The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

13 – Such Thoughts – 3

Creating the necessary elixir requires a considerable amount of concentration.

In other words, the more attention Serin devotes to socializing, the lower the quality of the elixir becomes.

A proper elixir was essential for Sowol.

Therefore, it was important to prevent her from wasting her focus on unnecessary matters. After conducting thorough research and utilizing all resources, they were able to proceed with the final investigation in a few days.

“Is this the right place?”

The Rualon clergyman furrowed his brows and looked towards the location indicated by the traces of their investigation.

It was the place where the people who dominated the back alleys of the territory had gathered.

“According to the investigation, this is where the socializing first spread.”

“Franz Hall.”

A place where prostitutes, thieves, gangsters, and various others were affiliated with.

In simple terms, it could be said that it was where the shadow of the territory existed.

The expression on the Rualon clergyman’s face, looking at that place, was not pleasant.

“Is the reason why the brothers and sisters here don’t come to the church because of socializing?”

Ahh, I went too far.

If the reason they don’t come to the church is because of socializing, then I would also become a socialite, right?

“If teachings about socializing continue in Franz Hall, then we cannot exclude that possibility.”

But since they are expecting a certain answer, let’s give them a suitable response.

I reached for the hilt of the sword at my waist.

As the priest Levalon raised his hand lightly, several knights who were waiting behind him raised their maces.

“Begin.”

The knights stepped forward fearlessly as Levalon’s command fell. Was it because of the thudding sound of their footsteps?

The doors of the Franz Hall opened, and burly men emerged, weapons in hand.

“What is this?! Who are you?!”

“We are the knights of the church. Evidence of a secret society has been found here.”

“What?! So what?!”

“We need to investigate this place, so please do not refuse.”

If they were ordinary gangsters, they would have readily made way without much complaint.

After all, it would be more detrimental than beneficial to cross the church.

However, the gangsters of Franz Hall seemed unaware of this fact.

Perhaps they did not know they were not supposed to undergo an investigation by the church.

-Clang!!

Weapons were drawn.

Seeing the gangsters’ attempt to block the entry of the knights, I shrugged.

Looks like bloodshed is the only way to communicate.

“Attack.”

As I gave my command, the knights moved.

The gangsters, who seemed to resist, also started to fight back, but their resistance was no match for the knights’ formidable defense.

What could they do against those wearing armor made of thick steel plates?

As the knights’ maces crushed the gangsters’ bones and tore their flesh apart, a path opened, and I entered.

“Ah.”

The interior of Franz Hall was a mess.

Empty bottles and leftover food lay scattered, and naked women whimpered and writhed on the floor.

Were they drunk? But there seemed to be no smell of alcohol.

It couldn’t be drugs either since they seemed to be in good condition.

Then…?

The answer came simply.

It was a hallucination induced by the secret society’s sorcery.

“Who are you?!”

A sturdy man, apparently drawn by the commotion below, drew his weapon and charged forward.

I had knocked out the guy with a swift blow to the jaw, and now I checked on the fallen woman’s condition once more.

It was certain.

Sorcery, through a special ritual, induces hallucination and pleasure in the subject. More intoxicating than drugs, sorcery seeps into people like a sweet poison, surpassing even the addictiveness of narcotics through its rituals.

Recalling past experiences of events related to games, I descended the stairs, knocking down the guys coming down one by one, making my way up. Finally, I came face to face with a half-naked man.

“…Aren’t you the boss around here?”

“Franz Cain.”

A man so influential in the back alleys that he was referred to as the owner of these lanes.

A bald man with an impressive belly protruding from his huge frame chuckled softly, tapping the cane he held in his hand.

That, right there, was proof of sorcery.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve been commissioned by the church to uproot the sorcery within this territory.”

“Hmm… Well, sir, I earnestly request, could you just turn back this time?”

“Would that work? If I simply obeyed, they’d spare me from the religious trial.”

A sorcerer’s trial meant burning at the stake, ten times worse than excruciating agony.

Rather than facing the dreadful pain of being burnt alive, wouldn’t it be better to be charged with rebellion and face a more humane execution? I kindly suggested this, but he callously refused.

Instead, what he drew was the hidden knife within the cane.

Seeing the ominous dark energy emanating from it, it was indeed a powerful artifact provided by sorcery.

