Chapter 193 - Chapter 192: Connected, But Not by a Red String
An alley in District 4.
Across the South Main Street, buildings related to the Church lined the opposite side.
Peering from the dim alley toward the opposite side were Yaroibarov, Kistil, and knights serving the Leventein household.
And several adventurers who were staying at Yaroibarov's inn, whose circumstances were unclear but who had followed along thinking it looked interesting.
"The monk went into that building, didn't he?"
When Yaroibarov asked in a low voice, a knight of the Leventein household nodded.
The academy students who first spotted Mika had already been sent back to their dormitories.
They were told that a reward would be delivered from the Leventein household at a later date.
Thus, the duty of watching the building was taken over by the Leventein household.
It was a well-known fact that Mika was on friendly terms with the Leventein household.
Even the academy students had returned obediently, thinking, "If the Leventein household is moving, we must not interfere."
When Kistil burst into Yaroibarov's inn, Yaroibarov was just attending to customers at the counter.
However, noticing Kistil's unusual state, he abandoned everything and listened intently.
The children at the inn also knew Kistil, so they guessed something terrible had happened and took over Yaroibarov's work.
Yaroibarov, having listened to the entire story in silence, had the knights of the Leventein household guide him to the building Mika had entered.
He tried to persuade Kistil with, "Leave the rest to me; wait at the Leventein mansion," but was refused.
While being guided by the knights, Yaroibarov entered a back alley and gave some instruction to a man who appeared to be a homeless person lying there.
Kistil and the knights of the Leventein household did not know what he was doing, but they could say nothing to the Yaroibarov whose face was slightly flushed, and they waited in silence.
Even people who did not know the epithet "Shuzen" would not dare to speak to Yaroibarov in his current state.
The inn's guests, thinking, "Yaroibarov is in a dangerous mood for the first time in a while," had followed along out of curiosity.
However, they intended only to lend a hand if something happened.
"Is it true that the monk followed quietly?"
"According to the academy students who witnessed it, it seems so. Although he was surrounded by a group in priestly robes, surely they couldn't have surrounded him when he entered that building? It seems he walked in normally with his own feet."
"Fuu..."
After confirming with the knights, Yaroibarov crossed his arms and pondered.
Since he walked in on his own feet, it was natural to think that Mika went along for some reason.
Before that, even if the group in priestly robes was a group of knights, Mika could have escaped.
Was there a reason he did not do so?
Or was there a reason he could not do so?
While Yaroibarov was thinking, Kistil looked up at him with an anxious expression.
Yaroibarov consciously relaxed his expression a little.
"You don't need to worry so much. I will definitely save the monk. However, if the monk has his own thoughts, interfering on our part might get in the way. Let's gather some information. Right now, I'm having the Information Broker Guild collect whatever information they have."
"But..."
Yaroibarov's words might be reasonable, but Kistil's expression remained gloomy.
At this moment, they did not even know what situation Mika was in.
It would be unreasonable to tell her not to worry.
"Trust the monk more. If the monk truly faces a dire situation, he will escape on his own. At the very least, he wouldn't be able to stay this quiet. Especially if 'that guy' (the monk) really went berserk."
Saying this, Yaroibarov showed a smile that revealed a hint of ferocity.
Everyone present, without exception, trembled at that violent presence.
Yaroibarov said the church was quiet because Mika had no intention of escaping yet.
Kistil wondered if this too was called trust.
At that moment—
"...Fee-chan?"
Suddenly muttering, Kistil caused Yaroibarov and the knights to look at her with puzzled expressions.
"...Do you understand...? Eh... Is this it?"
Looking down and muttering to herself, Kistil made Yaroibarov somewhat worried.
"Ah... Kistil? Are you okay?"
But Kistil did not answer that. She lifted her face, which had been bowed, and ran out into the alley.
"H-Hey!"
Yaroibarov hesitated whether to try to stop Kistil.
Honestly, stopping her would be easy.
However, causing a commotion would also be problematic.
He wanted to avoid conspicuous actions if possible.
With these thoughts, he decided to watch Kistil's situation for now.
Kistil ran briskly down the main street toward the Second Wall.
He sighed with relief, thinking she did not seem to be doing something reckless like charging straight into the church.
As Yaroibarov and a few others followed behind, Kistil suddenly stopped.
She then pointed straight ahead.
"Mika-kun is over there."
The direction she pointed to was a spire.
She pointed to one of several spires.
It was a sudden story, if one could call it that.
