Ch.154Chapter 154. The Calm Before the Storm (1)

Chapter 154. The Calm Before the Storm (1)

[UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode: Current situation of village near the capital.JPG

(Photo of an empty village with no people)

No demons or worshippers at all. Not just this village, but all villages are like this.

Since they left behind crops and livestock, Paladins who haven’t joined the MeleeSpy attack force or aren’t part of the tribal alliance could secretly come and take some?

(Photo of hens eating feed)

How about taking a chicken while we’re at it? They’re not infected and look healthy]

Good. Post completed.

“Urgh…!”

I laid the zombie I was controlling down in the corner of a house and returned to my totem. It’s so convenient that I can control it again just by maintaining the blessing without having to feed it or let it defecate.

Now, let’s check the comments.

– Comments –

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Oh Sans lol you’re doing well]

[ITrustedTheMonkeyMan: Go ahead with the house looting~!]

[LuluTV: Really craving some chicken soup]

ㄴ [CowBikiniDance: Should keep it as an egg layer for morning egg supplements]

[PetitNoa: The chicken is so cute!]

Nice. Five comments in such a short time makes me feel good. Is this the life of a celebrity?

“Did something happen? You look pleased.”

Lakye tilts his head.

– Hmm.

Something happening. Nothing special, just working on creating an “alibi.”

After almost having my identity discovered by Lakye and Hanna, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to manage “Sans,” my virtual persona, or rather, my alternate character.

It’s too late now to say “Actually, Sans is just an imaginary character I, Malak, created~” We’ve come too far for that. I needed to prove that Sans exists and is a Paladin.

The method I chose was “zombie control.”

Two days ago. After defeating the dark cloud demon, I took out the Asha zombie that had been locked up in the warehouse and controlled it all the way outside Symphonia.

I carefully went out at dawn and told the guards “I just wanted to practice this blessing for a bit,” and they let me go.

Since neither Lakye nor the possessed are in a position to hear reports from the guards, it’s a perfect crime.

With no demons, demon worshippers, or even demon sight anywhere, it was extremely convenient to move around. I had a free pass to an area a bit away from the capital.

After that, it was easy. I attacked a group of low-level demons and their worshippers who were camping because they hadn’t yet joined the capital.

After killing them all, I cast the “zombie control” blessing on a robust adult male worshipper who would now play the role of Sans.

Even after sending Asha back, I moved the zombie “Sans” to near the capital. I didn’t control it directly, just gave the order “go there.”

When I felt it had reached a suitable location, I possessed the zombie and logged into the community to post. Just like now.

[UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode: I am Lord Malak’s messenger, Lord Sans]

I wrote some random stuff and posted it. Immediately, I got a private message from Hanna.

Just like now.

[NotACatfish: What’s this]

[NotACatfish: I thought you don’t take photos]

[? When did I say that]

[I said selfies make me uncomfortable]

[NotACatfish: Suspicious]

[NotACatfish: Why are you suddenly posting after never posting before?]

[NotACatfish: And two posts at that]

Our suspicious Hanna. I knew you’d say that, so I prepared an excuse.

[I’m sharing information with you that I used to only send to Lord Malak]

[Lord Malak said I could share since we’re now officially cooperating with the possessed]

It’s a somewhat flimsy and convenient excuse, but not one that can be flatly rejected as nonsense.

Doubting me means doubting Malak, the god of this world. I decided to rely on the sturdy Malak shield.

[NotACatfish: Always Malak Malak Malak]

[NotACatfish: Then post a selfie now]

What’s with the selfie again. Is my face that interesting?

[Nope]

[NotACatfish: Did Lord Malak tell you not to post selfies?]

So sarcastic.

[I told you before. I don’t like showing my face online]

[NotACatfish: No]

[NotACatfish: I’m part of the tribal alliance now too]

[NotACatfish: How long are you going to hide? You don’t even come to headquarters, and you won’t send selfies.]

Translated, it means: “How long are you going to hide? You don’t even come to headquarters, and you won’t send selfies.”

She must be excited. So many typos. Is she creating a keyboard in the air to type on?

Or maybe she used voice recognition but spoke too quickly or imprecisely for it to recognize properly.

