Chapter 56 : Chapter 56
Chapter 56
I know all the information.
At Reinhardt’s explanation, Ganesha Edropin’s expression turned flustered.
No, she was displaying a feeling closer to shock than mere bewilderment, without any filter.
“You were serious. About setting Romain right.”
“I have always been serious.”
“I thought it was impossible. I just thought some reckless knight who didn't know the situation was starting something foolish.”
“Your concerns are natural.”
Reinhardt nodded with an expression of complete understanding.
‘She must be dumbfounded.’
Reinhardt had cleared the related quests in Romain countless times long ago.
So he knew all the information.
What to do in what situation, which characters to recruit, and even what could be obtained through that process.
But Ganesha was different.
To her, the task of revenge was like a huge, insurmountable wall.
Betty Pollard and Mayor Albert were beyond that wall.
It was normal for her to be flustered upon hearing that he would pull down enemies who were in a place she could never reach.
Reinhardt paused.
‘How much should I tell her.’
He absolutely had to secure Ganesha Edropin’s cooperation.
He could solve the problem without her, but that would result in countless innocent victims.
“Ganesha.”
“Yes.”
“I am simply carrying out the mission given to me as a knight. Your revenge is just something that will be naturally accomplished in the process.”
“I understand.”
“So there is no need to think about it complicatedly…….”
“But.”
Just then, Ganesha cut Reinhardt off.
A complex emotion hung in her eyes. It looked like resentment, and it also looked like anticipation.
“Why have you come now? You haven’t paid any attention until now. To this city.”
“I do not know when they started to know about Romain. I am not a member of the Paganoa Knights.”
“I’m not foolish enough to believe that kind of talk.”
“I said I do not know ‘when’ they started to take an interest in Romain.”
Ganesha flinched.
“Wait, then. So…….”
“But I do know the reason why I am here ‘now’. I can tell you.”
“…….”
“The plague sweeping this city is not a natural phenomenon.”
“I know.”
“And Ganesha, you will be able to cure the plague.”
Once again, shock appeared on Ganesha’s face.
“Did the Paganoa tell you that too?”
“The one who spread the plague is a Warlock. A Warlock who serves the demon of plague, Morganes.”
Thump-
The moment he said that, Reinhardt’s hand trembled slightly.
[Additional injustice detected.]
*You have discovered a trace of Black Magic. Track down and judge the evil.
*If you ignore the injustice, the effect of [Justice] will be reduced.
[Buff Applied: Justice x3]
[All stats increased by 204.]
By mentioning the existence of the Warlock, [Justice] had risen to its maximum stack.
Anger boiled within him.
He wanted to jump up from his seat and rush out to judge the enemy right away, but Reinhardt held it in.
“A Warlock, you say…….”
Ganesha’s face became confused. After lowering her gaze and contemplating, she looked at Reinhardt again.
“Then why can’t the clergy use their power?”
“Because it is Black Magic that has already been cast.”
“What does that…….”
“Black Magic is also within the scope of magic. It would be only natural that it can be cured with your magic. Without even needing to have it confirmed by anyone.”
“That’s not what I meant…….”
“Can a clergyman interfere with your ‘healing magic’?”
To that, Ganesha shook her head.
With an expression that seemed to finally understand Reinhardt’s words.
***
In the game Soul Calibur, there was a fairly systematic structure of strengths and weaknesses.
The power of demons and holy power were polar opposites, and naturally, Warlocks and clergy were also polar opposites.
But Warlocks and Black Magic were separate.
Just as a magician uses ‘mana’ to use ‘magic’.
A Warlock used ‘demonic energy’ to use ‘Black Magic’.
In the end, Black Magic was also within the scope of magic.
So, to properly deal with Black Magic, a sufficiently skilled magician was needed.
“A clergyman can suppress a Warlock. But they cannot dispel the Black Magic that the fiends have already cast.”
“Such a…….”
“I am saying that it is ultimately magic, just that it borrows the power of demons instead of mana.”
At the current time, this was a story not known to the world.
Perhaps even a group like the Paganoa Knights wouldn’t have a clear grasp of it.
“That is why a knight is needed, and a magician is needed.”
If clergy alone could deal with demons and Warlocks, there would have been no need for the Paganoa Knights to exist on this land.
No matter how outstanding a knight was, they would have ended up at the level of dealing with humans and monsters.
‘That’s why you had to use your head when forming a party. If you leaned too much to one side, you’d inevitably hit a wall.’
There were more than a few groups on this land that dealt with demons.
The Paganoa Knights raised knights solely for the purpose of fighting demons.
The Floran Imperial Academy raised magicians, and among them, the excellent students received education about demons.
The three major orders of the Empire, including the Lubra, Truma, and Famia, had clergy with unwavering faith.
That wasn't all. In this world, there were others who cultivated their strength to fight against demons.
“This is probably the first time you’ve heard of it, and it is also information that should not be leaked to the outside.”
“I’ll keep it a secret.”
“I trust you will.”
“Then, so.”
Ganesha organized the sudden flood of information in her head and spoke.
“So the reason the Paganoa Knights dispatched you, Sir Knight, is to catch the Warlock.”
“That is correct. Also, the reason for trying to set Romain right is an extension of that.”
