Ch 31

Chapter 31

8. Trist, The City of Sin (5)

Karnak and his party continued to walk the streets. Meanwhile, they witnessed two more snatches and three more robberies. In just less than an hour, they saw five crimes. Even so, no such situation occurred where Alius would step out.

The snatchers they saw afterward had a seasoned appearance, unlike the boys in the market. Exquisitely snatching the luggage, he ran straight ahead, handed it over to a colleague who had been waiting in advance and hid in the alley avoiding the flying dagger. The one who was snatched ran rampant, but the reaction around him was different.

“Guys, you’re pretty good at it, right?”

“If you want to snatch it, you must do it like that.”

Just as they paid no attention to the boy who fell, they paid no attention to the person who was snatched away. Therefore, there was no bloodshed and no need for priests to step forward. The robbery case was similar.

“Hey, bro, would you like to lend me some money?”

Not even in the back alleys, but in the middle of the streets, wild rice cake makers robbed vagrant peddlers. The peddlers were understandably angry and tried to fight back.

However, they were pushed back without mercy at once. They got beaten up and their pockets stolen. No matter how often they robbed, they never lost enough to endanger their survival. They just knocked it down to the level of suppression, took the money, and left quickly.

“Keugh!”

“These dogs……”

“Even the sky is indifferent!”

The targets that were beaten and robbed of money cried and shed bloody tears, but from Alius’ point of view, the situation would turn ambiguous if they were to step up.

‘I can’t tell if a person’s life is at stake, but I can’t reveal my identity by being too bold…….’

So, he was just thinking about what to do, but in such a manner that it wouldn’t attract attention. It was because other people were watching as if they were having fun. Then, they just went their own way when the situation was over.

Barros clicked his tongue as he was dumbfounded, “Wow, what kind of neighborhoods are these?”

He had also been to the back streets of the many cities where all sorts of crimes were prevalent, but this place was different.

“I guess that’s why it’s called a lawless city instead of illegal.”

The difference between breaking and not having the law was more significant than expected.

Serati said anxiously, “I know we can’t carelessly stay at an inn, but this…….”

The whole city came under the control of the Ranfeld family, and if you got stuck, someone could stab you in the back, even if you went to the inn. She couldn’t tell if she could get used to it.

“Won’t we just get stabbed in our sleep if we are to stay somewhere?”

Alius agreed, “In fact, it was said that many strangers disappeared like that. So, you must find a place where you have a connection.”

Riltain frowned, “Then do I have to set up a barrier for defense in the inn room too?”

Fortunately, there was no need for that.

“I have something in mind, Mr. Riltian…….”

“Pardon? But the community of Trist is suspicious…….”

It was common sense for priests active outside to seek out local denominations. However, the Hatoba Church in this city was unreliable. Wasn’t that the reason they disguised themselves like this in the first place?

“Yes. That’s why I found another local collaborator.”

“……Is he trustworthy?”

Judging from the atmosphere of this city, local collaborators were very much needed. But could that collaborator really be trusted? The Ranfeld family had already taken over the entire city. They got their answer as soon as they arrived at Central Street.

“No, this is…….”

Seeing the large mansion built in front of her eyes, Serati groaned as if she saw something absurd.

“Isn’t that the Pollard Mansion?”

It was the same family that the Hatoba Church ruined.

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Pollard Mansion’s exterior was plain. No, it was a fairly old building. Many things needed to be repaired here and there, compared to Karnak’s Zestrad Mansion, which was larger and more marvelous. Even so, the mansion in front of them looked surprisingly luxurious.

“Hey, it looks relatively good considering the surroundings.”

The whole city was nothing but a group of patchy buildings, so even the good-looking exterior seemed comforting. And maintaining a mansion, even to this extent in this city, was actually an extravagant act.

“Even though they’ve fallen, they still possess quite a lot of power, don’t they?”

Karnak smiled. He wondered how amazing it would be if a ruined family cooperated, but this was enough to be trusted. Besides, since they had an indelible grudge against the Ranfeld family, they did not need to worry about being betrayed……. As they approached the mansion, Alius replied.

“The enemy of an enemy is a friend, right? There are no others we can trust as much as the Pollard family.”

“Isn’t the Hatoba Church also an enemy to them?”

“To be exact, the Trist’s community of the Hatoba Church is their enemy. And aren’t we here to punish them?”

“Indeed, the goals of both sides match.”

They saw two gatekeepers guarding it as he headed toward the mansion’s entrance. Both of them were old, and their skills didn’t look so good, so they thought it was due to their downfall. As the party approached, the gatekeeper asked vigilantly.

“What did you come for?”

Alius silently took a brooch from his pocket and showed it to him. At first glance, it was an ordinary brooch, but the gatekeeper was alerted immediately. It was probably something like a token promised in advance.

“I will guide you.”

It was already night, and candles were lit everywhere in the mansion. As they sat and waited in the drawing room, a young woman in a dress entered the room.

“Welcome to the Pollard family. I am Sildera, the head of the household.”

It wasn’t a striking beauty, just an ordinary impression. However, her body was quite developed for a woman living in this rough city.

[She’s got a lot of talent, doesn’t she?]

[She looks more like in an armor than a dress.]

While Karnak and Barros were familiar with each other, Alius greeted them politely.

“I’m Alius, who serves Hatoba. Nice to meet you. Ms. Sildera.”

