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chapter 58
“Hyung, did you attend some kind of acting academy?”
The top-floor room of the Northton mansion.
Having arrived there by the same route as during the infiltration, Yeonwoo quietly approached.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your bishop acting. You even memorized scripture—it felt like you were a completely different person. Were you preparing to be an actor or something?”
-I agree.
-He really seemed insane.
-So this is what it takes to be a streamer.
-All those lazy streamers should quit.
-For real lol.
The bishop act was short but left a strong impact.
But since Hanbit had spent a considerable number of possession cycles as a bishop, the behavior was all too familiar.
“I don’t know about acting. Scriptures show up a lot in novels.”
“I really want to read that web novel. How many chapters did it have, to include stuff like that?”
“…About 2,000?”
“Wow, that many? Then I guess it makes sense to include everything.”
At Hanbit’s offhand explanation, Yeonwoo nodded.
Since the web novel didn’t exist, the truth would never be revealed.
“Please wait just a moment!”
Brook was busily moving around his room.
A safe within a safe.
A hidden closet.
A uniquely folded box layered several times.
A quill copying recorded contents word for word.
The amount of evidence pulled from various magic tools was no joke.
“Was there this much evidence? Then why did he just stay still in other people’s runs?”
Watching Brook, Yeonwoo asked in confusion.
Most players had passed judgment on Brook with Vares’s help.
But with this much evidence, it felt unnatural that Brook had accepted that outcome quietly.
“It’s because Vares was fine. He wanted to see how things played out and then reveal the evidence depending on how Vares helped him. He would’ve been killed anyway.”
“What? Vares killed Brook?”
“Keeping him alive would’ve been an obstacle, so he killed him on the way to the capital. Hiring bandits makes it easy.”
-Whoa;
-Come to think of it, there was no news after the trial.
-Not surprising for Vares.
-He’s totally capable of that.
Brook never trusted others.
But since Vares was intact, he at least wanted to see how he’d respond.
“Then why is he acting like this now? Vares is still fine.”
“The Holy Nation was declared the betrayer. With even a bishop showing up, Vares’s future is gone.”
No matter how much power Vares had built, the Holy Nation was a force like a mountain.
It was impossible for a mere individual to stand against it.
“I’ve gathered everything!”
At that moment, Brook stopped running around.
Turning his gaze, Hanbit calmly examined the piled evidence.
Then he changed his tone and spoke.
“Is that truly everything?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if it is everything. Are these sufficient to confess Vares’s sins to the god and prove your innocence?”
“Th-that…….”
Struck at the core, Brook’s voice trembled again.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in a short span.
Finally making his decision, he reached into his clothes and took out a pendant from around his neck.
“May I make one request?”
“The god does not ignore your efforts. Speak.”
“…This also contains evidence of my crime of betraying my kin. Though I strayed from the god’s teachings, if my innocence is proven, may I receive the Holy Nation’s protection and govern Edlen?”
“Hm.”
Perhaps recalling the scripture Hanbit had recited, Brook grew frightened.
But scripture exists solely to protect god and believers.
The affairs of another nation truly meant nothing.
Of course, Hanbit was not a Holy Nation believer.
“Very well. I will speak directly to the archbishop.”
“Archbishop……! Thank you! I will解除 it immediately!”
At the mention of such a powerful figure, Brook’s eyes widened in joy.
Grabbing the pendant quickly, he pricked his finger on its sharp tip.
Slip—
As a red drop emerged and was quickly absorbed, a sound of unlocking came from the faintly glowing pendant.
Click—
Checking the pendant, Brook handed it over and said,
“Please take it. It is a magic tool that records voices.”
“Voices?”
“Yes! It contains the details of the plans I discussed with Vares, and even his remarks when he was alone!”
“Hm.”
Having obtained the evidence he wanted, Hanbit deliberately paused as if pondering.
Then he slowly nodded and looked at Brook.
“Good. Until judgment is passed on Vares, behave naturally. Should you botch things, the next ones you meet will be the Holy Nation’s knights.”
“Y-yes! I will remember!”
At the light threat, Brook bowed deeply.
He might look foolish, but when his life was on the line, he would desperately do his best.
There would be no careless mistake that would alert Vares.
