Chapter 81: Verdi''s Net


    <b> Verdis Net </b>


    Where have you been?


    When I returned from Fernan to Graypond, Saintess Lucia was waiting for me.


    She was proudly dressed in her official Saintess attire, and her casual tone showed that she had grown ustomed to me.


    Do you have to keep showing the public that you are meeting with me?


    Each of our moves continued to attract attention from other people.


    The Saintess and I, the Soul Whisperer, often spent time together engaging in in-depth discussions about the Kingdoms future. This was how we typically used our time and this was quite well-known to the public.


    However, in reality, we were simply passing time together because we needed to provide proof to the citizens here that we were not enemies.


    There was something I needed to resolve.


    Lucias expression turned strange at my response.


    In this situation? You know how many assassins are outside right now trying to kill you, right?


    Gyaaaah! Alright, that was really good!


    Just then, Findenai burst into the room. Her maids uniform was stained with blood all over.


    Even though there were only three today, their skills were quite impressive! Theyve now started sending their elites!


    Findenai wore a contented smile, satisfied after deliberately luring assassins into the city and engaging in a fight.


    Saintess Lucia seized the opportunity as if it was the right timing; she pointed at Findenai and shouted.


    Thats right! I was also going to talk about this! Theres no need to go out and hunt assassins on purpose, dont you think so?!


    Huh? Theyre here to kill us, and what did I do wrong by retaliating and killing them?


    Between Lucia, who thought there was no need to go out and hunt assassins, and Findenai, who believed it was better to kill those who were already aiming for our livesalthough both sides had understandable arguments, if I had to choose, I sided with Findenai this time.


    It was necessary for her to do such things.


    Haha! Look at this! Master Bastard is already head over heels for me, so he wont listen to your words, holier-than-thou preachie¹It is the same word used when Darius called the cleric below. But since he is a Lord (even though he is rather rough too, he tried to show his dignity there), I changed the trantion for Darius and made Findenais dialogue more colloquial!


    Findenai immediately approached me and put her arms around my shoulders. I sent her a warning re, signaling her not to cross the line, but she still deliberately pressed her chest against me and replied yfully.


    Are you excited?


    Do not push thoseangr things onto me.


    Growing increasingly annoyed, I responded harshly, prompting Findenai to shout back in fury.


    Angr things?! Do you even understand how precious these are?!


    Findenai showed off her chest proudly.


    Upon witnessing this obscene scene, Lucia blushed deeply and lowered her head while I, finding the situation troublesome, closed my eyes momentarily.


    Findenai huffed and grumbled to herself in response to my reaction before going to a corner of the room to do something.


    After calming down, I reopened my eyes and looked at Lucia.


    Anyway, Findenai only did what was necessary for me.


    I was tracing the sources of the assassins based on the reports continuously provided by Findenai.


    From the details about the assassins unique characteristics, to their speech patterns, and even to the name of the God they called.


    At the start, they were all over the ce and calling out different names of Gods, but now, theyve mainly unified and just called for Hearthia.


    But the bishop who serves Hearthia is friendly towards us


    It felt more like an attempt to cast suspicion on the followers of Hearthia. However, this matter was not as straightforward as it seemed, so we shouldnt rush to conclusions too quickly.


    If we reconsidered this from another perspective, there was also a possibility that the followers of Hearthia might have actually sent the assassins.


    Everything felt like a psychological game simr to a game of rock-paper-scissors.


    However, if I were to abandon the charade and recklessly poke around, there would be significant risks involved.


    If I made a wrong move, it could paint an picture of me, the Soul Whisperer, oppressing the different religions.


    Considering their unified calls under Goddess Hearthia, it seems that the group who sent assassins has formed some kind of cooperative rtionship.


    When I was staying at the Royal Pce, only Findenai, who had information rted to me, ventured out and ughtered assassins.


    Of course they would have no choice but to join forces.


    But since Findenai did things so well, they will try to pressure me in a different way.


    Even if they wanted to argue things through their religious doctrines, I had already dealt with them by using Holy Power; additionally, the Saintess was on my side.


    If they intended to continue resorting to violence or assassination to resolve the situation, there was Findenai, who stood firm like a Yaksha²a broad ss of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness..


    So, it was obvious that they had to take a different route.


    Do you have any other thoughts?


    Along with Lucias question, someone slowly offered me a teacup from the side. It was Findenai, who had brewed the tea without my permission.


    I temporarily postponed my answer and furrowed my brow as I gazed at the teacup.


    I believe I have instructed you not to brew tea anymore.


    I remember saying it tasted like pig urine and that it would be a waste of tea leaves.


    However, Findenai shouted with a huff.


    Ah,e on! I know how to boil it very well now!


    With a subtle expression, I casually epted the teacup, savored the aroma, and brought it near to my lips.


    But then, I immediately put it down.


    Put it away.


    .


    You have progressed from producing something that tastes like pig urine to something resembling that of a pig.


    It turned out I had chosen to serve the wrong Master.


    Findenai took the teacup, which tasted like shit, and slurped it herself.


    <i>Gag</i>!


    She rushed to the bathroom.


    From what I observed, it seemed like she didnt just brew tea, but also added something else to it.


    .


    Lucia watched us with a foolish expression as if observing a theatrical performance.


    I steered the conversation back to the original topic.


    Yes, of course, they will not directly attack me but will try to indirectly twist things around. Everything is within my expectations. I have already scattered some prey for them to devour easily.


    Prey?


    Lucia didnt understand what I meant. And while wondering if I had to exin everything to her, I tapped my cheek to answer.


    Do you remember the gauze on my cheek when we first met at Mersen restaurant?


