Vol 4 Chapter 90: “True Colors” (Vol 4: The Otherworldly Battlefield Arc)

“Long time no see, Pene-san.”

A radiant smile.

Not the polite smile born of noble etiquette, but one that radiated pure joy.

With a childlike grin, the cleric stepped into the room and immediately sat in the nearest chair.

However, in this room, even such a smile could only be seen as deranged.

At the far end of the room stood a row of men whose mere presence made it obvious they were anything but ordinary citizens.

On the opposite side of the room, deliberately keeping their distance—

A faint, acrid stench lingered. Sitting directly ahead, puffing smoke from a cigarette, was a man whose face bore burn scars. Though middle-aged and compact in build, his sharp, lethal gaze made it clear he was not someone to provoke.

A monster’s lair.

Even considering the unnaturally dense population of the room, this space was better described as a den of beasts than a human dwelling.

In such an environment, the cleric’s cheerful greeting, like speaking to kindergarteners, was bizarre.

“Not that long,” Pene said, exhaling smoke, his tone carrying a hint of irritation.

“Nice to meet you.”

Amidst the tension, Sukui offered a warm greeting, his gentle smile utterly out of place.

Though Sukui’s signature expression was disarming, here it seemed out of sync with the room’s grim atmosphere.

“And?”

Ignoring Sukui’s introduction entirely, Pene continued.

Clearly, he had no interest in who the newcomer was.

He simply wanted the cleric to get to the point.

“Today, I’ve come to ask a favor of the Pene Family!”

Even Sukui, a first-time visitor, could sense the unspoken “again?” in the room.

“I’d like your help with the restoration of Polyvity! With your strength, combat skills, and above all, your exceptional organizational abilities, the Pene Family could greatly accelerate the town’s recovery!”

Pene said nothing.

Neither expressing boredom nor telling the cleric to leave.

Perhaps he had resigned himself to letting the cleric speak, knowing any back-and-forth would be futile.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to work for free! We’ve prepared top-tier housing close to the church in a bustling area. Additionally, we’ll provide buildings and warehouses for your organization’s use, promising they’re far superior in location and quality to your current facilities.”

The deal also included performance-based bonuses.

For a group as skilled as the Pene Family, the cleric promised generous rewards.

It was all very persuasive.

However, the expressions on the Pene Family members’ faces showed they were far from impressed.

The cleric’s offer carried undeniable advantages.

Ceasing their hazardous criminal activities to use their skills for a stable livelihood with guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter seemed like a sensible option.

It was, in a way, a “safe relocation plan.”

But it was only a good deal within the framework of what Polyvity could offer.

Even the main roads maintained by the cleric were far from fully operational.

While material resources were prioritized for restoration, residents’ lives were stable but at the bare minimum.

On the other hand, the Pene Family—

With unique connections to three nations and activities those nations couldn’t officially engage in—

Thrived.

Even Sukui could infer their current standard of living far surpassed the modest comfort the cleric was offering.

For them, abandoning it all to live among commoners would be like throwing everything away.

To make matters worse, it would mean forsaking their status as an untouchable power in the area. Losing that distinction could be even more intolerable than losing material wealth.

“So, what do you say? Let’s rebuild Polyvity together and turn it into a city worthy of pride across the three nations!”

With a beaming smile, the cleric practically radiated the expectation of agreement.

Without showing exasperation, Pene spoke slowly.

“Are you done?”

If so, he could leave.

“Yes! I’d be happy to answer any questions, of course!”

Sukui glanced around.

No one openly expressed frustration. This wasn’t just because they were elites, but also because the room wasn’t a place where anyone could afford to be careless.

It was clear this was a space where nerves must remain taut.

“Still a no. Come back another time.”

Even Sukui could tell the answer was the same as before.

They didn’t kick him out outright, likely out of respect for the cleric’s authority and abilities.

By humoring him with a polite rejection, they maintained appearances without escalating the situation.

After all, he was a holy magic user. The caution was evident from the deliberate distance between the cleric and Pene.

Still, they knew the cleric wouldn’t resort to violence.

He was here to seek cooperation, not enforce compliance.

As long as he adhered to that principle, the conversation wouldn’t progress.

“I see. The conditions still aren’t good enough, then.”

It wasn’t just about the conditions.

Although better terms in the future weren’t impossible—such as improved living conditions with a thriving city economy or the cleric’s growing influence forcing other mafia groups into submission—

For now, the offer simply wasn’t enough.

From the Pene Family’s perspective, it was a waiting game.

Conversely, for the cleric, the priority was to bring at least one mafia under his wing to set an example.

He was likely making the rounds to various groups for this purpose.

“Then at least allow me to introduce our new ally.”

Seemingly unfazed by the rejection, the cleric introduced Sukui.

“Meet Sukui Kensei, who recently arrived from the three nations. He’s incredibly skilled and kindhearted. Not only did he donate the magical vehicle he used to travel here, but he also led the charge in battles against monsters, earning remarkable achievements.”

The cleric’s pride and joy in Sukui were evident.

Sukui figured the cleric had brought him along to demonstrate a cooperative example and encourage others to join.

However, the cleric’s expression conveyed none of that.

It was pure pride, untainted by ulterior motives.

Sukui had arrived in this town, contributing resources, aiding in battles, and playing a role in negotiations.

