The Corrupt Guildmaster, Making a Decision
The day after meeting Ulfred. I was speaking with Yolm Andersen in the guild’s reception room.
“... And so, it’s likely that magic of this kind, or possibly drugs, would be used. Could you prepare counter-spells for that?”
“Hmm.”
Yolm stroked his white beard on his chin. After thinking for a while, he nodded once.
“Counter-spells rather than recovery magic will do, yes?”
“Yeah. I want to infiltrate while completely sober.”
I handed Yolm a bag containing several small vials made by the Central Nations’ Magic Academy. These were the same type of vials that had contained the teleportation magic used during the Demonic Void Dungeon capture.
A superb item that can store magic and allow it to be cast once regardless of who the caster is. Extremely expensive, but… money is meaningless if you don’t use it. Money only gains value once it’s spent.
And this time, just like Aron’s party expulsion incident, it’s an issue directly tied to my own safety. On top of that, if things go well, I can obtain everything they have. If I’m going to spend money, now is the best possible timing.
“Understood. Then I’ll imbue counter-spells for hallucinations, paralysis, confusion, sleep, poison… around those effects. I’ll have them ready by tomorrow.”
“That helps a lot.”
“Hohoho. Even an old man like me is honored to still be of use.”
Yolm laughed as usual, then lifted his heavy eyelids slightly.
“But is it truly so? That those ‘Apostles of Demons’ have infiltrated noble society?”
Perhaps it really is the wisdom that comes with age. When I told Yolm about what had happened, he offered his help wholeheartedly. Apparently, during his travels across many regions in the past, he had encountered the Apostles of Demons numerous times.
“In the old days, they were savage folk who attacked villages, abducted people, and offered them as sacrifices… to think they’d resort to such cunning methods now. Frightening, indeed.”
“It was after the cult leader was replaced that their methods changed. They slowly encroach upon the world from the shadows, increasing their believers. If they ingratiate themselves with those in power, they can perform sacrificial rituals without drawing attention.”
I explained it to Yolm. The Apostles of Demons now boast power on the scale of a major faction. Those in power want the support of their believers. The Apostles of Demons, unified as a single group, have extremely strong internal bonds. And that influence has spread into the nobility, merchants, and even the Guild Association. By exploiting that, one can rise higher or crush rivals. There are surely those who try to take advantage of it.
But if you step in carelessly, you’ll be swallowed by them. A pitiful ending awaits, thinking to use them, only to be absorbed instead.
Hallucination magic, combined with the cult leader’s charisma and divinity, makes that possible. This is the method I know from the original story.
They approach useful people, invite them to gatherings, cast hallucination magic on them, then bring them before the cult leader, where his words and the miracles he performs completely ensnare them. Approaching them with half-baked greed only leads to ruin.
… I won’t be dealing with them in such a lukewarm way. An organization held together by the cult leader’s charisma is easy to destroy. I just need to turn the cult leader into nothing more than an ordinary human. With my knowledge of the original story, I can do that.
Demons certainly exist in this world. And I also know what kind of catastrophe occurs when a demon appears. By exploiting that, a rift will naturally form between the cult leader and his ideology.
“And to think mere words can change even a person’s heart… I’ve lived for sixty-five years, but this is the first time I’ve seen such methods.”
“The cult leader’s words burrow into the weaknesses of the heart. You can’t do it without thorough investigation of the target and exceptional skill at controlling people.”
“Hoho, you speak as if you’ve seen it all firsthand.”
… I got carried away explaining. I ended up saying things I shouldn’t normally know, all because of my knowledge of the original story.
“To understand even things unknown to me, as expected of you Guildmaster Zilkein. Very diligent indeed.”
Saying that, Yolm slowly stood up. It doesn’t seem like he found my words suspicious. Still, I’ll have to be more careful when speaking about things I know only from the original story.
“You said you’ll infiltrate their hideout, yes? So that we don’t lose you, I’ll pour my entire being into these spells. I’ll deliver the imbued items tomorrow.”
