Episode 320
It is rare for all of Badniker’s elders to gather in one place.
In the unprecedented situation of Sanghyeolgong’s critical condition, even heavyweight elders had no choice but to gather together.
The gathered elders were conversing in the darkest and most secret place in the main house, without revealing each other’s faces.
“Something happened in Badnicker that should never have happened.”
The introductory act, as always, was Agenor Badniker.
He is the blood relative of the former head of the family and the de facto chairman of the council of elders.
Among the elders, the man with the greatest say spoke.
“Traces of musical instruments were found in the main house. “Based on the concentration, it would be reasonable to see it as at least a priest-level invasion.”
“Are you sure?”
Phyllis Roandell.
A man who was the former leader of the Fang Knights.
This man, who was appointed to the position of elder due to his merits as a knight and his loyalty to Badniker, was the youngest and least experienced among the elders.
Naturally, my attitude and tone of voice had no choice but to be polite and cautious compared to others.
“I don’t doubt Agenor’s words, but… “I thought it might be too early to be certain of the existence of an intruder.”
“You can tell me in detail.”
“thank you.”
Phyllis lowered her head once and continued speaking.
“As you all saw, the head of the family has now regained consciousness. He also drove out the musical instruments inside the body. So, what I mean is, the head of the family may have unconsciously exercised a defense mechanism to protect his body, and the musical instrument he expelled in the process was naturally released to the outside… … .”
“Phyllis, you have limited insight.”
A cold voice intervened.
Calliope Badniker.
Although he is eighty-one years old this year, he only appears to be in his mid to late thirties because he has achieved a lot in three years.
Phyllis was stingy.
This female head, who was the sister of the previous head of the family, has a fairly strong position in the current elders’ council.
Over time, a strong foundation of power, personal connections, and even money were formed… There was no element that was not the backbone of the family.
Badniker’s pre- and post-war era were dark times, and the credit of the Elders’ Council for surviving that period is in no small part due.
Naturally, Calliope, who has been active in the council of elders since then, is respected by other elders.
Calliope spoke in a feminine tone.
“The instrument is definitely an unidentified power, but looking at its characteristics alone, it has a lot in common with Mana. In any case, it is energy that can be manipulated artificially. There is a significant difference between the energy distributed in nature and the mana received within the body, and the same applies to musical instruments. For example, the instrument that ate away at the head of the family was raw and unrefined even if it existed inside the body. However, there were traces of polishing left on the instrument found at the scene. “The only people in the world who can polish their instruments are church members.”
“… … .”
“… The instrument inside the head of the family was so dark that it made one’s teeth tremble. Even the teacher who tried to treat him saw his hand turn black immediately after contact. If it had been even a little bit late, the contact area would have been cut off. “It was a concentration that could not be handled unless you were a priest.”
Immediately after Calliope finished speaking, one of the elders muttered in a miserable voice.
“… “I never thought the nightmare of Juan would happen again.”
Badknicker.
A family that is a symbol of eradicating cults and hunting down demons.
A priest-level church member was allowed to invade such a symbolic place, not once, but twice.
It’s not like I’ve lost my pride. This is because the situation now is much more serious than then.
This means that the intruder didn’t notice until he approached the bed of the Sanghyeolgong, who was unconscious and wandering around death.
“… So what is the purpose of being a church member?”
Phyllis said in a cautious voice.
“There are more than one or two things I don’t understand. It is clear that the church member got close to the head of the family. If I wanted to, I could have taken his life. Why didn’t they do that? As a result, the head of the family woke up. It may be a hasty judgment, but there were no aftereffects. If you look at his actions, you can see that he was not aiming for the life of the head of the family, but on the contrary… … .”
“Watch your mouth.”
When Agenor interrupted, Phyllis closed her mouth.
“Does that mean that good church members even exist?”
“That’s not it… … .”
“I have no intention of completely denying the speculation just now. Through the church member’s manipulations, the head of the family regained his consciousness. However, things in the world often produce results that are completely different from what was intended.”
Phyllis, who was thinking deeply, said.
“… The church member had stretched out his arms with the intention of harming the head of the family, but it had the opposite result. Is that what Agenor says?”
“The worst thing for us is not the death of our matriarch.”
“yes?”
“The worst thing would be for the resurrected head of the church to stand on the side of the church and point his sword at the empire.”
“… … !”
Sanghyeolgong’s betrayal.
