Chapter 64 - If There Is a God (7)

The Purification of a Priest, and one with the title of a Hero at that, worked instantly. The black liquid evaporated as if burning away in the pouring golden waves.

It was an unpleasant yet sacred sight.

"Wow, this is my second time seeing that, and it's a spectacle no matter how you look at it. But how did they manage to arrive at the perfect time?"

Aside from that, just like DeB said, I had no idea how they got here.

I mean, well. They probably had the funds to get a ship, and it wasn't a route that required special talent like the Dragon's Cry Gate. It wasn't exactly a place they couldn't reach...

But to know where we were, they would've had to go to Zakrati and ask around. Furthermore, the Yabad region seemed to absolutely despise the Temple.

My question stemmed from that. How did they break through that hostility to find our location and come all the way here?

"..."

I discreetly checked on Windhand's demeanor near me while I was looting the pirates' hideout. His expression, having barely been pulled apart from grabbing a Priest by the collar earlier, was extremely troubled. More accurately, it was wavering back and forth.

It felt as though he wanted to strangle the Priests to death right this second, while simultaneously harboring the patience to hold back because he had received their help.

"This is horrific."

On the other hand, the adventurers who had no personal grudges against the Temple focused on something else. It was the corpses of the pirates who had been swept up and killed by the black liquid before the Inquisitor arrived.

"What kind of curse... is this?"

"A curse that turns the body black?"

"Even slathering them in charcoal powder wouldn't do this."

They poked at the pitch-black corpses with their weapons as they argued back and forth. For someone who knew what it was—it looked like the Black Death, right?—it was a rather skin-crawling action.

It was equally dangerous for me being at this distance... but wasn't touching them like that crossing a line...?

Did they think it was fine because the Mages were gathering samples left and right, claiming they found research materials?

"It is a curse of plague. Judging by the symptoms, it looks like the Black Death."

Fortunately, the Archmage casually strolled over and imparted his knowledge to the adventurers. At the mention of the Black Death, the adventurers jumped up in fright.

"What?!"

"Fortunately, it does not seem to be a curse that turns people into live sacrifices... but this is troubling. To think the curse spread from a broken bottle."

"What the hell is a live sacrifice..."

"In the first place, if it's the Black Death, shouldn't we be getting out of here?"

"That is fine. Are the Priests not here?"

The Archmage shrugged. The words that followed were enough to make me subtly furrow my brow.

"As long as the Inquisitor has performed a massive Purification, there is almost no chance of infection. Even if you do get infected, receiving a baptism of Purification is all it takes."

I had thought about this before, but... it really was a convenient world.

In a certain world, twenty million people died because they had to combat it with nothing but hygiene and pure medicine. Not to mention the witch hunts that slaughtered people indiscriminately without any clear standards.

"But it's still scary..."

If you asked if I was envious of this place, the answer was no.

Even with alternatives like magic and divine power, the technological advancement was too low. The awareness of human rights was at rock bottom too, so there were many parts that made my modern sensibilities groan.

As expected, I prefer my original world. Not this place.

"Well. I am more afraid of the mere existence of this item. It is a relief that it was used in a pirate hideout for now, but what would happen if this were unleashed on a large city? And what about that zombie infection that spread in an instant?"

"... Th-That's true."

"I have never heard of such a curse and item existing... It was likely developed in these lands. It is a deplorable matter. I wonder if that Bipurit fellow even knows what he has done."

Meanwhile, the Archmage continued to click his tongue. Just listening to the context, he had every right to do so.

"Then again, if he had known, he would not have played a part in corrupting the dragon."

"What?!?!?"

"Ah, you all do not know. It has been revealed that the dragon's corruption was the work of demon worshipers. As a result of our tracking, we also discovered that it began in the Yabad region."

That made sense, but the reason the dragon was corrupted was a chain reaction from the events happening here?? No wonder the scale of the dragon and the Yabad region was too big for a mere side quest. Was this actually the main story?

