episode_0129

“Thank you. Even though you suddenly came to see me…”

“No, please come find me again if you need counseling, Saint.”

Cornelia waved her hand with a bright smile.

After returning her smile, I left the office.

It seems like Cornelia’s atmosphere has recently changed subtly.

She seems to have gained some confidence.

Anyway, something has changed.

‘Maybe she’s in love.’

Her ex-husband was said to be a really bad guy.

They say you wash away the wounds from a man with another man.

It seems like Cornelia is doing the same.

And maybe Eugene is doing the same.

It’s all because of me.

Because of my affair, which I committed due to my incompetence, and on top of that, getting angry at Eugene, how bewildered must he have been.

The more I think about it, the more foolish I become.

“This method is definitely not going to work.”

And after counseling with Cornelia, I realized.

No matter how much I want to find Eugene.

No matter how much I want to see him, it’s not going to work by putting out a warrant.

I was so desperate to see Eugene’s face right now, that I almost went too far.

The excuse that I urgently needed Eugene’s help is just an excuse.

Did I really try hard enough before relying on Eugene?

Wasn’t I trying to depend on Eugene from the beginning?

Thanks to Cornelia, I was able to have such doubts.

I decided that I definitely need to lift the warrant.

I was too impatient.

I almost ruined everything just because I wanted to see Eugene’s face right away.

Even if it’s a little late, take it slow.

It’s important to show Eugene that I have changed.

I can’t repeat the same mistake I made when I used to flood the entire continent with spam emails.

‘Even if Eugene comes, there’s no sharp solution to the white smoke. Whether Eugene takes off his shoes and investigates or I work hard, there’s not much difference. Let’s do it ourselves. Without hurting Eugene again…’

It’s time to stand up for myself.

I’m not a fool who can’t do anything without Eugene.

Well, it seems true, but…

I feel anxious and can’t handle anything without Eugene by my side…

But I have to overcome it.

Because Eugene will dislike this side of me.

To change, I need to stand up for myself first.

“Cornelia, I’ll be back. I’m going to stop the investigation.”

“You’ve made a good decision.”

Cornelia smiled as if she were happy for me.

It’s all thanks to Cornelia.

After expressing my gratitude to her, I left Briem Manor and headed towards the Cathedral of Cologne.

Even though I didn’t give any notice in advance, the parish priest came out to greet me warmly.

“Hello, Saint. Are you attending the mass?”

“Yes. And I also want to meet Archdeacon Nicholas.”

“Archdeacon Nicholas’s room is on the second floor. Let me guide you.”

“Thank you.”

It was when I reached the second floor and the place seemed deserted.

The parish priest covered his mouth and whispered softly.

“This is the devil’s magic found from former Mayor Lawrence. It seems to be different from the devils found so far, more like a high-ranking devil.”

“A high-ranking devil… Are you talking about a Great Devil?”

“Yes.”

Cornelia seemed to have wanted to keep it a secret from me, but because of my position, I ended up knowing a lot about my ex-husband.

I thought he was just a minion of a normal devil, but he had made a contract with a Great Devil…

“It seems that the assumption that the Great Devil has no interest in the human world has been shattered. Why would he suddenly interfere after being quiet for so long…”

“This is a theory that came from the Tower of Magic, but the sorcerers believe that the Great Devil and the monsters from the other world recently discovered are related.”

“······.”

The monsters from another world were actually from the demon realm?

No. That can’t be true.

It might be more accurate to see it as the escapade of a great demon.

Is it true that a great demon is joining forces with beings from another world to invade this side?

For what purpose?

I don’t know.

The information given is so limited that even speculation is impossible.

“It’s complicated.”

“That’s for sure.”

“Still, with the active exchange of information between the Tower of Magic and Elvengard, the truth might be revealed soon.”

Now that we’ve caught their tail, it shouldn’t take long to uncover their true identities.

There was a recent incident in Elvengard where the body of an intelligent monster was stolen, but other than that, there haven’t been any major incidents.

“This way.”

“But, Saint. Did you perhaps······. Um.”

“Yes?”

“Never mind. I spoke out of turn. I’ll go prepare for the mass then.”

“Yes. I’ll be down shortly.”

As the sacristan left,

I stood in the silent corridor, knocking on the door twice.

But there was no response from inside.

After waiting for about 20 seconds, I knocked again.

“Reverend. It’s Jill Diner. May I have a meeting with you?”

“······.”

Even after calling out loudly, there was still no response.

There was no sign indicating his absence, so he must be inside.

Puzzled, I tried the doorknob, and to my surprise, it was unlocked.

Inside the office, there were piles of scattered documents.

And Nicholas, the reverend, was standing stiffly, looking out the window.

“Reverend······?”

The reverend stood as if frozen, not moving even when called out to.

Could he have fallen asleep standing up?

Approaching cautiously, I got close to the reverend’s side.

He clearly had his eyes open.

Standing upright, but with no response as if he were dead.

At that moment, I thought he looked like a dead body.

“Gasp?!”

I touched his wrist, and startled, I stepped back.

There was no pulse!

He was dead!

Thud!

As I stepped back, my touch caused him to fall to the side.

Just like a mannequin toppling over, the reverend fell in the same posture he was standing in.

Feeling terrified and goosebumps rising, I turned and ran away.

As I passed through the door, a sudden chill ran through me.

It felt like a cold breeze brushing past me.

And as I stepped out into the corridor,

I heard a familiar voice from inside the room.

“Are you the Saint?”

“Re-Reverend?”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I must have dozed off.”

As he raised his head, the reverend naturally stood up and straightened his clothes.

