10. We have a special way of vying for favor

If what was coming at me was merely a “death script,” like these burly men claiming to be church clergy just trying to lure me out to stab me in some dark corner, that would be one thing. But it seems that their intentions are clearly more than that.

After all, when I felt that I couldn’t extract any more information from them and directly exposed their intentions towards me, the first reaction of these minor villains wasn’t to stab me immediately, but rather to continue trying to cover it up.

“Wh… what master!? We’re here to take you to see the Saintess…”

“Don’t assume everyone else is as simple-minded as you are. Do you really think the Church’s Saintess would live in a crowded, chaotic corner like you do?”

I didn’t even need to reveal the secret that “I know the Saintess Ikusis” to expose their lies directly. “Besides, the ones serving the Saintess are all beautiful ladies; it has never been a group of men. You’re not the Saintess’s servants at all, but rather members of the Church serving someone else.”

As I watched the expressions of the lackeys in front of me shift from surprise to agitation, I added one last remark.

“It seems there are indeed quite a few strange people in the Church. What are your identities? What… faction are you from?”

If they’re not serving the Saintess, then their identities align with what Ikusis mentioned at night—other “factions” within the Church. But they appeared too quickly; we had just settled in for our first night at the Church, and they were already targeting me?

With their identities exposed, I knew all too well what would happen next.

【Ogilith was killed by members of a mysterious organization.】

The death script appeared, and because of my “lack of awareness,” they no longer concealed their intentions, their attitudes turning harsh and ruthless.

“Faction? Seems you know quite a bit, but you won’t live to tell the tale!”

“If you don’t want to die, obediently come with us to meet a certain important person; otherwise… your life is forfeit! You won’t be leaving here tonight!”

A group of muscular lackeys suddenly closed in, and to my surprise: these people targeting me were merely background characters in the script, not even worthy of a name! Yet…

【Lackey A has a strength level of 5.】

【Lackey B…】

Each of these lackeys seemed quite capable, far beyond the level of the Archbishop’s subordinates I encountered at the Summit of Nations. It was rumored that the Church was filled with “cultured people” with strange beliefs, but these individuals were clearly here as enforcers!

I took a small step back, but their threats were no less potent. In terms of both strength and numbers, they far exceeded what I could handle alone through the script. After all, I’m not Master Huo; I can’t take on ten at once.

I had come with Kephiel and Nilu, and I believed this group understood the consequences of taking me away. Their choice to act despite knowing this could only mean one thing…

【The mysterious organization within the Church wants to threaten Kephiel.】

The script revealed their true intentions, and with that, I had no need to hide anymore.

I straightforwardly gave up resistance: “Sorry, but you can’t scare me with your numbers. Moreover, my wife hates it most when others use me to threaten her. I suggest you back off while you still can.”

“Hmph! Still trying to buy time! The time given by the master is limited, don’t waste your breath with this person! Hurry up and…”

The leading extra A seemed to understand the principle that villains often perish from excessive chatter, but he would never have thought: my current delay isn’t to seek help, but rather… to give them a chance to escape unscathed.

Since they don’t want it, there’s nothing I can do. After a little lesson, it would be more suitable to extract information, right? After all, knowing full well that I have a death script, I’m not foolish enough to stay alone. More importantly: whether it’s Kfeir or Nilu, neither of these big shots would be at ease leaving me alone in a dangerous place.

Their sense of danger is far more effective than the script I have here!

Before the leading extra A could finish his sentence, Kfeir and Nilu appeared as if they were competing to see who could “help me” more. Before I could even speak, a new round of “competition” began.

The extra closest to me was knocked down by Kfeir’s magic sword, Alsace, while compared to Kfeir’s “precise strike,” Nilu’s approach was even simpler and more direct.

“Wha… why are both of them here!?”

“Not good! Hurry back and report to the…”

These people clearly recognized and understood Kfeir’s strength, and even Nilu’s too!?

In my surprise, the fairy in Nilu’s eyes had already taken flight!

To an ordinary person, a formidable fifth or sixth-tier warrior would seem impressive, but in front of Nilu and Kfeir, they were nothing more than fish that could be easily dispatched.

“Jias.”

【Foolish humans, submit to my master!】

Crimson flames tore through the night sky, and wherever I looked, all the extras immediately fell like marionettes with their strings cut. The two big shots acted so swiftly that I hadn’t even had time to react or check the script before it was all over.

No, wait, it seems it’s not over.

After all, the crisis on my side had dissipated, but the “competition” between Nilu and Kfeir was still ongoing. Having completed all this, Nilu seemed to find some excuse and effortlessly shot Kfeir a malicious smile.

“Miss, it seems your abilities are a bit lacking? If I hadn’t helped you just now, the rest would have surely escaped to report back, you know~ Your momentum has always been impressive, but why is your ability to relieve Mr. Oujilide’s worries still so childish?”

As if to counter Nilu’s sarcastic remarks, the next moment, frost covered the ground, and the rising ice directly froze all the extras in place! Kfeir shot a displeased glance at Nilu.

“What makes you think I lack such ability? I merely eliminated the closest person to him, just in case. Unlike some people, who lack even this basic observational skill and pretend to be a maid.”

Ah, what a hassle… I’ve even started to feel sympathy for those extras being used as experimental subjects by Nilu and Kfeir.

Moreover, you two big shots, can we continue your battlefield at another time…

In desperation, I had no choice but to quietly withdraw from the “battlefield,” then waved to the fire fairy, Jias, who had just finished using her powers.

“Tch, scumbag.”

The flying fairy shot me a disdainful glance.

“Alright, alright, I admit it, so can you do me a favor?” I pointed to a background character lying on the ground, “Wake him up, then ‘command’ him. I still have some things to clarify.”

As I spoke, I pulled up the leading background character from earlier. With a burst of flame from Jias, she activated her “command” ability while I asked the dazed fellow.

“Everything that happened tonight didn’t happen at all. You and your people found nothing! Now, I ‘command’ you to tell me, who is the master behind you? What… what ‘faction’ of the church do you belong to!?”

The script surged forth. Although I knew: the clearer the script became, the more likely it was to unfold, but…

If we didn’t seek to understand, we would likely remain in a passive state of confusion regarding the church’s inner workings. In that case, how could I, as the master, protect the foolish life of the saint, Ikusis?

So, I had to ask!

“We are… the Blade of Order under the leadership of the Pure White Nun.”

Even with the clarity of the death script, I felt no fear!

【The church organization, the Blade of Order, judged Ikusis!】

【The church organization, the Blade of Order, retaliated against the group of Oujilide!】

“Our goal is… to judge those who are disloyal to… the Goddess of Order… The next target is the saint, and those who lead the saint to her downfall…”