275 272. Disturbing.txt (1/2)

'Hmmm, it's not the money. As usual, knight liner.

When I turned my head in the direction of the voice, there stood the Acting Prime Minister's Hall of Feydert - Feydert, dressed in a high ranking priest's uniform. Behind him were a few knights who seemed to be guards and a few 'magic stone humans' (Jewelculus) wearing visors.

It seems that they saw that the situation inside the temple had taken a tumble, so they brought along the pawns that had been waiting inside the cathedral.

It's the intervention I expected. I point calmly.

'Did that guy over there threaten you and betray you?

She continued to talk to Emily, not Feydert.

In response, she looked away. You can see it as a hit.

And the question is answered by Feydert, not Emily.

''Hahaha, how could I be so barbaric as to threaten you?　She didn't betray me in the first place. It was a partnership with me from the beginning.

I have no choice but to face my former boss, who seems to be a quick talker.

'From the beginning, because ......?　What do you mean?

'It means exactly what it says. I told you that I've known for a long time that you were stirring up the blood of the saints. The only reason I kept watching from the sidelines was because I was the last one to draw her over here. Without knowing that, thank you for your 'blood gathering' efforts to this day. It has saved us a lot of trouble over here.

It's easy to understand.

It seems that while we were busy 'collecting blood', Feydert was only working on the good stuff. No wonder Emily has been acting a little strange since we met in the labyrinth.

I don't mean to blame her, but I glance at Emily.

'I'm sorry, Ryner, I'm sorry. But you say you're going to fix our bodies: ......

As soon as Feydert began to speak eloquently about his inner feelings, he decided that he couldn't hide anything, and he spoke of his motives with an apology.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with it. I will never let you heal ....... Yes, I want me and Al-kun to remain ”sick” all the time ......!　I thought I could stay sick all these years!　And yet, Mr. Reiner and his team want to proceed!　Lady Rastiara will have to interfere as much as possible!　I don't have a choice!　At least you could have approached me when I was alone and not in front of you, Al!

I don't want to get well.

And I don't want Al to know what I'm doing behind my back.

That seems to be the motivation.

Once we figured it out, it was pretty straightforward.

We were losing the game.

Once I understand the process and the motive, I feel better. But there's one thing that's stuck with me. That's because...

--to connect, I prefer to stay sick ......?

I think I heard a similar story elsewhere, not from Emily and Feydert, whom I'm currently facing, but from another place.

I'm trying to remember the source of that story - I'm interrupted.

Emily, standing in front of me, pointed the cut end of the sword in her hand at me.

'So I'm sorry. I'm betraying Mr. Reiner and the others.

I respond to that with a sigh.

'Huh, you sound like some guy who's a pain in the ass. ...... With all that hiding, you're going to be with Al's guy all the time?　You can't do that, you idiot. Congratulations, you're too smart for that. Just get both of you treated and move on to the next step.

...... Oh, no!　I didn't ask for this!　I'm telling you it's unnecessary meddling!

'You didn't ask for it, but Al wants it, you idiot. I thought he'd be a little smarter than that, but that was all just Feydert's idea. So, my enemy this time--

He glared at the man standing at the entrance to the temple, not at Emily, who was in hysterics.

Feydert smiled proudly, perhaps because his ruse was working.

Oh, very easy to do.

A girl who regrets her own actions and fights while worrying about them. On the other hand, a cunning adult male who fools a pure young man. If you ask me to hit someone, I'll choose Feydert.

Above all, it's a great advantage to be able to kill someone by accident. Feldeldeldeld, unaware that I think he is thinking of me, starts talking in a good mood.

''Hmph. Yes, Emily. I know exactly how you feel. If your illnesses were cured, it would change the whole world you live in. For example, you would have more contact with people you couldn't get close to before because of your illness. We would definitely spend less time alone in our private lives. Instead of a party of two, it would be a much larger party. If you have more money to spare, the scope of your activities will naturally change--

No.

Unbearably, Emily interrupted, not wanting to hear any further.

Still, Feydert still wouldn't stop. He's probably trying to get this lost girl to plow through it like this.

''You don't want to!　Yes, sir!　Do yourself a favor and let Feydert help you!　--So first, let's make sure we fail this ritual first!　If the rituals fail and the present God becomes unconscious, then of course there will be no reward for you!　You can report that sad news back to Al Quintas!　And then we both whisper to each other that there are not many tasty stories, after all, and we can live alone again--!　Yes, enough!　As a priest of the Cathedral, I am a people of the Fooziers, and I support your happiness with all my heart!

He is still a man who is very good at exploiting people's weaknesses.

When I was vulnerable because of my brother's death, I was fooled in the same way.

Just like when he used me, he's trying to get other people's hands dirty instead of his own.

But I never thought it would be so infuriating to have the same thing repeated in front of me. I could feel a disastrous toxin being produced in my heart that had been quiet a moment ago.

