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Chapter 13: Cachinnation
THE matter of being taken in by Vittorio—by the spawn of evil’s honeyed words was shelved for the time being. The Paladins understood the predicament. Understood what fate would befall the city if Krähe Imlerith hadn’t accepted his proposal. That was why they decided to put judging her decision on hold and prioritized their holy duty to keep the masses safe first.
But it was undeniable that Krähe had violated Arlos’s sacred teachings. A certain kind of tension formed between them precisely because the Paladins were such devout believers of Arlos, and they struggled to process their feelings of powerlessness and betrayal over Krähe’s arbitrary decision.
A slight crack formed in the bonds that existed between Krähe Imlerith and the investigation squad.
“This is bad news…”
In her private quarters within the former Southern Province Order of Paladin Headquarters, Krähe calmly analyzed the situation. However, no matter how much she calculated and scrutinized the information, she and Saint Lytrain were in a terrible situation.
Ӗ nǔmа̇
The Paladins are uncooperative. Worse, they doubt me… Krähe lamented.
The Paladins had their opinions and wanted to hold to them. Their attitudes had changed dramatically since the Vittorio incident. Naturally, none of them were childish enough to make their grievances public. The fact no one had come forward criticizing or denouncing Krähe instead of doing their job was proof of that.
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Even so, the rift between them was gradually growing further apart.
I thought I made a rational decision to save the people, but they must have taken that as me making concessions for the spawn of evil. I can no longer enforce things using my position as a shield.
Krähe could wield such authority and sway until now solely due to her position as the Scribe Saint’s representative. This was further supported by the fear and reverence everyone held for the Inquisitors. But her authority had dropped like a rock. Her status came from Lytrain’s trust and Central’s command. But it wasn’t as effective now that the Paladins no longer trusted her.
That showed how sullied her standing had become by making a deal with the devil in a clown outfit.
W еbǹо̂v̌el̃ Е́n û m̂ а̊
No, I should stop glossing over it, she told herself. I unquestionably compromised with the spawn of evil. Nerim was bound to get hurt if I let things go on like that. I just couldn’t…shake the fear of that happening.
The power of Saint Lytrain’s journal was inimitable. She could perform all sorts of miracles as long as she was willing to sacrifice her memories. But the journal’s wielder was nothing but a poor, unfortunate child. Unlike Krähe, she was a novice when it came to combat. With the Paladins and Soldiers having their hands full elsewhere, Saint Lytrain was a sitting duck.
Krähe was both clergy and warrior. She represented Arlos’s will and protected people everywhere. But she was also Lytrain’s friend. The girl might’ve forgotten about their friendship, but Krähe would never forget. And Krähe wasn’t so coldblooded that she could sacrifice her dear little friend for the greater good.
Even if that meant…sacrificing everything else to protect her.
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Krähe would never, ever forsake Lytrain.
O Lord, my god… What should your humble servant do?
Ê n̈_ù m ӓ
She had prayed to Arlos more times than she could ever recount. The holy scriptures were so stuck in her mind, it was hard to get them wrong. The sacred rituals she’d performed in His name numbered more than the stars in the sky.
But her—their—situation didn’t improve.
“O Lord… Why don’t you help us?”
Just as she uttered words of doubt she shouldn’t have, there was a slight noise in the room. Krähe perked up and spun around in surprise. After a long moment, the door where the noise had come from slowly opened, and Lytrain popped her timid face into the room.
“Um… Inquisitor Imlerith?”
“Oh, hello there, Nerim. How are you feeling?”
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Krähe schooled her features into a smile. Did her awkward attempt get through to the little girl? Her heart thundered in her ears as her mind raced with worry that her young friend had overheard her questioning God. This was the first time she was ever grateful for the miracle that was Lytrain’s complete memory loss. This dark secret too…would soon be erased from her innocent mind.
Then again, it seemed she was worried for nothing, since Lytrain tilted her head at her curiously.
“…? I’m well?”
“Is that so? You have been pushing yourself of late, so I was a bit worried.”
