Chapter 34 – Breakups Always Come Unexpectedly (1)

Episode 34 Parting always comes unexpectedly (1)

“Everyone seems to be very nervous.”

“Of course.
I wonder if it would be possible even for the Royal Knights to arrest the high priest in the cathedral.”

“Is the cathedral that strong, chief?”

“It’s more about having authority than being strong.
If the pope tells you to get out of here right now, these knights won’t even cross the threshold of the Cathedral.”

Yes.
It is different from the Black Sun Temple of the idiots, which is almost an honorary position.
The human kingdom structure, in which the majority are solarists, places the priesthood above the kingship.
Even the royal family can’t try to beat the cathedral based on wealth or authority.

“And they say that the Templars are also around here.
If the Paladins and mercenaries guarding the Cathedral collide with the Royal Knights, it will be a mess.”

I leave the wagon with the evidence I submitted at Princess Anne’s villa and walk to the Cathedral with Jacques, Ludwig and others.

Marianne, Rebekah, the betrayed paladin Chris, and even the raiding mercenary’s sub-head.
Victims and key witnesses of the incident are escorted by the Royal Knights and are walking in front.

I am following behind the Capital Defense Forces along with the rest of the witnesses.
It’s a comparatively less important witness, so it’s enough to follow the soldiers.

The shoulders of the Royal Knights and soldiers who are leading the way are quite heavy.

“Have you sealed the gates?”

“Yes.
Troops have also been deployed to the outer wall.”

Listening to the conversation between the knight and the soldier, the Templar Knights have yet to enter the castle.
It seems that the castle gate was sealed in preparation for a collision.

“Ludvik. Stay outside
Secure the retreat.
Zach goes after them with me.”

“”Yes.””

Signal each other.
If necessary, gather at the herbalist.
When I stopped by her shop yesterday, I told the old maid, Eva, that she should not go to work for a while and close her shop.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the store manager who ran it as a proxy along with a small fee.

“When things go wrong, the next best thing is to break through the castle gate and get out.
Did you recognize what I was talking about, Zach?”

“Yes.
Yesterday, while waiting at the outer palace, I planned a route.
Gathering Nene’s reports has been very helpful.”

According to Jacques, it is advantageous to take the side gate that is farther to the west than the nearest castle gate in a straight line from the cathedral as an escape route.

Hopefully, there will be no escaping.
Even if you get out of the capital, it’s a long way to the border.
Physically difficult
So the next best thing.
The best way to do it is to spread it in advance, so everyone should have been familiar with it.

“What the hell is this?”

“Ah, did you not hear?
We’re going to catch the criminal who almost killed the saintess, aren’t we?”

It seems that they started by making the media play big first.

“Everyone seems to know the outline.”

“I would have told you.
Please pray that High Priestess Phillip escapes.”

“Isn’t it more troublesome if you run away, Captain?
Isn’t that like a dog chasing chickens?”

“Because if the chicken runs away, he confesses to being the culprit.
You can catch it slowly while shouting ‘Look, he’s the culprit!’
Then the cathedral will lose money too.”

“He said he was the next pope, would he lose money just because he ran away?”

“How many ministers do you have?
Wouldn’t it be easier to find a replacement?
The position of the Four Heavenly Kings is also filled over time, but the high priest is a great number.”

“Well, that’s right.
Even if you fight without sacrificing, there is no justification Ah, justification.”

“Yes.
The problem is that the chickens become cockroaches and scratch our doggies.”

“… That chicken looks so ferocious.
Seeing the puppies go all over the place.”

By the time I passed the square in front of the cathedral, a crowd had gathered and was chanting.

“Get rid of those who tried to harm the saintess!”

“The sun god will not forgive you!”

“Protect the saintess!
It is the command of the sun god!”

“Catch the culprit!
Hang yourself at the gate!”

The anger of the crowd is gathering.
Turning his back on that voice, a member of the Royal Knights stood in front of the cathedral.
And open the king’s school paper and read it.

“The King of the Great Amitie Kingdom…”

Here’s a summary of the long story:

Accused of attempting to kill the ‘Saint of the Sun’ Marianne by mobilizing mercenaries disguised as bandits during her refugee camp relief project.
Accused of acquiring and leaking weapons of important tactical value among regular army weapons without permission.
Accused of instigating an enemy soldier to kill friendly soldiers and civilians.

A large number of witnesses on the above three charges and a co-perpetrator who was abetted by the crime were accompanied, so we request to accompany them for the investigation.

“There is no target word.
What is the meaning of a gyoji that does not reveal who it is?”

“What if I mentioned my real name and position in front of such a large crowd, and then the truth is not found out later?
You’re building a justification to get away with it in advance.”

While reading the long edict in a loud voice, the paladins and mercenaries who were in charge of guarding the cathedral were just standing by the cathedral entrance as usual.

Profit.

