Chapter 320

Must Save, On the Stage (3)

Evan, who received reports that the Louise party had entered the dungeon, proceeded with the following tasks. The first thing he arranged was the meeting between Miriam and Serpina. Of course, he didn't attend but instead sent Jhin with a communicator to escort Miriam and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"Firstly, I've compiled a list of corrupted priests. This list has the nobles and merchants who have a deep relationship with those priests. They make up around thirty percent of the parish in Sherden."

"Oh, my God, that many?"

"That's true. Priests are in a very comfortable position to commit corruption. Most priests are..."

Serpina slurred her sentence as she let out an ambiguous smile. She had no choice because it was a jab towards her parish. Miriam shook her head back and forth.

"Thirty percent is a little too much, though."

"Right? But it did make me feel more comfortable. If I just know of them, I can indirectly use them at my will just by mentioning."

Serpina was better at understanding the importance of information than anyone else, as she was well versed in investigating her boss' corruption then blowing the bishop's head off. However, it was said that she had hundreds of the believers' weaknesses; it was no wonder that people saw her as having no soul. Miriam squinted and intensely gazed at Serpina.

"...I guess the priests of the Earth Church, including you, aren't normal."

"Whoa, whoa, such upsetting words. I was merely preparing for this kind of situation. Anyways, we have a separate set of 'specials' who can't confess their conscience, even if they're involved with a black magic wizard. Do check them out."

Serpina and Miriam didn't know about the black magic, which would be critical in this scene until Evan told them privately. Black magic was designated taboo across the continent, and criminals from all over the world would flock just by hearing that one was related. It was the best card to use in this scenario. Furthermore, it was a great strategy to attract the Demon race later on. Evan planned this event utilizing all his game knowledge, artifacts that used and controlled black magic, and the witches' power who only knew of it. It was perfectly executed.

"I'll receive this with grace."

This meant that he was alive after committing crimes equivalent to or more than that of black magic ...Miriam was in shock and skimmed through the contents. After scanning, she became stiff.

"Wait a minute, Bishop Serpina....! You've kept these people alive up until now?"

"Don't get the wrong idea. It includes several people I've purposely asked the church to bring here."

"Did you want to turn Sherden into a criminal's den?"

"Not at all."

Serpina spoke with an annoying smile.

"I did it because I know that under Evan D. Sherden's eyes, even the Demon King would have to breathe quietly. Of course, Master Evan, as well as the Marquis, permitted it in advance."

"You are on a perilous path!"

Miriam was forced to take one step unwillingly into the darkness of Sherden today!

"It's not that dangerous. My assessment is raised because I'm in charge of all the criminals who can't be punished properly, as the church has only theories and no physical proof. It's also beneficial for me because I have these criminals to use at my will...as the parish grows stronger, it helps Sherden, which eventually benefits everyone."

"So you're telling me that you're controlling these felons that even the head has failed in doing?"

"It's because I possess irrefutable and concrete evidence. Now you have it too."

So how did she obtain that proof? Serpina just laughed as she looked at Miriam, whose eyes threw up such questions vehemently. Serpina would've been the predecessor and Miriam the villain in the Yo-Ma Great War games, but listening to their conversation now, Serpina showed her dark side. This fact proved Evan's appointment was entirely appropriate.

"From now on, you'll have to face them personally. Well, it would be easier if the reliable boy who's escorting you right now could intimidate through a show of force."

"It is not difficult."

Jhin replied in a stiff tone to Serpina's words. Only then did Miriam make up her mind.

"I knew from the beginning that it wasn't something to laugh about because it was with criminals..."

After a deep breath, she looked up with a cold and chic look that perfectly described that of a witch.

"Okay, it's the first time Evan has ever asked me to do my best. It wouldn't be right not to do so."

"Wow, I think you've changed."

"Changed? People don't change. There are only sides that are exposed and hidden depending on the occasion."

Miriam smirked, speaking in a cold tone. What were her younger days like before? She remembered when she had first approached the Marquis for her family's name. Then she remembered falling in love with him and planning to rid Redine, whom she believed had hindered her chances of doing so. Was it after her sister severely scolded her that she stopped making this face...? Miriam, thinking of her memories, smiled again.

"Life is so funny. Evan, Redine's son, saved my daughter."

"Oh, that's why you..."