"Considering that Montata Island has entirely fallen into the hands of those who joined forces with demon worshipers... I suspect that ritual of impurity was conducted using the people of this island as sacrifices. Of course, it is still in the speculative stage."

At that point, I considered it basically confirmed rather than just speculation. My long-standing gamer intuition was screaming that he was right.

Everyone present grew troubled.

"Hey."

In the midst of that, Windhand opened his mouth. It was the first sentence without a swear word in it since the Magic Tower's Mages led by the Archmage and the Temple's Priests led by the Inquisitor had appeared.

Ah, come to think of it, maybe not the absolute first. He didn't swear when he gave the order to catch the fleeing pirates earlier, either.

There weren't any curses when he told them to chop the heads off all the captives except the ones who looked high-ranking, either.

"I think it's time to talk. I get that the incident has blown up this much. But how, and by what right, did you bastards come here?"

I was getting too sidetracked.

Getting back on track, I focused on the conversation between Windhand and the Archmage while examining the letters and blueprints in the pirates' hideout.

Though I couldn't intervene, the atmosphere was unusually tense. If things went wrong, I might end up seeing Windhand shove a knife into the Archmage's gut.

"This isn't good..."

See, even DeB was reacting like that.

"As for how, the Inquisitor put in a lot of effort for that part first."

"..."

"And as for the right..."

"Don't tell me, you son of a—!"

"Did you call for me?"

Not only was the Archmage's statement incredibly ambiguous, but the Inquisitor also intervened at the absolute worst timing.

Windhand's eyes turned bloodshot as he jumped to conclusions about the situation.

CLINK.

The next moment, the fabric adorning the Inquisitor's chainmail was gripped tightly in Windhand's hand as she was grabbed by the collar.

"...?"

"Y-You, what did you do when you came to these lands!"

"Pardon?"

"What did you do to my city!"

"The city... you mean? We did nothing but talk, well, I mean, we only talked."

Meanwhile, the Inquisitor answered blankly. Setting aside her alternating between formal and informal speech, DeB slapped a hand over his own face with a smack at the sheer nonchalance in her tone—or more accurately, her utter lack of tact.

Surprisingly, the Priests merely watched the situation and showed no signs of stepping in. Though the Mages were excitedly watching, claiming a good spectacle had unfolded.

"Liar! There's no way they would have willingly talked to you!"

"True, it was indeed so, I mean, it was. Most of them vehemently refused to converse."

Ah, the stubbornly honest kimchi dumpling as always. Firmly agreeing to that.

"Then, did you really—!"

"Hey, hey! Please calm down, Sir Windhand!"

Did Windhand look like he was going to explode at the Inquisitor's clumsy speech? DeB hastily rushed out and held Windhand back.

"Let go of me! I'll kill that bastard right now!"

"Oh man, please keep a cool head, sir. Do you really think she would've done such a thing!"

"Did I say something wrong?"

"You need to shut your mouth...!"

Haha, this is a shitshow.

Even while thinking that, I didn't stop searching for something. Soon, after rummaging around, I found something that could be considered a map.

[❖ The Fangs Aiming at Zakrati

∎ Move to the hideout marked on the map

∎ Bonus: Kill Bipurit]

The objectives to destroy the base and eliminate the pirates had long been updated and disappeared, and the mission that spawned after was also erased upon finding the map. In its place, a movement mission had freshly settled in.

I turned around with the map in hand. The situation I had only been grasping through sound finally came into view. It was even more of a mess than what I had figured from listening.

"Calm down."

"Do I look like I can calm down right no—!"

"The disaster you are imagining did not happen. I can swear on it."

"..."

Fortunately, Windhand stopped going wild after the Archmage spoke firmly. The crew members, who were awkwardly hesitating over whether to step in or not, did the same.

"None of the citizens of Zakrati were hurt. The same goes for any material damage."

