Chapter: 74
The date of execution is July 14th.
So, what does the party need to do before then? Tara and Niolle found the information insufficient to figure out what to do. Since they couldn’t pinpoint exactly what kind of plan was unfolding, their only thought was to at least narrow down their options in advance.
Thus, Bennett opened his mouth.
“⋯⋯Do you remember the contents of the report? The stamp that the investigators found?”
[⋯⋯The one that was engraved?]
Niolle left out the part about it being on Abraham’s forehead. Still, it seemed the meaning got through to Tara, as her expression flickered like a candle for a moment.
“With consideration of the locations of the stamps and the current circumstances, I think⋯⋯ they’re preparing a magic circle that looks like this.”
Bennett pulled out a map and drew lines on it.
Doodly-doo!
Suddenly, the stamp’s image emerged.
“⋯⋯They’re overlapping?”
[It seems a bit too coincidental to be a coincidence.]
“A massive magic circle being constructed by the Order of Silver Twilight, leaving stamps all over the city. They’re definitely planning on summoning their God with this. So, what we need to do during our preparation time is to dismantle this magic circle.”
If Bennett’s prediction is correct, and if their method of hiding the giant magic circle is similar to that of the black wizards. There are eight stamps left throughout the city, one at each point. To stop the magic circle’s function, at least more than 50% needs to be damaged.
In other words.
“It means we must erase at least four stamps from here.”
As Tara watched Bennett point out the locations on the map with his finger, she tilted her head.
“But can a magic circle really work this way? It’s like saying you have a magic circle just because you’ve dotted a few points and connected them with lines!”
“It connects each stamp with mana. It’s like drawing an invisible line between them. I’ve seen something similar in action, so don’t argue with me!”
“Where exactly did you see that⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Bennett avoided her gaze. He made it clear he didn’t want to answer; his reluctance was palpable, but Tara didn’t press further. Her skepticism trailed off as she somehow trusted him, knowing he cared.
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
In contrast, Niolle was examining the map closely.
“Did you notice something?”
[No, not particularly… It’s just that the shape of the stamp… doesn’t it resemble a goat?]
“⋯⋯Where?”
[Here, this part is the eyes!]
Niolle began to scribble lines on a whiteboard.
Scratch scratch scratch!
A poorly drawn goat emerged. Tara burst into laughter.
“⋯⋯You really can’t draw, can you?”
“Hey! I was in a hurry because we didn’t have much time! At least the meaning got across!”
[⋯⋯I did my best to draw it, you know?!]
Niolle looked embarrassed and hastily wiped away her goat drawing with her sleeve. Bennett found himself oddly preoccupied with the image, searching his memory. Something seemed familiar about it…
Recalling it brought an unpleasant memory, but when Abraham was sacrificed, the words written in blood read:
‘We have been offered a flawed female goat, and so, we are grateful and make this offering.’
Bennett didn’t believe all this was coincidence, so he asked Niolle. If the stamp and the magic circle symbolized a goat, it would carry significant magical meaning.
“Is the goat a symbol of the being called the Viceroy?”
[No. But it’s indirectly related. Among the Outer Gods, there is one referred to as ‘The Black Goat Who Birthed Madness,’ and she’s considered the Viceroy’s wife.]
“Wife⋯⋯?”
“Well, she certainly wouldn’t be a normal deity either. Her name sounds ominous⋯⋯ So, does that mean she has children with the Viceroy?”
[Yes. For instance, there are the Decaying Twin Gods, but⋯⋯.]
As Niolle began to list more repulsive knowledge about the abominable being, Bennett silenced her with his hand. He figured hearing about it wouldn’t be all that pleasant or helpful.
Of course, Niolle could keep talking, but the gesture was enough to signal, “Niolle, you can stop explaining now.”
Thanks to Bennett’s decisive argument, the party’s course of action was determined.
First off, they planned to erase the stamps scattered throughout the city to break down the magic circle. Because even if they wiped out the entire Order of Silver Twilight, the moment the Evil God’s descent succeeded, it would mean defeat anyway.
And if they allowed that descent to occur, the Evil God might invade their world as well. It was a priority that had to be stopped.
Abraham’s research materials were stored in a secret hideout. If they could calculate the Alpha value, it would become a powerful tool to unsummon the Outer God, but if they prevented the descent, they wouldn’t have to use it at all.
Thus, Bennett’s opinion was that they should prioritize dismantling the magic circle rather than analyzing the research materials.
Tara teased Bennett, wanting to poke the wounds.
“I remember someone saying it’s not worth caring so much about a different world. Why bother?”
“⋯⋯There’s a reason for everything.”
“Well, then, let’s hear that reason!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Bennett clamped his mouth shut like a clam.
He was still conflicted about whether to reveal his identity. He couldn’t make a clear choice between the two options.
“Then where should we start?”
[I think we should start by erasing the stamp on Carter Street. There’s no reason not to target the one right in front of us!]
They didn’t press him further. They hinted gently, but they steered clear of delving deeper. Perhaps they were already suspicious he had been exposed. Or maybe they suspected he was their enemy and deemed further inquiry unnecessary.
But when he looked into their eyes…
“Why are you spacing out? Bennett. Isn’t this your plan?”
[Let’s work hard and succeed together!]
Goodwill.
He could sense the warm silence was a form of consideration. Strangely, Bennett’s worries deepened.
The fact that the party believed in him without questioning was the best-case scenario. There was no risk, only profit. It was sufficient to continue this way.
However, the urge to share more about himself grew stronger with each passing moment.
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