The date of decisive action was July 14th.
Then, what does the party have to do until then? More information was needed for Tara and Niolle to figure out what to do. Since he didn't know exactly what they were planning, the only thought that came to his mind was to reduce their numbers in advance.
So Bennett opened his mouth.
“⋯⋯Do you remember the contents of the report? The stigma that investigators said that they found?”
[⋯⋯The one that was engraved?]
Niolle omitted the phrase, ‘even on Abraham’s forehead.’ Nevertheless, it seemed like the meaning was conveyed to Tara anyway because, for a moment, her expression wavered like a candle.
“Considering the location where the stigma was engraved and the circumstances so far. I think⋯⋯They are preparing a magic circle that looks like this.”
Bennett took out a map and drew lines on it.
Then the stigma was revealed.
“⋯⋯They overlap?”[It seems too obvious to be a coincidence.]
“A huge magic circle that is being built by the Order of Silver Twilight is leaving a stigma all over the city. The Order of the Silver Twilight will use this to summon their God. So what we need to do during the preparation period is to destroy this magic circle.”
If Bennett's prediction was correct, the method by which they hid the giant magic circle would be the same as that of the Black Wizards. There were eight stigmas left in the city, one for each point. For the magic circle to stop functioning, at least 50% of it had to be damaged.
So.
“It concludes that we need to erase at least 4 stigmas here.”
Tara tilted her head as she looked at Bennett, who was pointing at a dot on the map with his finger.
"But, can the magic circle really work in this way? Aren’t you more or less insisting that it's a magic circle after just dotting several points and connecting them into lines?”
"It connects each stigma with mana. It's like drawing an invisible line over it. I have seen it work that way myself, so do not try to argue against it.”
“Where did you even see something like this before⋯⋯?”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett avoided her gaze. He made it clear that he didn't want to answer the question, so Tara obliged. Even though she pretended to be skeptical, in the end, she decided to trust him because she knew he cared about her.
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Niolle, on the other hand, was looking closely at the map.
“Did you notice something?”
[No, it’s just… Something feels weird. The shape of the stigma. Doesn't it look like a goat?]
“⋯⋯How?”
[Here, this part is the eyes.]
Niolle drew lines on the whiteboard.
A poorly drawn image of a goat. Tara bursted out in admiration.
“⋯⋯You're really bad at drawing, huh?”
“What? No, she must have drawn it hastily since we do not have much time. Either way, she got the point across, didn’t she?”
[⋯⋯I tried my best to draw it, you know?!]
Niolle seemed embarrassed and erased the goat drawing with her sleeves. Bennett was still bothered by the image of the goat though, so he searched through his memories. He felt like he definitely heard something about it before.
It was an unpleasant memory to reminisce, but. When Abraham was sacrificed, the words that were written in blood said the following:
‘As we have been given a flawed female goat, we are naturally grateful, thus offering this to you.’
He didn't think any of this was a coincidence, so Bennett asked Niolle. If the symbol of the stigma and the magic circle really symbolized a goat, it would have an important magical meaning.
“Is the goat a symbol of the existence known as the Viceroy?”
[No. But it’s indirectly related to him. Amongst other Outer Gods, there is one called 'The Black Goat Who Birthed Madness', and she is believed to be the wife of the Viceroy.]
“Wife⋯⋯?”
“So she wouldn’t be a normal God either. Her name is sinister too⋯⋯, Since she’s his wife, does that mean that she has children with the Viceroy?”
[Yes. As an example, there are the Decaying Twin Gods, and they⋯⋯.]
As Niolle was about to write down her long list of knowledge about the dreadful and blasphemous being, Bennett stopped her with his hand. He didn't think hearing about it would be quite enjoyable to hear, nor helpful.
Of course, Niolle had no problem with continuing to move her hands, but it was enough to make Niolle get the message 'Niolle, you can stop explaining.'
Bennett's strong pose determined the party's course of action.
First of all, he was thinking about destroying the magic circle by erasing the stigmas engraved throughout the city. Because even if they succeeded in annihilating the entire Order of the Silver Twilight, the moment the Evil God's descent succeeds, it would be their defeat anyway.
And using that descent as a bridgehead, the Evil God might invade their world as well. It was necessary to stop it first.
Abraham's research papers were stored in a secret safe house. If they were able to calculate the Alpha value, it would become a powerful weapon that could unsummon the Outer God, but if they blocked the descent itself in the first place, there would be no use for it.
Therefore, Bennett's opinion was that they should prioritize destroying the magic circle rather than trying to analyze the research papers.
Tara saw Bennet planning and teased him for no reason.
