Chapter 331
Chapter 331. Charge! The City’s Spy (Part 2)
“Being chased by a murderer, huh? I see—yet, you seem to have some strange points about you.”
At the priest’s words, Paulo struggled to suppress his twitching facial muscles.
Indeed, when the priest came into view, he hesitated for just a moment. However, in the dim light, it was but the briefest of moments. I can’t believe that my true feelings were discerned from just that movement.
One thing is certain—I seem to have made a wrong turn in my escape. That said, I can’t just turn back now. I need to get out of this alley quickly.
For that, I need to do something about the priest right in front of me.
Should I sweet-talk my way out of this, or should I take him down? At least, he seemed to be a more manageable opponent compared to a hero who could incinerate an entire room with holy attributes.
“I’m being chased by a crazy guy! It’s true!”
Paulo put on a pathetic expression, looking as if he might cry while attempting to get closer. However, Edgar adjusted his stance, causing Paulo to falter.
It was clear that he was ready to draw his sword at any moment.
Why was he this wary? What could possibly—
“I don’t doubt that you’re being ‘chased.’ You really are in a tight spot. If innocent civilians are in danger, as a priest, I can’t turn a blind eye, but—”
Edgar narrowed his eyes.
“The question is whether you are truly ‘innocent.’ If you are in such dire straits, why didn’t you call for help?”
He gestured towards the houses around them, which started to flicker with lights.
—That’s a reasonable point. There’s no way around it. But Paulo quickly crafted a response.
“W-well, in a deserted place, my companion was attacked, and probably… killed… I didn’t see it to the end, though…”
He deliberately disguised his unease, stuttering as he tried to explain.
Paulo Hoentz is a skilled spy and a merchant who has deceived many humans. The art of persuasion is his forte. If the other party is willing to engage in conversation, there’s a chance to draw them into his pace. And if he can keep their attention focused on the conversation, it becomes easier to create openings—
“…So, I was surprised. I ran out of my mind, and when I saw a priest, I thought I’d cling to whatever I could…”
“I see. So in your panic, you even forgot to call for help, huh? …Well, that sort of thing can happen.”
Edgar nodded, as if in understanding.
“Exactly! I learned that when you’re scared, you can’t even scream…”
“In any case, if you are truly an innocent civilian, I will protect you as a priest. So, let me ask you this—”
With a gentle smile,
“—Could you show me the tips of your right fingers?”
Despite his calm demeanor, there was an undeniable pressure in his voice.
“…………”
Paulo’s right hand flexed tightly.
Hiding his burned fingertips from the holy attributes in a clenched fist—
“There’s no need to be afraid. I’m just curious.”
Edgar summoned a small orb of magical light to illuminate the dim alley.
“Considering your short dagger at your waist, you must be right-handed, correct? Yet just now, you pointed behind you with your left hand. You did that to keep your right hand out of my view. Why go to such lengths to hide your right hand?”
His eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“If you were injured by a murderer, it would be normal to seek help from a priest. Yet here you are, trying to keep your right hand away from my sight… What’s really going on with that hand?”
No, it wasn’t just curiosity.
There was a certain coldness and sharpness in his gaze—
“Is there something that shouldn’t be seen by a priest?”
His smile remained unchanged.
“…Well now, this is troublesome.”
Paulo let out a troubled expression and relaxed his shoulders.
“Thanks to your excellent reasoning, I’ve calmed down a bit. Thank you.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“But I must apologize for disappointing you—”
As he approached Edgar casually, he casually extended his right hand.
“It’s nothing too serious—”
Unreservedly, he revealed his burned fingertips.
In that moment, Edgar’s gaze was drawn to it.
With a flick, Paulo’s left hand shot out.
The black poisoned needle hidden in his sleeve was fired like an arrow.
“I figured as much.”
Edgar’s protective spell deflected the attack.
“——–”
Paulo’s expression was unreadable while Edgar flashed a defiant grin. Tension filled the air between them.
“【Let there be light】”
As Edgar drew his sword with his right hand, he launched a magic arrow with his left.
Paulo dashed low to the ground, keeping his posture low to evade the magic. He then whipped his long legs around to kick Edgar’s right elbow fiercely, stopping the sword in its tracks. He swiftly pulled a wire that he had hidden on the inside of his belt.
“Shh!”
With a swift motion, he struck with the wire. Aimed at Edgar’s face and around his eyes, it too was blocked by Edgar’s protective spell but still managed to startle him. Furthermore, the now-diminished force of the wire was no longer viewed as an ‘attack’ and sunk deeply into the barrier.
Using the wire skillfully, Paulo wrapped it around Edgar’s neck.
Like a snake coiling around its prey—he drew out the short dagger from his burned right hand.
Then, while pulling the wire, he made a deadly thrust towards Edgar’s heart!
“Haha!”
However, confronting the impending blade, Edgar laughed fiercely.
Why? A moment of doubt crossed Paulo’s mind.
Why is this man so unperturbed?
—The answer became clear instantly.
“【God’s Hammer】”
Edgar began glowing.
Crackling, electric energy surged.
Silver lightning clung to the wire, scattering sparks—and Paulo, holding it, felt as if he were hit by a truck of pain and shock.
“Guuh—Nnngahhhh!!”
Against his will, a scream burst from Paulo’s throat.
(Lightning—attributes!?)
His muscles seized, his vision turned white, and the holy attributes burned at his nerves. The brief jolt felt like it lasted for dozens of seconds.
As he smoldered and fell weakly to the ground—
(This… is bad…)
In comparison to the pain, the bodily damage wasn’t severe. That is why it was bad. It was clear that this man had held back to spare his life—!!
(Poison…!)
This is bad, bad!
He must not let his life end here!
To be captured alive by the Holy Church would be nothing less than a nightmare! If burned by the sun, he would be unable to go to the gods of darkness!
(Move—!!)
With his left hand trembling, he activated the poison needle hidden in a ring—and attempted to inject himself with the deadly poison, but—
“Well, well, I’m glad this saved me the trouble. I haven’t quite reached the level of a bishop who can freely unleash thunder, but still…”
A calm voice came from above him.
“Well, in any case, at this distance, you ought to be fine. 【Sleep】”
Crack! A white light burst.
Like blowing out a candle’s flame.
Paulo’s consciousness also faded away at that moment.
