A Priest's Life as a Villain

Chapter 15

Walter's voice trembled.

"Ran? How did you...?"

Viola, who had been hidden behind Walter's broad frame, poked her head out. Only then did Ran let out a sigh of relief.

'Should I close the door?'

Walter was standing opposite Viola, who was sitting on the bed. Viola was dressed. Ran couldn't quite grasp what was going on.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to take Viola with me, Walter."

"H-Hmm. Please wait outside for a moment."

Ran stepped aside. He pressed his ear close to the door, preparing for any possible situation.

A moment later, Walter emerged after changing his clothes.

"Let's go."

The two stepped outside. Walter witnessed the horrific spectacle in the yard. Even after seeing his subordinates' corpses strewn all about, his eyes didn't waver.

"Walter. Make your choice. Are you going to go to headquarters without a fight, or repent here?"

"Heh, Ran. I almost wish I'd met you a little sooner."

"Let's not get sidetracked."

Ran picked a useful weapon from those stuck in the ground and in corpses. Walter also grabbed an axe in each hand.

"I wanted revenge. I tried to kill Viola."

"If I had been a little later, it would've been a disaster."

"I don't think you interfered. Because, before I killed Viola, there was something I had to do."

"What's that?"

Ran glanced over the machete and axe in both his hands. Walter's words barely registered. He had seen many people ramble before dying.

"Ran. You must have slept with a woman at some point, right?"

Walter's question echoed in Ran's ears. Cold sweat trickled down. His hands froze for a moment, then moved awkwardly.

"Y-Yeah, of course."

"Embarrassing as it is, I never have."

Ran's eyes widened. On the mainland, it was considered shameful if you reached adulthood without sexual experience, especially after the war when people's desires became even more intense.

Ran had planned to ask Walter about relationships after growing closer with him on Lell. He thought Walter would have lots of experience with women.

"Well, I see."

"Do you know why?"

Ran shook his head. Walter pointed at the log cabin.

"It's because of that woman. The wound she gave me—right here, deep inside."

Walter's voice quivered. He thumped his chest with his fist.

Ran had no clue what was happening and just observed quietly. He swallowed hard.

"It... It won't get up."

"Sorry?"

Only after repeating the question did Ran realize his mistake. He understood what Walter meant.

Walter's eyes shimmered. He took a long, deep sniff.

"I thought if I met Viola again, things would work out somehow. I thought I could heal."

"So, that's why earlier...?"

"I failed."

Walter leaned forward. The axes he held spun like windmills.

"Ran! I have no regrets left. I am not afraid of death. Because, life has lost its meaning for me!"

After deliberating, Ran chose his weapon.

He gripped the machete in reverse and slanted it. His other hand extended toward Walter, chin tucked in, body steady. He spread his feet at shoulder width and bent them for balance.

It had been a long time since he assumed such a proper stance for a serious duel. He didn't intend to take his opponent lightly.

Contrary to his words, Walter's vitality surged fiercely.

'Desire moves people.'

Ran grinned. Witnessing this strange vitality, he felt himself grow and his perspective broaden.

"Don't laugh at meeee—!"

Walter let everything go. He threw off the shackles of the past. With lingering regret gone, his axes felt as light as feathers.

He had resolved to start a new life.

Today, both Mad Dog Ran and Executioner Walter would die.

* * *

"Poor man."

Viola squatted and gazed at Walter's head.

Ran, tidying up the horse's bridle, spoke awkwardly.

"I hear you were pretty harsh."

"Me? What have you heard?"

"I heard you two were involved, but you betrayed him. Walter lived his whole life with that scar."

Viola snorted.

"I've seen a lot of people who get hurt by their own misunderstandings. Walter's no different."

Ran stopped what he was doing and looked at Viola. She nonchalantly wrapped Walter's head in a cloth again.

"I said the same thing to all men. That I'd become a priest. So not to have feelings for me. If they kept pestering, I'd mention my fiancé. I never intended to marry him anyway, so it was just an excuse."

There were many men who boasted they'd do anything for her. Her fiancé was the son of a fairly influential noble family. Whenever she mentioned his name, the clingy men would quietly withdraw.

"Except Walter."

Viola stood, as if closing the subject.

Ran took the route back with Viola on his horse.

By the time they reached Lell, dawn had broken.

"Young mercenary, travel safe."

"I'll be back to visit."

"Yes, if you can."

It was impossible to open her heart right away. This wasn't something to be rushed. Ran began planning anew.

"About what you asked earlier."

Ran steered the conversation back. Viola looked up at him.

"I don't know what your goal is, but give up."

"What do you mean?"

"Some things are better left unknown. Just leave it alone. As you live, you'll learn there's a lot you can't control."

With no more goodbyes, the two parted.

Ran mulled over her words. Before he left Quersa, the archbishop had offered a similar prayer.

'Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.'

Ran shook his head.

From now on, whatever happens, he decided to see and feel for himself before coming to any conclusions.

* * *

Zilla summoned the six branch managers under her command.

The number, once close to thirty, had dwindled to this. Those who survived were truly elite. They were comrades who fought for their oppressed kin, prepared to die for the cause.

'The time has come.'

A final battle for the organization's survival approached.

The morale of the Second General Branch was higher than ever. Recently, they had won consecutive victories against the Special Unit.

