Chapter 16: The Preparations are Set①
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Within the Klaatel Church, Cardinal Gilbert and Chancellor Madison, the right-hand man of the Arcana King, shared a common fury. Their intense anger was directed towards Prince Ryuguin, the Hero summoned to the Arcana Kingdom through the aggressive policies of the Hero Summoning Advocates.
Originally, he was a well-mannered boy. Moreover, he possessed exceptional abilities as a Hero, having conquered seven labyrinths deemed insurmountable. However, after that, he changed. Whether it was due to complacency from his own strength or being blinded by his achievements, it was unclear. But he had indeed changed. He began to thoroughly disdain others and indulged solely in a life of decadence. Initially, Madison and the others had observed this with a sense of resignation, but the Hero’s prolonged selfish behavior and attitude, which showed no signs of improvement, finally pushed their patience to its limits.
In particular, Chancellor Madison’s simmering anger grew with each instance of the Hero’s derogatory remarks about the “uncivilized barbarians” of this world. At such a time, the Hero failed in his exploration of the Labyrinth of Time, exposing many members to unnecessary danger, and used absurd excuses to shift the blame onto Sword Saint Eris, forcing her to prostrate herself in apology. Witnessing such a nonsensical act right before his eyes extinguished any remnants of mercy Madison had harbored.
Cardinal Gilbert lamented the irreparable past. A Sister of the Klaatel Church had her purity taken by Prince Ryuguin, leaving her mentally and physically shattered, ultimately driven to choose death. By the time he learned of everything, it was already too late. The regret from that time still burned within him, a blue flame that quietly yet fiercely raged on.
Around the time the Hero conquered the Blade Labyrinth, there was an atmosphere that made criticism of him somewhat taboo due to his extraordinary achievements. Furthermore, the Hero was strongly trusted and supported by the powerful Saintess Mika and Princess Puffy of the royal family. This was understandable. However, both Madison and Gilbert were not the type to waver once they had made a decision.
As Chancellor Madison and Cardinal Gilbert cautiously sought out those dissatisfied with the Hero, it was only natural for them to find each other. Thus, as if guided by fate, the most powerful figures in the nation, Chancellor Madison and Cardinal Gilbert of the Klaatel Church, joined forces.
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At the beginning of their plan, it was Madison who suggested, “Let’s just kill him,” “I can no longer tolerate this,” and “It would be better to think of ways to dispose of the body.” However, Madison was initially one of those who viewed the Hero favorably. He had once opposed the Hero Summoning, feeling guilty towards the two boys who had been summoned.
Chancellor Madison believed that it was their responsibility to handle the affairs of this world, and moreover, he was in the midst of planning the conquest of the Newly Constructed Ultimate Labyrinth alongside several powerful clans. Therefore, if the plan were executed and the Wish Orb were found during the conquest, he was considering transferring it to the two boys if they wished to return to their original world, without delay. However, such sentiments had long since dissipated.
Yet, in response to Madison’s opinion, Gilbert interjected. He argued, “To grant him the peace of death would be premature. If we are to kill him in the end, we should inflict the maximum amount of pain upon the Hero.”
Both opinions were harsh, but it was clear which was more severe.
For a while, the two continued to hold opposing views, but concerned about the escalating damage, they decided to proceed with a plan called the Garden Plan, led by Gilbert.
The Garden Plan was a simple one. In essence, it aimed to provide the Hero with the three major desires of humanity—sexual desire, appetite, and the need for sleep—to the utmost limit, thereby completely controlling his actions. Of course, there was also the intention of confiscating the Hero’s disproportionate wealth.
This plan proved to be remarkably effective against the Hero. He was insatiably greedy, weak to pleasure, and accepted everything offered to him—be it women or food—without a hint of suspicion, or rather, he was being cultivated.
However, it was a long and arduous path. Only after being subjected to such treatment did the Hero finally cease his reckless actions that resulted in victims and stopped abducting women under the guise of his title.
