Chapter 227 (1): Is This Part of Your Calculation?

The next morning, Wayne drove to Winster with Veronica. It was a hundred kilometers away, not that far of a distance, so driving would be more convenient.

On the way, Veronica continued to study the document. She questioned the three clues Wayne had identified: “Isn’t this too simple? Don’t we have to look into the other clues?”

“Those three are the most likely ones. We’ll start with them and look into other clues if we find nothing.”

“Why these three?”

“They involve the largest number of characters, and the plot is the most complicated.”

...Makes sense!

Veronica opened her mouth to argue, but before the words were out of her mouth, she became convinced of his reasoning. She said instead, “If it’s so simple, we’ll be able to complete the mission in two days. That’ll give us additional points, right?”

“The additional points don’t matter, but I do want to complete the mission and secure our spots as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

“Flora, Master’s enemy, has been too quiet,” Wayne said. “Were I in her shoes, I would be planning something big, waiting to make the decisive move without giving Master any chance to turn things around. So, the sooner we finish things, the better. I don’t want to and can’t afford to give her too much time.”

Veronica nodded, learning another lesson today. “If the three clues turn out false, should we split up?”

“No, I can’t get out of your sight.” Wayne glanced at her. “Flora may set up a honeytrap, so you should keep a close eye on me to prevent her from getting what she wants.”

Veronica had had enough of his overconfidence. She rolled her eyes and shot back, “She’s the previous Holy Maiden and a high official of the church. She won’t—”

“Ha, and Auston is a high official of the Ministry of Magic!”

“That’s different. He doesn’t have faith.”

“I don’t, either, but here I am, a candidate for the Anointed One.”

Veronica couldn’t argue with that. She said quietly, “The auditing team suspects that you’re a bodyguard here to assist me. The church will never choose you unless you turn into a woman.”

***

At noon, the two of them arrived in Winster. The city had a long history and had once been Windsor’s capital, housing numerous churches and royal graves, making it a hotspot for archeology[1].

Wayne and Veronica followed one of the three clues to a bar located in a remote area, Twisty Dickster[2]. Based on reliable information, the owner of the bar, Franco, was a dark mage who ran an underground market. He was the last to possess one of the three Philosopher’s Stones and might lead them to it.

“Mother said that these are all actors,” Veronica said as she opened the car door. “Franco isn’t actually a dark mage but a member of the church. This stage is a test of our ability to improvise. Use your silver tongue to persuade him.”

“Don’t worry. I’m persuasive.” Wayne shook his fist at her.

“What are you doing?” Veronica quickly grabbed him and whispered, “Don’t mess around. Like I said, he’s one of ours.”

“But who knows that?” Wayne pointed at himself. “Master may know, the auditing team may know, but we know nothing as the candidates. Do you get it?”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. The auditing team has put in so much effort to write the script. You should show them some respect.”

He opened the door to the bar without hesitation.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The name Twisty Dickster sounded authentically Windsorian. The fact that it hadn’t closed down in the middle-of-nowhere showed that it was seeing decent business. Following that logic, it would be the natural conclusion that the bar wasn’t a makeshift set that the auditing team had built, but had been around for a long time.

This was a secret base of the Church of Nature.

Faith should be inclusive. The bar showed the goddess’s incredible tolerance for each and every expression of gender and sexuality, embodying the belief that everyone was equal.

It was noon, and there weren’t many patrons. The bartender was cleaning the bar while a few patrons slept in the corner seats. Their loud snoring suggested that they had had a tiring night.

Wayne slammed his fist against the bar and slid a silling bill over. “Where’s Franco? I have business to discuss with him.”

The bartender took the bill and poured Wayne and Veronica each a glass of beer. “Customers, do you have an appointment?”

“No, but I want to meet him.” Wayne took a thick wad of money out of his pocket. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to meet him in five minutes.”

The bartender blinked and reached out for the bill. When Wayne didn’t stop him, he quickly pocketed the money. “A moment, please. I promise that Boss will be here in five minutes.”

Veronica blinked, watching the scumbag at work from a close distance. She didn’t know that Silvia had been through the same process years ago. A lack of natural talent could be amended through hard work. With a humble attitude and a devotion to learning, even a dragon-blooded girl could develop street smarts.

