Members of the scripture liked to call me a pacifist.
I was most certainly not.
Exterminate any non-human settlements on our way back – that was the order. The others gladly followed. I stayed away, but not because of delusions of trying to be a hero of justice.
What separated me from the rest of the scripture members was that I wasn'tmotivated by zealous righteousness or simple-minded thrill-seeking.
I'd reluctantly carry out those orders if it provided some benefit. That being said… according to the universal law of MMORPGs, I was disincentivised from slaughtering weak opponents. To progress, I had to challenge myself, and the EXP a single pathetic demi would yield is negligible.
I lamented my predicament.
Due to the Theocracy's equipment and my consistent training regime, I could hold my own against some of this world's elite. Intuitively, I've gotten more powerful. However, if I had levelled up recently, I couldn't tell. The feeling of getting stronger had long since faded.
In denial, I explored other options.
I hoped that winning PVPs was one way of gaining EXP; it was why I never turned down an offer. However, the more I thought about it, I realised that this didn't matter too much. Combat experience was just as valuable and tangible as actual EXP at this point.
Thus, the accumulation of power had become the primary focus of our master plan. In second place came the recruitment of some allies. And finally, actually escaping from the Theocracy came last.
An excellent order of priorities, in my opinion.
Renner agreed.
What could possibly go wrong?
We returned from our mission to the Roble Holy Kingdom yesterday, enjoying a well-earned rest back at home, reflecting on my predicament.
Right now, we occupied a house in a secluded, gated village in Kami Miyako. Most families of scripture members lived here for protection. It was a self-sufficient little community, but inevitably, it got boring at times.
Renner walked into the room, disrupting my thoughts. The slight frown on her face was evident. Around others, she was simply the good-natured, well-behaved captive princess. Privately, she laid bare her true nature, a side of her reserved for only a few select individuals on the continent. Her two-faced personality was something I still found charming.
"I think you've done enough lounging around for today, don't you?"
I nodded in agreement.
"Hmph. Despite having less freedom than you, I seem to get a lot more done in the same timeframe, Climb."
"It can't be helped. Someone is always assigned to watch over me. Ironically, thanks to that harmless act you put on, you're the one that has the most freedom here. People are way too careless around you."
One issue was communication; everything always boiled down to it. I could see why Nazarick was so successful; they could [Message] whenever they liked and therefore could coordinate things perfectly. We, on the other hand, could only meet sparingly between missions.
I was banned from using [Message] scrolls, preventing me from contacting the outside world lest I leak confidential information.
The Theocracy didn't pay us in the usual currency. Instead, we were issued stamp cards that entitled us to goods and services within the community's walls. Hence, I had to procure specific materials we needed covertly. Each time I left on a mission, I was always on the lookout for scrolls. We've managed to stockpile a stash of them with some sleight of hand.
"On the topic of people that the Theocracy is remiss of… any updates regarding that woman?"
Hm.
Her.
"Believe it or not, no problems whatsoever."
Clementine.
Currently the 9th seat, younger sister of One Man Army, 5th seat. Destined to defect from the Black Scripture and seek protection from the death cult Zurrernorn. If anybody knew how to evade the Theocracy and had the right connections, it was her.
Dealing with her was dangerous.
But it was necessary.
As an added bonus, I've been on her good side ever since I antagonised her brother. She has an inferiority complex when it comes to that man; and thanks to that accidental discovery, I now bore the extravagant epithet of 'The only person in the Slane Theocracy that Clementine doesn't secretly hate'. Bit of a mouthful… it was a working title.
…
Oh, and that reminds me.
"She'll be visiting soon."
Renner's face contorted as I appended a rather important piece of information to our conversation. She didn't appreciate the sadist's company but admitted that her involvement was integral.
"And pray tell, why only mention this now?"
"Slipped my mind," I shrugged.
She shook her head unhappily at my incautious attitude.
