CH 215

“Our organization–“

“No, no, no, wait a minute.”

“What’s wrong?”

Kelbrem opened his mouth to talk about the organization, but I stopped him and said.

“First of all, Kelbrem, you’re the mastermind behind this whole Treants fiasco, right? Are there any others?”

I was the first one to ask.

I was concerned about the organization, but I thought we should first make sure that Hugel-san and the others were safe, so I asked Kelbrem.

“Yes, I am definitely the main culprit in this matter. There is no one who would do anything more to Hugel and the others.”

I don’t know if this is true or not, but Kelbrem said with a look of realization that there was nothing he could do. I turn to Conrad and Hugel-san, and they nod. I guess it’s good to know that things are under control for now.

I nodded and turned my attention back to Kelbrem, and he said something outrageous.

“Retzel also betrayed me and left town. If he hadn’t come,…… No, the plan would have been foiled anyway ……”

“……!? W-Wait a minute!”

“Uoohhh ……!? W-What the hell ……?”

“What’s wrong, Lars?”

“What do you mean …… wait, Makina doesn’t know exactly what’s happened back then, huh …… and just now, you said Retzel, right? And why would you say that a dead man betrayed you!?”

When I grab him by the collar and get him riled up, Kelbrem rolls his eyes and opens his mouth.

“W-What are you talking about? He’s not dead, you know? There was a bandaged man named Croix who I asked to guide you, wasn’t there? That’s Retzel.”

“!?”

I see, I thought I’ve seen those eyes before, so it was because it was him ……! But still–

“I can’t believe he’s still alive after taking the Dragonic Blaze head on ……”

“Brat …… no, you’re called Lars, right? You’re even able to use such a thing …… Even without Retzel, I would have ended up like this sooner or later …… I guess I got unlucky ……”

Kelbrem is finally sinking into a state of resignation. And then Sarge comes flying in and climbs on my shoulder and says.

“I’ve never heard of him before either. I think his name came up briefly in the first year, when Ryuuze’s father and Lars’ father switched lords.”

“Yeah, it was right before I met Sarge, so it can’t be helped, actually–“

I told Sarge and Makina about the battle at the lord’s mansion six years ago. Makina was surprised because she had never heard anything but softly spoken, and Sarge listened with his eyes closed and his arms crossed.

“B-But, Croix was complete fine, you know ……?”

“No, it’s possible if it’s him.”

“What do you mean?”

Kelbrem said without hesitation that Retzel would survive. When I asked him back, he narrowed his eyes and replied.

“He’s also known within the organization as ‘Retzel the Undying’ or ‘The Grim Reaper’. He’s also a good fighter, but he’s not very strong. There are plenty of opponents who are superior to him. But he always comes back alive. That’s the kind of man Retzel is. It’s splendid that you were able to ruin his plans, but regretfully, he’s still alive.”

“That’s ridiculous ……”

–Retzel was not dead. I was shocked by that fact. The dangerous guy is still alive? How in the world did he survive …… I should’ve definitely wiped him out. That’s when I remembered the last thing he said to me.

“I’ll remember your face …… Lars-Irving ……”

At that point, he already knew he wasn’t going to die ……? But I’m sure–

“Lars, are you okay ……? You’re sweating like crazy.”

“Oh …… sorry, I was just thinking ……”

“I fought him in the Abyssal Forest. I was able to overwhelm him, but he escaped.”

“But if he ran away, does that mean he’s afraid of Lars?”

“I wonder. He did say he was interested in you.”

…… What a disgusting thing to say. However, the fact that he wasn’t dead is both a shock and a relief, and it gives me mixed feelings.

If he’s interested in me, is it for revenge ……? No, nothing like that happened this time. And even though he’s a terrible villain, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would think about revenge. As long as it’s fun, that’s all that matters, that’s how it feels.

When I was silent, Basleigh-sensei opened her mouth, letting out a sigh and scratching her head.

“Well, if he’s out of town anyway, there’s no problem. I didn’t think that the man who tormented Lars-kun and his friends would be the one to lead the subjugation of the Treants, though.”

“I didn’t know he was such a dangerous guy ……”

“I’m so glad you’re okay! Conrad-san!”

I think Basleigh-sensei is right who said it in a weird cat voice.

Regardless of his intentions, betraying Kelbrem has definitely resolved the situation. I took a deep breath and changed the subject, thinking that I shouldn’t be talking about people who aren’t here right now.

“…… So, tell me about the ‘organization’ next.”

“Y-Yeah …….”

I calmed myself down and asked about the organization. At that moment, the five of us shivered. I wonder if they would be horrified if they knew too much?

“…… Our organization is called “The Gospel’s Descent,” which may not sound familiar, but we’ve been doing some small–“

“It’s a charitable organization, isn’t it? I had a vague idea of that it’s like that.”

I have never heard of such a thing in the town of Gust. But Basleigh-sensei said it as if she knew it. The man nodded, took a gulp, and continued his story.

And they’ll be able to hear about a large organization ……

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“I wonder if Retzel is the last boss ……?”

His skill hasn’t been shown yet, though. The Founder is also suspicious.

“I wonder if he’s bald ……”

Do you have a grudge against him or something?