After gathering all the evidence, Hanbit spoke again in a solemn voice.
“I will return. Whatever happens, endure it with faith in the god.”
“Yes!”
With that exchange, Hanbit and Yeonwoo left the room.
When they reached the secret passage where their companions were waiting, an alert rang.
Ding—
[You have completed Main Quest #11.]
[You have received 150,000 gold.]
[7 stat points have been awarded.]
[Experience has increased by 50,000.]
[You have leveled up by 1.]
[1 stat point has been awarded.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #12: Cleanup]
Using your wits, you obtained a large amount of evidence from Brook.
You must discuss with your companions and establish the next plan.
Objective: Return to the rendezvous point.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 81 percent
***
“All of this is evidence?”
“…This is absurd.”
In the underground secret space serving as the rendezvous point,
those looking at the table full of evidence reacted in disbelief.
Yet some of the contents were more than enough to be decisive.
“With this much, neither Vares nor Brook can deny it. Once the Royal Guard arrives, we can finish this for good.”
“Finally, Lord William’s name will be cleared……!”
The former retainers raised their voices in joy.
Watching them, Hanbit spoke.
“First, we plan to hold a formal trial.”
“A trial?”
“You already know. Edlen’s legal system is firmly in Vares’s grasp.”
When Hanbit mentioned a trial, the retainers who knew the dark inner workings voiced their concern.
But that was precisely the direction he intended.
“Vares knows the atmosphere is strange. I’ve publicly declared that I’m digging into the Holy Nation, and Edlen itself is practically sealed off. So we need to buy time until the Royal Guard arrives.”
“So you’re saying we won’t let him think of something else?”
Cowen asked, stroking his chin.
Hanbit nodded.
“Exactly. We just need to make him feel that a trial is the best option available. We can selectively use the evidence we’ve obtained.”
“Indeed…….”
“Considering the man, that might be effective.”
The retainers gradually nodded as they understood.
Once the atmosphere settled, Hanbit laid out the detailed plan.
“Please compare this evidence with officially recorded documents and organize it. There are exchanged secret letters as well, so we’ll need witnesses and testimony. Until the trial opens, please make everything proceed through formal channels.”
“Much of this overlaps with what we were already investigating through conjecture. Since it’s all internal to Edlen, it shouldn’t take long.”
“We can’t give Brook and Vares time to think.”
The retainers’ eyes shone with vitality and zeal.
Guilt, longing, and anger had condensed into a single hope.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
The retainers gathered the evidence and quickly left the rendezvous point.
With that resolve, it wouldn’t even take a full day.
“So, what are you two doing?”
After concluding the discussion, Hanbit turned his gaze to one corner.
There, Ria and Plona were examining Kamon’s workshop.
“We were wondering if there might be something helpful.”
Having already seen the evidence, Ria looked deeply troubled.
She couldn’t see what she herself could do.
“So, did you find anything?”
“No, nothing really.”
Ria’s voice was slightly dejected.
She wanted to help somehow, but there was no role she could take right now.
Even with Asla’s protection, enemies were watching closely.
“Ugh…….”
Plona, crouched beside her, was poking at a toy-like piece with thin paper.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a gap here… but it won’t go in.”
Plona was intensely focused, lips puckered.
Watching their efforts, Hanbit felt a bit regretful.
There was nothing more to be found here.
“Don’t push yourselves too hard. Preparations are going well.”
“Okay…….”
-ㅠㅠㅠ
-She’s so down. lol
-Cute.
-Give them something to do.
-Sylph, we’re counting on you.
The viewers felt the same way, but there was nothing to be done.
Hanbit turned away to整理 the remaining evidence.
Then—
“Ah!”
Ria’s voice suddenly rang out behind him.
He reflexively whipped his head around, and an unexpected scene unfolded.
Pop—!
“……?”
At Ria’s feet, near the corner of the workshop,
dark blue light was pouring out from a small toy lying there.
“Hm.”
Asla, who had been watching, slid the sword he’d half-drawn back into its sheath.
Meaning, it wasn’t dangerous.
“Oh?”
Startled at first, Ria lowered her posture as if noticing something.
A wooden box hidden beneath the toy Plona had been fiddling with.
Picking something up from inside, Ria looked at Hanbit.
“…There’s another note here?”
