kscans

Chapter 140 - The Night's Secret Meeting.

Night.

We were in our hideout, discussing what to do next.

"Altorine’s request is an unofficial one, not sanctioned by the guild. It’s not a job for us, who hold A-rank titles from both the Kingdom and the Empire and the privilege that comes with it. I want to settle this as peacefully as possible."

To this, Tina replied, "If you’re going to say that, then we were out of line the moment we infiltrated. It’s a near miracle that prisoner hasn’t caused a commotion." She looked exasperated.

After we had returned to our hideout, we remembered the person we had forgotten. Honestly, I was half anxious, half relieved. I was relieved because he was prone to delusions, so no soldier would take him seriously. I was anxious because someone might find his story suspicious, investigate, and discover the truth.

"I know," I said. "That’s why, if we’re discovered, I want to make it so I was the only one who broke in. The idea of two intruders can be dismissed as his delusion."

At my words, Tina became furious. "What are you saying?! Do you think I’d be happy if you sacrificed yourself?!"

I answered calmly, "I know you wouldn’t be. But I can’t think of any other way. A single intruder can be written off as a lone wolf, but two could be seen as a conspiracy between our two nations."

Silence fell between us. Just then, we sensed a presence approaching.

"We’ll continue this later," Tina said, readying her weapon.

I did the same.

There was a knock from the other side of the door. "It’s the one who gave you the bouquet."

At those words, I opened the door. The person who entered was the nun we had met during the day.

"It’s been a while, you two."

"Have we met somewhere before?" I asked.

Tina had a similar look on her face.

"I am Sister Marial," the nun said, pouting slightly. "I was in the ‘Rodel the Flash’ party in the Kingdom."

Her words jogged my memory. The night we defeated the Kraken, she was the nun in Rodel’s party who had entered our room. She hadn't said anything, so she hadn't left much of an impression. She didn't have a plain face, but she was so quiet I hadn't noticed her.

While I was lost in thought, Tina said, "Ahem. So, what is your relationship with Altorine-san?" She forcibly moved the conversation forward.

"Of course," Marial replied. "Lady Altorine and I have no direct connection, but I am an acquaintance of the nun who serves as her attendant."

It was a convincing answer. With this arrangement, the risk of being discovered was low.

"I see," I said. "So, what information does she have?"

"Yes," Marial replied, her face grim. "About two hours ago, she was taken by the High Priestess to the research lab, where it was discovered that human experiments are being conducted. The test subjects are likely prisoners."

"Prisoners?!" Tina exclaimed. "No matter the circumstances, human experimentation should not be allowed."

It was a moral response. In the Church, as well as in other countries, inhumane acts were not committed against prisoners. Their human rights were protected by law. Even criminals couldn’t just be treated however one pleased.

"This is being done in secret," Marial said, looking down. "Of course, the prisoners have families, but they are told that their loved ones committed suicide in prison."

I felt the same way. What were they thinking?

"So, what is Altorine doing now?" I asked.

Knowing her, she couldn’t have remained calm after seeing that.

Marial said, "I do not know Lady Altorine’s current situation, but my friend said she passed the inquisitor on her way out of the room. So, probably…"

She didn’t say any more. It meant something terrible was being done to her. Even if she was faking it with the suggestion, it couldn’t be easy.

All Tina and I could do was pray for Altorine’s safety.


Altorine's Side

Shortly after she passed the information to her attendant, the inquisitor entered.

"Lady Altorine. It’s time for your education. Come to my special room."

At those words, she was led away.

The special room was empty except for a single chain hanging from the ceiling. She was bound by that chain, her hands and feet tied, her body in a straight line.

As she remained calm and emotionless, the inquisitor said, "Fufu. You’re so composed. It seems you didn’t understand your position in the research lab, so a little education is necessary.♡"

At her ominous words, Altorine asked, "May I ask something? Why am I still in my armor? Training while clothed is one thing, but training while wearing armor seems pointless." She asked with cold eyes. She was still in her knight’s armor.

"You asked that in the interrogation room, too, didn’t you?" the inquisitor replied. "The answer is simple. This is the best way to educate you without injuring you!"

With a cry, she struck the armor with a lunge whip with all her might. A loud paaaaan sound echoed.

