Ch.527527. Beastkin (1)

“Did that help?”

After listening to Oscar’s story, Tasha, who had been lost in thought, nodded her head.

She couldn’t have imagined that those called the midnight monsters were actually Demonkin.

However, there was something that bothered her.

“You said those Demonkin went toward the church, right?”

“Yes, that’s why I thought something was strange. Usually, Demonkin avoid going anywhere near churches.”

The fact that Oscar had seen that group of Demonkin walking straight in the direction of the church.

No matter how few free Demonkin were active in the kingdom, people inevitably knew about the relationship between Demonkin and the church.

‘I know that Demonkin and the church don’t get along well.’

Due to some past incidents, there had been religious friction between the church and the Demonkin, and larger Demonkin tribes always clashed with the church for various reasons.

In fact, because of their characteristics of worshipping combat, rejecting outsiders, and trying to determine everything by force, they were fundamentally different from the church, which was far from such things. Unfortunately, both sides found it difficult to respect each other’s basic ideologies.

Therefore, the church did not like how the Demonkin, who were fewer in number and had less influence than humans, constantly showed their sharp claws to them.

Even if a free Demonkin was captured by slave hunters and sold off, the church, which claimed to uphold love, inclusivity, and sometimes justice as its principles, would not offer any defense.

‘I don’t know the details, but Oscar also said they all looked like their souls had been drained.’

From what she heard through him, she could only think that there must be some connection between them.

“Oscar, is there any chance those people have converted to the church…?”

“It’s unlikely, but not impossible. Perhaps times are changing, as I’ve heard of Demonkin who leave their tribes and become deeply involved in the church’s religion.”

“Hmm…”

“Priestess, you’re wondering if those individuals are affiliated with the church?”

“I suppose so. The fact that they move around while hiding their appearance is one thing, but if they’re related to the church, it seems odd that they’d be quiet during the day and then examine the results of the Baron’s efforts at night. So—”

It was simply a suspicious situation, and no one knew exactly why it was happening.

She couldn’t openly doubt the church, which was widely perceived as a benevolent organization. As Tasha’s explanation became increasingly rambling, Oscar, who had been quietly watching, crossed his arms and responded directly.

“I understand.”

Mercenaries knew that the church wasn’t just a benevolent organization. There might be subtle conflicts between the family and the church.

Getting involved in such matters would obviously be troublesome, but it was thanks to the Baron’s efforts that he had been freed from being a madman trapped in delusions.

“I’ll find out if those Demonkin have a definite connection to the church.”

“Really…?”

“That much should be possible.”

Now it was his turn to help Tasha, using the power of her reputation.

* * *

Originally, it was Lord Benner who handled work with me in my office, but today Sione and Tasha were in his place.

The reason was simple: Tasha had already found out some information about what I had asked her a few days ago.

‘She said it might be related to the church.’

Since this could be a sensitive matter.

Tasha, who already knew about some level of opposition to the church, wanted to speak to Sione and me first.

Thanks to this arranged meeting, Tasha finally spoke.

“Those who were wandering at night, it seems they were Demonkin.”

“Demonkin?”

“Yes, a mercenary who had encountered them directly told me. He said he saw animal ears protruding from under the hood that was hiding their face, and eyes that glowed even at night.”

I couldn’t help but express considerable surprise.

‘Demonkin in the kingdom.’

The only Demonkin I had ever encountered were slaves in iron cages beside me.

It was natural.

After all, there were no Demonkin tribes within the kingdom’s territory. Demonkin, who were mainly located in the eastern part of the Empire, rarely left their territories, though not as strictly as elves.

While they might be seen in the Empire, it wasn’t easy to see free Demonkin in the kingdom.

“For Demonkin to come all the way here. If they inherited the characteristics of nocturnal animals, it’s not strange for them to move at night, but…”

Even Sione, who was quite knowledgeable from reading many books, reacted this way.

“Demonkin, then perhaps those Demonkin—”

“What the Baroness is thinking is correct. I found out that those Demonkin visit the church.”

