Chapter 66: Cultist of the Evil God

The moment Lotte swallowed the gemstone, the room fell silent as if frozen.

The baron stood there, mouth agape, while Ryandel’s eyes widened.

Leivi covered her mouth with her hand, a look of surprise on her face.

Shy nearly fell out of his chair.

After swallowing the gemstone, Lotte returned to my side and began to orbit as usual.

However, its bluish metal surface was shining more brilliantly than before.

I could also see a subtle tremor.

Was it happy?

‘Ah, this must be its first meal since leaving the labyrinth.’

It had been starving, so it rushed at the first edible mineral it saw…

But it looked like a strange mineral; would it be okay?

Hmm…

Well, it’s probably fine, right?

Lord Nisse modified it, after all!

The baron still stood there with a bewildered expression.

He asked me, his hands trembling,

“What… what in the world just happened? That gemstone…”

‘It’s a mineral called… Mes-meris?’

“It was Mesmeris. A very dangerous mineral that sucks the life force from its surroundings.”

The words flowed out much more fluently than I had intended.

At this, Ryandel suddenly straightened up with a serious expression.

“Is it really Mesmeris? Are you certain?”

“Yes, I confirmed it with my authority. There’s no doubt.”

“The… the dragon’s authority…”

Shy muttered something strange under his breath, but Ryandel’s expression grew even darker.

I could sense the gravity in his eyes.

‘I used both Lord Mikal’s authority and the status window, but well, the status window is a kind of authority too, right?’

Anyway, the important thing was the information about Mesmeris.

“Could you… tell me a little more about this Mesmeris?”

The baron asked me in a trembling voice.

‘But I don’t know much about it…?’

“Ryandel.”

I gestured with my chin as I called Ryandel’s name.

This trait never admits to not knowing!

It’s crazy how it pretends to know everything!

“Yes. Mesmeris is… an essence that absorbs ancient life force. It is known to be a mineral used for rituals by certain groups of magicians or secret religions.”

Ryandel began to explain in a low voice.

“Secret religions, you say?”

When the baron asked, Ryandel hesitated for a moment before saying,

“It is known to be an item used by followers of evil gods.”

“Evil gods? Which evil gods are you referring to?”

Ryandel cleared his throat.

“There are many evil gods in the demon world. Abraxas, Zargabas, Necror… there are countless evil gods. It is likely a group that follows the representative Abraxas.”

‘Evil gods? There were evil gods in this world’s lore?’

“Hmm…”

It occurred to me that Lord Mikal might have chosen me as his apostle because of these evil god followers.

Was it Sanctus Judicium?

There was an authority that judged based on sin and malice; this was the perfect time to use it.

“Abraxas…”

The baron muttered.

“I feel like I’ve heard that name before…”

“That’s right,”

Ryandel nodded.

“About two hundred years ago, a large-scale ritual by Abraxas followers was discovered in the northern part of the Heshet Empire, and they were all executed. It is recorded in several history books.”

The baron’s face turned white as a sheet.

He slumped down into his chair and muttered,

“Why… why would they send something like this to our family…”

The baron’s shocked state was pitiful.

I needed to find out more about what was going on.

‘So, which family sent it?’

“Baron. What kind of family is the Birdan family?”

“My apologies. Please excuse me.”

At my question, the baron seemed to slowly come to his senses.

“The Birdan family is one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom, located in the capital.

They are involved in mining and trade, dealing in a lot of gold ingots and gems. They have also been involved in the royal finances for over a hundred years.”

“Mines, you say?”

Ryandel suddenly showed interest.

“Do you know what kind of mines?”

The baron paused in thought.

“They primarily own gold and iron mines.

And… that’s right, there was news two years ago that they had discovered a new mine in the eastern mountains. I believe it was said to produce rare minerals…”

“Could that rare mineral… have been Mesmeris?”

Leivi asked cautiously, and a moment of silence fell.

Everyone seemed to find that mine suspicious.

Ryandel, in particular, was deep in thought with his eyes closed.

Having finished his thoughts, he asked the baron,

“Where exactly is the mine located?”

“I don’t know the exact location, but I believe it is near the Jiomun Gorge.”

“Jiomun Gorge…”

Ryandel muttered, frowning.

‘Where the heck is Jiomun Gorge…’

“Ryandel. Do you have any guesses?”

“Yes. Starting three years ago, a large number of monsters began to appear in Jiomun Gorge.

There are also reports that demons have been sighted there. The Magic Tower believes the two are related.

This Mesmeris may also be related to the demons. Most followers of evil gods have close ties with demons.”

