kscans

Chapter 141 - The Gathering and the Long-Awaited Wish.

Three days later, at noon, a meeting was held on the top floor of the Church headquarters, in a room accessible only to the Pope and the High Priests.

The blonde High Priestess announced, "Your Holiness, it is finally complete."

At her words, the Pope replied, "So, it is done. It has been a long time coming, indeed." He smiled faintly.

This was the news the Pope had most wanted to hear, the words he had longed for. He laughed madly, his eyes devoid of sanity.

The brown-haired High Priest asked, "However, have you conducted clinical trials?"

To this question, the blonde High Priestess replied, "There is no problem. We have conducted multiple experiments. All were successful. Of course, we will use the test subjects for future experiments." She wore a wicked smile.

The benefits of the new drug were for the Pope alone. No one else was worthy of them. However, it would be a waste to kill them. So, they would conduct various experiments. Fortunately or unfortunately, the effects of the new drug made them difficult to kill.

"Fufufu. A truly wonderful sound," the Pope said, his eyes filled with anticipation. "So? When can we begin?"

"Whenever you wish," the blonde High Priestess replied.

"Oh! Is that so? Then let us begin at once," the Pope said, standing up.

Just then, the white-haired High Priest, who had been observing, said, "In that case, shall we bring the Knight Commander? Her turn has come."

"Not yet," the Pope replied. "I want her to see the whole thing in the research lab, but that would be a little boring. Have the inquisitor bring her when I have successfully transformed and she can see my new form."

The white-haired High Priest saluted at this command.

Just then, the Cardinal, who had also been observing, said, "Then, Your Holiness, let us proceed at once. Everyone is waiting."

"Oh, is that so? Then let us go at once. Make sure you don’t miss the moment of the century," the Pope said, standing up cheerfully.

The five of them headed to the research lab.

There, numerous researchers were lined up, taking care not to block the path to the central flask.

When the Pope stood before the flask, the blonde High Priestess said, "Then, Your Holiness, we will administer the new drug at once." She produced a syringe filled with a shimmering golden liquid. The Pope nodded and held out his right arm. The High Priestess injected the drug without hesitation.

When the injection was complete, the High Priestess said, "Now, please enter this. The liquid will protect you until your body has stabilized. Rest assured, there is a mask for breathing." She pointed to a path leading to the top of the flask.

The Pope proceeded without question. When he reached the top, a platform suspended by ropes descended. He stepped onto it, and it lowered him into the flask. When he reached the bottom, the platform retracted, and a mask connected to a tube descended in its place.

As soon as he put on the mask, a large amount of green liquid began to flow in. The flow was weak, but it came from all sides, so the flask was filled in an instant.

Watching this, the Cardinal muttered to himself, so that no one could hear, "So, it’s finally time."


Altorine's Side

She was currently suspended in the special room. Officially, she was in her office, working, with strict orders that no one be allowed to enter. Her breathing was ragged, and her armor was scuffed in several places. It was easy to imagine what had been done to her.

"Fufu," the inquisitor said. "You’ve finally become obedient.♡ If you hadn’t, my position as your tutor would be in jeopardy." She caressed Altorine’s chin like a cat.

Altorine, looking somewhat weary, asked, "May I ask something? Why are you doing this?"

"How many times have you asked that? I’ve heard it quite a lot, you know. But I can’t tell you.♡ The High Priestess has ordered me to keep it a secret until it’s complete. But… since your education ends today, I’ll give you a hint. My job is to make sure you don’t offer any useless resistance." She replied with a bewitching smile.

This answer was what she had expected. She had asked many times and had come to understand. However, at some point, she realized why they were doing this to her. When she heard the reason, she was filled with a sense of disgust and revulsion.

"Oh? What are you thinking about?" the inquisitor said. "Your face says ‘unpleasant.’ This calls for more education!"

With her cry, the sound of the whip and screams echoed once more.


Shinsuke's Side

Night.

For the past three days, there had been no progress in Altorine’s case. She had asked the inquisitor several questions, but none of them had yielded any useful information. Just when I thought we were at our wit’s end, a certain person contacted her and she learned the truth of the matter. Honestly, I understood why they were doing it, but I couldn't see what would come after.

The Pope’s objective, the true nature of the new drug, Altorine’s treatment—all these things were connected in a way that was significant enough to tie them all together.

