Chapter: 212
Above all, I need relationship advice from a master of romance.
I also have to find a way to soothe a sulking Yuna, grow closer to Yuri, and decide on a perfect dating course in advance to anticipate an exciting trip to the Holy City.
But then again, how the heck do you even date? I’m starting to feel a little dazed. It’s ambiguous and complicated. All I know is that dating means being your girlfriend’s baggage carrier…
But then again, wouldn’t Bennett be different?
While I did jot down a few letters as a precaution in case of being abducted, I never thought he wouldn’t understand their meaning. That’s because he was accompanied by Niolette, who possesses terrifying observation skills.
Besides the content of the letter, I left many clues. The shape of the wax seal, my handwriting… Considering her acumen, I believed my true feelings would definitely reach her. I trusted that.
Then Tara and Niolette entered.
“I received your message, Bennett. Professor… you’re here too. Is it because of that guy that the outside seems a bit loud?”
[They talked about the Ship of Theseus. It seems like some ideology to check the Cardinal Faction’s power; did Dakyten Priest expand things?]
“Both are correct. The concept proposed by the wizard has been fanned into flame by Dakyten Priest for the public to know.”
Just then, the absent Pinkvalez returned.
“Where did you run off to, leaving that kid behind?”
“I had something urgent. The Second Prince… is supposedly visiting this city. I’ll explain the details later. And isn’t it wrong for you to ignore the order to wait quietly in the corner?”
“That’s a fair point.”
I could easily picture Evil God-chan acting too casual, thinking she wouldn’t run into Bennett under the vast expanse of this city. She’s been showing signs of being particularly childish lately.
Thus, even though the gathering began to take on a serious tone with more participants arriving, I didn’t worry.
I had taken temporary measures regarding Evil God-chan since I had no desire to shoot another hostage drama in front of Tara and Niolette. The measures included a chat ban and hiding her avatar.
“… Who’s that wrapped in a blanket sitting on the professor’s lap? A blanket ghost?”
“Tara, don’t worry about it right now. Niolette too. Let’s discuss this later.”
In the letter, I had made a deal with Bennett. I would help resolve his troubles if he helped resolve mine. Even if he didn’t grasp everything else, he surely would have noticed that part.
So, I believed that once things got sorted out, he would listen to my story and offer me useful advice.
In the worst-case scenario, if the meaning of the letter hadn’t been conveyed properly, it wouldn’t matter. I could simply drop subtle hints when it was just the two of us, right?
With that, I decided to relax and lounge in my chair, watching the proceedings unfold.
However, the situation began to flow in a slightly different direction than I had anticipated.
===============================================================
This was the secret hideout of the Reformist Faction. It was a shabby inn that didn’t serve customers, making it feel just like a Resistance hideout.
It had an underdog vibe to its interior. If only a beer mug were passed around, it would fit perfectly.
The gathered people were as follows:
Bennett’s party from the Reformist Faction, along with the military priest.
The crazy wizard party minus Yuna, and the Northern Duchess.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s officially start the meeting. First, we’ll discuss the situation the Reformist Faction is facing. You might already know this…”
“You mean to explain to the wizard? With that strange insight you had before entering, does that mean that gentleman will join as the strategists of the Reformist Faction?”
Bennett was organizing his seat and trying to steer the conversation, but the military priest seemed quite interested (or suspicious) of me, questioning Bennett.
There was a certain level of trust and understanding between Bennett’s party and me, but he hadn’t built the same rapport. It was only natural for him to be curious.
Bennett promptly separated me from the Reformist Faction.
“No. He must have his own plans. He’s not someone who would work under anyone; it’s more of a mutually beneficial relationship… or perhaps think of it as a gust of wind filling your sails.”
“That’s quite a difficult analogy to understand. Are we talking about a loose alliance? Or a behind-the-scenes helper?”
“It’s better not to think too deeply about that wizard. Whatever he plans, it’ll end up in the wizard’s palm eventually. Treat it as a natural phenomenon.”
“Hm…”
The military priest gazed at me, interest mingled with wariness in his eyes, as if he perceived me as one of his kind—someone who deals with politics and schemes.
I almost retorted against Bennett’s upplay but just smiled meaningfully instead. After all, from Bennett’s perspective, it would be understandable to think that way.
To suddenly say, “I wasn’t thinking that!” would just ruin my image.
Besides, I’m a professor, after all. Naturally, I’d want to appear somewhat cool to the students. Therefore, I often ponder what lines to throw when going into class.
So, if they think of me as a stylish schemer, I guess that’s a win-win situation, right?
“According to what the Cardinal Faction has declared, the Hero Selection Tournament will be conducted in two stages: the selection of hero candidates and the selection of the holy sword.”