Soon, less than two minutes later, Franco was standing before Wayne and smiling like a businessman, his head round and plump. “Dear customer, how should I address you?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Wayne said bluntly. “I heard that you bought a Philosopher’s Stone. Care to share the information?”

“Um...” Franco frowned deeply. “Dear customer, I don’t know where you heard the rumor from, but I’m a legitimate businessman and do not sell such wares.”

“I know. You’re asking for more money.”

“It’s not about money...”

As a candidate, aren’t you too used to this?

Franco smiled. “How about this? Return tonight for the small auction we’re holding. Perhaps you’ll find what you want then.”

The NPC gave him a side quest. Wayne clicked refuse, grabbing Franco by the collar and dragging him from behind the bar. He was so strong that he was able to easily lift Franco off the floor despite the man being as heavy as an overweight pig, and Franco screamed like a pig getting slaughtered as he landed on a table and smashed through it.

“...”

The ‘sleeping’ customers opened their eyes, and Veronica and the bartender were similarly gaping.

Young man, has District Reverend not told you that we’re on the same side?

It’s fine if you want to showcase your power, but do it at night. He told you that there would be an auction then, and there would be dozens of people for you to beat up!

Wayne refused to follow the established rules. He picked up a bar stool and beat Franco up with it, making Franco scream with his relentless violence.

“Stop, stop! I just remembered where the Philosopher’s Stone is.”

“So soon? It has to be a lie. I’m not going to fall for it so easily!”

Wayne raised the stool and hit him a few more times. Franco held onto his leg, begging, “I remember, truly. The Philosopher’s Stone is in this bar.”

“Should’ve said that sooner!” Wayne cast the stool aside and demanded that the bartender bring the stone over. He leaned down and said to Franco, “I have a clear bottom line: no mercy for dark mages or followers of Darkness and Death. Every time I see one, I beat them up. You’re only meeting your retribution for the sins you’ve committed.”

He followed up with easily understood pontification about eliminating evil and having the goddess leading the way to justice. The air curdled with tension, and everyone in the bar was speechless.

Does he really not know?

Impossible!

While Franco shed tears of frustration, the bartender emerged with a wooden box. Veronica took it. Inside was a red gem the size of a fist, radiating mysterious mana.

She nodded at Wayne. The stone was perfectly in line with the descriptions in the mission summary.

“Good. You’re trustworthy for a despicable dark mage.”

When Wayne crouched down and reached into his pocket, Franco quickly covered his face. He stared in shock as Wayne handed him a brochure for the Church of Nature instead of pulling out a gun.

“Lost soul, I saw the virtue of credibility in you. Although you only honored your promise out of fear of violence, I have to admit that a hint of humanity exists in your tainted soul. Read this. I hope that it’ll awaken the virtuous part of your heart.”

Wayne patted Franco on the shoulder seriously. “Join the Church of Nature, and you’ll become part of the righteous side like me.”

Have you considered the possibility that I’ve been a member of the Church of Nature for a long time?

Franco thought.

“Don’t hesitate or feel lost. The goddess will lead the way for you. It’ll be a path of light and happiness.”

Wayne pressed his hand to Franco’s wounded body and injected him with the vitality of Nature to heal the bruises. Then he took out another wad of bills and tucked it in Franco’s shirt.

What?

Franco was utterly lost.

“I believe that the goddess’s grace will disperse all darkness. Even a scumbag like you can turn around and become a good person, or even a devout disciple with steadfast faith like me.”

Wayne spoke in a solemn tone to spread the blessings of faith. “Franco, we’ll be on the same side from now on. Take this money as my apology and pay for your medical bill. The next time we see each other, I hope that you’ll be sitting in a library rather than running a bar.”

“I’ve said what I can. Do think about it. All your life, you’ve been lurking in a dark cavern. You should walk into the goddess’s light and become a good man of integrity.”

He patted Franco on the shoulder again, giving him a look of encouragement before walking out of the bar with Veronica.

Once in the car, Wayne examined the Philosopher’s Stone. He couldn’t tell what it was, but it didn’t matter. Tossing it to the backseat, he headed straight to the location that the next clue pointed to.

1. Winster is this story’s version of Winchester. While Winchester is widely believed to have once been England’s capital, it’s actually a topic of debate for academics. ☜

2. The name in the raw reshuffled the translated name for Dicky Twister, a gay bar from the game

Cyberpunk 2077

. ☜