God Eaters

, Aaaaah! The gates have been smashed open?!

W-What's going on?! There are so many people with weapons! Someone dares attack the Church's abbey?!

Hey, hey, it's only been a year since I left this place. Why doesn't anyone recognize me?

You... You're Gryph?! No, it's the defector Gryph, the ''Predator's Claw''! And that ''traitor'' Guinevere is here too?!

I can't believe people still remember my humiliating nickname... Forget it, this is not the time to be concerned about that. Guinevere, can we start the plan?

, God Eaters will represent Guinevere, and come to take back what is rightfully ours.

D-Damn it! We can't let you get away with this! Everyone, stop the intruders here!

Heh. You guys have guts! Let's start the real fight!

Good! Everyone, the most important battle of the God Eaters has gotten off to a good start. We must give our all to achieve our ideal!

Yaaaaah! Follow Gryph's orders!

Let's keep moving. We have to hurry.

Wha, It's an enemy attack! Sound the alarm! Block the entrance to the abbey!

You react quickly, but we are not just a reckless bunch with no courage. All units, switch to melee weapons and release Forbidden Dust!

W-What is this?! Why can't I use my long-range magic?! And this smoke... I can't see anything clearly!

Everything is going as expected so far. Gryph, on to the next stage.

Got it. Teams, spread out. Follow the plan! Everyone clear on our next target?

Yes!

Let's split up here then. After this, it's time to use our trump card.

(Trump card? ...What's that?) Anyway, Guinevere, go do what you need to do. Leave the rest to me.

Why are there attackers everywhere... Did they split up?! But we just gathered most of our forces here...

The most important thing is to find out where their leader has gone. Damn it! We've fallen into their trap!

... Long time no see, Gryph.

Put away the niceties, Your Holiness. I knew this smoke can't block your ability to perceive things, so I simply came to you first.

I sensed a powerful hostile magic force coming straight to my quarters. Since you are not here to catch up on old times, you must have another purpose.

It's simple. You're an element that must be removed from our plan, so I'm here to make it so.

May I ask what... What do you mean by that?

You don't have to know. Just think of us as the bad guys. It makes things easier for both sides to understand. Everyone, your work has started.

...Are you aiming to win with numbers?

More or less. But the difference in strength between our warriors and yours is too great. You'll probably end up being beaten down.

So you are doing it yourself? Indeed, I have witnessed Gryph's fighting ability... But, I have confidence that our fight will end in a draw.

I do like fighting, but I dislike meaningless fights. So... your opponent is not me.

Huh?

Now!

What are these chains... Ugh, I can't... get free...!

No matter how skilled you are in battle, this pure competition of strength is not a matter of advantage in numbers. So stay here, and don't go anywhere.

Your aim from the beginning was to trap me here... So you use this tactic on me while I'm on guard against you!

Everyone will leave at the scheduled time. Using the prepared high-purity crystal will be enough to power the containment of Holy Lady for at least five minutes.

Rest assured, Gryph! We will achieve our goal, and do it perfectly! We won't ever leave traces that can be tracked or lead to our capture!

Good, it's time for me to move to my next target location.

My memory serves me right. Looks like this is the pope's quarters.

, Ha! Enemy spotted!

We can't have you barking around here. Let's shut you up quick.

Gaaah... Can't... Stop her...

It's time to settle the score with the Church's boss.

Gryph, we have a situation! The door to the pope's chambers is locked, and we can't open it no matter what method we use.

Tsk, that woman... Don't panic. The door is locked with a physical lock, and it's powered by cores in three hidden locations.

We just have to remove the energy sources in those three locations and the door will open. Everyone, hurry and find them!

We finally meet, little rats.

Attack full force! Hold nothing back.

Something's wrong! There is no real body.

Are you done venting your anger? How regrettable, I'm just a projection.

You guessed that our target is you, huh, Levia?

Speaking of which, where has that traitor Guinevere gone? She should've been in your team when you attacked this place.

Or did she follow you guys and split off with other forces to head to my treasury?

...

Did you think that I wouldn't notice you releasing Forbidden Dust to lower visibility? I might not be in the Church, but there are many ''eyes'' buried here.

...Damn spying eyes.

Whatever you say, rat. But... The boring waiting interval is over. Someone is at the treasury.

It's time to close the net. Come out, my underlings.

Yes!

Dogs of the Inquisition...

Shut up! We will judge the heretic who tried to invade the realm of gods!