Phyllis came to her senses at the words she didn’t want to even imagine.
That doesn’t just mean a weakening of power.
A symbolic figure named Iron Blood Duke betrays the empire and joins the church.
It will have a huge negative impact not only on the battlefield, but also on the morale of the people of the empire. Badniker’s downfall will be certain.
“Of course, as we are not church members, there is no way to know the detailed circumstances. “Actually, it’s not that important.”
After saying that, Agenor looked straight into space.
“Benga.”
“yes.”
Collector Benga appeared in the dark, but most of the elders were aware of his presence, so no one was surprised.
“How about identification?”
“It’s done.”
Benga looked around with a calm expression and continued speaking as if explaining.
“Today, we investigated all the people who stayed at Badniker’s main house or stopped by for a short time. Among them, we selected people who could access the 4th floor, and again selected people who could approach the head of the family’s bedroom at that time. Among them, there is one person who is the most suspicious. He is also the only person whose whereabouts are currently unknown.”
“Say it.”
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“… … .”
When Benga hesitated for a rare moment, the elders were slightly taken aback.
This is because it was very surprising that the strongest collector, who was thought to have no emotions, showed emotions.
‘Who on earth is it?’
The moment Phyllis tilted her head, Benga spoke.
“… Sogaju Ruan Badniker.”
“… … !”
“As of now, Lord Soga is the most influential person as a member of the invading church – in other words, a priest.”
“Are you sure?”
“We haven’t figured out the circumstances, and we are still tracking the traces.”
After Benga finished speaking, there was a rare commotion in the surroundings.
“Luan Badniker?”
“Isn’t he the one who is currently showing the greatest prominence among the matriarch’s children?”
“I thought he had the qualities to succeed Delac… … .”
“Be quiet, be quiet.”
Agenor silenced the commotion with a low voice.
Then he continues speaking in a quiet voice.
“Sogaju Ruan Badniker has certainly shown impressive performance since the end of last year. “At first, we all thought it was just a chronic condition, but we all remember that some people said, ‘It seems like the person has changed.’”
“But hasn’t Luan already completed her proof in the [Trial Chamber]? “I heard that a private meeting with the head of the family was held later.”
“The equipment in that room is not perfect. The same goes for the matriarch’s blessings.”
“… … .”
“Benga, is it true that Luan’s whereabouts are unknown?”
“I searched the entire main house right before I came here, but there wasn’t a single witness, and the belongings in the cycad were also gone. In other words, it is judged that he disappeared intentionally.”
Agenor sighed and said.
“This is the clearest evidence of all.”
“… … .”
“If you were truly honest, there would be no reason to run away. Luan Badniker left his home without saying a word. Erasing all traces of him, taking only his belongings… … . “What all this points to is clear.”
Agenor declared in a solemn voice.
“From now on, Badnicker will treat Luan Badnicker as a member of the church.”
“That means… … .”
“Organize a pursuit party.”
“Chase… … . “If you’re a priest, shouldn’t you be able to use the ghost road?”
“In general, yes. According to Hana Benga’s report, Ruan Badniker’s trail led to the Butterfly Forest.”
As all eyes were focused, Benga Organ quietly shook his head.
“I’m not sure, but he may have suffered internal injuries while interacting with the head of the family. “If that’s the case, I probably wouldn’t have gone far.”
“… … .”
“Keep in mind. Luan Badniker’s existence has now become a taboo for us Badnikers. “You must never let him out of the forest.”
Phyllis, who was silent for a moment, asked.
“I will take command of the pursuit party, Agenor. The purpose of this chase is… “Is Luan Badniker captured alive?”
“no.”
Agenor spoke briefly.
“Kill him.”
* * *
“… … .”
Hector blinked his eyes.
It seemed like he couldn’t readily accept what he had just heard.
Hector’s maternal grandfather, a member of the council of elders, sighed as he saw the ripples spreading across his grandson’s face.
“I’m only telling you in advance, so please keep quiet.”
“… What is that? “Are you saying everything you just said is true?”
“I don’t lie about things like this.”
“but-.”
“stop. Don’t say anything more. This is a matter that has already been decided by the council of elders. “Even if you are the head of the family, you cannot give it back.”
“… … .”
Hector said, clenching his fists.
“It doesn’t make sense. Luan, that guy is a church member? “He often showed strange appearances, but that’s not enough to conclude that he was a member of the church.”
