68. Closing a Deal

Apart from the incident with Vivi, the rest of the journey went rather smoothly... It seems that there aren't even any blockades in the city.

Inquisition attacked'', ''Priests injured'', such reports are damaging to the Church. They wouldn't want to needlessly expose them to the public, either.

In short, along with the members who were taken away, everyone has returned to our turf in one piece. This is a cause for celebration.

I'll be responsible for sending the others to various hiding spots to rest. Gryph, you'll return to Guinevere's with Teslovik's people.

Yes, we do have a score to settle.

Welcome back, and thanks for all your hard work. Looking at your faces, you must have had your share of thrills this time.

Let me report the results to you first.

That is all. We probably caught the Church off-guard, as they didn't send in any high-end force other than Vivi. But the Inquisition shouldn't recover for a little while.

Got it, thank you, Gryph. And our Teslovik allies?

As per the treaty, the [Relic Component] I have in my possession will be given to you all as payment.

Given that it will start with a large magic fluctuation, I don't recommend starting it now. But with myself as collateral, I guarantee that this is the genuine article.

We believe you. Well, that's us then. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and the God Eaters from here on out.

Geez, why's Sova in such a hurry to go back? Isn't that a bit rude? Besides, we don't even have a ride out of here yet, right?

No, I understand. Everyone's going to be busy for a while, and I won't try and keep them. Gryph?

...Here, take these blank tickets. Our cooperation may have been brief, but I must acknowledge your strength. If we meet in battle one day, I won't hold back.

Thanks, Captain. I didn't expect this mission to be so taxing... Still, learning more about the situation within the Empire is compensation enough.

In short, our mission here is complete. We'll leave tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. We should think about how we'll report to Fenriru after we get back...

...Tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Tomorrow what?

If I've guessed correctly, The God Eaters will reschedule their public sermon to tomorrow.

It will take the Church a day at most to catch their breath after tonight's incident. Tomorrow will be the best time to take advantage of the situation.

And as Guinevere said, ''Everyone's going to be busy for a while.'' The intention here is clear.

I see, but... what does that have to do with us? We finished our commission, there's no need for us to keep getting involved in others' national affairs.

No, I... I want to stay for one more day. You guys can head back first.

Huh? Why?

I have a feeling that, without an understanding of tomorrow's events, we'll likely have trouble judging the subsequent situation in the Empire.

...

Must I remind you that these feelings of yours make as much sense as vodka with less than 40% ABV?

That's right! Captain, I know you're sensitive to a lot of things, but this isn't the time to stress over the small details.

I've got it! How about this...

Hey, did you guys hear?

What? Did you hear some utter nonsense again? Why should we believe you this time?

Because I witnessed this scoop with my own eyes! You know the ''God Eaters''?

...That rebel group that's secretly fighting against the Church? Did something awful happen?

Heh, they've really got guts. A notice was posted at the entrance to our residential area saying that the first public sermon will be held this morning, and everyone's invited to join in the main square.

Huh?! B-but isn't that...

That's right, it's the Church's base camp, Dead ahead of the cathedral. This counts as direct provocation, right? Awesome, nothing this big's happened in a while!

...

So, they've decided to act early... What do you all think?

What else can we do? ...If anything happens, we'll have you willful jerks to blame.

I'm sorry, I've made you guys take an unnecessary risk with me.

Yesterday I was only worried about compromising our original mission. Since Snezhana's addressed our concerns, there's nothing for me to oppose, and I'm interested in today's changes to the Empire.

Hehehe, this is the underground transport line that the intelligence brokers are so proud of! The relic parts will exchange hands many times until they reach Fenriru in a disguised form!

...What makes me the angriest is that Fenriru agreed to let an idiot like you stay and continue the investigation. But forget it, there's nothing I can say now that will help.

Captain, we're going to the site of the sermon next, right? Since we've decided to do this, we should be quick about it.

What a crowd, way more people turned up than I expected... Are they all civilians that came to hear the sermon?

Not all of them. Based on those shady robes and trench coats, I have reason to suspect that quite a few people are concealing their identities.

The magic fluctuations here are also exceeding the common range. Whether it's patrolling priests or civilians, anyone could be carrying tons of weapons and magic items.

Let's see how Guinevere and them make their debut... Awakener, if we end up having to fight later, which side should we help?

...If a fight breaks out, prioritize protecting innocent people without the ability to fight.

Whoaaa! Wh-what's this?!

No one present may make a single move, or else they'll be deemed a heretic!

Wha, ?! Dammit! I'm not just going to sit here and wait to be captured!

Everyone, be sure to protect yourselves.

What's this light-like barrier?

...A wide-range sealing barrier? At this rate, the square has been turned into a remote island, with no one able to get in or out.

No wonder all those notices were circulating everywhere. The goal was to lure members of the God Eaters to one place and trap them, like bugs in a jar.

There was no magic array here to activate the barrier a few days ago... Looks like after what happened last night, Guinevere and them weren't the only ones to make quick judgments.

People of the Empire, don't panic! This is a trap prepared by Her Holiness to arrest heretics. As long as our God is in your heart, there's no need to resist the priests or fear danger!

You villains who call yourselves God Eaters! You are charged with the crimes of unlawful assembly and subversion of doctrine. If you give up now and submit to arrest, you may be dealt with leniently!

(Will the God Eaters really be cornered so directly? All before the sermon even starts...?)

Really? But I don't believe I'm a criminal who should be arrested.