Taming the Evil Saintess

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“Acute magical intoxication. It’s not severe, so there shouldn’t be any aftereffects. You’ll probably regain consciousness within two days. Of course, it will take a while for his body to stabilize.”

I nodded at Azar’s words.

No matter what, it was a relief that Erwin didn’t have any serious abnormalities in his body.

I explained the situation to Azar, Albrecht, and Emily, who were looking at me with questioning eyes. The mysterious Mined Creature, Erwin’s brother Mereba and his predicament, and even the story of the Possessor who had taken over his body.

“Whoa.”

After hearing the story, Albrecht’s expression turned grim, and Emily’s pupils flickered. It must have been hard to believe. I hadn’t even considered such a possibility until I faced it myself.

Azar said.

“I see… So the Siblings of the Archery Master have become Possessors. It’s a slim chance, but it’s certainly possible.”

“Right. The problem is that he’s an excellent archer. That Possessor is making full use of the original body’s talents.”

Since Erwin mentioned that the spirits in the forest had disappeared, the Possessor Daniel must be using Spirit Magic as well.

With the Elf’s archery skill, outstanding Spirit Magic, and even Dark Magic to wield mana, considering the unparalleled power all the Possessors and foes I had encountered thus far, he would be quite troublesome.

Albrecht looked displeased.

“Disgusting.”

Then, suddenly looking at me, he smiled wryly.

“Ah, of course, Elliot. I’m not talking about you.”

“That’s okay. I’m not much different myself.”

In fact, the reason I was traveling as a Hero among the Named was surely because I inherited the talents of the original body known as Elliot.

I honestly had no idea who the original owner of this body was.

Like Mereba, he must have been someone precious to someone.

Having occupied that person’s body without permission, I would have to take responsibility for it.

However, that was after I killed the Possessor Daniel who had taken over Mereba.

“For now, we’ll catch and kill that bastard.”

I made my decision.

The others nodded in agreement, but Ophelia grabbed the hem of my garment.

“Are you really going to kill him?”

“Yes.”

“But he’s a fellow Possessor… isn’t he?”

That wasn’t wrong.

The two other Possessors we had faced and killed were also people from Earth. They had all been forced into unwanted evils with their Marks tattooed on them.

But Daniel was different.

“That guy enjoys it. Everything about this situation, and the talents he has.”

“….”

“So, he’s an evil man. I have no intention of feeling sympathy just because he’s from the same origin.”

As I said this, I looked toward the room where Erwin was sleeping.

“More than anything, it’s crucial to resolve this quickly.”

“Why…?”

“Before Erwin wakes up and assesses the situation, it would be more convenient to eliminate him in advance.”

Now that I had heard everything from Wuzmund, I could understand.

The feelings that Erwin harbored towards his sibling Mereba were not hatred.

They were mixed emotions, probably filling his heart in some corner.

Being an Elf with a lifespan several times that of a human, the depth of those feelings must have grown even more profound.

Didn’t Laila and Azar say it before? It’s better to resolve conflicts as quickly as possible.

Yet Erwin and Mereba could not do so, and they might not in the future. One had become the Clan Leader while the other had become a Possessor.

A story that was bound to end in tragedy.

So, shouldn’t we create at least an open ending?

“While Erwin is asleep, it would be better for us to settle things. Moreover, he is cruel. He could create another victim while evading us.”

He was already a serious criminal with at least eleven murders committed.

The potential for more was plenty.

I asserted that.

Azar looked reluctant, but he shrugged.

“Do we have a way to find him?”

Upon Albrecht’s question, I pondered for a moment before nodding.

Since he had already revealed himself once, he wouldn’t attack us first again.

But that was fine. I realized that Possessor Daniel was using the original body’s abilities—specifically, Spirit Magic. Tracking back should be possible if I brought Wuzmund or other Rangers from the Vinheim Tribe, or investigators from the Redrick Tribe along.

“A decision has been made.”

Emily spoke cautiously.

However, before she could finish her thought, Ophelia tugged at my sleeve.

“Why so?”

“I’m against it.”

“Ophelia?”

“What I mean is, we’re talking about killing that old maid’s brother, right? Without asking his will.”

“That’s for the greater good. There might be another victim, and for Erwin’s sake….”

“Do you know, Elliot?”

Ophelia interrupted me, smiling mournfully.

“The Archbishop of the Cathedral of the Saint said the same thing. All in the name of the Will of God, and for the sake of the Saint Lady. They threw me into the Punishment Room and isolated me. Even after crying and causing a scene, they didn’t change their words.”

“….”

“Isn’t it more important to ask how he feels?”

“Ophelia…”

“Or are you going to act like that Pope? If that’s the case, I’ll be a little, no, very disappointed.”

I stared at Ophelia’s face for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.

“Honestly, saying that with such a face is a cheat key.”

“A cheat key? What’s that?”

“It means a foul play.”

Ophelia smirked.

I had to admit, this Saint Lady’s stubbornness was commendable.

I tousled her white hair and looked at the other companions.