“It’s not just that. Didn’t you just say that? The qualifications to enter the head of the family’s bedroom in the middle of the night, the circumstances under which he disappeared along with his belongings, and the fact that he was not seen by anyone in the process… … . “All of these factors point to him being a member of the church.”
“… “That can’t be possible.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you denying it so much? “I guess it was you who hated and loathed that child more than anyone else?”
“… … .”
Hector closed his mouth at Zeno’s words.
“Of course, I know that you have become close to Luan. So, I would like to ask the opposite question. While dealing with him or talking to him… Have you ever felt like a person has changed?”
“… that.”
“The personality seemed to change overnight, and the skills, growth, and performance that followed. And it was strangely deeply intertwined with the church. As if he knew the church’s plans in advance… … .”
“… … .”
“… What if it was all the Dark Church’s plan? What if the purpose was to infiltrate Luan and take control of Badniker from within?”
Hector spoke evilly.
“… So, why did you reveal your true colors only now? Now Ruan has obtained the position of Su Jiajou. He became the strongest candidate to be the next head of the family. Even if he stayed still, he could have swallowed the Bad Knicker, right?”
“Because something much more appetizing than that has appeared.”
“yes?”
“To take control of Iron Blood Ball.”
“… … !”
“He disappeared because that plan failed.”
Hector bit his lip.
“… “It’s far-fetched.”
“okay. I know that this is a guess with many loopholes. But if everything was a misunderstanding like you said, it could have been resolved through conversation. “But why did Luan disappear?”
“… … .”
“In order to prove complete innocence, you would have to allow someone else to contemplate the inside of your body. “Luan didn’t have the confidence to handle the investigation.”
Zenon said with a stern face.
“… I know it’s not comfortable for you either. But from now on, be careful with your mouth. Forget about that guy, and even if the topic comes up, don’t show anything. “The more you defend him, the more your position in Badnicker will be shaken.”
“… “If you’re going to be shaken by something like that, feel free to shake as much as you want.”
“what?”
Hector said, glaring at Zenon.
“I am not a child anymore. It doesn’t matter how my grandfather treats me. You can treat me like a child. But don’t you dare try to control me. I made up my mind. “From now on, I will only judge what I see with my own eyes.”
“What are you saying now…” … .”
“Luan is a rather cocky and rude guy. He has a fiery personality, is self-indulgent, and has an eccentric side that makes it hard to tell what he’s thinking at times. He’s honestly tiring to be around. As I talk, I feel jealous, and I don’t even know if this guy thinks of me as an older brother… … .”
“… … .”
“but… However, he is by no means someone who can be corrupted into a church member.”
Hector remembered.
Luan’s performance in a world stained with blood.
A disaster that could have killed dozens or hundreds of people was prevented with brilliant performance.
I couldn’t possibly believe that the image was fake.
“I trust Luan. “There must be something going on.”
“… … .”
Zenon closed his mouth.
Today was the first time Hector confronted him directly.
As this child’s sponsor, teacher, and above all, as his maternal grandfather… … .
I was hoping for a moment like this.
I hoped that they would have clear opinions and convictions that would even rebel against their parents.
But, not today.
“… “What happened to your father?”
“I joined Luan Badniker’s tracking team.
“yes? “With that body condition?”
“okay.”
Hector hesitated slightly and asked.
“My father’s reaction was… … .”
“What do you think it was like? He is no one else but an iron-blooded baller. “There is no way he could tolerate the fact that a member of the church came from his own bloodline.”
“… … .”
“It was my first time seeing the head of the family make such an expression. With a stiff face and a body that was not yet ready, he joined the chase team directly. “I guess the only thing I can think of is killing Luan Badniker myself.”
Hector looked out the window at those words.
The rain that had been pouring since yesterday seemed to have no intention of stopping.
Rumbling… … !
On the contrary, even thunder and lightning began to strike, and Hector looked up at the night sky, where white cracks occasionally spread.
‘Luan.’
My tightly clenched fist trembled slightly.
Hector hopes for Sanghyeolgong’s eternal success. I hope that he will reign as the strongest forever and lead Badniker.
I didn’t want to see him fail while I was alive, and I didn’t want to think about it either.
but… … .
Why?
At this moment, for the first time, Hector desperately hoped for the Iron Blood Lord to fail.
I sincerely hoped that the chase team, including Iron Blood Ball, would miss Luan.
Kurrrrrr… … !
The sky beyond the dark clouds trembled.
… A storm was coming.
