Chapter 77: In the Name of Honor (11)

Chapter 77: In the Name of Honor (11)

When he opened his eyes in the game, he was right back in the situation that had been going on when he logged off.

The Reedflow Academy mages and wolf hybrid had gathered around Notum to listen to her story. And the old dark mage that was crouched under the table playing with something that looked like black shadow-like matter.

[ You got it? Take them to a quiet place and shoot him. ]

Looking at the dark mage, he remembered what Ian had said outside.

Mmm. A dark mage. A dark mage I do need to confirm with them. If they are actually connected to the mutes side, then he could continuously leak our information.

Professor glanced at the old man that was hunched over in the shadows. Most of the water-type mages here were commoners, and Mage Ottman was a kind person to begin with, so they werent showing much hostility towards the wolf hybrid and troll, but that did not mean they were able to approach them easily either. It takes time for strangers to get to know each other, but the people here have completely different jobs, are different races, and even have different reasons for being here. They dont have anything in common.

Taking one step back, the distance between one another was clear. The water mages were one group, Notum and Borka another, and the dark mage who was all alone was another. This wont do. If we have to do something together, then everyone at least needs to be at the point where they can greet each other.

Hm. There is something just right to break this awkward atmosphere. There isnt anyone from the church here, so I probably need to do it.

Clap clap clap!

After organizing his thoughts, Professor clapped to attract everyones attention, then pulled out the chairs from the table the dark mage was hiding under.

Everyone! Can you all come to gather over there?

Rustle, rustle.

Trudge trudge.

They were a little hesitant, but most of them followed. It wasnt that Professor had an especially strong leadership or anything. The situation just made it that way.

The people in this place were all forced to be here. It looks like the church didnt tell them anything when they were put here, so theyre all probably frustrated and nervous. If I act up here and pretend I know something they will at least come listen to see what I have to say.

Watching the people gathering, Professor organized his thoughts. Starting now, he was going to shock the people here just a bit.

Gwruh- Five, six chairs. Notum sit.

Huh? Nno. You can just sit on the floor.

Gwuh.

The fact that Notum listened to him also played a part in the others taking action. The Reedflow Academy mages, who had a positive impression of Professor as the same water-type mage, followed behind, and the werewolf Borka begrudgingly trailed behind and sat at the table.

Of course, there was an exception as well. The dark mage who was still hiding under the table was that case.

Hmph! I dont have any reason to listen to

Youre fine where you are. I really cant force you out of there if you cant bear the light. I gathered everyone here on purpose so you can listen too, so just stay there. Right, do you want something to cover yourself up?

Professor rummaged around his inventory and took out the large sack he used to use instead of a bag. : Dirty Count Mandalius's Curtain : Curtain from the count's house. It's tough and durable. It is incredibly dirty, stained with dust and blood.]

Mmm. I should have washed this beforehand if I knew this would happen. Is this just going to make him angrier?

When he held out the cloth with a little uneasiness, the old man brightened up, snatched it from his hands, and put it over his head, almost making his worry feel foolish. Even though he was covering himself with a dirty rag that stenches, the old man let out a satisfied sigh with no sign of discomfort.

Mmmm. Thats much better. Thank you, young one.

Its no problem. As a sort of mage myself, I can sort of understand your situation here.

Tobrune is overflowing with low-rank magic items, and the Lights Order is as wealthy as the power of their influence. Its been hours since the sun had set, but the place was almost too bright to bear due to the magic bulbs around the room.

An incredibly bright environment. The dark mage, who had said something about dark mana or something, and his irritated and alert reaction.

A water mage would have a similar reaction if they were put in a desert. Theres a culture among mages where they make their environment similar to the element they use. In that sense, the robes from the church are imbued with a little bit of the Lights Orders holy power, so they emit a faint glow by themselves. The old man over there probably couldnt bear that and took it off and crawled under the table where there was at least a little less light.

In that sense, the curtain that was made of a thick and durable cloth was the ideal hiding place for the man. With the cloth covering his entire body, the dark mage pushed out an empty chair from under the table to show their intention to participate.

Good. For now, we made a situation where everyone could talk.

Once everyone sat down, Professor stood up and opened his mouth.

Now. Now, since everyones here, Ill start the explanation. First of all, lets start with introductions. My name is Professor. Like everyone else, I was dragged here by the church, and unlike you all, I have been given the role of commander of this prisoner group.

Looking around at the people around him, Professor dropped the formalities he had been using. A clearly intentional change of mood. The moment he started talking, the air in the room, which had primarily been curiosity, instantly changed to discomfort.

Ill need to tell them the reality first.

The planning he had done outside. The imbalance of the troops or the supply issue was under the assumption that these people would seriously invest themselves into this mission. But thinking about it, that was impossible. Everyone was forced to be here in the first place, and if their lives are somehow threatened during the mission,

Theyll definitely escape. No, they dont even need to go that far. All they have to do is get a little far from Tobrune, and everyone can just go about their own ways.

The absence of a purpose. That was the biggest problem and the first task he needed to complete.

I would prefer talking to them one-on-one and giving them a detailed explanation, but there isnt time to do that.

Ahem! By commander, do you mean that you will order us around?

Yes. To be exact, I have the authority to rate the actions and attitudes of the people who were captured under the suspicion of treason against the church and dispose of them if they are not compliant with the mission.

