Ch.397EP.82 – Not a Knight-Errant. Not Even a Knight (6)

Needless to say, Ihan had no intention of spending much time in this city.

He had no desire to get involved in troublesome matters.

This wasn’t just because the maid was waiting alone outside the city.

Simply…

“People should clean up their own messes.”

After all, this was the city’s problem.

It might sound harsh, but frankly, he didn’t care—the people of this city were complete strangers to him.

If the demons attacked first, that would be different, but he had no obligation to actively hunt demons himself.

Of course, he was willing to give a tip or two.

If he informed the lord who ruled the city, wouldn’t they take care of it themselves?

“Did you tell the lord?”

“I-I didn’t meet with him directly. But I did send a letter. Soldiers should be coming soon.”

“Really?”

“……”

“Well, they’ll handle it somehow.”

Yes, that’s as far as his responsibility went.

Ihan had given the advice he was morally obligated to provide.

So from now on…

“Did you find the right place?”

“…I believe so.”

“Then let’s go.”

“……”

“…What?”

“Nothing, it’s just… I thought you were… handsome…”

“……”

“D-don’t misunderstand! I just meant in general!”

“…Don’t walk behind me. It gives me the creeps.”

“?!”

Form Change ‘Santa Rihan.’

The now small and diminutive Santa Rihan, even wearing glasses without prescription, glared fiercely.

To see how his former workplace, which he neither loved nor hated, had changed…

* * *

Gazes converged on him.

Though he was just walking naturally, everyone kept stealing glances.

“My goodness…”

“He’s handsome.”

“Isn’t that Corin in front? Hmm, I always thought Corin was good-looking, but compared to the real deal, he falls a bit short.”

“Is he a new priest? Tsk!”

People seemed to recognize Corin’s face and clicked their tongues.

Hostile gazes directed at priests.

Perhaps because of this, people threw fierce looks at the man wearing the same priestly garments as Corin.

His kind-looking face somewhat lessened their hostility, but many still showed antagonism simply because he was a priest.

Insults could be heard frequently, and though they could have spoken quietly, everyone seemed to be talking loudly enough for all to hear.

They were openly gossiping, and while Corin’s gaze turned savage at the insulting remarks, people merely snickered.

Despite his rather intimidating appearance, the mere fact that he was a priest following the Light of Radiance made people cast hostile glances and display unnecessary antagonism.

No matter how frightening someone might be, if the majority were against him, there was no need to fear him.

Corin gritted his teeth and was about to say something, but…

“Bear it.”

“But…”

“Don’t you want to know if your master is alive? If you don’t care, I can go alone.”

“…Sigh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I admit they’re being excessive.”

He endured it.

Indeed, though he had some rough edges, he wasn’t a bad person.

In contrast…

‘These people are too much.’

Seeing people showing baseless hostility made him sigh involuntarily.

This is what group psychology does.

Certainly, the temple had done wrong, but not everyone was at fault, and priests still played an important role in the south.

Yet they disrespected and despised priests to this extent…

Honestly, he couldn’t blame anyone for becoming sick of humans.

‘Elder Raphael, you must be having a hard time.’

Thinking of the old man whose wrinkles must have increased from his duties as the Church King, he shook his head briefly before patting Corin’s back.

“Before I leave, I’ll teach you some fighting skills. If anyone comes at you, break their jaw.”

“…Wouldn’t most people advise patience and endurance?”

“I’m not a church member. And my philosophy is that bottling things up makes you sick.”

“…Somehow you seem similar to my master.”

“Me?”

“Your way of speaking…”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. By the way, are we almost there?”

“…We’ve actually arrived.”

“…?”

At those words, Ihan tilted his head.

He was already puzzled about walking openly through the bustling district, but the announcement of their arrival made him even more confused.

But the next moment.

“…What is that?”

Ihan blinked.

Beyond the busy district, he saw an enormous tent that looked like five buildings combined.

Being relatively close to the busy area, he thought anyone could see it, and just as he wondered why such a tent was there…

“Ah, my lord…”

“Ahem.”

“…S-Santa Priest. We’ve been waiting, haha…”

Giovani greeted him with an awkward laugh, still not used to the situation.

Ihan understood his feelings, but there was nothing he could do.

‘My original appearance is too conspicuous.’

Not just his size, but his strong features made him look fierce.

‘This form stands out too, but not enough to attract that much attention.’

Though both forms were noticeable, ‘Santa Rihan’ would draw less attention than ‘Ihan Turtle’…

‘What kind of ridiculous thought is this?’

