Chapter 100

Midday in the capital city.

I delivered the men from the organization, who were loaded on a cart, to the guardhouse on the outskirts of town.

They were all acting strangely.

"Forgive us...""He...Help...""I won’t...do it anymore..."

They stared into space, tears streaming down their faces, and with slurred speech, begged for forgiveness.

It was a pitiful sight, unimaginable from their usual rough appearance.

The knights and soldiers who greeted us were a bit taken aback.

Incidentally, Edgar had already listed the evidence, so the investigation began immediately.

All the slaves were rescued.

I was the only one who brought the men in, while Edgar was tasked with recovering the idol of the evil god.

After interrogating the boss Gadwin, it turned out that the idol was a communication device with the evil god.

Lilithia had already filed a report as the owner of the "petit Ely" shop, so the process went smoothly.

I only had to repeat the same story twice before being released.

"Took down the thugs who invaded the petit Ely shop. They were planning to poison the petit Ely in the warehouse. I caught them in the act and defeated them. Here’s the poison. Then, I made the boss reveal his location and took him down."

Normally, two people taking down everyone would be suspicious, but the title of "former hero" helped, and they believed me easily.

Well, it was mostly true.

The rest was to inform the shop of the investigation results, so I returned to the shop.

◇ ◇ ◇

There was a "Closed Today" sign on the shop door. The curtains were drawn, so the inside was not visible.

When I went in, Edgar was there.

He was holding a black idol about 30 centimeters tall.

"Welcome back. That was quick."

"You’re the one who’s quick, as expected, Edgar. —So, is that the idol of the evil god?"

"Seems like it."

He handed me the idol he was holding.

As I reached out to take it, a bad feeling came over me, so I looked at Lilithia, who was sitting at the counter.

"Lilithia, can you take it? It might corrupt my holy aura."

"Ah, that’s a risk! As expected, Master!"

Lilithia, with her silver hair swaying, approached Edgar and took the idol.

Now I was worried about curses.

"Are you okay, Lilithia? Did any strange curses activate?"

"Hmm, I don’t think so. I’m fine, but—let me check."

She made a sound and spread her wings from her back.

Pure white wings, without a single stain.

I examined them closely from front to back.

It seemed that holding the idol of the evil god didn’t affect her.

"Seems fine. That’s good."

"Thank you for your concern."

"However, it seems the curse from yesterday wasn’t the work of the underground organization."

Edgar nodded at my words.

"Looks like it was the Medicis, the apothecary."

"They appear to be a legitimate business. It won’t be easy to take down the underground organization like we did."

"The current head’s father and brother died under suspicious circumstances, so they must be up to something... If we have more time, we can investigate."

I shook my head at Edgar’s words.

"It can communicate with the evil god. If we don’t take it down now, they might get information and prepare countermeasures."

"It’s already difficult because there’s little evidence. The idol of the evil god is well-protected."

Lilithia frowned sadly.

"But... what should we do?"

"Then, we’ll go in head-on."

"Eh?"

"If they’re innocent, we can confront them directly."

"But will they meet us?"

Lilithia, looking worried, furrowed her brow.

I smiled and took a petit Ely from the glass case behind the counter.

"To discuss the distribution of petit Ely, we should talk to the owner of the shop. Since it’s a royal supplier, they’ll have to meet us."

"Ah, I see! As expected, Master!"

"Then, we’ll take advantage of the owner’s attention being on Alex. We’ll sneak in and get the idol of the evil god."

"Leave it to me, Edgar. The rest is..."

We had a brief discussion and left the shop.

◇ ◇ ◇

Mid-afternoon in the capital city.

A large shop on the main street of the capital.

The shop’s entrance was wide open, with customers and staff coming and going.

The shop also faced a back alley, where horse-drawn carriages loaded with goods were entering and exiting.

I entered the shop with Lilithia.

The spacious interior was neatly organized, with small drawers lining the wall behind the counter.

I placed a petit Ely on the counter and spoke to one of the staff.

"Excuse me, I’d like to talk to the head of the Medicis about a business deal."

"Did you make an appointment?"

"No, I didn’t. But it’s about the consignment of petit Ely and—saying it’s a thank you for the flowers should make the conversation smoother."

I glanced at Lilithia behind me.

Lilithia, wearing a white nun’s habit, was holding a white bouquet.

When she met the staff’s eyes, she smiled like an angel.

"We also brought a thank you. Don’t you think it’s a beautiful bouquet?"

"Ah, yes. Let me check the schedule... Would you like me to take the bouquet and pass it on?"

"No, I’d like to give it directly. If you say it’s a return gift for the flowers, they’ll understand."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The staff member, looking puzzled, disappeared into the back of the shop.

However, he returned a few minutes later, looking a bit flustered.

"The head of the Medicis will see you. Please follow me."

We were led through the apothecary’s mansion and into a well-furnished reception room.

Inside, a thin man with a pleasant smile greeted us.

"Nice to meet you, I’m the head of the Medicis apothecary. It’s an honor that you chose our guild for the distribution of petit Ely."

As he approached, he extended his hand. A handshake.

I cautiously shook his hand, checking for any curses.

It was sweaty and felt disgusting, but the handshake itself was uneventful.

—Well, I have a holy aura, so curses don’t affect me.

"I want to distribute petit Ely nationwide. Can we use the Medicis’ distribution network?"

"Yes, if the terms are agreeable, of course it’s possible—let’s not stand here, please have a seat."

We sat on the sofa he indicated.

