8 – Episode 1. The Way a Scoundrel Regains Trust (8)
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“Did we know who the witch we were looking for is? That Abel Sirius?”
“Yes. Abel gathered the knights and, as soon as he appeared in the poor village, went into a rundown tavern and came out with the witch.”
Upon Phylas’s report, Berall, the leader of the demon worshippers, clenched his fist and muttered.
“Was our information wrong?”
“The villagers wouldn’t lie to us, would they? Otherwise—”
“That’s not it.”
The priest interrupted, denying it.
“In a situation where ordinary people’s lives are threatened, they can’t make rational judgments. Sacrificing one’s life to protect a witch can’t be a logical decision.”
‘Surely there must be something different from what the people in Vemoney Village said. I examined all the blond women in the city of Fran, but I didn’t feel any significant aura. What could have changed?’
With his mouth covered, Priest Berall fell into deep thought for a while.
Phylas and other laymen felt anxious as they watched the priest pondering. They waited for him to speak, fingers fidgeting.
“The villagers said the witch was blond. What about the child who came out of the tavern, Phylas?”
“I couldn’t see it closely because she had her hood flipped, but… it seemed to be white hair.”
“White hair….”
Wrinkles formed on the priest’s brow as he muttered.
White hair could be considered the opposite of the witch’s hair color.
In history books, women with white hair were described as either holy or born with a peculiar constitution called ‘light.’
The priest was aware of this fact, leading to inevitable doubt.
“Are we sure she’s the witch?”
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“Yes. We have indeed revealed the magician.”
The disciple, who was monitoring with Filas, nodded, supplementing the credibility. The priest looked back and forth between the two.
“If an ordinary person possesses the magician, wouldn’t their skin rot from the inside out? It’s been almost a month since we started tracking. If it were an ordinary person, they would have died long ago.”
Aware of the priest’s gaze, Filas added as if to justify himself.
“But if it’s a saint… wouldn’t it be possible for them to withstand the magician?”
He expanded his thinking to consider various possibilities, but ultimately reached one conclusion.
Kidnap Clara.
“Tonight, we will raid the duke’s mansion and kidnap the witch.”
At his words, the expressions of the disciples brightened.
Priest Veral finally smiled at the thought of having a report worthy of the superiors.
“Everything is as Veral wishes.”
“Veral’s wishes—”
“That’s not possible, is it?”
Crash!
The wooden door shattered, kicking up dust. Amidst the thickening dust inside, a sharp, scraping sound reverberated.
“I never thought cockroaches like you would come into this underground. Absolutely revolting.”
“What…!”
“Exterminate them all. Worthless scum.”
“Knights?! How did you…!”
“You worthless bunch know absolutely nothing.”
*Clang!*
Led by Porus, the knights drew their swords and charged at the demon worshippers.
And at the onset of the battle, Abel crossed the threshold.
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“Porus.”
“Yes?”
Porus replied, looking at Clara clinging to Abel as if her life depended on it.
“There are a total of fifteen demon worshippers. Currently, there were two who were observing us, the demon worshippers.”
He was still suspicious of Abel.
How many troubles had he caused his master so far?
Knowing nothing and having nothing but a family name as his possession, he always felt displeased with the arrogance in the subject.
Even now, having to take orders from such a vagabond was unbearable.
But refusing Abel’s command with Houston’s nameplate meant rejecting the master’s order, so he had to suppress his anger.
“I will inform you of the demon worshippers’ locations. Let’s head there in about thirty minutes.”
“….”
Porus realized that Abel’s unwavering tone was not a mere guess.
Though he still found Abel displeasing, he prioritized Houston’s orders over his own fleeting emotions.
“Won’t it be dangerous for you to go there, Lord Abel?”
“While I may not be able to handle those scoundrels directly, I intend to hold my ground.”
Abel didn’t just think about clearing quests; he also believed that holding his ground would earn Houston’s trust.
“I see.”
“When the battle starts, I’ll leave the detailed instructions to Poros.”
As Abel spoke to Poros, he suddenly understood the difference between markers and the number of retribution targets.
