Ch.328The World’s NPCs in an Uproar (3)

Using a carriage now isn’t because I think our group can’t keep up with my pace, or because we have too much time on our hands. Rather, this is something I’m doing because Ragni, the smartest among us, requested it.

“Find one and they’re crawling everywhere. What are these things, really? Not cockroaches, at least.”

“Urgh…”

*Thud.*

[-Occupation: Holy Nation Zealot- Level: 96 (Deceased)]

[-Occupation: Holy Nation Zealot- Level: 79 (Deceased)]

[-Occupation: Holy Nation Zealot- Level: …… (Deceased)]

After discussing with the Dean and sharing information about the priestess who had been a former saint, Ragni told me about a woman named Fiana Crystal and made one request with certainty.

[She said that woman consumed one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but she had eaten another saint before that. I’ve never hoped more that my predictions were wrong, but I can’t just look away from this. Jack, please, can you do this for me?]

She asked me to prioritize meeting Ira, but on the way back, to travel more leisurely, as if taking a journey by carriage. At first, I thought she was trying to trick me, leaving me behind while she handled everything herself, but she said if I thought that way, she could just ‘order’ me to tell only the truth.

[The Empire doesn’t have a state religion, but it has adopted many doctrines from the Holy Nation since ancient times. Naturally, they’ve accepted many priests as well. I don’t think all of them are monsters like the one I faced here, but I can’t rule out the possibility that they’re pawns of those monsters.]

So now that the Empire’s leadership has completely joined hands with the Holy Nation, there’s a high possibility that they’re abducting humans in many imperial territories to ‘feed those monsters.’ Moreover, they’re likely targeting humans with high magical power or those with [Skills] as priorities, and she asked if I could act as ‘bait.’

Honestly, I was surprised. Not so much that Ragni had noticed this possibility, but that she had confronted and killed [-Holy Nation’s Manufactured Saint- Fiana Crystal].

In the game, [Fiana Crystal] appeared as an early ally in ep.7 and served as a mid-boss character who was both a guide and a betrayer. But in the game, she had merely absorbed an ordinary(?) high-level demon. Regarding the incredible recovery ability Ragni mentioned, in the game she was just a mid-boss divided into three phases, barely above mob level. The difference between what I knew and what Ragni described was enormous. Of course, when I told Ragni, who had mentioned her past life, about this:

[I told you I was a boss in Story 5, right? So someone appearing two story chapters later… maybe I sensed she could be that strong?]

After thinking to herself and nodding, Ragni concluded that since the opponent was dead, there was no reason to dwell on it further. She asked me again to draw out and cut down the Holy Nation priests who were abducting people in the Empire to feed to that woman or similar beings. Honestly, since it wasn’t Ragni’s own business, I wanted to refuse, but…

[…You won’t do it?]

With her red eyes glistening and her head tilted, in a manner that could only be interpreted as deliberate coquetry, I ended up agreeing. And as a result, now…

“Master. I’ve cleared all the surrounding ones.”

“As Jack said, we let those who tried to flee in different directions go with just enough injuries. They won’t be able to abduct anyone with those wounds.”

“Big brother~! I found the people! They were in the church basement!”

“Peep~!”

“Yeah. Good job everyone, we’re done here too.”

About two days after leaving Muller territory. Before reaching another large territory, we stopped at a village church where Rey deliberately showed his face to lure the Holy Nation people. We then crushed them in reverse and are now gathering them in the forest. Ira could probably fight too, but I didn’t want to put her in danger, so I asked her to search the empty church while we lured the enemies away. And sure enough, it seems quite a few people had been abducted.

“Ira, how were the people’s conditions?”

“They were all tied up, hungry and exhausted, so I gave them water and food from the carriage! Some were injured, so I gave them potions too. Oh, no one was dead!”

“Is that so? As expected of my sister. You know what to do without being told, huh?”

“Ehehe.”

I don’t want my sister to take lives or see such scenes if possible, but the world is in this state, and things are only going to get worse, not better. Gore said Ira had already fought against Holy Nation priests and didn’t hesitate to attack them. But honestly, I was worried she might get scared or turn pale at the sight of fallen people, but it seems my concern was unnecessary.

After Gore dissolved and erased the bodies of about 30 Holy Nation priests, nearly level 100, who had tracked us down, we returned to the village. We gave necessary supplies to the people near the carriage and listened to their stories.

“…As you may know, the Empire is currently at war. Many young people from our village were conscripted for the battlefield, when suddenly priests appeared, claiming we were heretics who didn’t respond to the nation’s call, and that if we wanted to repent, we should help them.”

“We had no ability to resist armed priests, so we followed along, waiting for our lord’s salvation. But they suddenly took some villagers to the church, imprisoned them, and began moving them somewhere.”