“No matter how skilled you are, as long as I hold this sword…”

– Whoosh!!

“Ah, ahhhh!!”

Before the man could finish his sentence, I swiftly severed his hand with a swing of the sword.

As Franz, staring blankly at his fallen hand on the ground, began to scream, I spoke to him.

“Oh no. Looks like you can’t hold it now.”

“Th-thiiis!!”

Was it the pain and rage from losing his hand? Franz’s eyes rolled back.

Black tattoos began to etch themselves onto his half-naked body.

Using sorcery to enhance one’s own strength—it wasn’t a good move.

You might gain power in the short term, but frequent use would eventually turn you into a monster.

And…

“Suck!”

“Thud!!”

It’s not that impressive.

Before undergoing a complete transformation, both arms and legs were severed.

While Franz, now a writhing mess on the ground, was finishing his cleanup, the knights began to ascend as if the underlings had finished their work.

“This, sir. This is…”

“Evidence of cult activity.”

“…Transforming into a mine.”

At the words of Rualon, a priest who followed the knights, the expressions of the knights changed.

As if they wanted to tear Franz apart right away, their expressions conveyed that sentiment. I shrugged my shoulders and lowered my head.

“We must handle this according to the proper procedures of the church.”

“Sigh. Fine then.”

Yeah. We should properly carry out the execution.

While Franz, still rolling on the ground, was being taken away by the knights, I picked up the artifact he dropped earlier.

“This is evidence that Franz is associated with the cult. It’s a cult artifact, so let Priest Rualon handle it.”

“Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to conclude this matter without much damage.”

“It was the least I could do.”

With this, we were able to erase all traces of the cult activity within the territory for now.

Of course, there were still tasks like tracking and investigating the cult associated with Franz or others that might be elsewhere, but that’s the job of Priest Rualon or the central church.

The task assigned to Serene was only to handle the incidents that occurred within this territory, so she could now focus solely on making the holy water I desired.

“Well, then I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes. May the Lord’s grace be with you, Father. Ah, and about this week’s mass…”

“How can I attend? I am scheduled to be ill at that time…”

Even though I dislike cults, I don’t want to attend mass.

Really.

After informing the lord that the incident was over, I returned to the eastern headquarters and chuckled.

There were quite a few carriages in front of the eastern headquarters. What’s going on? Puzzled, I entered and saw warriors I hadn’t seen before.

“Oh, Father. Have you come?”

“Yeah. But… what’s this?”

“Ah, our Eastern traders have been quite active with the East lately. Those returning are part of a significant trade deal.”

Is that so? Quite a journey to and from the East. They must have worked hard.

I nodded vaguely to the servant and glanced over the goods they brought.

“Hmm?”

That’s when I noticed a girl, about So Wol’s age, unloading luggage.

From Noble mtl dot com

She bore the distinct Eastern features—a beautiful, neutral allure with dark, lustrous hair. While not as skilled as So Wol, she possessed considerable talent.

It’s a shame. If she had a bit more talent, she could’ve been my second disciple.

But after taking So Wol, a remarkable talent, as my disciple, I couldn’t help but think she might pale in comparison.

If there were no commitments, perhaps I could consider taking her as a disciple…

“Why are you staring at Laila like that?”

“Just observing. Is that not allowed?”

“There’s no issue, but Laila is both a dear friend and a guard.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“So please, don’t entertain strange thoughts.”

“How do you view your master?”

Suddenly, So Wol’s chilly words prompted me to lightly tap her forehead.

Observing her rubbing the spot, I assessed So Wol’s state.

“Seems like you’re keeping up with your assignments.”

“Want to test me?”

“You probably did fine. No need for a test.”

“Then, does that mean classes start again today?”

I hadn’t been able to conduct proper lessons due to researching social etiquette these past few days. So Wol hinted at resuming classes, but I couldn’t just yet.

I need to gather ingredients for a tonic.

“I need to visit a nearby metropolis. Classes are a stretch.”

“…With Priestess Serin?”

She’s busy making amulets. Why take her along?

“I’m taking you.”

“…Me?”

Why so surprised?

So Wol, who had been staring blankly at me, turned slightly and clenched her fist.

“Is it good?”

“Oh no~?! Actually, I’m quite busy and all, but since Master really wants it, I’m taking care of it together!”

Surprisingly, her expression is quite pleasant despite saying that.