episode_0155

The Brain-Eating One, Ganaegul Feitan.

Among the deep abyss of priests filled with all sorts of messed up lives, he was the most sinister and grotesque monster.

In the original work, he was known as the Brain-Eating One, the Tentacled Pig, right?

Although his personal strength was only average among the top brass of the Reverse Heaven Council, in terms of the size of his faction, he was considered the top among the deep abyss priests.

So… in the original setting… Ah, yes. He was the Archbishop of some heretical group called the Abyssal Sect.

After gaining power by contacting the ‘abyss’ spoken of by the deep abyss priests, he killed all his superiors and seized the position of the leader.

In other words, he was said to be a false religious leader who used magic. I don’t really understand why the followers of the Abyssal Sect would serve such a monstrous being as their leader.

Well, how can I possibly understand the thoughts of those fanatical believers? If I could understand, then I wouldn’t be a fanatic.

Anyway, in Arghantir’s letter, it was mentioned that the location where he was hiding, after retreating following a recent clash with Heide, had been discovered, and the order was to join the punitive force and eliminate him.

Although it doesn’t seem necessary for us to lend our hands… if we already know the location, can’t we just handle it ourselves…?

Freide sensed that Arghantir’s intentions were somewhat suspicious.

A human who had conquered the kingdom’s underworld would not be lacking in power to the extent that he needed to involve us.

“There must be a reason for it. Maybe he doesn’t want to expose his weaknesses, or it’s difficult to send out his core forces.”

The Shadow Ravens may dominate Herbor’s underworld, but they are ultimately an information and assassination organization.

They are terrifying when attacking from behind or under the bed, but when facing head-on, even a knight of a duke’s retinue would not be able to overwhelm them.

It’s only natural. Why would those with the level of skill of kingdom knights choose to live as underworld assassins?

Even knocking on the door of a suitable nobleman would immediately secure lifelong employment.

Unless they have committed such a serious crime that they cannot show their faces in public, there is no reason for them to live in the underworld with their skills.

And those who have committed such serious crimes become fugitives, chased like dogs and eventually punished.

In other words, those who try to make a name for themselves in the underworld are mostly just small fry when it comes to skills.

Of course, the orphan assassins personally trained by Arghantir are skilled enough to be called orphan-producing machines… but that’s a story for another time.

They are still incomplete forces, so if they were to be deployed for such a task and end up dying, it would be a bitter pill for Arghantir.

And the last force of the Shadow Ravens, the kingdom knights who are loyal to Arghantir personally, would be difficult to bring out of the capital.

What if they were secretly brought out and then ended up dead?

Several kingdom knights who went on vacation or left on a mission would go missing or be found dead in completely different places?

It wouldn’t be strange for the knight order itself to be turned upside down.

Arghantir probably entrusted me with this task for that reason.

At the very least, they are forces equivalent to kingdom knights.

With no affiliation or backup, it’s easy to use them freely, and since their external status is a disguise, even if things go wrong and they end up dead, it wouldn’t be difficult to cover it up.

There is no better power to wield than this from Arghantir’s perspective.

It’s only natural to delegate dangerous and uncomfortable tasks to subcontractors.

And to have a subcontractor with a good ability that can be exploited for half the price? It would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

◆◆

“―For that reason, although sudden, I think I have to leave tomorrow. It’s an urgent matter.”

After organizing the letter and package sent by Arghantir, I informed Belloran Kye that I should start working slowly.

Arghantir, who arranged a disguise for me, informed me that in return, I would have to take on a troublesome and demanding task.

“…I see. That’s a shame. There was still much I wanted to teach you.”

Belloran Kye sighed openly, his blue eyes showing a hint of worry and concern as he looked at me.

It was like the feelings of parents who had left their child by the riverside…not to that extent, but at least halfway there.

“I feel the same way. There was still much for me to learn…but, a contract is a contract. It can’t be helped.”

I shrugged my shoulders lightly, smiling wistfully to show my regret.

I wanted Belloran Kye to join me in the deep dungeon expedition, but unfortunately, it was not possible.

Belloran Kye, even though retired, was once considered for the position of vice commander due to his exceptional combat skills as a kingdom knight.

