The Corrupt Guildmaster, Recruited by Fanatics
The man standing before me… Ulfred Resta, wore a refreshing smile.
“What’s wrong, Zilkein-kun? Have I done something that would make you look at me like that?”
Ulfred is an executive of the fanatical group known as the “Apostles of Demons,” which also appears in the original work. I should have only seen his face in the original illustrations, but I can say with certainty that this is him. A tall man in his late twenties. At first glance, he looks like an ordinary noble you could find anywhere… but there is one major feature that truly makes Ulfred who he is. His right eye is green, and his left eye is blue, heterochromia.
That heterochromia is the result of a unique skill that altered his eyes. It is an ability called “Third Eye,” which reads the opponent’s future one second ahead. He cannot read the future unless the skill is activated, but in combat it grants overwhelming power. On top of that, his high interpersonal skills cultivated as a noble… he is the perfect person to lead fanatics.
“Zilkein-sama. He is the second son of Count Resta and a person well-versed in trade.”
I thanked Emidia, who whispered this to me, and turned back to face Ulfred. First, it’s vital to probe his intentions. There’s no way he intends to cause trouble in a place with this many people around.
“Sorry. Given what just happened, I reacted without thinking.”
“Ah… those women, I presume. People like that are troublesome. They probably live by nothing but animal instincts. Is your fiancée all right?”
Ulfred sent his gaze toward Emidia. She bowed once, wearing the dignified expression she always has when inside the guild.
“Does a member of the count family have some business with me?”
“You are the guest of honor this time. Everyone wants to speak with you. I approached you because I wish to invite you to a certain gathering.”
After glancing around, Ulfred lowered his voice.
“In ten days, there will be a gathering at my residence. It’s something like a social event attended by merchants and members of the Guild Association. I believe it would be beneficial to you.”
“Why me? There should be people of higher status than me at this celebration, shouldn’t there?”
“I have no interest in ordinary nobles. If I can invite you, the main figure of this event, my presence within the gathering will grow stronger.”
Ulfred’s eyes gleamed sharply. Not even trying to hide his ambition, does he see me as the same kind of person? A shrewd man.
I see now. Most likely, the Apostles of Demons want to bring me into their fold and use me to gain a foothold in the Fres Kingdom. Earlier, those women were clearly acting under someone’s orders when they tried to demean Emidia, was the one who gave those orders this man? To gauge my influence now that I’ve earned the trust of King Fress. Otherwise, approaching me so deliberately would be unnatural.
A gathering… huh. A meeting where influential figures from various fields assemble, and at the residence of a count’s second son, no less. That’s far beyond unusual… If that’s the case, it’s safe to assume the core members of that gathering will be people connected to the Apostles of Demons. Their goal is probably… to increase their believers.
And the one being targeted is me… I never thought the Apostles of Demons would approach me due to the alterations to the original story. It seems the impact of those changes has grown quite large.
I recall the memories from the original work. The Apostles of Demons were an organization that operated in the shadows with support from an unknown source. They investigated the Demonic Void Dungeon and attempted to connect the Demon’s world with this one under the pretense of a ritual to resurrect the Demon.
The sense of unease I felt when I accepted the national quest from King Fres, this is what it was.
Even if I saved Lizette and diverged from the original timeline, the Apostles of Demons still exist in this world. If so, they must still be scheming to resurrect the Demon. If left alone, the tragedy of the original final battle could very well occur.
Their influence is already creeping right up to the most powerful figures in various fields… what a troublesome enemy. If I handle this poorly, they might manipulate nobles or members within the Guild Association to destroy the Luminage Guild from the inside. How infuriating… to appear just when I’ve finished a major job and things were about to settle down.
Hm? But… wait a moment.
In volume four of the original, the Apostles of Demons began to appear in earnest, repeatedly confronting Aron and the others using the original Lizette. During that time, I saw Ulfred’s abilities and those of the cult leader through my knowledge of the original story.
The Apostles of Demons have a cult leader. If I take him out… and replace the object of their faith from the Demon to something else, wouldn’t it be possible to make the entire network of the Apostles of Demons my own?
I glance sideways at Ulfred. This guy is just a man who’s utterly devoted to the cult leader. If handled properly, he has plenty of value. Ideally, I’d separate him from the guild, keep him under control, and use him to issue orders to believers embedded throughout various sectors.
An ideal vision of how to use them rises in my mind. Remaking the very existence of the Apostles of Demons and siphoning off only their influence… If that were possible, I could obtain power surpassing even the influence Raltos once sought.
With that, I would have nothing to fear even if further changes to the original story come crashing down on me.
… The risk is more than worth taking.
But to do that, I’ll need to infiltrate their organization.
“Well? I’ve already exposed my position to this extent. I’d appreciate it if you would take that into consideration.”
“Understood. Ten days from now, then? I’ll attend. May I bring my subordinates with me?”
“They will have to wait in a separate room, but if that’s acceptable.”
“No problem.”
Ulfred smiled brightly and extended his right hand. I grasped it and stared into his eyes.
A suspicious light glimmered deep within his pupils, the eyes of someone who has devoted himself to something utterly. Ulfred, you intend to swallow me and the guild whole, don’t you? I wonder what kind of future you’ll end up witnessing.
For the first time in a while, my blood boils. Things that can only be obtained by exposing oneself to danger… I feel like I finally understand why adventurers risk their lives to accept quests.
This is my quest. To crush the true mastermind of the original story.
Apostles of Demons… cult leader, Bastarus Kushruna. You’re the one who made the first move. Anyone who disturbs my peace will be destroyed. Thoroughly. I’ll take every last one of your believers and all of your influence for myself.
I’ll make you regret choosing the wrong opponent.
What do you think about this chapter?