Everyone would wonder, "How do you know something like that?"
Honestly, Yaroibarov thought the same.
But...
"Is the monk there?"
When Yaroibarov asked, Kistil nodded firmly.
"I understand."
Yaroibarov turned around and called out to the adventurers who had followed.
"Does anyone here know someone who can climb that?"
"...Are you serious? Mr. Yaroibarov?"
One of the adventurers asked back involuntarily.
Should they trust the words of such a strange girl?
However, he immediately regretted asking back.
He was met with Yaroibarov's serious eyes.
Just that was enough to make his blood run cold.
"...I can't say for sure without trying."
A scout-like adventurer said so.
"I know one."
"Call him."
"No, but..."
There, the scout-like man hesitated.
"He doesn't like showing himself in front of people much. You see..."
"The Thieves' Guild?"
When Yaroibarov asked, the scout-like man nodded reluctantly.
The Thieves' Guild.
A guild that developed from routes to dispose of stolen goods and other items that are difficult to sell openly.
The merit of belonging is, of course, that such items can be smoothly cashed in when brought in.
Those without such routes would normally be bought out at a very low price.
Additionally, they provided information on where and what expensive items existed, and sometimes recruited members for large jobs.
Naturally, all members were people with blemishes on their legs.
There were no fools who would just come out when asked.
It was natural for those who were aware of their own blemishes.
"Tell him 'Shuzen' is calling. If coming is troublesome, I can go pick him up at the 'End of the Earth'."
Pressed by Yaroibarov's smile, the scout-like man twisted his face and nodded repeatedly.
■■■■■■
Mika was looking up at a square window.
It was a narrow window with iron bars embedded in it, if one could call it a window.
The sky visible from the high window was already pitch black, likely about two hours past dusk.
Mika had been led by the priest into a building along the main street within the church grounds.
At first, the priest had said, "We are going to the Great Cathedral."
So, Mika had asked, "Aren't we going to the Great Cathedral?"
Then he received the reply, "This way is the shortcut."
As the priest said, the building was merely passed through.
However, he was taken to a place different from the Great Cathedral.
It was within the church grounds, but one of several spires.
Still surrounded by the group in priestly robes, the priest smiled at Mika.
"Please hand over that magic bag."
"That magic bag (this one)?"
"Yes, it is a very sacred place."
The priest spoke with a bright smile.
(What!? What do you think is in here, millions of Rats!?)
Honestly, the reason did not justify the action.
Although he felt like exploding inside, Mika responded with a smile.
"I understand."
He handed over the magic bag obediently.
(I will go all the way to the bottom of hell to get it back. ...Absolutely.)
Swearing this in his heart.
Inside the spire, there was a door at the front.
It was unknown whether it was a warehouse or the duty room of Temple Knights.
Mika was led up the stairs on the side.
He was guided to a room on the top floor of the spire.
It was a shabby room, perhaps slightly better than that.
Stone construction, bleak.
There was a bed and a table, and the toilet was partitioned by a door.
(It is not fitting for a noble's confinement. Yet, it is too decent for a prisoner. What kind of treatment is this?)
Of course, there was a reason Mika had followed so obediently like an idiot up to this point.
It was to observe the opponent's moves and probe their intentions and how much information they had grasped.
If they asked something, that would be what they wanted to know.
He thought that if they interrogated him, he could deduce their intentions, but...
(............Leaving me alone is terrible, isn't it?)
He had thought they would interrogate him immediately, but since being locked in the room, there had been no contact at all.
Apparently, there was a mechanism to slide food in from under the door, and unappetizing food was slid in.
But, naturally, he would not touch such things.
(If they poison me, I can't fight back.)
For now, he was only soothing his thirst with "Waterball" and pondering what to do.
On the top floor of the spire.
Normally, this would be a location from which escape was impossible.
But at this level, he could escape right now.
Stone walls could be destroyed by creating a large "Iron Bullet" and firing it at high speed.
Even if he couldn't break it in one shot, a few shots would be plenty.
After that, he could just say goodbye from the sky.
Or, he could simply walk out of the room openly.
The room's door was just a thick wooden door.
"Stone Bullet" would be sufficient to destroy it.
Then, he would just need to descend the spire while scattering those who tried to stop him.
It seemed there was no guard in front of the room.
Probably, they thought it was enough to secure only the entrance of the spire.
Magic and [God's Miracle] could be used normally even inside this room.
Being trapped by mechanisms that prevent magic use was a fairly standard plot, but there was nothing like that.
