Chapter 305: Exorcism of Peta Sieri (7)

People gathered in front of the Peta Lord's Manor. Some had gathered to watch the historic moment, while others had gathered just to see the faces of the Holy Knight Order. There were also people who had come to spectate upon hearing that Hero AA had visited Peta Territory. AA looked slightly flustered by the scene where a crowd larger than expected had gathered. Although AA lived being called a hero, she was still someone who was not accustomed to people cheering for her.

The negotiation site was shabby. A single desk and a single chair each. The place had a simplicity reminiscent of an outdoor table at a convenience store. If there was any difference, it was merely that the desk and chairs were crafted from more luxurious wood, and that the surrounding atmosphere was solemn? Far in the distance, parting through the crowd, the holy knights and Priest Nelson were approaching.

Seeing him approach, I took a step forward from the direction of the manor. AA was already standing in front of the table, waiting for us. Put forward as a mediator by Ahildern, she had supposedly accepted readily, saying it was contributing to peace.

“It has been a while, Sir Priest.”

Upon seeing me, AA smiled brightly and extended her hand. It seemed that Sieri staying alive was preferable to her as well. Clasping and shaking AA's hand, I spoke.

“Yes. It's been a while, Sir Hero. Nothing unusual has happened in the meantime, right?”

“Yes, that's right.”

Priest Nelson's face was filled with concern. What on earth was he thinking, making such a gloomy expression right before a peaceful agreement? Smiling, I sat down in the chair. Behind me, Robin and Elsi glared at the holy knights with murderous expressions. The holy knights had their faces concealed beneath their armor, so their expressions were not easily revealed, but a faint murderous intent could be felt.

Once Priest Nelson and I were both seated, AA stabbed the sword she was holding into the ground and spoke.

“Well then. From this moment forth, we shall conduct the dispute resolution between the Archdeity Church and Peta Lucius. Observers unrelated to this matter are permitted to attend, but speaking is not permitted. Please keep this point in mind.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the Archdeity Church's side thrust forward a sheet of paper. It was the draft of the mediation proposal. Taking the paper, I began to read through it slowly. The contents were nothing particularly special. The Archdeity Church would not interfere with Peta Sieri at all from now on, but I had to report on Peta Sieri's status to the Archdeity Church at set intervals. Having to report was annoying, but considering the doctrines of the Archdeity Church, the proposal Priest Nelson presented right now was unprecedented in itself.

Sensing their desire to somehow gain the upper hand through the pact text stating 'must report,' a laugh escaped me naturally. I nodded and chuckled. Every time I skimmed down the paper, I could see Priest Nelson's face contort slightly before easing up again.

Other than that, there was nothing special about the contents. The only major term was a clause stating that if Sieri engaged in demonic behavior—such as human sacrifice or massacring dozens of people—the Archdeity Church would directly sanction it. Since there was no way Sieri would conduct human sacrifice, this was practically a meaningless treaty.

Even after checking several times, there were no issues with the treaty, so I decided to sign it as is. Priest Nelson seemed to find this treaty itself humiliating, but having dealt a blow to the Archdeity Church, I was practically humming to myself. How many things I wanted to do had I been unable to do because I had to walk on eggshells around these bastards? I even had to accept refugees from neighboring territories, and I had to watch their reactions when marrying Eve as well.

The High Priest salary was quite lucrative, so losing out on it was a pity, but gaining freedom in its stead wasn't bad. Just as I was about to sign the signature block, I looked at Priest Nelson. Startled by my gaze, Priest Nelson asked:

“What is the matter?”

“What is the reporting cycle?”

I had almost forgotten to ask something important. It was because the reporting cycle wasn't written in the treaty document. Priest Nelson spoke as if it were obvious.

“Naturally, should it not be done once a week? So we can respond immediately......”

At Priest Nelson's insane nonsense, I frowned and shook my head. Report Sieri's status once a week? Just thinking about it was annoying, and I felt bad for the courier who would have to race all the way to the Archdeity Church Central Headquarters on a weekly basis.

“Let's make it once a year.”

“Once a month! Once a month would be good!”

Priest Nelson stubbornly insisted once more. Aren't these bastards actually Peta Sieri's stalkers? Do they really need to know on a monthly cycle whether Sieri has turned into a bad bitch or undergone some change?

“Fuck, if there's anything unusual, I'll dispatch a courier separately, so let's just make it one year. What do you expect me to write once a month that makes you want to hear news so frequently?”

“S-Still, one year is too......!”

“Fuck! Like I said, I'll send one separately if there's anything unusual! If our Sieri suddenly gets six arms! Or four eyeballs! I'm saying I'll inform you, like, 'Our Sieri has evolved!' Huh?”

“.....Understood. Then, on the condition that any peculiarities are definitely reported......”

He said 'report' again. When I shouted in exasperation, Priest Nelson seemed to step back, yet he grated on my nerves once more.