“I think someone once said that there’s no need to care so much about this world, right? That it's a different world which isn’t even ours?“
"⋯⋯I have my reasons.”
“Then let’s hear them.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett clamped his mouth shut like a clam.
He still couldn't make up his mind. Whether to reveal his identity or not, between the two alternatives. Without being able to clearly choose a side.
“Then where should we start?”
[I think it would be good to start with the stigma in Carter Street. There is no reason not to go for the one that is right in front of us first.]
They didn't ask. They subtly probed him, but they never actually tried to go in too deep. Maybe his identity was already exposed under suspicion. Or, maybe they didn't need to know anything more because they already figured out that he was their enemy.
But when he looked into their eyes…
“Why are you zoning out? Bennett. Isn't this a plan that you made?”
[Let's do our best and make it work.]
Pure goodwill.
He was able to tell that this lukewarm silence was also a consideration for him. Strangely, Bennett's concerns only grew.
This situation, where the group trusted him without asking questions, was the best. There was no risk, only return. It was enough for the situation to continue like this.
However, the feeling that he needed to talk about himself was growing stronger and stronger.
===============================================================
※July 10th.
“What about the fanatics that watch over?”
[They were eaten with a spell.]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Removal of stigma from the back alley of Carter Street completed.
※July 11th.
“I told you to use some Defense Magic!”
"⋯⋯Agh, I said I don’t want to!"
Ambushed by the fanatics disguised as ordinary citizens in a crowded apartment complex. After fighting for about an hour, the battle was won. Tara had an injury, a twisted right ankle. Bennett lifted Tara and carried her on his back.
“Stop wiggling your body so much.”
“It’s because it’s uncomfortable, okay? I’m trying to get into a more comfortable position.”
“You’re making me extremely uncomfortable instead⋯⋯!"
Removal of stigma from the apartment complex completed.
※July 12th.
“⋯⋯Ever since I’ve been more exposed, it feels like fanatics’ attacks are missing more often”
[What?]
“Wait, I’m not trying to mean anything weird. It’s just when I was fighting earlier, the clothes on my chest were torn. Then, the fanatics’ eyes kept⋯⋯heading to a different direction even though my fist was flying right in front of them. Should I show my cleavage a bit more⋯⋯?"
[Wouldn’t it be safer to just block with a Divine Spell⋯⋯?]
Then came the verbal abuse by Bennett, who was passing by.
“At that point, you should just fight naked instead.”
"⋯⋯Shut up, Bennett!”
Removal of the stigma from the Miskatonic University completed.
===============================================================
July 13th.
The slums seemed to be deeply influenced by the Order of the Silver Twilight, and the level of difficulty was about two levels higher compared to other areas. There were too many enemies and the way was so complicated that even finding the location of the stigma wasn’t that easy.
The group continued on their search little by little as they steadily reduced their numbers using the hit-and-run strategy.
Since they were the ones attacking, Tara's outfit was a huge help. After all, just by walking, she was able to attract aggro like the Pied Piper.
After fighting again and reducing their numbers, the group hid in a nearby building for a quick break.
A tilted cross and chairs that were mostly broken. A room made of wood with no traces of anyone touching it, in the middle of chaos where traces of looting where everything valuable had been taken away.
[It seems like it’s a religious facility, right?]
“It seems like it.”
“Oh, isn’t that⋯⋯ a confessional? It looks a little different.”
Tara pointed at the most intact thing in the abandoned church. A small room made of wood with two doors on each side. A place to confess your sins to God and receive forgiveness.
Tara said as she lightly pushed Bennett on the back.
“Hey, Bemmett. Go in.”
“What?”
“Stop frowning all day and just come in. I’ll give you a confession. Niolle, come here too.”
[Yes.]
Tara and Niolle held hands and entered the priest's room in the confessional. Bennett hesitated, then he opened the door and stepped into the confessional.
It was a small room with only a space for one person to sit. If you sit on a chair and look ahead, there is a hole, which is covered by a thick curtain. It was Bennett's first time going into a confessional.
A silence. In a room so quiet that you could hear your heartbeat, even the smallest sounds could be heard clearly. The sound of clothes rustling was heard from the other side of the curtain. The sound of small laughter too.
Then, a white hand came out under the curtain. Along with a bright clear voice.
“Guess whose hand this is?”
"⋯⋯Niolle’s. Is this how the confessional usually works? I heard there is a rule that priests are not allowed to tell others what they heard.”
“Niolle is also a priest too. I appointed her with the authority of the Saintess just a moment ago.”
The hand that came out gave a thumbs up.
The Saintess spoke from the other side of the curtain.
