Ch.401Personnel Organization

Lacy’s proposed operation could be summarized in one phrase: attacking the east while striking the west.

The strategy was that I would escort Lacy and handle official matters to draw the Holy State’s attention, while Lacy’s subordinates would search for clues away from enemy eyes.

It was a fairly reasonable idea.

Except for the most important part—”how to find the clues”—which remained completely blank.

“We’ll need to employ every possible method. Public opinion campaigns, rumors, infiltration, surveillance, and if we find concrete evidence, even kidnapping and interrogation.”

“I thought you said we couldn’t do interrogations.”

“I meant we shouldn’t target cardinal-level officials directly. In matters like these, one shouldn’t aim for the head from the start, but work methodically from the bottom up.”

Lacy answered in a nonchalant tone as if stating the obvious.

Though I couldn’t tell if her expression of “working up” meant following proper procedures or literally trampling over all suspicious individuals.

I suppose she means procedures…?

—-

After explaining the attitude we should adopt and the operation details, Lacy laid out information about her forces and the delegation’s composition.

“The Special Crusader Unit currently has fifty-four members. Fifteen recruited from the Empire, and thirty-nine remaining within the Holy State.”

Special Execution Crusader Unit for the Elimination of Non-Human Species.

As one might guess from its brutal name, this organization’s original purpose was to exterminate non-human races deemed harmful to humanity.

Now it seems to function more as Lacy’s secret military organization.

Though currently a small unit of only about fifty people, they were all said to be intelligence agents with excellent skills comparable to Imperial Knights.

Essentially a special operations unit armed with fanatical faith.

Since I had declined the position of commander, the current leader of the Special Crusader Unit was Bels Rugna.

She hadn’t seemed fanatical enough to agree with the extermination of other races, but apparently after encountering many non-humans during her time as a paladin, she concluded that none of them were human-like—they were all just beasts.

“In her heart, there exist only two types of non-humans: dogs and wolves. Those domesticated by humans, and wild beasts that must be eliminated. Could there be anyone more suitable to lead the Special Crusader Unit?”

“…So I’m a dog, is that what you’re saying?”

My voice had grown somewhat sharp.

If she considered non-humans tamed by humans as dogs, then she must have been treating me like a tail-wagging hunting dog all this time.

Though my actions weren’t much different, I still didn’t appreciate being treated like a dog.

“How could you think that? Please calm your anger, Lord Median. Bels has never once thought of you that way. On the contrary, she deeply respects you.”

“Respect? Well… I wonder about that.”

Lacy tried to soothe my irritation, but it wasn’t very effective.

“Please believe me. Imperial law may still classify Ka’har as non-human, but we’re different. It’s been long proven that Ka’har are proper humans, just with slightly different appearances.”

“Proven? What method did you use to determine that?”

Lacy’s face reddened slightly, as if the content was difficult to discuss.

Setting down her teacup and clearing her throat once or twice, Lacy lowered her voice and explained the decisive evidence that Ka’har belonged to the human species.

“We verified whether blood exchange was possible. The results showed that unlike half-elves or mixed werebeasts who lack reproductive capabilities, hybrids between us and Ka’har possess normal reproductive abilities. This means they can continue their lineage whether they marry Ka’har or us Westerners. That is undeniable proof that Ka’har are members of humanity.”

Well…

That’s reasonable, I suppose.

Like mules, hybrids between different species often can’t produce offspring.

If Western-Ka’har hybrids can have children, it’s correct to judge them as the same species.

Lacy’s gaze was directed toward my lower abdomen as she explained, making me feel embarrassed as well.

At least it completely cooled down my rising irritation.

—-

Anyway, the initial investigation into the Holy State’s corruption would be handled by those Special Crusader Unit members, while I would focus on public events and assassination prevention.

“How should we organize the personnel? Personally, I think it’s better to bring just a few Masters.”

My knights are all Empire natives and swordsmen, so they wouldn’t be much help with infiltration investigations in the Holy State, and would just increase the number of potential assassination targets.

I can’t bring Perneisia and Jahan, and going with Ophelia would likely end with us on crucifixes.

So that leaves Nigel, Millia, and Demian?

I especially wanted to bring Demian.

Given Demian’s position, it wouldn’t hurt for him to become friendly with the Church.

With luck, he might even get to use holy armor before drawing the holy sword.

And I’d need to bring Lena too.

We’re expecting a long-term stay, so I can’t leave her behind, and it’s her homeland after all.

When I shared my personnel choices, Lacy nodded in agreement.

Though she did suggest adding one more person.

“Bring Leonore…? I’m concerned that might cause unnecessary friction.”

“Exactly. To cause friction. It’s widely known that Leonore has clearly distanced herself from witches and has even become your guard knight. If someone still takes issue with her bloodline… it’s worth investigating whether their actions stem from dogmatic faith or if there’s some other reason for such hostility.”

So she’d be acting as bait.

I’d need to ask Leonore’s opinion, but it was certainly an effective idea.

That means only Jahan, Perneisia, and Ophelia would remain at the mansion. It’ll be quite quiet.

Jahan will be training hard to become stronger, Perneisia will probably just drink, and Ophelia will be… consuming Claire.

—-

Lacy herself plans to bring only Bels.

She had considered moving with the Special Crusader Unit members remaining in the Empire, but that would expose them as her close associates, so she decided against it.

It seemed Lacy had decided to keep the Special Crusader Unit as a secret organization with concealed identities.

Literally a dagger hidden in her bosom.

When the time comes to deal with non-humans, they would become more like a butcher’s knife than a dagger.

—-

After finishing my conversation with Lacy, I returned to the mansion to share the news about our trip to the Holy State.

“The Holy State… I never thought we’d have occasion to visit there. What kind of country do you think it is, Demian? Aren’t you curious?”

“Well, being a country of priests, I imagine it’s quiet and devout. Perhaps everyone wears only white or black clothes, something like that.”

Millia and Demian reacted like a couple going on their honeymoon.

More accurately, Millia had that reaction, and Demian was just matching her enthusiasm.

I explained that powerful enemies and assassins might appear, yet this was their response—they seem to lack a sense of danger.

“I’ll stay here. If people from the Holy State saw me, they’d probably prepare crucifixes right away.”

Perneisia muttered in a listless voice, sitting by the window with a bottle of alcohol in her left hand.

…That bottle seems to be labeled 96% alcohol content.

At that point, it’s not liquor but pure alcohol, isn’t it?

She’d been complaining lately about not being able to get drunk, and now she’s resorted to drinking pure alcohol.

“Travel safely, Haschal. I will use this time to train myself here.”

“Returning to the Holy State after so long! I wonder how the priests are doing?”

Jahan, as expected, expressed disappointment at not being able to come but accepted it, while Lena seemed particularly happy about visiting her homeland after nearly a year.

We’re not going for a good reason, but… home is still home.

Ophelia naturally declined to go. I hadn’t planned to bring her anyway.

The Holy State doesn’t welcome mages to begin with, and if they discovered her necromancy, a stake would be waiting for her.

“Oh, and before you go, come talk with me for a bit. I have something important to discuss.”

“Is it something you’d rather not talk about here?”

What have you done now, Ophelia?

I’m at the point where nothing would surprise me anymore.

“It’s not about my research, but about you. We could discuss it here, but shouldn’t I protect my employer’s personal information when possible?”

Something about me…?

I couldn’t even begin to guess what she meant.

“Hmm… alright. Let’s meet in the basement a little later then.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Ophelia went down to the basement with a faint smile, puffing on a long mana herb.

After explaining to Demian, Millia, and Lena about the preparations needed for our journey to the Holy State, I headed to the basement.