Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss

Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss – 49

EP.49 Bishop Lea Part 4

In the dimly lit room, Lea maintained a rather relaxed demeanor while surrounded by investigators. There were various reasons for her calm attitude, but the most significant one was this:

‘In the current situation where the world could be destroyed at any moment by the Demon King, the value of the Church is unparalleled.’

Thus, despite being surrounded by investigators, they would not dare to easily touch a bishop due to political reasons. Using this to her advantage, she decided to take control of the situation and calmly addressed the investigators, who were still in the stage of suspicion.

“Feel free to ask me anything, except for the church’s classified information. I’ll answer whatever I can.”

With a smile, she spoke as if she were merely a witness in the room. The investigators, however, looked at her with expressions of unease.

“Well… thank you.”

One of the investigators, looking somewhat reluctant, pulled out a magic book and began to speak.

“Then, Bishop, we will ask a few questions.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Regarding the recent auction house incident…”

It was said that investigators typically started their interrogations with some evidence already in hand. Their basic approach was often coercive, and if things didn’t go their way, they might resort to torture.

‘But these low-level officials wouldn’t dare do such things to a high-ranking church official like me.’

Even high-ranking nobles and royalty were wary of the church, so what could these investigators possibly do? Deciding to steer the conversation in her favor, she dangled a piece of bait before them.

“If it’s about that, I do have a clue. Recently, due to some unfortunate events, I lost my rosary…”

Although it was preposterous that she lost her rosary, there was no one present who could contest her claim. Lea continued with a somewhat audacious tone.

“And while searching for it, I heard a rumor that a first-year student named Lucia found my rosary.”

At this, the investigators exchanged glances and murmured among themselves. Whether it was because an unexpected person had come up or because they knew something about Lucia’s identity, she wasn’t sure.

‘What matters is that I’ve dragged that bitch Lucia into this mess.’

Once suspicion takes root, it doesn’t disappear until it’s completely burned away. Lea eagerly awaited the moment when that suspicion would grow and entangle everything.

One of the investigators sighed and spoke to her.

“Lucia? Isn’t she the Church’s saintess?”

The brief statement carried two implications.

‘The first implication is that they have enough information, so don’t even think about lying. The second implication is that the Church’s saintess would not be involved in such a thing.’

Understanding these underlying meanings, Lea gave a brief smile and presented the story she had prepared.

“Can you tell me the scale of the auction house?”

The investigators, now in the position of answering rather than asking questions, frowned at the change in roles. However, they had no particular reason to refuse and reluctantly provided details about the scale of the auction house.

Lea then pointed out a crucial fact they had overlooked.

“A building of that size, no matter how much divine power is used, cannot be destroyed by a bishop… or even an archbishop. The total amount of divine power granted to an ordinary person has its limits.”

This was a clear fact. No matter how much effort one put in, destroying a building of that scale with divine power was only feasible for a saintess or higher-ranking cardinal, or a paladin.

Realizing the truth in her statement, the investigators began discussing among themselves again. They had thought of her as a prime suspect, but now a rational alternative had emerged, which understandably caused confusion.

‘Moreover…’

It seemed that the seeds of suspicion she had planted earlier were rapidly growing. Taking advantage of this, Lea decided to stir the pot even further.

Observing the scene, she deliberately whispered a comment to make the suspicion grow stronger.

“…Of course, a saintess could do it.”

Upon hearing this, the investigators were divided in their opinions and went outside the interrogation room, leaving for a considerable time. The longer this dragged on, the more advantageous it was for Lea.

As she waited, Lea hoped that the suspicion would continue to grow and kept her eyes closed slowly, savoring the situation.

‘Now, I need to contact the key figures in the Church and the kingdom to find out what paths are available for them to walk freely.’

If this plan succeeded, Lucia, who had no power or influence, would become the sole target of suspicion. Although the Church would be hesitant to take drastic actions against the saintess, they wouldn’t be able to avoid putting some blame on her.

‘Even so, it will create an opportunity to entangle her further and shift all problems onto her.’

If this plan went through, Lea would be able to settle all her grudges in one fell swoop.

‘I’m looking forward to seeing that wretched saintess’ face soon.’

Imagining the twisted expression on the saintess’ face, Lea felt a surge of satisfaction. She looked forward to reclaiming the hero whom the saintess had deceitfully enchanted.