Just moments ago, he was stiff as a board, but now he was moving and speaking normally, with color returning to his face.

Did I see it wrong?

“You sleep standing up…?”

“I have a condition similar to sleep paralysis. People are often surprised when they see it for the first time. Hahaha.”

“I couldn’t feel your pulse…”

“My pulse might have weakened a bit. Would you like to check again? It should be fine now.”

Indeed.

When I checked again, his pulse was strong.

I had misunderstood.

I was really surprised…

“Why did you come all the way to this humble office?”

“I… came to cancel the warrant.”

“Are you talking about the attempted rape case?”

“Yes. I met with the victim and reached an agreement. So, I hope you can stop the investigation.”

“You met with the victim…?”

Nicholas, the reverend, narrowed his eyes slightly, looking a bit menacing, and I couldn’t help but gulp.

“How did that happen?”

“That, that’s a secret. Everything is resolved. It was my misunderstanding, so there are no suspicions on that person. So, if you could end the investigation and lift the warrant, I would appreciate it.”

“Well, alright. If the parties involved have resolved it amicably, then of course we should do as they wish.”

“Thank you. And thank you for lifting the warrant so abruptly. And for canceling the order…”

“Hahaha. It’s a request from the Saint. No one thinks it’s abrupt.”

Chu Gikyeong chuckled and pulled out a piece of paper from the stack of documents.

It was a copy of an order stamped with Chu Gikyeong’s seal.

After stamping another seal on it, he called the bishop and handed him the order.

“As of now, this order is no longer valid. Please cease the investigation. And, erase the identity of someone named Eugene.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Is this what you wanted, Saint? Are you feeling relieved now? Hahaha.”

“Yes…”

Everything was resolved.

Everything turned out as desired.

But still, I couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling.

What is it?

Why does Chu Gikyeong seem so strange today?

***

If there’s something hidden in Cologne, it’s in the sewers.

If something suspicious happens in Cologne, it happens in the sewers.

The sewers of Cologne are treated like a dungeon to the extent that such rumors circulate among the users.

Given its vast size and the fact that there used to be dungeons there, it’s not surprising.

Even if I were a villain, if I were to do something in Cologne, I would do it in the dark and deserted sewers.

So, I was exploring the sewers with Mijeong…

“Ugh! The smell is driving me crazy! I should have bought a gas mask!”

“…Garbage.”

“Are you okay with the smell?”

“…Garbage.”

“When are you going to stop that?”

“…Garbage.”

I can’t focus because of the stench.

The place we visited when we defeated the dungeon before was one of the less smelly areas in the sewers.

As we went deeper, I couldn’t focus at all.

Not only does it stink, but there’s also toxic gas making it hard to breathe.

I felt like I could suffocate if I pushed myself too hard.

In the end, I couldn’t explore all the way.

I had to give up midway and run out.

“Excuse me! Who are you?”

“Oh. Are you a sewer manager?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Let me ask you something. Have you seen anyone suspicious in the sewers recently?”

“I haven’t seen anyone except you, but… I heard from a colleague that they saw something floating in the canal.”

“Understood.”

“But who are you? Don’t run away! Hey!”

“Mijeong, run. No, just get on.”

“…Okay.”

It’s impossible to search every nook and cranny of this vast sewer system within 24 hours.

So, I have no choice but to trust the sewer manager’s words that there’s no suspicious person in the sewers…

“They saw something floating in the canal?”

Did they travel through the canal?

No, that’s unlikely.

The water flowing through the canal is contaminated with all sorts of chemicals, not just sewage.

There may be sections where you have to dive completely underwater, making it impossible for a living person to pass through.

‘Wait. If a living person can’t pass through, then a dead body…?’

It could be a vampire.

Or a necromancer made up of spirits.

One of the Four Kings, Luna, perhaps.

“I don’t have enough evidence…”

There’s no evidence to begin with that the opponent is one of the Four Kings.

No, even before that, there’s no certainty that the opponent even exists.

It all started from the story of the white smoke that Jil saw.

I need more concrete evidence.

To confirm the opponent’s identity.

And to find out their location and tactics.

The only one who might know the detailed information…

“Darn it. That’s Solra for you.”

A holy knight in cahoots with the Four Kings, Solra.

The problem is that bastard is currently buried underground, and the fact that he’ll attack me the moment I try to dig him up for some information.

It seems like he doesn’t know much about the situation, so contacting him would be useless.

Then, who else could be a useful source of information?

“······Get up, we need to move.”

“I’m exhausted too. Running around without a break, struggling to breathe. I’m dying of thirst.”

Both of us completely worn out, plopped down on a bench.

Even though Mijeong looks calm on the outside and not out of breath, seeing her eyes gradually shining with a reddish light, it’s clear she’s close to exhaustion.

Soon, she’ll force herself to collapse and try to draw blood.

“Hey… Do you want some water?”

“Ah, thank you.”

A cup of water being pushed in from the side.

Judging by the neat apron, it seems like a waiter from the nearby shop.

Gratefully taking the cup and drinking the water.

But now that I look at it…

This boy.

His face seems familiar from somewhere.

Blond hair and clear eyes.

A typical handsome protagonist, resembling someone I know.

“May I ask your name?”

“My name? It’s Xenon Artemisia.”

“Ah.”

Artemisia.

Someone mentioned it before.

He was Solra’s younger brother.

“Nice to meet you. I’ve been wanting to meet you someday, and here we are.”

“Huh? Oh? Who are you?”

“I’m a friend of Solra. Aren’t you his younger brother?”

“Oh…! Yes! That’s right!”

‘Hostage acquired.’

The material to threaten Solra has conveniently come rolling in.