She was the daughter of Marad, the former head of the Pollard family. It was said that she had been confined for a while because the former family head was opposed and hated by the family for taking the lead in joining hands with the necromancers. After the decline of the family, it became a reason to receive the unconditional support of those who remained because only she could prove that the Pollards had nothing to do with necromancers anymore.

Translator: Anom

Proofreader: Orange

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“I have no intention of making excuses for my father’s sins. My goal is simply to bring the family back together.”

For a moment, Sildera’s expression contorted.

“Even for that reason, I can’t tolerate that wicked Ranfeld. But our strength isn’t enough……”

As of present, little of the Pollard family’s forces remained. The main forces related to the necromancy were executed, and the remaining people scattered to find their own way or were in a daunting position to take care of themselves.

“Even so, the influence is still present throughout the city. If you trust us, we will do our best to help.”

Alius nodded happily, “Of course, I believe you.”

The only ones left in the current Pollard family were those who were ‘really’ unrelated to the necromancer. If anyone seemed to be even slightly related, he was executed. Many died without committing any sin. Indeed, only those who managed to survive barely didn’t come out with anything, no matter how much they tried.

That’s because the church’s interrogation was harsh. And they had as much hatred for the Hatoba Church as they did for the Ranfeld family. Alius could skillfully narrow the object of his hatred to the community of Trist.

“Even in the church, the violence of Trist’s branch isn’t something that can be overlooked. The Goddess will surely punish them.”

After sitting down, Alius asked seriously.

“Now, can you tell us about the current situation?”

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Currently, the defenses of the Ranfeld family are extremely high. Of course, it happened when the Hatoba Church had already sent people several times.

“The Church’s current method of disguising themselves and seeking evidence of necromancy by silently approaching the enemy is no longer possible.”

Those who did not know at all did not take it. Even if it were someone he knew, he would not let anyone approach him unless it was an old subordinate. It was like a hedgehog, firmly spitting and growling.

So, Alius’s plan was a midnight raid. Disguised as some force other than the church, attack the mansion, shake the opponent’s vigilance, and find evidence of necromancy.

“It is a simple ignorant method, but it is also a method with a surprisingly high probability of success. The story of when the force is always supported but…….”

To do this, it was necessary to grasp the current power of the Ranfeld family accurately. Sildera opened her mouth while taking the map out and spreading it on the table.

“Currently, about 100 troops are residing in Ranfeld Mansion. All of them are warriors comparable to level-2 adventurers, and there are three 2nd Circle wizards and five 3rd Circles.”

In addition, since the forces under its control were spread throughout the city, it was enough power to take over a city. Even so, Riltain was relieved.

“This should be enough.”

Looking at the mansion’s military strength, it wasn’t that high compared to the current level of Karnak’s party. Moreover, since the deployment of troops and the situation of shifts were investigated in detail, it could hit and run.

Sildera hardened her complexion, “The problem is the necromancers.”

Even the intelligence of the Pollard family could not figure out how strong were the necromancers they had hidden and how many. They couldn’t know this until they encountered them. However, Alius had a confident look on his face.

“It’ll be fine.”

There was another reason why necromancers were powerful besides gaining power quickly. The point was that the method was too unfamiliar. No matter how strong you were, if you encountered something outside your field of experience, it was surprisingly easy to reveal your loopholes. In that sense, Alius and the others had no problem.

“These are all veterans in dealing with necromancers.”

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The huge basement of the Ranfeld Mansion was located west of Trist. There were bonfires on every wall to light up the darkness, and all sorts of moans were echoing.

“Ahh…….”

The walls and pillars were hung with bloodstained people. All of them were hideous figures with their skin peeling off and their whole bodies covered with scars. The sight was so terrifying that if hell existed, it might be here.

Two men were watching from one side of the basement—a man in his forties and a young man in his thirties. Watching the basement, the young man cautiously opened his mouth.

“It has already been a month since the church’s previously dispatched forces were dealt with. Wouldn’t you use your hands again in the main mountain soon?”

The reaction of the elderly was that it was not a big deal.

“If the church continues to send people, it would be a pleasure. The number of sacrifices will increase even more.”

He turned his attention to the dozens of men chained in the basement, the hunters of darkness sent by the Church of Hatoba. All of them were strong players with outstanding skills. The experience of dealing with other necromancers was also rich.

“The truth is that they’ve never faced a true necromancer.”

Idiots of low birth, foolish ones who wield the great power of darkness like a spear or a sword without any wisdom or knowledge. They knew that they were enemies of some kind of necromancers. Still, considering the kind of insignificant people they dealt with, it would be too shameful even to call them necromancers. This was the result of that foolishness.

The old man raised his right hand. At the same time, darkness rose throughout the basement.

“Aaaagh!”

“Aaaagh!”

The darkness that rose from the echoing screams gathered around the elderly man. Absorbing the darkness, he put on a happy expression.

“Okay, that turned into a quality morale.”

The young master asked anxiously.

“Are you feeling well?”

“I thought there was something.”

Still replying as if it was nothing, the elderly man put his hands together.

“So like this…….”

The joined hands began to glow. It was the radiance of Hatoba, the sacred earth goddess.

“Isn’t it to protect yourself with the protection of a great goddess?”

Bishop Straf, Bishop of Trist’s branch of the Hatoba Church, an elderly man, laughed evilly, holding both light and darkness in his hands.

“I hope a high-ranking priest comes in this time. There’ll be a lot to gain from that.”

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