The Villain is Too Good at Sniping - Chapter 133



Only Noblemtl

Episode 133

Episode 133. Blue (2)

“I want to destroy the Holy Church.”

That was something that should not have come out of a priest’s mouth. If anyone else heard it, Isabel would be branded an apostate.

The Holy Order has already begun its missionary work in Arsen and is growing in strength. With this momentum, it will begin its missionary work beyond Arsen to other academies, such as Joachim.

However, Father Isabel, who was at the forefront of missionary work, said things that were contradictory to the wishes of the religious order.

I want to destroy the Holy Church.

It is not something that a person who has been active in the Holy Church and has brought many people into the religious world should say. That is why Isabel told me alone so that no one else would know.

Of course, Priest Isabelle quickly corrected herself, perhaps thinking she had made a mistake.

“… Forget it. Just think of it as me being drunk.”

I’m not saying this sincerely, I’m just saying that I feel that way.

“You knew, priest, that there were many problems in the Holy Order.”

However, I am from a position where I have already seen the end of the Holy Church. It was already a corrupted Holy Church, and it was destined to explode in the end.

“The Inquisitors arrested, tortured, and if necessary killed people in the name of Aad. As long as they branded someone a Mine, they would not be punished for anything they did.”

The heresy inquisitors who served the sect reigned as absolute powers in this world as representatives of the Holy Sect.

To the outside world, the Holy Church is known as a first-class organization that fights against evil, and as a righteous group that cares for the sick and helps the weak. Of course, this is only the image they present to the world.

“And the Pope, the head of the Holy Order and the leader of the religious world, is condoning the shadowy organization Esperland.”

The Holy Church joined hands with the forces of the underworld.

“How on earth did the Inquisitors define the target as a mine and arrest him? Even if they could somehow come up with an excuse, it’s not easy to find someone who’s hiding.”

That’s why the Holy Order worked closely with Esperland, using his technology to find targets and sending inquisitors to capture anyone who stood in their way.

“So, we should first look into how the Holy Church has been able to survive until now.”

Isabel couldn’t bring herself to say anything. She was so discouraged by my words that she just swirled her half-empty glass around.

It is a completely different story to reveal the corruption of the Holy Church with your own mouth and to hear it directly from an outsider. It is even more so when it comes from Esperland, who has been collaborating with the Holy Church for a long time.

“Hundreds of years… … So, the history of the Holy Church, as far as I know, is over 300 years.”

Finally, Isabel spoke.

“It certainly wouldn’t have been like this at first. The Holy Order has existed for a long time, and in the beginning, it would have focused on punishing the impure and leading people to the light, in keeping with its original doctrine.”

It has been over 300 years since the Holy Church was established. It boasts such a long history, and the city where the Holy Church’s headquarters is located is called ‘Saint City’ and attracts tourists every year.

“The reason the church has become like this is probably… … .”

Isabel trailed off, but I knew what she was going to say next.

“Because there was nothing more dirty to catch.”

“… … .”

“Because the Demon Race, the enemy of humanity, has completely disappeared from the continent.”

From here on, we’ll talk about the original background setting.

Before the existence of the Mine, there were demons in this world. The power to awaken people into Mine originated from the Mine, and all the Mine in this world now are degraded versions of the Mine.

No matter how strong Mine is, it is ultimately no match for the original Demon Race. The ‘Magi’ that the Hunter Association is currently responding to with madness is just one of the byproducts of the Demon Race.

The demons that threatened humanity have disappeared, but before they disappeared, they spread magic in this world. Even now, hundreds of years later, it remains, polluting the land, turning it into a demon world, and creating many problems, such as creating demons.

The war may seem to be over, but it isn’t.

“There are still some Mines left, but they are not at a level that threatens the survival of humanity like the Demons. Rather, they are tending to avoid direct confrontation with the Holy Cult.”

This is why the Mines do not engage in large-scale battles, but instead carry out terrorist attacks all over the world.

The Holy Order can push back the Mine Association if they want to. If they declare a holy war and gather all their strength, the Mine Association, which is strong but small in number, will have no choice but to retreat.

However, the Holy Order did not choose the path of eradicating the mines.

“As Reverend Isabelle said, the Holy Order is an organization established to punish the impure and lead people to the light.”

“I’m just saying that this is the doctrine.”

“Yes, I know. But what I’m trying to tell you is a little different story.”

The moment of victory in the fight against the Demons must have been sweet. Everyone who fought at that time must have dreamed of a life where they would no longer be threatened.

“To get to the point, the Holy Church is deliberately neglecting the Mine Association.”

Because.

“We need to keep the Mine Association alive so that the Holy Church can continue to operate smoothly.”

Isabel looked at me with a look that said, “Why on earth would you do something like that?” Isabel probably understood what I was trying to say. She just couldn’t accept it.

Hundreds of years ago, when the primary enemy of humanity disappeared, the Holy Order lost its way. Because there was no more evil to punish.

This is also included in ‘Continental History’, one of the required courses. The Holy Church once had a major setback, and the chaos continued until the Mine Association appeared.

… In other words, it means that it was only after the Mine Association appeared that they found stability and expanded their influence.