With the poison called ”murderous intent” on top of it, I talk back to Feydert.

'I see. ....... If it was just Emily alone, I'd keep my hands to myself, but ...... with you, it's a different story. It's a no-holds-barred deal. Don't feel bad if you die in an accident, okay?

'That's the dialogue here. ...... Hmmm, there are going to be a lot of knightly accidents today, aren't there?

With that, at last, Feydert raised one hand and brought forward the hand pieces that he had been holding back.

Among them was a knight I knew, as a matter of course. I suppose it's a selection of people to cause this one to be upset, but this one is someone who thinks it's natural to kill each other if they meet on business. There's no problem over there.

The problem is the ”Jewelculus”.

They will use the same vicious resonance magic as the assassins who fought Christ in the cathedral before.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Unlike the Lord, I won't give them a chance to chant a single sentence of 'chanting'.

Yes, I'm aware of your abilities. And I'm taking care of you.

Faydert waves down his raised hand.

At the same time, unchanted magic is released from the 'Magic Stone Humans (Jewelculus)' who were in front of him. There are three of them.

''--[Divine Arrow]''

Divine Arrow.

Divine Arrow.

Straight is one. Two curved from left and right.

Aiming precisely at me alone, arrows of light fly in.

I dared to leap upwards to avoid it.

When I was sure I had escaped into the air, Feydert's next instruction was given.

'Then let go.'

The knights next to the Jewelcrusteans took out their bows from their backs and started to guard their arrows. I immediately construct my magic.

''--Wind.''

The moment he wore the wind, a new mix of magical and real arrows attacked him.

The number of them is more than double that of the earlier ones.

However, with me having activated my magic, that level of attack is pointless. By changing my posture in the air freely, I dodge the arrows with plenty of time to spare.

In the middle of it all, I glance at Emily.

The battle has begun, but there are no signs of movement.

Without caution, she's only bringing her sword close to the bottom of Rustiala's neck to check my approach.

If this self-defense alone was enough to get Rustiala killed, I was saved because I had no choice but to collapse the temple in one or two minutes.

Her role would only be to suppress Rastiara and take away the 'blood'.

And the role of the knight and the 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelculus)' on the other side is to eliminate me, who is an obstacle.

I shift my gaze from Emily and look at the knights.

The weapons worn by all of them are mainly bows and arrows and spears. I can tell from their choice of equipment that they have no intention of cutting swords with me properly.

After I finish checking the situation, I land on the platform and say without drawing my sword.

''Don't lick it. Even if you're a hundred times stronger than this one, you can't even hurt me.

Implicitly, he says that his bare hands are enough, and begins to build magic stronger.

Naturally, the other side also strongly releases magic.

Although there are differences in the number of people, similar magic with the same amount of time spent is completed at the same time.

「「「「-- Resonance Magic ”Invisible Iceroom” 」」」」

A wall.

The enemy is the same space-fixing magic as before.

I counter that by filling the space with wind.

The enemy's magic used to lag behind, but I think it's easy to deal with as long as you know the species.

First and foremost, the preliminary action is too big. If you know the magic is coming, you can just run away from the targeted space. That's all you can afford to do. Even if you're caught, you have the confidence to force your way through. This time, there are no masters who would worry about the enemy and blame us for forcing our way through, so there will be plenty of ways to do it.

However, I dare to counter them with wind magic this time.

I'm going to surpass the enemy in their area of expertise and try to fold their hearts.

I'm sorry, but it's pointless. I'm not going to be able to catch me with that magic, even if it takes me the rest of my life.

With room to spare, he snickered.

Then, on the contrary, he pushed back the enemy's magic with the power of the wind and made the four girls of the 'Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus)', who released their magic, fall on their asses.

The girls showed frightened expressions before the staging of that absolute power difference. In addition, it would be easier if Feydert was also upset, but it doesn't seem to be that easy.

''...... Hmm, you're still strong. Your power, which started growing rapidly a year ago, can now be said to be the best in the United States. You have become really strong. This is something I didn't even expect a year ago. To be honest, it's very difficult to defeat you in a straightforward manner. Hmph, what's going on: ......

It seems that the resonance magic of the 'Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus)' once broken by Christ was not his trump card.

From the way he spoke, I can tell that there is still room for more.

''However, despite being the best knight in the Confederation, the way you lived in the cathedral was something that made me want to cover my eyes. There were no knights who could be considered friends, and you always ate your meals alone. You didn't seem to be particularly close to the knight Serah Raydiant or the knight Ragne Kaikwola, and you went to work alone. If you ask me, it's not only at work, but also in the Helvirshain family. I didn't expect that even my father and mother were enemies ...... I feel sorry for that birth.

He vexingly talks about his personal life, as if he knows everything about me.

And then he gives the most disgusting smile of the day.

'Such is the only person you've ever opened your heart to - my sister-in-law, Franlle Helvillestein.

-Oh!

The name that awaited him at the end of it was enough to make him slightly upset.

