67. The Moment of Judgment

The Meri United Kingdom, a kingdom formed by a dozen or so so-called “federations” for common interests, is located far from the major empires, in the extreme east. It is precisely because of the kingdom’s remote location, akin to an isolated island, that the Meri United Kingdom has become a bustling trade metropolis with both large and frequent import and export volumes.

Here, the vast majority are merchants, and anything that can be sold can be traded, even including the “relics” buried underground in the kingdom. Few people care about the history these relics beneath the kingdom carry, which represents a new style of the people of the Meri United Kingdom, distinct from citizens of other kingdoms.

But…

“No matter how prosperous it may be, this land’s filth cannot be washed away. Even with a fresh start, the stench of its dirty history cannot be covered. To trample upon the will and order of the great goddess, and still attempt to bury it with dirt and time… what a pitiful land, what pitiful beings.”

There are always some people, or rather… elves, who will comment on the current state of this kingdom with an incredibly serious and calm demeanor, making statements no different from those of charlatans.

This elven nun’s attitude towards Urasiru naturally drew the displeasure of a nearby elven maid.

“You start rambling the moment you arrive. Can you stop preaching? Are you here to seek wisdom or what?”

Ludwig yawned, “So bothersome, and it’s making my ears hurt.”

Here, in a corner of the capital of the Merli United Kingdom, the appearance of two elven girls—one dressed as a nun and the other as a maid—did attract some attention at first, but no one shouted or made a fuss. After all, such attire, along with their elven identity, is not particularly rare in the kingdom. The Merli United Kingdom is a place that blends various elements, a country filled with “tolerance.”

Ludwig and Urasiru, two white-haired elves, had come for certain “purposes,” and today they had no choice but to show themselves, merely to visit some secret locations and obtain some “responses.”

At this moment, after completing the “weapon check,” the two elves, who at least “appeared” to be unarmed, successfully met with two humans—no, it would be more appropriate to call them “employers” now.

Jack, the head of the Jack family, and Mary, the head of the Mary family, showed no interest in the identities of the two elves and Urasiru spoke up.

“Ladies, as per our agreement, we have come to inquire about the results of the ‘employment.’ I previously informed you of the details; may I ask if you have made use of them?”

Order has never been a rigid constraint, so Urasiru never minded employing some methods that humans might consider ‘despicable’ as a blade to eliminate those who disrupt order and defy the will of the great goddess. It is only right for her to do so.

Unfortunately, some ignorant beings not only fail to understand this great gift but also… feel the need to point fingers.

The response from Jack and Mary, who were drinking, was one of impatience.

“Hmph, what good is that! You prattle on about the importance of birth, but in the end, they don’t care at all!”

After Jack’s complaint, Mary waved dismissively at the two elves.

“Scram, we don’t want to see you. Right now, I’m just annoyed by you strange bounty hunters in the kingdom!”

So the earlier “message” didn’t have any effect?

Looking at it this way… it really seems so. It appears that this filthy land cannot wash away its dirt, and there are even some disrespectful, filthy beings who have truly inherited a heresy.

“I see, then I won’t press you to say more.”

Urasilu nodded slightly and calmly said, “However, as the ones who received the information, I ask you both to fulfill our agreement and hand over the reward.”

“Reward? Ha! You still want a reward?”

Jack hurled his wine glass at Urasilu, but in his arrogance, he failed to notice that another elf had effortlessly swatted the glass away, shattering it against the wall.

“You two mumbling bounty hunters, what have you done besides telling us a bunch of useless nonsense!? And now you have the audacity to ask us for a reward?”

“It seems you have misunderstood my meaning. This reward is not for me to accept. Rather, it is a response from you two to the ‘grace’ bestowed upon you by the great goddess. Since neither of you holds any faith, this response must naturally take the form of a material offering.”

“Ha! This is the first time I’ve encountered a charlatan who makes asking for money sound so flowery!”

Mary exhaled a puff of smoke, “Stop your prattling and get lost! Otherwise, we’ll just—”

But her voice abruptly cut off.

Because just then, the cigarette butt she flicked at the elf was cleanly sliced in half by a sword that had suddenly appeared in the elf’s hand! The blade was now pressed against her neck, its edge shrouded in chaotic black mist, reminding Mary of the fear she had felt before, dominated by these twisted forces.

The seemingly harmless nun before her was truly “harmless,” her expression remaining utterly calm, not a hint of change.

“Both of you, refusing to offer is a trampling and insult to the goodwill of the great goddess. To avoid being judged for your disdain for order, I hope you will seriously fulfill this simple faith.”

“Otherwise… the will of order will surely judge your audacity and vile nature.”

Mary felt as if she might wet herself from fear.

Afterward, the two elves swaggered away from Jack and Mary, under the watchful hostility of the crowd.

After toying with a small pouch of gold coins for a while, Ludwig tossed the pouch into the open “void” beside him and turned to look.

“Sigh~ Sis, have you been overly angry these past few days?”

“That’s your illusion.”

“Really? I can’t shake the feeling that you want to kill everyone you see right now~”

“Thus, it is your illusion. I merely stepped back onto this filthy land and was momentarily disturbed by the undeniable wretchedness here, that’s all. After all, this is a place devoid of faith in order.”

Ludwig yawned.

“Wow~ I really don’t mind~ Everything here looks so different now~ Doing the same old things again feels like such a hassle, so let’s just forget it. It’s just… I didn’t expect there to still be remnants of ‘bloodlines,’ what a troublesome job.”

“The bloodlines of despicable beings must be thoroughly eradicated. Those who defy the will of order, no matter how much time has passed, will face judgment—no one can escape. All that disrespects the will, whether they are fugitives or those ‘bloodlines,’ must be judged clean.”

Turning around, Urasiru looked at Ludwig.

Her face was calm and unperturbed.

“This is also what the great goddess anticipates; this moment is indeed the time for us, the ‘sharp blades,’ to enact judgment.”

——

Recently updated Kfeir and Nilu’s new outfits, which are, so far, the final versions adorned with fairy symbols. Character illustrations will be released later. PS: The upcoming new pillows will also be modeled after the new outfits of the two wives.