"Climb, you've already been back for over a day. I know with your disposition… that you like to live with your head in the future, but please try to pay some attention to the present," she pleaded.
I admit perhaps I was treating this a bit too lightly. Just because I've seen Clementine crushed between two hands on a screen, didn't make her any less threatening right now.
"Sorry, Renner; I'm getting ahead of myself again. Let's prepare for our guest, shall we?"
She'd been getting a little impatient. While I didn't know exactly how she felt, I could sympathise. She had almost freed herself from being the trapped princess of Re-Estize, only to find herself a hostage in another country.
The lectures we had together quickly became a vague memory, and that was part of the issue. Due to our insistence on having nothing to do with the tanks, we weren't granted a lab or working materials to experiment with.
We had bided our time for years and, in the process, had to abandon our political ploys in Re-Estize.
She was undoubtedly just as eager to get out of here as I was. I wonder what came of Zanac's agreement with the Baharuth Empire; we were supposed to negotiate alongside him.
Having Clementine so close was a little nerve-wracking, and I don't think I'd ever get used to it. She was just reaching her early twenties, and nothing indicated that she'd gotten a taste of spree murdering civilians yet. She was still crazy, nonetheless.
With Renner sitting just beside me, my protective instinct was quietly kicked into overdrive.
"Please, help yourself. I don't know what you like, so we brought everything out."
A platter of bread, fruits, cheeses, and a selection of dried meats was spread across the table between us.
"I assume I'm not here simply because you felt like treating me."
She folded her legs, stabbed a slice of meat with a stiletto, and leaned into the sofa.
We have toothpicks, you know?
Her crimson red eyes stared at me with a dangerous glint. She wasn't an unthinking, rabid animal despite what canon may have you believe.
Nevertheless, instead of using that intelligence for something productive, all it was dedicated to was thinking of more elaborate ways of toying with opponents and inflicting the most pain possible. Her eyes were cunning and sharp, but unlike Renner's, they weren't enchanting in the slightest.
"We're thinking of moving our plans forward a bit. Can you accommodate it?"
Clementine hummed playfully as she continued to savour the snacks we laid out. She enjoyed eating meat, it seemed. She paid no attention to the fruits or salad we had prepared. Eventually, she replied.
"I thought we agreed that we'd begin after I finish with my business."
I groaned internally, seeing that she was still fixated on obtaining the Crown of Wisdom. Although I don't remember the exact details of how the item worked, it was regarded as a national treasure, currently possessed by the Miko Priestess of Water.
"Trust me, Clementine, the Crown will look like child's play if we manage to pull this off. I don't know what your motivations are for it, but haven't I said? We'll have all the money, power, and resources you could desire at our disposal once we're done."
She mulled over my entreaty. In short, I was telling her to ignore the Crown of Wisdom and help us with our plan. It was a big ask, but I was confident that my offer was enough to tip the weighing scales of indecision.
Renner glanced at me disapprovingly.
What?
My confusion was quickly replaced by a sense of foreboding.
"Who told you I was going for the Crown?" Clementine's eyes narrowed and she flashed an accusatory Cheshire grin. She raised her stiletto, her tongue running the length of it.
Oh, shit.
I messed up. Clementine never told me about her plans to steal the Crown, and she'd only vaguely mentioned having separate 'arrangements' prior.
My stomach sank as she performed the ritualistic action. She licked her weapons when her bloodlust rose above a certain level. While I trusted that she wouldn't lunge at me immediately, pissing her off was never a good idea.
Immediately salvaging the situation, Renner interrupted.
"While I wish Climb would've been a little more attentive, it seems like there is no choice. Nobody told him, Clementine. And now, instead of jumping to conclusions, how about we go about things logically?"
Realising the distraction, she entertained the question anyway. Pausing, Clementine worked through the possibilities. Other than us, no one knew of her plans; there was no chance of an information leak or a third party. What did that leave? I somehow inexplicably came into knowledge of her inner thoughts.
