53. All My People

Since Nilu’s continued pretense as a “delicate girl” was having no effect, it fell to me to take on the “villain” role. Fortunately: although I had met Lady Jader once at the church branch, in the script, the noble Lady Jader would naturally not remember a “minor character” like me.

When I returned to the church headquarters, I maintained my “beautiful girl” guise alongside Alsace. As for Jader and his daughter, during my previous visit to their home, Nilu and I had already made it clear with the command of Jias, so this father-daughter duo wouldn’t recognize my current appearance or identity.

With that, it became much simpler for me to act. I mocked Lady Jader, telling her to stop staring at Nilu, drawing the ire of the father and daughter duo. Then I added,

“Have you two had enough fun? Don’t cause a ruckus in the church; as for going out, don’t even think about it. Candidate for the Saintess Jader, it’s better for you to stay at your residence, and let your father refrain from causing trouble here.”

If soft tactics wouldn’t work, then I’d have to be tough. As a “big villain” in the script, I was already in a precarious position, and I was prepared for whatever consequences might arise from stirring up trouble. It was just a death script, after all. Although Kephiel wasn’t by my side this time, and the protagonist’s halo didn’t cover me, the substitute, the big boss Nilu, wouldn’t be any less formidable.

That’s what I thought, but as I instinctively glanced at the script, this time I noticed something puzzling!

It wasn’t that there was any danger in the script’s content; rather, it was quite the opposite: logically, having provoked Jader and her father, they should have already been plotting a “death script” against me. However, when I checked their scripts, all I found was the most ordinary content.

[Lady Jader and her father want to reclaim the position of the ‘New Saintess’!]

The script appears, and that’s all there is to it. The father and daughter’s intentions are clear, yet… there’s absolutely no hostility directed at me!? How strange! I’ve already hurled insults at them, and they can still completely disregard me!?

Jade’s voice interrupted my thoughts, adding to my confusion. Isn’t she already showing hostility towards me?

“I told you not to block the way, didn’t I!? Who are you!?”

I shook my head, deciding not to dwell on it further. Dealing with the trouble at hand was more urgent. Moreover, Jade was observing me with evident disdain, so to avoid being recognized, I could only slightly turn my face away.

“I’m a staff member of the Great Yīng Empire. In any case, the Saintess candidate cannot leave here for the time being. As for the decision regarding the ‘Saintess,’ you just need to wait for further news.”

“Nonsense!”

This time, it was Jade’s father who spoke up. His arrogant attitude clearly indicated he had some confidence to barge in like this, “What do you know, you little errand runner!? This is clearly the church’s dark side! How dare you block our way!?”

Even though Jade’s father was furious, there was still a hint of excitement in his expression, as if he had found a weakness to exploit. I could only respond with a helpless smile.

“Dark side”? Who are we blackmailing? If anything, it’s you who has been “pulling strings,” threatening other candidates to give up, ultimately allowing Jade to rise as the final candidate.

I sighed, “This is the rule. The Saintess candidate and their family—if you continue to act recklessly, I might have to call members of the Great Yīng Empire to take you away and lock you up.”

I thought this threat would have some effect, but the next moment, the smugness in Jade’s father’s eyes only grew, and I finally understood the “pride” he had been hiding in his earlier rage.

“Hmph, you’re from the Great Yīng Empire, but I’m not!?”

This strange statement made me furrow my brows, “What do you mean?”

Jade’s father’s attitude suddenly became even more arrogant, flaunting his status before me, “Listen well, errand runner! My position and identity in the church are already beyond your reach, and now I’m collaborating with the big shots of your Great Yīng Empire!”

“Wha—”

The corners of my mouth twitched in surprise, and it was evident that Jade’s father took my astonishment as fear.

“If you understand, then hurry up and get out of the way! Don’t block us from seeking justice! If there’s any dark side to the church, and you obstruct us, can you bear the responsibility!? What are you making a fuss about? Get lost!”

Could I not be surprised? Because right after he finished speaking, the script I was in contained such content!

[Jade’s father collaborated with Professor Moriarty, providing information on members of other factions in exchange for the power to freely enter and exit the church headquarters!]

So that’s it! Not to mention this guy casually selling out the church, I was wondering how he could freely enter the church headquarters; it turns out he’s been giving benefits like information to the professor! Professor, oh professor, since you’re conveniently investigating and capturing, could you please not dump this annoying trouble on me? I’m going to complain to Louise!

After all, the aftermath of letting that troublemaker, Jiadie, who knows the inside story, run around freely soon arrived!

“As for what concerns me? Hmph! You don’t have the guts! If I don’t take Jiadie away today, tomorrow people from our family will come looking for him!”

[Jiadie’s family members are also aware of the matter regarding the Saintess candidate.]

What should have been a secret operation quickly became troublesome due to a misalignment on the professor’s side! The news spread to Jiadie’s family, and it was clear that they had to stop it before it leaked to more people!

“……”

I sighed deeply, feeling a bit strange. After all, Jiadie was able to become a member of the “Eye of Order” faction within the church. Even if he was a fence-sitter, it shouldn’t have escalated to a point of mutual destruction. But should I say that Professor Moriarty misjudged Jiadie, or what? This guy was being particularly stubborn, only thinking about the “new Saintess” matter, or else he would spread scandals about the church, even though this news would be a self-inflicted wound for him…

In any case, it had to be resolved first!

“I said, you two cannot leave. Just like before, and now… you definitely can’t go!”

After a pause, I raised my voice, “Guards, come in!”

Jiadie’s expression turned even more disdainful, and with Jiadie by his side, he looked fearless, mocking, “Hmph, still calling them guards? Let me tell you, the guards here have long been instructed. I can freely come and go with my people. Who do you think you are to stop me!?”

I ignored Jiadie and waved at a few members of the inspection team who had entered, disguised as church guards.

“Bind them, gag them, and throw them into the interrogation room. They have too many secrets to extract.”

“Hahaha! Come on! Shout all you want! Let’s see if these people dare to… eh?”

Before Jiadie could finish his arrogant words, the inspection team swiftly restrained his hands behind his back and stuffed rags into both his and his daughter’s mouths.

“Wuwuwu!?”

“Wuwuwuwuwu!?”

Then, no matter how much they mumbled, it was meaningless. Jiadie and Jiadie were directly shoved away by the inspection team.

Phew… Don’t think that just because you were used by a “big shot” like Professor Moriarty, you’ve found a backer and can act fearless, Jiadie.

You might not know, but right now, not only that big shot in your mind—Professor Moriarty, even the Queen of the Great Ying Empire is on my side.

To shout “come fight me” at someone who holds all the “surface power” of the Great Ying Empire, isn’t that just asking for a beating?