FSFSLU 76

chapter 76

Tio was at the end of his rope with frustration.

The prophecy that Dyke would draw the magic sword had failed, and the sword’s master exuded such divine power that even a touch seemed lethal. To make matters worse, Tio had mimicked a human named “Judith” during their first meeting, which had caused him to continue entangling with them ever since. The invasion he had launched with Brain’s help had collapsed entirely when the golems were sliced to pieces by the magic sword.

In the end, everything had failed. Just as he was about to quietly escape and regroup, he was caught by the strongest magician in Wektina?

“Lady Dorothea… your greatest creation is suffering such absurd misfortune…”

The restraints on Tio were released when Isabel blocked Glinda, but that didn’t make things any better.

Glinda hadn’t yet realized that Tio was undead, but she clearly sensed that he wasn’t an ordinary human.

So Tio trudged along under Glinda’s watchful gaze, while Isabel assumed Tio’s misery stemmed from fear that he might undergo a mutation and busily offered words of comfort.

Mutations didn’t happen so easily, she said. If Tio underwent an examination in Wektina, they could determine it precisely. Even if he did mutate, she would do everything in her power to prevent it. Tio, long impressed by her gracious words, replied several times that he didn’t need to hear more.

“……”

Meanwhile, Glinda found the two of them quite strange.

Being opposed or restrained by someone else was unfamiliar to her. Whenever Glinda wanted something, she usually got it without much trouble.

She believed that no one could challenge someone with her skills, dignity, and confidence.

Yet, the clumsy Isabel—a priest who didn’t seem to suit her impressive status as an agent—had directly opposed her decision and actually prevented it from happening. Without Isabel, the wizards who had fled Casteltina would have faced a brutal lynching.

In Glinda’s eyes, Isabel appeared to be the type of person who threw moralistic brakes on a smoothly running wheel. Glinda suspected that Isabel might become a nuisance to her.

Yet at the same time, Glinda thought that someone with her influential status as an agent could potentially exploit such naivety.

Now, they were heading toward the Casteltina Church. With the mayor absent and Evan acting with delegated authority, Evan had to treat Glinda as an honored guest.

Glinda intended to seize this opportunity to manipulate Isabel into joining her side.

Lister, the strict and upright agent, had already rejected Glinda’s invitation to join her, but Isabel seemed a more feasible candidate.

However…

“……”

After a long conversation, Glinda realized that Isabel was an even bigger figure than she had imagined.

“Are you saying Priest Isabel actually discovered the holy sword?”

“Yes. Through guidance from the True Angel, I discovered the holy sword and delivered it to its rightful owner.”

Even Glinda, ignorant of theology, could understand how difficult it was to discover a holy sword that hadn’t been seen in three hundred years.

Yet despite accomplishing such a feat, Isabel was merely proud of herself without attempting to elevate her status by boasting.

Why? Isn’t it human instinct to humiliate those who underestimate you? Why did Isabel treat her accomplishment as if it were nothing?

To understand this, Glinda needed to learn more about Isabel.

“Priest Isabel, earlier I acted rudely in the street, but I trust you will forgive me generously… I would like to make a proposal.”

A shadow crossed Isabel’s face. She still seemed to pity Glinda.

The look was unsettling, but Glinda guessed it was because Isabel didn’t know her well.

“What kind of proposal?”

“Before I explain… do you know who I am?”

“You’re the mayor of Wektina, a magician. Your main office is the Oztina Tower, but you’ve led younger magicians to independence and established a thriving city that earns income by sending out magicians!”

Isabel confidently finished explaining, expecting praise in return.

“…It seems you know well enough. Very well, I shall speak plainly.”

“Yes!”

“Would you lend the strength of Wektina to us?”

Evan’s eyes widened. At the same time, Tio, dragged back into the church, glinted with sharp awareness.

Evan sensed that Glinda was discussing political matters.

While both True Angel agents and ordinary priests belong to the church, the church doesn’t confine them. Priests are free to travel the continent, spreading Suniya’s teachings and helping many people. They can belong to other organizations or leave the church freely.

However, a True Angel’s agent can’t easily join or leave a group. Their power is too great for any single faction to monopolize.

For example, Lister belongs to no one, creating the Zeronis Heresy Suppression Unit and acting independently when the church has no orders. Joining any group would empower that group, so he maintained independence.

Lister had the political acumen for that. But Isabel?

Evan rated Isabel highly, and the assessment wasn’t exaggerated, but he couldn’t answer affirmatively whether Isabel could make political judgments.

Meanwhile, Tio began glaring at Glinda.

Being restrained or forcibly examined might be unpleasant or exhausting, but not impossible. He could endure until the matter concluded.

But this proposal was different. Glinda now intended to separate him from the magic sword’s master.

Worse, he still had to maintain the identity of “Judith.”

Having approached Isabel as Judith, Tio couldn’t disguise himself as a high-ranking priest or city mayor—he had to follow Isabel as the former con artist Judith.

If Isabel accepted Glinda’s proposal, tying herself to Wektina, guiding her to Dorothea would become exponentially more difficult.