"Mind reading, then? That's your gimmick?" She scoffed. "I've known you for a couple years and was curious as to how you always managed to weasel your way out of a tight situation. It looks like you have a rather bothersome power."
She was on the right lines but still mistaken. Both Renner and I didn't bother fixing the misconception.
"…More or less."
The ferocity radiating from Clementine slowly died away as she settled on her own conclusions. Having someone with damaging information about your future plans was a risky loose end to have. Hopefully, she wouldn't prune it so early; our offer was enticing.
Renner kept things moving along and reported on her side of things.
"While you've been gone, I've made significant progress. I've narrowed down the possible locations of Zesshi Zetusmei to just one."
Oh? This was getting exciting.
Renner reached beneath the table and produced a thick stack of paper. Classified documents, detailed maps and diagrams of Kami Miyako, and a ridiculous amount of annotation carefully layered over the top of them.
A culmination of two years of work. While she made no indication outwardly, I could tell she was proud of it.
"The Extra Seat of the Black Scripture. You've finally found her, have you? I don't understand all this complicated scribbling. Point me in the right direction, and I'll be off."
There she goes again. Clementine was strong, I guessed maybe around level 40 or 50. However, against a god-kin nearing level 100? I think it'd be a bit of a stretch to call it a battle.
"Need I remind you we're doing this intending to persuade her to help us?" The battle junkie huffed in annoyance. Paying her no heed, Renner continued. "Climb, what do you think? I managed to acquire this one week ago."
She slid a sketch toward me.
This was…
My lips turned upward in delight. Once again, she's managed to surpass my expectations. The aged parchment depicted an underground system that ran beneath Kami Miyako. What intrigued me was that this was not a drawing of some old sewage system, but was clearly labelled with traps and mechanisms.
A dungeon? No… it was a guild base.
And at its heart? A suspiciously large and empty room. The treasury of the Six Great Gods; guarded by the Slane Theocracy's trump card. I couldn't stop my mouth from watering at the prospect.
What treasures lay inside?
This was the prize I had been scouring for. We'd drain the entire treasury of their sacred items, crippling their capacity to hunt us down.
"This is exactly what we've been looking for, Renner. Where the hell did you even get this?" I questioned.
Renner smirked smugly and puffed out her chest in pride.
"I'm amazing, aren't I? Praise me."
I couldn't do anything but spoil my accomplice.
While the two were lost in their own little world of shuffling paper and finalising their plans, I continued helping myself to the food provided.
When they conversed, it was as if I didn't exist. I found myself questioning the reason I was here. Did Climb invite me simply to flaunt his intimacy with the royal princess?
No, they were simply that enamoured with each other.
Pitiful.
Relationships were something to be avoided, a weakness for enemies to exploit. They were nothing more than emotional baggage to distract you.
I cleared my throat.
"If we already know where that monster is, when are we heading out? My schedule is quite busy after all; the higher-ups never seem to stop bossing me around."
The two ceased their chatter and turned to look at me.
"A word of advice: I'd avoid calling her a monster. Your head will be rolling along the floor faster than you can blink," Climb warned. "For now, and for the foreseeable future, she's got us outclassed. Our only chance is to convince her that we're a better alternative than the Theocracy. Right now, we're collating some information for us to do that."
I waved his concerns off. "Whatever you say, mister psychic. I just want to know when we're going to pay a visit. "
"At the earliest?" He glanced at Renner, who returned the gaze.
"We have the guard's timetable," she spoke. "There'll be a brief opening tonight during their shift change. These ones are particularly sloppy."
I sneered.
"I think some lowly guardsmen will be the least of our worries…"
AN: Clementine and Climb have a bit of history. She's an interesting character who didn't have enough time to shine in the original story. Hopefully I can change that.
Next chapter, a meeting with Zesshi Zetsumi! How will Climb manage to sway her?