“Have I?” Lytrain shuffled into the room.
Krähe urged Lytrain to take a seat and knelt before her so she could speak to her at eye level. Lytrain’s perfectly round, glasslike eyes stared at Krähe, making her feel like she’d get sucked into their clear depths. Then Krähe slowly confided her feelings to the Scribe Saint.
Ê ň u ḿа̇.іd
“Your power is…a precious gift granted to you by God. It is powerful enough to heal people, restore their faith, and ward off evil. However, it requires your memories in return.”
Even the most temporary of memories that we all forget in time anyway… All of them were taken, over and over and over again.
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“I don’t want you to bear this burden any further…”
“Father told me: ‘If you keep doing good deeds, good things will happen.”
That again.
Every time she asked, she received the same answer. And sadly enough, Lytrain most likely forgot even that repeated dialogue. But Krähe listened to her story as if it were her first time hearing it.
E numӑ
“Um… I promised to live with my father again. That’s why I have to keep doing my very best, so I can live with him soon. I need to do as many good deeds as I can.”
The chances of High Paladin Verdel being alive were dismal. The circumstances made his fate as clear as day, especially given the irrefutable fact no one had returned from investigating the Accursed Lands.
Lytrain didn’t know that her father went on a mission to investigate the Accursed Lands. She also wasn’t privy to the fact he hadn’t returned from there or that they had lost all contact with him. And that was why she continued being driven by her desire to be with her father again.
“Yes, it will be all right. I just know you will be able to live with your dear father again. Because you have done so many good deeds, Nerim…”
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Krähe was disgusted by her own cowardice.
Should such a foolish person be allowed to exist in this world? Instead of facing the one and only dream this girl held, she was a spineless coward who closed her eyes to reality and refused to tell the truth.
Е̂n̈ u m̃a .і d
Aaah, why won’t anyone save her? Krähe repined. Why isn’t there a way for everyone to be happy? A future where she can live with her father?
“How would you like to actually live with you dear father agaiiiin?”
Someone suddenly interrupted their conversation.
Krähe quickly stood before Lytrain, casting a deadly glare at the speaker—the spawn of evil who hailed from Mynoghra—Vittorio. How long had he been there? He was thoughtfully rubbing his chin with one hand, his usual skin-crawling sneer plastered on his lips and his unrepentant gaze eating them up.
“Nerim…stay behind me,” Krähe said in a dark voice. “Evil Spawn Vittorio, what are you thinking? You agreed we would not interfere with each other just the other day. Are you already breaking your promise?”
“Non, non. My visit this time falls under the umbrella of a mere discussion! It shan’t influence our little game!”
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“Lies. Do you think I’ll be satisfied if you just reword things to suit your needs? What does your Lector think of this?”
“Well, y’see, I came without telling sweet little Yona’Yona. She’d beat the living daylight out of me if she knew…”
“I like the sound of that. I propose that she becomes the one and true Archlector.”
“Mwahaha. I wholeheartedly agreeeee.”
It appeared the young Lector—Yona’Yona—wasn’t with him. If Vittorio was to be believed, he’d come without consulting her, and given what Krähe knew of the girl’s earnest personality, that seemed likely. Then there was no leash for this crafty man—proof he was free to do whatever the hell he wanted with no one to stop him.
“Does that mean you wish to be on the receiving end of my Holy Sword Artes?”
Еn̂û m̆а̊_. і̆d
Krähe glanced at a spot a short distance away. As she was relaxing in her own quarters, she’d left her equipment hanging on the far corner of the wall. Threatening him with her sword sounded cool and all, but it was a long shot if she’d actually be able to get the jump on him to pull it off.
But Krähe had to try. She’d vowed she was willing to make any sacrifice to protect the trembling girl behind her.
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However, the unexpected that should be expected by this point had happened.
“Non, non! We use words, not swords! I only came here to make a proposal!!”
The man wanted to bargain with words again. In other words, he had yet another deal to strike. More evil temptations. More taboo words to invite people to their ruin.
