Chapter 236 - Chapter 235: Agreement with the Soiree
The second month of Water, the fourth week, Tuesday.
A refreshing morning in the Royal Capital that felt like spring.
Under such a blue sky,
"Hey, you! Wait right there!"
Mika was playing with Fee on the roof of the Great Cathedral.
He reached out to catch Fee, who floated up with a fuyo fuyo sound, but Fee quickly dodged.
Mika, with the "Absorb Wing" active on his back, flew freely through the air, chasing after Fee.
Below, the main thoroughfare was overflowing with people. Many pointed at Mika, gazing at him, or praying.
This was one of the Church's propaganda efforts.
It was an impression operation suggesting that the "Apostle" sent by the gods was watching over the Church, and that they were with the will of the gods.
Mika, suspected of using [Divine Wrath] against the nation, was in the position of being under the custody of the Crown Prince. His punishment was merely suspended, a delicate situation.
In other words, as long as the Crown Prince didn't cut ties with Mika, he could be considered almost safe.
However, Mika did not trust the Crown Prince at his core, so he decided to secure another backing, a backbone.
That was the Church.
Mika had officially asked the Church for backup.
If the Church made the believers believe that their relationship with the "Apostle" was good, the believers who had drifted away would return.
For Mika, using a religion that nearly all citizens believed in as a backing meant he could make them think, "If pushed, I might incite them?"
He was in the process of creating a situation where the nation, the Crown Prince, and the Church all eyed each other warily.
In fact, since it came out that the former Pope had done whatever he pleased, the Church had been in a very difficult situation.
It seemed donations had dropped drastically.
Well, people didn't donate just to fund the gluttonous priests' drinking and eating or their debauchery.
It was only natural that a chorus of "You bastards, give us our money back" arose.
Mika had played a part in restoring the Church's credit.
Incidentally, the "Miracle of the God of Light" that lit up the sky of the Royal Capital was apparently blamed on Mika recently.
It wasn't me...
(Well, there is parental responsibility, isn't there?)
Thinking such things, Mika moved his hands quickly, but Fee circled around to his back.
Since the propulsion power was wind-based, it couldn't move with agility in the air.
Still, if he said, "I can catch you on the ground?", that wasn't quite right either.
Maybe he was seriously doubting that Fee could really move at the speed of light.
"Apostle-sama! It's time!"
A person from the Church called out to Mika from the highest window of the Great Cathedral.
It seemed his part-time job for today was over.
"Hey, let's go home."
After calling out to Fee, Mika headed toward the window of the Great Cathedral.
Before he knew it, Fee was sitting on Mika's left shoulder.
As expected, you're fast, hey.
"Thank you for your hard work, Apostle-sama."
When Mika entered through the window, about ten men and women knelt respectfully to welcome him.
These people were entrusted with taking care of Mika by the Pope and Kifrod as particularly devout individuals.
They were fanatics who would say with a smile, "I can die for the 'Apostle' sent by the gods."
An upgraded version of the "Smiling Virgin Mary" (Radi).
...No, are they the same type?
Incidentally, the Pope was still Blahoslav.
The King had said he would dismiss the Pope, but actual dismissal requires procedure.
He had ordered the dismissal procedure at that scene, but it seemed the procedure had not been carried out.
Therefore, it became a situation where the "Apostle" (Mika) had designated the next Pope while the papal seat was not vacant.
In that case, naturally, that too was invalid.
In the end, nothing had changed.
Mika took off the white robe he was wearing and received the academy's robe.
This white robe was the uniform of the Al-Bait.
It seemed to be part of the performance as the "Apostle" sent by the gods.
Mika descended the stairs of the Great Cathedral and entered the chapel.
He had gotten somewhat used to the fanatics trailing behind him in a long line.
At first, he was quite unsettled.
"Fee."
When Mika spoke to Fee on his shoulder, Fee vanished with a suu sound.
Kifrod, noticing Mika entering the chapel, called out to him.
"Oh, Mika. You've worked hard."
"No, I was just playing."
If this level of activity counts as impression management, it's a bargain.
"Are you going to the academy now?"
"Hmm... I have a separate matter. I intend to drop by the academy after that."
Mika scratched his cheek vigorously.
Currently, Mika was in a state of free attendance.
Having obtained the position of being under the Crown Prince's custody, he was not required to attend the academy.
Originally, Mika had achieved outstanding grades at the academy and had also left significant achievements on the battlefield.
"Does this guy even need to attend the academy?" was a natural question.
Therefore, a special exception was granted: "I will try to show my face as much as possible, but if I have other things to do, I'll prioritize those."
