Kays Translations

Chapter 5: The Return of the Heartless

"We've got a problem."

It was the dead of night after a commotion-filled day.

Saran, looking exhausted, slumped into a chair upon arriving at my home. His usual poor health aside, he seemed even worse than usual, his complexion notably pale. Dealing with that foul-smelling guy, Humpty Dumpty, must have been tiring.

"What happened?"

I asked while offering him a strong cup of coffee. Saran stared at me intently.

Ah... that look says he's weighing whether to speak now or not. I better calm myself to listen properly.

"It's okay, you can tell me calmly."

"You'll lose your calm after hearing it, won't you?"

"It depends on what you're going to say."

Saran sighed softly at my response before taking a sip of coffee and speaking.

"Cardinal Miopete presented us with an impossible request."

"I see. Sounds like a headache."

"Not yet, Jurg. You're too impatient."

Saran tapped his fingers on the table and frowned.

He must be considering whether to tell me and what words to choose. I took a seat across from him and took a sip of coffee.

"Just tell me already. You didn't bring Rolo or Fimia... coming directly to me means it's serious, right?"

"You do have a knack for understanding. Well, the situation is..."

Saran paused, seeming to gather his courage, then continued.

"It's about Fimia’s situation."

"Hmm? What about her?"

"Currently, Fimia is in a situation where she's deviated from the 'Holy Decree of the Saint Order' issued by the church."

It's the highest directive issued by the church headquarters to the clergy. It's equivalent to what we adventurers call a 'Royal Decree Request’

It was because of the orders from this church headquarters that Fimia accompanied him to ``Silhasta''.

Ah, I see. So, did that arrogant smelly guy give you a hard time about it?

Saran narrowed his eyes, seeming to have made up his mind to speak.

"Cardinal Miopete instructed us to remove Fimia from 'Mercia.'"

"Remove Fimia? But she's not something that belongs to the church?"

"Yes, that's why I found it difficult to accept. I informed him that 'Mercia' would become a newly designated national party."

Saran stops, taking a sip of coffee.

"So, what's the situation?"

"If Fimia-san is going to stay here, then accompany her with one of the Holy Knights recommended by Archbishop Miopete and make them the leader."

"We welcome someone skilled and understanding, but do you think it'll be that easy?"

"I doubt it. The Holy Knight favored by the Archbishop is a nobleman's son. I don't think they're suited for adventure."

It was difficult to nod in front of someone who was both a nobleman's son and an adventurer.

However, it's extremely rare for the children of royalty and nobility to become adventurers and succeed.

Unless they use their position as a form of business like Saran, those who have lived a glamorous and clean life cannot keep up with the roughness behind the adventure stories.

If someone like that were to join the party, it would likely greatly restrict their movements.

"Furthermore, my national-selected party that I built for myself will end up in the hands of the Archbishop."

"I don't like it either. This method..."

"And one more thing. If that person were to join 'Mercia', they would probably interfere with the management of Malhas as well. After all, we are the initiators of the 'pioneer city plan'."

I slowly untangled Saran's words in my mind.

He's trying to make me realize something without directly saying it.

The current crisis.

"...So what does that mean? That arrogant Cardinal is trying to take over this pioneer city?"

"That's how it seems. This place is profitable and provides a justifiable reason."

"Justifiable reason?"

"It's the same method I used when I made this place a pioneer city -- the safety of the people."

Ah, I see.

A new church on the border of unexplored territory.

One of the initiators is a "Saintan."

By making this place a special religious district or something similar under the pretext of the safety of the people, they can divide the territory of Viscount Hilte and reap the benefits.

And if we refuse...they're threatening to take Fimia away.

"Please calm down, Jurg."

"I'm fine. I'm not losing my temper...yet."

"Listen, Jurg. Even if there is a takeover, our initial goal will still be achieved."

"Huh?"

"As I said before, the 'safety of the people' in this place will be protected."

Saran drank his coffee and set the cup on the table.

For him, it was a sloppy gesture.

I'm not the only one who's holding back; he's doing it too.

Surely, even more than me.

"If it becomes a church special district or a sanctuary protected by holy law, this place will be strongly defended by Holy Knights and clerical warriors, including the 'Knights of the Holy Book.' It will also develop as a religious city. If that happens, the people of Malhas will no longer have to fear monsters in the unexplored territories or live on the edge of their lives every day."

Saran rattled off seemingly reasonable reasons.

Each one, if taken individually, might indeed seem ideal.

But I couldn't bring myself to accept them.

"Keep the pretense to that level, Saran. When times like this come, it's your style to smile and turn everything upside down."

"Jurg?"

"That greedy bastard is using Fimia as a shield to threaten us. 'Give me the results of your work. We'll take the benefits ourselves.'"

The wooden cup in my hand cracked.

I may have put in a bit too much force.

Well, soon I'll do the same to that 'Egg Demon Humpty Dumpty.'

"Are you okay with that as an adventurer?"

"But this is highly political..."

"Saran, are you a politician?"

Saran seemed a little caught off guard by my words.

This is the final push.

"You're just like me. You're too caught up in your desk and you've dulled your edge. Where did you leave that freshly sharpened knife? You scheming chief of staff."

At my provocation, Saran's lips twisted into a slight smile.

There it is, he's back. That face of a despicable person that even gives me chills.

"That's right. Ah, I guess I got a little too deep."

"I'm just a pawn, right? Use me as you wish. I'll laugh off any little recklessness."

"I told you, it's going to get ugly, Jurg."

"Go ahead, try me."

I lightly laughed, showing Saran that I wasn't afraid.

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