“A proposal? Again? What in the realm do you—”
Е̃ n̆ū m̃ а̃. і d
“Inquisitor Imlerith,” Vittorio cut her off before she could finish. “Would you be interested in taking that fair young lady and joining our side?”
His invitation caused both Krähe and Lytrain to gape at him. Krähe glared at him with all the anger bubbling up inside her at his ridiculous offer.
“Are you daft…?”
Changing sides is the art of war. In disputes between nations, this is done through mediation. Qualia had long been a peaceful nation free from war, but such acts had been recorded in the annals of history and even been observed during small-scale skirmishes. The reasons someone might commit apostasy and become a turncoat are as multifarious as the situations they find themselves in at the time.
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But what Krähe knew for sure was that she and Lytrain had enough value to the enemy to make this proposal. Krähe shook off her desire to know his intentions and flatly rejected his offer.
“I refuse.”
Ẁ ē b́ nӧ ve l Ӗñŭ ṁ å.
“Oh my Saints!” Vittorio gasped. “Whyever would you?”
“It’s not even a question of why,” she responded tersely. “I played along with your little games once, but that was only because it was the most peaceful option. Your offer this time shows clear contempt for our nation. And let’s pretend that wasn’t the case—why would you think we would ever submit to evil?”
“But if you doooon’t, he’ll never come back to life, will he?” Vittorio pointed out. “And here I was, all ready and rearing to ask my great and mighty God to bring him back from the dead if Imlerith flashed me a double peace sign and said, ‘I’ll succumb to eeeee-vl, ehe!’”
Krähe sucked in a sharp breath between her teeth. “St-Stop that. How dare you try to deceive people with such heresy. You can’t bring someone back from the dead. That is why everyone always reflects on their actions and does their best to live without regrets. Besides—his death is your fault!”
Krähe knew what Vittorio was alluding to without him having to say more. And she was furious about it. Just how much must this spawn of evil make a mockery of people before he’s satisfied? she seethed. How dare he even try to use the greatest desire of an innocent little girl in his wicked plot.
“It’s not moi’s fault, you know? The fault lies with the Under Paladin accompanying him who went and did something unnecessarily foolish. He was supposed to return home safe and sound. But that young welp of a Paladin became so blinded by his biases, he made the wrong decision. Karma sure is a bitch for Paladins when they have to pay for their allies’ mistakes with their lives. My condolences!”
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“Grrr!”
It was strange. The High Paladin Verdel that Krähe knew was a calm and collected man who never picked a fight he couldn’t win. He quite honestly played a little fast and loose with Arlos’s Holy Teachings, but that gave him flexibility and adaptability, and he achieved results that exceeded his orders. He could decide to beat a quick retreat if he sensed danger, and he was better than anyone else at assessing a situation. Krähe found it more than a little strange that such a man would never be heard from again, but it made sense if Vittorio was telling the truth.
But if that was the truth, then it’d extinguish the sliver of hope Krähe was holding on to. Someone who called the Accursed Lands home spoke of the fate of a scout who’d gone missing after being sent to said Accursed Lands. There was no proof more despairing and concrete than this…
That’s why… Aaah, that’s why…
“Um, pardon me, what are you talking about?” Lytrain asked.
I didn’t want her to hear this news.
Е́ nu m̀а .і̆ ď
Krähe hesitated. She debated how to trick her young friend. Wondered what lies she could come up with to get them out of this situation.
“Dear, little, pitiful Scribe Girlie. Your daddy is dead, you know?” Vittorio simply told it like it was, shattering Krähe’s hopes to smooth things over.
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“…What?” Lytrain asked, dumbfounded.
“L-Lies! He’s lying! You mustn’t listen to him, Nerim!” Krähe shouted. But her words rang hollow.
“You of all people, mon p’tit chaton, know in your heart and soul that I am not lying. High Paladin Verdel ran straight into our territory while investigating the Accursed Lands. He lost his life in the ensuing conflict. No contact, no visual, means no way he’s aaaalive!” The jester belted out a blissfully delighted deriding laugh.
