After another commotion like that, we were led away by the Knight Order in a quiet atmosphere.
Story-wise, the place we're heading towards is probably the Brazier, the heart of Rondane.
In the deathly land of blizzards, the Brazier was the heart that made the land habitable for people, and around it, people had densely gathered, forming a city.
Perhaps because of that, the number of people passing us was gradually increasing.
When I glanced at them to gauge their condition, they didn't seem to be in a good mood.
Is this just how a dark fantasy world is?
Most were walking with their backs bent, looking at the ground, with depressed eyes.
It seemed more like they had 'corrected' their posture beforehand to prevent themselves from accidentally making the same mistake I did—seeing the giant without meaning to.
The few people who were standing straight were...
"Everyone, look! Why do you think such a desperate situation has come upon us?
It's precisely because we did not believe in our one true god, Luminous!
If you do not believe in Luminous, you will live an unhappy life and, even after death, go to a place full of Outer Gods with your back bent. But if you believe, you can be saved!"
...Only cultists who seemed to have even more screws loose than me, a certified mental patient.
"Ah, our god, please save us."
"Why have you forsaken us?"
"We offer tribute. These are things unnecessary in this world."
Kneeling, holding effigies of the god they created, praying or proselytizing.
Perhaps because these items were completely free of Outer God influence, the Super Coward Mode didn't take effect, showing their original forms.
It wasn't scary, but it really drove home the 'end of the world' feeling.
The idolaters' sermons didn't last long before people wearing rabbit mascot heads appeared and began to stop them.
"It's the Knight Order!"
When one person shouted, the others also started and began to bow their heads.
But one person, the idolater preaching about Luminous, kept his head stiffly raised until the end.
"Hey, let me go! You scum, do you want to fall into the abyss without Luminous's light?"
"You idol-worshipping bastard, can't you just stop and disappear?"
"Just arrest him. Rondane's Second Iron Rule: Do not worship false gods. This is a serious breach of discipline. Throw him in the dungeon."
A subordinate spoke to the senior rabbit mask, who was sucking on a smoking candy.
"Senior, the prison is currently closed due to the incident, remember?"
Hearing this, the senior White Mask cursed, 'Damn Outer God,' then grabbed his head and shook it.
"Sigh, just put him in the holding cell at the branch office, or something."
The elderly-looking idolater screamed until his voice was hoarse.
"Let me go! You fools, we must enlighten, enlighten them!"
Even as he was being dragged away, he pulled out a paper from his chest and began waving it around.
"Sign this! The Brazier and the Firewood Pile are just a big tower! The one who truly protects us from the snow is the Observer who governs the light, Luminous!"
Everyone averted their eyes, looking down frantically when they saw the paper.
I, immune to mental anomalies, sneaked a glance, but the writing was so crooked I couldn't make out what it said.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it. If you shove writing that hasn't undergone the consecration ritual in our faces, we'll have no choice but to add another charge to your list."
Enlightenment, my foot.
He's probably just thinking of latching on like a mosquito and sucking money, which is like blood, from people.
While I was thinking that, a faint song suddenly began to echo from somewhere.
"♪~"
"What's that sound?"
I thought it was a beautiful voice, like clear jade beads dropping.
I listened, marveling at the voice, which was somehow sorrowful.
But unlike me, the surroundings began to chaotically scatter in all directions.
"Damn it, it's a mental attack! Everyone, cover your ears!"
One person shouted loudly, and the actions were swift, as if this wasn't a rare occurrence.
All the city's residents and the Knight Order covered their ears with both hands. Even the Hunter spread his bound hands as much as possible and used his middle fingers to block his eardrums, curling up.
As they acted like that, the freed cultist, wearing a smug expression, began to slowly retreat.
"Heehee! Thank you, oh Observer!"
In the end, the worshipper ran away in a hurry.
The timing was really...
Seeing him escape before being caught, should I say he was lucky?
Anyway, thanks to Super Coward Mode, it just sounded like a simple song to me, but that old man didn't even cover his ears.
I hope he's okay.
Well, he'll manage.
"Luck isn't on our side today. We have a long way to go."
When the sound stopped, the Knight Order got up and began walking again.
Soon, others also got up and started walking with the same depressed expressions as before, as if nothing had happened.
