Chapter 275.1

First chapter for Martial Arts Tournament Arc

Chapter 275.1. The Declining Cult

-???’s POV-

“Oh, it’s infuriating! Huh?”

A disheveled, blonde man with a rugged and brusque face was openly agitating himself with alcohol. He was Hrungnir.

The room was lavishly decorated. Long-worn carpets, sofas so soft they seemed to sink in, tables adorned with intricate gold and silver designs, and paintings and furnishings that would be worth millions at auction adorned the room.

Three of Hrungnir’s female attendants were waiting by the room’s wall, and they were turning pale as they watched their irritable master.

Honestly, Hrungnir, one of the remaining executives of Nidhogg, didn’t seem fitting for the opulent room. He tilted the wine bottle in his hand.

But the content didn’t flow, only deepening his frustration.

“Damn it, bring me another!”

He yelled at a believer by the wall like a thug and hurled an empty bottle at them.

The wine bottle hit the wall, staining the wallpaper deep red, and glass shards scattered on the floor.

Seeing Hrungnir’s displeased demeanor, the believers exchanged worried glances.

Hrungnir had expected someone to jump up immediately frowns, and express more doubt than anger.

They’ll usually give him a bottle or two of wine without even being told. That was the norm.

“I told you to bring it quickly, didn’t I? What’s going on?”

“W-Well, there…”

“What’s the matter?”

“W-We don’t have any wine or alcoholic beverages.”

“None? What are you talking about? Is the cellar empty?”

The assistant, with a pale face, nodded vigorously as if their head might roll off at any moment.

The implications of their words hit Hrungnir. He had realized the reason for his irritation.

“Don’t tell me even everyday items are running scarce? We can’t even get wine now?”

“Yes, that’s correct, Hrungnir-sama. Lately, there have been fewer ferry arrivals. And now, there are hardly any ferries coming at all. As a result, luxury items like wine have started to run out.”

“I see. We’re getting cornered, huh?”

He sighed deeply and turned to the tablet placed on the table.

The tablet displayed the news articles Frungnir had been reading earlier.

[Religious Organization Yggdrasil, Actually a Terrorist Organization Nidhogg?]

[Victims Speak Out About Their Kidnapped Relatives. Police Remain Inactive!]

[Are the Executives International Wanted Criminals? Subjecting People to Inhumane Experiments?]

[A Girl Playing with a Skull-Shaped Toy. Creating New Music with Clattering Sounds]

He couldn’t quite understand the last one, but the rest were all news articles blaming Nidhogg or Yggdrasil.

Skadi could easily suppress news of this caliber, but this time, there was an overwhelming amount of investigation going on, and they couldn’t bury it.

Among these articles, Hrungnir’s name was mentioned here and there. It was a relief that there were no pictures, but some articles delved into the relationship between Yggdrasil and Nidhogg quite extensively.

In addition to the decreasing ferry services, it was foolish not to imagine that someone was attacking.

Someone was pushing Nidhogg into a corner. They should have noticed when the ferry services started decreasing gradually.

And we can also predict who that someone is.

“Isn’t Takano County attacking us? With the Washizu family gone, the only ones using the ferry were Takano County. Did they figure out that Yggdrasil is Nidhogg?”

I understand they resented us since we had been working behind the scenes to help take over Takano County and kill Takano Miu.

However, the attack on Yggdrasil was unexpected. Moreover, it was a petty attack from an adversary who gradually cut off our supplies by reducing ferry services.

If they wanted to kill, they could have just launched a full-scale assault, but they hadn’t imagined this method.

“I-I don’t know. There’s no way they would know it’s Nidhogg. Only us, the senior believers, should be aware.”

“…They control the transportation business, so they must have gotten the information from somewhere.”

“Our resources are limited. Even if we go fishing, we can’t gather enough food to feed all the believers. The pitiful lambs who used to come seeking the blessing of our High Priest haven’t been visiting lately either.”

“It’s only natural for Takano County to be involved. That little girl on their side is unbelievable; she’s an extraordinary recovery magician who can heal multiple people in a day.”

There was no need to donate large sums of money to Skadi or seek favors from us anymore.

Takano County, which now held Kamakura and was progressing smoothly in Tokyo, had acquired various businesses that generated significant income. They had many other ventures, such as the production of various magic items and potions by druids.

Whether it was flattering or building connections, it was better to ask Takano County. If I were in the same position, I’d do the same: grovel to Takano County.

There was no need to create vulnerabilities by wagging my tail to a suspicious cult.

“There’s no recovery magician higher than our High Priest! Perhaps this is just propaganda?”

The senior believer, who still believed in Skadi, protested with a stern expression.

They had been afraid of me just a moment ago. But they became blindly loyal when the High Priest was mentioned.

It was too bothersome to argue, so I waved my hand casually.

“Do we still have any alcoholic beverages left?”

“Y-Yes, there’s still a little bit of beer left.”

“Bring it. And some snacks for the drinks.”

I gathered mana in my eyes and gave an intimidating glare. The believer, seemingly sobered by the pressure, nodded timidly and ran to get what I asked.