CH 98

The joint team heads for the dungeon in the shortest distance. The group belonging to the church walked in the front, and the adventurers walked behind them. Sophie and I were in between them.

We had already been given the general route, so there was no need for us to lead the way. It’s a simple matter of answering questions when asked.

Since the goblins had just been wiped out, the forest was safe and we didn’t need to be as careful as before. I had a lot of time on my hands, so I naturally remembered what I had said yesterday.

If what I had heard last night was true, I would have to be careful of Alma and the others walking in front of me.

When I heard the story from Regina, I was relieved to hear that it was the Papal faction and that Zelma would be able to control them, but it was not that simple. If the cardinals, her political rivals, saw value in her and wanted to protect and house arrest her, the Pope would want to eliminate her(Sophie) as soon as possible.

The reason why he doesn’t take direct action is probably because of the risk that rumors will spread that he killed Sophie. The fact that the Pope broke off his engagement to Sophie and kicked her out of the house is fatal even if there is no evidence. If the story of his killing Sophie, who is immensely popular among the commoners and lower clergy, spreads, he will be kicked out with the cardinal’s influence. That’s why they couldn’t get their hands on her until now.

However, it’s different if it’s in a lawless dungeon.

There are many ways to kill them indirectly, just like how I had the monster dispose Christo. And even if you do it directly, it’s easy to make it look like an accident. There are plenty of opportunities for an assassination. The reason why Regina instructed us to go together was probably to tell me to protect Sophie like a Knight.

If she had asked me directly, I would have noticed it earlier, but noblemen are really troublesome creatures. But I can’t complain because I got the chance to help her thanks to her preparations.

I looked at Sophie’s profile.

She seemed to be smiling, but on the contrary, she also seemed to be sad. I can’t read what she’s thinking, apart from Roy.

“I see the dungeon! Everyone, enter formation!”

The church knight drew his sword and raised it to the sky as Alma took the lead in giving the order. The blade with the Holy inscriptions, reflected the sunlight and shimmered.

“Today, the first step will be to eradicate the fucking undead! Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the Dungeon Master! We will return this land to the hands of human!”

At the words of encouragement, the church knights let out an emotional yell, seemingly consumed by Alma’s madness, but underneath her helmet, it was hard to tell what she was thinking. The adventurers looked at her with cold eyes.

Before entering the dungeon area, Alma looked at Sophie. It must have a meaning as “Follow me”.

“Let’s go together.”

After seeing Sophie nod at my words, I spoke to Roy.

“If you go straight ahead, you will find a big hole, and bellow it there is a ruined city.”

“Then, let’s all walk together. It will be easier if we leave the monsters to the more energetic ones.”

It’s a decision that is typical of adventurers, who take profit over honor.

The adventurers that Roy seems to have chosen also seem to be convinced, and they seem to have chosen to conserve their strength until they reach their destination.