Criminal

Sorry, this time it's really goodbye. My disciples, I will be waiting for you in the light.

Wait for me! Ugh, my head... Is this... the Inquisition prison?

It seems that you are having nightmares again, Lord Baphomet.

... Are you the new Inquisitor?

(By the way, it's been almost a month to go since ''that day.'' Why did I forget?)

I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to receive your instruction. I'm here today to give you the results of Her Holiness' punishment.

Neglect of duty, dictatorship, violation of doctrine and... violence and imprisonment of innocent inhabitants. I know, the Church always needs a scapegoat.

...Based on the above charges, Her Majesty Levia has decided to dismiss you from the ranks of the Inquisitors and permanently deprive you of your membership in the Church of Augustus, never to be revoked.

What a surprise. You don't intend to use my life to atone for the crime? Do you plan to choose a good day for public execution, or are you sparing my life because of my family?

Lord Baphomet, I am only a messenger... You still have the right to pray to my Lord before the official announcement is given, so please cherish the time you have.

(...Praying to God? That kind of thing for me is already ...)

(...Huh! Footsteps? That new guy is turning back?)

Dodge backward, this magic is limited to a range.

!!! (It's a magic wave!!)

It's safe now. Sorry, the only magic that can subdue these guards in a short time is that one.

...Who are you? Why are you here?

My purpose is to give you a choice.

(Evades questions about her identity...) What choice?

It is the key to unlock your shackles, the medicine to replenish your magic, and the catalyst that can release magic, all

You, are you trying to assist me in escaping from the prison?

You can also choose another one here and wait for the trial afterwards. But we both know that what awaits you at the end of that is definitely not a good end.

...Even if I could leave through this prison door, what's the point? I am a criminal with no place to go in the Augustine Empire.

Who knows what the future holds? If you want to stagnate in this darkness, I will not stop you.

Don't go! Wait! ...Damn it. Why does everyone like to talk to themselves so much!

(...I used those things up in the end, and got out of prison.)

Next... What should I do? Even if I really escape from here, I have to plan my route first.

Shift change! Huh? Why are you guys all on the ground? And who are you?

(Oh no!)

I'll arrest you first, then talk!

Oh... S-So strong! Got to tell... the others...

Looks like our charges will increase to include assault... Okay, make up your mind now.

Huh? What's on my back...

Don't move. No loud noises. I have my finger on your neck and your spine will be completely destroyed if I use magic. Understand?

I-I do! I won't do anything!

Good. Tell me the passcode to leave this place. There are four sets in total. Don't miss a single one.

EEk! H-How do you know this?!

(... My damned teacher was the one who created this password system.)

You don't have to concern yourself with my identity. Worry about when I'll use magic.

I-I got it! The passcode is...

Aaargh!

He's down. He does have the first set of codes.

(Levia's paranoia is getting worse again, and she's going so far as to distribute the area codes.)

Next, I need to collect the remaining three... I'll knock the guard out from behind and take the passwords.

I thought I would encounter something when I came out of Area B, but why is there no one here?

And the sounds, and the vibrations from far off...

(Could there be other ''abnormal'' situations here other than the ones caused by my actions.)

I did not expect to meet you again in this place, Baphomet.

Y-You... You were members of the original Team Nine, right?

You are still Squad Captain... If, right now, you turn around and go back to your seal, I can pretend nothing happened on account of our past.

Is that so. You submitted to Levia? No, actually, we were originally Levia's subordinates.

Yes, so I must play my role as Inquisitor. If you resist, even if it's you, we will not go easy on you.

Since that's the case, let's finish what we need to do, and show our differences through battle.

Ugh! D-Damn...

Tell me if you want to live. Is the Inquisition under attack? There is just your small squad guarding this place. Something must be wrong.

...What? Those God Eaters are not with you?

... I see.

(The God Eaters started the commotion, and attracted the Inquisition's attention... Is this a coincidence?)

I'm hurt... I need to patch up the wound, or Levia's 'Hound' will be here soon.

You, treat my wound now, or I'll kill you!

Alright, okay...

Finally, it's done. Now it's time for me to question you!

Mercy, Chief...

I'll give you guys a chance to choose.

What do you mean?

You should also be following her orders to avoid being held accountable by the pope. Follow me, and I will take you out of this hellhole.

Then, we will seek revenge on the person who put us in this situation.

...

Well? Do you not want to cleanse yourself of sins?

...Sins? What sins have we committed?

Hah! Levia took advantage of our determination for her own ambitions... Do you not feel a shred of regret or awareness of what you have done so far?!

That was the sacrifice we offered for the sake of God. That's right, a necessary evil.

You...! Everything you guys did was not for God, but sins that Levia told you to commit in the name of God!

... So what?

Whether it's Levia or God... We are just swords to be wielded. We don't need a conscience, just a person to direct us.