The door closed softly. Yolm, with his vast number of acquired spells, really is invaluable at times like this. I should order more vials as well.
“Oh right, maybe I should have him imbue some enhancement magic for Aron too.”
We’re going to charge straight into a group of fanatics. A battle is almost guaranteed. Proper preparation is necessary.
I sank deeply into the sofa. When I looked out the window, I could hear the lively voices of adventurers outside.
… So the Apostles of Demons are targeting me, huh.
Even if it’s due to alterations to the original story, it still doesn’t quite feel real. Up until now, the effects of those changes were minor, but from here on out, much larger repercussions may come.
Still, this is also a chance. I’ll press the attack boldly.
Now then, all that’s left is choosing an escort. Normally, I should bring Lizette, whose stealth skills as an assassin are exceptional… but in the original story, Lizette was killed by Ulfred. That fact keeps rejecting what should be the optimal choice.
According to Sylvia’s report, Lizette has recently been showing strange signs during combat. She doesn’t seem to have noticed it herself yet, but when she uses Black Bolt, a black aura appears around her.
… Perhaps by deviating from the original route, Lizette’s power is on the verge of evolving.
Lizette is a girl who will climb to even greater heights and become an adventurer who earns vast sums of money. I absolutely cannot afford to lose her here.
“What should I do…”
“Hey, what’re you worrying about!”
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind. A familiar girl’s voice. She brought her face close to my ear and whispered.
“Why don’t you talk it over with your dear, beloved girlfriend Lizette? I’ll heal you, Zilkein! Come on, jump right into Lizette-chan’s chest! There, there~!”
I felt a soft sensation against my neck, but forced it out of my mind. When I glanced sideways, the window was open. Looks like Lizette climbed up the wall to get in.
“Why can’t you just come in through the door…”
“Why? Because Emidia is scary~! More importantly, hey, don’t you feel anything? Like, ‘Wow, this feels soft,’ or ‘I want to be spoiled’ or something!”
Lizette tried to pull me into her pace. It’s good that she’s become brighter and more girlish, but she’s far too innocent. Maybe I should ask Sylvia to help calm her down a bit more.
“Nothing in particular.”
“Eeh!? You’ve got great self-control, Zilkein~♪”
Lizette wrapped her arms around my neck. I tried to slip away casually, but her grip tightened, making escape impossible. Sigh… Ever since coming back from the dungeon, she’s gotten even more aggressive.
Still, her stealth skills really are high. I used to be able to sense her presence before, but now that her mind has settled, this must be her true ability. If she gets serious, she can completely erase her presence like this. After all, there really is no better candidate than her.
“Nfufu~! Emidia’s working reception on the first floor, so it’s fine if I have Zilkein all to myself right now, right!”
Lizette pulled away smoothly, sat beside me, and rested her head on my lap.
Looking down at Lizette, our eyes met. Eyes that felt like they could pull you in, yet held no hesitation. When I first met her, did she have eyes like these?
As I gazed into them, the words slipped out naturally.
“Could you… accept a quest where you might die?”
“Huh? U~mm… I don’t want to die. Things just started getting fun.”
“I see. Sorry. Forget I asked.”
Suddenly, she placed a hand on my cheek. Blushing, she looked straight back into my eyes.
“But I can do it. For you, Zilkein.”
“… Is that because I saved you from Raltos?”
“That’s part of it, but really, risking your life for the person you love… do you need a reason for that? For you, Zilkein, I’d risk my life anytime. Of course, I don’t plan on dying! I still have to give birth to your successor, after all!”
“Such consideration isn’t necessary.”
“Aah! You’re dodging again like that~! … But I love that about you too, you know?”
Lizette smiled innocently. She’s overly expressive with her affection… but yes. I changed Lizette’s fate once. That’s why, next, I’ll change fate together with her.
My hesitation vanished. Once all preparations are complete… I’ll move.
To crush them.
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