I'm being Mistaken for The Mastermind

Chapter 23

While Evan was being misunderstood absurdly.

The path leading to the barrier.

Lapis interrogated Super.

"Why did you suddenly suggest we go? Because of this, Evan couldn't enjoy the ballroom!"

"Wasn't he not enjoying it anyway?"

"......."

At Super's words, Evan was at a loss for words.

Ugh!

A cold dagger seemed to pierce his heart.

Not enjoying it!

It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it, he just chose not to.

A hallmark of a tough guy—never admitting the truth.

As a tough guy, Evan rejected the truth.

Super, unaware of this.

Sneakily, he observed Evan's mood.

Trying to see if Evan was offended.

Perhaps feeling sorry, he quietly added.

"......I wasn't mocking you."

"Hmph. If you were, I'd have given you a flick on the forehead."

Ahem.

As Super apologized, Evan softened.

Fine.

Since it wasn't intentional.

It wasn't that he was worried Super might get angrier if he got mad.

Absolutely not.

Super spoke again.

"......I feel sorry about it. But, I must meet that person."

"Who is it?"

"The name...... I don't know either. However."

Super hesitated for a moment.

Lapis stared at him.

Her red eyes gleamed with a strange light.

At some point, a carrot was reversed in her hand.

Hmm, surely she wouldn't swing that like a dagger, right?

Nah.

How could someone kill with a carrot?

"......The person who used to 'manage' me."

"Manage?"

"Yes."

Super shut his mouth, as if he wouldn't say any more.

Is this the talent of Arrogance?

A talent for making people curious.

The first way to make people curious is to stop talking halfway, and the second is......

'The connection between the heretics and Super.'

Wasn't there nothing specific in the original work?

Super was one of the sins that appeared out of nowhere.

The mastermind and hidden boss who controlled the unified religion from behind.

That was both Super's first and last appearance.

'Ah. Or is it for revenge?'

Weren't the ones who had bound Super remnants of the heretics?

Perhaps it was a bad relationship that had existed for a long time?

It's understandable if his pride was hurt.

After all, he's a sin of the future.

Though he himself doesn't realize it.

'Revenge...... Should I let him?'

Lapis, well.

Now that they've grown closer.

She wouldn't mess with Evan easily.

If anything, she'd protect him.

However, Super wasn't there yet.

He wasn't as close to Evan.

If he were to suggest turning back here?

There's a chance he might get angry, thinking his revenge was being obstructed.

......That's slightly scary.

Couldn't he just go alone?

While Evan was seriously contemplating.

Boom!

A loud roar was heard beyond the barrier.

At the same time, a silver aura shot up toward the sky.

'Ah.'

It's Arthur's aura.

It's the first time seeing it in person.

Evan looked on with interest.

'It's really restored?'

The aura was as thick as a pillar and so powerful it illuminated the surroundings.

That's supposed to be only about half of his prime?

'No, maybe even weaker?'

Arthur's greatest flaw is the damage to his Aura Hall.

That alone isn't the end of it.

There's also the curse left by the Moon God.

The Curse of the Full Moon.

A curse that causes pain during times other than night.

A force that compels Arthur to rely on the moon.

The reason he couldn't annihilate the heretics was likely due to this curse.

'Should I give him that potion...... first?'

Evan felt around his belongings.

He had prepared two potions this time.

One was the Aura Recovery Potion.

The other was a potion to lift the curse left by the Moon God.

He had made it just in case.

'I should ask about this later.'

Our client has submitted an A/S inquiry.......

'No.'

Couldn't this be used to my advantage?

To persuade Arthur.

More precisely, as a negotiation.

To use him for dealing with something scary!

'Not a bad idea?'

With Super causing concern, if Arthur were to join?

It'd be like having a reliable knight escort.

Aren't we at least on terms where we exchange letters?

He should at least grant this kind of request.

"......Alright. Let's proceed."

"Yes!"

Lapis responded cheerfully.

Evan placed both hands on Number 4.

Through Number 4, the barrier was opened, and they appeared.

A blood-soaked werewolf collapsed, and Arthur stood there.

......Hmm.

Isn't this the right timing?

***

"Cough!"

Red Claws, Greys, coughed up a handful of blood.

Corpses of heretics filled the vicinity.

There were no survivors to be found.

Annihilation.

It wasn't even an army they encountered.

Just one person.

The nightmare of the heretics who chased them here.

"......You monster-like bastard-"

Cough!

Greys glared at Arthur.

"Did you chase us all the way here?"

"No."

Swoosh- Arthur wiped the blood off his sword with a cloth as he spoke.

"It was a coincidence."

"Coincidence...... what nonsense."