The Academy Director (Maurice) was on the Crown Prince's side anyway.
Mika exited from the back entrance of the Great Cathedral and headed to the dilapidated house in District 3.
The fanatics in charge returned to their usual duties at the Great Cathedral.
Those people only accompanied Mika when it was related to the Church.
Otherwise, Mika would find them annoying.
Recently, the Pope had told him that they were trying to give names to those people in charge.
The strongest candidate was the 'Communion Squad'.
It seemed these people themselves were the offering for the "Apostle" sent by the gods.
This is different from the 'Communion' I know...
Mika was moving around to solidify his position, but actually, not many people knew that Mika was the "Apostle" sent by the gods.
He had flown wildly across the battlefield, but that was just the "Apostle".
There were almost no ordinary knights or soldiers who knew of Mika the academy student.
It was the same with the Church part-time job.
Mika entered and exited the Great Cathedral as an ordinary child, through the front or back entrance.
Everyone thought he was just an acquaintance of Kifrod, the Pope, or the Cardinal.
Well, maybe they thought he was some spoiled rich kid.
If smartphones were widespread, people would be snapping photos of him flying around and uploading them to the internet, but such things didn't exist in this world.
Thanks to that, the information that Mika = "Apostle" sent by the gods hadn't spread easily just because he was seen a little.
Basically, people just came to pray, saying, "How wonderful~."
So, those who knew knew, but the general public didn't know.
That was the situation.
"We kept you waiting."
When Mika entered the dilapidated house, the people inside stood up.
Inside were Adelriese and Nozzemueller, the representative of the Underground Magic Tool Association.
And then,
"It's been a while."
When Mika spoke, two of the men smiled bitterly, and another one made a face like he had chewed on a bitter fruit.
"I never thought we would meet again like this."
One of the men smiling bitterly said softly.
This man is the master of a bar in District 4.
Yes.
The master of the shop where Mika was lent a house during the fake "Dispeller" incident.
He serves as an executive in the Assassin Guild, and his name is Yusubart.
So he was an executive of the Assassin Guild after all.
No wonder I thought he had a dignified presence.
The man sitting next to the master was the contact of the Information Broker Guild who had helped Mika during the fake "Dispeller" incident.
His name was Lebrantes.
"You've made quite a name for yourself, haven't you? Hey, 'Dispeller'-san."
"Is this what you call making a name for yourself?"
So, the two of them laughed together.
Mika turned his head with a gloomy expression and spoke to the man on the side.
"I'm happy to meet you again."
The man who was told this made his face even more gloomy.
This man is Delivery.
He was the man who delivered food and information when Mika was imprisoned in the Church's spire.
"......Stop talking to me already, I told you."
The man muttered quietly, but Mika smiled brightly at him.
His name seems to be Efmont.
When Mika gestured with his hand, everyone sat down.
Mika also took his seat and slowly looked around at everyone.
"Well, I assume you all have your opinions. Shall we get straight to the point?"
When Mika said that, Nozzemueller nodded.
"We have been in a cooperative relationship with the Apostle-sama since before. We have no objections."
Mika made a slightly awkward face at Nozzemueller's words but nodded.
I'd rather you stop calling me Apostle-sama though.
"What about the Information Broker Guild?"
When Mika brought up the topic, Lebrantes nodded.
"We would like to confirm a bit more deeply... but generally, we agree. The parts that need to move are already moving."
Mika nodded at Lebrantes' words and turned his gaze to the master.
"As for the Assassin Guild, we generally agree. Originally, we had no intention of turning against the 'Dispeller'. Even before receiving this proposal, we received a request, but it seems we refused it."
"A request? Where?"
"In the branch of the Seven Duchies Federation. The man who likely came to make the request was probably an agent. It seems we couldn't trace the actual client."
"I see."
A request to assassinate the "Dispeller" in the Seven Duchies Federation?
Now that I think about it, wasn't there talk of a woman named Humus, who put a three billion bounty on Mika's head, coming from the Seven Duchies Federation?
Could there be a connection?
It's a bit concerning, but let's focus on this for now.
Mika looked at Delivery.
Delivery made a gloomy face but nodded to Mika.
"The Thieves' Guild has no objection either... Seriously, why am I the one being sent as a messenger? Talk to the executives."
"I'm the messenger too. Well, just give up on it."
Lebrantes, also a messenger, soothed the dissatisfied Delivery.
These two were not executives in their respective guilds.
They were just members.
But meeting Mika was their stroke of luck.
As a request from the legendary Apostle and the "Dispeller", they were selected as the person in charge.