"... Then, how did you get here?"

"We merely talked."

"Liar. There's no one in Zakrati who would talk to the Temple!"

"That is true. Everyone avoided conversing with us. From the ship that approached us after spotting us at sea, to the city we barely managed to arrive at."

"Then how the hell—!"

"But we talked nonetheless. That is simply all we did."

The Archmage carefully stroked his staff.

"If we draw our weapons simply because words do not get through, is that not just a repetition of the past?"

Windhand's body jolted and swayed.

"By what right do you bastards speak of that incident—!"

Well, it wasn't that I had absolutely no clue, but since I didn't know the exact situation, Windhand's anger didn't really resonate with me.

Honestly, even if it did resonate, there was a higher chance I'd ignore it for the sake of my concept, but anyway.

I shifted the hand holding the map and drew my sword.

If the Archmage and Windhand were resolving it just between the two of them, that would be one thing, but since the crew members had drawn their swords too, it couldn't be helped. Furthermore, they were blocking the direction I needed to go!

CRASH!

So I swung my drawn sword and cleaved the ground. The stone floor right in front of Windhand, who was being held back by DeB, split open as if torn apart.

"..."

Silence fell over the area.

"Whether you settle your grudges or whatever else, I do not care. However, if you get in my way, I will cut you all down."

In the midst of that, I alone dryly spat out my words. Wherever my gaze landed, expressions crumbled. It was mainly the people from Zakrati who reacted that way.

For the Temple, it was closer to gritting their teeth rather than crumbling.

"They! They massacred the people of these lands forty years ago!"

And finally, Windhand screamed like a desperate struggle.

"Those who turned into zombies, those who hadn't turned yet, those who would never have turned! They're maniacal murderers who burned them all alive!"

His voice, scratched by the biting sea breeze, was dry and tasted of salt.

"So, so how could we ever tolerate them!"

Hah, fuck.

The moment I understood Windhand's words, I cursed inwardly. That was all that came out. It was just that much of a fucked-up situation.

"If it was the mainland, fine. But not these lands! By what right can they set foot on this soil! This is land where the wounds they inflicted have only just faded and new sprouts have grown; land where the smell of ash from that day has only just washed away! By what right!"

Man, I somewhat expected it the moment the word 'massacre' came up and the hostility toward the Temple was beyond normal... but having it actually confirmed to my ears made me feel pretty...

On top of that, forty years ago meant it was just over a generation ago. This is, this is...

Aaaargh. I, I don't know. I can't take a side here. Sure, it'd be great to have the Priests' help right now, but how the hell can I tell the victims to tolerate an organization that committed a massacre!

I, I can't! I'm the one with the least right to say anything here!! I'm a third party!!

"So, what do you want me to do?"

While shedding waterfalls of tears on the inside, I forced the concept into my mouth.

Part of me was relieved that the answer was already set by the concept, but the feeling of doing something terrible just made me want to pass out.

As a Korean with a similar history, it felt even worse. If I had been in Windhand's shoes, I would have already filed a lawsuit.

"What?"

"Kill them if you want. I never told you to tolerate them."

"..."

No, no, the concept wasn't a relief at all! This answer is pure garbage! Aaaargh.

"Or do you not know the form of revenge?"

Even so, the concept had to go on...

"If you truly do not know, then tear their flesh, crush their bones, and rip out their hearts. Find every last person involved, sever their heads, and trample them to mush."

I stepped toward Windhand, one step at a time, biting the bullet.

To meet his eyes at close range, since he was shorter than me, I had to lower my head a little.

"That is revenge."

The feigned, blood-red madness poured out as if possessed.

"But if you lack the courage for that, do not interfere with my revenge."

Ughhh. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for choosing a personality-bankrupt concept.

But even if I wasn't personality-bankrupt, I probably wouldn't have had much to say anyway. How could I recklessly chime in on such a sensitive issue?