“They visited the church… perhaps those Demonkin.”

Sione’s demeanor changed abruptly, as if something had occurred to her upon hearing Tasha’s words.

“Did they seem completely indifferent to everything, or like they… lacked drive?”

“Ah… how did you know that…? The mercenary who saw them directly did say they looked like people without souls…”

And Sione’s intuition seemed to be correct.

As Tasha confirmed her words.

“Ray, as Tasha thought, this might be a deeper story than we expected.”

I wondered why they were reacting so strongly.

After Tasha and I shot them a look that said to explain first, we finally understood the connection between the Demonkin and the church.

“The bad relationship between Demonkin and the Holy Nation is well-known, but recently there have been attempts to foster harmony between them. So… as part of that movement, some Demonkin who converted to the Holy Nation have started to be active.”

“There are various circumstances involved, right?”

“…That’s right. Actually, the treatment of Demonkin within the Holy Nation isn’t very good. To maintain a better relationship than before, they’re expected to dedicate themselves through their innate abilities.”

“Ah.”

So the Demonkin affiliated with the church who come and go from churches are generally like the church’s hunting dogs.

“The fact that such Demonkin have appeared here is definitely not a trivial matter. The church’s Demonkin units never move without reason.”

“They appeared in the western part of the kingdom. Indeed, the County also got a new bishop who was formerly an inquisitor.”

“They must have some ulterior motive, so it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on their movements.”

As expected of someone from a high noble family.

I was just grateful that Sione knew about this kind of information.

Adding to that.

“…Actually, when I heard about those Demonkin, I felt something strange.”

“Something strange?”

“How should I put it? I felt like my Divine Power was spreading throughout my body as if it was reacting to something. I think it’s best to be careful, as the Baroness said.”

Since even Tasha’s Divine Power showed a reaction, and knowing that our relationship with the church wasn’t particularly good, even if I only vaguely understood it.

Now filled with the thought that we needed to find a way to unravel the mystery and prevent any issues.

I recalled my memories of the Demonkin I had encountered in the past.

‘I met some Demonkin during dungeon conquests.’

With their strong aggressive tendencies and unity under a leader.

Indeed, they were tribes who valued combat, emphasized force, and led less civilized lives, so they were distant from the church, which only preached unconditional love and affection and other idealistic theories.

‘Actually, they would match better with the religious ideas I’m promoting.’

Their ideology of pioneering and leading one’s fate would fit better with our side, which was written in every ancient document.

‘If those Demonkin don’t have deep faith in the church… and don’t have proper indigenous beliefs either.’

By persuading them, who are merely tools and means of the church.

Couldn’t we prevent them from engaging in mischief behind the scenes with the church?

If we’re lucky, this could become a new connection. If we establish a clear alternative, it might be worth trying.

While I was lost in thought, I realized that Sione was showering Tasha with praise for bringing up such an important matter.

“Tasha, you’ve done a great job. Is there anything you’d like?”

“There is one thing I’d like… if it’s okay?”

At those words, Tasha glanced at me, not Sione, and then showed a determined expression.

“Godmother Sione?”

“…?”

“Since you’re also my guardian… can I call you Godmother?”

“Uh, um, that.”

For a moment, she seemed to freeze at the word “godmother.”

Eventually, faced with Tasha’s eyes shining brilliantly with expectation, like the Milky Way adorning the night sky, she unknowingly gave a cute response.

“Yes, my daughter…?”

Sione, declaring herself as Tasha’s mother.

And—

“Hehe, then can I call the Baron Godfather now?”

“Godfather, Godmother, that’s fine. As you said, we are your guardians.”

In the end, Tasha’s attack was directed at me as well.

“From now on, you can call me Godfather Ray.”

“Yes!”

Given this situation, for a proper guardian and a believer for whom there’s much to do in the future.

I think we need to review everything from position clarification to authority and its limits.

‘Lord Benner, I’ll have to ask for your help.’

Of course, along with our smart Lord Benner.