Chapter 30 – The Gathering

An intelligent and cold-looking woman wearing glasses entered the cathedral.

She was wearing the uniform of the Conquering Knighthood, with a longsword in one hand and the severed head of a cleric in her other hand.

The clerics who had been armed in preparation for a clash with the knighthood glared at her all at once, and she, surprised by the internal security which was more numerous than the outside, smiled bitterly.

“There are quite a lot.”

That did not mean she could not handle it, but

there was no need to take the hard road when leaving the easy one behind.

“If you attack me blindly, I will have no choice but to respond in self-defense.”

Just as the clerics’ hostility was about to turn into killing intent,

she threw down the severed head of the cleric in her hand and announced her identity.

“Aria Sanctum. I am the younger sister of Vane Sanctum, the current Director of Palace Affairs. I would like to meet His Excellency the Bishop here on business.”

He saw them looking bewildered.

“Please pass on the message.”

One of the clerics protested.

“You are the Director of Palace Affairs’ younger sister? You, who are wearing the uniform of a Conquering Knight? Are you telling us to believe that?”

“Is there a rule that the Director of Palace Affairs’ younger sister cannot become a Conquering Knight? Stop talking and go deliver my message. He will probably readily permit it.”

Just in time, Rashid, who had finished his private meeting with the bishop, showed himself, and Aria distorted her expression minutely the moment she saw him.

A natural reaction, as she had chased him with the determination to die, only to end up later than him.

“Or you may ask that person over there. Whether I am indeed the current Director of Palace Affairs’ younger sister.”

The gazes of the clerics gathered on Rashid all at once.

– Would you like to accept the subjugation quest ‘Archdemon Scarver’?

– Upon completion, you will obtain ‘Scarver’s Magic Sword’ as a reward.

– You have accepted.

Rashid, who was checking the quest message, lightly scanned the chaotic crowd and ‘understood’ the situation.

“Is that true? That that woman is the Director of Palace Affairs’ younger sister.”

Rashid walked toward her without saying a word, and she laughed lightly and spoke to the clerics who were still filled with hostility.

“Silence is a strong affirmation. You all know that, right?”

There was a strong agitation among the clerics, and Rashid, who stood by idly, stood beside her.

Then, he spoke in a voice kept as low as possible.

“I don’t care what you do here, but it would be best not to talk about inquisitors if possible. The bishop here is trying to restrain the inquisitor who will arrive.”

Her gaze turned toward him, and a brief silence settled between the two.

Rashid, thinking he had explained it well enough to be understood, walked out of the cathedral.

She stood for a moment, then spoke to the clerics who still had no reaction.

“How long are you going to stay like that? Does being a blood relative of the Director of Palace Affairs sound that funny to you?”

Only then did the clerics begin to move for confirmation.

* * *

Around 6 o’clock in the evening.

At the beer chain called Valhalla Hall, Rashid showed himself at the rally scene, which was emptier than expected.

Perhaps due to the police force’s raid during the day,

there were no people participating in the rally itself.

‘I thought I would be able to see him. Was it indeed impossible?’

Indeed, since they shot so openly,

no matter if it was a rally of the Golden Age Party,

they could not push ahead with it unreasonably.

Moreover, it was a rally in which the party representative himself was to participate.

Safety was the top priority above all else, and for that reason, the rally appeared to have been planned and then cancelled.

Rashid, looking around at the people lightly sipping beer, looked here and there searching for Kaiser, who was not present.

‘If I met him and saw an opportunity, I was planning to send him off just like that. It is a bit of a pity.’

Just in case, Rashid stayed there for a few tens of minutes.

Most of the people at the tables were those who, like Rashid, had tried to participate in the rally but were disappointed by the empty atmosphere and turned back.

‘Although the media is still on the Imperial Family’s side, so information about him is scarce, even so, is it possible not to know that face?’

Rashid was almost at an expert level regarding Kaiser.

For Rashid was the only one among the various Lazarus Villains who had conquered Kaiser.

‘I was the only one who wrote a strategy guide about him. I was probably the first.’

Just as the user named ‘wlwhs1988’ uploaded a strategy guide for the Weiman Direct Domain,

Rashid also had a record of being quite active under the nickname ‘Guppy Master’.

‘Since I am an expert on him, I came just in case, but it seems I must aim for the next time.’

Just as he thought so and was about to turn his steps back,

“Excuse me, Cleric?”

there was a young man speaking to him.

Rashid looked at the person who had called him.

