No Fatigue: 24-jikan Tatakaeru Otoko no Tenseitan - Chapter 50

A large-scale Mass is being held in the chapel today.

According to [Appraisal], this medicine uses magical substances that neutralises the effects of hallucinogens.

Small sake cups full of consecrated wine were distributed throughout the chapel.
When I use [Appraisal] on the wine,

Good Quality Wine. The hallucinogen Mescaline has been mixed in.

is what appeared.

Mescaline?

Mescaline: A hallucinogen made by using knowledge from another world as the base. It does not cause physical dependence, but there may be a medium degree of emotional dependence. Processed with Shalha Vauxs legendary class skill [Condition Setting] to ensure that there is no deterioration.

Shalha Vaux is the name the owner of the historic remains, Mr Helmut Heydrich, used in this life (although hes already dead).
I also wanted to investigate [Condition Setting], but I already used [Appraisal] twice in succession for Wine > Mescaline, so I couldnt delve further.

Believing in Grandpa Ganashs skills, I drunk the hallucinogen-spiked wine.
Yup, there was no change in both my mind and body.

After it was confirmed that everyone had drained their cups of wine, the cups were collected and the Mass finally started.
Gazaine spoke of a large-scale operation that would soon take place, and then the Archbishops sermon took place.

A gigantic human face appeared in the smoke-filled chapel.

It was pale, like an apparition, but it looked unexpectedly young; it had the appearance of a young man.
So this is Archbishop Glutometsa.

Dear children of It is finally the end of Monguenues-samas suffering, the one who bears the title of the Evil God.

Glutometsas voice itself was clear, but it sometimes sounded inflated as though he was putting on airs.

Oops, lets not forget [Appraisal]
Hey, this is!

While I was stunned by surprise, Glutometsas speech continues.

The underhanded techniques youve tempered until now. If Evil God-sama is to be referred to as evil, then we shall willingly be referred to as evil as well. Bearing this resolve, use your assassination techniques to. In preparation for that moment in the near future, polish yourselves even more sternly. I may be repeating myself but the moment is approaching Dear children, absolutely dont be negligent

The emissaries who had been dosed with the hallucinogen gradually grew more excited as Glutometsa continued to leisurely sing out praises, whereas I remained completely cool-headed.
Let me share Archbishop Glutometsas [Appraisal] results.

Illusion. An apparition produced by Gazaine Munzers legendary-class skill [Illusion Magic] 9.

In short, there was no such thing as the Archbishop.
Securing the Archbishop when the religious organisation is overthrown was an important factor so I had trouble making the final decision, but since Archbishop Glutometsa = Gazaine, things will be settled quickly.

The four children didnt experience an uplift in mood because they had taken the antidote. They were bewildered, but as I had instructed them beforehand, they didnt make a big deal out of it.
Nebil and the others were the same.

Nebil was an especially good actor; he took the initiative to start a chant in response to the Archbishop, even though he was supposed to be sober.

Although Nebils foundations are excellent, he does make blunders once in a while.
Well, the incident with the Ususake Mushrooms was my fault though.

After the Mass ended and everyone left, only Elemia remained.

Elemia was kneeling at the altar, facing the statue of the Evil God with both hands clasped together in prayer.

Evil God-sama Evil God-sama

She addressed the god.

Im worried, but now is not the time to speak.
I cast a backward glance at the praying Elemia, then used [Espionage Techniques] to sneak into the back of the chapel.

As expected, Gazaine was there.
Of course, theres no way Archbishop Glutometsa would be there.

Sensing a presence suddenly appearing behind him, Gazaine turned around with a sharp gaze.

I greeted Gazaine with one hand and say with a cynical smile on my face,

Hey, where did the Archbishop disappear to, Leader?

So its you. Dont startle me.

Even though I appeared, Gazaine doesnt seem shaken.
Instead, he makes a brazen smile and shrugs at me.

Gazaine knows that I dont believe in the Evil God.

Part of it might be because he finds it amusing, but that shouldnt be all.
Id like to draw out the answer to that soon.

Theres a risk, but me being obedient would probably seem more ominous to him.

The other day I even slipped into a dragons lair, to say nothing of a tigers den.
I wont get cold feet this late in the game.

That said, I need a smokescreen at least.

I showed Gazaine the wine cup that I had pilfered before coming here, and spilled its contents on the spot.

Tch A brat with sticky fingers.
Did you not drink it.

My action caused Gazaine to have a great misunderstanding.

Its magnificent.

What is?

This religious organisation.
I thought it was a thoughtless doctrine to have people sneaking around and killing people; however, I dont know why but you have quite a splendid religion here.

As usual, those arent a brats thoughts.
But its the opposite.

Opposite?

Yeah.

In order to have them do such things, a half-baked doctrine was no good.

I see.
Youre saying that a doctrine full of deceit and sophistry is necessary for that exact reason.