“Even if we eliminate the Mine Association, the Mine will still remain. They will continue to commit terrorism and operate in secret places as they have done so far. Their momentum will be greatly reduced compared to now, and they will end up as mere riots.”

“You’re saying that you left the Mine Association behind on purpose?”

“You know that too, priest.”

No matter how much you don’t want to accept it, you have to admit it. The Holy Church is not a righteous group. It has become a vulgar and calculating independent force.

“It’s easier to drive the opponent into a minefield than to drive them into a heresy or a cult. If the Holy Church and Esperland join forces, that level of manipulation is definitely possible.”

While I was staying in Esperland, I saw many names written on the death list. I also saw many reasons why those who commissioned assassinations gave them.

Ugly desires that come from jealousy, envy, and selfishness.

During the time when the Demons reigned supreme in this world, there was relatively little internal conflict like this. This was because the fighting took place between species.

But even after the demons disappeared, people continued to fight. They would come together and then split, and then come together and then split.

Almost every nation on the continent has broken its alliances and turned against one another, and the Holy Cult is no exception.

In the process, the Holy Order has clearly set its course. It wants to enjoy power and wealth for a long time while leaving behind enemies that can be destroyed at any time.

“The Holy Order keeps the Mine Association around out of necessity. They use the name of Mine to justify their actions. If they completely eliminate the enemy, that would be a problem in itself, so they just give it some breathing room and use it when necessary.”

All of this is a story that we originally learned while investigating Rebecca’s room in the epilogue of Act 1.

There are hints about the final boss, such as there being higher beings above Mines, and Mines being just a degraded version of them.

It wasn’t as shocking to me since I already knew it, but Father Isabel must have felt like she was hit in the head with a hammer.

“You said you wanted to destroy the Holy Church.”

“I’m just saying that I want to do it, but I’m not saying that I really will. There’s no need for Sion-sama to step forward-”

“no.”

I carefully handed over one of the hangover cures I had opened beforehand.

“If not me, who would step up for something like this?”

Isabel’s eyes widened at my subsequent answer.

***

-So, what do you plan to do, priest?

In response to my question, Isabel revealed a plan she had been thinking about. It was an unconventional plan for a priest.

– The Holy Order’s vehicle will pass near the gray zone. If everything goes as planned, it will stop briefly near the gray zone.

-Are you saying you’re going to attack then?

-Raid… Yes, we should raid then. Probably.

In order to save those being transported to the cult, Isabel decided to attack the cult directly.

Of course, they will hide their names and identities and storm in wearing masks. I am used to this kind of thing, but Priest Isabel, who proposed the plan, swallowed several times as she explained the plan, as if she thought something was wrong.

-I know this too. This method is not good, and it may lead to the worst situation. If we are unlucky, neither Sion nor I will get through this safely.

“Would you still do it?” asked Isabel.

-Your Majesty, you have been thinking about it many times before you spoke. I am Arsene’s disciple, and even if you become an elder, I am still just a low-ranking priest.

-yes…….

– Right now, there is no other way than this reckless method, but if there were another way, you would have chosen another method. Why should you be discouraged? You are doing your best, priest. You are doing what you can do now.

Just take what you can do now and do your best. That’s all that matters… I borrowed what Kyle said in the original.

-If I had been more powerful in the church, I wouldn’t have let this injustice go by. I would have been able to find a more rational and reasonable solution.

-That will happen.

-… … .

-Among the priests of the Holy Order I have seen, there was no one as devout as Father Isabel.

I have seen the future of Isabel growing up to be a saint many times over. That is why I said with confidence that she could do it.

Side Quest: The Darkness of the Holy Cult

A side quest just occurred to me. I looked at my watch and looked around the surrounding area. The Gray Zone, Kion, was the only undeveloped area among the other three areas in Arsen.

Because the roads in Kion are unpaved, dirt roads, whatever happens there gets less attention than in other areas.

However, this does not mean that Arsen has completely neglected the area. Kion has several labs managed by Arsen and is filled with professors’ research labs.

The gray area, Kion, is where professors stay to test unfinished magic recipes, conduct magical research, or prepare classes.

Thanks to this, the Gray Zone is still open to outsiders while still being within Arsen’s premises. The ‘convoy’ heading to the Holy Order headquarters is one of those using this route.

-But are you sure that’s okay? If things go wrong, it’ll be irreversible.

-The priest also lent me a holy relic.

Then and now, Isabel warned me that if things went wrong, it could be a big problem.

-I am helping you not simply because I feel indebted to you, but because I think it is something that is needed.

However, it is not free.

-Instead, when this is all over, please help me.

-If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.

In fact, other than that, I knew that this side quest was the starting point for Isabel’s growth into a saint, so I had no reason not to do it.

The date is tomorrow at 11am. Since Arsene is on holiday, the timing fits perfectly.

That day, I will rescue the prisoners being transported to the Holy Order with Isabel, eliminate any possible threats, and fight the Inquisitors if necessary.

I closed the watch and lay down on the bed.

The night view of Arsene, where a great storm was about to strike, was peaceful and beautiful.