Especially with the situation right noooow!! Way too many people are dying for me to just tell the perpetrators to fuck offfff!!

"..."

I turned my back on the silent Windhand. My heart truly ached, but it wasn't like I could take back the words I'd already spat out.

The crew members in my path stealthily stepped aside.

"Hey, Demon Knight."

After what felt like a long while. When my steps left the hideout and reached the cliff at the very top of the hill, Windhand parted his lips.

His voice was quiet, but because the surroundings were so silent and my hearing was excellent, I could hear him to some extent.

"What did you lose to the demons?"

Above all, the subject matter was what it was.

"At least you have a hometown left."

With my hand on my heart, I gave him a proper answer for this one at least.

If you asked if this was a proper answer, it really wasn't... but it was still better than 'I don't care.'

Normally, I should have gone with that. I was still showing maximum kindness by extending it to a full sentence.

Instead, I'd probably have to watch my back as a consequence, but I'd figure something out.

Even if I didn't, I would just choose to believe that. Otherwise, I'd just get backstabbed and that'd be the end. Sob.

* * *

"At least you have a hometown left."

Windhand lowered his head at the dryly dropped words. A heavy, unpleasant, yet truly distinct sense of kinship boiled in his throat.

Or perhaps, it was the sympathy or pity that he dared to feel.

"Captain..."

"Dammit..."

If he had it his way, he wanted to do exactly as the Demon Knight said: tear their flesh, crush their bones, and rip out their hearts. He wanted to drive out the bastards who killed his father, burned his neighbors, and completely ruined his childhood from these lands.

But, but...

"Dammit!"

The Demon Knight was right.

At least he had a hometown left. He at least had a hometown. He had a hometown.

His hometown, his city, the world he loved was still there.

His loves, which might end up in danger if things continued like this, were still there...

"... Answer me."

Ah. How wonderful it would be if he could just say that it was fine because the Demon Knight was here, that the Bipurit gang would collapse from his sword strikes even without the Temple.

However, Windhand was no fool.

The Demon Knight could serve as the military might to lead the war to victory, but he could not be the main player in every battle breaking out simultaneously.

"Did you really, really come here just by talking?"

That was why. That was why...

Swallowing his resentment, he finally forced himself to ask.

"We did."

"They really gave you permission?"

"Do you mean that?"

"How? How did you get permission?"

"... I earnestly persuaded them with arguments and opinions."

"Are you messing with me?"

"I am absolutely not messing around."

Windhand glared at the religious fanatic spouting damn nonsense.

Dammit all, her eyes were too unwavering. They were eyes that resembled someone he loved.

"There are no grounds for the Temple to step forward in this matter. Therefore, I relied on my arguments and opinions."

The eyes of the woman who had saved him when he lost everything, who had saved the children of that city, the people... looked exactly like that.

"And the people of Zakrati listened to my stubbornness."

Ah, Mother.

I still cannot escape those times. Even now, after you saved me and raised me, I cannot shed that single past.

"They decided to give us one chance."

But, I don't necessarily have to escape it, do I? Right?

"So please, I beg of you."

Even if I don't forgive them, I can still give them a chance, right?

"Give us one chance."

Because I absolutely cannot bear to lose you all, too.

"A chance to not commit a sin this time, please."

Is that why... you all gave them permission too...?

"We do not forgive you."

He swallowed his tears. The desire to tear them to pieces right this second howled in a corner of his chest.

"We will never forgive you."

However.

"... So, this is your last chance."

Because Zakrati was more important than that revenge. Because the forty years of life he had built since then were far more precious to him than the grudge over his thirteen years that were entirely blown away.

Because his brothers, the mother who had taken him in and raised him, and that land where they resided... were far too precious to him.

"Fuck, use that damn power of yours to kill those bastards."

He ultimately decided to give them a chance.

"Kill them, and please... save these lands..."

It was the true nature of all pirates to do whatever it took to protect their treasure.