Serpina, who heard Miriam talking to herself, opened her eyes wide in admiration. Miriam didn't deny it, even as she tapped her lips because she had inadvertently spoken.

"It's not something to hide. It's true. Since that day, I was willing to listen to whatever Evan asked me to do. He grew faster than I thought and became so strong that I gave up on thinking I could help him... But now I get to do fun things like this."

"Oh, Master's expectation was correct. Then would you like to go see them right now?"

"Let's do that. I'm ready."

Miriam held up a luxurious fan she had brought in advance, covering her mouth, and gave Jhin a wink to ask him to protect her. Jhin, who just heard the conversation between the two and now felt favorable to Miriam, also nodded with a serious look and followed suit. This was the moment where Sherden's Black Party stepped into war.

* *

*

Evan, who was listening to all of their conversations, was overwhelmed by embarrassment. He was so ashamed to hear Miriam say such things.

"Sir, there's even a time where you are embarrassed."

"Shut up. By the way, if I told her I was listening to all of this later, I think Mother Miriam would be angry..."

Evan thought for a while, but he didn't worry too long. He decided to hide the fact forever.

"Sir, you're so shameless."

"It was an inevitable decision to aid Mother Miriam in acting more naturally. Don't look at me like that."

The actors in charge of the black role slowly began setting the scene, and the Phoenix Guild, which succeeded in recovering the traces of the black magic that had slipped away, was also moving. Louise and the children, who would play the lead role, had built a small relationship with the Phoenix Guild. Right now, they were taking small requests in the dungeon to level up. By the time they came out of the dungeon, the situation would advance again, and the party would slowly get caught up in this huge flow. During a real battle, they would grow rapidly...!

"Perfect...! Perfect enough to make me wonder if someone would give me a screenplay...!"

"Sir, I can see that your shameless reputation is stronger than that of dragon scales. Argh!"

Evan stood up as he poked Shine in the eye, who was giving him this pathetic look. He had not completed the work of making equipment using dragon by-products yet. The work was left to Horta and Ella, but studying dragon blood was more important! It was the only thing that had to be achieved solely by the power of Evan and Bernard.

"I'm going to Grandpa Bernard's."

"Well, I will be training the unit. Is yesterday's lesson for Eir and Lady Elizabeth okay as is?"

"I've summoned a little slime, so let them be hands-on. Tell the girls that I've raised the threat level so as not to let their guards down."

"Raising the threat level, Sir, what are you planning..."

The evolution of Miraseul's necklace continues! As the necklace's performance evolved, the level of hostility and the level of force of slime summoned from the necklace could be set. By now, the light had formed in the vast majority of the jewels that made up the necklace, and only the three huge ones remained unlit.

"If the three shine, I'm assuming the growth of the necklace will come to an end."

"Well, I don't know if one could call it growth or that it's becoming the devil of slime...Ack!"

"You always earn a beating. Come here!"

Evan called Belois instead of Shine to accompany him to the Brotherhood Pharmacy. Procrastinating again today, Bernard was looking into a bottle of dragon blood in the drug room. He paused as soon as he saw Evan and asked him to shake hands.

"Little boy, you've become a man. Congratulations."

"Uhhhhhh...!? How, how did you know? I've never learned that kind of alchemy...!?"

Evan looked back, and Belois turned her head in time to avoid his eyes. He could barely see that her cheeks were red. What did Belois do to let Bernard find out? Bernard grinned at Evan, who was confused.

"You're extremely loved, Evan. You'll have to be nice to her. It's not easy to meet such a woman."

"I know that very well..."

"So, what happened to the other girls? You should be reporting that."

"No, I'm here to study dragon blood."

Evan ended up revealing information to the pervert grandpa, who kept persistently asking questions. Bernard continued to exclaim as he listened to Evan's colorful love story.

"Huh, that high-nosed aristocrat."

"Grandpa, you look like a pervert right now."

"Huh, people need to be born handsome. I can't believe that chic girl said such a cute thing. That's incredible, son. Incredible."

"...Yes, it's something you can't do."

"Cough!"

Evan's scored a critical hit! It was super effective! Bernard was in critical condition and confused!

"I think it's crucial who has the power in the relationship, right?"

"Stop...stop! It's my fault! Let's just study dragon blood...!"

Bernard chose to flee. Evan, who considered throwing a monster ball, decided to let it slide just this once as he saw Illoin smiling outside the drugstore.