What kind of nonsense is this? Why does Phyllis have to be executed? She's finally learning to think for herself.

And when will she be executed?
''Ha. The execution is to take place early in the morning, three days later. It seems that there is a faction that is pushing for the execution to stay, and it did not seem to be an immediate execution.

　I receive a telepathic message from an infiltrator to Lamish, who has entrusted me with a little bird of a messenger. Does this mean that there are a few allies of Phyllis's? I'm just glad it wasn't a summary execution or something.

Thank you. Keep digging and let me know if there's any movement.
Yes.

　Turn off the telepathic communication. So, what should we do? I can't abandon her, of course. I'm responsible for what happened to Phyllis.

This is the trouble with religion. They think they're right about everything.

　Else propped her elbows on the balcony table and didn't even try to hide her anger. I told everyone about Phyllis, in case you were wondering. I omitted the crap about meeting God. I made it sound like my persuasion changed your faith or made you rethink and rethink things.

'...so what are you going to do about it?
I'll cut in front. I'm going to cut in front of you and ask you not to shoot me.

　I'll answer Linze's question briefly. I'm the king of a country too. We can't just ignore him. I'm going to talk to the Pope. I think it's okay to help one of the ex-priests.

"What are you going to do if you still don't stop?
Hmm, you want me to knock down a cell and take Phyllis?
It's an international incident.

　It may be true that Yumina is right, but I also think it's an option as a last resort. In fact, our company seems to be able to manage without relying on a country like that.
　Until I heard from God, I thought that the God of Light, or Lars, might be real, and I was a little reluctant to do so, but it's a different story when I found out that there is no such god. It depends on their attitude, but there's no need to hold back. Break off diplomatic relations, very much appreciated. You don't have to go out with us.
　I turned my attention to Mr. Kosaka, who was standing nearby.

What's the problem with being hated by that country?
'Well, nothing for now. They might send their followers to harass us, though.

　I don't like that. I mean, I don't see how a believer in a God who advocates light and justice can be so shady.

'Anything is acceptable for the sake of justice. Maybe that's the idea. That's a perfectly convenient word.

　Lou mumbles in dismay. Well, someone said that. The war will never end because the world is full of righteous people.

You can't just abandon them anyway, you know. I'm going to go out for a while.
Then we're going to...
No, this time I'm going alone. You never know what they'll do to you if you try to reach them all at once.

　In the meantime, I've decided to take only Ember with me. As a king, they might say I'm not very good at crisis management, but honestly, I don't know what's going to happen, and it's easier to protect myself if I'm alone.
　Now, let's see how the other side comes out.




'What? You're King Brunhild? I don't have time for fools, so get the hell out of here!

　In front of the Great Temple of Isla, the Ramish capital of the Ramish nation that I had come to by way of Babylon, I was turned away at the door.
　Well, that's understandable, isn't it? I don't have any proof.

I'd like to talk to the Pope or someone in charge. I want to talk to you.
You! Do you want to call out the Pope!
I'm not a believer and I'm not a citizen of this country, okay?

　I thought I spoke calmly, but the knight at the gate became angry and drew his sword. Hey, come on, all of a sudden!
　I ducked the slashing sword and knocked off my prey with my hand sword. At the sound of the sword falling, the knights who were at the back of the temple also came in a shuffle.

''What's going on!''
We have an intruder! You are an infidel who insults the Pope and cheats on King Brunhild!
What?

　We'll be surrounded in no time. Ni, shi, lo, hi there are nearly 20 of them. That's a lot to take on one guy. It's not fair for a god of justice, is it? Yeah, but a group of people, like justice and all, would attack one monster. Is that a theory?

I'll say it again. King Brunhild is asking for a meeting with Pope Ramish. Can you show him to me?
I'm not done!

　Swinging my sword, I don't hesitate to shoot a paralyzing bullet at the knight who attacked me. Seeing the knight who fell intact, the other knights were frightened for a moment, but they still confronted me with a yell. I pull out my mithril swordgun Brünnhilde in my right hand and the swordgun Brünnhilde made of black dragon horns in my left hand and shoot the attacking knights.
　I calmed them all down in less than a minute. ''Listen to the people.

''They're a troublesome bunch, aren't they?''
Absolutely.

　I can't help but nod at what Amber, who's trailing behind me a little bit, says. But what should I do? I can't just trespass like this........oh.
　I put a 'recovery' on one of the fallen knights and release the paralysis.

"You see that priest over there, Nest something. Go get him. Tell him I'll spill the beans on his head if he doesn't like it.

　That bald priest knows me, you know. At least he'll treat me reasonably well.
　That knight disappeared into the depths of the temple, frightened. After a while, a Nest Priest appeared with a slew of guys who could be called holy knights dressed in all white full body armor. Ah, Zula is new.

''This is........His Majesty King Brunhild! How did it get here? No, more importantly, what's the point of this situation!
'I came to talk to the Pope. These people attacked me out of the blue and I just fought them off. You're not listening to me.

　He points to the rolling knights and explains to Priest Nest.

'Do you understand? You beat a foreign soldier and tried to force your way into the temple. It's an international issue.
'Isn't it an international problem to suddenly attack another country's king with a sword pointed at him? Do you know what you're doing?