Neatly trimmed short hair and a stiff coat caught his eye.

His pupils looked quite clear, and he was someone imbued with an unknown passion, like a student enthusiastic about revolution.

His age appeared to be in his mid-twenties, similar to himself.

“Perhaps you also came here because you are interested in the rally, Cleric?”

He scanned Rashid, and his gaze stopped at the badge he was wearing.

“An Honorary Cleric? Oh heavens, you were an Honorary Cleric. I saw in a newspaper article that a new Honorary Cleric was appointed this time. It is an honor to meet you in person.”

Rashid’s cold eyes reached the young man.

He seemed to be a young intellectual enticed by the name of revolution, who probably intended to participate in this rally.

“I do not know what you are thinking, but I am not interested in the matters here.”

Leaving those words, he tried to depart.

The young intellectual held him back.

“Cleric! You have misunderstood. I am also not interested in the matters here. I only came for the first time out of curiosity. The only reason I approached you, Cleric, is that the situation related to Weiman here is unusual.”

Rashid’s gaze, which had been set to ignore him, reached him again.

His words continued.

“Ah, my introduction is late. I am an undergraduate of the Magic Tower. My major is exorcism and requiem. I came to investigate the matters here. This is also my hometown.”

Somehow,

since their interests seemed to overlap, Rashid decided to listen to his words a little further.

“Because this is my hometown, I really investigated this and that a lot. I do not know how many days I spent investigating. At least, there is no one to trust in this land. From the mayor to the master of this diocese. All of them are playing into the tricks of the demon.”

Rashid scanned the empty inside of the shop and made a suggestion to him.

“Let us speak outside.”

Thus, the two

emerged from Valhalla Hall and stood on a quiet street.

Dark darkness was laid over the street, and several parked police cars were visible nearby.

If a rally were to be held,

they looked set to charge in and shoot blindly.

The nameless young man frowned as he watched the parked police cars.

“As expected, the police are here. The rally probably won’t be held. Safety must be guaranteed for a rally; if it’s like that, who on earth would hold one?”

“Did you not say you were not interested?”

“That is true, but… honestly, I was curious. Is it not very famous? At least in the capital, there is no other party that can defeat the Golden Age Party. Although it seems a bit different here.”

Rashid lightly scanned him.

Then, just in case, he examined him once more.

Now was the time for Kaiser to grow.

It was the time when rather competent subordinates would attach themselves to him.

‘Fortunately, it’s a face I’m seeing for the first time. As far as I know, this fellow has little relation to Kaiser.’

It was a clean conclusion reached by him, who was the only one who had beaten Kaiser.

Thus, Rashid relaxed his tension and faced him.

“Did you say you were an undergraduate of the Magic Tower?”

“Yes, as I said, my major is exorcism and requiem. There are probably few people who know more about demon-related matters than I do.”

“By any chance, do you know the name of the archdemon who has stretched his evil hand here?”

It was a test.

If he got this right, his words would be true, and perhaps he might become an important key man to resolve this episode.

“Scarver. He is an archdemon who plays tricks, lies, and even drives wedges between fellow demons. His appearance will be similar to a clown. He possesses a magic sword, which is an item that even reverses time, so you must absolutely be on guard against it.”

More detailed information than what the bishop had given flowed from him.

Rashid recalled what he had read about key men in the strategy guide.

‘They said there are key men who possess important information to resolve this case. Is he one of those key men?’

The information the young man knew matched exactly with what Rashid knew, and this increased the possibility that he was a key man even further.

‘Honestly, since it’s a point where information is hardly needed, a key man is not strictly necessary, but it won’t hurt to keep him close. Just in case.’

Having finished his thoughts, Rashid spoke.

“It is somewhat similar to what I have investigated. Then, are you also capable of direct exorcism activities?”

An undergraduate of the Magic Tower.

That meant he might be a mage.

However, the reply that returned was unexpected.

“No. I only possess knowledge about exorcism; I am not a mage who can fight demons.”

“Did you not say you were a student of the Magic Tower? Then you cannot use magic?”

“Yes, a half-baked mage who only possesses knowledge… I apologize if you are disappointed.”

Rashid showed no particular sign of disappointment toward him, who bowed his head.

“You do not have to be that sorry. Exterminating demons is originally our job anyway. Other than that, is there no more information you know?”

“That… the blood of the Jaeger family is needed. To be precise, a demon hunter of the Jaeger bloodline is required.”

This was also something Rashid knew.

“The Jaeger family. One person comes to mind.”

