episode_0018

Hero, Gerhardt.

Is it a woman?

When I saw it on TV, I had never seen anyone naked.

So maybe it’s just voyeurism, deliberately not looking, or because Gerhardt has been wandering around as a mercenary.

So there isn’t much to see, probably one of the least seen characters among the main characters, like the Pope.

I really didn’t see much.

“But no matter how much I think about it, the one who helped Abel and Veronica escape from the village was… a girl.”

I don’t exactly remember the name, but she was a girl anyway.

But Abel called her Gerhardt from their first meeting.

Thinking about that, maybe there was another helper I didn’t see, or another village escape plan. That could be possible.

I haven’t always just seen Abel and Veronica.

“Abel, a guest of the church, and your friend. Treat her with respect to the point where you won’t kneel anywhere.”

“Yes, Father. I will do so.”

Yeah, yeah.

You should treat your friends well, dude.

Instead of fighting and stabbing each other. That kind of thing.

“Well then, I’ll go in first.”

“Rest well, Father.”

Saying that, I used my power to quickly return to my room and observed Abel.

Originally, I could only see the main characters on TV, but now I can check the main characters through this square status window.

Let’s see what conversation Abel and Gerhardt are having now.

I’ve been really curious about their true identities since earlier.

“Just in case, be careful with your words even outside. Because Father can observe everything in the world. So, even if you’re somewhere without Father, be careful not to speak recklessly.”

“By the way, where is my reward?”

“If you expect a reward, shouldn’t you do something in return? Not as a hero, but as a mercenary contracted with the cult.”

“…As long as revenge can be completed.”

“I’ll lend you torture tools. Likewise, I’ll give you the keys to the prison where they are held.”

Hero, Gerhardt.

That was the moment he entered our cult of evil.

Of course, as a contracted mercenary.

“Teacher, what were you doing here, staring at the ceiling absentmindedly again?”

“Did you get that information from Mari too?”

“Of course. She perfectly understands everything about where you are and what you are doing, so there is no better target than her to obtain information about you.”

“Does Mari easily share information?”

“Not likely. I only receive something minor each time I hand over something.”

It was truly valuable and dangerous information exchanged.

Whether it’s fortunate because the price is high, or unfortunate because the information leaks out, I’m not sure.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter to me.

“By the way, why did you come today?”

“Teacher, another strange person came in without my knowledge.”

“Ah, you mean Gerhardt. The child works as a mercenary for the cult in exchange…”

“Teacher, according to recent information, he seems to be the leader of the rebels. I’m curious how he ended up here.”

…Leader of the rebels?

Wait, earlier you said you accidentally ended up traveling with the rebels.

…

“This doesn’t look good.”

“Teacher? What…”

“For now, go inside the research facility. Let’s talk later.”

After sending Teresia first, I ran to where Adel was supposed to be.

No matter how much I think about it, if I was going to bring him as a mercenary, there was only one place where Abel and he would go together.

“Yeah, he was indeed here.”

“Wow, have you already found it? It seems the name ‘God’ wasn’t just a false pretense. Still, thanks to you, I was able to come in quickly. I’m truly grateful, Lord of Evil.”

There.

No, she looked at me with red, smiling eyes.

In front of her, Abel, gasping for breath in his blood-stained armor, was there.

“Hoo, hoo… I didn’t expect Father to come in…”

“I see, I roughly understand what’s going on.”

I bared my teeth.

The leader of the rebel army.

Even if I underestimated her, I didn’t know this much information.

No, not even knowing if they were male or female is a bigger gap.

“Hey, how about putting down that black thing?”

I put strength into my words.

When a dragon uses it, it’s draconian; when a god uses it, it becomes divine—absolute power.

Each word gains strength, intervenes in reality, and manipulates it.

That’s incantation.

“And then, that one arm will twist.”

What shouldn’t be bent is bent.

Truly a hero. To endure such pain without changing expression and laugh casually.

“Indeed, being a god isn’t just for show. It allows for miracles like this.”

Certainly, the name of God wasn’t made in vain.

The power of a god is to make even seemingly impossible miracles possible.

“But, this is a misunderstanding. I originally had a contract with Abel. That… Terra… Anyway, that woman directly offered it to me. Can’t we see her as a god?”

“Gehardt, you’ve been brief since earlier. You are my believed god and your ultimate employer. Show respect as you did when we first met.”

“Huh? It’s hard for me to say that as a mercenary. Please understand, Lord of Evil.”

“…So the story about being the leader of the rebel army…”

“Oh, those rascals taught me some swordsmanship and tactics on the way here and suddenly called me the leader, but I’m not.”

What? Was that it?

Seems like Terrasia warned me to be cautious upon seeing her, thinking she’s the leader of the rebel army.

Given that I already had a lot of information, I might have misunderstood.

Oh, no. Come to think of it, I just heard that I’m the leader of the rebel army and rushed over.

I made a mistake.

“I’m sorry, it’s sensitive because it’s related to Abel.”

I completely healed her wounds.

With this level of power, I could resolve all the disabilities and illnesses she had from the start with just a little healing.

“And this… It’s a gift as an apology.”

Saying so, I gave her a small gift.

A cross representing the church. Of course, it doesn’t mean sacrificial spirit or anything, just that you’ll get a medal if you mess around.

Anyway.

“This cross is for you. If you carry it around and show it to others, they’ll probably clear the way for you.”

“It’s really something a mercenary needs, thank you. Lord of Evil.”

“Yes, then work hard for the church.”

“As it is a deal between us, let’s not break it easily.”

A pretty good deal was struck.

Now that she, a hero and a mercenary, has joined us, the power of the cult of evil is stronger…

“Abel, should I believe in evil now? This place seems much better than most nobles.”

“If you want, Father’s side is always open. Feel free to come anytime.”

“Yeah, yeah. If I ever have nothing to believe in, I’ll come. Then I’ll take care of what you said.”

It seemed Abel had already passed on the request before my arrival.

But really, I feel genuinely sorry.

“Oh, right. You don’t have to be too careful. Even though it looks like this, I’ve never experienced pain in my life.”

So when Abel fought, even though his chest was pierced, was he able to wield the Holy Sword so skillfully?

I’ve heard of it before, but seeing it firsthand was quite amazing.

A body that feels no pain, isn’t that an extraordinary constitution?

“Well then, until we meet again, my lord.”

She said that and whistled as she left.

“But why were you wearing blood armor?”

“It’s a contract commonly used between nobles and mercenaries these days. It involves sealing a contract by sprinkling blood on the body in exchange for life. It’s a way to ensure absolute loyalty.”

It’s a contract where betrayal means death.

Certainly seems useful in a noble society where one can’t trust anyone.

“Well, you’ve worked hard today, so rest easy.”

“How can I rest when evil cults are advancing? Until next time.”

Though there was a lot going on today, Abel went straight to finish his work.

He seemed intent on completing unfinished tasks perfectly even while working.

Kids sure are busy.

“Evil! What, you came out of the room?”

“Where have you been?”

“Me? Oh, this time I attended the Dragon Lord’s coronation ceremony and met the elders after a long time.”

In the dragon society, elders naturally refer to dragons other than the Great Dragon.

Great Dragon.

Judging by her calm demeanor upon returning, she must have concluded that we are not an immediate threat to world peace.

Probably judged it as part of the flow of history.

Well, unless we’re really trying to destroy the world, we won’t intervene.

“Well, that’s a relief.”

I said that and enjoyed chess with Adel again.

It was a chess set brought from the Kingdom of Castellia, known for its quality surpassing virtual reality games.