To leave the residence of such power, one had to report their destination and route to the capital, and obtain permission.

Perhaps it was a measure to prevent such power from being intercepted and used for covert activities?

So, I had to give up.

It was like a secret assassination operation, and if the destination was revealed, it would no longer be a secret.

I was certain that soon everyone in the world would know that former kingdom knight Belloran Esther Kye had dealt with the deep dungeon priest Ganagel.

And then…the aftermath was predictable.

Would the kingdom leave a former high knight in retirement with such power? Surely they would try to reinstate Belloran Kye in some way and send him to the deep dungeon.

Moreover, in the worst case scenario, if Hayde, angered by having her food source taken away, came with the brainwashing sword to confront her.

If one could control a high knight and use them at will, it would be quite convenient from the villain’s perspective.

In that case, I would have no choice but to scatter Hayde into a thousand pieces on the mountains to appease MTR’s grudge.

I would fall even further into the abyss of being a royal assassin and a hero assassin…but do I care? Who cares if I fall.

If I could endure seeing that, would that make me human?

It would be better to take a comrade than a mother, isn’t it a heinous act without any sense of justice?

…Well, for those reasons, I couldn’t take Belloran Kye on the Ganagel expedition.

◆◆

That evening.

“Excuse me, may I come in for a moment?”

As I was getting ready for an early departure the next morning, Belloran Kye knocked on the door and handed me something.

“Here, please take this. It’s a gift.”

“What is this…?”

I received her gift with a slight surprise, my mouth slightly agape.

“It’s Edelmut. It’s the sword of the Ester family, passed down from my ancestors.”

It was a sheathed sword.

A longsword with a golden crossguard and a half-length handle, with a clean and elegant design.

The silver-black sword looked lighter than steel but appeared ten times harder and sharper, with a faint sacred aura lingering around it.

“It’s an iron-chromium alloy steel with durability surpassing that of black steel. While the iron content is low, it won’t easily break unless you directly face an ogre’s attack.”

With a smile, Veleren explained the identity and performance of the gift.

“During the manufacturing process, we burned a piece of adult’s clothing to infuse a faint sacred miraculous power into the entire sword. Thanks to that, you can unfold a sacred barrier three times a day.”

In short, it was an incredibly sturdy sword that dealt additional damage to undead enemies and could activate a holy shield three times a day.

“If there were special memories imbued in the current sword, it might be different, but otherwise, it might be better to use a new sword. It’s too worn out.”

At Veleren’s words, I inadvertently glanced down at the black steel longsword hanging at my waist.

The neglected sword had lost its luster on the worn-out hilt, with the blade becoming dull and blunt in various places.

Ugh, is this even a sword?

Compared to the Edelmut sword that Veleren handed me, my black steel sword was nothing but trash.

Of course, it would be useful for novice adventurers, but still.

“How do you like it?”

Pointing at Edelmut, Veleren asked with a smile.

How could I not like it?

Except for one small problem.

“Um… thank you. But…”

“But?”

“Even though it’s a gift, I’m not sure if I should accept it…?”

Being someone with no blood relation to the Estera family, should I really accept such an item?

If it were something mediocre, I would gladly accept it without hesitation, but this was too good of an item to accept without feeling guilty.

“I didn’t say I would completely give it to you as a gift. I mentioned it, but didn’t say I would hand it over completely, did I?”

Perhaps my flustered appearance was amusing, as Veleren chuckled and spoke.

“Well, then do I have to return it?”

“Of course. Fulfill the responsibility you’ve passed on to me, return to this mansion, and give it back to me. Safe and sound, without a scratch.”

Veleren lightly brushed my head with her hand as she smiled. Our heights were almost the same, making it a slightly comical sight.

“If you come back even slightly injured, I won’t accept it even if you try to return it, right? So, if the gift feels burdensome, you should make sure not to get hurt, right?”

The mention of returning was just a joke since it was a loan.

Her gift contained worries and concerns about me not getting hurt and returning safely and definitely.

“…Yes. I’ll be careful.”

I nodded slightly and replied earnestly.

“Mother.”

With the utmost respect I could offer.