第１８６８堀：あの時に似ているかも (Part2)
In that case, I’ll need to maneuver around their actions with some finesse.
"Regarding that, we’ll have no choice but to split into multiple teams. It’s impossible for me to personally accompany every single church investigation, after all."
"True. If we overreach, people will start calling it a setup. It’s better to narrow our focus to the most critical sites. I’ll discuss it with King Giadana. It’s a prime opportunity to turn the tide of public sentiment toward the beastmen."
"I agree."
Well, it’s obviously impossible to dispatch units from Weed to every single church within the Kingdom of Giadana. It is, after all, a foreign nation. Honestly, to think that such idiocy exists even across the sea...
"Hm? Yuki, I have a question, separate from our request."
"What is it?"
"About this scandal. You don't think there’s some 'God' or whatever involved behind the scenes, do you?"
The nightmare we endured in Heiden was orchestrated to facilitate the resurrection of Aqueno. I don’t want to believe this is the same, but it’s impossible not to let that possibility cross my mind.
"Who knows? We won't know until we investigate. That said, if their only goal was to dispose of beastmen, there’d be no need to drag them into a church and manufacture a scandal. That’s just a fact."
"...I really wanted you to just say 'no'."
Doesn't that just imply there’s something else going on? But Yuki is right. If they truly just wanted to eliminate beastmen, exile would be far more efficient than an execution that invites backlash within the Kingdom of Giadana. An execution that breeds resentment benefits no one. If things go poorly, they might even face an uprising from the beastmen against the Clearstream Church, and now the Kingdom of Giadana is moving in, using the scandal as a weakness. From a holistic perspective, it’s an entirely counterproductive move.
"Well, it could be seen as a form of intimidation..."
"If that were the case, a public execution would be a much more effective deterrent."
Assuming, of course, that their intent is to show what happens to those who cross them. Which means there is some other objective driving them to conduct these affairs in secret within the church.
"...Is that why you told me to participate, Yuki?"
"It’s also true that I want to improve the image of the beastmen."
"I know. That’s just like you, Yuki. But you couldn't have been oblivious to the other possibility, could you?"
"Of course not. The situation is too similar. It’d be impossible not to be suspicious. Just as you remembered, Enora."
"Mmph."
He’s right. If I remembered, there’s no way Yuki wouldn’t have. We’ve been plagued enough by that "God" entity. For Yuki, it’s practically a natural enemy—a walking disaster that brings nothing but trouble.
But for me, Yuki was my salvation. Without him, I would have been nothing more than a rotting corpse. And so, now, I want to be that for someone else.
"I see."
"Something wrong? Did you figure something out?"
"No, I just... I’ve made up my mind. Whatever is lurking in the shadows, I won't allow such injustice. As a believer of Lady Hairen, it is only natural to help those who seek salvation..."
As I said those heroic words, I suddenly realized something. Yuki seemed to have forgotten it too, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yuki, what about this matter?"
"Fortunately, I haven't told anyone yet. But that thing has a habit of picking up cries for help from out of nowhere."
"...Should I go?"
"That might actually make you look suspicious. Lilishe is the one working in the northern town, isn't she?"
"I do show my face in the northern town occasionally, though the southern fort and the southern town are my main focus."
As a beastman, I serve as the face of Weed in the southern town. Well, Tori is the leader, of course, but I represent the medical department. In the northern town, the faces of Lady Lilishe and Lady Hairen are already well-known, so there’s been no need for me to appear there as often.
"I’ll think about it. For now, Enora, please handle the selection of members for the rescue mission regarding the scandal we discussed."
"Understood."
With that, I immediately began selecting personnel who were not only capable of providing medical treatment but were also skilled enough to handle themselves in a fight. Gathering people in secret to torture them—it’s clear they’re up to no good. I just hope Lady Hairen gets a "ping" of intuition about this. I wonder how she’ll respond if she does!