Chapter 20: Public Execution
In the deepest part of the Eldera Forest, Shuu stood still. He was dressed in his usual long clothes with a belt tied around them, and he wore a black coat on top, which was not the typical attire for being deep in the forest.
However, the overflowing jet-black magic from his body made that fact insignificant.
All the grass and flowers around Shuu had withered, and the trees were dry and crumbling. The whole area had transformed into a scene of "death."
"Phew... I've become more proficient at manipulating death magic."
Saying that, Shuu suppressed the jet-black magic. It was all absorbed into his body, and the ominous atmosphere disappeared. He felt a bit awkward because he had transformed the surrounding area into a lifeless zone just to control it. The concept of environmental destruction had not yet permeated human society, but Shuu possessed that knowledge.
"Becoming the Death Elemental, my magic has also increased. I can use that too."
He had a trump card for emergencies. Furthermore, he now possessed death magic and the power of death. He believed he wouldn't easily be defeated by anything. Even if he faced a holy knight, Shuu's "Death" would be a single strike. However, since this magic converted life force into magic power and deprived it, depending on Shuu's magic control, there was a possibility that it wouldn't be lethal in one hit.
Magic control was crucial no matter how far he went.
However, death magic was different.
This magic that had been dyed jet-black would kill its target with just a touch. It was a power that killed without question, disregarding mechanisms and processes. If used in the wrong way, it could lead to a great disaster.
"...Yeah."
Shuu infused magic power into his right hand, imbuing it with the concept of "death." The black magic wriggled around, about the size of a baseball, emanating an ominous aura.
He swung his right hand and released that magic, colliding with a withered large tree.
The tree, bathed in death magic, crumbled and disappeared completely.
"This is dangerous."
It seemed that it was too powerful and difficult to use effectively.
Maybe it would be better to use magic when trying to hold back.
He honestly thought so.
"Maybe I should go check on Iris's condition once."
If he could control it, there was no need for him to stay holed up in the forest.
Shuu set off towards Ildana.
It was the twelfth day since the attack by the holy knights.
***
Floating in a state of etherealization, Shu was able to quickly pass through the Aldera Forest. He continued toward Ildana, gathering information as he walked along the main street.
The noble district in the center of the town was surrounded by castle walls, but there were no particular checkpoints in the general areas or suburbs. Thus, Shu was able to enter Ildana without arousing suspicion.
"It's surprisingly quiet."
Shu muttered to himself, but the main street was bustling. However, Shu's remark had a different meaning. Despite the fact that nineteen holy knights had been killed, there didn't seem to be much panic.
For humans, holy knights were extraordinary beings.
They were generally recognized as the chosen hope of humanity, blessed by the magical armor deity El Magia.
If a large number of them were killed, there should have been more chaos.
(Does this mean the church is keeping it hidden?)
With that conclusion in mind, Shu felt satisfied.
"In that case, I have no choice but to check the bulletin board."
In Ildana, public information was disseminated through bulletin boards. They were posted in various locations throughout the town, allowing residents to obtain information. For example, even the appointment ceremony of holy knights was announced on these bulletin boards.
Having familiarized himself with the locations of the bulletin boards over the past five years, Shu headed there immediately.
As usual, there were many people gathered around the bulletin board.
Nevertheless, Shu maneuvered through the crowd, getting closer and starting to gather information.
(Recruitment for the army, festival announcements, demon god religion ceremonies... There's hardly anything about the forest.)
Not only was there no mention of the destruction of the holy knights, it seemed like their mission itself had been erased. Shu glanced through the other notices one by one, but there was no particularly valuable information. The only warning was to be cautious of the increase in monsters in the Aldera Forest, which was only natural considering that Ildana relied on the forest for its medicinal herbs.
(No luck with this bulletin board. Then, the next one will be at the church.)
The bulletin board Shu was currently looking at was issued by the nobles who governed Ildana. In addition to that, there was another bulletin board issued by the church. Since it contained information intended for the believers, Shu had never seen it before.
However, this time it seemed like it would be useful.
"The cathedral... It's over there."
Shu began walking toward the Ildana Cathedral, which he had visited once five years ago. The church's bulletin board was placed in the square in front of the cathedral. It was the only location where the church's bulletin board was displayed, attracting more people than the general bulletin board, so Shu felt a little reluctant to go and see it.
However, it was certain that Shu had no other means of obtaining information without any connections.
Pushing through the crowd, Shu arrived at the bulletin board two hours later.
(Here, it's all about the Demon God Church ceremonies. They even have profiles of Holy Knights. They even have monthly worship ceremonies.)
In the Kingdom of Ramza, all citizens are followers of the Demon God Church. As the vassal states of the Holy Grinia all have the Demon God Church as their state religion, naturally the position of the church becomes stronger. It seemed to have taken root in the lives of the citizens to a considerable extent.
The fact that even records of volunteer garbage cleanups are included is evidence of this.
