Vol 6 Chapter 2.2 (2/2)

Schnee nodded.

Im sure that you have very good reasons. However, what will you do if we said no? Theres also a chance that we will give you away.

If thats the case, then I must ask you to stay in here for some time.

As Lilis.h.i.+la said that, knights in armor came around s.h.i.+n. There were three of them, armed, and ready for combat.

He knew they were there, yet it was disheartening to know that this was why.

Thats quite violent.

Im terribly sorry. Ruining my name is a risk that I must take.

It seemed that there was trouble within the church as well. s.h.i.+n could sense a certain desperation in Lilis.h.i.+la.

Let us tell you our side of the story. This is about Father Bulk, and the church in Bayreuth.

Please continue.

Lilis.h.i.+las expression hardened at the mention of Father Bulk.

Its quite simple. Father Bulk has kidnapped an orphan that the church was sheltering. One of the sisters got in his way and he had almost fatally wounded her. If she werent treated on time, she would not be alive.

!?

Lilis.h.i.+la didnt know what she was expecting, but even this exceeded her wildest imagination.

The knights in the back were also stunned.

It seems like you didnt know. Not much time had past between the orphans kidnapping and now. She should be here; I should be frank. We are here to retrieve her. If you doubt us, then go find out the truth on your own.

No but wait, I have to ask.

What is it?

The orphandoes she have some sort of special t.i.tle?

Why?

Few knew about Millie as a Star Reader. Yet, Lilis.h.i.+la acted as if she knew about it.

We want to take Father Bulk down because we are also trying to save someone. She also holds a special t.i.tle.

Lilis.h.i.+la-sama! Thats too much information!

The knights raised their voices.

s.h.i.+n must not be an appropriate audience for this kind of confidential information.

Please. Dont worry. We have no qualms with you. We both want something from Father Bulk.

Yes. If youd be so kind. Please, lower your swords everyone.

Hearing Lilis.h.i.+las words, the knights put their swords away.

While not all of them look pleased, they seem to have relaxed at least a little after hearing s.h.i.+ns story.

Either way, even if you need our help so desperately, isnt this a bit extreme?

I know. But were running out of time. We need to save her, or her life is in grave danger.

Her life?

Given Father Bulks past performances, it didnt seem too far-fetched. She wouldnt say anymore, but it felt like a big advantage for s.h.i.+n and his party to have an insider in the church.

Few people know this, but he is also a member of the s.h.i.+ten(4 G.o.ds/4th G.o.d) cult. No. I suppose his heart is truly aligned to their cause. He uses his status as a church member and has secretly been wreaking havoc. Soon, he will partic.i.p.ate in a ritual, in which the ones we want to protect will be sacrificed. We have no choice but to take matters into our own hands. That is why we are calling on you.

Father Bulk seemed to be partic.i.p.ating in far worse deeds, behind a secret dark society.

s.h.i.+n wasnt too surprised. Even in the real world, there were those who believed in satanic rituals. But the thought of a living sacrifice definitely made him furrow his brows.

A sacrifice seems especially violent. But what is this s.h.i.+ten cult exactly?

It was an unfamiliar word, and had a certain menacing ring to it.

The s.h.i.+ten cult is a cult that wors.h.i.+ps High Humans those that once ruled this continent.

High Humans, you say?

s.h.i.+ten is written out as those that exist on this plain.

The s.h.i.+ten are not bad on their own. There are six factions of High Humans. They merely train day and night, and sometimes they reveal the magic that theyve been able to create for the public.

According to Lilis.h.i.+la, the 6 factions of high humans were inspired by the actual high humans second names Dark, Golden, White, Red, Blue and Silver. People trained in the arts of the faction that they were most likely to thrive in.

To be specific, there were those that wors.h.i.+pped the Dark Blacksmith, who trained in forging swords and others who practiced alchemy or magic, just as the Red Alchemist would have, and so on and so forth.

By training themselves in these ancient rituals, the s.h.i.+ten would try to revitalize the lost arts and become the top of their faction on the continent.