“Give me your hand.”
“⋯⋯Why?”
“You need to listen to Niolle’s words too. Priest Niolle will write kind words on your palm.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
As Bennett hesitated with his hands on the table, Tara's hand came out, quickly grabbed Bennett's hand, and dragged it in. And after a while…
Niolle's soft fingers tickled Bennett's palm as she wrote her words. Meanwhile, Tara played with Bennett's index finger by folding and unfolding it.
[Can you hear me?]
"⋯⋯Yes. I can hear you. And stop playing with my hand, Tara.”
“The calluses feel weird. Niolle, do you wanna try touching it too?”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett swiped down his face with his remaining left hand that didn’t get taken away. It felt like he was heating up. After all, he was young too. A situation where girls played with his hand was both embarrassing and tickling.
While Tara was playing with Bennett's thumb, she suddenly spoke out.
“Now, say whatever you want to say.”
“What do you mean by that, all of a sudden?”
“70% of Saintess’s work is counseling. So many people want to receive forgiveness for their sins by making donations. And judging from your face, it looked like you were going to visit and hand me a wad of money.”
[Your expressions looked like you had a lot that you wanted to talk about.]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
He was confident in managing his facial expressions. It was inevitable that he would be caught by Niolle, who had a monstrous insight, but if he was caught by Tara… That probably meant that his expression had failed to be maintained.
Perhaps, his anxiety and nervousness had been relieved.
What if it was before they started getting to know each other? If that were the case, this current situation would’ve been very dangerous. After all, if she raised her dagger from behind the curtain and struck it, Bennett's right hand would have been cut off already.
The affection built up further and further. Thus, after seeing both of their laughter and cries, he had truly warmed up to them in spite of himself.
If so, his fear grew even greater. What if this relationship fell apart because he told them he was a Black Wizard?
"⋯⋯Ha."
“Are you not going to talk?”
“No, I will. If that is your wish.”
“Such bravado, even until the end⋯⋯ Hey, it doesn’t matter whether I hear about it or not, you know?”
Slap Slap. Tara slapped Bennett's hand. It must have looked fun, as Niolle also gave it a light slap.
Bennett burst out laughing and thought for a moment. Then, he spat it out.
“I am a Black Wizard. One who was sent to bring down the Academy.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯Eung?!”
His heart was pounding with fear and anxiety. However, he truly wished to say it. He wanted to be accepted. Perhaps, he also desired to confide in someone.
“It will not be a long story. The happy days of the past that I wish to talk about have occurred so long ago that I have forgotten them.”
He calmly testified about his life.
===============================================================
#0: Bennett’s Reminiscence
Think of the simplest type of cabin you can make out of logs. Also, think of dozens of such cabins gathered sporadically.
And if you plant a forest full of vines next to it, you have successfully thought of my hometown.
I lived with my sister in a village near a forest established by hunters. My parents were hunters too, good people, but gone too soon. I remember that they were killed by an ogre that crawled out at the edge of the forest.
I survived by hunting rabbits or small birds using the skills I learned from my parents. If I missed a day of hunting, I would starve, but I was able to endure as long as I was with my sister.
If the hunted meat wasn't enough for both of us, I fed all of it to my younger sister, until she was full. I knew I had to prioritize nutritional supplementation for the one who was actually hunting, but I couldn't do that⋯⋯. I just couldn't.
I felt full when my sister was full. I somehow hoped that my younger sister could live as happily as possible. After all, that is what I learned from my parents. Family is an existence, a concept, that protects and helps each other.
I learned that each other's lives will become richer and overflowing with joy if I devote myself to her and she devotes herself to me. It was like that in reality too. I was truly happy.
Then one day, there was a cold winter. Yes. It was indeed that day. It was a year when many people froze to death. My sister had a lung disease and I had to earn money in the winter, even when there were no animals to hunt.
I left my sister under the care of the village healer, who was also an alchemist. He said he would make a cure for me if I brought him enough silver coins to fill up a bag.
I searched through the snow-covered mountains to find hibernating animals. I sent all the money I earned to the alchemist. Sometimes, I thought about paying a visit to check on my sister. But I had to make even just one coin more in an hour, so I held myself back.
After all, it felt like if the treatment was delayed, something tragic would happen.
When I finally paid all the amount the alchemist had demanded and went to his house… The alchemist said that my sister died the night before because her lung disease worsened. He said he burned the body in case it spread the disease and that he would return half of the money I gave him.
I could feel it deep in my bones. That the alchemist was lying.
I carved his eyeballs out and cut his left arm in half. Only then did he confess. He sold my sister a long time ago. I ended up tracking down the slave trader to get my sister back.
