Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo Dorei Majutsu - Volume 4 - Chapter 3.1

Interlude 2 

Right before bedtime, Lumachina’s room—

Rem was inspecting her equipment on top of her bed. She returned her Summon crystals to her pouch, leaving her knife and iron gauntlets near her pillow. 

“Rem... Thank you.” 

“Where did that come from, Lumachina?” 

“I was able to make it this far thanks to all of you.” 

“...If you want to show gratitude to anyone, then you should say it to Diablo—and make our payment in gold coins, if possible.” 

“Oh, yes, that’s right.” 

“...Well, we can worry about that after everything has calmed down.” 

Rem felt a presence on the other side of the door. She quickly took up the knife and hand protectors she left near her.

Batutta had come to visit, carrying an oil lamp with a candle in it. Perhaps because it used some kind of plant-based oil, but there was a faint floral scent coming from it. 

The room was just big enough that you could walk from end to end in about ten steps. There was a large bed for Lumachina, and a smaller bed for Rem to use. It was also furnished with a stylish, round table with two chairs. The window was closed, hidden behind velvet curtains. 

Rem stayed on top of her bed. She summoned her Shadow Snake in secret, having it hide in the shadows of her bed. This took a drain on her MP, but the one thing she had to avoid more than anything else when going up against a high-level Warrior was being defeated before getting a chance to summon anything. 

—Now I can get the jump on him in case anything should happen... 

Even if she couldn’t win against him, she could get Diablo’s attention if she made enough noise; he would come for sure.

Lumachina sat in one of the chairs. 

“Have a seat, please.” She offered Batutta the chair opposite her. 

“My thanks.” Placing the candle on the table, he slowly sat himself down as well. He bowed his head. “My apologies for disturbing you in the middle of the night.” 

“I do not mind. It was a great help to have you prepare food, clothes, even sleeping arrangements for us. Thank you.” 

“I’m happy I could be of use to you.” 

“I have something I wish to speak with you about.” 

“Yes, I have come here exactly because of that. I would think it better to not have any outsiders present, though...?” 

Batutta fixed his icy gaze upon Rem, but Lumachina held up a hand to stop him. 

“Rem is trustworthy, and the same goes for the others.” 

“They have my trust for bringing you to the former Demon Lord’s Domain, but... Very well, then. Now, what’s happened? Why would someone as important as the High Priest show up in a place like this unannounced, without an envoy of Paladins, and wearing civilian clothes?” 

“Well, you see...” Lumachina had a pensive look on her face. After thinking it over for a moment, she opened her mouth again. “Batutta, please answer what I asked you this afternoon: What is the Paladin Brigade? Who gave approval for it?” 

“My deepest apologies, but that is something I created of my own accord.” 

“You know that is not allowed?” 

“I shall humbly accept any punishment in store for me. However, these are dangerous lands. The priests cannot walk through the town on their own, and even their own families are put in peril.” 

“Is that true?” 

“Because the priests are able to use miracles of God, there are things that appear much more frequently here compared to the east side of the kingdom, like monsters, people who would force them to assist with exploring dungeons, and bandits that would come after their savings.” 

“So I see.” 

“At first, I employed Adventurers in order to protect them against such threats... But there were even those among them who attacked the priests.” 

“How could they...!” 

Adventurers belonged to the Adventurer’s Guild. If they were to commit a crime such as assaulting the person they were supposed to be protecting, not only would they be banished from the Guild, they would have a bounty on their heads with wanted posters put up all over the country. 

Batutta let out a sigh. “There is no shortage of those who come here without considering the danger, putting their want of money in the short-term above their own lives.” 

“I see... So that’s how it was.” Lumachina looked down, disheartened. 

His story made sense to Rem. The former Demon Lord’s Domain was teeming with danger. You had to be a bit abnormal to think of coming here without being forced to. 