I pretended to cover my ears to avoid looking suspicious, so I didn't get any more flak from the Knight Order.
Passing by numerous people like that, before heading to the tower, we entered a certain building.
When the masked woman roughly opened the door and entered, two men wearing cat masks this time scrambled to their feet and saluted.
"W-we greet the Vice-Captain, one of Her Majesty the Princess's wings, and her subordinates!"
"Right. Who's the branch chief here now?"
"It's the Black Lion!"
"Call him."
"Yes, yes! Understood!"
Despite looking tired, the two briskly ran inside the building.
A short while later, a woman sweating cold sweat came out—the one called Black Lion—wearing a tiger mascot head.
Wait, why is she a 'lion' but wearing a tiger?
As I was thinking that, the branch chief saluted as soon as he made eye contact with the Vice-Captain.
When the Vice-Captain returned the salute, the branch chief quickly lowered her hand and stood at attention.
"Reporting the current situation of the 4th Branch. 5 on night rest, 3 injured excluded, currently 5 knights are..."
"I didn't come here to listen to that. Stop."
When the Vice-Captain waved her hand and spoke, the branch chief finally got to the point.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visiting here instead of heading to the Brazier...?"
"It's simple. I plan to communicate with Her Majesty the Princess for official business, so I'd like you to take custody of these individuals."
"...Who are they?"
"Prisoners from the underground prison."
"Ah... You don't mean you brought them from there?"
"Correct. We can't take criminals all the way to where Her Majesty resides. I intend to seek judgment here."
The branch chief's eyes turned cold as soon as he heard the Vice-Captain's words.
Ugh, look at that glare.
It's like he's saying, 'You should have just left them to die.' I didn't really want to meet his gaze.
"Anyway, I leave it to you."
"Yes, yes... Understood."
Fortunately, she didn't seem inclined to explain further. After saying that, they really left us behind, and the three of them departed leisurely.
Wait, you're just leaving us like this?
Dazed, I looked around. The knights approached and pulled on the blue tape binding us.
"We have orders from the Vice-Captain, so we'll be taking custody of you. Follow us."
The place we were guided to was a room deep inside, filled with iron bars.
So even after coming here, getting locked up in a holding cell is the same, huh.
I've never committed a crime in my life...
Well, I guess it's an improvement, moving from a lightless underground prison to an above-ground holding cell?
There was no one else there, but it seemed like a space prepared for temporarily detaining people like this.
The iron door creaked open, as if it hadn't done its job properly in a long time. Following the branch chief's gesture, we entered the cell.
"Wait here. Don't try to come out recklessly."
After saying that, the branch chief closed the door roughly and locked it with a key.
I guess the one small mercy is that he just left the holding cell immediately afterward.
If he stood in front of us the whole time, it would be distracting and we wouldn't be able to rest.
The space became uncomfortably quiet.
Nothing in particular came to mind to say, so I just stayed still. Agartha, seemingly bored, started tapping the floor with her foot.
I thought if I left her alone, she'd stop on her own, but the sound only grew louder.
Just as I was about to tell her to stop.
"Uuuu... Uwaaah!"
Agartha let out a cry.
Agartha was super noisy, the noisiest human ever.
Wow.
She really can't stay still for even one minute!
I was impressed, even feeling a sense of respect for that trait.
"Hey, why is everyone so quiet? I'm going to die of boredom like this."
"Is there a need to open your mouth?"
"No! We were at least talking quietly until a little while ago?"
"A pointless waste of energy."
"Energy is something you have more of if you don't waste it at times like this!"
Agartha made a thoughtful 'Hmm' sound, then seemed to finally think of something and nodded.
"If things continue like this, maybe we're a community bound by fate."
"...Nonsense."
"So, since we can't escape anyway with the guards here, how about we talk about our pasts? Maybe there are stories we can relate to."
"If the kind of person I can relate to is someone who makes a living out of theft, I'd rather meet a quick end."
"Eh, you might think differently after hearing it. Since I suggested it, I'll go first."
I expected the usual meaningless talk from Agartha's mouth.
Of course, her expression was as bored as if she was about to say just that.
"I... am the daughter born when a thief raped my mother."
The story Agartha spat out so casually was an incredibly shocking statement.
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(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (TL : More Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)