Shu proceeded to look at the notices one by one, and among them, he found one piece of information that caught his attention.
"... Execution of a witch?"
What came to Shu's mind upon seeing that was the witch trials from his past life. He became interested in whether they also existed in this world and decided to read the detailed information.
"Hmm, a witch captured in Ildana will be executed by burning at the stake in front of the Royal Cathedral. The date is... three days from now."
He was impressed that even the method of execution was the same, but Shu's eyes caught something that concerned him.
"The charges are... making a pact with a monster and obtaining the power of magic? It feels oddly familiar."
In other words, it meant acquiring magic from a monster. And Shu had taught magic to Iris.
That clumsy girl. She must have claimed to have learned magic from Shu to assert his innocence and ended up being suspected of being a witch. Shu pondered such thoughts.
"I should investigate, just in case."
He had promised to protect humanity even if it meant turning against them.
Shu disappeared from the scene and decided to investigate about the witch. However, it seemed that the identity of the witch was completely concealed. The fact that it didn't circulate among the general public meant that he needed to take some risky measures to investigate.
"Entering the cathedral, huh?"
Shu headed straight to the cathedral, using magic concealment to slip into the side of the sanctuary. Then, he executed astral projection in the shadow of the plants and went through the building, infiltrating its interior. Of course, by using magic detection to investigate the passage through which he slipped, he confirmed that no one was there.
"I'm glad there's no setting where the holy power of the church prevents the entry of monsters."
While advancing through the interior of the cathedral using astral projection and occasionally passing through walls to examine rooms, Shu noticed that the cathedral was divided into sections: the public sanctuary used for worship, the inner chambers where priests and bishops worked and performed rituals, and the quarters of the Holy Knights. Shu predicted that the desired information was probably in the inner chambers.
Moving while avoiding human eyes with magic perception, Shu arrived at a seemingly appropriate section. Since he can pass through walls, ceilings, and floors, he have no trouble hiding even if someone approaches from the front. He had come to realize that being a spirit-type magical creature was convenient for infiltration.
(But there are too many rooms. I don't know where to go.)
He had successfully infiltrated, but he didn't know where to gather the desired information. In the end, to avoid being discovered by humans, he wandered for several hours and finally arrived at an office used by someone of high rank.
Fortunately, there were only a few documents placed on the desk.
In the first place, the work of bishops and priests involves prayer, so there is not much paperwork to handle. In order to reduce the number of documents that need to be dealt with by individuals with such authority, lower-ranking priests work hard.
However, when it comes to the execution of a witch, even the level of a bishop gets involved.
Shu believed that there should be records among these.
"It would be better to materialize for investigation."
Shu materialized and began flipping through the documents left on the desk one by one. Since there were only a few, he assumed it would be easy to find them, but he faced an unexpected problem.
After viewing all the documents, he placed them back on the desk and muttered.
"There's not a single document about the witch..."
The execution was scheduled for three days later. However, the location was the capital city. For a witch captured in Ildana to be executed on this date, she must have already been transferred.
Even with a carriage, it would take more than ten days from here to the capital city.
Even if there were documents related to the witch, they would most likely be from a long time ago. In other words, there shouldn't be any remaining in the office.
However, in exchange, he found one intriguing document.
"If it's true that they're summoning multiple S-rank Holy Knights from the sacred kingdom of Grinia, they're clearly planning against me."
If this is true, Iris's suggestion must have failed. It would be better to consider Iris as the witch.
"There's no point in investigating further. It would be better to go directly."
If they are going to execute Iris, I will resist with all my might. Even if it means using the power of magic and spreading death, I won't stop.
However, the problem is the time it takes to reach the capital.
Even with a carriage, it would take more than ten days, but the time limit is three days. I know the location since I was previously in the capital's graveyard, but time is overwhelmingly insufficient.
"Well, at times like this, I can appreciate having spirit-type magical creatures."
However, Shu had a secret plan.
It involved continuously casting acceleration magic, enabling him to move in a straight line through the air. Regardless of the road, he could move without wasting time, and by taking advantage of the characteristics of spirit-type magical creatures, he could travel day and night.
Considering the speed of acceleration magic, he should be able to reach the capital within three days without any problem.
"...Well, I haven't avenged the grudge of my subordinates being massacred. I can't destroy an entire city as promised with Iris, so I'll leave some discreet harassment behind."
Muttering such words before leaving the room, Shu accumulated the power of death magic.
A small amount of black magic power gathered and he directed it towards the desk. The power of death magic has the effect of killing anything it touches without exception. The wooden desk decayed, the documents crumbled, and everything else turned to dust.
It was still a terrifying power.
With the room and documents in complete disarray, it should cause some inconvenience.
"Hmm? Someone is approaching. I better leave quickly."
Sensing the approach of a person through magical perception, Shu became ethereal and passed through the wall.
And so, Shu decided to head straight to the capital.
――Several tens of seconds later, there were rumors or no rumors of a mysterious scream coming from the cathedral.