The Divine Word Religion is settled for now.
I'll pay another visit after a few days.
I can hear the answer then, and that'll be fine.
But here's the problem.
I was able to convey what I wanted to say through the book, but hearing an answer back is impossible with just a book.
Well, duh. It's not like they're going to understand my situation, write it all up in a book, and send it back.
What is this, some kind of exchange notebook?
Aren't exchange notebooks supposed to be about sweet and sour stuff?
Why should I have to have a serious exchange notebook about the fate of the world?
And the other party is an old man.
I could maybe see it if it were some cool middle-aged guy, but once you're that old...
So anyway, I need someone to serve as both listener and negotiator.
The one I've pinned my hopes on is the vampire girl.
The Demon King is busy with all sorts of things, and besides, they're technically the Demon King.
You can't just casually lead them straight into the heart of enemy territory.
The Divine Word Religion is kind of a pillar of the Human race, after all.
There are several reasons beyond process of elimination for bringing the vampire girl along.
And there are reasons!
It's not like she's the only acquaintance I could bring!
*Ahem!* Well, to put it bluntly, the vampire girl and the Divine Word Religion have quite the history together.
After all, the country where the vampire girl was born was destroyed by the Divine Word Religion, wasn't it?
Oh wait, it wasn't technically destroyed.
Well, the city where the vampire girl lived was ravaged, so it's pretty much the same thing.
You could say they're her enemies, in a sense.
The vampire girl, huh...
Ever since Mera scolded her, she's been feeling pretty down.
Or rather than feeling down, more like in total turmoil?
What are humans? What are vampires?
Who am I? What am I?
Something like that.
She's lost her sense of identity.
It's like Mera tried to convey something to her, but she interpreted it in a completely different way, charged full speed in the wrong direction, and got completely lost.
I asked if Mera should correct her, and she said something like: "It has meaning for the young lady to find the answer herself."
So it seems she has no intention of helping.
Is that really okay?
At this rate, she might come up with some weird answer.
So anyway, I figure I'll throw some potentially immediate tasks at her to take her mind off things.
I have no idea what'll happen with the Divine Word Religion contact, but it'll probably work out somehow.
As long as I'm holding the reins, things shouldn't get too dangerous. Probably.
"So, here's some homework."
"I don't even know what 'so' refers to! Don't just show up out of nowhere and say 'so' like that!"
A girl shouldn't say crap!
So I gave her a chop.
I think I heard the sound of a skull cracking and felt neck bones shatter, but whatever.
She shoved a book at me.
This time the book is a bit thicker.
It's about time the vampire girl learned about how this world was created, the system, and where we're all headed—important stuff like that.
If she doesn't know any of that, she won't be able to hold a conversation with the Pope of the Divine Word Religion.
The vampire girl has Taboo too, so I could just let that max out, but deliberately making her spend Skill Points for that seems wasteful.
Hehehe.
Before such a major revelation, her identity crisis should just blow away!
I'll make her forget all about her worries!
Come, learn the truth of the world and despair!
...Huh?
Wait, isn't this just going to increase her worries?
Yeah.
I dunno.
The vampire girl is an adult too.
Surely she'll figure it out on her own.
Alright, that's done for the vampire girl.
Well, maybe not done, but done.
Next, I'll leave it to her guardian.
I should go check on the Oni boy.
So I made my way to the Oni boy's place.
Rare for me, I went on foot.
I usually just teleport everywhere.
Well, we live in the same manor, so it's not like it's far enough to need teleportation.
"White, welcome."
The Oni boy greets me with a gentle smile.
Hard to believe he's bearing
I wonder how he came to possess it.
"What brings you here today?"
"Heterodox Resistance."
"Ah, I've finally gotten my Great Heterodox Resistance up to level 5. It's not at complete nullification yet—that'll take a bit more—but it should be significantly better than before."
Hmm hmm.
So things are progressing smoothly over there.
Talking with the Oni boy is easy and doesn't tire me out.
A single word and he picks up on what I'm trying to say.
So this is what it means to be able to read the air.
"Status."
"Hm? Let me see—ah! That side has recovered quite a bit too. About 90 percent, I'd say. I think it'll be fully recovered in just a little more."
A slight pause or a wrong interpretation—those are things I can't help.
Damn, this mute body of mine is painful.
I have no intention of changing it though.
Because dealing with other people is such a hassle.
The Oni boy's condition is on the mend.
So far, Wrath hasn't resurfaced.
At this rate, learning complete Heterodox Nullification is just a matter of time.
Once that happens, the Oni boy should no longer lose himself to Wrath. Hopefully.
When that day comes, the Oni boy will be able to decide for himself, of his own will, what to do from here.
I hand the Oni boy a book.
It's the same content as the one I gave the vampire girl earlier.
"This book is pretty thick today."
"Read it, and then do whatever you want."
"Huh?"
I turn my back on the Oni boy and leave.
What he does after reading that is up to him.
If he chooses to side with us, fine.
If he chooses to oppose us, I won't show mercy.
If he chooses to remain uninvolved, that's fine too.
I don't have the authority to decide the Oni boy's choices.
It's entirely up to him.
And this isn't just about the Oni boy.
The same applies to the vampire girl.
Right now, things have worked out so she's operating under my wing, but I have no intention of binding her.
I picked her up, so I gave her the minimum to survive and the power to live.
But the vampire girl has already gained enough power to live freely in this world.
Whatever she chooses from here on is her freedom.
Yes, even if she chooses the path of opposing me.
My feet stop.
If the vampire girl were to turn against me, what would I do?
It's obvious.
If anyone stands in my way, I won't show mercy.
Anyone at all.