Evan and Tio, for their own reasons, desperately needed Isabel. They could not intervene; it was Glinda, the mayor of Wektina, making the proposal to the True Angel agent.

So, Tio, Evan, and Glinda all waited silently for Isabel’s answer.

They didn’t know that Isabel was merely following Smiel’s quest diligently.

[Acting like you’re thinking hard (1/1)]

“I thought you’d refuse outright.”

Yuga, lying upside down on a slide, swung her legs and asked.

“I will refuse.”

“Then why the hesitation? You said you needed to meet that elf, Erika, right?”

“Finding people is easier for magicians. They can teleport if necessary. Refusing abruptly could be counterproductive.”

“That’s not the main point. Humans become bothersome once they belong somewhere. They get meddled with, and their personal actions are viewed as the group’s actions.”

“You understand well.”

Yuga wasn’t wrong. Isabel should not accept the proposal for that reason alone.

But it was hard not to worry. Both she and Isabel wanted to prevent Glinda’s tragic outcome.

Saving people who had suffered in the first playthrough wasn’t necessarily simple. Changing the fates of Liz and Galtan had already created consequences that might snowball against Isabel.

Changing the fates of minor characters like Liz and Galtan was nothing compared to changing the fate of Glinda, a city leader and powerful magician.

Glinda’s arrogance and pride could be triggered by anyone superior. That was her weakness.

Even if they prevented conflict with Keizo, someone or something could frustrate Glinda, repeating the first playthrough’s failures.

Accepting Suniya’s offer and becoming Isabel’s True Angel was now familiar. The goal wasn’t just “strengthen the hero party faster than the first playthrough to defeat the demon king.” Too many had died in the first playthrough to resist the demon king army.

To save the world, one must first save the people. The world is made of people.

“Don’t talk to me, Yuga. I’m thinking.”

I was reviewing everything I knew about Glinda. What was first-playthrough Glinda doing? What does second-playthrough Glinda want?

Wektina frequently sent magicians to other regions. Its reputation was decent, but some still saw it as a haven for Oztina’s rebels. What Glinda wanted was something that would spread Wektina’s name.

Glinda wasn’t incompetent. With Isabel’s support, Wektina could gain recognition, clients, and resources.

Moreover, Isabel wasn’t widely known yet.

She was a True Angel, but unlike Lister, she had few notable deeds. She was a small, seemingly naive priest in the eyes of ordinary people.

To Glinda, she looked like a child unaware of a gem’s value.

If Glinda wished, she could make Isabel a star.

So Glinda made her proposal discreetly: “You want recognition, right? Work with me, and you can have it all. I have the power, and you can become that person.”

I smiled faintly. I understood now. Seeing Isabel through Glinda’s eyes was completely different from reading about it.

People—whether with dark hearts or pure intentions—act according to the feelings within them. Tio, Evan, and even Glinda were moved by their internal motivations.

So I had to make a decision: to save people. That’s the angel’s duty.

Isabel was nearing her limits.

Acting was difficult for her in both playthroughs. Smiel said it was enough to look thoughtful, but even that was hard for Isabel.

She resolved to stand in front of a mirror to observe her expressions whenever deep in thought.

Just as Tio, Evan, and Glinda began suspecting her silence was an act, Isabel finally spoke.

“Um…”

Her gaze fixed on Evan across from her.

“Bishop.”

“Y-Yes?”

Evan tensed. Isabel looked at him carefully and asked:

“How long will it take to fully restore the city?”

“…Honestly, complete restoration will take about half a year.”

Her estimate was unembellished. Rebuilding the steel walls alone would take months, and combined with other losses, they’d need both this year’s and next year’s city budget.

Isabel then turned her gaze to Tio.

“Judith, you’re not too busy, are you?”

Tio replied calmly that he wasn’t.

“Then… well…”

Isabel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Glinda. Glinda wondered if she had crossed a line.

“Glinda, could you help restore Casteltina?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Your magic is the best in Wektina. If you help, it’ll be done quickly!”

“I have duties in Wektina, and a mayor using magic in another city could cause complications.”

Evan nodded urgently. If the mayor intervened directly, restoration would be quick, but Glinda wouldn’t do that. She looked insulted, and Evan tried to think of soothing words.

But…

“That’s not all. Glinda, please examine Judith thoroughly. If she really mutates, it would be a disaster!”

Tio waved his hands, distressed.

“No, I’m fine…”

“You can’t refuse, Judith. Mutations happen to people with ill intentions. You’re a talented con artist, so it’s more dangerous!”

Tio felt his pride being chipped away in real time.

“And! That’s not all. One more thing.”

“What is it?”

“Find Erika! As soon as possible.”

That was it. Isabel smiled brightly at Glinda, implying it must be done.

Glinda felt insulted.

“…So, is this your answer to joining Wektina? If so, does that mean you’d belong to our city?”

“No! I cannot belong to Wektina.”

“I see. Then why should we accept your proposal?”

“If you accept my proposal…”

Isabel revealed her hidden trump card with a radiant smile:

“I’ll let you meet a dragon!”

Crash—

All the glass windows in the church lounge shattered.

It was caused by the magical energy Glinda had released.