　I return the same gaze to Nest, who glares at me. What a bother. This guy definitely doesn't like me, right? Well, I'm not trying to get him to like me. Just hurry up and show me around.

'What are you doing?'

　A mature man in gleaming robes appeared from the back of the temple. His hair is stroked all the way back and he has a little beard. He looks like some kind of dictator. This one looks taller.

"Cardinal Zeon...

　Priest Nest turns around and murmurs. 'Cardinal? I'm pretty sure there are a couple of people after the Pope who are very high ranking, right?

'What kind of a priest is this, Priest Nest? It is utterly disgusting to cause a disturbance in this holy temple.

　Tsk, tongue in cheek, that cardinal turns his attention to Priest Nest. Well, well, well.

"This, no, this is His Majesty the King of Brunhild. He asks to see His Holiness, His Holiness the Pope.
What the...!

　She looks at me with her eyes wide open and then looks at me, and then she observes me as if she were staring at me. It's something. Should I have come dressed in something more like that instead of my normal clothes? I'll have Mr. Zanuck tailor it for me next time. There are too many people in the world who judge people by their appearance.

"Are you His Majesty King Brunhild?
Yes,
What business does the king of the land wish to address to His Holiness, Your Holiness? If it's all right with you, I'll go to him.
I would like to speak to His Holiness directly. Would you mind showing me around?

　The Cardinal and I look at each other and laugh at each other, but it's a gut check. I can't trust this guy in any way. Even if I asked him to stop Phyllis's execution, I doubt that his words would ever reach the Pope.

"...this way, sir.

　The cardinal urged me to enter the temple. He was made to wait in the room he was led to, with the holy knights tightly packed around him. All the while, I sat in a chair in silence while receiving the glaring gaze of the holy knights. It's completely away.
　It's not like we're going to be attacked here, but it's better to be vigilant.
　After a while, the Cardinal came to greet me in my room.

His Holiness the Pope is ready to see you. Please come this way.

　The Cardinal takes me through the corridor of the temple again. It's a huge temple for nothing. Eventually, they climbed the long staircase and opened the opulent door, decorated with gold borders, to a large hall.
　To the left of the wall, there was a line of people wearing robes similar to Cardinal Zeon's and several others wearing priestly robes, and to the right was a line of holy knights. A sharp-eyed old woman with a large long hat and pure white robes sat on a higher level in the front of the room. Is this the Pope, Elias Ortola?

'Welcome to my temple. His Majesty King Brunhild. I am the Pope, Elias Ortola.
'How do you do, Your Holiness. I hope you will forgive me for this visit.

　Saying that, I bow my head. It's not my fault, but it's true that I beat up the knights here.

You will be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of your time. What brings you to my temple?
'This priest over here, Phyllis Lugit, I ask you to call off the execution of Phyllis Lugit.

　The hall buzzed as I uttered the name. The Pope gave it a sideways glance and then stared at me.

'This is ludicrous. Trying to interfere in the punishment of another country's criminals. It's very hard to believe that this is the behavior of a king of a country.'
You're a.......sinner? What in the world is your crime?
"He advocates the Lord God, Lord Larus, as a deceitful god. That is an unforgivable betrayal for a priest. He has been accused of being a vampire who has repeatedly attacked people. The evil souls of the dark ones must be purified.

　Huh? Phyllis is a vampire? What do you mean? So you're a vampire and you're hiding it to become a priest?

《Lord. Do not be deceived. That girl was definitely human. I can smell that much.

　A telepathic message is sent to me from Amber. That's what amber is all about. But it's kind of a strange smell. It's as if the story was made up for your convenience.

It's a strange story. If she is a vampire, is that why you couldn't see that until now? By the power of God or something.
"...Lord Larus will never forgive evil. d*mnation will always follow. Just like this.

　What's the d*mnation? Isn't that a convenient way to keep your mouth shut? I suspect that by any chance, this old lady knows that there is no God called Larus.

'I heard you had quite a few victims for that. If you had punished them earlier, wouldn't those people have been spared?
The victim must have had some kind of guilt on his hands. A devout man of faith would have saved his life.

　It's a moot point. All you have is an afterthought, and you have no evidence to support it.

So you won't stop the execution of Phyllis for any reason?
'Evil must be judged. And the soul must be purified. And that is what salvation is to him.

　.........haha. It's starting to feel ridiculous now. Not believing in God is evil. Convenient things are because of God. What is inconvenient is because of unbelief. This is how they are going to legally take away one person's life, and I'm so stunned that I can't say anything.

It's ridiculous. You people are the ones who can't help yourselves.
Wha...!

　The people around me froze at my words. Even the Pope rolled his eyes. I'm not going to wear the cat's head anymore. As long as you can't talk to us, we'll do what we want here.

I assure you. There is no Lars, God of Light. It's all a hoax made up, and Phyllis is only aware of it. You can believe in whatever god you want, but don't brand those who don't as evil. Don't think you're the only ones who are special.
You! You are fooling our God!

　The holy knights lined up on the right hand side reach for the hilt of their swords in unison.

''Sorry about that. Then bring that Lars here. I'll get down on my knees and apologize to you.'

　If they bring you here.

'I deny your God. I deny its teachings of deceiving justice in the name of God and murdering an innocent girl. I will say it again. There is no god for you.