The sound of horses marching alongside the blowing trumpets could be heard. The people on the street cleared a path. And, as I instructed, both me and Rusalka kneeled and lowered our heads.
“Master… what’s going on?”
“Shh! Be quiet, please.”
The reason why I said that was because the one passing was none other than Percival Alabaster. Commander of the Holy Knights at the main Temple of the Church of Light. A very tall man towering most regular sized men. He has short red straight hair and blue eyes. And his escort was just as impressive. If you don’t want to anger the temple, you must bow your head before him. Although I kinda feel it’s difficult. It’s like my heart is refusing the action of bowing before someone weaker than me. But thankfully, my mind is the one issuing the orders.
I don’t want to catch his attention at all. That’s why, we can’t look at him. Normally if we play it like this he should pass by without even noticing us. And thankfully that’s exactly what happened. Eventually they passed and we could get up again.
“Master, who was that fellow?”
“Percival Alabaster. Although I never saw him with my own eyes until today, there’s no way I could mistake him. He’s someone we should definitely avoid. Getting on his bad side would turn the Temple of Light against us.”
“What’s such an important person doing here?”
“If I recall, he’s most likely here to form a raid and conquer the Labyrinth of the Nameless Giant.”
The timing falls in place with Leona’s arrival. All this is too convenient. Julius, you bastard… you also planned this part. To draw Percival’s attention towards the guild.
“Fufu!”
“What’s so funny, master?”
“Nothing. I just imagined the look on someone’s face. Julius will draw Percival’s attention, but not the way he expects. Assuming Rose can help us.”
“Ugh… we gotta see scary lady again?”
“Yes. We need scary lady to acquire something for me.”
“And just who is this scary lady?” (???)
A sweat drop started to flow across my cheek. As I slowly turned around, Rose was standing behind me, with her usual diplomatic smile, but visibly angry.
“Ah, long time no see, Rose-san. Umm… we probably should talk.”
“Indeed we should, my dear customer. But let’s go someplace more private… so I can properly shout at you.”
Yup. She’s pissed. I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll have to endure this headache as well. For the sake of my goal…
“Ugh!! Seriously, one of these days you’re going to give me a migraine, Magnus. It's like you're an idiot kid. If I tell you to lay low, what do you do? You go and get married with the Sword Saintess. Seriously, it's like the things I say are going in through one ear and coming out the other.”
Rose was upset but eventually after explaining the entire scenario to her, she managed to calm down. She was quite that I had the guts to challenge Leona, but of course, I didn't tell her that it was by accident. Part of me feels happy that she's worried for my well being, but on the other hand… Rose’s words are more like ‘You’re my money printer, so don't damage yourself’, something along those lines.
“Leaving that aside, Rose, what do you think?”
“About the plan you had in mind? It's actually quite shrewd. And I must say, it has a high success rate of getting the result you desire.”
“But for that to happen, I need you to procure those documents. Do you think that's possible?”
“Are you forgetting who you're talking to? Although I did say I can't move on the black market for a while, those documents are publicly available in the Temple. So it's actually easier than dealing with monster parts. You’ll have them first thing in the morning.
However… as for my payment…”
Yes. I am well aware that Rose doesn't work for free even when it comes to simple tasks. That's why I prepared a large pouch filled with eris. You're probably wondering how come I have money to spare since I didn't actually do any more quests. Well… Leona basically tried to force all the money she had on her to me. She said since I will be providing for her from now on I should hold all the funds. Naturally I refused, but I still did end up receiving quite a sum to appease her. She really is wealthy.
By no means do I intend to sponge off her. But for now, this payment is necessary.
“Thank you very much for your generous donation, dear customer. I’m sure the Goddess will award you for this kind act.”
She's really scary to be able to change faces so easily. Then again, even the old me didn't think the Temple was a place void of corruption.
The money the worshipers pay to the temple continues to pile up, resulting in cities being born around temples. No wonder the temple knights have more authority than the official knights of the kingdom.
“Jokes aside Magnus, are you sure you want to do this? There's no turning back if you do this…”
“I’m well aware of the consequences. But the dice have been cast already. There is no turning back for me. They hurt me deeply where it hurts the most. So I will do the same and stab their heart. Their pride and joy of a guild… will suffer!”
The consequences Rose is talking about is most likely the fact that if I do this I might be not be able to continue living in this city. Despite being my birthplace, ever since the incident I feel no emotional attachment to this place anymore. On the other hand, I’m sure Rose doesn't want to lose her source of income so she will most likely try to cut some corners for me but…
Oh well. That can wait. For now I don't care what the future reserves. I only care about the present… and crushing Crimson Raid. Julius… you’ll regret ever having such a black heart…