The current Romain was a very convenient environment for those like Warlocks to build their nests.
Places untouched by law and order could be easily found anywhere, and the slums were full of starving citizens.
‘If it weren’t for Ganesha, all the citizens of the slums might have switched over to the Warlock’s side.’
Ganesha Edropin.
Because of her devotion, the people here were able to secure at least a minimum living environment.
Above all, the fact that she could cure the plague was effective.
At least in the slums, almost no one had died from the plague.
“Why are you going to such lengths for Romain, Sir Knight?”
“It is my duty as a knight to protect the citizens of the Empire from the threat of demons.”
“Didn’t you say you are not a member of the Paganoa Knights?”
“The group one belongs to and one’s personal duty do not always coincide.”
At the thoroughly upright answer, Ganesha’s mouth closed.
She was still conflicted.
Reinhardt calmly gave her time.
‘She must be uncertain.’
Considering Ganesha’s position, it was natural that it was difficult to decide rashly.
The threat of Redfoot was her reality.
But Reinhardt was just a knight who had shown up out of the blue asking for help.
No matter how outstanding his personal martial prowess was and how much information he knew, it fundamentally didn’t resonate with her.
Because it was a situation she had never experienced before.
“Let’s do this, Ganesha. I will move first.”
“Yes? What do you mean, move?”
“I cannot wait in this small space until you are convinced. Even at this moment, the plague is spreading, and that means the Warlock’s power is growing.”
In any case, Reinhardt had something he had to do right now.
“I will make contact with a high-ranking executive of Redfoot. I also have a message to deliver to Betty Pollard.”
“W-wait a minute. All of Redfoot’s executives are in the center of Romain. If you cause a commotion there, the guard will immediately…….”
“It’s fine.”
“And what do you mean you have a message to deliver? Are you planning to declare war or something?”
“I will lure Betty Pollard out of her den. That will make things easier. And.”
Ganesha had a dazed expression, as if she hadn’t fully grasped the situation.
To her, Reinhardt presented a simple solution.
“While I am moving, keep Ellie by my side. She should be able to watch me without being discovered.”
“……Ellie, you mean.”
“That way, you can gain confidence.”
With those words, Reinhardt left Ganesha’s hideout.
He went up the stairs and out through the secret passage entrance.
“Huh? Sir Knight. What happened? Did the talk go well?”
“Wait outside. You can hear the details from Ganesha Edropin.”
“Wait? For who? Me?”
Ellie asked back a few times and then scurried off to Ganesha.
Reinhardt pulled his robe down and slipped out of the residence.
After waiting for a short while, Ellie rushed out with an urgent expression.
“Sir Knight? It’s you, Sir Knight, right?”
“It is.”
“Goodness, what kind of conversation took place? The teacher told me to follow you, Sir Knight. What’s the reason? What are you going to do?”
“I am going to meet an executive of Redfoot.”
“……Meet an executive? Don’t you think they won’t meet you? Even if they do, I don’t think it’ll be with good intentions.”
“I am not going with good intentions either. I just have a message to deliver to Betty Pollard.”
Ellie’s expression became similar to Ganesha Edropin’s from earlier.
It was clear that she didn’t properly understand what Reinhardt was saying.
“Are you being serious right now? Sir Knight, you know where they live. It’s the center of Romain, the center. It’s crawling with soldiers, I tell you.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“No…….”
Reinhardt started walking. Ellie hurriedly followed beside him.
“And let’s say you do meet him. What are you going to do? Are you going to persuade him or something? You’re not planning to go there to kill him, are you?”
“It will depend on the situation.”
“Outside the mansion are the city hall guards, and the inside is packed with Redfoot members. You’ll have to deal with at least 30 people…….”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ellie looked as if she had lost her words.
She stopped for a moment, then quickly walked towards Reinhardt again.
“Alright. Then what’s my role?”
“Watch from hiding, and report what you see to Ganesha. That will be enough.”
“I think I can do that. So who are you going to meet? Have you decided?”
“Executive Otis.”
“Hiiiik.”
Ellie showed an exaggerated display of revulsion.
“I want to ask if you’re joking, but you’re serious, right?”
“I am serious.”
“Do you also know that Otis is the second-highest-ranking executive in Redfoot?”
“I do.”
“I said 30 people earlier, but do you also know that you have to deal with at least 50 people to meet Otis?”
“Of course, I know.”
Ellie now had a fed-up expression.
She looked at Reinhardt with a complex and subtle gaze, then shook her head from side to side.
“I don’t know anymore. Anyway, I’ll do as you said, Sir Knight. Watching from hiding.”
Nod.
As Reinhardt gave his permission, Ellie distanced herself.
And then she slowly followed.
At a distance where no one would think they were a party, but maintaining a gap that did not go out of sight.
And.
“Bitdori.”
“Ppit!”
The instant Reinhardt muttered in a low voice, Bitdori flew up.
Bitdori knew everything.
Where Otis’s mansion was, how many guards were around it, and even the internal structure of the mansion.
And.
The center of Romain.
On a bustling street that was ridiculously prosperous compared to the slums.
“Hey! Stop there! Take off your robe. Have you received permission to approach?”
The moment he faced a fierce-looking guard, Knight Reinhardt drew his sword.