"Fuhfuhfuh~n. Fuhfuhfuh~~n ♪"
An absurdly cheerful humming echoed.
It perfectly expressed the singer's mood, as if declaring that something incredibly enjoyable was about to happen.
Even in a wide world, there probably wasn't another song hummed with such delight.
If forced to find faults, it would be that the humming was hopelessly off-key, and that its current performer, Vittorio, was bound hand and foot.
"—Hey! Hey, you idiot Pope!"
A voice cried out from beside him.
It was Yonayona, the Acting Pope of the Ira religion and a goat-kin beastman.
To explain her position more clearly: a poor girl who, upon regaining consciousness, found herself inexplicably bound together with Vittorio.
"Fuhfuhfuh~n. Fuhfuhfuh~n! Fuhfuh, foooooohn!!"
The humming continued.
...Regrettably, or perhaps one should say, Vittorio and Yonayona were not the only ones present.
More fundamentally, this place was the former headquarters of the Southern Knights Order. The Holy Knights and Quolia soldiers surrounding them were numerous.
The grand hall, once a mess hall and later the knights' headquarters upon the founding of the Renea Holy Light Kingdom, had now become a prison solely for Vittorio and Yonayona.
Tied to a central pillar, the two endured their status as prisoners under the sharp gazes of the holy men.
"Hey, you idiot Pope! I'm talking to you, aren't I listening?!"
Perhaps—only Yonayona had any awareness of being a prisoner.
Vittorio had been occupied with his awful humming since earlier, and she, who had been bound only as an afterthought because Vittorio called her over, was the only one panicking about the situation.
"Listen—to me!!"
Unable to bear the sharp gazes of the Holy Knights any longer, or perhaps feeling that forcing them to continue listening to the terrible noise was inconsiderate, Yonayona, despite being bound, skillfully twisted her body and drove the horns on her head into Vittorio.
In an instant, the strange performance came to an abrupt end, replaced by a piercing shriek.
"Agh, it hurts! You really shouldn't shout so loudly, Yonayona—it's terribly rude! The people of Quolia have gone to such trouble to arrange a dialogue. You're spoiling the calm atmosphere they've worked so hard to create! And you're making me lose face as well!"
"Shut up! Be quiet for a second! They're clearly furious, aren't they!?"
"Zip! My lips are sealed!"
And then, a silence fell over the large room—this time, an eerie one.
They—the holy knights of Kree and the Amrita Investigation Squad—seemed to accept the newly arrived silence, turning their backs on the pathetic prisoners to confer in a spot a short distance away.
Of course, their eyes remained fixed on the two, carefully watching for any suspicious movements…
"…Hey, you idiot leader. Why are we unharmed? Normally, when you're captured, you know, things happen?"
Perhaps puzzled by the holy knights doing nothing but confer and not approaching them at all, Yonayona whispered the question to Vittorio.
Vittorio himself, having seemingly achieved a certain satisfaction from his solo singing performance, surprisingly began to answer Yonayona's question.
"That's simple, Yonayona! Their doctrine forbids harming those who have surrendered! Therefore, they will not use violence against me, who has already given up! Glorious nonviolence! Praiseworthy pacifism! The one clever idea that this combat-incapable self could conceive!"
In Quolia, the Holy God Aros is worshipped, and his teachings—the Holy Book—are established as the most sacred law.
Naturally, practical laws and regulations exist for the functioning of the state, but all of them are based on the Holy Book's teachings.
Therefore, the people of Quolia place adherence to these teachings above all else.
Even if their opponent is a creature of darkness, even if it seems like a poor strategy, to deviate from the Holy Book's teachings would damage their very identity—they simply cannot do it.
This was precisely why Vittorio could maintain his composed attitude here. To entrap his enemy, he would spare no effort. When had he procured a copy of Quolia's Holy Book from somewhere and read its entire contents?
At the very least, it was certain he possessed enough understanding to devise such a strategy.
But even the holy ones would not let themselves be so easily used.
Perhaps Kree's explanation, still carrying even when spoken quietly, reached the ears of the representative, as Kree approached the two on his own.
"The jesting has gone far enough, creature of darkness. No matter how you posture here today, a formal judgment will inevitably be passed upon you. It is merely a matter of whether you die sooner or later."
This was a fact.
The sacred texts forbade attacking those who had surrendered, but that was only a temporary prohibition.
Later, a decision based on the law would be made by the Central authorities, and that would become the law itself, the will of God.
And the chance of that decision from the Central authorities being anything other than death was less than one in ten thousand.
But Vittorio was well aware of even that much. Deliberately provoking Kree's words with a huge, theatrical sigh, he began to speak in a thoroughly insulting tone, as if explaining something to a particularly slow-witted child.
"Oh my, oh my~? Is that really the correct choice? I came here to make a deal, you see! A most profitable deal! Points are included right now! Ah, shall I make you a card?"