“Demons, you say…”

At the baron’s cracked voice, Ryandel nodded.

“If there are followers of evil gods in a noble family like this, a considerable number of demons have likely already infiltrated the royal palace.”

‘More importantly, why did he receive this ring?’

“What reason did that family have for sending this ring? Were you close?”

“That’s… we actually had almost no interaction.

Our Silverbrook family is a baronial family on the frontier, so we don’t have deep relationships with the capital’s nobles.

That’s why the sudden birthday gift was so puzzling.”

“Birthday gift?”

“Yes, they said they sent it as a gift to celebrate my birthday. But my birthday was two months ago.”

The baron carefully picked up the envelope on the table.

“As you can see here, it has the signature of Count Birdan himself. But strangely, it was sealed with a different crest, not the Count’s.”

‘A different crest?’

“Hmm.”

The baron handed the letter to me.

Looking closely at the seal, I saw the image of a snake biting its own tail.

Inside it, three stars were arranged in a triangle.

‘This isn’t the Birdan family crest?’

“Hmm.”

Ugh!

Why does it only keep saying ‘Hmm’?!

Let me ask something!

“The Birdan family crest is originally a silver hawk on a golden shield…”

Fortunately, the baron cleared up my confusion.

In the meantime, Ryandel was examining the seal closely.

“This is… the Ouroboros symbol. It is known as a symbol of eternity, but it can also have a different meaning in certain esoteric rituals.”

‘Ugh… what’s that now?’

“Ryandel. You should explain it to the baron.”

“Yes. The image of a snake eternally eating itself symbolizes eternal cycle and regeneration.

But in dark rituals, it can also signify the end of the world and the beginning of a new one.”

This was getting more and more suspicious.

Since I was planning to stop by the capital on my way to get revenge on the knight order anyway, should I look into this too?

Besides, seeing how scared the baron and Shy were, I also felt a little bit like I wanted to help.

‘I’ll check it out!’

“I was planning on going to the capital anyway. I suppose I could investigate this matter.”

The baron’s face brightened.

“Would you really do that? Thank you!”

“In return, prepare a carriage for me to the capital.”

“Of course! I will prepare the best carriage I have. And I will give you all the information you need.”
‘Then should we leave right now?’

“Baron. How long will it take to prepare the carriage?”

“Will you be leaving immediately? It can be prepared right now, but it’s getting late. Why don’t you rest at our mansion for a day and leave tomorrow?”

“Lord Lycoris,”

Ryandel cautiously interjected.

“It doesn’t seem to be an urgent matter. It might be better to make a plan and go slowly.”

If it were up to me, I would have left immediately, but everyone looked tired.

Leivi, in particular, seemed to be constantly holding back yawns.

Besides, Shy’s gaze seemed to be saying, ‘Please don’t go.’

“Alright, I understand. We’ll leave tomorrow.”

We had been sleeping rough while crossing the snowy mountains, so sleeping in a fluffy bed didn’t seem so bad.

“Leivi, go to the Adventurers’ Guild and bring Glacia.”

Leivi’s face wrinkled slightly, and she started to fidget.

“Yes… I understand…”

“Hmm? Are you scared of Glacia?”

“No… it’s not that…”

“My lady,”

The baron said to Leivi.

“Please take our carriage to the guild. I will have it prepared immediately.”

“Thank you!”

Leivi’s expression brightened.

So you were just being lazy…

After Leivi left in the carriage, the baron guided us to our rooms.

“This is the room for Lord Lycoris.”

When he opened the door, a luxurious and spacious room appeared.

It was a magnificent room with a large bed, elegant furniture, and a large window.

“Please ring the bell on the desk when you wish to summon a servant.”

‘Oh! This is really nice!’

“Mmm.”

What’s with the ‘Mmm’?!

The ‘Mmm’! I expected not much of a reaction, but this is too cold!

However, the baron seemed pleased with my reaction and smiled happily.

Haha…

“I’m glad you seem satisfied.

I will be organizing the materials I have for you, so would you please come to my office in about two hours?

I will give the same guidance to Ryandel and Leivi.”

“Understood.”

The baron bowed deeply and left the room.

As soon as the baron left, I went straight to the large bathtub in the room.

“Wow, this is really nice!”

As soon as the baron was gone, my voice finally came out as I wished.

The magnificent and large bathtub was already prepared with warm water.

When I got closer, I saw that warm water was constantly flowing from a magic tool.

A bathtub like a hot spring, always full of warm water!

I don’t even have to worry about sucking up all the water!

“Is this the life of a noble!”

I hurriedly undressed and got into the tub.

