Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 279

The moment I saw the phrase that the inquisitors were coming here, the first thought that crossed my mind was this:

Why? Why are they coming here?

There’s no reason for them to visit the Burrow family.

The inquisitors of the church are problem solvers for the church.

Inquisitors who are charged with suppressing heresy perform various dirty tasks that cannot be conducted in the light.

As those who engage in activities that should not be publicly revealed, only those deeply loyal to the church can obtain such positions, but it’s somewhat different now.

They don’t appoint the loyal as inquisitors; instead, they cultivate loyal individuals from the church to create inquisitors from the outset.

There’s nothing strange about it. The current church even produces its own saintesses.

Anyway, these individuals are usually sent only to perform dirty work.

They help collaborators maintain eternal silence, silence those with slightly outlandish opinions, or, as the name suggests, interrogate heretics.

So why are these individuals coming to the Burrow territory?

It’s clear that the church has not grasped the situation in the Burrow family.

After all, it was verified by Bishop Johan of the church and Isabel, who has various connections within the church.

Therefore, there should be no reason for the church to take an interest in this territory. So why?

No, wait.

I can think about the reason later.

What I need to focus on is how to respond to the appearance of the inquisitors.

If the inquisitors reach the Burrow territory, it would cause more than just one problem.

First and foremost, being discovered is a huge issue.

I have not yet grown strong enough to stand against the church’s influence.

If I were to be discovered as an apostle in this situation, as my grandfather once said, I would vanish without a trace.

That’s not the only problem.

If the events that occurred in the Burrow territory were uncovered, who knows what sacrifices might arise?

Moreover, there’s a significant possibility that the innocent Feiby and Johan, who only assisted me, would be harmed.

Ahh. Damn it. My head hurts!

<Girl, what’s wrong?>

‘...Something not so good has happened.’

When I shared the situation I was in, my grandfather let out a sound of dismay.

<It seems troublesome.>

‘Really.’

I just overcame a life-and-death crisis, and now another one is approaching!

What’s even more frustrating is that this crisis didn’t arise from the Evil God!

Why should I, the apostle of the deity, fear the people of the church?!

As the first apostle of the deity in history, shouldn’t I be revered and treated with respect?!

This is all because of that pathetic, incompetent deity!

Why can’t a deity manage his own followers properly?!

Are you really a god?! If your will is being defied, you should impose some form of punishment!

I can’t believe it’s because you don’t want to talk to those old, smelly geezers!

If the pride of a perverted lolicon is somehow related to those geezers, I’m really going to be angry!

I’ll risk my life to spread your true nature in this world!

<Girl, are you listening?>

‘...What? What did you say?’

<Haa. This matter isn’t only your problem, you know. I believe it’s more important to go outside and inform others.>

My grandfather’s words were undoubtedly correct.

This wasn’t just my problem.

Moreover, when considering the situation, it would be better to discuss it with others rather than alone.

Closing the window, I stood up, gripping my mace in my right hand, and glanced at the back of Nakrad’s head.

“Now to be satisfied... what? Didn’t I do everything you told me to do! Hold on! Stop!...”

If I hit him like this, he should faint, right?

After Lucy entered the dungeon, Feiby continued to kneel in front, praying continuously.

The only thing she could do was ask the deity to protect Lucy.

Ignoring suggestions to eat or drink, to rest, or anything else, she stayed in her place.

At that point, she couldn’t even tell how much time had passed.

Then, a warm energy flowed out from beyond the dungeon door.

As she felt it on her skin, Feiby hurriedly opened her eyes.

Standing there was undoubtedly Lucy.

Her flowing red hair was a mess, stained with blood.

Blood flowed down her face, covering half of it.

The armor she wore was dented and hard to recognize in its original state, but standing at the entrance of the dungeon was certainly...

Lucy.

She threw the two dolls she had carried over her shoulder to the ground like they were baggage, met Feiby’s gaze, and grinned.

“What’s this? Pathetic saint. You...”

“Lady!”

As soon as Feiby saw that smile, she rushed to Lucy and hugged her tightly.

She didn’t care that Lucy was covered in blood and that her clothes might get dirty. The overwhelming joy made it impossible to think about such things.

“Do you have any idea how worried I was?!”

“No.”

“You said it was nothing, but you took so long to come back!”

“Sleep.”

“Ah! I’m really! I’m so glad you’re safe! Lady...”

“Hey! Pig saint! Could you back off a bit? It’s a bit overwhelming!”

Only after Lucy yelled did Feiby realize how rude she had been.

How could she have been so disrespectful to someone who just fought against an apostle of the Evil God?!

“I’m sorry! Lady!”

“...Haa. That’s enough. Where are the other pathetic ones?”

“The others are...”

“What about them? The employer? Is it urgent?”

Just as Feiby was about to respond, a voice suddenly came from behind.

Karia. An informant following Lucy peeked his head in through the door.

“Yeah. It’s as urgent as a lady’s coming of age.”

“...My coming of age isn’t particularly urgent, you know?!”

Karia raised her voice, as if stabbed by a dagger, while Lucy, who was telling her to gather people, stood in between them.

Unable to interject into the conversation, Feiby turned her head to check the faces of those Lucy had brought.

One was Jackal Burrow.

The son of the Burrow family and a seducer who had fallen for Tariki's temptation but was given another chance by Lucy.

The other was...

“Pfft?!... Cough! Cough!”

Confronted with the apostle of the Evil God, Feiby was so shocked that she choked several times.

What is... what on earth?

