Episode 333
“yes. “It’s me.”
This is the moment when I admitted it in a calm voice.
Thomas glanced at the masked face, then raised his black gloved hand to cover the mask.
“Department head?”
And whether his subordinates were agitated or not, Thomas took off his mask.
“… … .”
The face under the mask had a very stern look, and it was skinny and had scars here and there, giving it a ruthless look.
Even though he had a small physique, he had a strange sense of intimidation, which was different from the spirit that naturally radiated as he achieved heights.
To put it bluntly, it can be said to be a natural atmosphere that is formed naturally as humans live their lives.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned Gold Fairy.”
“… … .”
The heroes nearby were agitated.
Looking at the reaction, it seems I’m not the only one who felt the tone was a bit soft.
In fact, it was a somewhat unexpected development for me that this cold-looking man expressed interest in me.
“I heard that the chief was indebted to Iron Blood Lord several times when he was young. Personally, I was also impressed by the [Operation to Recover Ymir’s Remains] conducted this time. “I heard that you and Corrupted were particularly active, and Corrupted was always willing to do bad things for the security of the North and the peace of its residents.”
“… … .”
This is unexpected.
Snowville Village, where the Corrupted are based.
I knew that this village was not far from the Utgarde camp, but I had no idea that they were keeping an eye on Corrupted’s activities.
“This camp is also full of church members, and this incident served as a good tool. As a member of the church, no amount of torture, threats, or appeasement works, but when I heard that the Golden Horn’s elaborate operation had failed spectacularly, I felt desperate. Thanks to you, I have identified a few of the cult’s bases in the north. “It’s not a small harvest.”
“aha.”
In other words, there were complex reasons why Department Director Thomas expressed favor toward me.
Compared to his relationship with the Iron Blood Prince and the reputation Corrupted has steadily built up so far, his participation in the mission to Ymir’s remains is probably a secondary reason.
In the end, all of the other heroes present were participants in the operation, but Thomas did not show any particular respect to them.
However, I have no intention of crossing the line just because this man shows favor.
I took a moment to narrow down the people whose personalities were most similar to the man in front of me, and one suitable person came to mind.
‘Is it okay to think of it as dealing with Keian in his younger days?’
Perhaps the iron-blooded collector is now old and his personality has become dull, and when he was younger, he would have been more strict than Department Manager Thomas.
I cleared my throat and made eye contact with Thomas.
“I am also honored to meet the head of Utgard’s department. “Then shall we go back to the main topic and talk again about the new members of the church?”
“I’ll only take half.”
“Department head?”
The other guards murmured slightly at Thomas’ assertion, but Thomas silenced them with his eyes before continuing.
“This is the most we can compromise. In any case, escorting that many church members to Heros would be impossible, even for you. “I don’t know how many remnants are still left in this vast snow field.”
“hmm… … .”
“If we divide the congregation in half, we will be able to divert their attention. Instead, I leave the selection of prisoners up to you.”
The heroes’ expressions brightened at those words.
If you could select church members, that is, decide which church members to take, it would be a completely different story… … .
This is because it means that even key people who seem to know a lot, especially among the church members, can be taken out.
‘They give in more than I thought?’
Giving us the valuable members and taking only the worthless church members is no different from saying that you want to be bait.
I glanced at the Utgarde guards, and aside from Thomas, the other young guards didn’t seem to be very upset.
‘Are you familiar with this kind of thing?’
If so, I thought it would be somewhat bittersweet.
“… “I would appreciate it if you could do that.”
Jack nodded as the representative.
When I took a quick look, I saw that my wrinkled face had finally straightened up a bit due to the depth of the water.
‘Whoa…’ … . Did he do it again?’
Having resolved the conflict in an instant, I had no choice but to hold my tongue against my own edification skills.
* * *
The argument between Heros and Utgard ended surprisingly smoothly, but my business was not over yet.
I approached Thomas, who was about to leave, but he noticed me approaching and turned his head.
“Is there still anything left to do?”
“I have a few questions to ask.”
“Speak.”
Since I didn’t have much time, I asked directly.
“Are there any suspicious movements inside the camp?”
“Suspicious movement?”
“For example, signs of a riot.”
“… … .”
Even though everyone was wearing masks, it felt like skin.
The atmosphere was cold and stiff.
It’s worth it.
This is no different from telling the guards in charge of the prisoners that a riot is likely to break out in your camp.
It would not be strange to think that he had received a great insult.
