63. A New Deal

, Lady Guinevere, something's up! The Inquisition took our people!

Calm down, Gryph... Can you explain the situation, Nightingale?

Our soldiers were practicing magic outside the city. The Inquisition detected magical energy in the air and traced it back to them.

They didn't reveal their identities, but they were still arrested for using non-standard magic forbidden to people outside the Church.

How did you learn about this?

Miss Audrey's informant. Damn it! I wish I was there!

The Inquisition closes its gate and activates its defenses at midnight. That leaves us less than three hours to get them out.

Lady Guinevere, please give the order to attack the Inquisition and bring our comrades back!

...No. We can't launch an open attack on the Church just yet, it will give them a justifiable reason to start a crusade against the God Eaters.

But!

I'm not saying we shouldn't rescue our comrades, but we need to do it more subtly. Nightingale, care to weigh in?

...There are several secret passages leading into the Inquisition. If we can find a way to distract the guards, I can sneak in. But we have to go in as a small team, no more than five people including myself.

And the team should be made up of veteran combatants, right? Besides me, is anyone else available for an immediate operation?

What about you Teslovikers? Can you guys help?

Breaking into the Inquisition of the Church? That's not what we signed up for. We were only hired to ''protect your safety.''

And even if you force your way into that place, we will not do anything to help. Teslovik may not be what it used to be, but we're not stupid.

You...!

I agree with Sova. Business is business. It's not like we're chums all of a sudden. So why would we risk our lives for you?

...They all made it very clear. Teslovik is not a charity.

Yeah, you're right. I apologize for my imprudence.

But... if the price is right, you'll still join this operation, right?

Do you mean to say you have the second relic?

Unfortunately, no. But I can temporarily modify the one in my hand.

Are you going to...

Yes. If you're willing to be part of tonight's rescue operation, the relic in my hand will be yours when it's over. Of course, you will no longer be needed at the sermon later.

Who's going to protect you at the sermon, Lady Guinevere?!

We'll figure something out, Gryph. It's our problem, we'll solve it ourselves. So, Teslovikers, do we have a deal?

...Technically, that makes things easier for us. Plus, we get paid upfront, which is good for morale. Awakener, I'll let you make the call on this one.

Fine, we're in.

Me and the four Teslovikers will sneak in. Gryph and the armed personnel will create a diversion along the other route to distract the Inquisition guards.

The only window of opportunity is when they change shifts. That's our only chance to slip in.

Who would have thought that Nightingale, a former choir leader, would know the Inquisition like the back of her hand.

Fine, I'll come clean. I used to be a member of the Inquisition cadre. I didn't tell you this sooner because I didn't want it to bother you.

Anyway, I know everything about them, from the way they handle emergencies to the layout of the Inquisition. Just follow me and you'll be fine.

There are explosions in the city! Hey, you, let's go check it out!

But the gate will be left unguarded...

The auto-lock will kick in in two minutes! Plus, it's almost midnight, the defenses and recon system will activate soon. It'll be fine!

...Good. They're gone. Let's move!

The cage for holding and interrogating prisoners is ahead of us. The people we're looking for are kept there. Whatever you see next, do not panic.

We're going to see something we're not supposed to?

...You're going to see the irredeemable sin we committed.

You lunatics, let me out! I've done nothing wrong! Why did you put me in prison!?

Hey, give it a rest! Questioning the Church's rules is what landed us here in the first place, so zip it!

Well, if the Inquisition wants to arrest you, all they need to do is brand you as a ''blasphemer'' or ''Church skeptic''...

Hey, quiet down there, you faithless swine! You should be thankful the Church hasn't hung you yet. Go repent!

Is this how the Church treats its people? Let me...

Don't do anything rash. The Inquisitor will keep them alive as long as they don't resist the punishment.

How can you expect me to stand by and watch such cruelty?!

...Fine, if we're going to intervene, let's be quick about it.

Who are you... damn it...

No sign of our comrades here. Okay, let's get out of here and move on to the next location.