As Karia approached behind Feiby, she lightly tapped her back and asked Lucy as if to interrogate her.

“Employer. What the hell is going on here?”

“I don’t know what this perverted tall one is thinking.”

“...Is this personal preference? Really?”

As Karia observed Nakrad sprawled on the floor, she shook her head as if she had seen something terrible and stepped out of the room.

Silence then settled in the room.

Feiby was too occupied with worrying about her recent mistake to pay attention to Lucy.

Lucy, with a furrowed brow, was staring at the floor, deep in thought.

Ugh. Silly Feiby. Why do you have to keep making mistakes even in a moment of reunion that should be joyful?

Thanks to that, I only received criticism from the lady.

Haa. Pathetic saintess.

...But if I think about it, the lady doesn’t speak untruths even if she exaggerates a bit.

Oh? Is that a little weight?

“Lady! Are you okay?! Is there anywhere you’re hurt?! This sword! I was so worried about you!”

Breaking Feiby’s thoughts was the frantic entrance of Cal, who rushed in.

As soon as he entered the room, he began to fuss about everything, ultimately being subdued by the annoyed Lucy.

Before long, Alsethin revealed himself.

Johan quietly took a seat in the room, followed by the Forest Master and the Spatial Mage.

“Frete that pervert will be finishing up soon.”

And finally, when Karia also revealed herself, Lucy spoke with a somewhat serious expression.

“The dog of those trash pretending to serve the pathetic deity is coming here.”

“Really... there’s no need to ask if it’s true.”

The first voice came from Karia. Being able to read a person’s intentions, she realized that my words were true and turned her gaze to Johan with a sigh.

“Bishop. What will happen if the inquisitors see the situation in the Burrow territory?”

“Hmmm.”

Johan didn’t doubt my words either.

He seemed to have concluded that my words were true and promptly responded to Karia’s question.

“There’s no way they wouldn’t find traces of Tariki. Then they would interrogate us for acting without notifying the church.”

“That would be annoying.”

“More than that.”

“What about persuasion?”

“It’s impossible. The same goes for subduing them. We might win against the inquisitors, but someone will get away.”

“Haa. Then.”

“Um.”

As the conversation progressed rapidly, Feiby spoke up, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Though she could have felt the pressure of those gazes, Feiby smiled as usual and continued speaking.

“I’ll stay behind to testify. Then we can portray the Burrow Dukedom as innocent victims, and Lady will not face any arrows of blame...”

‘No!’

“Don’t do it, pathetic saint.”

“Not at all, saintess.”

“That’s a bad idea, saintess.”

As soon as Feiby proposed it, the three of us—me, Johan, and Karia—shook our heads in unison.

“Why... why not?”

“First, it’s a problem because the saintess cannot handle the scale of this matter alone.”

“It would raise suspicion and lead to investigations from behind. That would cause trouble.”

While I wouldn’t say it directly, even if Feiby’s suggestion were accepted, it would still be a problem.

The false saintess defeating the apostle of the Evil God would not be something the church would welcome.

What those tools might do when they begin to develop a sense of self.

“Then I’ll step forward!”

When Feiby was at a loss due to the continuous objections, the door burst open.

It was the apostle of the goddess of beauty and perversion. No, the goddess of beauty and art, who made her delayed entrance.

“If I take the lead in this matter, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“...The apostle?”

In response to Feiby’s question, the one who gave a gentle smile nodded, stepping into the center of the room.

“I actually came here after hearing the goddess’s words, so questions about how I knew are unnecessary. Moreover, given my accumulated achievements, even if I handled everything myself, no one would suspect it. Of course, I’ll claim the Burrow family’s innocence and use our church’s power to prevent the deity’s involvement.”

What they said had no flaws.

If this guy took the lead, many problems would be solved.

What’s more important is that he is beyond the influence of the deity’s church.

Even if they are inquisitors, they cannot strongly confront an apostle of another god, so if he boldly steps forward, they would have to step back.

“I don’t know why you wouldn’t want this matter to be exposed to the church, but isn’t this the cleanest solution?”

Is this really the same pervert who used to charge at me?

The same pervert who screamed all sorts of bizarre things, shocking me, can speak so logically?

I was astonished to see a beast speaking human words.

At that moment, Karia sighed.

“If you’re going to do that, that’s the best option, but what are your ulterior motives?”

Huh? Ulterior motives?

“That’s the repayment for saving my life.”

“Don’t spout nonsense. Have you forgotten who’s in front of you?”

Karia, who possesses the ability to read the movements of others, was remarkably adept at interpreting their intentions.

Her skill was so exceptional that it could even grasp my innermost thoughts.

The fact that Karia raised her voice meant...

What? Is this guy not just expressing gratitude? Does he have ulterior motives?

...No. Wait a second. If this perverted guy has ulterior motives, then it must be...

“Speak quickly, you pervert. There’s no time.”

“Um. It is, you see. While I was discussing with Lina, I heard that Lady Alrn intends to present herself beautifully before the master of the forest.”

Yo.

The fool.

This crazy girl!

Did you boast about that when I entrusted you with it!?

I glared at him, not hiding my anger, and the fool awkwardly avoided my gaze.

You actually said that! This hopeless perverted fox!

Though I wanted to rush at him right now and swing my mace, sadly, I could not do so yet.

Because the apostle of the goddess hadn’t finished speaking.

“If I can leave that sight as a painting, it would be perfect. If Lady permits me, this Frete will do anything.”

...

Haa.

Damn this life.