NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Clatter…
Clatter…
Whinny…
With the trotting of horses, the silence within the carriage is shattered.
“So, you mean to say we’re accompanying these mysterious demons to the baron’s estate for painting?”
“Mary, among them, there’s only one demon.”
“…And the others?”
“I’m not quite sure of the others’ identities either.”
“But why would you…!”
“The Veiled God, Bess, has spoken to us.”
The Church of Bess worships the dark deity who governs the veil. Though it might sound sinister or secretive when spoken of, the doctrine itself is far from it.
It’s fundamentally about embracing all.
Embracing every believer.
Humans, demons, fairies, and dwarves across the Solarian continent. It speaks of pulling them into the embrace of the veil, like the ocean’s depths. A sanctuary for those shunned by the sun.
“Does the idea of traveling with a demon unsettle you?”
“Well…”
A burly man with a scarred face spoke up in her stead.
“To be honest, yes. I’d understand if it were any other task, but our visit to the baron isn’t exactly for peaceful purposes, is it?”
“Lady Saint, in this matter, Sir Kazari’s words are just. It would be better to seek salvation from the church’s main body…”
“There are two reasons we won’t do that.”
Adelia, raising two fingers, began to explain.
“Firstly, asking the main body of the church for support would bring doubt upon my abilities. That’s an undeniable truth.”
“…You speak rightly.”
“Secondly, it’s simple. The Holy Bess truly declared that if I join forces with the man of black hair, the matter will be resolved.”
“But…”
“To doubt these words is akin to denying my faith. True belief sometimes means trusting in the unbelievable.”
Her eyes sparkled so brightly, Sir Kazari, Mary, and Alron could only sigh deeply in response.
“You’re correct.”
“We’ll follow…”
“We have no choice.”
With the important discussion concluded, everyone leaned back against the carriage seats.
“But that man… What’s his name?”
“He introduced himself as ‘Von’. Whether that’s true or not, I can’t say.”
“Von… Hmm… Von…”
“Mary? What’s the matter?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“…Did you take a liking to him?”
“He’s a demon, you know?”
“And?”
“His identity is a mystery. He’s full of suspicious aspects.”
“…So?”
“…He was rather handsome, wasn’t he?”
Pfft-!
“True, he did have the looks of a chiseled statue.”
“That must be why Mary shows interest.”
“Who, interested? I never said…”
* * *
“Explain, Amon.”
“Do you mean about your body?”
“Yes.”
Amon seemed to know something about my body. I had never hidden it, but I was a bit annoyed that there was a fact I didn’t know.
“Your body is now connected to Rotten Roots.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“It’s not a simple meaning. It means sharing life force with each other.”
“With the dungeon?”
“Exactly, the dungeon core. Your life force has become one with the life of the dungeon core. Until the dungeon core becomes stronger, you can’t even sever the connection yourself.”
I knew this to some extent as well.
“But why… how could you tell that my body’s condition doesn’t need to return immediately?”
“Have you recently devoured a powerful soul?”
“A powerful… soul?”
“Simply put, the dungeon core becomes stronger as it devours souls.”
If it’s a powerful soul…
“Are you talking about Karl Kurso?”
“Whatever it is, if you’ve thought of it, then it must be that soul. That soul has become your life force.”
“…How peculiar.”
Tsk…
“So, to live, one must kill?”
“It’s not a big deal. Most life, whether beast or human, commits killing to survive. No, to live is to do so. It’s not particularly special.”
I leaned back quietly in the chair at Amon’s words.
Not particularly special.
An assessment of the path to the future that lies ahead.
I thought it was a good saying.
“Besides, isn’t it dangerous to associate with people from the church?”
Bill asked.
“The Beth Church is not a typical group. They are treated as heretics even by the empire, so our understanding coincides with theirs.”
“The church that worships the god of the veil.”
“They are shunned because of their doctrine of integration with other races. Well, it’s fine as long as we don’t get deeply involved. This is the only time we’ll be involved, and the price they’ve offered is exactly what we need right now.”
“Then, I understand.”
Knock knock…
Mori, with a smile in his voice, knocked on the carriage and said,.
“We’ve arrived, this seems to be the residence of Baron Grimhal.”
Creeeak…
The carriage stopped.
‘…Impressive.’
A tremendous mansion unfolded before my eyes. Even the garden alone seemed larger than the grounds of the black market.
Just looking at the surrounding landscaping, one could tell how fastidious the owner of the mansion was.
