39 CHAPTER XXIII "Secret Society of the Rascals"




"How well do you know the saint, Lord Hero?

 Apparently, Largud Ann liked that name. When I raised my voice in protest, she just tilted her head and looked at me curiously, wondering what was wrong.

 If you only look at her gesture, it is that of an innocent child. It's hard to believe that this child would have the oratory skills that would allow her to manipulate even those in the heavens. In a way, that part of her might have helped to boost her abilities.

"Master Mattia is not a straightforward person. A demon with two tongues would be more endearing.

 Largd-an's nature is not so admirable, comparing the saint of her religion to the devil. In fact, I think it would be quite bad.

She said, "He saved my life and even put me in touch with him. You can't help but be somewhat curious about its contents.

 The way he said that was more like a sense of probing than curiosity or interest. It's as if you're trying to figure out who I am and what I'm good at. The way you speak, perhaps to avoid arousing suspicion, tickles people's self-esteem to some extent.

It's not like they came out of your mouth and you just put them together for convenience. Just two.

 He crushes the first chewing tobacco he buys back in town between his teeth and holds up two fingers. He folds one of them and continues to speak.

"One, the saint, the beloved Mary.

 My beloved Mary. The ironclad existence that has yet to allow anyone to possess her body. After all, it's the citadel of Garou Amalia. This is the place they, the heraldry people, want so badly.

 Why was a being called a saint based in a ruined temple near this city? Why in the past did the heralds do everything in their power to bring this city down?

 Of course, it is a major trading post. Of course, it's also a major trading point. Well, if we can hold this place, we can have a great influence on the surrounding area. Perhaps we can give the heraldists a favorable wind.

 But no. They don't care about the little things like strategic advantages and disadvantages.

 What they really want is to take back the Holy Land. Here in Garou Amalia is the holy land of wisdom for the heraldry. This place where wisdom and books used to gather from the East and the West is where their main temple used to be.

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 It's been a long time since I've smelled a chewed tobacco, and I blow it into the air through my nose. It's a good feeling. It may not make you think clearly, but it feels like it. Then I fold my other fingers.

"And one more thing about you, Largud'un. The rest is just words wrapped in cardboard, exposed for all to see, as if they could work in the Saint's favor.

 I'm grateful for the saint's understanding, he breathed, raising the corners of his mouth.

 In fact, the only information I gave her was a glimpse. I didn't give her any definite words, or anything that would get to the heart of the matter. Of course not. Caria was there, and so was Held Stanley. You can't just say you're going to help the heraldists.

 Because Herd Stanley is definitely a member of the Great Satanic Order, no matter how deep or shallow his faith. Yes, there's no doubt.

 We're not, no. Because we all started our journey of salvation as sons of the Great Satan.

 I'm sure.

 The favela is filled with a very nostalgic smell. There are smells of leftover vomit, rotting human flesh, and stewed dirt all over the place. It smells just like the back streets of my hometown. There is no liveliness around, everyone is drooping and walking without looking at the sky.

 All they have is today. There is no tomorrow in their hearts. Looking to tomorrow is a way of life for the strong who are guaranteed today. Weak people like us don't have that luxury. At the end of the day, there is nothing, you just grow old, that's all.

"So, you're not strolling around here as a hobby, are you?

 That's what I asked Largud Anne to encourage her. Her footsteps do not seem to have wandered since a while ago. The fact that she's been going through the same places over and over again is probably an attempt to keep me from learning the way. In fact, it was dimly lit and all the places looked alike, and the terrain was hard to read when you were moving around like this.

 Largd Ann smiled at my words, as if to say, "Of course.

"Yeah. It's not easy to get used to this place. I was thinking of asking you to accompany me to my collaborators.

 Collaborators, you say? I see. They, the heraldists, are getting more and more determined to make me a part of their plot. Otherwise, the saint wouldn't have gone to the trouble of exposing her own hand, Largud Ann, to have me watched.

 Yes, this is surveillance. From living here, to negotiating with the guild, to providing accommodations, we're under Largud Ann's care. If we ignore the saint and do not cooperate with Largud Ann, sooner or later I will lose this lifeline.

 At the very least, I need to show a certain amount of cooperation until I can establish a connection with her so that I don't have to deal with her here. The mystery is why the other side is so interested in me.

 Oh, no, it's not me. I shake my head in denial. I think they're buying Kalia, Fialaat, Herdt Stanley, and the rest of the group that was there. That would make some sense.



 What's even more frightening is that the heraldists at the end of the line are out of control. After all, we've just burned down a part of their most precious collection of knowledge. It must be gut-wrenching for them.

 The only thing holding them back is the charisma of that saint Mattia. If I jump her hand, I won't be the only one. It will extend to Caria and Fialaat La Volgograd as well.

 Yes, even the Fialat.

...... But I'm sure there's a way to make this work a little better.

