Volume 3 Chapter 6 The Brutal Religion
Horace doesn't let words get to him.
Not to say he doesn't have a knack for stealth──because he definitely does.
He couldn't care less if people curse him or demand compensation for damages.
Being labeled a 'villain' doesn't change his mind.
He's just not interested in the 'morality of ideologies,' so he couldn't care less about the righteousness of others' arguments.
But just because Horace is like that, doesn't mean he's emotionless.
"...You're being ridiculous."
At the pinnacle of the Theocracy Nation stands the 'Grand Church Shinathica,' built in the capital of the 'Diamond Kingdom,' which boasts the top spot within the nation.
Of course, being a kingdom means there's a 'king,' but the Theocracy Nation operates under the condition that the 'kingdom's authority is recognized' by the 'Church of Shinathica,' effectively putting the Great Church in charge.
To get there, you'd have to pass through numerous countries.
"The first country in the Theocracy Nation to support our master, the 'Aftares Kingdom'... Surely, they had no debt to us and had built a thriving industry."
Visiting one of these many countries, the 7 of them arrived at the capital to face 'one harsh reality.'
"But why are so many Holy Knight Squads here? What the hell happened in this country?"
"They didn't owe anything to Ulrika's group~... But they did have a small debt to the Great Church, and when the golems destroyed their industry, they couldn't pay it back."
"So, financial collapse, huh? Demanding debt repayment by destroying their own town is just plain stupid."
"Any country can earn gold coins by delving into dungeons if they have the weapons. But if the facility that produces those weapons is destroyed, they can't get any coins."
"Sure, golems can destroy the facility, but as long as the weapons remain, you can always go into the dungeon and reproduce them. That's why they thoroughly destroyed the system that creates weapons."
"That's right, after losing the chance to get a decent pile of gold, they finally had to borrow, and that's when the Great Church stepped in~"
They're not just smart; their ethics are way out there.
"What happens when they're broke? I have no idea."
"Once financial collapse is declared, the nation will create a 'system to repay the debt.' The Great Church will intervene politically as much as they want, won't they?"
"...But that rampaging golem, it's being controlled by the Great Church behind the scenes, right? It's just too unreasonable."
"Of course~. But those caught operating the golems claim they've just 'seized control of the golem's operation rights' instead of 'operating the golems.'"
"And it's hard to deny that. Clever. Very foolish, though."
"If you've got time to think with that brain, you could've spent it developing new tech instead, Master~..."
There's no doubt it's a mess at the top.
But at the bottom, there are those who 'don't question anything.'
This time, the ones strutting through the capital are probably the 'knights of the 4th division and beyond,' as Horace calls the lazy bunch.
"You guys wait here. I'll handle this alone."
"Umm... got it~"
Horace, having given instructions to his 6 members, steps out of the mobile base and starts walking towards the capital.
Originally, this 'iron box' stood out even when it was outside the capital, but once Horace emerged from it, the story changed.
Cheerfully, the knights close in on Horace, surrounding him.
"The great villain who brings the world to ruins. So you've come here! Planning to destroy the weapon workshop and leave the nation unable to sustain itself, but as long as we, the Holy Knight Squad 7th division, are here, it won't go as you wish!"
"...I thought tearing apart Olver's spirit might change something, but it seems 'reporting upwards' works, yet 'sharing' with equals doesn't... So, you're going to chop off my head?"
"Obviously! You've got a bounty that never ends! I'll cut your head off and become a hero!"
"Uh-huh... Let me just ask──do you even know what's going on? The Great Church's boss has gone nuts. Behind the scenes, their guys are siccing golems on everyone."
"What are you babbling about? 'That doesn't matter at all.'"
Right as he spat out "doesn't matter," someone who looked like a messenger came up behind him──probably the captain.
"Captain. We've locked up every woman who looked valuable. Ready to move them whenever."
"Good, good. Sounds like this 'hunt' paid off big."
Just from the messenger's words──and the way the captain grinned──anyone could smell how rotten they were.
Even with all that, Horace's face didn't twitch.
"Valuable women... a hunt... Guess debt turns guys into real monsters."
"As a nation tied to the Grand Church Shinathica, we're duty-bound to keep the peace. But peace? That's not free. Borrowers owe something to their lenders. And you──after what you did──you don't get to talk like that!"
He drew his sword.
"I'm the 7th Division Captain──Huber! Prepare to die, Horace the Infamous!"
"...Obligation to keep the peace, huh? Say it all you want. But tell me──aren't you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting what, exactly?"
"How strong I am."
"Hah! You think you can win when you've got me surrounded?!"
"So that's it. You're one of those guys who thinks numbers always win. Guess you've only ever fought helpless people."
Horace blew warm breath into his hands, then made a tight fist.
"Idiots only listen after a good punch. I've heard the Holy Knight Squad is all bark, no pain. Let's start with a little lesson in how dumb you really are."
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