I stopped before signing and set down the pen. In the overheated atmosphere, AA looked back and forth between me and Priest Nelson. People were holding their breath and watching us. Hearing this over and over, I really hated how these bastards kept trying to stand above me. If I signed like this, I felt like I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, gripped by some unknown sense of defeat.

“I don't like the expression 'report.' Let's amend it to 'inform.' I am no longer the Southern High Priest, after all.”

“That is......”

“Isn't that right to begin with? Sieri is my woman, neither your possession nor an object of your management, so why write the expression 'report'? It feels like I'm managing your property on your behalf and reporting its condition, doesn't it? Right this instant, change every expression of 'report' in the treaty document to 'inform.'”

Sweating profusely at my criticism, Priest Nelson spoke.

“Look here, Lord Lucius. It is merely a single word......”

“Since it's merely a single word, change it.”

Priest Nelson looked at AA. Seeming not particularly interested in this situation, AA merely gave an awkward smile. Her mediating meant she would prevent a knife fight from breaking out at the negotiation site, not that she would act as a lawyer on Priest Nelson's behalf. Priest Nelson drew a line through the treaty document and corrected it to 'inform.'

“Then, I simply have to inform you of Sieri's status once a year.”

Putting it like this felt satisfying. But Priest Nelson was still staring at me looking like he'd swallowed shit. Snatching the treaty document from his hands, I read through it slowly once more. It had been changed to 'inform,' and the notification cycle was explicitly stated as once a year. After signing my name, I pushed the paper toward Priest Nelson. Priest Nelson hesitated with the treaty document in front of him. Beside him, the holy knights, helmets pressed down, stared apathetically at Priest Nelson.

“Sign it, Priest Nelson.”

“A-Ah......”

Priest Nelson's face was drenched in sweat. Because by signing this treaty, the history of the continent would change. Clenching his trembling hand tightly, Priest Nelson slowly brought his hand toward the treaty document. I pressed him again as he hesitated.

“Sign it! Priest Nelson.”

“Aaaah......! T-The Archdeity Church...... r-regarding P-Peta Sieri...... this...... t-treaty......”

Priest Nelson gritted his teeth. The holy knights hung their heads low. Beyond the thick armor, their bodies could be felt trembling with humiliation. Turning my head back, I spoke to Elsi.

“Go bring a sheet of paper. A white one.”

“Understood.”

Elsi pattered off in a run and went inside the manor. Turning my head back, I looked at Priest Nelson again. He was laboriously signing, letter by letter. Once the signature was complete, the treaty document would be handed over to the mediator AA's side, copied in Ahildern, and then sent to the Archdeity Church and me, one copy each.

Priest Nelson squeezed his eyes shut and wrote down the final letter. The sound of the pen pressing firmly against the paper sounded just like a drum roll signaling victory. It was already a won fight, but was this what it felt like to have it definitively confirmed once more? Right on time, Elsi kicked open the front gate and came back out.

Taking the treaty document, AA read it over once more, folded it neatly, and packed it into an envelope.

“Yes. I have confirmed it. Then, do you agree to proceed with the treaty as it is?”

“......Yes.”

“Yes. I agree.”

Priest Nelson wore a look of death on his face. AA spoke.

“Then, with this, we conclude the dispute resolution between the Archdeity Church and Lord Peta Lucius. All observers, please disperse.”

Taking the paper Elsi brought, I wrote down my name and the date. Priest Nelson raised his eyes again and looked at me.

“Lord Lucius. What are you writing?”

“Here.”

I held out the paper. Taking the paper, Priest Nelson frowned, and in an instant, his face flushed bright red. It was a red color like a bomb with a lit fuse. Trembling violently, he hurled the paper at me.

“What is this?”

“I'm informing you of Sieri's status.”

Exactly one line was written on the paper.

[All Clear]

Rising from my seat, I spoke.

“Then see you next year. Actually, let's not meet; since we're at it, let's communicate with each other by letter. I'll inform you of even richer news next year, so safe travels, Priest Nelson.”

“Aaaaaaaagh! Aaaaaagh!”

Priest Nelson finally tore at his chest and let out a strange scream. Using his screams as background music, I stepped into the manor. AA looked at Priest Nelson with pity. Grabbing AA's clothes, Priest Nelson pleaded:

“Sir Hero! Are you going to continue standing by and watching that! That demon run rampant? You are the Hero, aren't you? Sir Hero! Sir Hero!”

Gently caressing the sword she held, she peeled Priest Nelson off. Then, smiling awkwardly, she spoke.

“I am sorry, Sir Priest. This is, well, not an issue where I can judge what is right or wrong, so I have nothing to say. Um...... I believe anyone in life should be given a chance. Thank you for your hard work on the treaty.”

AA ran over to me. I naturally wrapped my arm around her waist. Looking utterly disgusted, AA shoved me away.