minds to hide?”
“……”
He seems to be at a loss for words.
Well, he couldn’t even find a hint until I gave it to him.
“It’s as if you’re saying you could do better.”
“If I could, would you entrust it to me?”
“Excuse me…?”
The furrow in his brow deepens instantly.
It’s understandable why Huston’s expression changes dramatically when the usually nonsensical Abel talks about taking on a serious task.
But this was a matter of life and death for me.
“If you give me the power to maneuver the knights at my will, I promise you three things.”
“……What are they?”
I flash three fingers, then fold them back up and raise only my index finger.
“First, I will kill all the devil worshipers running rampant in the city of Frang.”
“Do you happen to know where they are hiding?”
“The main goal of the devil worshipers is to find the witch. If that’s the case, then they are undoubtedly watching the slums where the witch stays. From there, we blatantly reveal the witch to them. They won’t be able to just sit idly with the witch in sight.”
“That’s… you’re luring them in.”
Huston mumbled in a low voice as he absorbed the details of my strategy. Then, his eyebrows shot up, as if something had just occurred to him.
“So, you’re saying you know where the witch is?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why did you tell me to meet this ‘Jibi’ character then?”
“I needed to build trust. I thought that was the only way you’d believe me.”
That’s a bluff. But it’s better than saying it was because of the ‘Quest’ and getting labeled as insane.
“……Huh. What’s the second thing?”
In response to his question, I raise my middle finger as well.
“Second, I will find the hideout of these devil worshipers. Although I can’t guarantee to find every single one, at least, I will be able to locate the central hideouts within the Sirius territory.”
Before he even asks another question, I raise my ring finger and continue.
“Third, I’ll prove that the child hiding in the slums… is not a witch.”
“If that child isn’t a witch, what are you implying? Isn’t that the child the devil worshipers are looking for?”
Houston interrogated me as if he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying. He seemed to be hurrying me to respond quickly.
“Gossips are always distorted and exaggerated.”
“You…you seem to know something about that witch. Speak now!”
“Shouldn’t we at least prevent people from dying over false rumors?”
“Don’t beat around the bush. Speak straight.”
“That girl… is a saint.”
Upon hearing my answer, his eyes, which had previously only held an annoyed expression, widened in surprise.
“What…?”
Seeing Houston’s surprised expression, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“A saint?”
“God bestows great trials upon those who are suitable to be a saint. That’s mentioned in the Beatra Bible.”
The bible doesn’t have much content on it mentioned in the novel, and I didn’t remember all of it. So I couldn’t help but generalize.
“The saint is Beral’s adversary; having her could put great pressure on Beral.”
“Is that true?”
“Even if I say it’s true, you won’t immediately believe me, will you? So I’ll prove it through action. Give me a chance.”
“…..”
He appeared troubled, weighing my words, unsure whether it was reasonable to have faith in me.
Considering how stern Houston had always been towards his own son, I could count making him ponder as half a victory.
Otherwise, he would have dismissed my words before I even opened my mouth.
But the longer his deliberation took, the more uneasy I also became.
That was because the timer displayed on the floating quest window kept ticking away.
“Huff…We have to kill them all. The ones who dare to mess around in my territory.”
When he finally sighed and swore, I was startled unintentionally. It seemed like my persuasion was more effective than expected.
“Of course.”
I do have a plan in mind.
Although to the participant it would seem quite harsh, it is indeed an efficient solution.
[The quest has been updated.]
[The rewards have been enhanced.]
[The serial murder case in the city of Prang #2]
[+Additional details+]
“You have successfully persuaded Houston. Houston wants to test if he can truly trust you.
As per his wish, please take care of all the devil worshippers in the city of Prang, who are causing murder cases. Then Houston will take another look at you.
For the method of handling, as you already understand, you can use Clara’s worth.
If you expose her holiness which is being eroded by magic, the devil worshippers of the Véal sect will come out in order to kidnap her.”
[Clear Conditions]
[Securing Clara’s Survival 0 / 1]
[Subjugation of devil worshippers 0 / 14]
Rewards: Magic Purification Tree, Trust of Houston Sirius.
Failure: Death.
“……”
I laughed hollowly looking at the quest window. As if reading someone else’s thoughts. It was utterly depressing.
“Fors hasn’t left yet. Go to the knight’s barracks and show them my nameplate.”
Houston took out his nameplate from the drawer to show me.
