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It has already been nearly a week since life at the Ice Palace began.

During this time, I didn’t just play pranks on Ophelia. I also managed to be productive. The Ice Palace serves as a stronghold for the siege of the Demon King’s Castle. In other words, it’s a place rich in supplies, including weapons.

“Ophelia, what do you think of this?”

“What is it?”

“It’s a dagger. Having one wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

These supplies were gathered from blacksmiths across the continent.

The quality varied greatly, but it was quite enjoyable to sift through the gems and stones among them.

“Why would I use a dagger?”

“Of course, you are a branch of the World Tree, but using a sword in a tight space can be quite challenging, even for a seasoned swordsman. It’s a tool for emergencies.”

As I explained, Ophelia pondered with her hand on her chin and nodded.

“In other words, it’s a gift?”

“Um… Something like that.”

“Alright then, I’ll accept it. After all, it’s free, isn’t it?”

Ophelia swung the dagger I had given her back and forth. She may have complained, but she seemed rather pleased.

At this pace, it looked like she was ready to stab someone, but seeing Ophelia happy, I decided to let it slide.

Of course, embezzling supplies wasn’t the only thing we were doing. We were also preparing for the journey to deal with the Plague Lord, and getting ready to cross the Erosion Zone.

Here, Azar, Albrecht, and Cecilia were working hard.

However…

“Cecilia, for now…”

“No, there’s no need to tell me separately. I heard it from Sir Albrecht this morning.”

Cecilia’s gaze toward me was so cold it felt like ice.

Since the incident at the Training Grounds, she had been looking at me as if I were some kind of scum not worth associating with.

Having a comrade who looks at me like that would surely lead to communication issues.

I discussed this with Albrecht and Azar, but…

“Just karma.”

“Um, karma, right.”

… That was the kind of nonsense that came back to me.

Karma, huh. The fact that I somehow turned this despicable Saintess into a functioning person was my achievement.

It was incredibly frustrating.

So I asked.

“Ophelia.”

“What is it?”

“Do you really think I’m that much of a scumbag?”

“…”

At my question, Ophelia widened her eyes and cautiously said.

“You don’t seriously think you have a decent personality, do you?”

“…”

“Why the expression? Could it be…?”

Bang.

I shut the ledger.

“Ophelia, give that back.”

“Give what?”

“The dagger, I’ll take it back.”

“Why!”

“No matter how I think about it, if I hand a dagger over to you, someone’s getting stabbed. I can’t just watch that happen.”

“Who takes back a gift? Hey! Don’t take it away! Don’t take out your anger on me, you scumbag!”

And that was roughly how our daily life went.

*

The turning point came precisely on the fifteenth day since we began living in the Ice Palace.

Cecilia, who hadn’t spoken to me, approached with a stiff expression and said.

“Sir Elliot, they have come.”

“They?”

“The Purification Church.”

“…”

Didn’t I just hear about this not long ago?

That the Purification Church would come looking for Heroes.

Having spent every day here watching the hunting rituals at the square, I couldn’t help but feel tense.

Moreover, I was one of the Possessors they hunted.

“What should I do?”

“It’s fine. No matter how powerful the Purification Church is, they won’t act rudely towards a Hero. Just act as you normally would.”

“As I normally would…?”

“…”

Cecilia stared at my face, then bit her lip slightly.

“It seems you shouldn’t act as you normally would… but rather, more… normally than usual.”

“What exactly do you think of me, Cecilia?”

“I’ll go call them.”

“…”

With that, Cecilia left the room, and I slowly fiddled with the dagger in my possession.

“The Purification Church…”

It’s an organization that didn’t exist in the original story.

I have no clue what changes they would bring to this world.

However, with the Saint allied with the Demon King’s army, it wouldn’t be strange for anything to happen.

I sat down, fully prepared, and soon after, a man entered through the door.

“Hero Elliot, it’s truly an honor to meet you in person.”

“…Yes.”

The man who entered the reception room appeared to be in his mid-thirties.

His face was familiar. He was the one who had been passionately speaking with a torch in the square every single day over this past week.