“In order to protect the priests and the defenseless townspeople,” Batutta continued, “I hired competent people I could trust. Those are who I came to call the ‘Paladin Brigade.’ The sense of privilege that came about because of it, as well as their violent behavior, was a result of my lack of leadership. Please understand that asking for people with manners on top of all that is difficult in a place like this.” 

“It’s more like they are lacking in morals than manners...” 

Lumachina turned to look at Rem. The reason she didn’t ask anything of a complete outsider like Rem wasn’t to make it seem like she didn’t believe what Batutta was saying. The fact she turned to look at Rem was most likely because she was unable to come to a decision herself. 

Rem gave a small nod. 

—I don’t think he’s lying... 

There was an exceedingly small chance that anyone with proficient combat skills in a region like this also possessed a decent moral compass. It was impossible to compare them with people who lived prosperous lives in safe towns. 

“So that’s how it was.” Lumachina placed a finger on her lip. “I’m sorry for not knowing how the world works.” 

“N-No, not at all... In fact, I should be the one apologizing for employing people using methods outside the policies of the Church... And for the numerous indignities caused by my lack of leadership.” 

“I understand now that you had your own circumstances to deal with.” 

“You have my gratitude for that.”

—Maybe he’s more trustworthy than I expected...? 

Rem’s impression of Batutta had changed significantly since she first met with him. She originally thought him to be the leader of a group of bandits, so it didn’t exactly leave a stellar impression on her. They came so far just to meet him, so she was definitely let down by it. 

But after hearing his reasons, everything he told them made sense. The reason they requested donations was a combination of their lack of priests and because of the strange governess of this town; even the oppression caused by the Paladin Brigade could be explained due to how dangerous the region was. Using violence against the town’s citizens was by no means a good thing, but it was probably better than having the priests be assaulted by evildoers or monsters.

It seemed Lumachina trusted Batutta as well. 

“Are you aware,” she brought up a different subject, “of the current state of the Church back in the royal capital?” 

“I wonder? It’s been thirteen years since I was sent here to the former Demon Lord’s Domain. Back then, they were a bit ‘forceful’ when it came to collecting donations, I suppose... That’s the only thing that truly bothered me.” 

“Do you know anything about demanding for undeserved donations?” 

“What’s that all about?” 

“I have heard rumors of those who go around claiming certain houses to be cursed, performing unnecessary exorcisms, and providing charms to ward off evil. Then they demand exorbitant donations in exchange, as well as things like accepting bribes from merchants.” 

“That is outrageous!” Batutta folded his arms. 

“I have also heard talk of a certain group of Paladins murdering those they accuse of being Demon Lord worshipers in the name of ‘purification’...” 

“Impossible! Surely that must be some kind of fabrication!?” 

“It would be nice if that were the case...” 

“At the very least, there were no such deviants among the Paladins when I was still at the capital!”

Rem almost cut in to the conversation. It was only half a month ago that she barely managed to avoid being killed by Saddler after he accused her. 

The wound on her right arm grew hot. 

But what would happen if she were to claim she was suspected of being a Demon Lord worshiper and almost killed, without any evidence whatsoever? Not to mention Saddler was “missing” ever since the turmoil caused by the Demon Lord’s resurrection. He was killed during Krebskulm’s rampage, and because of Diablo’s ultimate spell, not even his corpse remained. If she were to let anything bad slip out, she could end up drawing unnecessary suspicion to herself. There was also the danger of worsening Lumachina’s position. 

Rem stayed silent and continued to listen to the conversation.

Lumachina opened her lips. “Not all Paladins are people of deep faith... That is the unfortunate truth. There was someone among them who would do anything for the sake of money.” 

“Are you certain of that?” 

“I... Well, I was almost killed by a Paladin, one who had received orders and payment from Head Cardinal Vishos to carry out the deed.” 

“Wh-Wh-What did you say!? Is that the truth!?” Batutta half-rose to his feet. 

“Do you accuse me of lying...?” 

“N-No, of course not! Oh, how could something like this happen...” Batutta’s face flushed red in anger, a vein bulging out on his forehead. His brawny shoulders and clenched fists were shaking. “Those fools! Has the Cardinal Authority really become so corrupt!?” 