When the streets grew quiet and everyone was asleep, I said, "Well, from here on out, if we don’t win, there’s no future for us. What has my life become, to be throwing myself into such a battle?"

I was seriously forced to reconsider my life.

Beside me, Tina said, "If you say that, I’ll start thinking the same thing. No matter how much we can’t overlook what’s happening, this isn’t a case an adventurer should be involved in." She sighed.

To her, I said, "Are you regretting it? Being with me."

"Regret? I have none," Tina replied. "My previous opinion was that of an adventurer. As an individual, I have no hesitation in acting to help the one I love and our friend. Besides, as I said two days ago, please stop trying to send me to a safe place. Please do not tarnish my resolve." Her eyes were straight and true.

"I see," I said. "I won’t say any more. By the way, I was surprised to hear that prisoner hasn’t been making a fuss. I thought it must have been a mistake." I forcibly changed the subject.

That prisoner, the nuisance we ran into when we infiltrated. After that, the man hadn’t caused any trouble or done anything. When Marial asked him about it, he had replied, "Last night? I feel like something happened, but nothing."

It seemed the stun gun had been too powerful and had wiped his memory. It was a silver lining in an unfortunate situation.

"That’s right," Tina said. "I’m glad that’s one less thing to worry about. Still, to think that person was the informant. They must have really disliked it."

I could agree with that. No matter what your superior orders, there are things you should and shouldn’t do. How many people are there who can discern that and speak up? In a way, they are a rare existence.

As I was thinking this, Marial appeared before us. "Preparations are complete. This way."

She led us to the knights’ garrison next to the Church headquarters.

There, about thirty knights in full armor stood, awaiting orders.

One of them said, "We have been briefed by Sister Marial. Let us rescue our commander and protect the peace of this country." He held out his hand.

"There’s only so much I can do," I said, "but I will do my utmost." I shook his hand.

Marial, who had been watching the exchange, said, "Then I will explain the plan. First, the knights will divide into three groups. One will rescue Lady Altorine and apprehend the Pope and the three High Priests. The second will seize control of the research lab. The third will seal all entrances and exits to the Church and let no one pass."

"And, Shinsuke-san and Tina-san, as soon as you have broken Lady Altorine’s suggestion, please head to the research lab. The reason for this is that it is paramount that the nation’s leader be captured by the knights. Also, there may be hidden rooms, so your skills, Shinsuke-san, will be effective. Any questions?"

At these words, one of the knights said, "Um, I’m on the team sealing the entrances. If a trustworthy soldier appears, should we still not let them in?"

To this question, Marial replied, "What we are doing is treason. Even if it’s a friend or someone you trust, I don’t want to increase the possibility of a one percent chance of disrupting the operation. Do you have anything to say?"

The knight shook his head.

That’s right, this was treason. Even if the Pope was committing atrocities, picking a fight with the nation’s leader without solid evidence was forbidden. However, to gather evidence, we had to go to the research lab, and security was tight. Even if we launched a concentrated attack and obtained evidence, if the Pope claimed it was the High Priests’ own doing, the matter would be settled. After that, they would carry out their plans quietly and cunningly. That’s why it had to be now.

If we could catch the Pope after he had taken the drug, when he was ecstatic and in a situation he couldn’t talk his way out of, we could capture him.

Tonight was our best and last chance.

Seeing that there were no other questions, Marial declared, "Then, let the operation begin."


The clock turns back slightly.

The staff and High Priests in the research lab wore expressions of shock. The central flask had suddenly begun to bubble.

The frothing was so intense it resembled water boiling at over ninety degrees.

The people around them were in a panic. The Pope was inside. If he died, a thousand executions wouldn’t be enough to atone for their crime. As they stood there in confusion, a shadow leaped from the flask.

The researchers and High Priests followed it with their eyes. As the shadow landed, its form became clear.

One hundred and eighty centimeters tall. Short red hair. Bare-chested with cloth trousers. A medium build, but he didn’t seem weak. This was because the aura and magic power radiating from his body were so immense that the onlookers watched with bated breath.

The man who had emerged from the flask said, "Kukuk. Hahahahahahahaha! I’m back! I’m back! My youth and power have returned! My hair is back! My skills! My magic! I can use them as much as I want!"

He laughed triumphantly, ecstatic that his dream had come true.

This was Pope Aleister.