Volume 4 Chapter 24-2 Is It Kidnapping？ Or a Set-Up？
Zulane carried Gaspar on his left shoulder and removed his glasses with his right hand.
In the next moment, magical power surged wildly from inside Zulane.
Horace did not move an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
"Do not be so tense if you do not even move an eyebrow after seeing this magic power."
Zulane smiled while putting his glasses into his inner pocket.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Zulane. On the surface, I am Guilhem Redless's follower, but my true identity is one of the 'Apostles' of the 'God of Sealing Shildress.'"
"Apostles...The same as Sid and the others?"
Horace's tension seemed to ease after confirming that.
"Hmph...It seems my tension eased once I knew you were an Apostle. Apparently, I don't think it's wrong even if I hinder a god."
"As I've said many times, I don't care about the good or bad of other people's principles."
"Ah, that part was 'irresponsible.' I see."
Zulane nodded.
"Now...I suppose I should state my purpose. The reason I'm taking this guy is because I need his blood."
"Blood?"
"Well, I think it's fine to discard the rest even if I extract all the marrow, but the higher-ups don't seem to think so."
"..."
"And...Of course, with the power of the God of Sealing's Apostles, I could have sealed communication magic too, and I could have even physically destroyed communication magic tools, but why do you think I didn't?"
"...To lure me out?"
"That's right. Above all, Valzeil was likely to place an order with you on the spot. And, I've received complaints from God Shildress."
"Complaints?"
"You should be more energetic. That's what I heard."
"..."
"The way you don't care about time limits reminds him of your father in his youth, but it seems God Shildress doesn't like it."
"...Is he upset because Arzent was defeated?"
"I don't know."
It seemed he had not heard the reason.
"In short, my role now is to 'move your story along.'"
Zulane said that, but he had a look of disinterest.
"The Chaos Stone Dragonstone Kingdom has 3 large dungeons besides the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai) in Jewel City Lapis. Each dungeon has a hundred floors, and if you defeat the boss on each, you get a fan-shaped fragment. Collect 3 and make a medal to advance to the depths of the Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai). There, you can reach God Shieldress."
"...I've been to a dungeon before, but only reached the 75th floor."
"You need a key to go deeper. It's hidden in a certain metal and can be extracted using advanced alchemy."
"Metal..."
"That metal is in the old headmaster's room in the underground of Sevenstar Academy."
"So, the current headmaster, Velto, is hiding it?"
"No, that's not it. The current headmaster's room is on the top floor of the school building, but it used to be underground. Back then, the headmaster at the time was an Apostle of God Shieldress."
Zulane talks casually, not needing to hide anything.
"...You talk a lot. It doesn't even look like you're lying."
"You were investigating... no, Arzent was the one you were interested in. You don't know much about the other gods. I'm telling you this much so you'll sit up and listen, so tell me everything about God Shieldress."
"I see."
Horace finds some parts convincing.
Moreover, Horace's dislike for the God of Provisions, Arzent, is not about his existence but because of his relation to Eudynes.
He cares about the Five Divine Gods because he wants to surpass Eudynes, but they are not his top priority.
"...So, the 'treasure' in the underground of Sevenstar Academy is essentially this 'key'?"
"Yeah, that's right. I spread rumors to see how the story would unfold, but it looks like Eudynes's gift caused a big commotion."
There is treasure in the underground of Sevenstar Academy.
The rumor itself already existed, but Zulane spread it to make a strong impression. He is talking about it now because the conversation was not going well.
"...Eudynes's parting gift?"
"Ah, right. You 'can't see'... Well, that's fine. Then, I'll take my leave."
"First, I should take back Gaspar. You have your own matters, but a punishment is a punishment."
"Ah, sorry. I'm the only Apostle of God Shieldress now. I can't let a good livestock escape; my schedule is too packed."
Zulane snaps his fingers, and numerous magic circles envelop his body.
"!"
"Arzent's power, focusing only on the 'energy' of 'provisions,' is very simple. But this one has high specificity. It doesn't matter if you're right in front of me if I'm just trying to escape."
As he speaks, Horace unfolds 'Deus Ex Machina' and strikes the greatsword with a slasher attached to its peak against the magic circles.
The magic circles do not budge, and with the hidden teleportation magic, Zulane and Gaspar's bodies disappear.
"Hmph"
"Oh well, no reservations. Heh, see you again."
After saying that, Zulane and Gaspar disappear.
Horace silently stores his armor and looks up at the sky...
"...An appetizer. Hmph."
He mutters this to no one in particular.
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