"Foolish... We do not make deals with creatures of darkness—"
"Vittorio!!!"
The shout came suddenly.
Its volume was enough to make the air tremble slightly, and the Holy Knights observing the situation from a distance couldn't help but show startled expressions.
"...What is it?"
Having received the loud shout directly, Kree asked for clarification, feeling a slight pity for Yonayona, who was dizzy beside him. Though he disliked being led by the other's words, he felt nothing could progress if he didn't at least hear him out.
"When you address me, please call me Vittorio. If you won't comply, I'll start calling you 'Little Kitten' as well!"
"There is no need to remember your name. A creature of darkness's name holds no value to be spoken, let alone remembered."
"Little Kitten!!"
"No matter how much you provoke this humble one—"
"Nya nya nya~~~n! Little Kitten!"
Kree's cheeks flushed red—whether from the insult or from sheer embarrassment, it was unclear.
Nevertheless, Kree had no idea how to handle Vittorio, who refused to listen and just began stating his own demands. Being swept up in his pace was dangerous, yet leaving him be was equally troublesome. In her duties, she had faced countless madmen, as Inquisitors often encountered those who had reached spiritual ruin and fallen into insanity. Such people tended to withdraw into their own worlds, but the being before her was even worse. The most unbearable evil was that it was easy to infer he understood everything and was doing it all deliberately.
"Um, excuse me..."
Yonayona, who had been dizzy until moments ago, had regained consciousness. Kree turned to the girl who had unfortunately been caught alongside her and urged her to speak with a glance. The man beside her was exceptionally deranged and impossible to converse with. Although Kree, being from Quolia, harbored some prejudice against beastmen, she now found the girl's presence invaluable.
"Really, sorry about our idiot here. Once he starts, he won't listen, so could you just please call him by name for now?"
"...He said Vittorio, I believe? Very well, but do not mistake this for a concession; consider it our mercy."
Kree had a terrible headache, but she had no choice but to go along with it. Formally, it meant yielding to evil, but she couldn't allow herself to be seen as succumbing to wickedness over something so trivial. She rationalized it as upholding the dignity of this girl, whom the man would likely continue to manipulate anyway, and reluctantly agreed to call him Vittorio from now on.
"Ngggh-humph! Excellent! Then we can now properly sit at the negotiating table, Inquisitor Imreis!"
"I told you before, there is no negotiation, demonic one Vittorio. The divine mission laid upon us is to stop you from abducting any more of the people and allowing your evil designs to spread."
"Hoh-hoh-ho. So serious! You could just use your own judgment on the ground, but no, you insist on waiting for the verdict from Quolia headquarters. You're the type who suffers from being caught between the field and higher-ups, aren't you!"
"..."
Whether she disliked the debate or he had hit a nerve, Kree fell silent.
For a moment, silence held the air. It was Yonayona who broke it first. It seemed she intended to press the matter on her own terms, seizing the opportunity.
"Since things aren't moving, I'll introduce myself in place of this idiot. We are the people of Mynoghra, ruled by the great King Takuto Ira. Among us, those who worship him as a god—ah... followers of the Church of Ira. I'm the acting head priest, and this idiot is the high priest. We've come here to proclaim the manifestation of a new god and spread our faith."
"As a formality, of course! Just the official story!"
"...Don't say stupid things!"
Yonayona's words caused a murmur among the onlookers.
The source of the sound came from the Holy Knights, who had been watching the proceedings from a short distance away. They were likely surprised by this newly revealed information. Of course, Kree was also quite shocked to learn that the other party had their own religion, though she wouldn't show it. Even so, encountering the existence of the Church of Ira for the first time, there was only one possible response.
"This land is governed by Quolia. No one is permitted to worship any being other than the Holy God Aros. There is not a sliver of room for evil to cast its eye."
"Oh my? But this was formerly the Holy Kingdom of Renea, wasn't it? Quolia is a different country, right? Isn't it a bit strange to treat another nation's territory as your own?"
"Renea can be considered a schismatic nation descended from Quolia. It was also founded by a holy maiden who shares the same Holy Faith. It is only natural for Quolia to extend its hand of support and protection."
"I'm not talking about feelings, but about reason. Or does the Holy Faith teach that it's acceptable to loot a burning house simply because another nation has collapsed? Ah, by the way, in our country, it is permitted!"
"I do not seek your understanding. Our holy will shall, without fail, repel and crush the malice festering in this land. That is the only truth."
"Well, I suppose that's how it will be."
It was true she had been struck where it hurt, but this level of verbal sparring was nothing new to Kree. Among the countless heretics and lunatics she had judged in the past, many had tried to entangle her in such arguments or seek verbal concessions. Confronting them head-on and utterly dismantling their flimsy rhetoric was also a mission laid upon a Grand Inquisitor. Therefore, when it came to the matter of ownership of this land, Kree could declare without a single flaw in her certainty—to herself and to her God—that she would show no weakness.
