“…It certainly seems that Sir Byner was a bit too impatient,” Glen admitted. Byner’s expression turned sour, but Glen continued, “However, Count Steelwall is still suspicious. Although you claim that this evidence is fabricated, I believe it to be real. We can’t just deem a decree stamped with the Count’s seal as fake without any evidence.”
Glen’s hand struck the decree on the table and continued, “To go against this, Sir Zich, you would need to provide counter evidence that could prove the Count’s innocence. You won’t sound so convincing if you continue to claim Count Steelwall’s innocence without anything.” Then, Glen said to the others in the room, “Don’t you all think the same?”
It was Glen’s trick to place pressure on Zich by getting others to agree with him. Glen’s words also sounded much more persuasive since he had a decree as evidence while Zich had nothing.
It was then that a young, soft voice, unbefitting of the room mostly full of old people, intervened and caught everyone’s attention. “May I say something?”
Lubella was raising her hand quietly. Even though she was young, no one in the room looked down on her, including Glen.
“Of course. I will welcome your opinion at any time,” Glen said.
As everyone looked at her, Lubella cautiously said, “I think there’s merit to Sir Zich’s words.”
Glen’s face didn’t show much change in expression, but Zich was certain that Glen was shooting off all kinds of curses inside his mind.
“…Could I ask why you think so? Do you perhaps know a piece of information that even Sir Zich doesn’t know?”
“That’s not the case.”
“Then why do you think this way, Lady Lubella?”
“It’s because I trust in Sir Zich.”
Glen failed to endure Lubella’s statement as his face distorted slightly. Yet, nobody thought strangely of this change. As Lubella intervened in Zich and Glen’s heated argument and took Zich’s side, she was basically saying that Glen’s stance was wrong, and the only basis of her claim was that she trusted the person. Other people would’ve lashed back in frustration, but the person speaking now was the Karuwiman Saintess, Aine Primel Lubella. Glen quickly fixed his expression and spoke in a coaxing tone like he was talking to a little child.
“…I am aware that you have great faith in Mr. Zich, Saintess. It’s only natural since he saved your life, but this matter is far too important to act only upon trust.”
“When did I say that I’m only making my claim because of my trust in Sir Zich?”
“…Is that not the case?”
“It’s true I trust Sir Zich deeply, but the reason why I’m supporting him is because of the accomplishments he has accumulated.”
“His accomplishments?” Glen sounded taken aback by Lubella’s words.
“Yes, accomplishments. Like you just mentioned, Sir Zich saved my life at Porti and stopped a city ritual from happening there at the same time.”
Glen was well-aware of this event. Normally, he was supposed to first build a relationship with Lubella by comforting her after she failed to stop the ritual from happening. Yet, all this plan had been completely ruined. Now that he thought about it, that was the first time he felt something was going wrong in this timeline.
“He also taught me a method to stop a city ritual, which could return the life force inside the underground water before the city ritual could be completed.”
“…What?” Glen’s calm façade that he had managed to keep completely crumbled. His eyes widened and his lips parted slightly. He clearly showed that he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Again, no one including Lubella thought that Glen’s reaction was strange. Instead, others were just as surprised as Glen.
“There is a method like that?”
“A method that can return stolen life force from the city ritual!”
Such a method would be groundbreaking. Of course, Glen’s response seemed a bit more intense than what could be normal, but it was still understandable. However, Zich had a different thought. ‘Of course, he’s shocked since it’s not a method that should exist at this time.’
It was a method that Lubella created at a much later date, but now she was saying she had learned it from Zich. To Glen, it was something that shouldn’t have happened by any means.
“Although there are those who already know of it, I will explain the method since there are more of you here who are unfamiliar with it” Thus, Lubella began to explain and people’s expressions showed with more and more admiration. Meanwhile, Glen’s mouth opened wider and wider.
“We only shared this method with a small number of people in the church until now. It was so that we could check for possible side effects, and we thought Sir Zich could become a focused target among the Bellids if we revealed the method right away.” Then, Lubella turned to Zich and said, “Now, we have grasped its logic and assessed that Sir Zich wouldn’t be removed from the Bellids’ target list from just revealing this fact.”
“Thank you for sharing that. As you said, the Bellids’ affection for me won’t decrease even further just because of this additional thing. It must have already hit rock bottom anyway.”
“However, that’s not it. Sir Zich‘s biggest accomplishment is something else,” Lubella added.
“Yes, the destruction of the Bellids’ northern base.” Weig supported Lubella’s claim.
“Yes, the one who gave us information about the Bellids’ northern base that we desperately sought out for so long was Sir Zich. He also participated in the war, and not only did he fight splendidly there, he personally killed a Bellid cardinal named Trislowa, broke a Pyramid of Vengeful Souls, and more.”
Many expressed their astonishment from all over as Zich’s accomplishments came into light.
“Throughout all these events, Sir Zich’s claims about the Bellids have all been proven to be true in the end. The Bellids suffered great damages each time.” Then, Lubella looked back at Glen and said, “Considering all that, I think we have enough grounds to trust what Sir Zich says. After all, he has never been wrong about the Bellids before.”