In fact, the young guys next to Thomas were breathing slightly heavier.
The department head’s lips slowly opened.
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“First of all, I need to hear what your intention is for saying that.”
“I heard it from the priest inside Ymir’s remains. The church members are planning to take over the Utgarde camp… … .”
And this was the excuse I prepared.
“Where is the priest?”
“He’s already dead.”
So there is no way to determine the truth of this statement.
But what I just said will happen sooner or later.
Thomas had his mask on again and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
After a rather long silence, an inorganic voice was heard.
“I know what you want to say. “Be careful.”
It was a very adult response, but unfortunately, it was not the answer I wanted.
Of course, it was clear that disasters did not occur in the past because the camp’s security was lax or because they were careless.
“How exactly are you going to guard? Do you replenish more guards? Will the investigation be conducted again on prisoners who have already been detained? “I heard that the Utgarde camp was built by remodeling an old castle. I’m sure there are no defects inside the camp that could allow the enemy to invade, right?”
“Stop, stop.”
Finally, Thomas’ voice became stiff.
“Golden Fairy… … . It has already been over two hundred years since Utgard was founded. Our origins were to imprison criminals in an old castle that no one used and ordering a few talented people to manage them. There is also a story that at first they had prisoners take care of them. Is it because of that? We have never received much support from the Empire. Even though I received all kinds of ridicule and criticism, I quietly performed my role. “I know that even now, there is a stigma against us among the people of the empire.”
“… … .”
“Utgard has its own ways. This means that outsiders have no right or right to interfere. Even in the darkest times, we didn’t break down. So don’t insult us any further.”
And then it collapses this year?
I was frustrated, but I kept my mouth shut because if I even said this, I could have ended up in a life-or-death situation with them.
The more we talk, the more I’m starting to like these stubborn guys.
“Then let’s do it this way. “I will go to Utgard later as a disguise, so please keep me as a prisoner.”
“That’s an unreasonable request. “We in Utgard do not imprison the innocent.”
“Then, are there any guards left?”
“No. “I have no intention of increasing the number of troops for the time being.”
Is there any other man in the world so stubborn?
I really felt like I was talking to a wall.
‘Damn Utgarde… … .’
It was a place with too much of an independent system to be considered a mere concentration camp, so I couldn’t interfere any further.
For them, Badniker’s influence as a noble, his status or feats as a hero, or even financial recovery will not work for them.
While I was once again frustrated, I also thought that Utgarde would have been able to maintain its reputation because of people like these.
“Good, good. Then I will tell you the name of one inmate, so please be especially wary of him. “That’s okay, right?”
“Who?”
“Gustav.”
Gustav.
This guy is the culprit who caused the riot in the Utgarde camp, that is, the priest of the church.
But this man is much more famous under a different name than the priest of the Dark Church… … .
He is the most influential figure among the numerous criminal organizations in the West, and is also called [Big Boss] in the behind-the-scenes world.
‘It would be better if we just focused on that guy.’
Of course, I feel uncomfortable leaving everything to them, so I guess I’ll have to figure out a way to infiltrate the camp somehow… … .
While I was thinking about this and that, Thomas said something unexpected.
“Gustav is not currently in Utgard.”
“yes?”
“Altoa.”
As Thomas spoke, a man called Altua spoke to me.
“Gustav Tobrik. The big boss of [Ulkua Family]. “Five years ago, a joint operation between the imperial family and Heros succeeded in capturing him alive. Since he was such a notorious figure, many people called for his execution, but in the end, it was decided to escort him to Utgarde.”
“If someone of that caliber dies, the balance of power in Ulqa will collapse, so it was inevitable. “Dozens or hundreds of organizations will start a war to become the next [Big Boss].”
After Thomas said that, he looked at me again.
“It may be unexpected, but Gustav is a model beast. We had a lot of concerns, but we haven’t had a single minor incident in the past five years. Of course, that didn’t stop me from letting down my guard. Then, this time, a number of new criminals from the west were imprisoned, and the chief thought that they could be used to bring chaos to Utgarde. So, just in case, I gave him the option early this year.”
“A choice?”
“exactly. “Do you have any plans to move to another facility?”
“If it were another facility… … .”
“It is the empire’s largest labor camp in the southern desert.”
“… … .”
southern desert. And the labor station.
When I combined the two words, I came up with a word that I couldn’t recognize.
“… Rahilde, labor station chief.”