It was because leaving a marker on the quest window map would reveal the hideout of the Veral sect.
“And… Let one of the demon worshippers escape. Instead, assign about three knights to pursue him. He’ll surely head towards the hideout.”
Even if it was a small hideout, it would serve as evidence of discovering the hideout from Abel’s perspective.
“Understood. I will do as you say.”
* * *
“Abel, it seems there was a back door. One guy escaped.”
Poros reported without wiping the blood splattered on his face and armor. If it were Poros’s abilities, he could have pursued and captured him till the end, but it seems my opinion was adopted.
In the novel, it was said that Poros’s skills were on par with the Sword Master Princess, so…
“Leave him be. Did you assign pursuers?”
“Yes. I assigned three as you said.”
“Good. How many demon worshippers have we captured so far?”
[Retribution Target Count: 14/14]
Although I already knew from the quest window, I asked while reviewing. He looked at the blood and corpses scattered on the ground and replied.
“There are a total of fourteen corpses. There were indeed fifteen, as you said.”
“Great. Lastly, do we have any casualties on our side?”
“We only have minor injuries, nothing to worry about.”
“Very well. The operation is complete. Let’s return.”
These people around me are so talented, it’s incredible.
I will continue to rely on them in the future.
“Do we need to search further?”
As I turned to leave the underground, Fors questioned me. It seemed like he had considered the possibility of there being more than fourteen demon worshippers.
“There’s no need. There are no more demon worshippers in the city of Fran.”
At least that’s what the quest says.
“How do you know that?”
How do I know…?
I had prepared an answer for this kind of situation. If I were to know information abnormally well, it would be natural to arouse suspicion.
“I used tracking magic.”
“Tracking magic? By Abel?”
As soon as I mentioned magic, doubt crept into his voice.
“… There’s an item that allows people without mana to use magic.”
“Are you referring to scrolls?”
Scrolls.
They were pieces of paper that allowed ordinary people without mana to use magic.
By drawing magic circles on the paper, it stored the magic.
However, not everyone could use magic with it, so the price of scrolls was exorbitantly high.
Despite the high cost, I didn’t think Abel, being from a noble family, would be suspected due to financial issues.
“When did you prepare that?”
“I didn’t command Fores without any thought.”
The question demanding an accurate answer is skillfully evaded. The more information you give to others, the higher the difficulty of lying.
“Well, is that so?”
“If your doubts are resolved, let’s go back. My head is starting to spin from the smell of blood.”
I glanced at one point that was still moving and left the scene.
Fores’ gaze, seen just before turning around, unexpectedly felt friendly.
Maybe it’s just my imagination.
—
“Get down.”
I spoke, descending from the horse.
“Oh, um…”
“I’ll catch you. Take your time getting down.”
“Yes.”
Perhaps frightened by the height, she hesitated, but eventually trusted me and leaped down from the horse. I barely managed to catch her as she fell into my arms.
Damn, she’s heavy…!
Was Abel even a guy who doesn’t exercise?
“Oops…! S-sorry.”
Her hands touched me, and her clothes got dirtier, but I didn’t mind. The clothes stuck to La La, having ridden on a horse for a while, were already stained.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Abel, wouldn’t it be prudent for you to report to the Duke first?”
Forcet, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, urged as if pressing the matter. In response, Clara, flustered, quickly distanced herself from my embrace. She seemed to have realized the fact that she was nestled against me.
“You can go ahead and talk. I’ll accompany this child.”
“…Understood.”
Forcet, as if having something to say, glanced at me before offering a casual salute and entering the mansion.
“Ah, Abel!”
Then, as if on cue, Dana hurriedly approached me from the mansion.
“You came at the right time, Dana.”
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“Huh?”
Her head tilted cutely. I pointed towards the visibly distressed Clara.
“Dana, please wash Clara and bring her to my room in clean clothes.”
“This child…? Oh, yes! I understand.”
After Dana energetically responded, she stepped into the mansion.
I should take a short break while Clara is bathing.
Riding on horseback has left my hips and waist in considerable pain. I never thought it would hurt this much.
Certainly, tomorrow, I’ll likely be incapacitated by muscle soreness.