The Royal Church.
It is the one organization within the kingdom that wields absolute authority, entirely free from the control of the royal family.
This independence is no coincidence. The church as an institution was imported into the kingdom from abroad. With strong ties to churches in numerous other nations, any attempt to subjugate a single church would be tantamount to making enemies of believers across the world.
As such, domestic politics and military operations are strictly prohibited within church-owned sanctuaries.
In one such sanctuary, situated on the outskirts of the royal capital, a private chapel was currently in use.
“──Regarding factions within the military, the hardline anti-Demon Kingdom faction has gained the upper hand.”
Sitting on the front pew, facing the altar, Colonel Yakov Schwizen of the Kingdom’s Military Intelligence Department was not reciting prayers.
“Hero Ares is currently in the Empire for ‘special training.’ Once that is complete, the Hero Corps can be reorganized and dispatched to the Western Elf Nation.”
“Good. It seems everything is progressing smoothly, then?”
Perched disrespectfully atop a wooden box placed on the altar was Melissa, one of the Three Sages of the Western Elf Nation.
Regularly summoned for status updates, Schwizen had no option to refuse these meetings.
“Brigadier General Solfege has been demoted to take responsibility for the Hero Corps’ recent defeat. As for the new Intelligence Department head, I made sure the post went to someone under my influence. Things should run much more smoothly now, don’t you think?”
“Yes… thanks to you,” Schwizen replied reluctantly.
In truth, all responsibility should have fallen on Schwizen.
He had manipulated intelligence for a new offensive against the Demon Kingdom and failed to detect signs of their military’s plan to retake Elden. These were inexcusable errors for someone in military intelligence.
And yet…
What exactly had happened?
Word of Schwizen bringing Hero Ares back spread quickly throughout the military, painting him as a hero.
Before long, the loss of Elden was attributed to the stationed forces there, and his information manipulation went unnoticed.
“When you’ve lived long enough and are revered as a Sage, people naturally form connections for you,” Melissa remarked, smirking as if reading Schwizen’s thoughts.
She wore a black wimple on her head and a black nun’s habit.
Was she trying to disguise herself as a sister? Her youthful appearance made it unconvincing, and worse still, the habit was a miniskirt. No real sister would wear such attire, making her sham an obvious giveaway.
…What would happen if the priest of this sanctuary were to walk in?
Schwizen silently worried.
“Now then, Schwizen. A guest will be arriving soon.”
“Huh?”
He blinked in disbelief.
A guest?
That could only spell trouble! Why was Melissa so nonchalantly crossing her legs?
“Don’t worry. This one is just another pawn.”
“──What a rude way to put it, Melissa,” came a smooth, unhurried voice.
The chapel door creaked open, and the voice’s owner stepped inside.
Startled, Schwizen sprang to his feet, turning to see a man in a red priestly robe. His age was indeterminate, his air faintly mocking.
“You’re… the Deputy Chair of the Royal Church…!”
“Call me Hades Pluton. Just Hades will do; I dislike my surname,” the man said with a sly grin.
Hades Pluton.
The Deputy Chair of the Royal Church—a position second only to the Chair, granting him immense influence. In this kingdom, where the Church rivaled the royal family in authority, his role was tantamount to controlling the nation itself.
Normally, such a figure would never appear in public.
“You’re here, Hades.”
“Of course, I am. When Melissa summons me, I answer. After all, I owe you much.”
The nature of their connection was unclear, but it was evident they shared some kind of alliance.
“Schwizen, I arranged this meeting so you could be introduced to Hades. He’ll be joining the Hero Corps.”
“What…? You mean…”
“Not as a sacrificial offering for a mythic Dark Heal spell, if that’s your concern. Other clergy can be used for that. Hades will act as a monitor within the Hero Corps.”
Melissa’s candid explanation suggested that Hades was privy to her true intentions.
“If bait like Saint Artemis suffices, I can provide as many as needed. There’s no shortage among those seated in the Church’s hierarchy. In terms of holy power, for instance──”
Hades began listing names without hesitation, a smile never leaving his face.
“You look at me as though I’m a traitor, Colonel Schwizen,” Hades remarked suddenly.
“I-I didn’t mean…!”
“Ahaha! No need to deny it.”
Hades laughed as if amused, then spoke:
“It’s true. I’ve betrayed them. The Church means nothing to me. All that matters is wealth and power.”
With those words, he shattered any pretense.
“──Huh? Who are you people?”
A new voice rang out, startling the trio.
From the open chapel door, a nun peered in, clearly one of the sanctuary’s staff.
She eyed Schwizen, Hades, and Melissa—still seated atop the altar—with suspicion.
Did she overhear us?
Schwizen tensed.
──Pfft.
A faint popping sound broke the silence.
The nun’s head now bore a small, clean hole. Her body collapsed backward.
From beside Schwizen, a wisp of smoke rose.
Hades stood holding a black pistol, its marble-like sheen reflecting faint light.
“My favorite thing about power is this,” Hades said, stroking the weapon fondly. “The ability to erase anything… without consequence. It’s addictive.”
Schwizen was frozen, staring at the horrifying display.
A priest… had killed another priest.
Hades continued nonchalantly, as if explaining a trivial fact:
“Faith? Meaningless. Even without belief, one can use holy arts. Scripture is merely a tool for channeling holy power more efficiently.”
“Th-that’s… heretical!” Schwizen stammered.
“Ahaha! Call me heretical if you like. I’d even kill God if it secured me wealth and power,” Hades said, smiling wickedly.
To Schwizen, Hades resembled someone—a haunting similarity.
“You’re… like Kiwi Alaya …”
“Me? I suppose I do sympathize with him to some degree,” Hades admitted with a grin.
“But he’s a pitiful lamb, while I am the shepherd dog driving him. We are entirely different.”
Hades’s mocking laughter echoed, leaving Schwizen clutching his head in despair.
Why were madmen like these always drawn to him?