Rather, wasn't this telling him to escape?
He could not grasp the opponent's intentions and could not formulate a plan.
(...They must be worried.)
That was the only thing that made him feel a bit guilty.
Kistil and Nerisfeene would not understand why Mika had not returned home even at this hour.
They must be worried, but he hoped they would not go out looking for Mika at this hour.
He could not help but wish that.
He had already explained what to do in such a situation.
• Consult with Yaroibarov.
• Consult with the Fifth Knights Order.
• Consult with Cleiria.
Something like that.
If it concerned his activities as an adventurer, Yaroibarov would be able to grasp the situation to some extent.
If searching the entire capital, the Fifth Knights Order.
And, in case of an emergency, to ask Cleiria for protection.
Naturally, even if Mika asked, he could not get a pass to bypass the First Wall.
Mika did not have such a thing either.
He did not want one, though.
However, he had prepared a letter bearing the seal of the Leventein household.
One to show to the knights guarding the city wall gates, and one to deliver to the Leventein household.
It seemed the knights were instructed to protect the two until a pickup arrived, and even to bring the letter to the mansion.
The flow seemed to be that once the letter arrived, the Leventein household would send a pickup.
He wondered if it was okay for Cleiria, who was not the head of the household, to issue such a letter, but he decided not to think too deeply about it.
The Leventein household was entrusted with border defense.
He would interpret it as special consideration being given.
Mika let out a sigh and shivered his body.
(It's cold, after all...)
The chill in the mornings and evenings was still severe.
(Is the purpose to freeze me to death by locking me up in a place like this at this time of year?)
Mika manifested "Blast" and filled the air around him with warm air.
Since "Blast" would naturally stop when sleeping, perhaps it would be more comfortable to reverse his day and night cycle?
Sleep during the warm daytime, and keep warm with "Blast" at night.
Provided they let him sleep during the day.
And so, how much time had passed?
While Mika was gazing blankly at the sky, a hand suddenly appeared at the window.
"...Huh?"
Thinking it might be a mistake due to the darkness, a man's face suddenly emerged.
When Mika opened his eyes in surprise, the man who noticed him put a finger to his mouth, gesturing not to make a sound.
Mika turned toward the door to confirm there was no guard in front of the room.
The man reached his hand through the window and dropped a piece of paper into the room.
Mika picked up the paper, shone light only on his hand with "Lighting Ball", and glanced through it.
(...Kistil.)
It was a letter from Kistil.
The fact that Mika had been taken to the church had already been conveyed to Cleiria by academy students who had witnessed it by chance.
True to her promise with Mika, Cleiria had immediately protected Kistil and Nerisfeene.
And Kistil was relying on Yaroibarov and was currently moving to gather information.
(Everyone... Thank you.)
They were already aware of the situation outside and were moving.
Now, there was nothing to fear.
If Nerisfeene, his greatest concern, was also being protected by the Leventein household, he just needed to gather information until he was satisfied.
Once he grasped the church's intentions, he could consider countermeasures after escaping.
Mika manifested [Physical Enhancement], jumped lightly, and grabbed the iron bars blocking the window.
The man at the window looked surprised for a moment, but quickly returned to a serious expression.
Mika manifested "Big Ear", paid maximum attention to the presence outside the room, and spoke to the man in a low voice.
"There are no guards in front of the door. If you are a little careful, it is safe to talk."
The man looked at the door for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"I was asked by 'Shuzen'. He just suddenly said such things, you know."
The man suddenly vented his complaints.
Mika could only smile bitterly.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault."
"It seems so. ...It seems like a disaster."
"Yes..."
Thus, Mika and the man shrugged at each other.
"You managed to climb up to such a place."
There were hardly any places to grab onto.
Even with Mika using "Low Gravity" and [Physical Enhancement], he was not sure if he could climb it.
Well, flying would certainly be faster.
"I'm good at this kind of thing. Here, take this."
Saying this, the man inserted a cloth bag through the iron bars.
"Bread, smoked meat, and fruit. I was asked to deliver them."
"Thank you. I was actually hungry."
"Surely... you didn't touch the meal prepared by those guys, did you?"
"Surely not..."
Mika received the cloth bag from the man.
Even through the cloth, he could smell the pleasant scent of smoked meat a little.
Suddenly, his stomach seemed to rumble.
"You knew I was here quite well."
There were other spires, and there was even the possibility he was being confined in a completely different place.
No matter how much they searched, it shouldn't be that easy to find him.
