TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 21
Inside the dimly lit cathedral.
Since it was a place untouched by human hands, the walls were covered with green moss, and water drops fell steadily from the ceiling.
The atmosphere was as if a ghost might appear at any moment.
I should probably sleep next to the Young Lady when I get home.
“Hey, Malik.”
“Call me Mr. Malik.”
“Then, Malik.”
“?”
At my shortened tone, Malik glared at me.
Because my shallow pride didn’t allow me to address him as “Mr.” I didn’t even use honorifics for the Young Lady, so who are you to demand I call you that?
For an arrogant Supporting Male Lead, half-formal speech suited better than honorifics.
I lightly ignored Malik, who was sending me a sharp look as if he was displeased, and spoke out about the fear trembling in my heart.
“Why did you call me out at this dead of night? It’s so creepy.”
“We need to avoid human eyes. If a civilian happens to see us, it’ll damage my image.”
“Still, coming to an abandoned cathedral at this dead of night is a bit scary.”
“Endure it. That’s why you’re getting paid a lot.”
Fair enough.
When the Proprietress tells you to shut up, all questions are resolved.
Everything made sense now.
The Proprietress, who solves everything with money.
I wanted to see her face for a long time to come.
Money is truly powerful.
I grasped my sword, thinking about the wallet that would soon be brimming.
“Is Pascal here?”
“After the incident broke out, I immediately placed surveillance. He’s probably been settled here for about three days.”
“Hmm… Certainly….”
This place does suit Pascal’s preferences.
In the novel, Pascal liked places such as caves where sunlight couldn’t reach, or gloomy locations. Especially since Pascal’s main strength was dark magic, it only made sense.
Dark magic itself exerts stronger power in darkness.
Crossing the cathedral’s main gate.
We pushed through the cobweb-filled chapel and slowly entered inside.
At the moment we stepped into the chapel’s main entrance.
“Be careful.”
I suddenly grabbed the collar of Malik, who was leading the way.
Crash.
“What are you doing….”
Fallen, Malik glared at me fiercely. Instead of answering, I pointed to the chapel door with my finger.
Black arrows were embedded in the door, piercing through the wall.
Gulp.
Malik swallowed hard.
He couldn’t say a word.
Had it been a little later, he would’ve failed to fulfill his dream of becoming the Head of the Family and ascended to heaven.
“Get a grip, Patron.”
“…Sorry.”
Malik quickly admitted his mistake.
He was embarrassed to have fallen for a trap that even a beginner would get caught in, and it was also true that I had saved him.
Without making excuses, Malik placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at any time.
He looked much better than his earlier careless demeanor.
“I’m opening the door now.”
Confirming Malik’s determination, I grabbed the chapel’s doorknob.
-Eeeek.
Inside the chapel we entered, a giant statue of the Goddess stood with arms raised in welcome.
The combination of cobweb-filled chandeliers and the moonlight streaming through the collapsed ceiling was quite beautiful, but.
“The statue doesn’t have a face.”
The emotion was ruined by the faceless, smooth head of the Statue of the Goddess.
The eerie atmosphere began to engulf the chapel.
From the faceless Statue of the Goddess.
To the completely empty chapel chairs.
It felt like someone might be there.
The atmosphere gave the impression that a ghost might pop out from behind at any moment.
Without fear, Malik briskly walked toward the center of the chapel.
“Did he run away after all?”
Malik muttered softly.
“I don’t think so?”
I answered his words with a short denial.
That Guy, who valued art so much, wouldn’t run away from such a perfect location.
A place where corpses could be hidden.
A place that could create a gloomy atmosphere.
Especially knowing Pascal’s tastes, I was convinced he wouldn’t abandon this place.
Pascal was obsessed with desecrating the divine.
In the novel, he turned priests and sisters into art pieces. He would be thoroughly captivated by a place like this.
I fixed my gaze intently on the empty pulpit.
The pulpit where the priest gives sermons.
Now, a faceless Statue of the Goddess stood with arms open in welcome, but usually, it was the place where the history of the Divine Healer was most active.
I lightly swung my sword toward the Statue of the Goddess.
The sword energy silently pierced through, slicing the Statue of the Goddess with a sharpening sound.
Malik shouted in annoyance at my actions, which I carried out without consulting him.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought he might be there.”
“Who?”
“Pascal. He’s there.”
-Hehehe… Oh dear, I’ve been found.
A familiar laugh echoed from behind the sliced Statue of the Goddess.
Malik quickly drew his sword.
“Who are you!”
“Who else? It’s Pascal.”
Calm down.
Didn’t you hear what I just said?
A black silhouette slowly emerged from behind the Statue of the Goddess. The same appearance as our first encounter—holding two daggers in reverse grip—reminded me of a familiar insect.
I stepped back a little.
With the thought that I should observe for now.
Perhaps understanding my intent, Malik also began to move slowly away from Pascal.
Pascal let out a small laugh.
“Welcome to my exhibition.”
The Mantis bowed politely. His manner, as if he were a gentleman showing courtesy, resembled a male mantis courting a female.
I raised my hand and posed a question.
“I didn’t come to see an insect exhibition, though.”
Pascal quickly lifted his head.
Perhaps it was because he heard the voice of his benefactor.
His wide-eyed gaze at me seemed genuinely delighted.
“Why are you here?”
I rubbed my eyes.
“Huh?”
I rubbed them again.