“I am Ian, a High Priest of the Purification Church. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“…High Priest. You seem quite young for that title. I guess you’ve accomplished a lot.”

“Accomplishments? If you’re asking about the number of Possessors I’ve hunted, it would be in the triple digits.”

“…”

“Haha. It’s inevitable that you’d look at me that way. However, while our doctrines may differ to some extent, we serve the same God, right? Please consider me a comrade.”

I wasn’t foolish enough to declare I didn’t believe in a god in front of a priest.

I merely shrugged, and Ian seemed pleased by my reaction as he extended his hand for a handshake.

I felt the texture of burned skin along his hand.

His hands were rougher and tougher than most knights.

“…”

I raised my head to meet Ian’s gaze.

Just by looking into his eyes, I could tell. He was a zealot.

A person who believed he held no shame or wrongdoing in what he did.

While Yurede could be also seen as a zealot, it bore a different kind of zealotry. At least Yurede wouldn’t challenge the authority of the god.

However, Ian considered even the gods to be within the realm of things to hunt.

He values himself more than his faith.

The snake-like eyes that try to gauge even a Hero like me confirmed this.

“So, what exactly is the Purification Church here for?”

“It is said that the champion of the Heavenly God has come to the Ice Palace, so it wouldn’t be possible for us, as agents of the Purification Church, to not come and meet you.”

“Agents?”

“It’s a term we use within the church. We are the agents of the divine punishment bestowed by the Heavenly God. We tear apart those abominable foreigners and bring balance to the world.”

“Is that the doctrine of the church?”

“There are no sacred texts. Only faith exists.”

“What if that faith were betrayed?”

“That won’t happen.”

Ian showed me his burned hand.

“This was the result of my daughter being burned. I consider it a stigmata.”

“You burned your daughter…?”

“It’s a tragic circumstance. Who would’ve thought that my own blood would become a Possessor?”

“…Isn’t there even a chance that it wasn’t true?”

“If it wasn’t true, then repentance would suffice.”

“…”

I didn’t want to talk any further.

At that moment, I had a strong urge to draw my sword and behead him.

However, the Purification Church had grown powerful enough to practically seize control of the Ice Palace. Even with the authority of a Hero, I couldn’t completely uproot them.

But then, the enemy of my enemy is a friend. Though they are a detestable organization, utilizing them could prove highly efficient.

Most importantly, we knew from Erwin’s brother that the original souls of the Possessors were in the grasp of the Demon King and could be liberated. Therefore, it would be better to keep the Possessors alive as much as possible.

“Then, what assistance can I provide to you, the agents of the Heavenly God?”

“Are you aware of what you’re suggesting?”

With a gentle grin, Ian nodded his head.

“Look outside.”

“Isn’t it beautiful? This Ice Palace could easily be described as the jewel of the continent. I want to protect this place from the corrupt souls. If you stand at the forefront, our church’s reputation will spread throughout the continent.”

“Does that mean you want me to be your poster boy?”

“No, not just a poster boy, but to become one of our church’s leaders.”

“…Hmm.”

A Hero hunting Possessors, huh.

The church doesn’t yet know that I’m a Possessor.

If that’s the case, then I could fully utilize this organization in reverse.

In any case, Possessors tend to be plentiful in the north, and if I can leverage this church’s network stretched across the northern region, it will provide significant advantages in dealing with any issues related to the Saint and the future purge of the Demon King’s army.

As I recalculated the numbers in my head, I looked up.

I forced a smile as I met Ian’s beaming face.

“Did you know?”

“What is it?”

“I’ve already killed several of the Demon King’s officers impersonating Possessors.”

“Of course, that would be expected.”

I extended my hand.

“Adding a few more names to that kill list of theirs wouldn’t be a problem at all.”

“Ooooh! You’re magnificent!”

Ian’s eyes lit up, and he vigorously shook my hand.

I felt a wave of disgust but held it in as I thought about the future.

“Let’s bring balance to the world together.”

Ian said that, and I merely smiled. It was a sneer.

Contrary to his words, I had no intention of hunting down Possessors.

In fact, the opposite was true.

I planned to use the Purification Church to thoroughly protect the Possessors of the continent.

 

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