When the reading of the religious paper was finished, the door of the cathedral was opened.
Then, a priest came out wearing a flamboyant and splendid priestly uniform.

“Come in.
The Pope is waiting.
Do you attend the Shinto meeting together?
We will verify the rationality of the testimony and evidence and accompany you if necessary.”

Oops, since I didn’t reveal who was being transported, I can’t ask anyone to come out.
The Royal Knights enter, and some troops stand on either side of the entrance.
You are trying to secure a retreat with me.

“What about Ludvik?”

“I fell for it long ago.”

Hiding in the crowd and watching.

“Let’s go, chief.”

“Let’s go, Zach.”

Enter Marianne and Rebekah, who will elicit testimony.
Some of the Capital Defense Forces enter, and Zach and I follow.

“… The entry force is far less than expected.
There are witnesses, but don’t worry.”

“… I know. Do you want to solve it through political logic?
Ayy, but is there anything special in the cathedral in the middle of the capital?
If something happens, the cathedral will be damaged.”

“Still, the followers of the sun god are brainy bastards…
Do you want to hurray with your sane mind?”

“That’s right.”

Even after me and Jacques entered and the troops came in after us, the cathedral door was not closed.

Passing through the worship space of the cathedral, passing through the courtyard, passing in front of the monastery, and leading to another building.

“It goes a lot deeper than I thought.”

“I know.
I don’t know if Ludwig can come to help.”

While Jacques and I whispered, the Royal Knights, the National Guard, and Marianne and her witnesses all began to enter the building.

Jacques and I hesitated.
However, when the soldiers who followed from the back were puzzled, they had no choice but to go in.

“His Holiness Pope Gregory, representative of the sun god, enters!”

Clothes and hats embroidered with colorful gold threads and patterns on a white background that have never been seen before.
As you can see, that old man is the Pope.
He is slowly entering the stage inside the building.

“Thank you for coming a long way.
Are you saying that there are people trying to harm the ‘Saint of the Sun’ in this cathedral?”

“That’s right.
We ask for an accompanying investigation.
There are confessed criminals and witnesses behind me.
You can ask any questions you have.”

When the officer of the Royal Knights answered, the pope had a proxy inquire about what had happened to Marianne.

“… That is all.”

“Okay.
Then let’s hear the stories of those who confessed their sins.”

The moment when the betrayed paladin Chris and the mercenary underboss opened their mouths to answer with mind control.

Hooked!

“Ouch…”
“Hey…”

Blood flowed down the two men’s necks, and then a blade was lodged in their chests.

“What is this… !”

“Kyaaaaah!”

“Keugh! It’s an attack!”

Kwaaang!

Unknown explosions, explosions, and arrows flew.

“Zach, secure the right window!”

The entrance to the building has already been blocked by hooded men.

Chaeng Chaeng Chaeng!!!

“What are these bastards?!”

“Protect the saintess and the witnesses!”

The Royal Knights and soldiers try hard to protect the witnesses, but it is useless.

Those who just attacked Chris and the mercenary underboss from behind, slashed their throats, and put their swords through their chests.
Because they were the ones dressed as the National Guard!

Besides, hooded men popped up here and there throwing fireballs, brandishing knives, and firing crossbows.

Whoops!!
Tuck!

“Aaah!!”

Oh my God, that crossbow I saw during the Marianne raid.

Even the heavily armed Royal Knights had few shields, so they were helpless against such a projectile attack.

Shuung! Kwaaang!

“Aagh! Help me!”

When those holding separate shields gathered and tried to form a square, a large fireball flew in, shattering the shield and scattering the troops.
In fact, there is no Abba Gyuhwan.

“Take the Pope!”

The paladins, who were few in the building, took refuge with the pope and priests, and inside the building, a fierce battle between the Royal Knights and hooded assailants began.

“Damn it!”

As they ran in front of the procession, Marianne formed a protective shield with prayer, guarding Rebekah and her wounded men.

“Number of animals! Rebekah! We have to get out of here!”

“If you release the shield now, you will all be killed by ranged attacks!”

“I will stand behind you.
Signal and let’s run!”

I point to Marianne for the bracelet and earrings I’m wearing, and glance at Jacques.
Meanwhile, Zach subdued one of the assailants and broke the window.
Marianne nods her head, and she calls out to the Royal Knights.

“Run after me on three!
One, two, three!”

“Run!”

Pew!

Sacrifice the magic earring to block the fireball that flew in just at the right time with the spread shield.

“Quickly!”

Zach hurriedly swings his arm in front of the broken window, clearing the glass with a dagger.

“Fireball!”

“Fuck! It is fire magic!”

Another magic bracelet breaks.
If Master hadn’t given him a lot, he would have revealed his true identity and fled out of the capital.

“Jump over!”

The hip-high window sends us away with all the gorgeous stained glass broken.

I sacrificed another earring and jumped out the window leaving a few knights behind.