After Lubella said everything, she closed her mouth. Those who agreed with Lubella nodded, but of course, not everyone agreed.
“Lady Lubella, your words clearly have a point.” The person who spoke up was Uruwon Luce. He wasn’t a high priest yet, but he was a priest who was often mentioned to become the next high priest. Moreover, he was also someone that Zich had a large interest in.
‘That guy is the punk who recommended Glen Zenard to become an Honorary Holy Knight.’ He was also related to Glen in several other ways.
Since Uruwon Luce hadn’t spoken up so far, Zich thought he wouldn't intervene in this meeting, but when it seemed as if Glen was losing, Uruwon stepped forward. “Since he has been right so far, he will continue to be right. This statement does clearly have a point, but I think we should approach such a thought with caution. Incidents usually happen when unexpected situations occur. Thus, even if Sir Zich has never been wrong about the Bellids so far, this doesn’t mean that he’ll never be wrong in the future.”
“However, isn’t it true that real-life achievements also matter? Considering the achievements that he’s made so far, isn’t it certain that he has a separate information network? Am I right, Knight Zich?” a high priest asked Zich.
Zich felt goosebumps run down his back when the high priest called him ‘knight.’ However, since he had received the title of a Karuwiman Honorary Holy Knight, it couldn’t be helped that the high priest would address him as Knight Zich. Thus, this was a trial he needed to endure and move on.
Zich replied, “I can’t say more about that matter.”
“Is that so…” The high priest merely nodded and didn’t ask further. Then, he continued, “He says that, but I’m sure he has an information network since he has made achievements that don’t make sense otherwise. Then, we must judge that his attitude right now is based on that information network he has.”
“Isn’t that merely speculation? He has only replied that he couldn’t answer. I think that your speculation has gone too far.”
“However, this speculation is the only reasonable explanation for his achievements.”
More and more people began to join Luce and the high priest’s debate, and soon enough, people began passionately arguing their views. Zich observed this spectacle for a bit and stared at Glen. Normally, Glen would have tried to participate in this debate and done anything he could to make the Karuwimans accept his opinion.
However, Glen had his mouth firmly sealed. Was Glen intently observing the debate and honing his argument? No, that wasn’t it—Glen was clearly spaced out.
‘Oh my, is he still shocked about Lubella revealing the method to stop the sacrificial ritual?’ Now that Zich thought about it, Glen’s reaction was understandable because it was a matter that Glen couldn’t easily dismiss as a random variable. If Zich had really taught Lubella that method, only one possibility would naturally come up in his mind—and that was Zich’s regression.
Zich observed Glen’s reaction in a relaxed manner, and it seemed as if Glen’s mind had basically frozen in shock. It was a sight that was extremely satisfying to Zich. He wanted to etch that expression onto a piece of wood or rock or metal and hang it up in his house. No matter how bad his day was, Zich was sure that he would feel better after seeing it. While Zich was observing Glen’s expression like this—
Someone shouted, “Isn’t that because Mr. Zich is collaborating with the Bellids?”
Zich turned his gaze towards the fucking bastard who ruined his happy moment and saw Byner, staring at him with fury. Even though it was annoying that Byner was grouping him with dumb fanatics like the Bellids, he was even more annoyed that Byner had disturbed his time to observe Glen’s stupid expression.
“What are you saying!”
“Mind your words, Knight Byner!”
People began furiously criticizing Byner. Zich was a Karuwiman Honorary Knight. To say that Zich was on the same side as the Bellids was not just insulting Zich, but the Karuwimans who gave him the Karuwiman Honorary Knight title. Byner also realized that the words he spoke out of anger were quite provoking and quickly shut his mouth.
However, Zich was not the type of person to quietly stand by. “I’ve listened to your words well, Knight Byner. It seems like the reason why I’m siding with the Steelwalls is because you think the Steelwalls and I are both on the same side as the Bellids. Are you aware that this logic is also applicable to you?”
“What…!”
“I told you before that I think this incident is a conspiracy, and the forces behind this conspiracy are probably deeply related to the Bellids. Based on the situation right now, they have to be involved. Perhaps the Bellids themselves might be the ones behind this conspiracy. However, you two are also arguing to raid Steelwall, which is their goal as well. Thus, you two are making the same argument as the forces behind this conspiracy.”
“What are you saying…!”
“What? You still can’t understand me? I didn’t think that I said anything difficult. Well, if you didn’t understand, then I will tell you directly.” Then, Zich walked towards them and said, “I’m suspicious that you two might be on the same side as those conspirators or perhaps the Bellids.”
“What kind of nonsense are you saying!” Byner shouted frantically.
In contrast, Zich softly replied, “Why is this nonsense? Someone in this room dared to suggest that a Karuwiman Honorary Holy Knight is a Bellid supporter. Since even a Karuwiman Honorary Holy Knight can be a Bellid supporter, anything can happen. Am I wrong?”