While Krähe was fumbling for a counterargument, Nerim boldly stepped out from behind her, large, crystalline tears rolling down her pale cheeks.
W̌ е b̌nо v ӗ_l E ǹum̌ å
“But, but! I met with Father!” she cried. “He told me he would come to see me again when he’s less busy! That he’d tell me everything then!”
“Oh, that was an imposter, ma poupée. To be specific, it was our God mimicking him. Sounds like you had a heartwarming reunion with an imposter! Poor, poor poupée!”
“Y-You’re lying… It can’t… No…” Lytrain gasped out between sobs.
“Aw, shucks! Even I took a hit to the feelers on that one! Nobody wants to be the bearer of bad news! But it had to be said! Looks like everyone kept it a secret from you! That’s why I took up the mantle to tell you, ma poupée!”
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Tears poured like a river from Lytrain’s big, round eyes.
Krähe didn’t even notice her own vision blurring as she watched her young friend tremble and weep. Aah, Lord, is it truly all right for the spawn of evil to cause such suffering in others? Even without the use of scorching flames, evil curses, vicious claws, or heinous weapons, is it all right for mere words to inflict such harm upon one’s soul?
Е ǹ.ũ ṁ à
Krähe lost the will to argue. She realized she’d already reached the point of no return. It was all over a long, long time ago—long before Vittorio ever did anything. That truth was made evident.
“But…but! Good things will surely happen if you keep doing good deeds…”
The Scribe Saint’s heart shattered like glass. The one and only thing she held on to for dear life to keep her sense of self—her memories with her father—and the pure, unadulterated wish that helped her stand up against the miseries of reality.
If you keep doing good deeds, good things will happen.
The words of hope her father gave her …
“Has anything good happened thus far?” Vittorio asked.
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All of it was reduced to ash right then and there.
“No… No…”
“Now, now, don’t cry your heart out, ma poupée. Life is full of twists and turns! Your dreams will come true as long as you never give up! Come on, stand up. Stand strong. I’ve come bearing especially good news for moi’s poor, poor poupée. So, will you hear me out?”
The spawn of evil’s wicked words tore Lytrain apart, piece by piece. The heart-wrenching end to the girl’s dream—the one she believed would surely come true one day—came in the worst possible way.
Krähe became dominated by anger, forgetting all about the reason and teachings keeping her good-aligned.
“Enough. Your words reek of rot. Don’t utter another word. I made a mistake. To think going along with the devil’s smooth talk would bring about such utterly repulsive results. I’ll cut you down and end all of this here.”
W е b́ṅ о̄ v̆е́l̊ Ѐńû m̆ а̃
Unprecedented hatred filled her whole being. Her sword was farther than she’d like, but it didn’t matter. She was seething with such dark emotions that made her want to cut down the man in front of her this instant, that it chased away her holy mindset and rationale.
“No, I will utter another word,” Vittorio said. “And lower those fists! For I’ve come bearing the one and only means to repair this tragedy!”
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Nonsense. Krähe couldn’t fathom how the man in front of her believed in his delusion that she would hear him out after he’d insulted them. But it mattered not what he thought or wanted. There was but one thing for her to do now—punching his lights out and taking that opening to grab her Holy Sword and silence his filthy mouth for all eternity.
However…
What the? I can’t move!
It was almost as if an invisible force was compelling her to hear him out because Krähe remained dead silent despite her fervent desire to impale him with her sword.
Е̊nu ṁа
“Right then, to the deal! Here’s my proposal! Join our side! Simple, right? You see, even I’m sympathetic to the young lady’s plight. I’d like to do whatever I can for her. I mean, when you think about it, isn’t it super offensive? The whole situation is heartless, really.”
Move, move, move, damn it! She yelled at herself to take action. She struggled and fought internally, but her body wouldn’t even utter a single word.
“And soooo! I’m gonna save you all! Yay! It’s a happy ending!”
