Chapter 9: Retaliation to the Fullest

“What are you doing…! Do you even know what will happen!?”

Archbishop Miopete exclaimed, exposing his round belly as he fell on his backside.

It was quite audacious of him to make such condescending remarks from a position so close to the ground.

“Are you trying to threaten me?”

“T-this isn’t a threat! In this remote borderland, with just one word from me—”

At those words, my reason and self-control reached their limit.

It was truly a ludicrous situation.

This guy still seemed to think he could safely return from here, despite witnessing the complete subjugation of the “Holy Order of Knights.”

“Then I’ll make sure to crush you thoroughly so you won’t say a word.”

“Eek…”

As I took a step forward, steam rose from Archbishop Miopete’s groin.

“Hey, you better not dirty the suite room at Hotel Mercia. Well, whatever. I’ll have to clean up anyway.”

Indeed. Forgiveness was out of the question.

If the threat of the forest was the “Scarred Beast,” then this guy was a threat to people.

He dared to lay hands on my family, and he might be even more malicious than the “Scarred Beast.”

“I am the chosen one destined to be the next Pope!”

“Then go ahead and say hello to God in advance. I think your destination will be hell.”

I kicked the pig-headed archbishop’s groin as if kicking a stone.

A scream, not a voice, rose as Archbishop Miopete writhed on the floor, vomiting.

At least now, he would never dare to touch Arco or Rolo again.

Yes, this despicable lascivious pig tried to drag young Arco onto the bed and violently attacked  aunt and Bitz who tried to stop him.

And now, he was trying to lure Rolo with Arco as a hostage… Disgusting.

A pedophile, homosexual, and scum, all in one.

He was worthless. It would be more useful to crush him cleanly and use him as fertilizer for the herb garden.

Fortunately, I arrived just in time.

Rolo and Arco were safe, and Aunt and Bitz were not seriously injured.

However, there was… enough reason to kill them all and scatter them in the forest.

“I-I won’t forgive you…! A foreigner like you…”

“I’m not the one who’ll forgive you. You dared to touch what’s most precious to me…!”

“Do you know what’ll happen if I  am killed? This remote borderland will disappear in an instant! Get down on your knees and apologize! Then I’ll let you hang in the public square.”

Oh, so incorrigible.

That such a scumbag is a senior figure in the Church organization I somewhat trusted was disappointing.

“Is that so? Then maybe I should make all of you disappear without a trace.”

“What—?”

“Hey hey, this is the bordering area of unexplored territory, right? Accidents and disappearances are common occurrences.”

With a sigh, I glanced at Archbishop Miopete.

“If there were no warnings, this must be a secret visit, right? You came all the way to Malhas with just a small escort to avoid attracting attention. Am I wrong?”

“G-Guh…”

“Moreover, you even rented out this hotel and set up a barrier to keep people away. There are no witnesses. It’s convenient for me.”

The pig-faced man’s complexion worsened rapidly.

His face, flushed with anger, turned blue, and then changed to a sickly hue as he realized his situation.

“W-Wait! Some of the Holy Knights have wives and children!”

“Unlucky for them.”

“Don’t you have a conscience!?”

“You’re the last one who should be saying that.”

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Oh, the organization known as the Sardinian Orthodox Church might be done for.

It’s disappointing to realize that such scum is calling the shots.

“It’s not too late now, Jurg Dreadnought!”

“No, it’s too late. I’ve decided to kill you since I stepped in.”

As I approached, the pig-faced archbishop retreated on his backside.

A mixture of urine and vomit spread from his rear, emanating a foul smell.

What a nuisance.

“S-Someone…! Help me! Aren’t you Holy Knights!? Useless bunch!”

The archbishop cursed at the Holy Knights who groaned under my oppression.

Even though they had tried to stop me at the risk of their lives, they were now being blamed for no reason.

Well, the pain will be over soon. Just wait a little longer, and I’ll send you all to God’s mercy.

If you want, I can even say a prayer for you at the church.

“Hey, hey!… Right! Jurg-kun. I’ll make an exception and forgive you! Let’s be friends. You must have some troubles, right? Right?”

“Yeah, the trash in front of me is bothering me.”

I said so and raised my battle mace.

—

“So, what about him?”

“He’s going to be subjected to the holy fire punishment at the headquarters.”

“What’s that?”

“In short, it’s burning at the stake. You’ve seen Fimia’s magic using the ‘Holy Fire,’ right?”

Ah, that unquenchable blue flame.

If I remember correctly, they said something about igniting the magic power within the body and burning it…?

“It would have been much easier for him to be knocked out and killed instantly. Instead, he’ll be forced to repent until his last breath while being consumed by the sanctified blue flames. It’s the most severe punishment for a clergyman who has committed sins.”

“Ugh…”

In the end, I refrained from killing that damn bastard.

Just as I was about to crush his limbs, Saran intervened.

The Holy Knights who accompanied him would also receive some form of punishment.

Initially, it seems that the archbishop was a troublesome person to deal with even within the Church headquarters.

The privatization of the Church, indulgence with authority, and that infamous lust.

I wanted to dispose of him, but Saran suggested, “He’s a valuable commodity. Let’s sell him to the Church.” So, I gave him up.

For Saran, who was preparing for the capture and accusation alongside the “Saint” Fimia, my rampage was a convenient situation.

Many of the assets owned by the great sinner Miopete would become the property of the Church.

Some portion of them would apparently find their way to Saran through a separate route.

I don’t understand the mechanism, but it’s probably something akin to a bounty.

“Now, Jurg. With one job finished, we must make our next move.”

“Next move? Isn’t it already over?”

“Your identity as a hero will be publicly announced.”

“— Give me a break.”

I froze at Saran’s words.

Wasn’t that just a ploy to manipulate that damn bastard?

“In the future, please refrain from womanizing. Maintain a proper distance with Kati-san, and avoid any sexual contact as much as possible.”

“Huh?”

“Well, as for Fimia… a little bit of contact is okay, I suppose, but don’t forget moderation.”

“Hey, this isn’t a joke!”

Saran tilted his head at my words.

“My apologies—could it be… are you a virgin?”

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter