Chapter 76: Observing. (1)

It didn't take long for the ringleaders to be captured. The royal court quickly dispatched a squad of knights to apprehend the worshippers of the evil god and sent them, along with their associates and backers, to the deepest dungeons in the kingdom. Their leader, "Teacher," was taken into the hands of the Inquisitors and transported to the Holy City.

"We'll have to stop by the Holy Land later and squeeze what information we can from him."

Bishop Andrei said nonchalantly as if he were trying to wring the water out of a rag. I didn't need to know how he squeezes information out of people.

"Stop worrying about them and do your job."

Andrei advised with a burdensome smile. It was not his smile of a benevolent religious man but rather that of a man who had just acquired a new weapon.

"Leave it to us to track down and destroy the evil worshippers. They'll be caught off guard; they haven't yet tasted the full power of the Puritans."

With that, Andrei pulled out a vial and waved it around. My impression of the Bishop had changed considerably, but he was still a murderer.

I also met again with the district magistrate of Bactins.

"I'm glad to hear things are going well."

He said with a sigh of relief. Watching the doomsday cult expand its power must have felt like a slow suffocation.

"You've done a good job, Hero."

The magistrate greeted selflessly. This man refused to give up on this ruined province, no matter what. He couldn't be irresponsible or incompetent.

"It's been painful to watch the people get stranger and stranger, and some of them don't even want me to visit anymore."

The magistrate shook his head.

"I'm glad the Holy Land could help us. I'm sure the Saintess is busy right now, so please give her my thanks. Again, thank you so much for helping the town."

"With pleasure."

I shook hands with the magistrate and headed back to the church. The air was different; the moon had begun to rise in the sky again from the night before. Fires had been rekindled around town, and the nights had regained their lost warmth.

Within three days, Iris cured all the villagers. Even those who had been implanted with the marks of the scourge, she could use her healing magic without difficulty. Some had had body parts cut off, others had festering wounds and were on the brink of death. Her magic healed them all.

"...Thank you."

The people Iris healed looked down at their recovered bodies with dazed expressions. Some were crying with joy, while others pinched their faces in disbelief.

"I can't help it. I'm feeling good, so I'll continue helping the city recover."

"This isn't the only place that needs your help."

Of course, not everyone was receptive. Some refused to be healed, and others took their own lives. Iris wept before them, and others changed their minds when they saw her.

And so, the wounds began to disappear. The healed wounds became scars, but they stopped bleeding. Better to be a scar than to fester and decay.

"I see."

And so I wandered back and forth between the church room and the backyard as the cleanup was in full swing. I heard chatter everywhere I walked.

"So far, so good, thank goodness."

I was currently sitting in my bedroom with Iris. It was a few days past the end of summer, and the weather was beginning to cool. Steam rose from the cups on the table in front of us. I smiled faintly and looked at her. She looked a little tired, but I could see growth in her expression.

"What are you going to do when we're done?"

Iris lifted her teacup and sipped.

"I suppose I'll continue to help the residents, and maybe I'll try to erase any trace of the doomsday cult, but I'll have to discuss that with the bishop."

She gave a wry smile.

"Still, I'll keep in touch, Elroy, because there may come a time when I need your help."

"...Okay."

'Good.' I picked up my tea just as she did and took a small sip.

"Arjen said he was with Bishop Andrei."

As the villagers settled down, Arjen had slipped away with a few of the Inquisitors. The place was becoming more civil, and there was no need to stay.

"Yes. The Bishop said he likes Arjen's work and that he'll be a great help in tracking down the heretics."

I nodded. He, too, must be lost in his thoughts.

"What are we going to do, Elroy?"

Iris asked, looking at me. I leaned back in my chair and touched the hilt of my Holy Sword. Mist. An intangible terror. It might not be as destructive as the Kraken or a Giant, but I remembered it as harder to deal with than any other Disaster.

"We should go back and prepare."

"Prepare?"

I shrugged my shoulders vaguely. This time, I had to prepare more thoroughly than ever.

In the original, the Mist wiped out the Hero's Party.

***

Something was wrong with Elroy.

Marianne thought.

He'd been in a daze a lot lately. Even when Georg or Daphne would call for him, he would stare into the sky as if he hadn't heard anything. He would only respond after they walked up to him and physically touched him. Even then, he would only exchange a few words before sitting back down.

