Chapter 358
Chapter 358. Defensive Mechanism
The humid night was made pleasant by Leila’s breeze.
Riding on the back of the White Dragon, I gazed down at the smooth surface of the lake below.
The immense lake Aulitos, reflecting the moon and stars, resembled a second starry sky. It was a world sandwiched between the infinite pitch black and the countless silvers scattered like jewels. The only sound was the whoosh of Leila’s wings slicing through the wind, with nothing to obstruct us, hinting at the true freedom gained in the alliance sphere and the lonely journey that lay ahead.
“Such a poet you are.”
“Is that thick-headed Alex completely transformed or what?”
Anted teased, while Barbara looked contemplative. Come on, don’t poke fun at me! It’s embarrassing!!
Leila chuckled as we flew, while I readjusted my grip on Kizuna’s reins, returning my gaze forward with a frown.
At present, we were departing the city under the cover of darkness, heading towards our next destination.
After taking down the Night Elf operative Gordon, we were planning on returning to the city’s Holy Church to report in, when I saw the old priest being hassled by a sharply dressed man at the entrance.
“—Sir Usher, this could become a problem for us if you continue acting this way…”
The man, sporting a nasty scar under his eye, appeared to be connected to the mafia. Probably a close aide or an executive of their boss. One would think he’d have enough cash to treat that scar properly, but the fact that it’s still there means he’s intentionally keeping it. Perhaps to add flair in the underworld? Ridiculous.
He was hinting at reconsidering future donations depending on how this situation unfolded, so I tossed Gordon’s lifeless body at his feet. He locked eyes with the corpse and shrank back—really, for a mafia guy, he seemed a bit spineless.
“It seems the operation was quite successful, Alex.”
The old priest, who had been listening with a grim look to the mafia’s slimy remarks, turned to me with a fierce grin.
“Indeed, Bishop. I apologize for bringing this filthy thing in.”
The stench of sewage was nearly enough to make my nose curl; dragging a corpse this far was something I truly despised.
“This here was the Night Elf who went by the name of Gordon, a dealer at the gambling den. We should inform the guards; they ought to thoroughly investigate his private quarters.”
“Wha—”
The mafia guy’s jaw dropped.
“P-please wait…!”
“What is it?”
I stepped forward, closing the distance.
“Is there something else you’re hiding apart from sheltering the Night Elf?”
“! We weren’t hiding anyone; we didn’t know either!”
Seeming to sense danger from my words, the mafia guy replied in a panicked tone.
“That’s what we’ll find out now. Isn’t that right?”
It was as if the puppet merchant association of the Night Elves had been investigated in another nation before. The guards would be thrilled; with this, they could significantly weaken the mafia, which had been a thorn in their side…!
The mafia guy understood this too well, his face turning green. He probably realized the guards and church were on their way, and he couldn’t buy himself time, or else his position in the family would be at risk.
“You mentioned something about donations…?”
“Y-yes! We’ve been maintaining a proper distance from the Holy Church! If we breach our agreement, we won’t help you anymore, and we can’t either!”
—That may be the case. I glanced at the old priest.
“We, the Holy Church, are the guardians of humanity. We are the sword and shield against external enemies. Therefore, aside from the extermination of vicious criminals, we do not interfere in disputes between humans. We maintain a healthy distance from the underworld, for better or worse.”
The old priest declared, tapping his staff against the floor.
Then he added,
“However, if you shield vile beings, that’s another matter altogether.”
The staff smoothly transformed into a well-worn two-handed sword.
A magical item, and quite the quality one at that—
“Is there a Night Elf among your members? Fine. Perhaps a clever spy infiltrated. Such things can happen. That alone does not constitute a crime. However, whether other nefarious characters are lurking, and whether their influence is affecting you, must be thoroughly investigated.”
With blazing eyes filled with purpose, the old priest fixated on the mafia guy.
“If you refuse to be interrogated—then it would mean cooperating with criminals, betraying humanity. Cross that line, and no matter the group, we will treat you as enemies of mankind.”
Gripping the hilt of his two-handed sword, the old priest solemnly declared.
“The extermination of humanity’s enemies is our highest command. Funding is but a minor concern.”
The mafia guy could only stare in speechlessness. He must have completely misunderstood until now. That the Holy Church was lenient, that they wouldn’t easily take direct action. In reality, the Holy Church is indeed lenient towards humans, protecting even those who are merely bad but not monstrous.
But, turning it around—
If you aid the vile, even the good will be disposed of.
“It… it will lead to war…”
The mafia guy groaned out. Ah, correction. He still seems to think wrong.
‘After being utterly wrecked by just Alex, what makes him think that a war could happen?’
Anted remarked, clearly exasperated. Exactly. Or maybe he was hinting at not a proper battle but petty harassment, nighttime raids, or assassination.
—Then a clattering of armor sounded from behind.
“Father! I’ve just returned. I heard things were getting dangerous!”
Turning around, I found heroes and priests clad in battered armor and helmets, all lined up. When I saluted, they rigidly returned the gesture. They seemed to be elite warriors who had headed off to defeat monsters, and I felt a strong presence behind them. Leading them was a middle-aged Armed Priest, who bore a striking resemblance to the old priest—
“Eisar, I’m glad you’re safe.”
The old priest nodded. If I remember right, the old priest’s name was Usher. And this Armed Priest must be Eisar. They seem to be father and son. This was my first time seeing them…
“Is it rare for a father and son to both be priests?”
Ah, not necessarily. It appears not all children of heroes or priests inherit the Holy Silver Curse; in fact, it’s more common for them not to. Could it be that they belong to a family that’s said to awaken easily to the Holy Silver Curse?
“Sorry to trouble you as soon as you return, but maintain combat readiness. It may turn into a battle.”
The old priest spoke in an intimidating tone. The returning elite also shot severe looks at the mafia guy.
The now-trembling mafia guy promised total cooperation with the investigation right then and there, and remaining donations would be considered positively as he rolled away.
Having witnessed that, I felt that the city would be alright and decided to leave the rest to Usher and quietly disappeared to embark on the journey towards the next city.
There were still plenty of Night Elves left to hunt, like Trishe, Flaud, and Arnaak…! Let’s do this! Let’s go all out!
†††
“—There are still plenty of places to go!”
Flapping her wings energetically, Leila exclaimed with a hint of joy.
It seemed she was genuinely excited to explore the vast world with me. The destruction of the spy network felt like a mere side task, as if she thought of it as pest control that came with the adventure, and I could feel that vibe strongly through Kizuna.
…Well, truth be told, I felt somewhat similarly!
I do feel bad for dragging her into something so bloody!
“—As long as I’m with Alex, I can go anywhere—ah!”
Suddenly, Leila’s thoughts were interrupted. A rush of surprise, caution, and intrigue flowed through me. What happened?
“—In the distance, a ship… It seems to be under attack!”
The scene Leila caught glimpses of was conveyed to me as a mental image.
It was—
A passenger ship, heavily tilted, entangled by multiple massive tentacles amidst the night lake.