[Relax~ Take it easy~]

[NotACatfish: You’re joking now?]

[NotACatfish: Fine]

[NotACatfish: Don’t send it]

[NotACatfish: I’m not curious anymore]

[NotACatfish: I’ll just die fighting demons without ever knowing]

[Why would you die]

[NotACatfish: Dying would be faster anyway]

Tsk. She’s really upset. This friend really can’t control her emotions. Maybe today is that magical “time of the month”… that would be rude to assume.

Hanna tends to stay upset for quite a while once she gets mad. She probably won’t reply for some time.

[I’m saving my appearance for the joy of our reunion]

[Don’t make fun of me if I’m uglier than you thought]

I closed the message window.

When this is all over, when the time comes to pay the price of truth, it might be okay to reveal my identity.

But… how much should I reveal?

The truth that Malak and Sans are the same person, and that he is merely an ordinary possessed person chosen by the true Malak?

I might feel relieved saying that, but how would Hanna feel? And the others who learn the truth?

To discover that the god they believed in and followed with their lives was actually a possessed person. If it were me, I’d find it devastating and terrible.

…And how would Lakye react, who has followed me more devotedly than anyone else?

Would he try to tear me apart for daring to humiliate him as a mere ordinary human? Or would he stare at me with a betrayed expression before bursting into tears?

Just imagining either scenario makes my heart ache. It was all too clear that Lakye would be hurt if he learned this truth.

When the moment of truth comes, what should I do?

Ah, my head is getting complicated. Enough. Today’s thoughts end here. If I go any deeper, it’ll just become useless rumination.

I might stay up all night with pointless thoughts like I did when I was younger.

– It’s late. Lakye, go to bed.

At times like this, zoning out until falling asleep is best. My head will be clear in the morning.

“I’d like to sleep here tonight. Is that alright?”

Lakye hesitated as he stroked Totem #1.

– I don’t mind.

Lakye is sturdy, so he’ll be fine sleeping in this cold, hard place. I gave permission.

Just as I was about to turn off the community and try to sleep:

“…If you have concerns, you can confide in me. I am Lord Malak’s guardian, after all.”

Lakye whispered softly. He must have sensed my emotions.

Concerns, huh. You’re part of my concern, which makes it hard to share.

I can’t exactly ask, ‘Would you not kill me if you found out I’m not Malak but just his chosen proxy?’

– It’s not time yet.

The end of this war is approaching. Whether it’s a well-intentioned lie or a truth that might bring catastrophe.

When the time comes, I’ll have to choose one, whether I like it or not. But for now…

– Wait just a little longer. I’ll tell you then.

I should sleep.

“I can wait as long as needed. Because you’re Lord Malak.”

I fell asleep feeling Lakye’s warmth as he leaned against the totem.

***

“Let’s stop here for today. Everyone go home.”

Rachel, having finished all of today’s administrative work, stood up from her seat.

It’s proper for the leader to leave first so that subordinates don’t feel awkward about going home.

“Good work.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Have a good evening.”

The people who had been helping her with the work were happy about leaving on time.

“Phew.”

Rachel left the office and went outside. It was a bit chilly, probably because it was night.

“I’ll escort you.”

“It’s not that late. I’ll be fine today.”

Rachel gently declined the barbarian warrior’s escort.

The tribal alliance’s security had been strengthened because of the murderous Paladin. Unless someone was completely insane, they wouldn’t attempt any crime.

Rachel walked leisurely toward her residence. At least until she saw a man standing in front of her door.

“…?”

Rachel was startled at first, but upon closer inspection, she could relax. The man waiting for her in front of her house was the Paladin EunuchBro.

“Rachel.”

EunuchBro called Rachel’s name in a calm voice.

“What is it?”

Rachel, who had been slightly shaken by the voice she had waited for so long, asked curtly. It was revenge for being ignored for days.

“I didn’t have the courage to speak to you.”

EunuchBro slowly removed his helmet.

“I’ve… changed a lot. To the point where you might not recognize me.”

EunuchBro’s face was a mess of scars. There were scars that looked self-inflicted, and others that seemed to have come from fighting powerful enemies.

“Isn’t it an ugly sight?”

EunuchBro smiled sadly.