It was a gold round nameplate, engraved with the coat of arms of the Sirius Duke House of an eagle wielding a sword. On the backside of it was Houston’s face and name inscribed.
“If you show this, you can exercise my authority wherever.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. You should be prepared to take full responsibility if you fail. That responsibility is…”
“That won’t be needed.”
“What?”
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“There won’t be a situation where I have to take that responsibility.”
I chuckled as I held the nameplate in my hand.
Though my smile was meant to convey assurance, it seemed to look rather audacious as Houston’s face revealed disquiet.
“Tch. You audacious brat. Just leave.”
“Yes. Then.”
I bowed and turned.
I slyly peeked at the quest window. There was still plenty of time.
If the deadline of this quest is absolute, I will never be late to save Clara.
* * *
As soon as I left the office, I asked Dexter to prepare bread and water for me. Then, carrying my father’s nameplate, I headed straight to the knights’ barracks.
Fortunately, the knights had not departed yet.
“Porus.”
“Mr. Abel…?”
Turning from issuing instructions to his men, he saw me standing there. From his puzzled expression, it seemed he hadn’t expected me to appear.
The other knights also turned their eyes on me. They seemed to be on the alert, worried perhaps that I might suddenly cause some trouble.
“What is it?”
His question was brimming with wariness. How depressing my situation was.
“I’m also going to France with you.”
At my statement, Porus showed his surprise.
“Huh? Are you sure about this, knowing why we are going to France?”
“My father has given the order. From now on, I have the authority to command the Sirius Knights.”
“What…?”
As I showed them the token of my authority and explained, not only Porus but also the other knights who had been watching the situation showed signs of confusion.
They wore expressions of disbelief at the fact that the head of the family, of all people, had handed me the badge of authority.
“….Did the Duke of Huston really give it to you?”
“I’m not brave enough to impersonate my father.”
Despite his skeptical look, Porus couldn’t take his eyes off the badge I was showing him.
“I promise I won’t issue any unreasonable orders. So don’t worry.”
“…All right.”
“Good. Let’s get started right away. We don’t have much time.”
“Understood. Jackson! Prepare one more horse!”
“Yes, understood!”
“We’ll be ready soon. Please wait a moment.”
Huh? A horse? I thought we were traveling by carriage?
The journey was already looking to be tough.
* @ *
A slum shack.
In a space so humble it would be generous to call it a home, a little girl sat curled up with her knees pulled close.
“I’m hungry…”
She mumbled, biting her lower lip.
Just how many days had she been without food?
I can’t recall.
There was no point in counting the days since I had last eaten, as there were now more days starving than fed. Counting them wouldn’t fill my stomach anyway.
“I want to go back….”
As the sob-laden girl buried her face in her knees, her dirt-streaked, silver hair flowed down.
Her life wasn’t filled with misfortune from the start.
In Bemony Village, where she lived before coming into her power, she got along well with everyone and had a good relationship with her parents.
Living was a bit tough, but she still had happy days.
That was until one day, black energy radiated from her body without warning.
Villagers who saw the black mana emanating from her body changed their attitudes all at once.
Naming her a demon or a witch,
They determined her as an evil being and tried to kill her.
In the end, her parents hastily bundled up their belongings and got expelled from the village just to save her. Thus, she had no choice but to leave the village.
“Who would wish for this? I just wanted to live ordinarily….!”
Her voice was now filled with tears.
The memory of having to leave the village still ached in her heart.
The thought of not having the familiar faces, always smiling at her, anymore sent her into despair.
“How am I supposed to live….”
She wanted to work but was too afraid to in front of others, fearing the black energy might burst out. On the other hand, the hunger was agonizing enough to kill her.
“Would have been better off dead then..”
If so, she wouldn’t be starving or lonely like this.
Her mind was already at a breaking point and even her will to live was gone, yet her tenacious vitality wouldn’t let her die. It kept her tethered to a life full of torturous pain.
“I wish someone would kill me….”
Squeak.
The old door produced a strange noise as it opened, and the intense sunlight lit up the room.
“Who’s….?”
Surprised by the sudden intrusion, she flinched and crouched more.
“Do you truly believe that?”
She faltered at the man’s question, who stood with the sun behind him and a robe over his head.
Although his face was hidden by the hood, she could clearly see the round gold emblem around his neck signifying he was a person of high status.
“I’ve come to take you, Clara.”