 He put his hand on his chin, keeping his eyes averted, but subtly indicating what was behind him. Oh," Largud'an said.

I didn't scatter them because I heard they were your friends, should I cut them off?

 With that, she stopped and turned on her heel. Then she stopped and turned on her heel. I followed suit and looked behind me.

 --A clang, a clang, a clang.

 The sound of something like steel crumbling. The sound of something like iron crumbling, and the sound of angry voices echoing. A woman's voice apologizing incessantly.

 If he was going to follow her, he should have at least thought about what to do if the target was about to notice.

 I waited for a while, but nothing came out. I hope you're not still standing there after all the mistakes you just made.

 With a twitch in my cheek and a bad feeling in my heart, I called out his name just in case.

"Oh, ......, are you practicing for a comedy act? Fiorato La Volgograd, your employer.

 The sound of creaking wood boards echoed. The questioning look and stare of Largud Anne hurt. I didn't tell him to do that, much less inform him. Please don't blame me.

 In the shadows of a shack in the ghetto, out of the shadows emerged a sorceress with her glossy black hair slightly undone and her gaze wandering as if she was in trouble. It's Fialat La Volgograd, that's who.

"...... what?

 Well, I guess that's our line. I didn't expect to be told by the person I was following.

I didn't mean to chase you around, I just saw you.

 Fialaat was making excuses for her behavior, and her eyes were wandering around as if she was trying to escape our pursuit. She was acting suspiciously.

 No doubt, she was stalking us. I don't know why, but... Me.

 I sigh heavily in response to Largud Ann's questioning gaze, "What should I do?

 It seems that I am surrounded by evil and the spirits that gather them. They're not going to let me go anywhere.

 I'll be back.

 I wandered through the ghetto and finally arrived at a room in a brothel.

 It was a simple room with only a bed and a round chair. The room was so small that four people would feel a bit hot and stuffy. In addition, a large barrel was placed in the room, making it even more cramped. I've been wondering about this barrel for a while, but what is it?

 This cramped space suggests that there are probably more than one heraldic stronghold besides this one. Should I praise them for being cautious or sigh in annoyance?

No. We've done everything we can, but the people here have deep roots of apathy.

 The man Largd Ann had introduced as her collaborator and companion shook his head and sat back in his chair. He sits back in his chair, shaking his head, his face downcast and his shoulders slumped, as if he were about to be crushed under the weight of his own body.

"Even if I offer you food and money, will you still not give me a good answer?

 Largd Ann's brow creased as she stroked her chin with her fingers. The fact that she has such a troubled look on her face, when she always has a cheerful expression on her face, gives me an unusual impression.

 But then she blinked her eyes and said, "I see. If you're wondering why Largd An and the heralds have set up their base in the favelas, it's not just because they're hard to see with so many people coming and going.

People in the ghettos have their own logic and customs. You take what you can get, but that doesn't mean they'll give you anything. So, Anne, what about you two?

 The man finally lifted his heavily downcast face and looked at me and then at Fialaat.

 Fialaert, realizing that this was a brothel, shook his shoulders and stained his cheeks in an uncomfortable way. At any rate, from the thin wall panels around him, a lusty female voice crawled out again and again, and then passed on by. You can't help but hear them. That's why it's a good place for secret meetings.

"Yes, this is our hero, Lord Lugis. And this is Master Rougis's friend, Master Fialaert.

 In response to Largd Ann's introduction, Fialaert opened his lips, hunched over somewhat uneasily.

What kind of meeting is this? I don't like the idea of a clandestine meeting in a ghetto, as if I were a rogue.

 The man rolled his eyes as he looked at Largud'an, and through her, his gaze eventually came to rest on me. It's a questioning look, as if to ask if there's a reason why I brought you here.

 Of course there is. But I can't be sure. This is a gamble in a way. A big gamble. If it works, we get Fialaert in and we get him away from Held Stanley. If we fail, well, there's always a way. Adventurers get used to the dark stuff.

 And the odds are not against us. That thing in the temple. I'd say the odds are 50-50. And for me, I'd say five minutes is pretty good.



 She opens her lips to meet the six eyes staring back at her.

"A secret meeting in the dark, a favela, and a collection of less than perfect people. Not even an angel would call this good, my employer.

 Fialat's eyebrows twitched. His lips were about to quiver in fright, but he regained his composure, and I could see his throat gurgle instead.

"You're right, it's a rogues' club, this is--how do I get my beloved Garou Amalia into my arms?

 In the darkness, the tension between the three men mingled with the words being forced out.

 Largud'an and the man are watching, wide-eyed, and watching Fialat's every move. No matter what happens, I'm not going to let her get away from here. Whatever she does, it will be dealt with immediately.

 In the moment of silence, when everyone was tense, Fialaat's beautiful black eyes were wide open, mirroring my own.