A religion is generally like that anyway.
Having them believe in an imaginary god and a heaven that doesnt exist, and for them to forget about the cruel reality before their eyes is what a religion does.

The representative of this religious organisation is an incredible atheist.

Ill say this just in case, but this is purely Gazaines personal opinion.

I personally have no religion, but I have no intention of denying people of such.

But before that, gods really do exist here in Marquekt.
They even have distinct blessings known as Skill and Levels.

I think God exists.
Even the Evil God exists.

Those guys wont save us.
Theyre simply governors of the world.

Even the Evil God?

Who knows.

However, he abused his power as a god and was chased from heaven.

Thats a first.

Abusing ones power and being chased from heaven, isnt it kinda chic?

Since theres no way someone like me will be saved by God.

Wouldnt you be saved if you believed in the Evil God?

Heh. How transparent. You already know though.

Unexpectedly, the villains worship the Evil God not because of sophistication or capriciousness, but out of seriousness, you know?

You too?

No way. I do sympathise with the Evil God though.

Even if the path leads me to hell I will rely on my own power, and cut through that path.

I suppose hed even make a deal with the Evil God.

Is it alright, that s leader of all people is declaring such things?

You dont believe in him anyway, right?

Im not really rebuking you.

Gazaine hesitated for a brief moment.

When it comes to speaking, I thought this man would chatter away.

And then, the words that came out of his mouth after he paused was truly something unexpected.

Wontcha come with me?

I was flabbergasted.
Gazaine advocated further.

I dont have the heart to settle with just being the boss of such an uncool religious assassination organisation.

I have the power to do that much.

Gazaine seems to gaze off into the distance.
However, there were no fragments of dream-like ambiguity in his eyes, instead there was strength, like he was focused on something that was there.

He had the serious expression of a man who was always looking for trouble somewhere.
I suddenly became embarrassed somehow, and tried to dodge the issue with sarcastic words.

The Assassination King?

Dont make fun of it. Im serious.

So you have that much of a backing?
Be honest, this organisations doctrine wasnt something that your pragmatic brain came up with, was it?

Another thought that shouldnt come from a brat, as usual.
But thats fine.

Oi, oi How disgusting.

I know that its not in your character.

Your power exposes those around you to danger.
At this rate, you, born with overwhelming power, will be unable to live normally, you know?

Thats a line I wouldnt expect from a man who coerced me into coming here by holding my family hostage.

Hmph.

You probably understand already though.

If youre just aiming for the dark side of a society like ours, then its true that you might be able to strike back if you get stronger.

However, the nastiest ones are actually those on the surface, you know?

If you reject them, they will immediately judge you as a risk factor and will either kill you or drive you out.

I was unable to form a reply to Gazaines words.

Digging up the history knowledge from my previous life, I easily understood that Gazaines remark was not necessarily an exaggeration.

I can make a place for you to belong.

No, not in public; looking at it objectively, it is evil itself.

But you know.

I will crush Santamana and establish my own kingdom.

s emissaries will be reborn as clergymen instead of assassins.

It would be fine to even entrust to you entirely, after it has become a holy religious organisation.
If you say that the authority in this world is good, then I can even confer the rank of Marquis to you.

Youre also good at making empty promises.

I have calculated that this is possible if you follow me.

Why?

No, to begin with, theres no way you can build a country with just one individuals fighting strength.

Gazaine couldnt reply to my words immediately.

It was as though someones figure had appeared in his line of sight.

I know another brat like you.
In order to oppose that brat, I want your power.

A brat like me, you say?

Oh? So youre interested.

If you follow me, Ill give you information about them.

Damn.
Did I bite off too much?

You know, theres a society in this world that is more profound than the underground, one that people are hard pressed to even call the darkness.

As a result of that, I became able to zero in on those guys.

To associate with those guys who surpass reason, we also need to bring out beings that surpass reason or else.

For a time, I wondered whether Elemia was such, but although she is unique, shes not special.
The one who I thought was special was, in the end, you alone.

Thats a considerably unreliable story I hear.

In reality, it is an unreliable story.

That is all.

Dont you resent me?

Resent? Why?

I killed a considerable number of s emissaries before coming here.

A foolish question.

Its not like I have any remaining right to resent people.

Well, I do my best at all times.

Constantly moving forward, moving forward.

Sounds like a tiring way of living.

The me with no fatigue is like that but I unintentionally said it.

Isnt it better than stepping back and losing interest?

I suppose there is a mountain of corpses behind you as you continue to move forward.
Not only enemies, are supposed allies and emissaries also tools used by you to advance forward?

What, those guys die believing that they can go to heaven.

Theres no god who will save me.
Thats why I must obtain paradise with my own strength.

Gazaine stood up after saying that.
Then, he walked off without turning back towards me.

H-hey

Hmph. Think about it.
Isnt it tedious, accompanying them to play make-believe assassin indefinitely, even for you?

I could only watch in dumbfoundment as Gazaine departed.