The warm water on my skin felt like it was melting away all my fatigue.

Miel and Cecilia also flew around happily.

As I was comfortably soaking in the tub, Lotte caught my eye.

“Lotte, come here.”

Lotte approached the top of the tub.

Its luster was more vivid than usual, and it seemed to be moving slightly faster.

“Are you okay? Is there anything wrong with your body after eating that strange thing?”

Lotte paused for a moment, then moved up and down slightly.

It was as if it was nodding.

‘Huh? This is the first time it has reacted like this.’

“You’re really okay, right?”

Lotte moved up and down again, more firmly this time.

It was definitely a clearer expression of its will than before.

“Alright. If anything strange happens, you’ll have to get it serviced by Lord Nisse, so be careful when you eat strange things, okay?”

Whirrr!!

Lotte began to shake violently.

It really must hate that idea…

As I was relaxing my body in the tub, I suddenly heard someone knocking on the door.

‘What is it?’

Miel suddenly looked startled, as if a light bulb had gone off, and flew out of the bathroom toward the door.

The sight of it opening the door by pressing the handle with its small feet was quite cute.

“Hey! Wait, I’m not dressed right now!”

Just as I was hastily getting out of the tub to get dressed, Glacia came in.

“Ah, it was you, Glacia!”

Miel seemed to be telling Glacia something, flapping its wings.

Then, Glacia’s atmosphere suddenly changed as if it was angry.

“Uh-oh? Don’t tell me you’re tattling that we left you behind and ate delicious food without you…?”

Glacia flew straight into the bathroom and rushed at me.

“Wait!”

Glacia’s huge tongue was heading for my weak spot.

“P-Polymorph!”

Lick, lick!

I hastily transformed into a flower, but I couldn’t bring myself to take root in someone else’s bathroom, so I just lay face down on the floor.

Glacia, whether to vent its anger or fill its stomach, lunged at the stamen and began to suck up the honey greedily.

‘Heugh… I’m sorry… I didn’t know we’d be coming to a place like this.’

After sucking on the honey for a long time, Glacia finally seemed satisfied and slowly backed away.

‘It must be done now…?’

I quickly used Polymorph again to return to my human form.

Glacia just slowly flapped its wings and headed to a corner of the room.

Now it was back to its usual lazy self.

“Phew, you’ve calmed down now.”

As I sat on the bed, it suddenly occurred to me that the two hours the baron had mentioned had passed.

“Oh right, the baron told me to come to his office!”

When I went out into the corridor, Glacia was still lying there, either too lazy or still sulking.

‘Alright, you guard the room.’

‘But where is the office…?’

Just then, I saw a servant near the stairs.

‘Excuse me, where is the baron’s office?’

“Please guide me to the baron’s office.”

“Ah, Lord Lycoris! Yes! This way, please.”

Following the servant’s guidance, I passed through the corridor and arrived at the office at the end of the second floor.

When I knocked on the door, I heard the baron’s voice from inside.

“Come in.”

When I opened the door and went in, Ryandel and Leivi were also there.

Several documents and a map were spread out on the table.

“Lord Lycoris, you’ve come. These are the materials I’ve prepared.”

Looking at the materials the baron pointed to, I saw information about the Birdan family, a map of the capital, and a list of the missing nobles.

“This is really all I know. You will probably be able to get more information when you arrive in the capital.”

‘Thanks. This is enough.’

“Mmm.”

“Yes. And… there is one more thing I would like to tell you.”

The baron’s expression turned serious.

“Looking at the recent activities of the Birdan family, it seems they have a deep connection with the Walter County family.”

‘Ugh… do I have to investigate that family too?’

“Mmm.”

“The Walter family is a court noble family, so they have no territory of their own.

And there is so little known about them that I don’t have much information to give you. I apologize.”

“That is indeed suspicious. Could that family be the main force behind whatever is happening?”

At Leivi’s words, the baron nodded with an anxious expression.

“That is what I think as well. But there is no evidence…”

After talking a little more in the office, I returned to my room.

Changing into a sexy black lingerie nightgown, I lay down on the bed and fell into thought.

‘This seems like a much more complicated matter than I thought… Should I have just woken up my master first and then said I’d do it…

But as Lord Mikal’s apostle, I can’t just pretend I didn’t see it either…’

It had been dark outside for a long time.

It was late at night, a time when everyone was asleep.

With these complicated thoughts, it seemed it would be difficult to fall asleep easily.

Knock, knock.

As I continued to ponder, I heard small footsteps, followed by a knock on the door.

‘Who could it be at this hour? The footsteps sound like Shy’s.’