"If you use the connections with me, becoming an executive isn't a dream, you know? But if you go too far with your pranks, I'll come beat you up."
"I don't want to become an executive! I want to work quietly and secretly!"
Delivery sulked, but the master's eyes turned slightly cold.
"I understand you are confused by the suddenness, but let's settle down soon. If you like, I can help you 'settle down'."
Even though it was getting warmer, the master's breath seemed to turn white, so cold was he.
Seriously, what do you mean by helping me "settle down"!
"I have asked you to come here against your will, so please don't blame me too much. ...Efmont-san, please."
When Mika said that, Delivery let out a deep sigh and nodded.
Of course, there was a reason for gathering representatives and proxies from each guild in this place.
Mika had decided to form a cooperative system with the Soiree.
To take the situation where the Crown Prince and the Church were checking each other and add the Soiree to create an even more complex situation.
More specifically, if the nation tried to force anything, the three parties would cooperate.
Currently, the forces surrounding Mika were Marquis Leventein, the nation, the Crown Prince, and the Church.
By involving the Soiree, he would create a situation of five-way standoff, where none could move carelessly.
Of course, he had no intention of provoking a fight willingly.
But whether it was power or violence, if anyone tried to do something to Mika, they would be attacked from all directions.
That was the state he intended to create.
He hadn't used Gaeras as a link with the Information Broker Guild because Gaeras might have other things to do.
If so, he had decided to have the contact point prepare a dedicated channel instead.
(This is more troublesome than ever...)
He couldn't help but think that.
The full strength of this country.
He would have to deal with both the surface and the back.
But he had become unable to stay unrelated to such powers that he had intentionally avoided until now.
Even if Mika didn't want to get involved, they would come at him on their own and tie him up.
Then, there was no choice.
He would have to use overwhelming violence and the political power of both the surface and the back to the fullest to protect his own freedom.
It was a somewhat constrained freedom, but he would have to accept it.
Mika listened to the opinions of each guild and nodded.
"Well, since we have a general agreement, let's form an agreement."
Although called an agreement, the content was a security treaty.
What security was being guaranteed?
It was from threats against Mika.
If Mika went berserk for real, destruction would be inevitable even for underground organizations.
The current Soiree was already facing a threat where they could be destroyed just by Mika suspecting, "Are they enemies?"
Therefore, if unfounded suspicions were dispelled and a state of constant discussion was created, they would feel safe.
However, if Mika took actions that raised suspicion, the agreement would be voided immediately, and annihilation actions would be taken.
Therefore, they must watch each other closely within the Soiree so as not to get caught in the crossfire... a threat, I mean, a pre-confirmation.
Such an unequal treaty, but the Soiree swallowed it almost whole.
Why did it come to this?
It was because Mika was an overwhelmingly and despairingly strong individual.
A human weapon who had destroyed an army of seventy thousand alone.
There seemed to be no flower fields in the Soiree that thought they could win against Mika, who flew around the battlefield and killed imperial soldiers.
Also, Mika was in a cooperative relationship with the Crown Prince, a national power, and the Church, the largest domestic force.
Facing them properly, even bringing about a mutual destruction seemed hopeless.
Of course, Mika had weaknesses.
Kistil, Nerisfeene, and the people of Rish Village.
So, could they win against Mika by taking those people as hostages?
Mika thought, "I can't abandon them," but the upper echelons of each guild did not judge so.
If Mika were to cut off those people, all that would remain was the fact of "hostility."
Therefore,
- Do not take hostile actions against Mika
- Cooperate with Mika's requests as much as possible
They agreed to form an agreement.
Well, since it was only to cooperate as much as possible, they could refuse.
If they refused,
"Oh, you're taking that attitude, huh. Hmm."
That was all, a surprisingly gentle agreement.
I don't know what happens after that.
Currently, the Information Broker Guild had been asked to control information related to Mika.
When Lebrantes said, "It's already moving," that was what he meant.
They were to stop the information that Mika = "Dispeller" = Alchemist = "Apostle" sent by the gods from spreading recklessly.
Also, if anyone tried to search for this information, their movements would be reported to Mika.
If they just searched a little, it would be ignored, but if someone tried to search seriously, all their information would be reported to Mika.
They would investigate why they were searching and their background.
The Assassin Guild and the Thieves' Guild were not specifically asked to do anything, but if anyone took hostile actions, a report would come.
Well, if there was a request to assassinate Mika or to steal "Orichalcum" from the rumored alchemist, the whole information would reach Mika.
Next, maybe we should send a scary big brother from the Assassin Guild as a punishment unit.