Next up was the Gerinhild Grand Cathedral.

"Comrades, good to see you all! I am Dante, branch manager of the 13th branch!"

This was the first time since the founding of the Second General Branch that all branch managers had gathered in one place.

All six branch managers and the general branch manager, Zilla, revealed their faces. When the young Dante introduced himself so confidently, the others looked slightly uncomfortable.

"I heard you assassinated the acting lord of Lucerne and a Special Unit clergy?"

"Heh, yes. I hope the exploits of the 13th branch bring comfort and hope to you, comrades!"

There was little applause. Some branch managers stroked their chins with lukewarm expressions.

'Is this brat being rude? He obviously hasn't been here long.'

It wasn't just jealousy. For them, the organization was as important as their own lives. They had quietly built its foundation over a long time and lost too many comrades. The organization was forged through their blood.

If a newcomer suddenly arose and disregarded such toil and devotion, the veterans saw no reason to respect him in return.

"General branch manager, what's so important that you gathered us all?"

All eyes turned to the center of the round table.

Zilla rested her chin on her hand and stared at one spot. Her eyes shimmered with emotion.

"Before I begin, I must admit something. Until now, for the sake of prolonged conflict, we have kept ourselves in the shadows. In other words, we've avoided all-out confrontation."

"Wait, General branch manager. You should be careful with your words."

"No. I'll be frank. Up to now, all we've done is make annoying noise in the ears of the Church."

"General branch manager!"

Regal, branch manager of the 4th branch, stood abruptly. With seniority since the Second General Branch's foundation, he was Zilla's clear elder. The frustration built up from Dante boiled over.

"Are you insulting the sacrifices of our fallen comrades?"

"That's not my intention. But it's time for change. For the sake of the future."

"You think we never tried because we didn't know? Our enemy is the Empire's elites. To confront such evil, we had to chip away at their fortress. You'd have us self-destruct before doing anything?"

Dante sighed quietly at the side. He had expected this reaction.

'Ran.'

He had gambled everything. Alone, Ran had walked into the Revolutionaries' headquarters and made a bold proposal.

'And showed us the possibility.'

Through Ran, Zilla saw the Revolutionaries' cowardly reality and felt alarmed.

Dante was simply in awe of Ran's talent.

Both had been deeply impressed by him in their own ways.

"Now, we will fight to win."

Zilla looked directly at Regal. She stood and placed a wax figurine carved with the Revolutionaries' symbol on the continent map spread over the round table.

The wax piece stood atop Gerinhild.

"As of now, the Second General Branch will unite until the operation is over. The entire Second General Branch will infiltrate Gerinhild."

The branch managers' faces stiffened. Their eyes darted around, gauging each other's reactions.

Regal stroked his thick mustache, fingertips faintly trembling.

"General branch manager, reconsider. Are you trying to send us all to our deaths?"

"I agree. Gerinhild has been impregnable this whole time. No matter your plan, sending everyone from every branch is far too risky."

"Even if we succeed, we won't avoid the Special Unit's traps once we get inside."

"Yes—a full force won't be intact even before the operation begins."

"Wouldn't it be more logical to send detachments under the general branch manager's direct command from all branches?"

Starting with Regal, each branch manager voiced their opposition around the table.

Then came Dante's turn. He simply gazed at Zilla, who met his eyes. They both understood.

Now it was clear. At this rate, the Revolutionaries would never defeat the Special Unit.

Maybe they'd tried to deny the truth all this time. When they assassinated the Special Unit's First Division and Martin the clergy, they thought it would shake the whole Revolutionaries. They had been mistaken.

Zilla slammed her fist on the table.

"Even if we throw in all our strength, it won't be enough! Why did you endure all those hardships if not to inscribe your names at history's turning point?"

"General branch manager, calm down. Should you be so emotional about such weighty affairs?"

"Those who don't share our intention won't walk out of here unscathed."

Regal broke off and glared at Dante, who closed and opened his eyes slowly.

"Everyone here knows well: nothing about the Revolutionaries must be leaked. Now that you know everything, pick—your tongue or your life."

The branch managers understood. Outside the chamber would be members of the Second General Branch surrounding them. Defying to the end meant few would leave alive.

Unable to find an argument, the managers only smacked their lips.

Regal glared at Dante before addressing Zilla.

"Let's hear the plan, General branch manager."

"In half a month, the entire Second General Branch will simultaneously enter Gerinhild through the four outlying gates."

"W-Wait! You mean we march right in?"

"Our vanguard will coordinate with insiders there. I'll individually inform each of you about follow-up rendezvous points as we near the day."

Zilla rose from her seat. She sensed this was a chance that would never return. Failure wasn't an option. Her mind was filled only with visions of the Grand Cathedral's fall. She scanned the branch managers' faces carefully.

"Let's plant the Revolutionaries' banner on the burning Grand Cathedral."

Zilla regretted she could not reveal that another person had helped devise this operation.

Had the others known that person was Mad Dog Ran, their expressions wouldn't have been so grim.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Damn, the story is going so fast.
Ran asking info from Viola.
The Revolutionaries attacking the Grand Cathedral.
Also, poor Walter. I kinda pity him, but not really. You know, he's an ass, and potential rapist, if not for his "defect".
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】