“Sadly enough...” 

“Damn them!” His rage didn’t appear to be an act. 

Rem still didn’t trust Batutta completely. Something about the Paladin Brigade was still bugging her. 

—But at least it doesn’t seem like he’s connected with the Cardinal Authority... 

If he was actually after Lumachina’s life, there would be no reason to keep up this act. 

“In order to escape from the threat of an assassination,” Lumachina continued, “as well as to have you become a force to reform the Church, I have come here to Zircon Tower to ask for your help.” 

“I see.” 

“I know I am being unreasonable in what I ask of you.” 

“No, not at all. I am grateful you trust me so much. Rest assured, be they Paladin or Cardinal Authority, I will not let them lay a hand on you, Lady Lumachina!” 

“Thank you.” An expression of relief crossed her face, and she breathed a sigh.

As if she was reminded of something, Lumachina also asked: “There is something called the ‘Death Knell disease’ here, right? Something that causes ‘X’ marks to appear on those afflicted.” 

“That’s correct. Once nine marks appear, their life is forfeit. It is a truly terrifying sickness.” 

“Sickness? Do you think of it like that as well...?” Lumachina asked, a dubious look on her face. 

“What do you mean?” Batutta cocked his head to the side.

“That is not a sickness, but a curse, is it not?”

A chill ran up Rem’s back. Goosebumps covered her skin, and the fur on her tail bristled. 

—A curse...!? 

Batutta put a hand on his forehead. “It can’t be... Are you sure that isn’t some sort of mistake?” 

“No, I have heard the voice of God, and that is no disease. I could also smell water, and the only thing that comes to mind for water in this town is the lake.” 

“That is true...” 

“I have also seen a darkness lurking deep underground... It seems there is something beneath the town.” 

“I see... So you’ve seen that much.” 

“There is a large-scale curse threatening the people of this town, Batutta. We must find a way to deal with it as soon as possible.”

Rem kicked off the bed, leaping forward. “Why didn’t you tell that to Diablo!?” 

“Huh!? Eek!” 

Rem yanked Lumachina out of the chair, dragging the priestess behind herself as protection. At the same time, she sent out her Shadow Snake. 

At this Summon’s level, it wouldn’t even work on someone like Saddler, which is why she wasn’t expecting it to be able to “Bind” Batutta. But this would give her time to call forth one of her more powerful Summons. Even if he managed to defeat one of her mid-tier Summons, it should still be able to cause a considerable uproar. 

—Then Diablo will be sure to notice what’s going on...! 

But then, Shadow Snake managed to wrap around Batutta’s body; it hadn’t been destroyed. 

“Hm.” 

“What!?” 

The Bind was successful, leaving Rem bewildered. Batutta looked at her, curious. 

“What kind of nonsense is this, Adventurer?” 

“...Based on what Lumachina has said, if there really is someone putting a curse on this town, then only you could be the culprit,” Rem asserted. 

Lumachina let out a gasp in shock. 

“...For the love of...” Rem raised her voice. “Are you supposed to be smart or idiotic!? You have too little regard for the greed of other people!” 

“Huh?” Lumachina let out. 

“Just who benefits from having the curse spread!?” 

“Wha? B-Benefit...?” 

“The people suffering from the Death Knell disease are the ones offering donations to the Church!” 

“Ah...!!” 

Lumachina’s eyes opened wide. It seemed she never imagined the reason behind the curse was for gathering donations; but how could she? That pure innocence was exactly why she was the High Priest. 

The expression on Lumachina’s face said she couldn’t believe what was going on, so she turned to look at Batutta for answers. 

“What...does this mean?” 

“This is all just the ravings of that Adventurer over there. Me, using curses? Impossible! If it truly is a curse, then it’s most likely the work of someone who bears a grudge against the people of this town.” 

“Someone who bears a grudge...?” 

“Yes. A person’s hatred can be frighteningly unimaginable at times.” 