“Yes, quite a few were taken. I was among the first to be imprisoned, but being older, I kept getting pushed back in line. They consistently moved the relatively younger people. Where they were taken, I have no idea…”

In the game, the Empire was safer than any other country. Under the illusory reign created by the Queen, the imperial citizens suffered the least from the demon invasion of the continent. But now, Ragni isn’t the Queen, and only Aigram has directly experienced the Seven Deadly Sins’ invasion, yet the Empire’s suffering is far greater.

It’s just my guess, but are the demons trying to resolve the situation of fewer deaths than expected on the continent by using the Empire’s citizens? If so, I might be somewhat responsible for changing the course of this world… but no, that’s not right. It’s those bastards who are evil, not me for trying to survive. If this were my fault, it would mean Ira should have died, and if anyone dares say that’s true, I’ll bury them on the spot.

After listening to their stories, I told them that Muller territory was safe and that they could receive decent treatment if they relocated there. Then we set off again. After all, the living must go on living.

In this way, we deliberately visited villages with churches, luring the enemies and crushing them one by one. After about a week, we started getting attacked by Holy Nation people even on the roadside, not just near churches.

[-Occupation: Holy Nation Zealot Priest- Level: 132 (Deceased)]

“The attackers’ levels are getting higher. They must have determined we’re dangerous. Yet they still come after us?”

“Isn’t that precisely why, sir? Even their powerful priests are being killed by the magical beings here—three of us. Considering what Ragni said and what happened in Muller territory, Ira, myself, and Rey must be sacrifices they can’t afford to miss.”

“Maybe they think they have to win no matter what since they’ve already taken losses? Like those people at Aigram’s casinos who keep playing after losing money?”

“Huh? Brother, did you go to a casino with big sis in Aigram? When? Hmm? Brother~?”

Haha, Rey’s bringing up unnecessary things again! As Ira starts getting curious about casinos, I try to change the subject by asking how she knows about such establishments. She says it was the place she used to contact me from Natie. Ah, come to think of it, we rented a crystal ball there, right? Haha! I guess this is mostly my fault!

“Big sis Ragni told me it’s not a good place and I shouldn’t go alone. She said I should only go if I hear from you or if it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Mm, Ragni’s right about that. But the reason your brother went there was to meet Teacher Green Stone.”

“Eh? Teacher Green Stone was there?”

“…Ah? Yes! That’s right. I met the elf teacher there!”

[…Since your occupation changed, your mind has become sharper, and so have your lies.]

Gore, shut up. When I give a slight warning look to Gore, who suddenly spoke through my status window, she smiles slightly and carries Ira in her arms as she heads back to the carriage. Damn, I’m worried Rey and Gore might really catch me in a lie someday.

Sigh, we should move quickly since there seems to be a village ahead. But is there no church there? These attacks even at night are getting annoying.

“Unfortunately, there is one. If necessary, shall we strike first? Rey and I can enter the church, and if they try to abduct anyone, we’ll crush them.”

“Me too! I don’t want just the big sisters to go!”

“Ira, you can’t. Either guard the inn with your brother or stay at the inn with Gore. Sigh, I’ve developed MP too, but can’t they sense my magic?”

“Even if Jack says that…”

“Unfortunately, I can’t sense even a speck of magic from the master. Perhaps because Lady Ira with her tremendous magical power is by your side, I sense even less than before.”

“Sigh.”

If I had magic, I wouldn’t need to use them as bait—I could go first myself. I feel pathetic for constantly putting my women in danger. When I genuinely sigh at this thought, Ira waves her hand toward me, and Gore immediately hands her over to me. Huh? What’s wrong?

*Pat pat*

“Brother is fine. Even without magic, you’re the strongest and coolest brother in the world!”

“Haha. Thanks.”

When Ira nestles in my arms, hugging my neck and reaching up to stroke my head comfortingly, I find myself unconsciously rubbing my cheek against hers. Ah, our princess. You’re too kind.

[If you’re so worried about us, why not call ‘those women’ you mentioned that day? Or are they ‘more precious’ so you’re making do with us~?]

And as I enjoy Ira’s comfort, Gore, without even turning her eyes, sets up the carriage and sends me that message through my status window. Hey, that’s…

“Hehe. ‘Luxuria,’ was it? Shouldn’t Jack meet the women he ‘newly befriended’ soon? If the number of enemies keeps increasing, we’ll need more hands~?”

“…Could you see what Gore said?”

“When your eyes follow Gore’s back like that, how could I not know~?”

“Especially when your eyes look apologetic, unlike usual,” she adds with a noble smile, unusually teasing me. My shoulders slump. Sigh, this really is my fault…

The night before leaving Muller mansion, I told Rey about my past life, Miho, Chikuyo, and Luxuria. She just glared at me with half-closed eyes, and I could only shrink my shoulders without saying anything.

Truly, Ira’s hand stroking my head is my only comfort. As I rub my face more against Ira’s cheek…

“Hehe, today I think I’ll rub against that cheek too~”

Rey whispers quietly in my ear, making sure Ira can’t hear, and a chill runs down my spine.