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Persuasion didn’t take long.

“A possessor… really, that’s shocking news.”

“But it’s the truth.”

“Yes. It must be true. Since others are saying so, there’s no reason not to believe it.”

Fortunately, Cecilia listened to my story without fainting. At first, she had a look of doubt, but Ophelia, who had been quietly listening, jumped in to support my opinion.

Ultimately, when Albrecht, Azar, and the others came into the room to corroborate the fact, even Cecilia had no choice but to back down.

I hadn’t planned to reveal it this way.

The reason came from Cecilia’s mouth.

“…If the Tsar realizes that Knight Elliot is a possessor…”

“It would be quite troublesome. It seems the Tsar holds grudges against possessors, so I’d prefer Cecilia to be the only one aware of my status.”

Presenting a rational argument is the key element of persuasion.

Cecilia nodded obediently.

“Were you perhaps disappointed to find out I’m a possessor?”

“Why would I be? On the contrary, it makes complete sense to me.”

“Sense?”

“Knight Elliot’s behavior was hard for me to comprehend living in this world. It must be due to the culture of another world.”

“Hmm…”

“Tormenting and making the Saintess cry is likely included in that context.”

“…”

Seeing Cecilia speak with a confident expression as if I was right, Ophelia scoffed. Azar and Albrecht also wore bitter smiles.

Had I really done something so strange?

I had no self-awareness, but I felt a bit embarrassed.

Clearing my throat, I initiated the conversation again.

“Anyway, in that vein, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

I proceeded to explain to Cecilia the conversation I had shared with Ophelia earlier.

About saving the possessors.

And about who the original owner of this body, Elliot, is.

“So, you want me to investigate the original owner of the body.”

“That’s correct. It’s highly probable that Elliot was kidnapped by the Demon King’s Army while living in the northern part of the continent. Originally, I had planned to find out through information provided by the Purification Church, but if you could cooperate, it would make things much easier.”

In reality, the Demon King’s Army kidnapped slaves from the far north of the continent, including the Ice Palace, to turn them into possessors. Reasonably deducing, Elliot was likely a slave captured from the Ice Palace, who barely escaped and joined the Black Eagle Mercenaries. At that point, my soul probably entered his body.

There’s evidence.

Even Owen, the best agent of the Empire’s Information Bureau, didn’t know about Elliot.

That is to say, Elliot is likely from the Ice Palace and not the Empire.

“Certainly. That makes sense.”

Cecilia nodded.

“I’ll look into it. Although it will take quite a bit of time to comb through all the local officials’ records.”

“That’s fine. I appreciate you just looking into it.”

“Please listen to the whole story. I don’t think it’ll take that long.”

“What do you mean?”

To my question, Cecilia smiled and opened her mouth.

“If Elliot is indeed from the Ice Palace, he would certainly have learned swordsmanship.”

“…Why do you say that?”

“Ice Flower. The technique I showed you was almost perfectly replicated by him. Given his astounding learning ability, Elliot must be a knight who trained in swordsmanship at the Ice Palace.”

“…Indeed.”

I found Cecilia’s words quite understandable. When I learned the technique from her not long ago, my body moved naturally. It would be better to say my body remembered it, I suppose.

It’s possible the original owner of my body had learned that technique.

“…So that means the skill Elliot demonstrated is simply the memory of the original body.”

“…Why emphasize that?”

“Because… um…”

Cecilia glanced at me, then said quietly.

“It means I didn’t lose out when it comes to talent.”

“…”

I was at a loss for words, and Ophelia chimed in.

“What a little brat.”

Though Ophelia probably shouldn’t be the one saying that…

I agreed.

*

“Ah, welcome. Hero, we have prepared a place inside for you.”

Having successfully persuaded Cecilia, it was now time to stir things up at the Purification Church.

I headed toward the square where the Purification Church’s parish was located, and there stood High Priest Ian, with his ever-gentle smile waiting for me.

He didn’t bring any other companions. There was a chance of raising suspicion unnecessarily, especially since Ophelia is the Saintess of the Saint. Being affiliated with that organization could potentially bring trouble.

“Hey! I want to go too! Take me!”

Of course, she raged about it, but she had barely managed to back down.

Regardless, Ian cheerfully opened the back door of the cathedral and smiled widely.

“To think I’m hosting a hero, this is a rare occasion indeed.”

“There’s really no need to call me a hero.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Knight Elliot will suffice.”

“Then I shall call you comrade Elliot.”

At Ian’s words, my eyebrow twitched.