    I dont really want to talk about that time, but I do remember.


    I smiled slightly and exined to Lucia, who had responded to me with difort.


    It was a wound made by my older brother, Darius.


    Margrave Norseweden? You seem to have a good rtionship with your sister, but are things not the same case with the Margrave?


    As if anyone would ever doubt her as the Saintess, Lucia immediately showed concern. However, what was rather interesting was her observation that Deia and I seemed to get along.


    I shook my head.


    No, it was a deliberately created wound.


    On top of that, it was on my face.


    It had to be significant and noticeable because we had to publicly show that Darius and I didnt get along well.


    And since it happened before the Great Debate, it would have had an even greater impact.


    It was a calcted bait from the start for the bishops who were desperately trying to find ws in me.


    It probably gave them a faint glimmer of hope; they would likely be pleased that a feeble hole had opened in the seemingly impregnable wall they were encountering.


    However, it wouldnt take them long to realize that the location they had been diligently swimming in was, in fact, already within the hunters.


    * * *


    Darius, who originally never had the habit of trembling legs, couldnt help but feel tense at this moment.


    He took a deep breath while reading the letter in his hand.


    Although he received an exnation from his younger brother, Deus, before returning to Norseweden, directly facing the situation made him incredibly nervous.


    <b><i>I wonder if I can handle this well.</i></b>


    Darius worried that, as a warrior, if he could hold his own against those cunning religious fanatics in terms of dialogue. For now, he was waiting for the impending conversation with the cleric who wasing over.


    <b><i>I must seed.</i></b>


    He couldnt afford to stumble at this point.


    It was a moment of determination for Darius, thinking it was time to disy his dignity as the head of the household.


    <i>Knock, knock.</i>


    Lord, the guest has arrived.


    The butlers voice came from the other side of the door.


    Let him in.


    With annoyance evident in his expression, Darius responded with a voice full of irritation.


    Through the door opened by the butler, entered a scrawny man. His clothes were in, but his body emitted the scent of fragrant oil, which was also apanied by an air of elegance.


    He had the typical demeanor of a church representative.


    <i> First impressions are important. Do not hide any difort.</i>


    Deus calm voice echoed in his mind. With annoyance, Darius asked.


    What brings you to this frontier? Your Gods didnt seem to have much interest in the Northern region.


    Despite the impolite remark from their first meeting, the cleric hesitated for a moment before calmly bowing his head in greeting.


    My greetings, Margrave Norseweden, the Giant of the North and the Towering Fortress.


    Hmph.


    Darius didnt hide his displeasure. He realized it wasnt too difficult once he actually tried doing it.


    Lets get to the point. I dont have much to say to you.


    Certainly. Actually, I have something to discuss about Deus Verdi, your younger brother, Margrave


    <i>Bang!</i>


    <i> When he mentions my name, react fiercely. It would be great if you could strike the desk at least.</i>


    <i> You will be doing well. Isnt that just like what you always do?</i>


    Recalling Deias expression, who was teasing him from the side, Darius mmed the desk. The sound echoed dramatically throughout the room, startling even the cleric.


    How dare you utter that bastards name in front of me!


    <i> It is also important to address difficult topics that are hard to bring up from their side.</i>


    I should have killed that bastard before I got kicked out of the Royal Pce. I shouldnt have stopped at just beating him with my fists.


    As the head of the household, Darius was furious that the Verdi Household had be infamous for bearing a Dark Mage.


    That was the scenario they wanted to show.


    But in reality, the current Verdi Household was shunned by the surrounding nobility.


    No matter how much recognition they received from the Royal Family, the deep-seated prejudices and traditions persisted.


    So the rumors were right. The wound he incurred before the Great Debate was inflicted by you, Lord Darius.


    The cleric had a big smile.


    He was pleased that the information about Darius causing the wound on Deus face was confirmed.


    Darius was confident that he had almost ovee this situation.


    Thats right! There were limits in how I overlooked how he acted like a ruffian during his stay in Norseweden. And now he became a dark mage? I cannot face the preceding heads of the household with my head held high!


    While fuming, Darius red menacingly at the cleric, his killing intent palpable.


    So, did youe here to annoy me by mentioning that fucking bastard? If that was your goal, youve seeded quite splendidly.


    In response to Darius growl about why he should also take responsibility for the mess Deus left behind, the cleric immediately kneeled and shouted.


    He thought it was the right time to turn things around.


    I am well aware that you find the Soul Whisperer displeasing, Margrave. Thats why Ivee to find you, to offer you my assistance, Margrave.


    Assistance?


    Yes, thats right!


    Looking at the man repeatedly bowing his head, Darius could barely hide the smirk that appeared on his face with each passing moment.


    He had ovee everything so far. He thought to himself, wouldnt he get caught like this?


    <i>Sigh, if you think you will get caught, just get angry. Be ignorant, that is more like you.</i>


    Help me? What can you do to help me? Ill handle my own kin! I dont need the assistance of religious fanatics like you!


    <i>Bang!</i> He struck the desk again with his fist, causing it to split in two, emphasizing the force behind his action.


    The cleric trembled all over, but he could clearly feel the intensity of Darius anger towards Deus.


    <b><i>Ah, this desk was expensive.</i></b>


    However, unbeknownst to him, Darius was actually more worried about the scolding from Deia he would receive in the future because of the expensive desk he had just destroyed.<ul><li>1


    It is the same word used when Darius called the cleric below. But since he is a Lord (even though he is rather rough too, he tried to show his dignity there), I changed the trantion for Darius and made Findenais dialogue more colloquial</li><li>2


    a broad ss of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness.</li></ul> /genesisforsaken