That's how it is, rats. Stop the invaders at the treasury too. The rest of you, wrap up things at these two places. Capture the enemy's command center as soon as possible...

... What? I don't see Guinevere... A fake ID signal? Explain this, (Muffled electronic voice) ...

Your Holiness? Your Holiness! The signal's been cut?!

Well? Can't bark anymore?

You... What have you done?!

Guinevere is not here, nor in the treasury. We are both acting as decoys in both locations, and we carried devices to jam the signals... You guys fell for it, you idiots.

You won't be able to call for reinforcements, at least not in the next few minutes. Well then, it's time to settle scores.

Our objective of drawing fire and confusing the target has been completed, so it's time to blow this joint... I hope Guinevere's completed her operation on her end.

We repelled the enemies for now. Take a breather before reinforcement arrives...

Let me patch you up. You can return the favor later!

Not bad. Thank you, my friend.

This place is extremely dangerous, but I'll fight us a way out.

(It's almost time for the scheduled evacuation... Why don't I see Guinevere? Could... No! That can't be!)

Are you the God Eaters?

...!

Don't be mistaken, I am not your enemy.

...Nightingale? Shouldn't you be undercover in the Inquisition? You're in danger of blowing your cover by coming to us.

The undercover work ended just now. Guinevere told me to come here and lead you guys on a route out.

Huh? What about her?

She is leaving by another route. This is not the place to go into specifics. Let's get moving.

Gryph, this place... It's been blocked by a barrier.

Huh? But... Isn't this the route set by Guinevere for the escape?

...It seems it's covered by the barrier.

No need to worry, I exist for this purpose.

Any destruction of the Magic Array will be detected immediately, not opening it from the inside using my authority will help us go unnoticed by anyone.

(The trump card... Guinevere, I get what you meant now.)

Alright, let's leave and strategize.

You'll never be allowed to pass through here, Gryph, you despicable traitor! Accept your punishment!

...Nightingale, what's going on here?

...It's the pope's forces. Baphomet, please get out of the way.

What? You won't slow me just because you're using a realistic disguise! Impersonating Nightingale is another sin! I'll...

I am no fake. That strike is your last warning. Baphomet, take your forces and move out of the way.

Huh? B-But... Nightingale... Y-You... This can't be true.

...

Nightingale, you... Tell me it's not true! Tell me you're just leading these traitors into a trap!

I can lend an ear to any troubles you have! Please! Tell me... tell me you didn't betray us...

...I'm sorry, Baphomet, and my fellow members of the Inquisition. My heart has betrayed the Church a long time ago.

So... I am no longer your comrade, but your enemy.

Aaaaaah!

The enemy lost the will to resist.

W-Wait... W-Why... Nightingale... You...

...You didn't kill her?

There's no need. It will only deepen the general public's hostility against us. Let's go, Gryph.

(Did she become soft after all? ...No, for her, this way of handling things might be closer to her true nature.)

Miss Gryph, Miss Nightingale, I have been waiting.

Ah, I remember you're... from the Victoria family?

I am Audrey's personal butler. I have come to fulfill the appointment as promised by her Ladyship and Miss Guinevere.

Promise? ...You mean you're the person in charge of the evacuation route that Guinevere mentioned?

That's correct. We've selected a route to evacuate from the central area. Please follow me.

...Oh my, Miss Gryph. Welcome to my little base. Miss Guinevere has just arrived too. Let's sit and have a cup of tea.

Good work, Gryph.

Guinevere, did you run into any problems?

There were a few unexpected situations but it's fine overall despite the surprises. Looks like your mission to draw attention was completed well. Where is Nightingale?

Nightingale led everyone to disperse in the various areas of the city... I can't believe you used her as a trump card here.

It was by Nightingale's own request... She became increasingly unaccepting of the practices of the Inquisition, and decided to use this operation as an opportunity to escape that place.

So, did Miss Guinevere get what she wanted?

Yes, I've recovered my personal assets that were stored in the Church, and the bargaining chip for using Teslovik. Besides that...

I even got an unexpected gift... No, I should call it a cursed gift.

Huh? What is it?

Audrey, are you sure you want to hear what's coming next? I cannot guarantee that you'll escape unscathed if you know about this.

Thank you, Miss Guinevere, for reminding me... However, I am aware that I cannot pry into this country's secrets without risk.

...Okay. The night is still young, so I will tell you all that I have seen.

Gryph! Guinevere said she left supplies nearby and told us to remind you to retrieve them.

I'd have forgotten if not for the reminder... Thanks. Leave it to me.