“…Comrade?”

“We hunt possessors and act on the Will of God, bringing revolution to the world. Since we stand on the same revolutionary front, there’s no reason not to call you comrade.”

Comrade.

Revolution.

This is the northern part of the continent.

I stared at Ian intently.

He was holding a torch, and the bright red flames illuminated his crimson holy garment. A bright red star-shaped accessory was pinned to his chest.

For some reason, it seemed if he held a farming tool crosswise, it would be the emblem I had seen before.

“…Hmm.”

I involuntarily realized what region the Ice Palace might have been inspired by.

“Well then, Comrade Elliot. Shall we go inside?”

“Yes.”

Following his guidance into the church building, an unsettling sight met my eyes.

Inside the cathedral stood a massive statue. However, that statue wasn’t of a deity or goddess. It was, in fact, a human.

I felt dubious seeing a human statue standing larger than that of a god inside the cathedral. Even more severely, I felt an eerie familiarity. Of course, it wasn’t from this world’s memories.

Noticing my gaze, Ian smiled brightly and explained.

“That’s our organization’s leader. A symbol of our revolution.”

“Uh, um.”

As I looked at that statue, with one hand raised high, my thoughts began to drift elsewhere.

I shook my head vigorously.

“Why do you ask?”

“Uh, well… Did he grow that mustache on purpose?”

“Oh, you mean that neat mustache? The leader takes great pride in it.”

“…Why has he gained weight?”

“The leader’s appearance is the face of the organization. Thus, it symbolizes abundance.”

“…”

“Comrade?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I forced myself to hold back the urge to interject.

“So I am meeting with the organization’s leader, not the chief, right?”

“No, unfortunately, the leader is currently busy with rituals. Instead, I will entertain you so you won’t be bored.”

Ian said this and began to lead me to the parlor on the second floor.

The red decor adorning the corridor on the second floor made my mind spin.

“Do you need tea?”

“…No.”

After some thought, I refused. It might be poisoned.

Ian shrugged and sat across from me.

Then, he placed a book the size of an encyclopedia before me.

“What is this?”

“This is the Holy War. It’s not the Holy War of the National Church, but to me, it’s something much greater than that.”

“Is it perhaps the sayings of your leader?”

“Haha. It’s not that kind of thing.”

Thank goodness it’s not a collection of Mao’s quotes.

Reassured internally, Ian flipped the book over and presented it.

“This is called the Maleficarum.”

“Maleficarum?”

“It’s a list designed to identify and eliminate heretics.”

“…”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the weathered book Ian had brought out.

It was old and shabby, but hearing what Ian said now, it felt significantly weighty.

“This book contains names of individuals who have been kidnapped from the Ice Palace or are presumed to have been kidnapped. My deceased daughter’s name is also included, of course.”

Ian lightly tapped his temple, wearing a sinister smile.

“Comrade, I’m the only one who can read this book. There are no copies.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And you could consider this list as my death note.”

Ian placed his hand on the Maleficarum.

His scarred and ugly hand stroked the cover of the book in elegant curves.

“Surprisingly, I发现了一些非常有意思的名字在这个名单上。你觉得那可能是什么呢?”

As I checked Ian’s expression, my face hardened.

Given he’s saying this after bringing me into this inner room, there’s only one possibility.

Ian, this priest, must have noticed that I’m a possessor.

I seem to have underestimated him. This zealot is so self-absorbed and certain of his faith that he includes even heroes in his hunting game.

“…What should I do?”

If what Ian said is true, I’m the only one who knows I’m a possessor.

Should I draw my sword right now and cut his neck? No, that wouldn’t accomplish my goal.

If I were sure I was a possessor from the start, I would have come in armed with swords and spears. I might have some suspicion but no evidence.

Whatever the case, Ian has roughly caught on that I’m a possessor, yet he doesn’t want to sever ties with a hero.

After a moment of contemplation, I struggled to find words, but…

“Problem!”

Before I could even finish, one of the priests burst into the parlor.

Ian’s lips twitched in irritation, but the priest paid no mind and delivered his message.

“There’s been an attack!”

“Huh.”

Ian let out a hollow laugh, gathering the Maleficarum back into his sleeve.

Then he stood up and said to me.

“Shall we go?”

“What do you mean, an attack?”

“Literally as stated. It’s better for Comrade Elliot to see for himself.”

“…”

Ian had an expression that looked like he was about to tear apart, his face twisted into a mad grin.

Once again, I wondered if coming here had been a mistake.

 

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