第６２７堀：獣人美人刑事純情派 学生誘拐事件 最後の (Part2)
But my life and that of a hero like Kagura are not to be weighed on the same scale. And this might be the catalyst for Kagura to restore the Hairen faith.
“Haha.”
Thinking such things made me laugh. In the end, I’ve just been relying on someone else from beginning to end, haven’t I? How pathetic.
But I opened the door without hesitation and rushed out to stop the deacon. After all, the only place for such deeds was the basement. A place the deacon had created on his own. I didn't know what was happening there, but I could mostly guess!
Gathering what little courage I had, and armed with a sword I couldn't even wield, I arrived at the final location.
“Haaah, haaah…”
“Oh? What brings the Priestess herself here? You’ve never set foot here before.”
There, the deacon and his subordinates, weapons drawn, surrounded Kagura and her companions, poised to strike. Kagura and her companions, looking utterly bewildered, leaned against the wall, their expressions stiff with tension.
“So, what do you intend to do with that weapon? Will you finish them off in our stead?”
At those words, Kagura and her companions' gazes converged on me. Their expressions suggested I was the culprit. Anyone who saw it would think the same. However, I…
“No!! Kagura, and your friends!! I will hold these people back!! Please, escape!! And tell the world about the atrocities of the Hairen faith!!”
As I said that, I raised my sword and brought it down towards the deacon, but…
Thud.
My sword never reached the deacon; instead, a sword was plunged into my body. It… hurts. A burning pain. I have to pull it out… The moment I thought that and reached for the embedded sword, the deacon pulled it out.
“Guh!”
Blood gushed from the wound. It still hurt even after it was pulled out. I involuntarily fell to my knees.
“Honestly. Just when I thought you’d reformed, it comes to this. Why is it that every church has such similar priests? I find it difficult to comprehend.”
The deacon, ignoring my pain, spoke as if utterly perplexed.
“Originally, these lives were bestowed by our goddess. Is it not natural to return them to our goddess? One should be grateful for being chosen, not refuse, wouldn’t you agree, Kagura?”
“...That is Hairen-sama’s will?”
Hai…ren? Who in the world is that?
“Aha. Ahahahaha!! As expected of a descendant of the Three Great Houses, said to have journeyed with the goddess. How audacious to know and speak her sacred name!! Yet you are the ones who exploited our goddess the most!!”
“What are you talking about?”
“...Hmph. It seems those who cause trouble are often unaware of it. How foolish. That is precisely why I shall deliver punishment with my own hands and grant you the opportunity for atonement!! Our goddess desires it!! Everyone but Kagura is unnecessary; cut them down!!”
I didn't understand the conversation well, but I knew I hadn't been useful. At the very end, I acted on my own will, but in the end, it was too la…te. Priestess. With a failure like me…
BANG!?
That sound pulled my fading consciousness back.
“W-what!?”
I heard the deacon’s surprised voice. He could make a sound like that.
“Kaya!! Treat the Priestess!!”
“...Leave it to me.”
“Riel!! Secure that crazy deacon!!”
“You got it!!”
No sooner had I heard those voices than one of Kagura’s friends was beside me, using healing magic.
“Th-thank you. And, I’m so, sorry, *cough*”
“Don’t speak now. Your internal organs might be damaged. I’ll just do first aid and have you sent to the rear immediately. You can tell me what happened then.”
“B-but, that deacon, we have to stop him…”
He’s no ordinary foe. From his previous words and actions, it was clear something in him was broken. To stop him…
“Guhhh!? Why am I being overpowered by such weaklings!? I-I am the goddess’s messeng…”
CRACK!! *Thud.*
“I’m tired of hearing those complaints. You can tell us the details at the station.”
“Riel. There’s no station here.”
“Oh, right~”
“More importantly, Tori and the others are amazing!! So cool!! I want to write an article about this!!”
“Calm down, Mikos. We’re still working. You can write your report to your heart’s content later.”
“Umm, I need to contact Steve and the others… Ah, hello, this is Solo. Is this Steve? Yes, we’ve subdued them… Yes, yes, please.”
…Haha, it seems there was no need to worry about the hero after all.
“I apologize. I’ll rest for a bit.”
“...Leave the rest to us.”
Finally, I thought I saw fox ears on the head of the friend called Kaya… Ah, was this the guidance of the First Archbishop, Enor-sama…?
When Weed gets involved, serious situations always turn into cereal. It’s delicious with milk, but it’s also good on its own, isn’t it? For those of you who already know the ending, the first half must have seemed like a gag. However, for the person involved, it was serious, which is one of the mysteries of the world. With this, the evidence is gathered, and all that’s left is… a mop-up operation?