Yet, Gilbert’s anger did not subside. To realize his desired treatment of the Hero, he quietly gathered supporters within the church, steadily increasing his allies.
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At this point, the remaining significant issue was the Hero’s ultimate fate. Chancellor Madison desired his death without any lingering consequences, while Gilbert, still consumed by unquenchable rage, wished to inflict suffering upon the Hero greater than death itself.
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A turning point occurred. They received contact from an information broker named Anon.
Had it been a mere contact from an ordinary information broker, they would have laughed it off together, but the contact was from Anon. Anon was a remarkable figure known throughout the kingdom, someone of considerable standing.
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There is a tale regarding Anon. Previously, there was a large-scale conflict between two dark guilds in the Arcana Kingdom. The struggle continued for a long time, steadily exhausting both guilds. The majority of their members suffered significant losses, jeopardizing the very existence of their organizations. Yet, for some reason, they refused to back down, ultimately leading to a direct confrontation where the remaining members poured all their strength into battle.
Strangely enough, on the eve of that final confrontation, a letter was sent to the kingdom’s Knight Commander from an unknown sender. The letter detailed that a conflict would occur the following day, including specifics about the nature of the conflict and when and where it would take place.
It is whispered that Anon was the mastermind behind this entire series of events. If true, it would mean that a single information broker manipulated both dark guilds from the shadows, leading them to mutual destruction while ensuring that none could escape unscathed, even moving the kingdom’s knights to action…
This was merely one of Anon’s many tales, and thus, his reputation was not just appropriate—it could even be considered underestimated.
Given that Anon was at the center of such rumors, Gilbert had no choice but to listen. Had it been a story from an ordinary person, he would have dismissed it as nonsense, but coming from Anon, he had to consider it, no matter how exaggerated it might seem.
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Anon’s contact began with a letter. Moreover, it was a letter imbued with a spell that would turn to ash the moment it was read. The contents of the letters received by each of them began with “Regarding Hero Ryuguin.”
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The letter, filled with intelligence and irony, essentially conveyed the following:
[The actual Hero is incompetent. However, he possesses two hidden “unknown abilities.”
The first is an ability akin to charm. The second is the ability to alter others’ memories.
The Hero has utilized these abilities to steal the achievements of the Holy Knight Boy, who was summoned alongside him, and furthermore, he has shifted all blame for his misdeeds onto the Holy Knight. It is believed that the Hero’s abilities are far more malicious than imagined, having altered the memories of all involved, including Chancellor Madison.
Moreover, the Hero has likely enchanted and manipulated the Saintess, the Sage, the Sword Saint, and possibly even Princess Puffy, using them as pawns for his own convenience.]
Madison involuntarily groaned in his office. There were far too many aspects of Anon’s account that he found plausible. The drastic change in the Holy Knight and the Hero, the foolish behavior of the Hero accompanied by Saintess Mika and the other three, and the once-wise Princess Puffy now reduced to a shadow of her former self… The more he thought about it, the more everything aligned.
Similarly, Gilbert read the letter in his own room and, from a calm perspective, became convinced that this story was likely true.
The three who accompanied the Hero—especially Saintess Mika—were known to me since her childhood. She embodied purity and innocence, and there was no way she would respect that foolish Hero or engage in the rumors circulating among the townsfolk. Unless, of course, she had been twisted by some kind of “unknown power”…
The letter continued. Both letters contained the following information:
[Since Hero Ryuguin was summoned, investigate and compare the numerous misdeeds attributed to the Holy Knight before they conquered the Blade Labyrinth, with the misdeeds attributed to the Hero after their conquest of the Blade Labyrinth.]
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As many had predicted, Madison, Gilbert, and Anon were…
A quick announcement for everyone!
For those who have some free time, we have great news!
On Piccoma, you can read the first 15 chapters of this work’s comic adaptation for free for a limited time.
Mika, Angelica, and Puffy are incredibly daring, so be sure to check it out!