“What?”
It seemed he didn’t know I was here.
The moment my face, hidden in the darkness, came into view.
-Bang!
Black Arrows loomed before my eyes.
[‘Dark Magic Resistance’ negates Pascal’s magic.]
“No matter how glad you are to see me, such a reaction is a bit troubling.”
“You… it really is you? I thought it was a dream.”
“I thought so too. Missing you would’ve been quite the problem for me.”
Hoo. Pascal let out a Deep Sigh.
It was a sigh deeper than that of an old man who had smoked for decades.
“Do you know how much of my perfect Art you’ve ruined?”
“It must have advanced further, right?”
When I replied mockingly, Pascal’s Voice grew increasingly agitated.
“Advanced? Did you just call this advancement?”
“Yes.”
“…You bastard.”
Pascal went silent.
Perhaps he hadn’t fully grasped the Truth yet.
I spoke to him with a pitiful heart.
“Are you still hiding behind a Mirror? I’m not confident in plastic surgery, but I can at least turn you from a Mantis into a slightly better-looking stag beetle.”
“…Are you joking with me right now?”
“Oh…! Don’t frown like that! It’s gross because you look like a Mantis.”
-Bang…!
Once again, Black Arrows flew toward me, but of course, they had no effect.
“What are you? Magic doesn’t work on you…! Dark Magic doesn’t work either. Are you a Monster?”
Malik also looked at me with eyes full of agreement.
A body immune to magic? Such a Monster couldn’t possibly exist. But Malik couldn’t hide his confusion at how composed I was.
“You, what are you? Are you a vampire or part of a dragon clan?”
“No. I’m just a regular Butler.”
“A guy who can do this is a Butler?”
Isn’t this exactly what being a Possessor allows?
I kindly explained it to Malik from Histania’s perspective.
“It’s Talent. Overwhelming Talent.”
Malik glared at me with eyes full of frustration, but I answered him simply with a shrug.
“Don’t be so full of yourself.”
“Got it.”
-Rumble….
Darkness began to settle over the Cathedral.
It seemed Pascal’s anger had reached its peak.
“Don’t… ignore me.”
Black energy began to seep into Pascal’s Daggers.
It looked like he was about to showcase his Mantis Fist.
I poked Malik in the Side.
“He’s coming now. Get ready.”
“Got it.”
“Don’t let your guard down.”
With Pascal’s current level of Martial Arts, how strong would he be? Probably as strong as Hanna, who had awakened her Aura.
The power of Aura is absolute.
It can cut through anything.
An Aura User with explosive strength would likely be on the same level as Pascal right now.
Of course, when he was known as the Archbishop of Madness, he was stronger than both me and Hanna, but during his Adventurer Hunter days, Pascal was still someone Malik could handle.
Maybe Malik even stood a chance. If he could counter Dark Magic, that is.
The scariest thing about Dark Magic is its unpredictability.
You could tell just by looking at the Young Lady’s Brainwashing Magic.
Since I know the plot of the Novel, I know what Dark Magic Pascal will use and what his weaknesses are, but ordinary people wouldn’t have a clue and would fall victim instantly.
With regular Magic,
you could expect heat and explosions from Fire Magic.
Cold and aggressive constructs from ice-based spells.
Sharp attacks from wind-based Magic. But Dark Magic is different.
It can have corrosive effects.
It could be a Curse.
It creates variables you wouldn’t even think of.
It was extremely tricky to deal with.
That’s not to say Dark Magic is the strongest.
Just look at the Master of the Magic Tower or the Head of the Family in Desmond; they possess Magic that can completely crush Dark Sorcerers.
Whether it’s dropping a Meteor or freezing the entire area, even the most exceptional Dark Sorcerer wouldn’t stand a chance.
Dark Magic is simply easier to learn and creates more potent effects compared to regular Magic.
But with great power comes inevitable costs.
And the Risk of failure was immense.
Just like our Young Lady.
As with any field,
the best performer becomes the strongest,
and the most talented one becomes the victor.
In conclusion, Pascal is still incomplete.
Before he fully delved into Heretics, Pascal was someone Malik could definitely beat with a bit of support.
I patiently waited for Malik’s battle.
How far could Malik go now? When would I need to step in? I pondered deeply.
Malik’s shoulders were trembling.
It seemed he was afraid of Pascal’s madness.
“How about now? Do you think you can do it?”
“…Of course I can.”
I provoked Malik.
Hoping that his passivity would turn into excitement and ease his tension.
“Really? Against him?”
Pascal, glaring at us with savage eyes.
He was staring at us with unwavering focus.
“Give Up. Hanna might manage, but Malik? Impossible.”
“I can do it.”
“Are you planning to die so you don’t have to pay me?”
“Shut up.”
Malik glared at me.
It seemed he had solidified his Determination.
“Histania never breaks a Promise once made.”
“Though, judging by what you showed Hanna, that’s debatable….”
“I’ll keep them from now on.”
Malik briskly entered the Chapel.
-Bang!
Black Arrows burst through the wall.
Malik easily dodged them with a slight tilt of his head.
“Mantis bastard….”
“Devotee, why do you call me Mantis!”
“Well, because you look like a Mantis… Sorry. I shouldn’t mock someone for the face they were born with.”
Malik closed his mouth.
“Devotee…. Let me turn you into my Masterpiece.”
Pascal’s body leapt like a Mantis.