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Chapter 85 Part 2

Information on the Attackers and Their Circumstances and the Goddess Who Extended a Helping Hand — Part 2

 

「It was… unavoidable… The Crimson Salvation Church’s request came with a generous reward. For a family like mine, abandoned by my wife, that amount of money…」

 

…So that’s how it is. Now I understand why this man was chosen for the task.

He was financially vulnerable, so they lured him with money, didn’t they?

 

Sybilla released her grip from the man’s collar and placed her hand on his shoulder with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

 

「I understand your circumstances. When you’re mentally fragile, it’s hard to make sound judgments. …But no matter how you look at it, you’re just a sacrificial pawn to them. Even if you succeed, there’s no guarantee they’ll keep their word and reward you. You know that too, right?」

 

「That’s…」

 

「…Alright. Let’s do it like this. Why don’t you tell me everything you know about that organization? Then I’ll teach you a way where we can all get away from this with a win-win. I’m smarter than those Crimson Church bunch, you know?」

 

The man eventually gave in to Sybilla’s persuasion and told us various pieces of information.

 

Just what he was ordered to do?

What are the identities of their conspirators?

 

What they had told him.

And lastly… what they hadn’t told him.

 

At one point, Sybilla frowned after hearing one of the answers.

 

「Don’t tell me… So it was like that…?」

 

Was there something important hidden within that information?

But judging by how seriously Sybilla nodded, she must have uncovered the things that they’ve been hiding.

 

After hearing all the information, Sybilla covered the man’s body with a white robe.

We then headed together… toward the man’s house.

 

「First of all, we’ll have you arrested for assault. From what I can tell, the guards weren’t part of the Crimson Church.」

 

「B-But then my kid…!」

 

「Actually, we are currently under the care of the orphanage, so we can ask them to look after your kid there for now. The kids at the orphanage are protected by a Holy Knight, and the staff assigned there are members of the church management—they’re excellent people, you know? With the town like this, it might actually be safer with them than being with their parents, if you think about it. …Oh my?」

 

As Sybilla was explaining things to him, a child opened the front door, apparently having heard a man’s voice from inside the house.

 

「Welcome back… whoa, Dad, you look like a mess, what happened?」

 

「Ahh, about that, I kinda screwed up a little.」

 

「I know you’ve been spacing out often ever since mom left us. Pull yourself together so you don’t end up getting tricked again.」

 

「You’re… right… Ahh, what am I doing, I almost got my kid in danger too… no matter if I failed or succeeded…」

 

While talking with his child, the man finally seemed to come to a realization.

That if things turned unfavorable for the Crimson Church, and he was to be eliminated, his child would be taken care of along with him.

…His unstable mind must have snapped back into focus upon hearing his child’s voice.

 

「Hey, umm. Dad might not be able to come back home for a while. Until then, the big sister here will take care of you. Is that okay?」

 

「And this big sis is?」

 

Sybilla took a quick glance around the room before crouching down and holding out both clenched fists.

The boy is taken aback by it, but then bumps both his fists against hers… What’s this? They bump each other’s fists like a dance.

They went up and down with both hands, alternating between one hand at a time, and finally touching palms together.

 

「Big sis, you even know the Sword Saint greeting too! That’s so cool!」

 

「You too, for someone your age to master it, looks like you’ve got a good sense! Not bad!」

 

Apparently, upon seeing something related to the Sword Saint inside, she decided to recreate that greeting gesture.

True to form for someone who loves children. She closed the distance with this child in an instant, like it was nothing.

 

Sybilla, now all smiles and having won the kid’s affection, stood up and turned to the surprised man with a serious expression.

 

「This child has nothing to do with the Crimson Salvation Church. I want you to swear on that… not to the Crimson God, but to the Sun Goddess, can you do it?」

 

「Yeah, of course. This kid has nothing to do with my activities.」

 

「All right. I’ll take full responsibility for this child. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to see each other again like before.」

 

Sybilla chose her words carefully at the end and, for the first time, gave a gentle smile.

That smile was like that of a goddess herself.

 

Moved by Sybilla’s sincere attitude toward the child, the man shed tears for the first time.

 

「Urk… I… Just what have I done…」

 

「I won’t blame you for being taken advantage of when you were vulnerable. It’s okay to fail. The worst thing you can do is not pick yourself back up after. Think about your child and reflect on how to become a strong, dependable father.」

 

The man bowed deeply one last time, and we saw him off until he was handed over to the town’s guards.

 

The boy watched his father being led away by the guards, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

「It’ll be okay」, Sybilla said as she gently stroked the child’s head with a smile to reassure him.

Then, while holding hands, we all headed back to the orphanage.

 

…The Crimson Salvation Church’s methods were far dirtier than I’d imagined.

They were rescuing people from monster attacks to gain believers, but it was they who set those monsters loose in the first place.

 

And this time, they’re using a tactic that takes advantage of a man who lost his family.

I can’t just stand by and let this happen any longer.

 

That’s probably true for the girl beside me, too.

This time, she looks completely serious.

 

「Russell.」

 

Sybilla called my name.

 

Come to think of it, what exactly did Sybilla figure out from that man’s information?

All I could make out was a few fragmented pieces of information, and the fact that there were other assassins besides that man, although we still don’t know who they are…

 

As I waited for her to continue… Sybilla said something unbelievable.

 

「I think… I might have discovered the cause of the illness plaguing the town.」