Volume 9, Chapter 3 – The One Who Brings a Warning

“Does your Divine Religion have a fondness for keeping the undead as pets?”

To alleviate the awkward atmosphere flowing around them, Yisi initiated a new topic.

The one who answered was the loquacious, purple-haired young woman walking at the front of the group. The corners of her upturned eyes were filled with a flirtatious and provocative air.

“That would depend on the kind of pet. If it were a cute girl like you, honored guest, I think I would surely stay by her side every day and never let go for a lifetime.”

So, no direct answer…

A difficult one to deal with.

“The undead are beings that loathe the living. If the public were to find out that the Divine Religion associates with the undead, I imagine it would become quite problematic.”

“It is only because you are an honored guest that you are privy to this place. The class disparity in the Chloe Kingdom is stark. It’s a forbidden matter for commoners to even step into the noble district, let alone enter here. We do not allow those who shouldn’t know secrets to set foot inside.”

“And what if I were to speak of it?”

“Hmm…” The purple-haired woman propped her chin with her index finger, feigning contemplation.

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If I didn’t know this woman was deliberately putting on an act, I might have mistaken her for a harmless young girl. Unfortunately, their cold indifference when dealing with Cynthia and Alice had already put me on guard against them.

The purple-haired woman revealed a lovely smile.

“I trust you.”

“Tsk.”

“Now, now, no need to be so upset. It’s not as if we don’t have countermeasures. In the past, we would only invite those recorded in the Gospel. Later, as the need for personnel circulation grew, the conditions were gradually relaxed, and now any member of the church can enter and exit this place. As for those outside the faith, besides the imperial envoy, you, our guests, are the first. So, what specific measures to take will depend on His Holiness the Pope’s decision. If all else fails, we can only resort to erasing memories. Oh, and don’t be deceived by my appearance; my proficiency in mental magic is higher than that of mages who specialize in it. I guarantee there will be no mistakes. I won’t accidentally turn someone into an idiot, nor will I pry into unnecessary memories.”

“Is that so? In that case, I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“Hehehe, you’re quite the teaser, honored guest.”

These were, of course, just superficial words. Since she had put on a mask to speak with me, there was no need for me to be sincere in return, even if this kind of hypocrisy disgusted me.

“Well, if it isn’t the esteemed Hero.”

Just as Yisi and the purple-haired woman were engaged in their subtle contest, a man’s voice suddenly came from ahead on the spiraling staircase.

Yisi and Purple tacitly broke off their conversation.

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The speaker was a middle-aged noble dressed in magnificent, ornate clothing. Both his overly pale and hairy skin and his curly golden hair pointed to his origins—a native of the Norta Empire. Although only a small fraction of people in the Norta Empire today retained the abnormally white skin and high-bridged nose, anyone possessing such features was almost certainly a noble or of noble descent.

The man, who was at least two heads taller than Yisi, stopped in front of Lin. He raised his chin slightly, his green eyes sweeping over Lin and then Yisi’s party behind her, a look of surprise and suspicion in his gaze.

“Hoh, not only have you brought non-members of the Divine Religion, but there’s a member of the Blood Clan among them? As expected of the Hero. Such a unique perspective.”

“If you have no business, get out of the way. We have nothing to say to you.”

The red-haired young woman accompanying Lin took a small step forward, her tone impolite. It seemed the two parties were not on good terms.

This man must be the imperial envoy Purple mentioned earlier. Among non-members of the Divine Religion, only myself and the imperial envoy could set foot in here. Even without scanning him with [Omniscient Map], Yisi could tell from the sharp glint that occasionally showed in the man’s eyes and the calluses on his hands that this large-framed man possessed considerable strength and was not as helpless as he appeared on the surface.

And indeed, the man’s level was on par with Lin’s.

“Ah, my apologies, I didn’t realize I was blocking your way. However, as the envoy sent by the Empire, I have an obligation to understand. Who are they?”

Was that a frown? Lin’s tone was very stiff, carrying a sense of pushing people a thousand miles away. Unfortunately, being in the middle of the group, I couldn’t see Lin’s expression.

“I have no obligation to give you an answer. If you have questions, you can ask the Pope.”

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“Is that so? A monster, after all. Utterly incapable of reading the situation.”

“Who are you calling a monster?!”

The furious voice was so loud it echoed within the shaft. Red clenched her fists, looking as if she was ready to start a fight at any moment.

But the imperial envoy remained unfazed. Instead, he relentlessly continued to provoke the red-haired girl, the arrogant smirk on his face inspiring a deep-seated revulsion.

“Did I strike a nerve? Is that why you’re acting like a crazed animal, wanting to bite someone? You are humans. You should not associate with monsters. I believe you know very well what that thing standing among you is, don’t you? Just wave some blood in front of her, and she will reveal her true form. As humans, to place the hope of humanity in an outsider… it is utterly ridiculous.”

“Hehehe, you jest, General. Lin is human, something Red and I have long since confirmed. Certain dogs in human skin should take a good look at themselves. Don’t let your tongue hang out too long, lest someone minces it and stuffs it down your throat one day.”

“Ignorant.” Unprovoked by Purple’s words, the man let out a long sigh, as if looking at a companion who had been deeply poisoned. “Sooner or later, you will all come to your senses. Do not place your hopes in a book with no credibility. The fate of humanity must be grasped in the hands of humanity itself. You still have a chance for redemption. I advise you to think carefully.”

After saying this, the man voluntarily stepped aside, brushing past the three heroes on the outer edge of the handrail-less staircase. As he passed Yisi, the man paused, giving her a meaningful glance.

“We should sit down and talk when we have the chance.”

“If the opportunity arises.”

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Soon, the man had left the shaft.

“Who was that man?” Laxy directed the question to Purple.

“The general who guards the central part of the Norta Empire’s northern border, Gore Harile. He’s also the one appointed by the Emperor as the imperial envoy. With that status, he can come and go as he pleases here.”

Yisi raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“You don’t seem to be on good terms. Aren’t the Empire and the Divine Religion on the same side?”

“Our mission is to save the world from peril, while the Empire seeks to unify humanity. We are merely in a relationship of mutual benefit. We’ll soon reach the main hall where His Holiness the Pope resides. You and Lin will go in. The rest of you will wait outside with me.”

So they’re not a monolithic bloc?

Yisi couldn’t help but look back in the direction the imperial envoy had departed. Although she only wanted to learn about the Gospel and then leave the Divine Religion to search for the race on the other side of the sea that might be related to Mary, it wouldn’t hurt to gather more information in the meantime. She especially couldn’t ignore the surprise and suspicion in that man’s eyes when he saw Camilla. She had to find out why he had such an expression.

“Go on in when you’re ready.”

Stopping in front of a solemn and heavy set of doors, Lin took off her mask.