“Captain, this way!”

“Everybody run!”

Everyone was frantically running towards the entrance to save their lives.
And from behind, crossbows, fireballs, and hooded goons were in close pursuit.

“Watch out ahead!”

Visor! Tuck!

“Keuuugh!”

A knight gets stabbed by a stranger who blocks his way, and together they slash his neck.
Then his hood came off, revealing the assailant’s face.

Two horns standing tall like a bull.

“It’s a demon, a demon!”

“It’s an attack by the Demon King’s army!”

“Eh, run away!”

No fuck?
What the hell is this?!

Zach and I saw the faces of the fallen demons and looked at each other.

“Is this a familiar face?!”

“No. Let’s run!”

Fu Shufu Fufufu!

“Haha!”

“Fuck the kid for real!
How can a crossbow have such a long range?!”

“… My God, Captain!
I am the Cheonbono of the Hwan Empire!”

Cheonbono (千步弩).
An arcane crossbow passed down from the Gu family of the Hwan Empire.
Its tactical value is enormous, and it is said that neither the manufacturing method nor the stock is ever leaked out.

There was an attempt to find out by kidnapping a technician from the Gu family in Demon King’s Army and Amitie, respectively.
However, a weapon that could not be realized due to many problems, including materials.

“Dog fuck, Cheonghaejin bastards!
Do you sell ginseng or something like that?!”

No matter how many things those bastards don’t sell!
That’s a bit harsh!!

Panting and running across the courtyard, I see the worship space at the entrance of the cathedral I just passed.

Haha!
Foolish humans!
There is no point in running away!”

A demonic soldier blocks the way while reciting the lines of a typical villain.
Throw an ax at us

Hung Hung Hung! Kwajak!

A soldier hit by an ax is unable to scream once and collapses.

“… Quite right.”

Throwing an ax is more difficult than you think.
If you miscalculate the rotation speed, it’s because you hit the opponent with the ax handle, not the ax blade.
Even more so if the target is an opponent who is running.

“Hot ha ha! Die!”

The demonic soldier who threw the ax pours potion into his mouth.
Red glowing eyes.
I run away with my eyes wide open.

“Avoid, Captain!”

Kagagak!

It’s because Zach blocks the long sword with a dagger, but the difference in armament is severe in the first place.

“Zach, bow down!”

Chaeeng! Snuggle Geek!

Pick up the sword of the fallen soldier and immediately aim for the demon soldier’s neck.
However, he blocked my sword with amazing reflexes, and Calco and the like challenged me to fight.

“What a bastard… Strength… !”

“Leader!”

Fu-wook!

During a power confrontation with sword noses back to back, Zach rolled on the floor and pierced the demon soldier’s side with a dagger.

“Have you done it… ?”

“Don’t say that! Stupid!!”

“Aagh!”

Whoo!

A demonic soldier who pushes me away with terrifying power and wields a sword.
I knew this would happen!
You chant a very resurrection spell, don’t you?!

I barely dodged the knife with a backward roll.
Could this be…

“It’s a berserker!!”

The drug you drank earlier was a berserk drug!
Somehow, he was as strong as the young Rumika!

“Kralarak!”

“They are berserkers!”

“I am surrounded!”

Idiot berserkers emitting red light from their eyes surround us.
A situation where a medium-sized crossbow and an occasional Cheonbono fly through the wide encirclement.
… Literally, desperate.
If you expose your horns and fire magic, you can pierce it.
If you even send a signal to Ludwig, you might win.

But… After that?
What is it?

“It’s dangerous, Master!”

Aww!

Someone pounced on me and I fell to the floor with me.
Arrows from crossbows pass overhead.

“Rebekah!”

“… You have to take care of yourself!”

“Thank you. Rebekah.
Number of animals! Shield!”

Marianne widens her shield to cover me and Rebekah.
The royal knights also enter the shield and close the circle with Marianne in the middle.
It’s good to keep the shield thick by narrowing it, but narrowing the circle makes it harder to counter the siege.
Especially in a situation like this without a shield.

“Damn it!”

An officer of the Royal Knights who was reading the school paper shouted in anger.
The soldiers who had been carrying shields and maces while running away threw away their shields and ran away.
Marianne’s shield is the only thing that will block her projectile attack.
Shit…

It was at that time that she was in the middle of rolling her hair.

“Take it! Sword of Judgment!”

Two kwa kwa kwa!

“Aww!”
“Kyaaaaagh!”

A tremendous slash of light came like a wave and swept away the demon berserkers who were narrowing the siege.
And it wipes out Marianne’s shield as well.

“This… This!”

“Yeah these guys!
Will the cunning demon lord invade the sacred cathedral?
In the name of love and justice, I will not forgive!”

Ambassadors who lose their limbs.
A tone as if you spread soybean oil on your tongue.
It was the warrior Alberic.