That joy was what the cleric wanted to share.

It was twisted.

In response to that purity, Sukui instead attempted to gauge the core of the cleric’s intentions.

“I am Sukui Kensei. Thank you for the introduction.”

Given the situation, Sukui reasoned that there was no need for subtle maneuvering.

The cleric had asked him for little beyond accompanying him here.

If there was a strategy to pursue, Sukui didn’t mind cooperating, but if not, he would avoid any unnecessary actions. Of course, Sukui still made mental notes for his own objectives—gathering information and laying the groundwork for future visits.

“To be able to greet the renowned Pene Family of this town is an honor. While I reside under the cleric’s protection, I may find myself relying on your goodwill as well.”

He concluded with a polite, “I look forward to working with you.”

Visiting again soon to build rapport wouldn’t be a bad idea. Having met with the power players behind the scenes was already a step forward.

“You’re similar,” Pene murmured.

Silence fell.

A brief pause, as if the group deliberated who should respond.

Sukui, expecting someone among the members to agree, realized none would and broke the silence.

“Excuse me, are you referring to someone who resembles me?”

“Yeah.”

“My son,” Pene muttered.

For a moment, the tension in the room spiked.

“You have a son? I didn’t know Pene-san had children!”

The cleric, seemingly unaware, expressed his surprise. Judging by Pene’s tone, casual conversations weren’t a frequent occurrence.

This unexpected revelation thrilled the cleric, who saw it as an opportunity to deepen their relationship. Perhaps even Sukui’s presence had brought some value, adding variety to otherwise repetitive discussions.

“Yeah.”

“My son passed away recently,” Pene added nonchalantly.

“I’m… sorry to hear that,” the cleric stammered, losing momentum.

But Sukui saw it differently.

Resembling a recently deceased son—that was valuable, intimate information.

“My condolences,” Sukui offered.

“That brat was a disaster,” someone sitting beside Pene interjected, addressing their boss.

“When a prostitute showed up out of nowhere with a kid, claiming you were his father, he couldn’t even speak politely. When he brought something over, it turned out to be a pile of junk he thought worthy of the boss.”

“Though, in the end, he became junk himself,” the man added with a laugh.

Pene, clearly irritated, stubbed out his cigar on the desk.

“Don’t know if he was calling me junk or what, but when he handed me a piece of scrap metal saying it reminded him of me, I shot him dead. Brats who don’t know their place…”

“Are an eyesore. Just like you.”

Before Pene could finish, the slow-paced exchange lost all meaning.

“Calm down!”

The cleric’s shout wasn’t directed at Pene.

In his hand was Sukui’s knife.

The distance Sukui had been forced to maintain was gone—he now stood directly in front of Pene.

“What?”

Sukui’s expression was blank, as if he were someone entirely different.

In a split second, Sukui had closed the distance and attempted to slit Pene’s carotid artery with a knife.

The cleric was the only one to react, seizing Sukui’s knife to prevent the attack.

“May I have that back?”

Sukui’s empty hand grasped at the air.

Though he understood the situation, Sukui couldn’t maintain his composure without the knife.

His expressionless face began to twitch, a tremor running through him as he stepped toward the cleric.

“I—I can’t give it back!”

Sukui’s abnormality was clear.

Even so, the cleric hugged the knife tightly to their chest.

“I understand how you feel! But you mustn’t kill!”

“What do you…”

Understand?

Before the words could fully leave Sukui’s lips, something began to seep out.

Sukui’s magic.

The magic of death radiated from Sukui’s body, spreading miasma and decaying everything around him.

It was an undeniable intent to bring death to everyone present.

At the same time, the cleric leapt out of the window.

The sixth-floor height meant nothing to her.

Was she fleeing?

No. At that very moment, the cleric extended her right hand toward Sukui.

“Let this work,” she murmured.

Sukui, who had been inside the building, suddenly appeared right in front of the cleric, suspended in midair.

“As I thought,” Sukui whispered as if something had clicked for him.

He unleashed his magic explosively, scattering the miasma of death.

The miasma enveloped the cleric and reached the ground below.

“Please restrain yourself! Yes, they are evil people, but—”

They could live no other way.

They had no other choice.

“Kindness, compassion, even a human heart—none of these can exist without the right environment!”

That’s why it must be created.

A just world.

“That cannot save anything.”

At the same time, Sukui clutched his head, muttering with the last shred of reason he had.

He could almost see it—
The child who had never known their father, meeting him for the first time.

The scrap metal, worthless to an adult but a treasure to that child.

And that corpse.

“Only death can save this world.”

Buildings cracked and crumbled around them, and it was sheer luck that only the cleric remained in the miasma’s radius.

By leaping out, they had moved far enough from the Pene Family’s building, and the area had few people. Those who had been nearby had sensed the danger and fled in time.

Anyone else would have died instantly just by being there.

“It can’t be helped,” the cleric said.

She extended her hand once more.

It was a gesture symbolizing her willingness to reach out to anyone.

But that wasn’t the reason this time.

“This is what you need, isn’t it?”

Facing Sukui, who advanced with miasma pouring from him, the cleric appeared resolute.

“I’ll stop you!”

“Stop me? Isn’t that wrong?”

Say you’ll take it.

“Thief.”

That was the truth.

Sukui spat the words, referring to the cleric’s so-called holy magic.