Ogul’s response to Rei’s questioning seemed natural enough, lacking any overt signs of deception. For a moment, Ecethesus wondered if they had made some mistake in their suspicions.
However, Rei ground his heel into Ogul’s solar plexus, and in that instant, he caught the man’s body stiffening under the intense pressure. A predatory smile spread across Rei’s face as he continued.
"Oh? So you’re saying you have absolutely no connection to the Holy Light Religion? I suppose the female adventurer you were holding captive was just imagining things, then."
"Y-yeah. Exactly. I don’t have anything to do with that cult..."
Ogul tried to finish his denial, but the pressure reapplied to his solar plexus forced the breath from his lungs and the words back down his throat.
Rei nodded at the struggling man, then spoke once more as if for a final confirmation.
"So, you really have no ties to the Holy Light Religion at all? You’re absolutely certain?"
"Yeah, that’s what I’ve been telling you! Besides... do you really think you’ll get away with this? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to make an enemy of House Marstchel here in Exil?"
From Ogul’s perspective, it was imperative that no one discovered they were operatives for the Holy Light Religion. He felt no such caution regarding House Marstchel, however. Judging that their connection to that house was likely already known, he intended to use his affiliation with the local nobility as a shield.
Rei’s grin only widened at Ogul’s words. He gave a small, satisfied nod.
"Fine then. Prove to me that you aren't one of them."
"...Prove it?"
"Yeah. It’s not a difficult request. Just repeat after me. Got it?"
By that point—more specifically, the moment he saw Rei’s smirk—Ogul had a very bad feeling about where this was going. But the atmosphere made it clear that refusal was not an option.
Rei looked down at him and began to weave his words.
"I hereby acknowledge the Holy Light Religion as an evil cult and swear I have no relationship with such a suspicious organization. The so-called Goddess of Light actually delights in framing others and relishes in cruel, atrocious acts; she is a being unworthy of the title of goddess. Furthermore, this self-proclaimed Goddess of Light is a filthy slattern who hauls man after man into her bed."
Rei's words left not just Ogul, but everyone present, utterly stunned.
They hadn't expected him to be quite so thorough—or quite so crude—with his insults.
The effect, however, was instantaneous and massive. Ogul, who had been desperately looking for a way out of the situation, turned a gaze toward Rei so sharp and bloodshot it bordered on rabid.
Even the other men, who should have been unconscious, seemed to have been jolted awake by Rei's voice. They glared at him with eyes overflowing with unmistakable murderous intent.
That alone told the party everything they needed to know about who these men truly were.
"I see. So you’re all believers of the Holy Light Religion. As I thought, this religion has quite a few dark secrets hidden behind its facade."
Rei muttered the words with a sense of grim satisfaction.
"Now for the main issue: where was Tibia taken? Well? Do any of you feel like answering that?"
He asked the question, but the only response he received was a wall of hateful glares.
While Rei had spoken the insults with calculated ease, for these men, he had just defiled the core of their being. To them, Rei was now an existence that could never be forgiven, regardless of the cost.
Bathed in their collective malice, Rei continued talking as if the weight of their gaze meant nothing at all.
"Well, I can make an educated guess. She was probably taken to House Marstchel's Residence, or perhaps their laboratory. Then again, I heard House Marstchel doesn't employ many people, so maybe the laboratory is out? Regardless, a search of the Marstchel mansion should clear things up."
Rei glanced over at Ecethesus, who looked ready to charge the estate that very second, and Nakt, who was struggling to restrain his comrade.
"Anyway, the place you all need to head to first isn't House Marstchel... it's House Silva."
"Why?! We have to save Tibia right now!"
Rei gave a small sigh at the retort, which had come with reflexive speed.
"Listen," Vihera interjected, her tone heavy with exasperation before Rei could speak. "No matter how few people they employ, they are still House Marstchel—one of the families governing Exil. If someone of your caliber charges in alone, you'll just be captured and buried in the shadows."
Ecethesus looked ready to snap back, but Nakt nodded in agreement with Vihera before he could.
"She’s right. If we're going to rescue Tibia, we either need a small elite unit of experts to slip in undetected, or we need to attack with a large group that’s too big to be hushed up. Anything in between is just asking for a suicide mission."
"But does House Silva even have that kind of military strength left after their fight with House Rebisole?"
From what Bosk had told Rei, the majority of their mobilizable forces were currently tied up with the Anomaly Species Incident.
Of course, if House Marstchel was also behind the anomaly species, they could potentially reassign those forces. And since the situation involved attacks on adventurers, they could hire mercenaries unaffiliated with House Silva to bolster their numbers. However...
"But if we waste time gathering forces, Tibia will—!"
As Ecethesus cried out, one of the captives let a cruel smirk crawl across his face.
"That woman? She’s probably being 'processed' as we speak."
"Yeah, most likely. Even for us, that process isn't exactly a joy to watch. I’d personally hate to die that way."
"What!?"
Ecethesus’s eyes went wide at the man’s provocation. Before he could do anything rash, Rei ground his heel into the captive's solar plexus again, silencing him into unconsciousness.
A sickening crack of bone echoed through the air, but no one present showed even a hint of concern for the man.
"...Fine. We’ll do both."
When Rei spoke as if he hadn't just shattered a man’s ribs, Ecethesus blinked and tilted his head.
"Both?"