As for the alchemist? Of course, I killed him.
I tracked them down one by one; I killed the merchant, the coachman, and anybody that was involved. At the end of the chase, there was a Black Wizard who had reached Metamorphosis.
He wasn't someone I could even lay a single finger on. I was defeated and caught. He spoke as he was burning half of my face with a torch. Saying that my sister will be used as the body of some great Black Wizard.
My sister was lying on the large altar with her eyes closed. No matter how many times I shouted her name out, she didn’t wake up. When the Black Wizard used his magic, dark green light spread throughout the room.
When my sister opened her eyes, I realized that she was no longer my sister. The 『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』 had taken over my sister’s body.
I think I almost went insane, spewing out hatred.
She listened quietly to my resentment and then proposed a deal. She said that if I helped her with her plan, she would return my sister's body. That is how I became a Black Wizard. And thus, I lived for their secret, desperate wish.
『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』 was trying to cast a magic called 『Nightmare Summon』 by using negative emotions from the Academy as nourishment. And what she is trying to summon is the Evil God of this world.
A huge magic circle drawn with symbols as the main axis, the uncontrollable actions of the Crazy Wizard⋯⋯ Everything points to the fact that if we fail to prevent the descent of the Evil God here…
The Evil God might descend upon the Academy.
This is the story I wished to tell you about.
===============================================================
[So, the reason why you were chasing after the wizard… The reason why you joined the class with us was to⋯⋯.]
“I was planning to sabotage you in the middle. After all, a fight for the throne would bring great chaos to the Academy.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett silently closed his eyes. Like a culprit waiting for judgment.
Tara placed her hand on Bennett's and squeezed it lightly. And in a voice that was not all that different from usual…
“Hey, you didn’t use someone else’s soul or anything, right?”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“When Black Wizards use someone else’s soul, the remnants remain, so their own soul becomes tainted little by little. That’s why⋯⋯ Their soul feels like rags. But you’re clean.”
"⋯⋯You can see thing like that as well?”
“Only if I stay together with someone long enough.”
Tara wrapped Bennett's hand with both hands. She tapped the back of his hand. After closing her eyes and gathering her thoughts for a moment… She spoke carefully.
“You most likely killed people for the Black Wizards, right?”
"⋯⋯I did.”
“But what I think is that... You⋯⋯ would’ve avoided it in any way possible if you could’ve. Pulling up excuses like ‘It is more efficient to not kill’ or something. Am I wrong?”
“You are wrong.”
“Nope, I think I’m right.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
While Bennett was frozen in a daze, Saintess Tara pronounced her verdict.
“The sin of the poor young man who strived to save his sister⋯⋯shall be redeemed by saving the world. Understood?”
“What an absurd condition for a pardon⋯⋯ Aren’t you, by any chance, suspicious of me?”
[We've been watching you, Bennett, for quite some time now. You’ve worked hard. Even until now.]
Niolle's hand was placed on top of Bennett's hand too. The warmth felt from their folded hands seemed to melt the long winter.
“Let’s just go with the story of you being a double agent, Bennett. With the Saintess herself covering for you like this, you won’t get caught by the Heretic Inquisitors.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“With this, the debt from the dungeon is paid off. Okay?”
Tara released his hands and came out of the confessional. Just as Bennett had helped Abraham back then, she wanted to help him this time. She didn't think what he did, given that his family was held hostage, was all that big of a sin.
Her only concern at the moment was losing her Divine Power. If it continued like this, she would lose her position as a Saintess, thus being unable to cover for Bennett. If so, did they perhaps need to run away together, hand in hand?
Niolle also came out and stood next to her. And then, they quietly waited for Bennett. After about 5 minutes, he came out with a clean face.
“Did you cry?”
“I am not a crybaby like you.”
“I think he cried. Niolle, what do you think?”
[I’ll keep it a secret for Bennett’s sake!]
Isn’t that a response of itself? Bennett complained internally. Then, he placed his hand on the handle of the longsword and walked forward half a step faster than them.
“We haven’t erased the stigma just yet. We need to hurry.”
“You’re ignoring us because you’re embarrassed. Anyways, Niolle, shall we go?”
[Yes.]
After the confession, it seemed that something about their minds had changed. The party felt more in sync. If they could completely entrust their backs to each other, the range of their tactics would greatly expand.
Though they sustained minor injuries, the party was able to remove the stigma after finding it in a public laundromat in the slums.
Removal of stigma from the slums completed.
===============================================================
And then── July 14th.
Isaac now faced her birthday.
***
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