I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain in a Game World I Had Been Playing~ Using My Knowledge of the Game, I Lived a Carefree Life but for Some Reason I Became Famous Everywhere~ - Chapter 42 - The Study Room and a Room Inside the Church

Chapter 42 – The Study Room and a Room Inside the Church

“W-Well then, I will tell you about it.”

The conversation began with such a polite preface by Nina.

“We are of the opinion that we can handle all the possible problems with the new religious organization in a peaceful manner. All thanks to your support.”

“H-Hoo?”

“For your peace of mind, there is no pretense or falsehood in this.”

Titling his head, Marie added.

—But that was not at all what the man wanted Marie to add.

What was unclear was the meaning of the phrase “your support”.

“It is shameful to say this, but we do not have the foresight to see the future. Therefore, we have decided to lure them out before they become more powerful.”

“So… There will be a confrontation?”

“Of course we don’t have a problem with people believing in other faiths. It’s just that in this case they are maliciously trying to ruin our reputation.”

“…Oh, yeah.”

The man, who only wanted to hear a simple answer of “yes” or “no” whether the situation was okay or not, gradually started to ponder.

He wondered why the process became like a meeting or a consultation.

On another note, Marie was looking at the man with her eyes sharpened. It might not be wrong to say she was staring.

This may all be her anger against the new religious group, but the man understood it as he was an animal that has been found by its natural enemy.

He averted his gaze as much as possible and continued speaking so that he could keep up with the conversation.

“So… In a way, you plan to lure them out and then counterattack, right?”

“Yes. We sent out information that the entire Ansage family will be absent from the Church today. From the information we have gathered, there is no doubt that they are becoming more active, so it is very likely that they will take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Hoo?”

It seems that Nina had her own discussion and she communicated it clearly and straightforwardly.

“U-Um, the absence of the entire Ansage family doesn’t have a long history, so I think it would be natural for them to take action.”

“Certainly, if the information operations were successful, they will go for it.”

By inadvertently raising an ambiguous question mark expression that could be perceived as probing, the man unintentionally cornered the still young and small Nina.

He was just organizing the information, but he regretted it.

“Wait a minute. ‘They will go for it’ means… In other words, does Sir Jet-black think they will come after us today…?”

“Well, sort of.”

“!”

“!!”

If the leader is absent, there is no doubt that it will work to the advantage of the opponent.

This was just his amateur opinion, but he was confident in this.

‘What are you surprised about in the first place…’

‘Isn’t that something the Ansage family already understands?’

The man had multiple thoughts running inside his head.

“So your parents are still in the church at…just in case, right? For the time being, gather more guards and escorts.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Then it should be fine.”

Generally, one would think that way.

Since they were being alert and taking precautions.

“Do you really think…that we can successfully resolve this?”

“That’s what I think. You’re that well prepared. Even if they don’t target you today, if you’re alert, you can handle it.”

“……”

“……”

He responded with some insurance, but for some reason he didn’t get any replies.

“Well, if you do bad things, they will eventually come back to haunt you. That’s how the world works.”

“……”

“……”

He wondered if there was anything to get their heads around, because again, there were no replies.

“…W-Well, later, please convey my regards to your parents, ‘Thank you for everything.'”

“Thank you, is it…?”

“Thank you…?”

Finally, after the third time, two voices came back with relief.

Perhaps because they were sisters, or because they get along well, their voices overlapped.

“Yeah. Just tell them that.”

They were words of appreciation. Appropriate of their alertness to the situation.

Just telling them this would give a good impression. As a result, even if he made some mistakes, he should still be able to avoid negative attention. 

“I’m counting on you.”

＊＊＊＊

Inside a room in the Church, there were two people who organize the Holy Church, hiding.

“Archbishop, Bishop. Are you really willing to do this?”

“Neither of us shows up when there is no business…”

“It would also affect our reputation…”

In that room, the Archbishop, the Bishop and the guard close to them each raised their voices.

It was the Archbishop who responded in a grave voice to all three arguments.

“…Of course, I understand. I truly apologize for not performing the service I should have originally provided… However, we have decided to believe in that person’s words. There is no changing this policy anymore.”

“……”

“……”

“……”

No one was to say anything anymore from the absolute standpoint of ‘it’s a settled matter.’

This is pointless…

One of the guards, watching the situation from a distance—was spitting venom in his mind.

It wasn’t hostility towards the Archbishop and the Bishop.

He didn’t have a problem with the two people who are forced to adopt this policy because of their position.

—He just had a thought for the person who convinced these two people…

No one would have a hard time if they knew about the future. There’s no such thing as a person like that. In the first place, this Jet-black guy is a stranger who just arrived recently. How does he get hold of that kind of information? It’s obvious he just said something by chance and happened to be right.

He disapproved silently to avoid attention.

The guard thought it was pointless. Staying in his position was just a waste of time…

That bastard…

He let out a deep sigh in his heart and managed to suppress his frustration while complaining.

—And then an hour passed.

See, there’s nothing going on. Enough already. Let’s go back to our original position already…

Nothing had happened.

—An hour and a half passed.

Enough! There’s no point in doing this!

—Two hours passed.

Disband, disband, time to disband. Seriously, it’s pointless.

The expressions on everyone’s faces while waiting were also becoming doubtful.

The only two people who have remained the same all this time were the Archbishop and the Bishop.

…Hah…

The guard never said anything, but for the first time, he felt angry at these two.

Instinctively, his fists tightened.

—It was at that moment.

Footsteps thumped from the hallway…and then there was violent knocking.

“T-This is an urgent report! We have received information that the infamous new religious group is approaching the cathedral with a signboard! There is a possibility of them engaging in a demonstration or spreading baseless rumors at the entrance of the Church!”

—W-What!?!?

The Archbishop extended one hand to his guards, who had gone blank.

“Security team one and two, go through the back door to the right wing of the entrance. Team three and four, begin moving to the left. They’re doing absolutely dirty work. Don’t let anyone escape.”

“”””Yes, sir!””””

The sound of the Archbishop’s staff was the signal.

The guards quickly took action.

“Send a messenger to gather all the available individuals within the cathedral at the entrance. I promise to provide a dignified explanation for all allegations towards us. Everyone will be witnesses!”

“”””Yes, sir!””””

The guards, as well as the messenger, responded to the Archbishop, seeming to be exuding a strong sense of determination.

………Eh?

But inside the room, there was one person who was speechless and had a look of disbelief on his face.