"Some girl pointed to this spire and told me. Well, it seems she didn't have any other leads. So I decided to try climbing up."
"A girl?"
"Yes, with fluffy hair like that."
It was Kistil.
But how did Kistil know he was here?
(Traced the red string?)
A maidenly thought floated up.
Red string...
His imagination sent a chill down his spine.
"I'm sorry, but I can't be found during the day. I can only deliver at night. If it gets discovered that I'm delivering, it would be troublesome, so I can't bring a day's supply."
"Yes, I understand. It is grateful that you can deliver even just one meal. With this, I can manage for a month."
"............Am I going to come deliver for a month?"
Seeing the man's genuinely disgusted face, Mika almost laughed.
"I'm sorry. I'm causing you trouble."
"Well, it's not your fault. It's those guys who messed with you that are bad."
Saying this, the man put on a serious face.
"Don't lose. Right now, the Information Broker Guild is also moving, investigating what the church is doing. Just a little more endurance, 'Dispeller'."
Mika nodded firmly at the man's words.
"Thank you."
"Alright. Well, see you tomorrow."
"Yes. Be careful."
The man quickly withdrew from the window.
The wall thickness was over thirty centimeters.
Mika could not see the man descending the wall.
(............Everyone is moving.)
Just thinking that made him feel so relieved.
Mika let go of the window and landed on the floor without making a sound.
Then he reached into the cloth bag and took out the bread.
White bread that smelled good, the kind he always ate at home.
A little warmth rose in the depths of his chest.
"I'll eat."
Muttering that, he took a bite of the fluffy, soft bread.
■■■■■■
[Capital City Istora, Royal Castle]
King Kelnirulus's private quarters. Early morning.
Kelnirulus was receiving a report from Nieslaza, an elderly maid who had visited for the first time in a while.
"An adventurer?"
"Yes."
When Kelnirulus asked back, Nieslaza nodded.
"Why is the church moving against an adventurer?"
"I do not know. I am currently contacting someone lying low in the Capital City Adventurer Guild. The details of that adventurer will be available tomorrow. For now, it should be enough to just inform your ears."
"Fum..."
Kelnirulus took a sip of tea and let out a breath of "Hou...".
He had grasped that the church was moving something big behind the scenes.
However, the details were completely unclear.
The tail he had finally grasped—
"Is that 'Dispeller' so important to the church?"
It seemed they were moving quite significantly for just one adventurer with a rather incomprehensible epithet.
Moreover, this was information connected even to the Pope.
Regardless of whether to use it or not, he wanted to grasp the details firmly.
The current king, Kelnirulus, was a devout follower of the Church of Light.
...Or so he claimed.
There was no good in denying a religion that almost all citizens believed in.
Then, he would just utilize it.
In the first place, a hundred years ago, they deceived with a foolish oracle and incited war.
If an oracle that said "destroy this country" was real, such a god was not a god.
It would be something belonging to mere "demon".
And if the oracle was fake, a god that left such things untouched was also not a god.
There was no use for an existence that tolerated the current situation.
Kelnirulus correctly understood that the current church was rotten.
Even so, he left it alone.
If he made a donation appropriately, they showed a cooperative attitude to some extent.
Then, he should just utilize them as much as possible.
After all, that donation was originally the church's money anyway.
He created a trading company to deal with the church and skimmed off a large portion.
Part of it was used for kickbacks, part was returned as donations.
The remainder was used as operating funds for Kelnirulus's organization.
Initially, the activities were funded by Kelnirulus's own pocket, but now the operating funds were covered by profits obtained from dealings with the church.
Rather, there was even surplus money every year, which was being pooled.
Originally, it was a trading company bought for information gathering, but an unexpected secondary effect had arisen.
"It would be interesting if it became material to squeeze the church... But surely it won't become that kind of material."
To Kelnirulus's muttering, Nieslaza answered nothing.
She waited silently for instructions.
"That adventurer... Is it a pity to let the church (those guys) eat him for free...?"
Leaning his elbow on the armrest and propping up his cheek, he pondered.
"Make him a sacrifice, or poison him... Forcing him to step on a religious image might be interesting too."
He might become a wedge driven deep into the depths of the church.
Kelnirulus straightened his posture and looked at Nieslaza.
"Not only the detailed information on that adventurer... It is fine to use the Information Broker Guild as well. Combine it with the information we hold, and grasp the details of the church's movements no matter what."
At Kelnirulus's command, Nieslaza quietly bowed her head.