A Battle of Nerves.
A Battle of Nerves.
['Would you believe me if I said I don't know?']
A shamelessly brazen lie. Not even a passing mother would fall for such falsehood, let alone feel compelled to respond.
In the end, it was Aurelius who broke the uncomfortable silence first, raising both hands in mock surrender with a metallic click of his jaw.
[Contrary to rumors, it seems even the Evil God's Adversary requires justification to apprehend its worshippers.]
He invoked his priestly duties, but such matters held no relevance to me—a servant of the Mother of Corruption.
I offered a faint smile.
"I came here as a mercenary. It appears my employer... overlooked certain details regarding this request."
Metallic eyes devoid of emotion stared down at me.
[So you came as a mercenary...]
'Kill!!!'
While Mother fumed about his drawn-out manner of speech, I deliberated swiftly.
Should I eliminate this suspicious Aurelius here to extract information? Or inform my companions and void the contract?
His demeanor made it clear—he knew the cause of these attacks. Moreover, I needed intelligence about the Evil God's followers, likely tied to the main quest.
As I leaned toward violent solutions, Aurelius spoke.
[Trusting my reputation as a priest, I'll share this exclusively with Priest Marnak. Can you keep secrets?]
Meeting his gaze, I replied:
"If it's a secret worth keeping."
After brief silence, Aurelius murmured:
['Bring it.']
His attendant guard vanished. Sinking into his chair, Aurelius continued:
[The attacks began after I received a certain 'item.' I pledged to transport it to the capital for advance payment.]
Snowfield bat blood clotted in my hair dripped down my cheek. I wiped it away carelessly.
"Given the caravan's severe losses, have you considered abandoning this request?"
[I received Immortalium. The remaining half awaits in the capital.]
Difficult to refuse.
The guard returned with a torso-sized box etched with bizarre patterns. Aurelius rapped its surface.
[This is the item. I don't understand why the cultists want it. Another priest who died in their attack couldn't discern its value either.]
He opened the black box with deliberate slowness.
[Perhaps you, as the Evil God's Adversary, might know more.]
Within lay a brass-like metallic necklace—a sacred relic.
'Kill!!!'
A relic sealed with Mother's divinity. Instantly, I understood the cultists' motive. But how had they detected it?
Maintaining composure under Aurelius' scrutiny, I answered:
"I don't know either."
[No matter. Return it.]
As the box closed, I considered seizing it—but too much stood to lose: my reputation, my companions. Claiming this relic now would forfeit chances of finding others. We had ample time before reaching the capital.
I smiled serenely.
"Now that your secret's revealed, shouldn't our contract terms change?"
[What do you want?]
Two raised fingers answered him.
"Double the agreed payment."
Aurelius grumbled about me becoming a merchant rather than priest, but accepted. My companions praised the renegotiation.
'Kill. Kill. Kill...'
Mother paced my tent in girl form, tapping her chin while clutching an unabsorbed divinity orb. Though her circling likely yielded no solutions, her earnestness proved amusing.
"Any breakthroughs?"
'Kill! Kill!'
"Mother."
'Kill?'
"After all that thinking—sneak in, steal it, and kill witnesses if caught?"
She nodded vigorously.
'Kill!'
"No witnesses make perfect crimes? Come here."
'Kill!'
She leapt into my embrace. Stroking her hair, I cautioned:
"We mustn't act rashly against Aurelius' golden race. Metal doesn't rot—my corruption powers barely affect them."
"The optimal path? Let cultists steal the relic. We reclaim it, extract Mother's divinity, then return it."
'Kill?!'
Mother gaped in astonishment.
'...Kill?'
"You flatter me. But this scenario won't unfold easily. Aurelius guards his items obsessively."
Skkkkkkk!!!
Another snowfield bat assault.
"They're exhausting the guards through attrition. Apologies, Mother—massage must wait."
'Kill?!'
"Priorities."
'Kill...'
She transformed back into a hand. I rushed outside—
Gaaaaaah!!!
This time, Capels joined the attack—2.5-meter goat-headed humanoids clashing with guards.
Crack!
A guard flew sideways, skull shattered against stone. I activated the Slayer's motor.
Wheeeeeeen!
A Capel charging comrades turned toward the buzzing weapon.
"Hahp!"
Its horn met spinning Immortalium blades. Metal teeth shredded bone, cleaving skull, spraying brain matter—
Thud.
Surveying six remaining Capels, I sensed distant divine energy controlling them. Cowards.
Something burst from the forest. I almost bisected the purple-haired blur before recognizing her—
"Long time! Missed me?!" dangled Perli from my grip, grinning despite strangulation.
"Not even slightly."
"Fine! I'll miss you enough for both!"
Her loose lips might prove useful.