Altorine was unharmed, but the impact reverberated through her body.

The inquisitor said gleefully, "This way, your body won’t be scarred. Well, the vibrations will still get to you, though!"

She screamed and struck her with the whip again and again. Each blow landed on the armor, but the sound and the impact instilled a small amount of fear in her. After a while, the whipping stopped. The inquisitor was smiling, catching her breath, while Altorine had her eyes closed, enduring.

"This wouldn’t be any fun otherwise," the inquisitor said. With a bewitching smile, she showed her ring and turned it off.

Altorine’s body grew hot, her breathing became ragged, and she began to suffer so much that she had to put her entire weight on the chains holding her hands. The inquisitor mercilessly continued to whip her. The impact on her heated body reverberated more than before. Her stoic expression crumbled, and she let out a scream.

"Yes! Yes! That scream is divine! Scream more!" the inquisitor cried, continuing her relentless assault with the whip.

Altorine’s screams echoed. The room was completely soundproof, so not a sound escaped.

This continued until about four in the morning.


??? Side

In a forest on the outskirts of the Church, there were three shadows. Lates the Thousand Poisons, Redorza the Sage, and Rumby the Fateweaver—the Seven Demon Lords who were secretly aiding the Church’s conspiracy.

"Sage-dono," Lates said, "Thank you for your hard work playing the role of a merchant."

To these words of appreciation, Redorza replied with a smile, "Not at all. I did say I would help with the matter in the Republic. This is nothing."

From their conversation, it was clear that the Seven Demon Lords were the ones who had sold the promotional agent to the High Priestess.

"However," Lates said, "to think that our investigation would lead to this. Humans are so simple, or perhaps obsessed."

To this cool assessment, Rumby added, "It’s true, isn’t it~~~? Why would they want something like that? Redorza, you were human once, weren’t you? Do you understand that sort of thing?"

To this question, Redorza replied, "I have to say I do. After all, I felt I needed it in my pursuit of magic. But in the end, I failed. By the time I obtained it, I was already like this." He answered with a self-deprecating tone.

"Hmmmm. I still don’t get it~~~," Rumby said. "Is this the difference between our species? What do you think, Lates?"

"Who knows," Lates replied. "I can’t say I understand either. However, this will certainly lead to an interesting turn of events. We’ve already investigated what will happen if the Pope obtains that. All that’s left is to sit back and watch."

The other two agreed.

Just then, a voice said, "Indeed. Any further intervention and they will become aware of our existence."

The three of them turned to the voice behind them. There stood Bamhal the Dragon King.

"Well, well, Lord Dragon King," Lates said. "Here to observe?"

"Something like that," Bamhal replied. "Also, there’s something I need to tell you. The others have taken an interest as well. They’ll be watching."

At these words, Redorza said, "Oh? So even the Corruptor is interested? In a way, the Pope’s plan is just her sort of thing. However, I’m concerned about those two. Why are they here?"

"I felt that as well," Lates said. "No information should have leaked to the Empire. Fateweaver-dono? Did you do something? Something like guiding fate?"

At this question, Rumby pouted. "I did not! I thought they would only get involved when the plan was complete. I’m just as surprised as you are that they’re here so early!" She turned away.

It seemed she hadn’t done anything.

Bamhal, who had been watching the exchange, said, "In any case, now that those two are involved, it’s unclear whether this plan will succeed. However, I cannot permit any intervention to ensure its success. Our policy this time is to be indirectly involved. We will only act directly when it’s time to destroy the evidence." His tone was serious.

To these words, Redorza replied with a smile, "Yes, I am well aware. To that end, the arrangements to destroy the evidence—the promotional agent—have been made. My synthesized Undead will be sent in after their research enters its final stage and is complete."

"Synthesized Undead, is it?" Lates said. "I have to ask, can you control it? From what I’ve heard, you’ve mixed in quite a lot."

To this concern, Redorza replied, "No problem. To solve that issue, Lord Thousand Poisons, I used the results of your experiment."

At these words, Lates was satisfied. It was true that if that was used, it could be controlled. He didn’t know what was used, but it must be usable.

In the darkness, the four of them smiled faintly.