At the mansion’s front gate, a middle-aged man with a dazzling cloak and a large brooch was standing. The number of servants gathered around him showed how easily this grand estate could be managed.
Swoosh…
Baron Grimhal, wavering between dapper and ridiculous with his mustache, stepped forward.
“Lady Adelia, your visit to this place honors me, Lanford Grimhal… I am at a loss for how to conduct myself.”
“Please dispense with the formalities, Lord Lanford of the Grimhal family. Looking after the faithful is but one of my few duties.”
“Ho ho… You truly are beautiful, Lady Adelia. My heart feels alive for the first time in a long while.”
Baron Grimhal knelt and kissed the back of Adelia’s hand. I couldn’t help but frown at his action, which he performed slowly as if savoring it.
“And who might these companions be…”
“Wanderers. They are currently providing company on my pilgrimage for personal reasons.”
“Ha ha ha! How spirited. Then let us make proper introductions inside.”
Our gazes met with Baron Grimhal.
‘Hmm…’
Just one look at his sparkling eyes was enough to understand what kind of person Baron Grimhal was.
‘…He’s not hiding it?’
Perhaps it was confidence because this was his stronghold, but he didn’t hide his madness.
“Faust.”
“…”
“Do you realize we’re entering the maw of a beast?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
There were many hidden presences all around the mansion.
Amon smiled wryly.
“It seems we won’t be bored during our stay here.”
My opinion differed from hers.
“We’ll need to collect more magic stones to make the business profitable.”
“That’s also a good idea.”
Thud…
Thud…
Like a scene from a horror movie, our silhouettes walking towards the mansion’s main gate seemed precarious.
Yet, I felt a strange emotion.
‘…Am I actually pleased?’
It was certain that an incident would occur.
A madman and ominous premonitions.
And the choice of this secluded grand mansion as the location.
I was pleased by it.
I kept thinking about what excuse I would use to extort compensation.
Swoosh…
During the move, Mary stealthily approached and spoke.
“Don’t move recklessly… You’re only filling the gap in the escort left by the paladins’ investigation temporarily.”
“Quite right. I’ll do just that.”
“Hey, we’re on the same page…!”
It was a warning to behave like a supporting character and not cause trouble. Hm-hm! Mary suspiciously rejoined Adelia’s side.
Afterward, we were naturally guided by a servant and assigned a place to sleep during our stay. As befitting a grand mansion, there were several rooms.
However, the difference was that the princess’s side and the three paladins each were assigned one room, while our side was divided into men and women, totaling two rooms. Perhaps they didn’t realize that this arrangement made it easier for us to move.
Soon, we were invited to dinner, and I took a seat at the table with Baron Grimhal at the head and Adelia opposite.
‘Dining at such a long table…’
I had never dined at such a bizarre table before.
Adelia and Lanford, the head of the Grimhal family, mostly chatted about topics known only to them. As I filtered through their conversation and continued my meal, Baron Grimhal turned his attention to us.
“Hmm… Now that I look at them, Lady Adelia’s companions… They are not ordinary in appearance.”
“…Is that so?”
“Regardless of gender, they are all outstanding beauties. This is a compliment without any ulterior motive, so please do not take it the wrong way.”
Amon’s lips twisted into a smirk.
As the hairs on his neck stood on end, fearing she might cause a mishap, a clear voice flowed from her lips.
“Hehe… Thank you.”
Hearing her response, Grimhal withdrew his attention from us and continued his conversation with Adelia. Catching Amon’s eye with my surprised look, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
“Your flustered reactions are quite amusing.”
The scoundrel, he was enjoying my discomposure.
“But, I’ve heard there’s been a strange occurrence in the nearby parish…”
Adelia broached the subject with her usual grace.
“Ah… you mean the disappearance case. Indeed. Several followers have gone missing over the past few months. We’ve tried to resolve it at the parish level, but to no avail. It’s embarrassing… that the matter has reached the main order. Ah… Perhaps that’s why you’ve come to seek Grimhal…”
“That’s not it. I wanted to take this opportunity to meet Lord Grimhal, a significant patron of the parish, and observe the atmosphere here.”
“Ahahaha! Oh… My apologies. I got carried away with my enthusiasm.”
“I plan to stay here for about three days.”
“Three days, you say… I’ll ensure your stay is comfortable.”
With that, the meal concluded.
As soon as we finished eating, the paladins sprang into action, questioning the mansion’s servants and searching for suspicious spaces.
Their efforts seemed clumsy, but since their investigation wouldn’t benefit me, I left them to it.