Rem shrank back. 

—He’s a tough one... 

She thought him to be the main perpetrator, but she couldn’t say anything to refute his excuse. 

“Person...” Lumachina wore an unhappy look on her face. 

“Hm?” 

“Why did you think it was a person doing this?” 

“Ngh...” Batutta was speechless. 

“All I said was that the Death Knell disease was a curse. Why did you think one of the races is the caster?” Lumachina asked again. 

Batutta gave a wry smile. “That is—how should I put it... After hearing it was a curse, my first instinct was to suspect it was the work of one of the races, that’s all. This is the former Demon Lord’s Domain, so of course there is the possibility it could be the Fallen. Forgive me, I merely jumped to conclusions.” 

He still continued to reject their suspicions. For him to keep denying it after coming this far almost made Rem think this could just be a misunderstanding on her part. 

Lumachina joined her hands together. “Is that true? Can you swear to God?” 

“Of course. I swear to God I am not taking part in any curse.” Batutta joined his hands together as well. 

“Very well... Then I shall believe you.” 

“I’m relieved to hear your understanding.” 

Rem was conflicted. Of course it would be for the best if he was someone they could trust. She didn’t want to think someone this strong in a position like this was the perpetrator in such an incident. 

—But he was all too suspicious. 

That said, if Lumachina trusted him, then there was nothing that could be done. Even though she finally managed to Bind him, she had to call off her Shadow Snake now.

“Now then, call Sir Diablo and Shera here, if you please,” Lumachina said with a smile.

Batutta was stunned. “Why would you want to do that?” 

“We are all going to visit with the victims of the Death Knell disease. You said they still line up in front of the tents even at night, correct? If we were to heal all those people, I am certain I would be able to receive even more tidings from God. With a curse that strong, we are sure to find where it is coming from in no time at all.” 

“I-Impossible!” 

“Do you think I am not capable of doing so? Batutta, the one standing before you is the High Priest.” 

“Mngh...” 

“What is the matter? Would there be trouble calling for him...? Never mind, we will go ourselves. Rem, let’s get ready to head out.” 

“Heh... Just as I would expect from you, Lumachina, you sure can get things done when they need to be.” 

Rem was on high alert. Her fingers slowly reached toward her pouch where she kept her Summon crystals. 

“I see,” Batutta let out a sigh. “So you can do even that... You have surpassed my expectations.” 

He fixed his glare on them.

Rem’s vision wavered.

—What’s happening...!? 

She was overcome with an intense drowsiness. She fell to the floor, hands first, and Lumachina quickly collapsed behind her. Her concentration was severed, and the summon spell for Shadow Snake was broken. It turned into a crystal, falling to the floor with a thud as well. 

—What’s going on!? I have to hurry and use my next Summon...! 

Rem managed to grab another crystal, but couldn’t gain the focus needed to complete the summoning. 

—Just what is happening...? 

Rem lost her fight with Saddler when he used his Subtle Chant on her; because of that, she had Diablo instruct her on their journey here to take countermeasures against it. Even if she couldn’t see magic energy, she trained herself so she could sense when someone was using a spell. 

“E... Even though...you haven’t done, anything...” 

“You’re right, I haven’t. I did manage to slip you some sleeping drugs, though.” 

—The candle on the table. He must have done something with the oil it used, and made it so it wouldn’t work on himself. His strange excuses were just a way to buy time, to render them powerless without raising a commotion. 

“Ngh...” 

—I hate this... 

Batutta came closer. He stood over Lumachina, who was already unconscious, and stomped on her head with his leather boot. 

“Insolent girl!” 

“St... Stop...” Rem said with a whimper. She reached out and grabbed Batutta’s ankle—but that was just about all she could do. 

Batutta glared down at her. “I will not kill you here. Your magic energies are strong, and you have a sense of justice as well. You are both very promising.” 

“Ngh...” 

What does he mean by “promising”...? 

Without getting the chance to ask him, Rem fell into a deep sleep...