It’s not like he was actually transforming…

Feeling like someone consumed by their own concept, he shook his head, but quickly regained his composure and advised Giovani.

“…I appreciate your help, but you should go now. I’m not joking—it’s really dangerous. I don’t want any accidents.”

Giovani was a shrewd merchant, not a powerful warrior.

While Ihan appreciated his desire to repay the favor, he wanted him to avoid danger—what use would it be if he got hurt?

“No, it’s probably not dangerous.”

“What?”

“I’m not saying this because I expect you—I mean, Santa Priest—to protect me. From what I’ve seen, this place is actually safe.”

“?”

“…Look around.”

“…?”

Giovani gestured toward their surroundings, and when Ihan turned his head to see what he meant, what he witnessed was…

“This is exciting, right?”

“Yes!”

“???”

…Citizens holding children’s hands and entering what was supposed to be an assassination organization’s headquarters.

They even wore bright smiles, which made it all the more strange.

“…Did we come to the wrong place?”

“No, we’ve come to exactly the right place.”

“Then why is it like this?”

“Well, that’s…”

“It might be easier if you see for yourself.”

The latter comment came from Corin, who boldly opened the tent flap.

Flap-

“—Welcome to the [Black Moon Circus], where we offer fantastic dreams!”

“…?”

Two bunny girls wearing rabbit ears welcomed him, and Ihan tilted his head.

…Wondering what exactly he was looking at.

* * *

“You said it was an assassination organization?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then what is this?”

Thanks to the viewing tickets Giovani had purchased, they sat in the general seating area.

Being in the highest seats gave them a clear view of everything, and with eyesight as good as a prairie dweller’s, Ihan could see everything clearly.

Whoosh!

Performers doing somersaults and trapeze acts.

There were also dancers, singers, and clowns in ridiculous outfits performing one-person comedies.

This was just…

“It really looks like a circus?”

It was undeniably a circus.

And though he hated to admit it…

Boom boom boom!

-Ta-da!

[[Ooooh!]]

It was quite a professional and spectacular performance.

“…It is both an assassination organization and a circus. There’s no law saying assassins can’t have side jobs.”

Corin rebutted with an indifferent expression, and Ihan’s face grew even more perplexed.

Giovani provided additional explanation.

“I too initially thought it was just a place with a similar name when I heard ‘Black Moon,’ but when I saw it, it looked familiar. It’s been a fixture in Florentia for about four years now. …I only learned today that it’s also an assassination organization and religious group.”

“Hah!”

Another hollow laugh.

Why were there so many reasons to laugh hollowly today?

But anyone else would have reacted the same way as Ihan.

Imagine if your former workplace suddenly became a circus?

It was a shock and twist comparable to the ending of Se7en, or more precisely, Saw 1.

“…Do the citizens not know the true identity of this circus?”

“They don’t… or at least, I can’t be certain. Surely some people know. But from what I understand, Black Moon has quite a good relationship with Florentia’s citizens. They use money earned from the circus to provide free meals to citizens and have donated substantial funds for territory development.”

“……”

“That’s why even I didn’t connect the name ‘Black Moon’ with an assassination organization. It’s embarrassing—a merchant like me should stay informed about such matters…”

“Hmph, it can’t be helped. I only learned they were assassins recently myself. If they hadn’t been integrating underground organizations, I would have thought they were just an ordinary circus too.”

According to the two men’s testimonies, the group had thoroughly concealed their identity.

But the reason for hiding their identity for four years didn’t make sense…

‘Wait?’

-Wasn’t there something similar?

‘…The tunnels.’

Ihan recalled his memories from around this time last year.

Those who, similarly, had hidden their true nature while building their strength.

The cult members of the tunnels who secretly grew their power while concealing their identity.

‘These cuckoo-like bastards…’

Ihan remembered that they had built their power there for about ten years, so hiding as a circus for four years would be…

‘Not particularly difficult for them.’

The same goes for openly displaying their name.

As the saying goes, it’s darkest under the lamp—they hide themselves by being conspicuous.

Cunning bastards.

Now Ihan could see the general flow, and just as he was getting a sense of things…

[We will now begin today’s main performance!!]

A barker with a booming voice appeared and captured everyone’s attention.

Expectant murmurs grew louder, sounding like the prelude to a performance that had captivated everyone in this city for four years.

Sure enough.

[Screech! Screech-.]

[Kaaaa!!]

[Krrr…?]

“—We will now begin the Monster Performance!”

…From what Ihan knew, the most horrific and disgusting performance was about to begin.