If I just stay here quietly for three days, I’ll receive a bounty of magic stones. What’s the rush…
However, the situation changed on the afternoon of the second day.
Knock, knock…
“It’s Adelia. Is it a good time for tea?”
…Tea time at noon, then.
Creeeak…
As Adelia took her seat, Lucifer appeared, having perked up his ears at the mention of tea time from who knows where.
Drip, drip, drip…
Soon, she served us tea with an excited expression and stepped back.
“Please enjoy the aroma.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
“…Hurry!”
“…Yes.”
I gave Lucifer a sidelong glance, as if to say, ‘Drink up, or else,’ creating a rather threatening atmosphere.
“Hah… My apologies. I’ll leave you be.”
Once Lucifer discreetly vacated the spot, Adelia began her tale.
“Our plans have gone awry.”
“Right to the point, then. Calm down.”
“We’re short on time.”
“…What was the issue?”
Sigh…
Adelia explained calmly.
“Let’s be honest. This kind of work is new to us, so there are areas where we’re inexperienced.”
“You mean the investigation?”
“Yes, the righteous ones…”
“You’re saying they lack cunning in a roundabout way.”
“…”
Look at this…
“Adelia.”
“Yes.”
“We’re both busy, so let’s not waste time. You want something, don’t you?”
“…”
“Whether it’s resolving the investigation of the missing followers or your suspicions about Baron Grimhal, it’s all the same. If we investigate, the truth will come out. You… You need to be honest with me about your desires.”
“…Why?”
“Otherwise, I won’t help you.”
Adelia bit her lip and said,
“I want to bring Baron Grimhal to a religious trial.”
“…Why?”
“Firstly, I suspect that someone backing Baron Grimhal is also sponsoring one of his competitors.”
“A ploy to shake the competitor’s power? That’s logical.”
“Secondly, I don’t just suspect Baron Grimhal is behind the disappearances… I’m certain of it.”
“Do you have evidence?”
“The common link among the missing followers is…”
“You’ve said as much.”
“The fact that all the missing followers are of different races… You didn’t mention that.”
“…Hmm?”
Wait…
Now that I think about it…
“The servants of this mansion…”
“Yes. There are too few humans.”
Out of the nearly dozen staff, only the butler and a few maids of managerial rank were human.
“…That’s certainly suspicious.”
“Thirdly, there’s a hidden space in the mansion.”
“Where?”
“Underground.”
“It won’t be easy to access for the average person.”
“We can either infiltrate or force our way in… Both options carry risks.”
For the righteous paladins to infiltrate the underground that Baron Grimhal is desperately hiding is absurd… And to forcibly open it would be to bring suspicion upon him.
“Forcing our way in is a last resort… If we do and nothing comes to light, we’ll be in a predicament.”
“…You’re correct.”
“Have you come to me before resorting to that final option?”
“…”
“Adelia, your intentions are all too clear.”
“…What do you mean?”
She asked, furrowing her brow.
“If a problem arises, you plan to cut ties at the opportune moment. Claiming it was my unilateral action. Or do you intend to deny it?”
Adelia hopes that we, who have no direct ties to the church, will take decisive action. If there’s trouble, we’ll likely be abandoned.
Well, let’s hear it.
“…Yes.”
Had she denied it, my stance wouldn’t have changed. Her honesty is both her strength and her weakness.
“…Do you trust me?”
“I serve only the words of Beth.”
This Beth, or whatever, chose me? A black-haired demon with a hidden identity?
That creature… Quite capable.
“You’re using me, and I’m using you… If you understand that much…”
“Magic stones…”
“…”
“I’ll add another chest of equal weight.”
I struggled to suppress a grin.
Gacha… It’s a gacha!
“What are the conditions?”
“Uncover Baron Grimhal’s crimes while you stay here.”
[The reward for assistance has been updated.]
[The reward is 6,000 top-grade magic stones.]
“I won’t hold back once I start, regardless of the means. What about you?”
Her words implied there could be casualties.
Adelia, without batting an eye, maintained her beautiful composure as she replied,
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the path of the divine.”
How arrogant!
Detestable.
And yet, I like it!
“Mori.”
Swoosh…
Mori, the doppelganger who had been listening all along, emerged from behind the curtain.
“Yes.”
Adelia’s pupils dilated upon seeing Mori. Even she couldn’t remain expressionless this time.
Mori was grinning, dressed, and looking exactly like one of the mansion’s maids.
I rested my chin on my hand and commanded him.
“Begin.”