Bby dispose of, you mean

It means returning to where we are supposed to be. Not the bright and pleasant housing on the surface, but the underground prison where youll listen to Ro Harams ringing until your brain melts down.

Whooosh

Damn, thats cold.

The slightly uncomfortable atmosphere now turned out right frigid. That was only natural. Some random guy just waltzed up to them and suddenly announced that they needed to listen to them or else theyll be executed. Itd be a bigger problem if everyone were all bright and happy after hearing that.

This was where he needed to start his highly delicate emotional control. Licking his dry lips, Professor continued talking regardless of the cold stares.

Dont you think its odd? I dont know about anything else, but the fact that the church that immediately executes anything even remotely connected to dark mages took mages that had direct contact with the Crimson Mute, a werewolf and troll that they dont even think are human, and even a literal dark mage and just locked them up in a house. It doesnt make any sense. Although all of you are keeping quiet right now, Im sure everyone has thought about it, why are these guys doing this, why am I still alive, and well, here. About how its different from the rumors.

Ghhhh, ughhhhh.

Oh, youre pretty sturdy. Those are great basics you got there. Plus one point. Try working on your skills a little more, though.

Professor lightly smiled at Bokra, who had passed out on the stone floor that had been shattered to pieces.

Ah, thats refreshing!

The stuffiness he had been feeling disappeared after moving his body for the first time in a while.

Ghhhhhgh, urghhh

After seeing Borka squirming around not long after losing consciousness, Professor gave him a bright smile.

Werewolf! Youre seriously tough! Now, then. That isnt your full power, right? Wanna start round 2?

Grrrgrrrrrrrrrgh! I will never become the slave of a human even if I die!!!!!!

Rough tufts of fur grew out of Borkas bloodied face, and his mouth grew out into a long snout, sharp teeth filling up this entire mouth.

Awoooooooo!!!!

He had now grown to a similar height to Professor, with muscles much more toned and firmer than before. And at the fingertips were razor-sharp claws that now grew to the size of kitchen knives.

[Woah. Those were inside his fingers? They look even bigger than his fingers, though?]

They didnt come out of them. They probably grew out as a part of the werewolf transformation.

Chck!

Observing the true form of a werewolf, Professor spoke in a calm tone, as if this wasnt his problem at all.

Youre going to wake up all of the neighbors if you cry out that loud. You know how the Lights Order priests stay up late into the night to pray, right? The paladins will come here in a moment to kill you.

Grrrrr, it doesnt matter. I was already dead the moment I was captured. I might as well kill the warrior thats supposedly the hope of the humans if Im going to die anyway

Mmm. Looking at his attitude, he really sounds like he gave up on his life.

What do I do? He needs to hesitate somewhere for me to dig in.

Ah, Dalia, Tushan, Marka Wait for me. I will be there soon

Ding!

Just as Professor was grinding the gears in his head to the point it could be audible, something that sounded like Borkas last will drifted into his ears.

Dalia, Tushan, Marka? Those are names used in the south. He said hes going to go meet them just before he dies?

Spt

Pow!

Ahh!

Borka charged in, not giving him a moment to think. It was a speed incomparable to when he was in human form. After barely dodging an attack to the head by turning around and seeing a few flecks of his hair cut off by the razor-sharp claws, Professor started to blurt out any word he could think of.

Revenge!

Shhhk!

Claws few towards him instead of an answer.

Damn it! Is it not revenge? Then

A wish from the clan! Is the Lycanthropes relic in Rodrick...!

Seeing that you arent shutting up even at the brink of death, Ill need to cut off that tongue of yours to make you quiet!

Shhk

Shlck!

Aghhhh! S***! My hand! Wwhat do I do? Do I just beat him up? But itll be forever bye-bye with this guy if I use my strength here! Ughhhhh I cant lose my only normal troop like this. not like this.!

And in that moment, in the mind of Professor, who had been covered in blood from dodging Borkas attacks, an old clich popped into his head like a lightbulb.

Kkidnapping!

Flinch!

To the word that Professor screamed out, Borka stopped his attack for a split second. And seeing that reaction, Professor cheered internally.

Lets go! It was that! Damn it, why didnt I think of that? A sub-race that had suddenly come out into the city on his own! And if that place happens to be the center of racism, Rodrick, then it obviously has something to do with slaves!

Finally finding the place to attack, Professor let out a sinister laugh and continued to dig into his wavering heart.

I see. So, it is kidnapping. A child of the clan, or perhaps family, had been kidnapped by someone like a slave merchant. Did you come to find them? And did you get caught by the church while wandering through the cities like that?

Its too late. I failed, and I will soon join them

Are you really going to give up like this? Are you going to let go of everything and go back alone to the great spirit back home? Then the children that had been kidnapped are going to be slaves for the rest of their lives.

Grrrrrrr How dare you say that with a humans mouth!!!

Looking at the werewolfs eyes glow bright yellow from anger, Professor cheered internally once again.

Yes! Thats it! Fuel that anger! Think about it! If you die here, those kidnapped children have no hope or future! You cant die like this, Borka!

Ignite flames of anger on dying embers of will, and apply a collar called responsibility so they cannot give up.

Ill make sure that youll be begging me to please go on the churchs mission!

Looking at Borka, who was now approaching him with an electrifyingly fierce fury in his eyes, Professor let out an even more sinister laugh.