But her opponent here was a master of verbal combat. There was no guarantee his purpose in this debate was to defeat her in words.
Whether one should call it inevitable or predictable.
"So therefore! I hereby propose something!"
Vittorio made the same proposal once again, as if returning to square one.
"Again with that? It is not wise to repeat the same thing so persistently. We will not accept whatever proposal you make, but you have permission to speak your mind."
Thinking it would not do to have him shouting rashly again, Kree quickly relented and allowed Vittorio to speak. Once more, it was a concession.
While such independent and hasty actions could create friction within the unit, this much was not a problem at all.
The fact that the Holy Knights did not voice any particular criticism suggested they were, to some extent, persuaded.
However, among the knights was the thought that it would not do to criticize Kree's actions too harshly, lest they end up facing Vittorio's response.
"So, what is this proposal?"
"Indeed, it is the game! Let us all play a game! When I say game, do you not understand? It is amusement. A joyful, joyful game! How about it? Do you not feel a thrill of excitement?"
"Amusement? At a juncture like this, what is the meaning of this amusement? And have you forgotten? We do not listen to the words of an evil one. You will remain here and await the decree from the central authority, whereupon you shall be executed by the holy will."
"Then we will kill them."
At the sudden, ominous words, Kree involuntarily caught his breath.
The atmosphere changed. That which had been somewhat relaxed moments before suddenly became taut.
"The people of Polne Village: Quir and Sally. Of Selduchi: Rudolph, Rudas, and Frey. And also Liriel and Frosia. Let us kill them all."
"Wh— That is—!"
One of the Holy Knights shouted.
His face was filled with rage, and he glared at Vittorio with such intensity that he looked ready to strike.
"What seems to be the matter?"
Kree asked the knight in a voice he strove to keep calm, even as he mentally cross-referenced the names he had just heard with his own memory.
"...My apologies. Sally is my niece."
With those words alone, the true meaning of Vittorio's statement became painfully clear.
Having put on such a ridiculous act, rattling off proposal after proposal, when all he was really doing was making a hostage threat.
Seeing this attitude, so typical of a petty villain, even Kree couldn't help but let words of contempt slip out.
"You scoundrel."
"That's exactly right!"
Yet the contempt and angry stares from Kree and the others seemed to be nothing more than a pleasant spice for the man before them—Vittorio.
In fact, having just shamelessly revealed the hostage's existence, he now responded with these words:
"I don't want to do this either! Isn't it cruel? To kill little Sally from Polne Village, who hasn't done a thing wrong! To brutally murder her right in front of Kile, the childhood friend blacksmith she dreams of someday marrying and becoming his wonderful bride!!"
"You dare! Enough of your games! So much as lay a finger on Sally, and I'll dice you into pieces until not a fragment remains!"
The holy knight, a relative of the hostage, draws his sword.
Those around him try to intervene, but perhaps because they are in similar positions, their reactions are muted.
"Holy Knight Grain. That is not good. Unwilled bloodshed is not what God desires."
"Ugh! I—I am terribly sorry, Inquisitor Imreis. However..."
"It will be alright. Things will not go as you fear. I will not allow it."
The holy knights are on a knife's edge.
Grain was not the only one receiving threats; Vittorio had named several others earlier.
What those names signified required no thought to understand. It was obvious from the various expressions on the remaining holy knights' faces.
"Listen up. I'll say this for this idiot in his place... The people themselves are safe for now... well, they've become our followers, so they're practically family. Not a single damn thing you lot are worried about is going to happen to them. The logistics have even improved, so their quality of life is better."
Seeming to anticipate the rising anger, Yonayona, who had been silent until now, once again threw out a lifeline.
Even though the opponent being a truly evil figure made them somewhat reluctant to believe those words were true, it was still a fact that a measure of relief arose among the holy knights and the taut atmosphere eased somewhat.
"But... ah, how should I put it. Like I said before, once this idiot of a leader gets an idea, they won't listen. So—if you refuse, you'd better brace yourselves."
However, the difficult matter was far from over.
They understood just as well that the situation remained dire. It was incredibly dangerous to ride the coattails of evil, but if they refused, the lives of their precious people would be in jeopardy. Ideally, they would strike down Vittorio here and now, and using that momentum, advance to the city and village where their loved ones were held to secure them...
But everyone understood that the optimal plan and the achievable plan were two completely different concepts.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't be so grim! Happiness will run away! More smiles! Come on, give me a big grin!"
The jester chuckled.
As if he had understood this outcome from the very beginning.
As if he had meticulously prepared things so that no other path could be taken.
As if he was savoring every last bit of the conflict held by the holy knights.
"You're the one who did that! Try not to antagonize him so much, will you..."
"Oh my? Was it like that? Well, be that as it may... the mood has really picked up, so let's play a game, a game. Oh dear, perhaps I should have said 'amusement' instead?"
The jester simply kept chuckling.