* * *
For now, I parted ways with Thomas and other Utgarde guards.
They no longer reprimanded my somewhat rude attitude and said that if I visited Utgarde as a guest next time, they could at least give me a tour.
Because it was a valuable opportunity, I had no reason to refuse.
“… “If this happens, things get a little complicated.”
I thought for a moment.
Somehow, I had a feeling that the probability of a disaster occurring in Utgarde had been greatly reduced.
Not only because of Gustav’s absence, but also because the Golden Horn faction had been severely damaged, it seemed like the members of the church would be living in the north for a while.
Of course, I’m not sure.
“What about Seren and Evan?”
Those two guys were supposed to meet again at the Utgarde camp about four months later.
Actually, since I know the material of Serenya, there is no big problem. Coincidentally, he is also staying in the southern desert, so he might be able to join us on the way.
The problem is the small religious leader, Evan Helvin.
I had no idea where this guy was or what he was doing.
After thinking for a moment, I called Mir.
“What are you going to do from now on?”
“You mean me?”
Mir tilted his head and said.
“I don’t know. “What about Luan?”
“I have some business to run, so I’ll probably have to stop by my parents’ house for a bit.”
“Are you coming back soon?”
“It may be so, and it may take a while.”
“Uhm… … .”
Mir narrowed his eyes and said.
“… I would like to work near the north for a while. “I feel like it would be better not to leave this land until I can at least handle this hammer properly.”
Mir’s eyes turned to Mjolnir strapped to his back.
I nodded.
“I think it would be better that way. So, are you going to stop by Corrupted later?”
“Of course!”
“good. Then, tell the boss my news… … . Aside from that, let’s ask for one more thing.”
“What?”
“Remember Evan Helvin? Our retreat motivator. If he sees that guy in the North… … .”
Mir, who had been listening to me blankly, suddenly came to his senses, took out a notebook from his pocket, and started writing down.
“Mmmmm! “I will tell you for sure!”
When I glanced at Mir, I saw that the sun was already setting even though nothing had been done. I spent a longer time with the guards in Utgard than I expected.
Anyway, since I had almost finished everything I had to do in the north, I went to bed rather quickly… … .
the next day. As expected, Kayan arrived at Frostwolf Village.
“It’s been a while since I saw you, Lord Soga. “I’m sorry, but I think you need to go back to your home right now.”
“what’s the matter?”
“That is… … .”
Keian explained the situation to me, and I listened as if I was hearing it for the first time and then spoke in passing.
“So your father’s condition is much more critical than we thought right now?”
“Oh, yes.”
Keian looked at me with a somewhat surprised expression.
“What’s wrong with your expression?”
“I think this is the first time I’ve heard the matriarch called that.”
“Not to that extent. “He called me father a few times.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
… maybe?
“Anyway, I understand the situation well… … . It’s a good thing. “I think it’s time to show you my extensive network.”
“what do you mean?”
“Wait a moment. “Because there is someone who can help.”
After saying that, I brought Verita with me.
“… “Are you a priest of the 72nd religion?”
“That’s right.”
Keian looked at Verita’s smiling face, and then his expression became somewhat stiff.
It seemed like he was hesitating whether he could reveal the secret of the Badniker family and the serious condition of the Iron Blood Prince to this person.
“don’t worry. “Because he is a trustworthy person.”
“Is that so… … ?”
If it were anyone else, he probably wouldn’t have had it, but Keian, along with Arjan, is a unique person who can be confident that he is ‘my person’.
Kayan eventually nodded and continued speaking.
“I understand what you intend, but even Junian, one of the main criminals of my family, was helpless.”
“I’m not ignoring Mr. Junian, but it’s difficult to think of him as a common priest. “He’s a professional among professionals who catches church members and beats them up on the front lines.”
“If it’s the front line… Are you by any chance a Heretic Questioner?”
“answer.”
Then Keian looked at Verita again with a new look.
“With painted hair, jet-black livery, and a vicious mace, no way…” … ?”
“The introduction is late. “It’s called Razbet.”
Keian said in a surprised voice.
“Blood mace… … .”
After all, this is why it is famous.
Keian, who had been slightly skeptical, immediately nodded with understanding.
“Certainly, if you were someone with the sexual power of Sister Lazbeth, you might get a different diagnosis.”
“yes.”
“But there is a problem. “I only have two scrolls.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I looked at Keian with a slightly sorry face and said.
“… “There are only two.”
“… … !”
