Volume 3 Chapter 4 The Wanted Poster Turns to Scrap Paper Quickly!
"...Things are moving fast."
Horace muttered, reading the newspaper.
"I think so too! It's like someone wants to get to the 'conclusion' quickly... I have a feeling someone is pulling strings behind the scenes!"
Horace and Ulrika were talking in the lobby of the Hero's Mansion.
"...So, they found the guy controlling the golems. They tried to hide his identity, but after investigating, it turns out he's connected to the 'Church'."
"King Valzeil's statement helped too! Honestly... that wanted poster is already useless!"
The newspaper reported that a large number of golems attacked the town.
Those who could use detection magic 'investigated' and found someone controlling the golems nearby.
Most of them didn't do anything stupid to reveal their identities with their possessions.
But, some idiots did.
So, there's a chance the 'Great Church' is involved.
"Seriously, controlling golems isn't that easy, anyway."
"Even the best can only control them from 100 meters away. But, in that case, the golems' performance is lower, so they need to use 'items held by the Church' to boost them."
"Those called in to increase the number of golems only have a range of 30 meters... Honestly, even if they hide in buildings in town to control them, there's a limit."
"They're rushing into this way too fast!"
"...Ugh, nothing much happened after the Demon Lord was defeated, and now this?"
"The Cardinal, one of them is out of control. Probably a man named Silvio!"
"Yeah, probably. I think so too."
Horace sighed, putting the newspaper on the table.
...By the way, Ulrika is talking with Horace normally, who has a lot of 'information'.
Despite her old way speech pattern and gentle demeanor, she actually has the quickest mind in the hero community.
While she might be a step behind the others in terms of specific knowledge and wisdom, she's exceptionally fast when it comes to putting together the 'puzzle' of the information at hand.
She is the sub-leader of the hero community "Luster Report," and his intellect is undeniable.
Unlike that muscle-head Rangella.
"If I had to pick, this is probably the bigger problem."
Horace pulls out another document.
"Yeah, I think that's the one with the bigger issues."
The paper Horace pulled out probably had something about "The Fate of Theocracy Nation after Supporting Horace."
Even within Theocracy Nation, how dependent they are on the Grand Church varies, and some nations might be 'supporting' it just to directly oppose the Grand Church's declarations.
More likely, though, the chaos this time is probably because someone at the top of the Grand Church has gone rogue, and with Valzeil's statement, many believe those who back Horace will come out on top.
That's probably the angle they're pushing...
"When towns and villages start rioting, it means supply chains are being destroyed. Nations with debts to the Grand Church are on the verge of financial collapse, and even those who aren't, the golems are wrecking distribution ne2rks and causing prices to skyrocket."
"Some countries are seeing prices double or more──hyperinflation's hitting a lot of them, Master."
"...Even if my innocence is proven, the negative campaign against 'golems' is still a real problem."
Reports are even coming in that magic item crafting workshops are being avoided.
"...And it's not just about living; it's about denying the very magic tools and golems that support 'civilization.' They can't directly blame me, but they'll at least try to tarnish my reputation."
"The damage is still happening. And yes, the golems causing havoc is a fact."
"...Well, whether they've thought that far ahead or not, we've got to do something."
"Exactly. At this rate, the balance of 'Divine Blood Travels' could be shattered."
"Silvio's a Cardinal. What's the Pope even doing?"
"Right now, the Grand Church is all Silvio's show. He's probably locked up somewhere."
"Yeah, no sign of 'em yet, Ulrika. With all this chaos, you'd think they'd show up at least once. I can't help but wonder if they're caught up in something... or what the hell they're up to."
"I can agree with that~"
This time, the one running wild is Cardinal Silvio – not exactly at the top, but not far off either.
Still, it's true that with enough political clout, it's easy to pull the strings.
"...I doubt the Holy Knight Squad's first to third squads will show up, but what about the others...?"
"I don't know~ But we gotta move too. The 'Divine Blood Travels' getting split up, turning into 'God vs. Blood Quest'... that's just bad~"
"Yeah."
Horace checks the wanted poster.
"...This is just a pile of trash. All that's left is a declaration of war against me."
"What are you gonna do~?"
"Same as always: show 'em who's boss and take 'em all down."
Saying that, he looks away from the poster.
(...Some things never change. He's fundamentally 'irresponsible' at heart~)
Ulrika thought the same, but she kept it to herself.
Character Notes:<br>- Ulrika: Slender girl with short blue hair, speaks in her typical calm manner. A strategic and intellectual figure, sub-leader of the hero community 'Luster Report.' A quick-thinking individual with a gentle demeanor, she speaks in a unique speech pattern ('のだ～') and holds a critical role in putting together information, despite being behind others in specific knowledge.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!