“A change of policy. We will gather intelligence and plan until Erwin wakes up. Let’s talk properly once she’s up. For now, work together with the Guard of the Redrick Tribe to secure the area perfectly so that another victim doesn’t arise.”

“You’re quick to flip like a pancake.”

“But this is rather heroic.”

Azar raised his hands and said so, and Albrecht grinned as if he expected this.

“Couples’ quarrels are like cutting water with a knife!”

Ignoring Emily’s strangely cheerful remark.

*

In any case, the more information about Mereba, the better.

The issue related to the bloodline and clan of Vinheim was not a pit I could easily dig into.

Therefore, I found a suitable candidate.

“Are we connecting again?”

“If not you, then who else?”

Wuzmund looked uncomfortable, but after I explained the situation quietly, he willingly accepted it.

He didn’t seem to be too fond of his superior Erwin, but his loyalty still felt genuine.

“So you want me to find out about Mereba’s movements?”

“Exactly. Frankly speaking, even the Fairy King’s personal guard has failed in the pursuit, so it might be difficult, but at least we should be able to find out which other clans he had connections with.”

“I’ll give it a try.”

“Good.”

I stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to see how Ophelia negotiates with the Redrick Tribe.”

“Negotiation?”

“She plans to create a barrier using Holy Magic around the city.”

Wuzmund’s eyes widened.

“I don’t think Holy Magic is inherently bad…”

“Just get to the point.”

“The Redrick Tribe would be horrified if it’s human magic.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going.”

It didn’t seem likely they would readily comply.

So I planned to leverage my position as a Hero to push them through.

Just as I was about to leave, Wuzmund called out to me.

“I have something to say…”

Wuzmund continued with a serious expression.

“Um, this might be presumptuous, but it’s about the Chief.”

“What is it?”

“…It’s about what the Fairy King said…”

“What do you mean?”

“Never marry the Chief. While she looks beautiful, if you fall for her, you’ll be on a fast track to ruining your life. I say this for your sake…”

“…”

I rolled up the papers and smacked Wuzmund on the temple.

*

The Redrick Tribe is not the most prestigious tribe in the Great Forest.

However, it is part of the candidates for the most prestigious tribe. Redrick held powerful authority over the Melt Rune and its surrounding areas, which even the Fairy King, the head of the Great Forest, recognized.

The Chief of the Redrick Tribe, Beltrom, took some pride in this fact.

“Goddammit…”

Just a few months ago, he viewed the picturesque scene of the Melt Rune with satisfaction.

Now, Beltrom clenched his fists, looking down at the abhorrent view of the city.

The sudden emergence of Mined Creatures. He thought little of it. However, the elite Ranger unit dispatched to hunt them down was obliterated, and now the Mined Creatures began their daily murders like fishes in water.

Naturally, a ruler has a duty to protect those under their dominion.

Redrick failed in that, and the Fairy King dispatched a group of Heroes as a punishment.

Though he found it very displeasing, it was more something he thought he could pass off as a minor commotion. He believed that catching the Mined Creatures with his own hands would solve major problems.

But then Commander Badarn was killed. And displayed on a spit, torn to shreds.

“Bastards….”

If they had to die, they should’ve done it without a sound, not flaunting their bright red organs to half the Melt Rune’s residents.

Ultimately, the initiative shifted to the Heroes’ party.

A reasonable action.

In his mind, Beltrom clearly understood that.

But.

“Chief! The Heroes have a suggestion for you.”

“What is it?”

“They want to cast protective magic around Melt Rune…”

“What the hell?!”

This was well beyond crossing a line.

They were suggesting to lay human magic around the city, which was a downright insult to Beltrom, an archetypal Elf.

“I must meet them directly! Those bastards will pay!”

Beltrom strode down to the official residence and, at that moment, spotted a small, slender human girl in front of him.

Pure white hair, delicate but distinct features. Aside from her short ears, she was extremely beautiful even by Elf standards.

But that wasn’t important right now.

Beltrom bellowed.

“Are you the one?! How dare you intend to cast magic over my city?!”

“Yup.”

Her casual retort caught him off guard for a moment.

“Watch your tongue! I am….”

“Well, we’re not that close, are we? You spoke casually first, so I’m just following suit.”

The white-haired girl smirked and looked around.

“Anyway, isn’t this good news for you? We will protect the citizens, you know? You might not be familiar with protective magic, but it’s rather effective…”

“Shut up! I don’t need your help!”

“Really? Seems like you couldn’t even protect your Commander.”

“What?!”

It was absurd.

As if a rolling stone is trying to displace a fixed stone.

In a place that was essentially the headquarters of the Redrick Tribe, using the derogative term ‘ear demon’ and insulting the Chief? Beltrom had never experienced such a severe offense in decades.

His next action was, of course, to reach for the sword sheathed at his waist.

But before he could grip the sword hilt, the girl said.

“If you draw that, you’ll die.”

“That’s a load of rubbish. With a mere child like you, I will—!”

“No, I don’t mean I’ll do it myself.”

The white-haired girl gestured her chin toward behind Beltrom.

“That guy will kill you.”

There stood a surly-looking blond human man, watching Beltrom with a gaze that seemed to say, “Go ahead, I dare you.”