Medicis glanced at the bouquet Lilithia was holding and said,

"What a beautiful bouquet."

"Yes, as a return gift."

"A return gift? What do you mean? We don’t have any particular relationship."

"Oh, I see. I thought the red bouquet was from you. I guess it was a waste."

"Not at all. Flowers are beautiful when displayed. —Please, here as well."

Medicis pulled a red flower from a vase and approached the sofa.

He sat across from us and offered the red flower.

I reached out.

Medicis’ expression and mouth twitched.

So I didn’t take the flower.

Instead, I extended my hand in a rejecting gesture.

"I see. So you were the one spreading curses, after all."

"W-What are you talking about!?"

"To curse someone, you give them a red flower... My holy aura makes curses ineffective—Ha!"

I grabbed the red flower and channeled my energy.

Instantly, the red flower turned black and crumbled.

Medicis’ eyes widened in shock.

"W-What is this!?"

"Blackened and crumbled by my holy aura... Proof of a cursed item!"

"N-No! It’s a mistake! This is a trap! I’ve been framed!"

At that moment, the room’s door opened silently.

Edgar entered quietly, holding the black, ominous idol of the evil god.

"Found this in a hidden room in the study. It’s yours, right, Medicis?"

"U-Ugh! G-Give it back! That power is mine!"

Medicis stood up and lunged.

But I kicked the table, causing him to fall onto it.

"Your reaction. You are indeed a follower of the evil god."

"F-Fool... Don’t think you can get away with this... I will crush you with all my might—"

At that moment, the mansion became suddenly noisy.

A loud voice echoed from a distance.

"We are the Luctia Holy Knights. We have found evidence of worshiping the evil god and will begin an investigation! Obstructing the investigation will be considered a crime!"

"Ladies, there’s an evil presence coming from here, follow me!"

"The hidden room is this way. Take out anyone who resists!"

Women’s voices were also heard. It was the priestess Sophia and the mage Makibel.

Medicis, on the table, gritted his teeth and glared.

"Impossible! Why the Luctia Church! —Ha! Alex, you liar! The business deal was a lie!"

"Your immediate confession to a surprise visit and provocation shows you’re a third-rate villain."

"W-What! You think you can get away with this!? You’ll crush the evidence!"

Medicis glared, but I looked down at him coldly.

"What are you thinking? Do you think you can escape the punishment for cursing Lilithia?"

I drew the sword I had taken from the thugs, infused it with my holy aura, and slashed.

With a light sound, the fabric was cut, and blood splattered.

Medicis, his thin face contorted, screamed.

"Ah! —Suddenly, a sword! You’re crazy! ...Ah!"

I slashed again and again. Blood flowed, but it quickly healed.

"Forgive me... Lord Deathsize... Gah!"

Medicis rolled his eyes and fainted.

He was completely unharmed, but his clothes were in tatters.

I quickly tied him up.

Lilithia, covering her mouth, said in a trembling voice,

"M-Master... Y-You’re amazing..."

"You don’t have to praise me so much, even if you’re taken aback. I know it’s not a hero-like action."

"But you took the blame to protect me. Thank you."

"Yes, that’s right. Even if he hates me in the future, I want him to hate only me. ...If you understand, that’s enough for me. Thank you."

I patted Lilithia’s head. As her silver hair swayed, she leaned into my chest.

While gently hugging Lilithia, I thought,

—The name of the evil god worshiped by the underground organization and the apothecary was different.

What does this mean? Multiple gods? Or...

At that moment, the mage Makibel entered, her pointed hat swaying.

"Hey, Alex. Long time no see. You really went all out again."

"Did you find evidence of the evil god?"

"Plenty, lots, and clear! A big catch!"

"Is Sophia okay?"

"Yeah, she’s doing well. Her contributions to the church have increased, so her treatment might improve."

"Good. Just lend me the idol of the evil god for a while. I need to take down the one pulling the strings."

"Sure, Edgar has it. I recorded it, so it’s fine for a while."

"Thanks."

At that moment, a knight entered the room and carried away the tied-up Medicis.

Makibel was also called by the knight and left with them.

I left the room with Lilithia.

While walking down the corridor, we talked.

"We’ve taken down the perpetrator who attacked us."

"Next, the sculptor Scrall or the priest of the evil god, right?"

"The different names of the evil gods are concerning. Multiple culprits, or... In any case, we need to take them down from the root to prevent further attacks."

"But where are they... That’s the difficult part."

"I have an idea."

"Really, Master!?"

Lilithia’s violet eyes widened in surprise.

I took out my communicator and spoke into it.

"Kou, I have a question."

"What is it, Master?"

"The idol of the evil god is used for communication. Can you trace the transmission location?"

"Without communication records, it’s difficult. ...If we have two, we can triangulate the location."

"Got it. I’ll bring it back."

"Sure. The shop and the garden, please."

I ended the call and smiled at Lilithia.

"It looks like it will work."

"As expected, Master!"

Lilithia, smiling, linked her arm with mine.

Feeling her warm, trusting body, we headed back to the shop.

Celebrating 100 chapters!

Thanks to everyone’s support! Thank you!

Thank you for the bookmarks and ★ ratings!

Thanks to you, we’ve surpassed 95,000 points! I’m so happy!

I never thought we’d see 100,000 points. It’s unexpected, given how explicit the content is.

If you find it interesting, please give a ★★★★★ rating below the ads to make the author happy!

However, the story has deviated from the plot, and I’m struggling with revisions.

The next chapter will take a bit longer. Probably Teti and Kou’s turns.