Her lips curled into a smile.

‘They say crisis is an opportunity.’

In the current situation, no phrase seemed more fitting. She covered her face with her hand and let her smile bloom.

***

Since Jeong-hyeon didn’t know where to locate the investigators, he decided to find Miria first and ask her where their base of operations was.

As soon as he found Miria, he immediately asked about the whereabouts of the investigators. Miria, upon hearing the question, responded with a voice tinged with confusion.

“…No way, right?”

He wondered what exactly was not right. Although he could roughly guess, he pretended not to know and kept quiet.

Miria, with a dazed expression, tightly shut her eyes and spoke.

“Is it alright if I cry for a moment? Just ten minutes… no, twenty minutes.”

Then she slumped into a nearby chair, let out a long sigh, and continued.

“There’s a guest reception room in the academy’s basement. There’s a hidden room behind the bookshelves there. The investigators should be there, so you should check it out.”

He was the one taken aback by her words. He wondered where she had gotten such information.

“This? This is just information you pick up when you have a lot of friends…”

Miria glanced at him and Lucia, covering her mouth and turning her eyes away. While he could understand, Lucia had been bullied and had no friends besides them. Lucia, seemingly deeply affected by Miria’s words, lowered her head and murmured.

“… As Miria said, I don’t have any friends.”

Miria, realizing her mistake, tried to salvage the situation.

“Ahaha, you know I’m just joking, right?”

“……”

It was too late to recover from the situation. Miria started sweating and fidgeting nervously. Jeong-hyeon shook his head at the two of them.

“Alright, I’ll be back.”

Just as he was about to head out to set up a trap for Lea, Miria grabbed his shoulder and handed him a mask.

“Put this on!”

It was a new mask he had never seen before. It seemed that Miria wanted to make sure his identity wasn’t revealed.

He nodded slightly and accepted the mask.

***

As soon as he arrived at the guest reception room in the academy’s basement, he saw armored figures blocking the door. Recognizing that he had come to the right place, he immediately drew his sword and approached them.

“Stop right there.”

As he drew near, a man in fine clothes stepped forward to mediate. The man, trying to appear solemn, began speaking to him.

“This reception room is currently in use for official duties, so if you interfere…”

Before the man could finish his sentence, Jeong-hyeon thrust his sword into the man’s body.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to listen to you right now.”

Screams echoed immediately. To silence the noise, Jeong-hyeon stomped on the man’s head, knocking him out, and effortlessly deflected the sword coming at him from the side.

“…What?!”

The investigator, realizing his mana was being rapidly drained just from the brief contact with Jeong-hyeon’s sword, cried out in shock. Jeong-hyeon quickly struck the man’s head, knocking him out as well.

Boom!

The loud explosion made him realize the need to be more careful with his power. A nearby investigator, trembling, shouted at him.

“…You monster.”

Receiving such a high compliment, Jeong-hyeon approached him slowly, letting out a chuckle.

‘First a bomb, now a monster.’

He wondered when he would earn a more normal nickname. As he prepared to finish off the investigator with his sword, the door burst open from behind, and multiple investigators armed with swords rushed in.

The last investigator to appear surveyed the three fallen figures with a scowl and shouted.

“Capture that bastard immediately and make him kneel before me!”

“Yes, sir!”

Hearing this, Jeong-hyeon decided it was time to use the Domain Declaration he had been waiting for. He gathered all his divine power and thought to himself.

‘Domain Declaration.’

As he silently chanted, a powerful divine power began to spread out from him, warping everything around it.

Crash.

In that moment, everyone, without exception, was either slammed into the walls or thrown far away. Everyone who had been standing fell to the ground, their heads hitting the floor.

“Ugh… uuuuugh!”

“Save… save me!”

“Aaaaah!”

Screams filled the area. He slowly entered the reception room and looked around.

‘There it is.’

The bookshelf Miria mentioned was likely that one. Without hesitation, he swung his sword and sliced through it.

Crash!

The bookshelf collapsed instantly, revealing the hidden space behind it. He saw Bishop Lea and several investigators stationed there.

He shouted the prepared line with greater volume.

“Bishop Lea! I’ve come to rescue you! I will save you from these vile heretics, so please wait just a moment!”

At his short cry, Lea’s face went pale, her mouth hanging open in a stunned expression.