“The selection of hero candidates will take place as a tournament. Those who pass the preliminaries will battle and a number of candidates will be chosen. They will then get the chance to draw the holy sword.”
“And among those selected, the one who receives the holy sword will be appointed as this era’s hero. Any questions?”
So, how many candidates will be selected in the ‘Hero Candidate Selection’ tournament? And if they pick ten, will it be a never-ending tournament until ten remain?
“Apparently, they are divided into four groups,with two selected from each group.”
“By the way, there are four groups based on the four core values of the Church of the Goddess: ‘Courage’, ‘Faith’, ‘Constancy’, ‘Obedience.’”
Got it.
So, in total, they would select eight people who would get the chance to draw the holy sword… It sounds like only certain people can pull it off.
“Since the last hero passed away a century ago, the holy sword has not chosen any heroes. It has remained deeply embedded in the rock before the statue of the goddess, so no one has been able to extract it since.”
“I had a chance to touch it after becoming the saint. Seriously, it didn’t budge at all, as if it had fused with the rock.”
So it’s Excalibur.
[If that’s the case, then was the objective of the Hero Selection Tournament to choose those who could potentially draw the holy sword…?]
“Don’t joke; there can’t be such pure intentions. There has to be some sinister plot behind it, guaranteed.”
Tara ground her teeth. She firmly believed there was definitely a clear intention behind the Cardinal Faction hosting such an event.
And if a ‘hero’ drawn from the holy sword could exert dominance over the saint, then it becomes quite a situation.
There’s something odd about this story.
The Cardinal Faction appears to be a collective of classical corrupted religious figures. It doesn’t make sense for them to hold a tournament and then freely offer opportunities to draw the holy sword.
If Bennett were to become a hero, then the lofty authority of that hero would chop the Cardinal Faction down to size.
Even if it were someone other than Bennett, it would still be an issue. If a knight loyal to the royal family became the hero, it would be difficult for them to maintain their religious power.
So simply put, the Cardinal Faction must have absolute confidence that they can make their chosen candidates into heroes 100%.
“There will probably be a trap in the tournament. Maybe they’ll bribe all the participants?!”
[That’s not a reasonable method. It would take enormous amounts of money, and there’d be many people who can’t be bribed. After all, a hero’s position is at stake!]
“If the candidate the Cardinal Faction endorses is a transcendent force like Benjamin, then it would all make sense. But I honestly don’t think that guy has reached that level.”
They suspect that underhanded tactics will occur during the hero candidate selection stage.
Obviously. Picking heroes with the holy sword must be seen as a divine act from the goddess above. No one would think that humans could fool God’s work.
But I know the truth. That the goddess is akin to a massive machine, and her rate of damage is steadily increasing—plus the strong possibility of factions attempting to manipulate her.
If the Cardinal Faction is intervening with the goddess, then the puzzle pieces fit together.
They can bring in eight candidates under the guise of a fair game. If they believe they can choose and install a hero for certain, then the more they enlarge the game, the better.
In fact, they need to enlarge the game. A hero born in front of the many eyes of the world, blessed by numerous people, would hold authority even without substantial achievements.
I opened my mouth.
“I have just one question, priest.”
“… Yes. I will answer to the best of my ability within my knowledge. What are you curious about?”
“Since you were a Cardinal, is there anything very precious, like a divine artifact passed down in the Church of the Goddess? There might be a similar phrase attached: ‘Using this will allow you to communicate with the goddess.’”
“… How do you know that?”
The eyes of the military priest lit up with shock and suspicion. Knowing something one shouldn’t could create thoughts like, “Is this guy a spy from the Cardinal Faction?”
Bennett placed a hand on the priest’s shoulder, as if he understood everything.
“I told you, just think of it as a natural phenomenon.”
“But this should never be disclosed to the outside──.”
“Wizard, is it okay to say it?”
What kind of question is that? Just go ahead and say it. Then Bennett cautiously and gravely unfolded a truth that seemed to unveil an important world secret.
“He’s a master of dimensional magic and is closely collaborating with a goddess from another dimension. In a way, he’s an apostle of the goddess, so it’s not strange for him to uncover divine secrets.”
“Dimensional magic, and, you mean… from another dimension, a hero…?”
“… ……”
“… ……”
The faces of Pinkvalez, who knew all the truths, twitched slightly. Though it might not have been noticeable to anyone else, I could see it having known him for a long time. It was a suppressed laugh.
The Evil God-chan wrapped in a blanket on my lap also abruptly switched into “polite mode.” I could feel her trembling.
I quietly slipped my hand into the blanket. You might not know it, Pinkvalez, but you better not laugh right now! As I poked around randomly, the polite mode got switched off.
