Volume 3 Chapter 1 Mistakes Begin with the Most Sloppy Reasoning
The incident where Pastor transformed into a dragon and rampaged through the outskirts of Jewel City Lapis caused a sensation across the world.
Firstly, his position as an executive of the Adventurers Association was exposed, along with the covered-up 'major blunder from 4 years ago' involving an executive's 'massive loss.'
There's no doubt that it evolved into a crisis of credibility for the Adventurers' Association.
...Yet, it was all too easily swept under the rug.
"...Throughout Theocracy Nation, there are reports of Golems running amok──"
"These so-called 'common Golems' made of rocks and bricks are storming into towns, destroying facilities, and ravaging fields in villages──"
"And the Church of Shinathica has officially announced that it's all Master's fault. They've put a 'no-limit reward' on his head, claiming 'if this continues, the world will fall into ruins.'"
"I mean, come on. That's just sloppy."
Gathered in the lounge, Horace, Rangella, Tiaris, and Ramella were discussing the matter.
Based on the collection of newspapers and rumors over the past few days, this was the 'current situation' they had deduced.
First, in countries housing the numerous Churches of Shinathica, Golems were causing chaos.
These 'common Golems' crafted from stones and bricks were on a rampage, and for some reason, it was being claimed that Horace was controlling them.
If left unchecked, this could lead to the destruction of the world's supply chain and possibly its downfall.
To resolve this situation, it was imperative to take down Horace by any means necessary.
Hence, they had set a 'reward without limits' and issued a warrant for his capture.
This was an official announcement from the Shinathica Grand Church, and with the story continuing to spread without end, there was no doubt about its authenticity.
And yet, there were far too many holes.
Horace sat back in his chair, flipping through the report with a grim look.
"...There's information about a 'Golem that rampaged for 3 days and nights, devastating a trading city,' but that's clearly fishy."
Tiaris, the silver-haired girl at his side, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, ever since master arrived in this town, there hasn't been a single day I haven't entered the dungeon. And when you're inside, there's no way to send your magic power outside the dungeon."
Another member, Rangella, crossed her arms.
"Sure, there's that theory about a thick 'wall of magic power' around the entrance. You can't control a golem outside the dungeon from within. It's a fundamental principle."
Horace nodded.
"I couldn't do it either. The only time you can try to move a golem outside the dungeon from within is when that 'wall' is broken during a 'monster stampede'. In other words... if it gets broken, the whole world's security goes down the drain."
Magic power cannot be transferred between inside and outside the dungeon.
The wall is too strong; even with the most powerful magic tool, all functions stop when you pass through the entrance.
Not even Horace could break through it.
Even with the maximum firepower of the 'large-scale mechanical cannon' he used against Sid, piercing the wall is impossible.
Any magic power that unleashes a certain level of 'energy' cannot pass through.
Horace leaned forward, tapping the desk.
"If you check the entrance office, it's clear I go into the dungeon once a day without fail. Obviously, it's not a 'reason to satisfy all humans'."
Tiaris frowned.
"So... this rumor about you going in every day was spread just to give people a reason to give you a hard time?"
Horace gave a hollow laugh.
"Yeah, I don't get it. How can they justify this world where I'm blamed without a word of protest? It's beyond my understanding."
He stood, voice colder.
"Frankly, it's 'preposterous'."
Clearly, it's just to 'bring down Horace's reputation'."
Rangella muttered bitterly.
"Yet, humans will 'initially think it's absurd, but then they'll keep dancing to the subsequent logic' over and over."
Horace sighed again and closed the folder in his hands.
"...Oh, and there's a story going around that I originally had ambitions to rule the world."
"Huh?"
"I had a plan to rule the world through debt, using my disciples, but when that didn't work out, I switched to controlling through golem violence."
Reading the materials, Horace sighed and then spoke.
"If they defeat me, they think the mastermind behind the debt plan will disappear, and all the debts will be wiped out."
Tiaris gave him a sideways glance.
"...Ah, I guess you could say it's pretty clever."
"Yeah, smart. At first, I passed coins as 'aid,' but Ellie calculated it and said, 'this exceeds the scope of recovery support,' turning it into a debt. And that part, I made it sound like it was all under My orders, so if they take me down, they think they can fix it somehow."
Piecing it all together.
Whether that's accurate or not.
Whether it's right or wrong doesn't matter.
Just pick and choose convenient data, connect the dots, and from there, 'speculate' to lead to the conclusion that Horace is the bad guy.
Rangella narrowed her eyes.
"Well, the biggest question mark right now... is that the master doesn't 'feel' anger."
Tiaris maintained a smile as she looked at Horace.
"Now that I think about it, from the start, it was kind of..."
"'Sympathetic...' in a sense. Do you know something?"
"...Yeah, I do know. But you all need to face facts that you won't easily accept."
Rangella raised her voice, demanding.
"Just what could that────"
Then, the door swung open.
"Guys, 'Holy Knights' are surrounding this mansion!"
Seeing the members' worried expressions as they spoke, Horace let out a sigh.
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