Chapter 33:

Igor seemed somewhat taken aback by Ruon’s sudden proposal, but soon nodded firmly with a resolute expression.

“Very well. I suppose it’s Mother’s will that I was transferred to the Grand Church, that I happened to meet Ruon-sama in the process, and now to defeat this extraordinary demon. I’m honored to join you!”

Ruon didn’t exactly believe that it was like that, but he kept quiet. There was no need to dampen Igor’s enthusiasm.

The High Priestess, who had been directing encouraging glances towards Igor, turned her head and looked at Ruon.

“Warrior, although you may not be Tibella’s Champion, you are embarking on a journey of justice with Mother’s sword. I will assist you in any way I can, even if it’s just in a small capacity.”

Ruon found her words comforting.

The High Priestess’s help was certainly anything but ordinary.

“Since you have come a long way, I suggest you rest here in this mansion and recover. We will meet again before your departure.”

Ruon replied with gratitude.

“Thanks for your consideration. If it’s possible, I have one personal request.”

“Of course,” the High Priestess said, showing an intrigued expression as Ruon used the word ‘request.’

“If it’s possible, I would like this woman to stay here.”

His calm words startled Becky, who had been silently observing the three of them all this time.

She stammered, “Ru, Ruon, I...”

“Very well,” the High Priestess readily nodded, looking straight into Becky’s wavering brown eyes. “You possess a strong soul that remains unbroken despite your wounds. Yes, Mother’s mercy is there for beings like you.”

Touched by the warm words of the High Priestess, Becky’s eyes turned red. Igor smiled warmly and handed her a biscuit.

“Welcome, sister.”

A while later, Ruon was leaning against the head of his bed, feeling the smooth texture of the white sheets. The clean sheets, a rarity in this world, emitted a light scent of oranges and flowers, probably laundered near the garden.

As he closed his eyes, lost in the pleasant fragrance, a small knock sounded from the door.

In truth, he’d heard footsteps pacing outside the door before the knock.

“Come in.”

“...I apologize for intruding.”

Becky hesitated as she entered the room and placed some sweets on the table, speaking.

“Lauren said to give this to you.”

Ruon, who was puzzled by the unfamiliar name, quickly remembered that it was the name of the young woman he’d met at the entrance of the mansion.

Ruon smirked.

“Have you become friends?”

“We just chatted for a bit.”

“I see.”

Although he didn’t particularly like sweets, Ruon popped a biscuit into his mouth out of consideration for the person who brought it.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“I wanted to express my gratitude...”

“Don’t make a big deal out of me saying a few words.”

Becky, who was staring at Ruon’s indifferent face, spoke.

“No one has ever said such kind words to me. Stuff like ‘thank you,’ ‘are you okay,’ or ‘was that hard for you.'”

After saying that, Becky slowly added, “Ruon-nim, may I ask why you’ve helped me so much?”

Ruon remained silent at Becky’s question. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to answer, but because he hadn’t fully grasped the reason himself.

His usual nonchalant response of “just because” didn’t seem appropriate in this moment. He pondered the question for a while.

A short time passed before Ruon slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s because I know what it’s like to feel like nobody else in the world is on your side.”

Becky widened her eyes.

“Have you also had moments like that, Ruon-nim?”

Wuden, leading his creaking elderly body, made his way to the largest inn located within the territory.

He desperately hoped to find someone he could entrust this matter to. As he opened the inn’s door, he was greeted with the sight of a group of rowdy thugs, their faces flushed from alcohol, confronting a broad-shouldered man.

Next to the man stood a young fellow, seemingly part of his party, trying desperately to pacify the burly man. However, what he said was rather peculiar.

“Oh my, Ruon-sama! Please, this is not the way. At times like this, it is Mother’s will to show mercy. Calm down.”

Hearing these words, the agitated thugs shouted back.

Everyone was drunk, their tongues twisted and slurred.

“What? This little asshole won’t stop talking. You wanna die?”

“Really? Really? These brats think they can mess with us!”

“You’re hiding behind your big friend, that’s why you’re so confident, huh? Huh?”

The thugs spewed insults as they reached into their pockets, pulling out small weapons.

The giant confronted them with a stern face.

“So, when are you going to attack?”

“You bastard!”

The thug at the forefront brandished a dagger and charged forward.

Thud!

Then, with a loud thump, he collapsed onto the ground. His swollen cheek rapidly inflated as several yellowed teeth scattered on the floor.

It was just a slap, not even a punch, but the thug’s face was a mess, and his fellow gang members hesitated, stepping back. It seemed like it had sobered them up a bit.

“Hick! What, what is this?”

“Sh-sh*t. What kind of motherf***er are you?”

“Tony, get up! Are you joking? Huh?”

The giant marched toward them without hesitation.

Behind him, his companion muttered lowly while nervously twiddling his thumbs.

“Alas, Mother, I could not stop him after all...”

The situation ended almost as quickly as it started.

Before the thugs could properly respond, they were rolling on the floor, their cheeks burning in agony.

Had it not been for the vivid blood coming from the faces of the flying men, it would have seemed like a cheap comedy.

The giant, who quickly subdued the thugs, turned his head to meet the gaze of Butler Wuden, who was watching him intently.

“Do you have something to say?”

***

“Do you think this is the right place?”

In response to Ruon’s question, Igor nodded slowly.

“We won’t know for sure until we see it for ourselves, but... it’s likely to be the right place.”

‘Finally found it, huh.’

Ruon looked at the old man who introduced himself as Wuden, momentarily reminiscing about the past.

It had been a while since they had left the Grand Church, and they hadn’t accomplished much.

Igor, who would touch the Holy Sword every night and provide direction, had explained the reason for their lack of progress.

“The amount of Belducius’s power the Holy Sword has consumed isn’t yet enough for it to function as a true compass. It seems it still needs to absorb more of the demon’s power.”

The holy sword could not locate the source of Belducias, but fortunately, it could direct him to a place harboring power similar to what he had already consumed, and thus it had led them to this secluded territory.

While stopping at the inn, they got into an argument with some drunk thugs, and an old man claiming to be the Baron’s butler appeared, requesting their assistance.

They still didn’t know the identity of the woman who intruded into the Baron’s office, but if she was related to the events happening in the location the Holy Sword had pointed them toward, it was highly probable that she was somehow connected to Belducias.

Ruon turned to the butler, who was looking at him anxiously.

“We’ll take care of the matter regarding the Baron.”