"Yeah. We can't just leave these guys here, and we need a secure location if we're going to squeeze the rest of the information out of them. House Silva is the perfect spot. While you're doing that, a small elite unit will slip into House Marstchel to rescue Tibia. And while we're there, we’ll see if we can find any evidence of their ties to the Holy Light Religion or the anomaly species."
"Then I'll be in the infiltration—"
"No," Rei said, cutting Ecethesus off immediately.
"Why not!?"
"...Think about how you’ve acted so far. Do you honestly think someone with your temperament—someone who wants to charge in the second anything happens—is suited for a stealth mission?"
"T-that..."
Ecethesus seemed to realize the truth in Rei's words. He struggled to find a counter-argument.
Nakt reached out and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, trying to steady his partner.
"I’ll go. Ecethesus, I need you to look after these prisoners."
"But!"
"...Do you not trust me?" Nakt asked firmly.
Ecethesus fell silent for several seconds before finally giving a slow, reluctant nod.
"Fine. Tibia's life is in your hands."
With Ecethesus convinced, the discussion turned to who else would stay behind, sparking further debate.
Rei and Seto were the party's primary combat power, so they were essential for the rescue. Elena was strong in her own right and had Iero, who was invaluable for scouting. Vihera had only joined for the chance to fight powerful enemies, so there was no way she would agree to stay behind. As for Byune, while there was the complicated history between House Flaut and House Silva, her taciturn nature made her unsuitable for guarding or interrogating the prisoners.
As they debated, Rei looked down at the six unconscious men on the ground.
"It’s probably asking too much for Ecethesus to handle this many people alone. I really should have had Sonrissa help him instead of sending her home."
"Guruuu?"
'Who?' Seto asked, tilting its head. Rei quickly explained the circumstances of the female adventurer they had rescued from the underground cell.
The party continued their discussion, but as the sun dipped toward the horizon, they realized they had to move soon.
In the end, it was Elena who made the concession.
"It cannot be helped. I shall be the one to deliver these men to House Silva. If I go personally, Bosk should be able to respond to our request for aid immediately."
"Oh? Are you sure about that?" Vihera asked, her tone somewhat teasing.
Her words held a double meaning: one questioning if Elena was really willing to leave the infiltration team, and the other suggesting she was surprised Elena was okay with leaving her alone with Rei.
Elena’s brow furrowed slightly.
"It is precisely because you have that kind of attitude that I did not wish to make this choice."
"Gurululu? Guruuu..."
Listening to their exchange, Seto suddenly let out a soft trill and turned its large, round eyes toward Rei.
"Seto?"
"Gurululu, guru, gurulululuuu."
The griffon gave a short cry, looked at its own large body, and then turned its gaze toward the captives and Elena.
Rei understood the message immediately.
Seto was saying that because of its size, it would only be a hindrance during a stealth mission, so it would accompany Elena instead.
(I could have Elena come back with us... no, that won't work.)
Seto’s rapport with Ecethesus was practically non-existent compared to Elena’s. Furthermore, Elena’s presence was likely the key to getting Bosk to mobilize his forces quickly. All things considered, having Seto go with Elena was the most logical choice.
(Honestly, if I used Seto's Sense of Smell Enhancement, it wouldn't be hard to find where Tibia is being kept... but Seto is just too big. If the level of its Size Change skill was higher... no, I can't use that carelessly in front of Vihera and Byune anyway.)
Rei reached out and gently stroked Seto’s head.
"Alright, Seto. I'm counting on you for that part of the job."
"Guru!"
"Kyu!"
Seto gave a short cry of affirmation, and Iero, perched on its back, chirped in unison.
Rei offered Elena a small smile.
"Elena, please take Seto with you to House Silva's Residence."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Considering Seto's size, it's just not built for the kind of indoor stealth we're looking at tonight."
Recognizing the truth in his assessment, Elena nodded without further protest.
"Understood. Once I have handed these men over to House Silva, I shall negotiate with Bosk for reinforcements. I trust you will have Tibia safe by the time they arrive."
'I'm sure you can manage at least that much, can't you?' Elena’s smile challenged him. Rei returned it with a confident smirk of his own.
"I’d prefer that too. I’d rather not have to worry about collateral damage or hostages when we finally tear into House Marstchel."
The two shared a brief, knowing nod.
Ecethesus, standing nearby, still looked frustrated that he couldn't personally rescue Tibia, but even he seemed to understand that securing reinforcements from House Silva was a critical part of the plan. He remained silent.
"My, my. The sun is going down and yet it’s still so sweltering. Still, would you mind saving the romantic moment for later?"
Vihera, unable to keep quiet, poked fun at them.
Just as she said, the sun had nearly vanished beneath the horizon, and the city was being swallowed by the coming night.
And though it didn't affect Rei, the temperature showed no sign of dropping; the heat remained as thick and oppressive as ever.
Elena ignored Vihera’s jab and spoke firmly.
"Vihera, do not drag Rei down. And do not go causing a massive scene just because you got caught up in the thrill of the hunt."
"I know, I know. You should be the one to be careful, Elena. It’s clear now that the Holy Light Religion is deeply involved in this mess. They’ll likely target those six prisoners to keep them from talking. Without them, the cult could deny everything. Having witnesses makes a world of difference."
Elena gave a solemn nod. With that, the party split into two units—one heading for House Silva and the other toward House Marstchel—and began their respective operations.