“Only he can make the archdemon Scarver surrender. But…”

The young man wore a gloomy expression.

“The bishop here is the problem. There is a rumor that he gibbers as if possessed by a demon. By any chance, have you met the bishop here, Cleric?”

“I met him today. His condition did not look very good.”

Relief and worry brushed across the young man’s face.

“Cleric. You must be on guard against that bishop. It is absolutely not a normal state. If that bishop misunderstands the hunter of the Jaeger family who will visit as evil and targets him, then it is really the end. There will be no future here. It will probably be abandoned forever without being purified.”

There was nothing wrong in his words.

Since the strength of the Jaeger family would absolutely be necessary in this episode.

“That is good information. By any chance, is there other information?”

“I know Scarver to be an archdemon who likes to play jokes. If you get the opportunity, it would be better to persuade the bishop and prepare a decisive weapon against the archdemon. Then Scarver, who is harassing the bishop, will be excited with the thought of playing around with it. You must use that to your advantage in reverse.”

“…”

Wait a minute.

This information was not just excessive; it was practically a carbon copy of the strategy guide.

Rashid stared at him quietly.

‘A player?’

Such a thought suddenly reached him.

But realistically, there was no method itself to distinguish whether he was a player or not.

It was difficult to distinguish without getting a confession or discovering an anomaly such as wearing armor in an instant.

‘There probably are other players besides me. The level of their information might be similar to mine, or perhaps even better, or maybe it falls short. I don’t know. Perhaps his information is just deep for a key man.’

In any case, the strategy guide itself would have aggregated information that came from key men.

“It seems the level of vigilance toward players has been lowering lately.”

Rashid made a sudden remark.

This was to test him.

“What do you think about this?”

The young man wore a bewildered expression.

“Yes? A player? I do not know what you are suddenly talking about.”

“To me, exterminating demons is important, but exterminating players is also just as important. The quality of your information is too good. That is why I first suspected whether you were a player.”

“Is there even a pathetic player like me? I cannot even use magic.”

Rashid drew his gun in an instant and aimed it at him.

It was to check his reaction, but as expected, it was at a level where it was not just pathetic but embarrassing for himself.

‘He is not a player. The reaction is almost at zero level.’

Exactly the level of an ordinary person.

‘Then he must surely be a key man.’

“I think the response would have been different if you were a player. Let me apologize first. It was because summarily executing players is the job of us clerics.”

In any case, even if he were a player, he had no intention of killing him.

Since it was simply for confirmation.

Rashid asked him again.

“The decisive weapon against the archdemon you mentioned earlier. There would be several kinds, but is there anything you would recommend in particular?”

The young man, who was terrified by what happened just now, patted his startled chest, then composed his troubled mind and answered.

“That… the Holy Blood Spear forged with the blood of the Jaeger family would be better. Other weapons would also be a good alternative, but considering the situation here which might soon be closed off by the archdemon’s evil clutches, the Holy Blood Spear would probably be better.”

“The Holy Blood Spear… it cannot be made without the help of the Jaeger family.”

“The Jaeger family has accepted the surrender of demons since ancient times, so they will surely help. If a demon hunter of the Jaeger family visits, it would be better to ask him for help.”

Agreeing,

Rashid nodded his head.

‘Although he is a key man, there is no more information to obtain. Still, it would be better to keep him close.’

“Even if you were a player, I had no intention of killing you in the first place. It was simply for confirmation, and I hope you do not misunderstand.”

Rashid continued speaking.

“I need you. I would like to receive some help at least until this diocese is purified. Do you have a separate schedule?”

“I was planning to make my best effort, and if it fails, to leave before this place is closed off. I also want to protect this place, but it is not a place I want to protect while even risking my life. It is my hometown, but I already live elsewhere.”

“I see. If you want a fee for your trouble, I can request the diocese to support it. Will you stay by my side until the work here is concluded? Of course, I am not asking you to fight instead. Dangerous matters will be entirely taken care of by our order.”

“That… seems like it will be difficult. I plan to leave this direct domain at least before it is closed off.”

He had no intention of keeping him by force.

Around the time Rashid was giving up to some extent,

the young man gathered his courage and continued speaking.

“Still, until this place is closed off, I will help you by your side as much as possible.”

Excellent.

Rashid extended his hand to him.

“Rashid Preston. Honorary Cleric. Though it will be for the time being, I look forward to working with you.”

The hand he extended,

the young man did not refuse either.

“Wolfgang Kaiser. I am an intellectual of this era.”