At the same time as Feydert smiled, a familiar face appeared from among the knights lined up in front of the entrance. Armed just like the other knights - but the blonde hair with its distinctive tie is too rare - the new knight who appeared was Sister Fran.

Sister was pushed to the front of the ranks and was puzzled by the situation in the temple.

''...... Feydert-sama, what is this all about?''

Please be patient. It's enough to make you stand here.

Feydert didn't give any explanation to the sister's questions.

Probably, Sister Fran-sama was only asked to capture a suspicious person in the cathedral, but she hasn't heard anything about the 're-birth' ceremony.

Putting Sister Fran, who knows nothing about it, in front of me, Feydert's smile deepens.

Immediately I guessed my aim and request, and made a reluctant face and asked.

''...... why did you bring me here?''

Didn't I say I had a plan in place?

Unlike me, who is not my sister by blood, she is my real daughter. She is a woman, and there is talk of the next head of the Helvirshine family's party. Do you have any idea what will happen to you if you touch her?

'I'd like you to think a little more about why she's here now. If you think that there is not a single member of the Helvilleshein family who has an estranged interest in her, etc.?

Implicitly, it will show that there are collaborators in the Helvirshine family.

Indeed, even though my sister is adored at home, it doesn't mean that she has earned the favor of the entire family. My second and third sons have a tendency to neglect my sister who treats me so well. Is there a connection there: ......?

“Of course, I understand that it’s a high risk to mess with the Helvirshine family. However, I believe now is the time to take that much risk. As long as we have the power of the Cathedral and Saint Tiara here, we can falsify the report later on as much as we want. Las Tiara-sama tried to 're-birth' Tiara-sama on his own and failed and fell into a coma. The damage is so great that we don't know when he will wake up - but let's report it. If the Senate on the mainland reads that report, they'll have no choice but to install me in Lastiara-sama's place. The mainlanders originally thought that Lady Rastiara was difficult to handle, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Apparently, he's trying to hold back all the Lastiara officials here and take back the cathedral in his favor.

If he returns to the top, he could even rub out this raid. With Tiara-san's power and the power of the cathedral, he would be able to personally oppose even the Helvirshain family.

At worst, it would be worth it to kill everyone here in order to achieve the goal.

Even if the mainland is a little suspicious of him, as long as Feydert is someone who can make a profit, he shouldn't be pursued too hard. It's a good thing that the top of this cathedral has no complaints as long as it generates a profit, from the other side.

''This, this--!

I know what Feydert is trying to do and I try to make a move to prevent him from doing so.

But Feydert stops me from doing so by thrusting his sword behind his sister's waist.

''I don't need to tell you, sir, but I want you to understand?

With that word, my body freezes like ice.

The front and back of my body are frozen with hostages, and I can't move with a reluctant face.

After all, the other side had no intention of engaging in a proper battle from the start.

If the enemy was strong, they would keep them away like Sera-san. If it is difficult to do so, then I will take them by surprise like Ragnae. If that's also difficult, you can take your people as hostages.

'Come on, gentlemen. Secure Rainer Helvirshain and Ragne Kaikwola.

With a triumphant look on his face, Feydert gave the knights instructions.

If I don't move, I will be captured.

And yet, I still can't move.

I still can't find a reason to move. On the contrary--

--Can we just give up and let Feydert win?

I even think that I am.

I'm too weak to be in a situation where other lives are at stake.

If it were me dying to save two people, I would be happy to die, but that's not what we're talking about this time.

Faydert understands this weakness better than I do and has been able to exploit it well.

The best thing to do here would be to plead for the safety of Rustyala and her sister as a condition for surrender in an honest manner. There are only two things that will be lost if we lose here, Rastiara's position and Tiara-san's power. I find myself thinking calmly that there is no substitute for life. It's not time to make a one or eight bet yet.

When I've compromised within myself like that--

Reiner!

They only call me by name.

It was the same voice I had heard many times when I was a student at the Academy.

It was only my name that was shouted, but I, the younger brother, knew immediately that it was a cry of reprimand.

I straighten my posture, stand upright, and look at my sister, who is being held hostage.

There was my sister, who was seriously angry.

There was a sister who wouldn't allow her brother to compromise and was trying to make things unreasonable as usual.

''Shameful!　You're going to fall flat on your face over this level!

'Yeah, yeah ......?　But, sir, ......, sister ......

Since she's a hostage, I wanted her to be a little quieter. It seems that the knights around her are the same, and they are not sure how to respond to their sister who suddenly shouts out loud.

''I don't understand, but fight!　We of the House of Helvirshain are proud of it!

And then, with momentum, he says something outrageous.

'Yo, I don't understand ...... No, I want to fight. We are in a situation where we can't move because we have a hostage. You know perfectly well that the hostage is your sister ......?

I try to admonish my brave sister with common sense.

I felt a little nostalgic, as if I had returned to my days as a graduate student, but there was no retreating here.