To create the effect that various misfortunes happen if you investigate Mika.
It wouldn't be bad if the things carefully hidden were broken or disappeared.
It seems there is a curse if you touch the Cursers.
Mika received the agreement papers handed to him by each person and checked them briefly.
With this, the three guilds with particularly great influence in the Soiree and the Underground Magic Tool Association had formed an agreement with Mika.
That said, such a thing didn't have much meaning.
It wasn't legally binding.
And the other party knew that too.
There was probably no one so naive as to think they were truly safe with just a piece of paper like this.
They needed to continue showing that they were cooperative to Mika through their future actions.
"Please control the Soiree. ...Please, make sure there are no unfortunate accidents."
When Mika said this in a restrained voice, everyone nodded with serious expressions.
Thus, the secret meeting was dissolved.
Mika received cloth from Adelriese, who was the only one left.
"I've been trying various [Enchantments] with the cloth you brought, but it seems a bit difficult to spread the effects of [Enchantment] evenly on this state of 'Orichalcum'."
"Oh my, is it no good?"
Mika pulled and crumpled the cloth he received.
Oh, it doesn't wrinkle at all?
Maybe I can make a shape-memory shirt?
But even if the fabric is made, now the [Enchantment] won't work well, huh.
One trouble passes, and another begins.
Well, actually, one trouble hasn't even passed yet.
"Many experiments have failed... Can't you get more of this cloth?"
"Ah... it will take some time. That side is having trouble right now too."
Mika shrugged and shook his head.
This cloth was made of pure "Orichalcum" from the thread he had given to Amalia.
Amalia had succeeded in creating "Orichalcum" fabric using a loom.
He had given the resulting fabric to Adelriese and had her conduct experiments on strength and impact resistance, but it seemed the [Enchantment] wasn't working as intended.
"I don't know how you made this cloth, but can't you teach me the method?"
"This is... a bit of a secret. Well, even if I told you, I don't think you could make something of this quality."
Amalia was a top-class artisan as a weaver.
Loretta also seemed to have quite a talent; she wasn't as good as Amalia, but she wove high-quality "Orichalcum" fabric.
Hehe.
(But the loom itself doesn't last...)
It seemed to be putting stress on various parts, and the loom intended for "Orichalcum" had broken.
Both Amalia and Loretta had broken theirs.
Since it seemed ordinary looms wouldn't work, they were currently producing a special loom reinforced with metal in various parts.
The cost for the loom lent to Horatio was two million Rats per unit.
That was for two units.
And the custom-made loom currently being produced was twelve million Rats per unit.
That was also for two units.
A total expenditure of twenty-eight million Rats.
Incidentally, the custom-made loom was this price with the express fee.
Normally, it would take three months for four million Rats, so he asked them to do it in one month by paying triple.
They naturally said it was unreasonable, but he had asked them to try their best to make it.
He asked Adelriese to wait a bit longer and just keep making the thread.
Even if robes and vests could be made, it would be meaningless if the [Enchantment] didn't work well.
He wanted to let her experiment as much as possible, but this couldn't be helped.
"Well, please wait a little longer. Once it's ready, I'll make them in bulk."
"I understand. Then, let's prioritize making the bracelets for everyone."
"Please do."
After a brief discussion with Adelriese, he headed to the academy.
He arrived before noon and went straight to the cafeteria.
"Let's eat."
In the cafeteria where no one else was yet, he clasped his hands and had lunch a bit early.
While eating like that,
"Mika..."
"Ho ho."
Cleiria muttered in disbelief, watching Mika eating lunch alone.
"Hehehe... from the morning... ho ho ho... (various things happened)..."
"No, you don't have to talk. Just eat. We'll bring ours too."
Mesaraito retorted to Mika, who was making excuses while stuffing his mouth.
And thus, everyone gathered for lunch.
Although the war with Gronoir was still ongoing, there were no food restrictions for now.
There had been a soft restriction for a while, but that had already been lifted.
Mika finished eating and took a break while drinking water.
"...Is Paraleira still wandering around?"
"Yeah, the dorm mother wants you to know. This morning."
Somehow, hearing that Mika was wandering around outside reminded Mesaraito to pass on the message from the mother.
It seemed Paraleira's wandering habit hadn't subsided yet.
She seemed to return every day, but no one knew what she was doing.
Since she wouldn't answer even when asked, it seemed the mothers were getting a bit worried.
(Hmm... really, what is she doing?)
I even told the mothers, "Please tell me if anything happens."
She's an adult, so maybe it's okay to leave her be.
(Should I just check what she's doing?)
Mika drank a sip of water and thought such things.