第６２７堀：獣人美人刑事純情派 学生誘拐事件 最後の (Part1)
**Chapter 627: The Beastman Beauty Detective’s Pure-Hearted Style – Student Kidnapping Case: The End**
**Side: Priest Onock, a Pious Haire Believer**
"……This is bad."
I muttered this while staring at the letter delivered by the Viscount.
"Is something the matter?"
……Damn it. She heard me.
The voice asking from behind belongs to the deaconess sent from the main temple.
Ordinarily, one might say it is impudent for a woman to speak so, but in this Haire religion, the status of women is high. In fact, most of the top positions are held by women.
After all, the entity we worship is a Goddess, the first Bishop was a Spirit Priestess, and the legendary Enor-sama—who is said to have saved the world alongside the Goddess—is renowned for having the greatest combat prowess of all. Because of this, there are many pious believers, primarily women, which gives the religion significant influence across various nations.
This means the deaconess sent from the main temple is no ordinary practitioner. If I were to make a single misstep, my head could be replaced at any moment.
"No. It seems the acquisition of personnel for this time has stalled. It appears they were captured as bandits."
"Oh? The lost sheep this year are quite spirited, aren't they? Why choose such lambs? Especially at a time like this, when surveillance has tightened because those fools in the Heiden capital messed up."
I cannot turn around, but she is undoubtedly wearing a smile. However, hearing those words, only children would mistake that expression for a genuine smile.
"No, according to the report, it is as follows..."
I hand the document to her. On paper, I am her superior, but in reality, it is clear that I am the subordinate. Well, during ordinary events, she is nothing more than an excellent deaconess. But when it comes to this annual order from the main temple—to secure "unnecessary" students from the academy—I can only move through her.
After all, securing "unnecessary" students is, by any definition, nothing more than kidnapping. It is an act of picking a fight with the nation. The previous priest, who learned this fact and tried to reprimand it, was found cold in a back alley the very next day.
*“You will be the next priest. I expect you to be a pious believer.”*
Having been told that with a smile, I had no way to atone. Since then, I have been doing these unwilling deeds. No, I have never actually met the students brought here, but I could never believe that they were simply taking in dropouts from the academy. And I knew that if I ever saw those students, I would surely be moved by the pangs of conscience, just like the priest who disappeared before me.
The deaconess, unaware of my inner turmoil, reads the report I handed her.
"……Indeed, there is no doubt they are unnecessary lambs. But even if they are somewhat talented, our subordinates shouldn't be unable to capture such lambs..."
"It seems there was a patrol of knights nearby."
"Ah, I see. How clumsy."
"What shall we do? They are requesting instructions."
"Oh? We don't know anything about bandits or the 'Assembly of Wisdom,' do we? Let the clumsy ones be disposed of."
Once she says that with a smile, there is nothing I can do.
"However, this is a problem. At this rate, we won't be able to prepare the 'goods' to send to the main temple. What shall we do? Thanks to those idiots in the capital, the numbers have dwindled significantly, and we need a supply of *busshi* urgently."
"……Even so, students are likely impossible now. As you can see from the Viscount's contact, the academy is strengthening its vigilance. Moreover, people from Weed and Findall are currently visiting the academy. Reinforcements are inevitable."
"Weed…… is it? ……Good grief, they interfere with everything. Thanks to them, the plans to obtain materials like Kagura and many others have fallen apart."
"……"
I feel that we are the ones interfering with peace, but I cannot say that. In the first place, I don't even know why we are doing this. Did the Haire religion not worship the Goddess who saved the people from the Demon King?
"……Well, that will have to do. The people at the main temple say they will settle the score eventually. ……Very well. Activities at this church are over. Any further and we might leave a trail. With those fools in the capital messing up and surveillance tightening, it is time to wrap up."
Hearing that, I felt relieved inside. This meant I wouldn't have to commit any more unrighteous acts... However, perhaps as retribution for overlooking this evil until now, the Goddess dealt me a final divine punishment.
"Excuse me. Oh, the deaconess is here as well."
Suddenly, a subordinate enters the office.
"Yes. What is it?"
"No. Kagura-sama, the hero and second daughter of the Kamishiro family, along with her schoolmates, have come to show the church to the friends visiting this land. I was wondering how we should handle them..."
Upon hearing that, the deaconess wore a truly terrifying smile and declared:
"We will handle the daughters of the Three Houses ourselves. If it is a Duchess, she must have high pride. Leave it to us. Right, Priest?"
"Y-yes. That is correct. It is best to leave it to us."
"Yes. Then, I shall bring them here."
There is nothing to guide them through—just the chapel, the office in the back, and the orphanage.
……Could it be!?
"It seems we have received a fine souvenir at the end. If you cooperate, Priest, you might avoid ending up like the previous one, you know?"
"……!?"
……Should I not refuse? Should I not cling to the hero known as Kagura-sama? Either way, my time is not long. The only difference is whether I am killed by this deaconess or if I confess my sins and am finished off by Kagura-sama and her group.
……While I was caught in that conflict, Kagura-sama and the others arrived.
"It is a pleasure to have you here, Kamishiro-sama and friends."
Before I could open my mouth, the deaconess greeted them with a smile. I could tell at a glance. The girl with the black hair characteristic of the Kamishiro family must be Kagura-sama.
"……As I said, I serve as the priest of this Onock Haire Church."
"It is an honor to meet you, Kagura-sama. I have heard of your great achievements."
"N-no. The rumors have just taken on a life of their own; there is not much I have accomplished on my own."
Hmm. I heard she was a Duke's daughter, but she is polite and clearly well-educated. I see, that is why she is popular. But looking at Kagura-sama, she does not look like a warrior. No, it is natural for a mage to fight from a distance.
……Should I not be the one to let them escape?
"However, unfortunately, the Priest has a mass scheduled shortly, so please forgive me, the deaconess, for guiding you through the church."
"No, I apologize for the sudden intrusion while you are busy. From the start, I came only as a visitor, so I couldn't possibly ask the deaconess to guide us..."
"No, no. We are both pious Haire believers. I happen to be free, and I want your friends to know of the wonderful Haire religion, so please, don't worry about it."
"W-well. If it is not a bother, then please."
"Then, this way, please. Now, Priest. I leave the rest to you."
With that smile, the deaconess led Kagura-sama and the others out of the office.
"Damn it!!"
Does she mean to tell everyone in the church that Kagura-sama and the others have already left?! With this, the trail of Kagura-sama and the others will be severed. Is this okay? Is this really okay? To sacrifice the lives of others just to save my own……
"……No, it cannot be. In the end, I don't even know when my own life will end. My days of living in fear will remain the same. If so, even if I die tomorrow, I will do something I can face the Goddess with at the very end."
I will not call it atonement at this late hour.