The problem is that in the past 100 or so years, a seventh faction has been invented. They have become indoctrinated, so that they truly and faithfully believe, that in order to become a High Human they must shed more blood. Perhaps the records of the High Humans battles and sagas inspired them. Therefore, all over the continent, there have been violent deeds done and horrible, vicious attacks.

The 7th High Human faction was allegedly called the summit faction.

Even if the goal was to achieve something and be at the top, what they were doing was terrorism.

The fact that he was being wors.h.i.+pped was disconcerting enough. The idea that there were those acting violently in his name made s.h.i.+n seethe.

The other factions deny any part of the 7th factions activities. Yet they a.s.sociate themselves as part of the s.h.i.+ten, since they are a branch of it. The world views them all the same.

Its hard to get rid of any negative image. People seem to mix them up all the time.

I think I understand. You had mentioned a living sacrifice earlier. How does that play in?

I dont know enough about the details. However, the seventh faction takes those with special t.i.tles and abilities, then completes a sacrificial ritual. The more rare and unique the ability is, the more that these s.h.i.+ten followers status rank increase.

But this is the status within a cult. Is it really worth it to give up the advantages of being a part of the church?

The Church was quite influential on this continent. If word of this got out, Father Bulk would lose everything.

He had gone through all the trouble to become a Father of the church. What could be so important, as to give it all up?

We really dont know enough. However, if we wait any longer to find out, it could be too late.

Perhaps. Then enough chit-chat. We dont care what happens to Bulk anyways.

s.h.i.+n didnt care about the ritual. The takeaway point was how there were more people in need of their help.

The moment Father Bulk was involved, it was likely that Millie would also be sacrificed next to Lilis.h.i.+las companion. s.h.i.+n couldnt let that happen either.

We need to discuss our plan to save them. I need to understand how alive Palmiracks functions are.

Its functions? This is no secret that Im allowed to share with outsiders. However, this is a rare occasion. Still, its functions are mostly dysfunctional as of now.

Really?

Some of its item creation functions are still in place, as well as detoxification and recovery, equivalence of cla.s.s 5. Theres also a barrier to protect the building from surrounding monsters.

If Lilis.h.i.+las information was reliable, then s.h.i.+ns concerns were included.

The important sites had some security measures in place, but it wasnt fortified. That, and upper cla.s.s Chosen Ones acted as security.

I see. This is helpful thank you. Just to be sure though arent there functions that only higher priests would know of?

Im actually a Cardinal, believe it or not. The Pope is above me. There are no others.

He knew that she was a higher priest, but a Cardinal was unforeseen. There werent that many cardinals either.

I mean. If youre a Cardinal, cant you easily dismiss a mere Father?

Its not that easy. Bulk seems to have an item on hand that makes it difficult to refuse him. Hes placed this on our companion the Holy Woman.

s.h.i.+n was taken aback. Such an item shouldnt exist in the game era.

Please, Lilis.h.i.+la-sama, are you sure that its okay to share this with these commoners?

I must. Otherwise they would be in grave danger. s.h.i.+n-sama, please be careful. Its a black collar, with gold writing on it. Once its been placed on you, even if you dont want to, you will do as youve been told. It could even kill you.

Lilis.h.i.+la ignored her knights and continued.

An item that ignores the will of the person wearing it. It seemed so surreal hearing of it, until he was reminded of a certain event from the game.

Is it the Crying Marionette?

s.h.i.+n-sama? What is it?

He was recalling the event from the fifth update, with the Crying Marionette.

There was a moment, when an NPC was forced to become an enemy. The NPC was wearing a black collar.

The players found this turn of events to be quite unfavorable. It seemed unfair that even support characters could turn their backs on you because of a collar.

s.h.i.+n had also remembered how several of his allies became his sworn enemies.

I get it now. I cant believe that items still around. What a joke.

To return an NPC back to its conscious state from a zombie requires a special item. Since its a limited item, s.h.i.+n did not possess it in his Item Box.

(So this means that that t.i.tle is finally going to come in handy).

He was referring, of course, to the t.i.tle of Liberator from back when he had won against the Origin.

Everything happens for a reason after all.