"Is something wrong?"

Daphne asked, looking at Elroy. He shook his head with a bitter smile. The expression on his face was quite different from the first time she'd seen him. Back then, he'd seemed so inadequate and young. However, he was now like a stone sinking into the deep, dark ocean.

"It's nothing. I was thinking about when my sword will be made."

Georg raised his eyebrows in interest, then turned to Elroy.

"What, it's not finished yet?"

"I'd have to go to the workshop to find out, but I'm guessing they still need some time since they haven't called. I can't wait to see it finished."

Elroy rested his face on the desk, feigning displeasure. The loose papers clattered with his movements. His eyes rolled over the rolling stamps.

It's time for you to get greedy for better equipment, too. You've always felt satisfied with your Holy Sword. But the truth is, when it comes to equipment, the more you have, the better it is."

Georg crossed his arms and shook his head.

"If you have time later, I'd like to come with you to look at some other gear, even if it's not swords. I've been feeling the need to work on my armor lately."

"...I've never seen you talk with such a glint in your eye."

Elroy's eyes narrowed in disgust, but his mouth was smiling. Marianne still couldn't understand why he would give a look of disgust but not hide the smile on his face.

"Well, I told you that you could take a vacation once we got back to the kingdom, so why are you two still sitting around in my office like this. Daphne, what about that puppy you're getting?"

"The lady at the boarding house is very fond of him. She said she would like to play with her for the rest of the day."

Elroy chuckled, and Daphne smiled.

"Come see the puppy while you're on vacation. I heard you like animals."

"I'll make time then."

Marianne tilted her head uncomfortably as she watched the conversation, but then she regained her equilibrium and was back to her usual self. Elroy turned to Georg.

"What happened to your knights?"

"They told me to stop visiting so often. Apparently, 'We young knights don't like hanging out with the old geezer.' Can you believe it?"

"Yes. Stop bullying them. Just sit in the office and be quiet."

Georg and Daphne talked in Elroy's office for a bit longer, then stood up. Elroy buried his face in his desk and waved his hand, and they shook their heads and left the office.

"Where has the majesty of the party gone?"

Elroy muttered and looked up, apparently having some documents to sign off on. He flipped through the party's budget, picked up a pen, and scribbled something.

"Marianne, don't you have any plans for your vacation?"

Elroy asked, and Marianne blinked and shook her head.

"No. Probably not... I don't think the Holy Land will call me."

Elroy raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really? Didn't Bishop Andrei say anything?"

"No...nothing..."

Marianne recalled her conversation with the Bishop before leaving Bactin's.

"Marianne.

"Yes, Bishop.

Bishop Andrei looked at Marianne, his brow narrowing as he looked at her, then widening again. He crossed his arms and inhaled, then exhaled.

"Even if the activities of the Hero's Party are over, you will not return with the Inquisitors.

Marianne's eyes widened in uncharacteristic surprise. Andrei's eyes widened sharply as he looked at her.

"You are no longer an inquisitor. You must have been dimly aware of that fact."

"Then, what am I now..."

"I will only retrieve the Holy Spear once you have completed all your duties. I'm sure you'll find it helpful. When you're done, you'll be a priest or a knight of the Templars.

Marianne didn't understand. She could not remain an Inquisitor. Amid her confusion, Andrei placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

"The Hero is capable of many things, as you will soon see.

Andrei's voice was not cold as he spoke to Marianne. He then walked away, leaving her stunned. Marianne sat on the church's pew and watched the Bishop's back as he disappeared down the aisle. A very subtle feeling, unnerving and comforting at the same time. She couldn't understand why she felt relieved after being fired.

And now. Marianne sat back in her chair, staring at Elroy like a silver fox that had lost sight of its prey.

The clock ticks.

When he finished the budget, Elroy pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, unfolded it, and scribbled something down. He exhales, frowns, and shakes his head.

"...Ah, Marianne."

Elroy looked up and met Marianne's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Marianne shook her head to indicate that nothing was wrong. Elroy frowned slightly as if he didn't understand but then lowered his head to the paper and began to write something down. As she stared at him, Marianne made a decision.

She must find out what was wrong with him.

She would have to observe him for a full day.