Chapter 152
"Good grief... it's finally over."
After defeating the gang, Clael led the four capture targets out of the White Dragon Offering Hall.
A password had been required to enter, but getting out was easy with the use of an item.
Just like with the thieves, Clael, Eric, Vincent, Will, and Luy used an item to exit.
"Prince Eric! Are you unharmed!?"
One of the knights ran up to Eric as he emerged from the ruins.
"Are you injured?"
"Ah, no problem at all."
Eric responded with a smile to the knight's worried words.
In fact, neither Clael nor the capture targets had sustained any major injuries.
"We were well-prepared. As you can see, it was a complete victory."
"I see... that is good to hear."
The knight exhaled with relief.
Surrounding the ruins were knights from the royal palace and the Temple Knights.
These were the soldiers prepared to surround the gang, block their escape, and capture them.
There were only fifty of them.
Anyone who might have even the slightest connection to thieves or corrupt nobles, anyone desperate for money and easily bribed, anyone with little experience, or anyone loose-lipped... all knights who posed even the slightest risk were excluded to minimize information leaks, which left only this small number.
"We have captured all of them. None should have escaped."
"I see, good work."
"Then... we will escort them to the royal palace. Prince Eric, please come with us as well."
"Ah... Mr. Byrne, thank you for your help today."
Nodding to the soldiers, Eric turned back to Clael.
"Thanks to you, we were able to wipe out the gang targeting Reina. It was all possible because Mr. Byrne agreed to act as bait."
"Reina is someone I also consider under my protection. Please, think nothing of it."
To Clael, Reina was like both a little sister and a daughter.
Risking his life to protect her was only natural and not something worth being thanked for.
"If anything, I should be the one thanking you... This is also a result of my brother's failure."
Clael looked over the captured gang members.
His brother Girael was not among them.
"...It seems we weren't able to capture Girael. That is regrettable."
"We'll continue the investigation. This time, we managed to capture the majority of the gang. The corrupt nobles behind them should have been eliminated too, and there's likely nothing more Girael can do."
Even if he did manage to escape, Girael probably couldn't target Clael and the others anymore.
Knowing his brother, he had probably fled in a hurry and escaped to a neighboring country.
"Yes... for now, let's be satisfied with today's results."
"Alright, then I shall take my leave."
"Yes, see you again at the academy."
Clael parted ways with Eric.
The other capture targets gave Clael a slight bow before leaving with him.
The captured gang members were all dragged away without exception.
"Then, let us return as well, Saint Clael."
"Yes, let's go."
One of the Temple Knights spoke.
Clael nodded and decided to return to the shrine with them.
(So the gang has been dealt with... though the root of the problem hasn't been cut.)
Clael knew.
The gang had only been hired, and behind them stood the Holy Nation of Shinecross... and Carmine Imari, an ambitious priest.
(Unless he is defeated, this won't be over. That said... this is no longer something I can intervene in.)
Carmine was, after all, a dignitary from another country.
Not even Clael—or Eric, for that matter—could easily make a move.
The issue with the Holy Nation of Shinecross would likely be resolved depending on the capture route, and Reina would probably be the one to solve it.
(This is as far as a mob character like me can go... I'll leave the rest to Reina and the others in the future...)
Clael boarded the shrine's carriage and closed his eyes.
He had fought a serious battle unbefitting of a mere mob character... and as a result, he was thoroughly exhausted both physically and mentally.
(Back to the academy at the start of the week. I need to prepare for classes too...)
As soon as he closed his eyes, drowsiness washed over him.
He leaned back against the carriage seat, letting his consciousness drift away from the waking world.
(Man, it's like I've gone back to my corporate slave days...)
Muttering vaguely in his heart, Clael entrusted his body and mind to a brief sleep.