“Is that so? If that’s the case, Bennett, your peculiar trust in that wizard… and your optimistic stance suddenly become clear. Since it seems you’re informed, I’ll tell you something.”
“Um.”
“There’s a divine artifact called the ‘Yuri Tablet’ passed down in the Church of the Goddess. It’s said to have been carved and created by the goddess herself, and it’s rumored to have the ability to communicate directly with the heavens. Only popes, saints, and heroes can handle it.”
“… That, how did it have such a function?! No one ever told me!”
In the midst of that, the saintess’s eyes widened in surprise.
Bingo.
It seems like a sort of control panel to manipulate the goddess.
Access is granted to the pope, the saint, and the hero. They are effectively… the administrators. The saint is here, and since the hero hasn’t been born yet, the only one left is the pope.
If that’s the case, then the one responsible for the 24% damage rate must be the pope. I found my culprit.
As I basked in the delightful sensation of puzzle pieces fitting together, Bennett’s party began chiming in.
“Indeed, it seems you already knew everything.”
“See, Niolette? He came fully prepared, so how could it just be a love letter? Bennett, I guessed it right. You know that information can only be obtained by approaching the core of the Church of the Goddess.”
[Hmm, did I misinterpret it…? I thought it was just a love letter.]
Oh.
“So what’s next? What kind of web are you weaving now, wizard?”
“Quit the roundabout talk and just say it, professor. Ultimately, what’s the deal with that goddess reference in the letter?!”
Uh-oh…
“A hero’s plot… I really can’t wait. Though the Reformist Faction seems to be opposing the Cardinal Faction, they are quite at a disadvantage. They can only barely hold on. Do you have a trump card to break through this crisis?”
“If that’s the case, perhaps when you roamed deserted paths, dealing with the strange knight and rescuing me… was that…”
Uh…?
It seems like expectations are being placed on me a bit too heavily.
I’m not completely without abilities or information, but it feels a bit off. I came here to chill and hang out with Yuna and Yuri, after all.
It’s a situation where misunderstandings can happen, and while I could pull some strings if need be, if I dive into work now, I won’t be able to enjoy any dates. Plus, it feels a bit strange to ask Bennett for relationship advice…?
I was thinking of simply enjoying the tournament from the sidelines and casually tossing in a few comments.
Should I clarify my intentions now? Something like, “I came here just to unwind, please refrain from work-related discussions during my vacation.”
I cast a pleading look at Pinkvalez. Please help me tone down the excessive expectations.
Right then, Pinkvalez leaned in closely and whispered.
“… Crazy wizard, I’m a bit disappointed. I thought you came here to take a break. You’ve brought work with you, with that arm incident and the letter… It looks like you were fully prepared to work.”
“… Uh? Ah, no. That’s not it.”
“Still, it’s alright. Your work mode is… pretty cool. Just make sure you set aside some time afterward. For the Tower Master as well.”
No, no! That’s not it!
I really did come to hang out…!
The thing regarding the arm was, well, I saw it as a precious opportunity, you know?
The letter I sent to Bennett was to seek relationship advice to get along with you all…!
Bang—!!
Pinkvalez slammed her hand on the table. Suddenly, the commotion died down and all attention focused on us.
Yuri Lanster, radiating the charisma she wielded during her time as an assassin, spoke clearly and succinctly.
“Silence.”
“… ……”
“Miss Mima, please speak. About the plans you’re concocting.”
My head went blank at Pinkvalez’s declaration of ‘Hey, Mima has something to say.’
What should I do? This situation where I… could just say I was joking and that I have no plans… would be terribly embarrassing, wouldn’t it?
It’s a game that’s already afoot. I quickly brainstormed, concocting a somewhat plausible plan… combining all the information I had gathered thus far.
“So, what we are…”
“… ……”
All eyes are on the hero’s spot. Many people are flocking to the Holy City: the Duke of the North, Irid, and the Duke of Red Flavor.
The tournament will be held in a tournament format, and the selected eight will have the chance to draw the holy sword. Meanwhile, the Cardinal Faction, a potential enemy faction, has a goddess controller, and they have a hero candidate they’re pushing.
Ultimately—whether the holy sword is drawn or not is under the Cardinal Faction’s decision, but if a candidate is eliminated, they lose everything.
Then…
“Let’s unite all factions excluding the Cardinal Faction, and work together to eliminate all the hero candidates they support.”
“… That would be quite… an idealistic proposition. There are too many conflicting interests, and the hero position is too tempting. It’s hard to believe cooperation could be achieved…”
Yet surprisingly, it’s possible. Why? Because all these large factions gathering here are tightly connected to me through just one degree of separation!
… All it takes is to throw out one more heart in front of the Duke of the North!
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