"It's exactly as I said. I had no intention of targeting you all."

Arthur glanced toward the direction of the mansion where the ballroom was in full swing.

"You were unlucky, and I was fortunate."

Or maybe, can it not be called luck?

Once might be called a coincidence, but not twice.

"Or perhaps, it could be someone's plan."

"Pre...... diction?"

Greys realized Arthur was referring to someone else.

The faint emotion in his voice.

Whether it was fear or respect, it was unclear.

For that demon to have such emotions?

"Did they predict we would come......?"

What kind of monster are they......!

Greys clenched his teeth.

He didn't know who they were, but it was clear they were a significant figure.

To toy with that demon as they pleased.

It felt like being a pawn on a chessboard.

He had to escape somehow and relay this fact.

To his comrades fighting alone!

It was then.

Ziiiiiing!

The barrier that trapped them began to shake.

Boom!

No way?

Was it reinforcements?

A hint of relief appeared on Greys' face.

Squeak!

The barrier opened like a door, and someone entered.

It was a golem.

Its limbs were abnormally long, and its obsidian body sparkled as it reflected the moonlight.

'That is.......'

Greys stared at the figure atop the golem.

A cape fluttering in the night breeze,

Jet-black hair and golden eyes.

An expressionless face that revealed nothing.

Arthur muttered quietly as he looked at him.

"......Evan Alcart."

That young brat...... is Evan Alcart?

A boy who hasn't even had his coming-of-age ceremony?

Unbelievable.

He carried an atmosphere fitting for the Duke himself.

'......He resembles him.'

Heretics were inevitably entangled with the underworld.

As a bishop, he had seen the Duke a few times.

Those golden eyes were so similar to what he had seen back then.

Sweat trickled down Greys' forehead as he stared at Evan for a moment.

'......A monster!'

No emotions could be read.

Greys' strengths were his sense of smell and sight.

He could see even the smallest hair on his opponent.

And yet, he couldn't read him?

Such perfect control.

It was a force he had only seen in the Duke or Bishop Blake.

And to feel such a force from that kid.

'I must escape immediately.......'

Step.

The golem took a step forward.

Evan slowly stared at him.

The moment their emotionless eyes met, Greys' body froze.

Swoosh.

The golem carefully lowered Evan.

Evan stood alone.

"......Nice to meet you."

Evan opened his mouth as he stared at Arthur.

"Arthur Modritter. Is that correct?"

"......That's correct."

Arthur, who had been standing crookedly, sheathed his sword at his waist and bowed politely.

"Knight of the Full Moon, Arthur Modritter. It is an honor to meet you in person."

"It is an honor for me as well."

Politeness.

It fit so well that it gave chills.

Even in such trivial etiquette, he matched perfectly.

It felt as if he were a mastermind controlling everything.

Evan turned his head slightly.

"......Who is this?"

"Bishop Greys. One of those leading the remnants of the Heretics."

Greys read 'trouble' from Arthur.

"......It's because my handling wasn't perfect, so there are remnants left."

"......It's fine."

Evan slowly shook his head, comforting him.

Like a benevolent monarch gently overlooking the mistakes of his subordinates.

Could it be.......

"You handled it neatly. To the point of no shortcomings."

"!"

Evan Alcart was Arthur's backer?

If that's the case.

'Even our massacre was all......!'

Was it all Evan Alcart's scheme?

"Rather, I'm worried that I might have interfered."

"......Thanks to you, I've realized my shortcomings. I've never felt inconvenienced."

"Then that's a relief."

The true enemy was not Arthur.

Evan Alcart!

He was the true enemy of the Heretics!

'Grrrr......!'

At the moment when Greys could no longer control his rising wrath.

A murderous intent flew from the direction of the Golem.

Chills!

A body trembling in fear.

Forcing himself to lift his head.

On top of the Golem.

A girl with white hair and red eyes was glaring at him.

What she held in her hand...... was a carrot?

A food she wouldn't usually even glance at.

However, it now felt more dangerous than any famed sword.

More importantly.

The blue-haired child sitting next to her.

He looked familiar.

"You, Super......!"

Super.

A child burdened with a great Fate, directly managed by the gods.

Why was someone who could charm even a bishop with a mere three words here?

Could it be, to already toy with Evan?

......No.

Evan wasn't even giving him a glance.

A reaction showing no reliance at all.

Super was staring intently at him.

As if trying to burn him with just his gaze.

'......Even Super was in his grasp?'

A Fate that even the gods couldn't touch as they pleased?

How much had he foreseen?

What did he want?

The emotion of wrath began to twist little by little.

Fear.

Like the first time he had welcomed a god-

'......No! That's not important!'