Don’t listen to him. If you do, your heart will be swayed. If you do, you’ll accept his damn offer!
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Vittorio’s honeyed words turned to poison and ate away at Krähe.
“Evil shouldn’t pity people? Nonsense!” Vittorio exclaimed. “An evil person is free to do whatever they please! Meaning we are also free to show pity to a holy Saint who stands against us! We’re not like you do-gooders who are tied inflexibly to justice!”
Е́ṅ.um̊а. і̃ d
“Whatever you say, we won’t succumb to you! Your honeyed words won’t reach us!” Krähe shouted. “Accepting a deal from the devil is the same as embarking down the road to ruin. I understand that all too well now. You forced that understanding upon me!”
“Hmmm,” Vittorio hummed to himself. “Another of the holy god’s teachings. What an admirable thing for a do-nothing god to teach, ha…”
Krähe gasped for air. She’d mustered all her strength to shout back at Vittorio and it utterly exhausted her. But it seemed Vittorio hadn’t expected her to rebel, because he snorted at her with disinterest. Like his toy lost its shininess.
Maybe I avoided falling for evil’s temptation this time… Relief enveloped Krähe like a warm blanket.
“Well, all right then,” Vittorio relented. “I’ll return home with my tail between my legs this time. It’s almost time for supper, after all.”
He’s leaving again? Krähe didn’t have the energy to chase after him. But it was fortunate her opponent decided to retreat. Perhaps he’s not a fighter? Krähe speculated but didn’t have time to linger on such thoughts. She tracked Vittorio’s back as he strolled toward the door with a hop in his step. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to escape this miserable situation.
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“Oh, one last thing, Inquisitor Imlerith!” Vittorio said just as his hand opened the door to leave. “Do you truly understand why they say the deals evil offers are so terrifying?”
“……”
It was a strange question.
Krähe answered him with silence, but she had no idea what incited him to ask it. Deals with the spawn of evil were frightening because one’s own ruin awaited on the other side. That was the way of the world and Arlos’s teaching. What in the realm was he trying to convey by reaffirming that universal law?
“Because it’s all real,” Vittorio said.
“…What?”
W е bn о̂ v е l Е.n̂u m̂á
Krähe was confused by his short reply. But his next words made her deeply regret letting him continue to talk.
“Eternal beauty, femme fatale, limitless intelligence, unparalleled power—and reuniting with dead loved ones. In every country and every age, the gifts evil bestows are all real. Of course, there’s no trap behind it. Eternal beauty never fades. The femme fatale continues to smile away at you, intelligence and power only increase. And the resurrected don’t become ash and bone. That is the reason why evil’s deals attract people like flies to honey.”
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The jester continued his temptation. Every word he uttered was sweeter than the last and aroused great interest.
“You seem to believe ruin awaits you if you accept my offer. That it must be some kind of trap. That you will waste away in eternal suffering and regret.”
He was absolutely right. She had been taught as much and believed it to this day. And she wished with all her heart that it was true.
“I swear that will never happen. All that awaits she who bows before my god is eternal happiness and peace. Peaceful days with your dear friend, who will regain her smile. A life with three meals a day and no overtime. And at the end of the story, is the promised happily ever after. That is exactly what our God Takuto Ira will grant you.”
Е nu.m̃ а̂
The devil’s sweet, sweet invitation ensnared Krähe and Lytrain.
“I look forward to your choice, ladies!”
A loud, earsplitting laugh that seemed to mock the world rang out, followed by dead silence. All that was left in his wake was the freezing cold and dark, dark feelings of despair. And the two pitiful girls who had to cope with it.
“Inquisitor Imlerith… Miss Krähe…”
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“Y-Yes…?!”
“Was what that man said…true?”
W̊ e.b̈n̈ ō v̇ е ĺ .Е_n̂ùmа
“…I’m sorry, Nerim.”
“Father’s no longer…”
“I’m sorry. I am so, so, so sorry…”
Both girls pulled each other into a hug and silently wept, as if that would console the other.
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