Chapter 142
Hearing Eric's story, Clael let out a deep sigh.
"Girael... So my brother really is involved. Well, it's not surprising."
"You knew, Mr. Byrne?"
"Yes, my second brother had just done something foolish."
Just the other day, Liel, the second eldest brother, had been used by Girael to summon Clael.
At that time, the humans who tried to capture Clael—and Liel as well—were caught by the military police.
(But... Girael wasn't caught. Somehow, he managed to escape cleanly.)
Come to think of it... Girael, the fourth brother, had always been that way.
Cunning and cowardly since childhood, but incredibly fast at running away.
On top of that, he was greedy and narrow-minded, unable to tolerate others gaining more than him.
He had a wicked heart unbefitting someone born into a marquis family.
"It's shameful to admit, but... Girael, the fourth brother, once invited bandits into the mansion and tried to have our eldest brother, the heir, killed. I heard all the bandits were captured... but Girael alone escaped, fleeing to another country."
"...Now he's returned, and it seems he's plotting to kidnap you and Reina. Recently, several gangs and criminal organizations have been wiped out in attacks by an unknown party. Evidence suggesting Girael's involvement was found in their hideouts. Apparently, Girael doesn't belong to any specific gang, but provides them with knowledge and tools, manipulating them from the shadows."
"That man is cunning... It's shameful. Even if he's already been expelled, I'm sorry that my brother is causing trouble."
"No... I'm not blaming you. That's not why I called you here."
Eric clasped his hands on the table, his expression turning serious.
"Now, to the main point... I want to capture this man Girael somehow. For that, I'd like your cooperation, Mr. Byrne."
"Of course, if it's something I can do, I'll gladly help. I'll do anything."
When Clael replied, Eric hesitated slightly before making his proposal.
"You may refuse this, of course... In short, I want you to act as 'bait' to lure out Girael. I'll say it again—it's dangerous, so you don't have to accept."
"You mean a sting operation..."
They didn't know where Girael was.
But... they knew that Clael and Reina were his targets.
That's exactly why Eric had proposed the sting operation.
(In that case... using bait to lure him out is a logical move. Of course, that means Reina can't be used for it.)
Even if a sting operation was the rational approach, using Reina, a woman, would be inhumane.
That's exactly why Eric had come to Clael with this plan.
"...All right. I'll accept."
After thinking for a moment, Clael answered.
"We can't leave Girael unchecked. That man is a disgrace to our family—we must capture him somehow... If that means I have to be the bait, I'll gladly do it."
"...I appreciate your cooperation."
"Don't worry, Mr. Byrne! We'll protect you tight!"
"We'll take every possible precaution. Your safety is our top priority."
Vincent and Will spoke reassuringly.
Vincent was an excellent warrior, and Will a skilled magic user.
"Hmph..."
Luy, who was support class, turned his face toward the window with a sulky expression.
And Eric was a magic swordsman.
"So, we'll use Mr. Byrne to lure the enemy out... The question is how. Just wandering around town won't make him show up."
"About that... I have a suggestion."
Clael shared the plan he had come up with.
It was time to settle things with the gangs targeting him and Reina.
In that sense, Eric's proposal was a godsend.
(I've had enough of this nuisance... Let's end it here. Even if Girael doesn't show up, dangling some juicy bait should make the gangs bite...!)
Clael may have been called a Saint, but in truth, he was just an ordinary priest... who had played games before.
It was time to finally put the knowledge from his previous life to use again.