Greys shook his head.

No matter the outcome.

The water had already been spilled.

If that's the case-

There was no choice but to do his best in the present.

"Super!!!!"

Greys shouted at the top of his lungs.

Arthur didn't even have time to react.

"It is the divine command!"

The one and only privilege granted to the one who manages.

The authority to command.

A privilege that someone burdened with a great Fate like Super could never refuse!

"Kill that man immediately!"

"......."

"......."

Super's hand twitched.

That was it.

He didn't budge at all.

......Huh?

Why isn't he moving?

He definitely said he would obey?

It was then.

The hand of Lapis, who was next to him, moved, and something pure white flashed before his eyes.

Slash-

His vision soared to the sky.

Greys belatedly realized that his neck had been severed.

He heard Lapis's voice, soaked in wrath.

"How dare you, Evan? You?"

Blood-red eyes.

Within them, the clinking of Cogs.

He realized too late.

That white-haired child was also burdened with a Fate like Super.

'The same...... Sins...... Two of them......?'

A Fate that even the gods couldn't handle.

To be fine while carrying two of them?

How heavy of a Fate must he have?

......He got involved with the wrong person.

Someone far too significant.

'Ah, dear gods.......'

Greys slowly closed his eyes.

Before his consciousness faded.

He prayed to the gods one last time.

Hoping for blessings upon his remaining comrades.

"......."

Thud!

The severed head rolled on the ground.

Evan looked down with an expressionless face.

Arthur spoke.

"......You seem quite angry."

"Lapis."

"......I'm sorry, Evan."

Lapis also realized she had gone too far and became sullen.

Evan, who was staring at her for a moment.

'Ha, damn! This is terrifying.'

He was already trembling from facing Arthur, and now he was even more nervous!

He could faint at any moment, and it wouldn't be surprising!

Still, he somehow held onto his mental strength.

If he fainted here, everything would be over.

Somehow, he had to endure!

"I'm sorry......."

"......It's fine. You did well."

Evan stroked Lapis's head.

Then he turned his gaze to Super.

"Did you achieve your goal?"

"......."

Super remained silent.

But his expression clearly showed dissatisfaction.

Was one bishop not enough?

It was then.

"......There are more heretics nearby."

"!"

Arthur opened his mouth.

"To be precise, there's an 'Ancient Dungeon' they've been using as a residence."

Ancient Dungeon?

Ah.

He remembered.

Should it be called an Instant Dungeon?

A one-time-use dungeon.

Once cleared, it would disappear completely.

It usually had strange murals drawn inside.

'The rewards were useful, weren't they? Probably.'

The rewards were mostly ancient golem cores or useful materials.

He had planned to go there in about two years.

Why not now?

Not because he was scared.

But because his body was still weak.

Who knows what could happen?

'It wouldn't be bad to go now, though.'

He might die a meaningless death in the dungeon.

He had to be cautious at all times.

"Normally, it would be dangerous for me to go alone, but with you, it might be different."

"......?"

Huh? Me?

While Evan was flustered.

Super, seemingly tempted by the idea, looked at Evan.

"......I want to go."

"Super."

"If I go there...... I feel like I can find the answer I've been looking for."

For the first time, Super showed desperation.

A reaction from the Sin of Arrogance.

What could be in that dungeon?

'Ah, I can't resist a hidden piece again.'

If it were Lee Hanol, the tough guy, maybe he could resist, but as a veteran survivor of one year, Evan couldn't.

Hidden pieces or dungeon rewards would be immensely helpful for survival.

Who knows?

There might be valuable golem crafting materials.

Besides, he had reliable companions here.

"......Arthur."

"Speak."

"I propose a deal."

Evan steadied his trembling heart and put his hand in his pocket.

If they accepted, they'd go; if they refused, they'd still go!

"A potion that can further restore your Aura Hall and lift a curse."

"!"

"I'll give you one. Will you accompany me?"

Arthur's eyes widened.

Shock.

'How does he know about my curse?'

Not even the Saintess, nor his sister, knew about the curse.

Could it be that he was connected to the gods?

No.

If he were connected to that hateful god, he would have known.

Then, did he figure it out?

With those two eyes?

'......How terrifying.'

All of this might be part of his plan.

What was even scarier was that there seemed to be no way out.

Could he really lift the curse?

If so.......

As the Saintess said, he might be able to save his sister.

"......The curse."

Arthur opened his mouth.

"I'll choose the curse."

Even if it meant becoming his pawn.

If he could cut down that hateful moon and lift this curse.

All of this was for cutting down the moon.

'If you wish, I'll become your sword anytime.'

Willingly, he would play along in this game.