Or is there any place here that would accept people like us? Justice and all those things are not what we pursue.

We just want a place to return to.

...It is only through witnessing it that one can realize how foolish the past self was.

What happens next is none of your business. Goodbye, my past.

Those horns... You are Baphomet, I presume?

God Eaters? ...What, do you guys want something from me? Or are you going to fight me on Inquisition grounds?

We are here to meet you on the orders of a lord... Of course, she said that if you are not willing to accept our help, you will be forced to return to the battlefield.

(Speaking of which. The God Eaters are always fighting the Church...)

What is the help you're talking about?

I will lead you out of this engagement area, and away from the Inquisition. Then, guide you to the Lord.

...Phew. Lead the way.

Ahead is a magic seal that takes full cooperation to open. Please join forces with me.

Reach the specified location and... Huh? Where is the Support Squad?

Danger! Dodge!

Oh? I can't believe she dodged and covered for someone else. Not bad for someone that the God Eaters would want to save. Worthy of my Lord's attention.

I am a member of the Retribution Army, directly under the administration of Her Holiness the Pope, and your companions have been defeated and captured by us.

(Fine equipment, abundant magic power... Combat power these days cannot even measure up to them!)

SIlence, huh? No matter. So, in order not to leave you time to think, let us finish this exchange in the most direct way.

Ugh! (They're comin' in strong!)

Never show tiredness and weakness. You should remember this lesson I taught you.

My sword's been... Y-You're the God Eaters person... The commander of the invasion operation!

... Nightingale?

Any words wait until the battle is over. Whether you like it or not, this time, you have to fight alongside me.

Wooow! S-So powerful... I... have failed...

...It's you. The one who gave me supplies in prison was you, right?

Hmm. I was in charge of infiltrating and clearing that area, so I stopped by.

From the beginning, you were planning on saving me?

I only just remembered that I never gave you an option before.

...In the past? What time was that?

It's not important. I don't consider my actions wrong, but I won't deny the harm I caused you.

So come with me now. Join the God Eaters. I will lead you to witness the moment when light is born.

...No thanks. You saved me this time. We don't owe each other anything in the future.

Is it?

Don't flatter yourself, I don't want your charity. No... I don't want anyone to influence my destiny anymore.

Not the light, not the darkness. Where I belong is what I choose for myself.

Nightingale asked me to escort you to a place far away from the Church. We are just waiting for you to confirm when to leave.

I can leave alone, no need for an escort.

But Nightingale meant...

I am not a member of the God Eaters. There is no need to follow your rules.

(And I don't want you guys to know my next destination.)

Halt! Who goes there?!

The person who will cost you your job for your mistake. I don't have time to waste on talking, so hurry up if you want to fight.

You were defeated so easily. The Inquisitors have degraded... Don't you think so?

B-Baphomet?! Aren't you locked up in the Inquisition?!

I was able to escape thanks to someone's help. Then I saw you being held nearby.

Oh... You're here to... force me to get out?

Exactly. Get ready, I'm going to destroy the cage.

If it's this place, you should be close to the gates of Augustine. Huh? Baphomet, why did you suddenly stop?

I want to give you all a choice. Leave with me, or stay.

(...Am I still imitating that guy? No! This is what I want to do!)

Where are you going to?

I'm going to leave the borders of the Empire, go to a place where neither the Church of Augustus nor God Eaters is present, and then reflect there on what I have done so far.

Do you see those past actions as mistakes?

At least it was not done out of my intention, but to please someone and the power she represents. What about you guys, want to be a fool like me?

...Please take us with you! We were arrested for refusing to cooperate with Levia.

Looks like you guys have spines. Very well, come with me.

Baphomet, please hold on.

What is it? Nightingale left. I still can't?

Miss Nightingale has asked us to provide you with supplies in case of an emergency. Please made sure to take them.

If you want to lower your chances of survival, then by all means, refuse a reasonable handout because of your own mindset.''

This annoys me. Still using this teacher's attitude after all this time... I got it. Thank you for the help you've provided.

However, I do not want to leave with a debt of gratitude. Please tell me how I can repay you.

Well... Miss Nightingale also said you might insist on returning the favor. I'd like you to assist us in our covert work.

Covert work... What do I need to do for this?

Please help us clean up the traces of magic use that have remained in the city.

Ah, you must be Miss Baphomet. The magic traces that you need to clean are there.

I just have to use more powerful non-lethal magic to cover the traces, right?

Yep, the original battle magic faded to the point it's become untraceable. This way, we can continue using this place as a base and keep it concealed.

I see, so this is how you guys hide your forces in the middle of a city.

...Is that you? We have just ten minutes. The guards on patrol will come back after that.

No need to worry. Leave the magic to me.

After this, I don't owe you God Eaters anymore.

...What a pity. Your skills are exactly the great help we lack.