Raising Yanderes to save the world

Chapter 149: Ch 148: That was the Plan...

"Y-You-!"

"It seems you’ve realized what is happening. But it is a little too late to run away now. Still, if you talk now, you might get to keep your body intact-"

The body fell unconscious in Seraphina’s grasp within seconds, and the consciousness faded from its eyes.

It was evident that the body in her arms was not human but a doll.

"Tsk, that magician managed to slip away? What a headache. Should I try to follow-"

Seraphina tried to use her divine powers, only to feel them being restricted. There was a barrier pressing down on her from all sides, preventing her from using her powers properly.

It should not have been possible, but this barrier felt special.

"Is this...corruption? Wow! I never thought I would see this so soon. To think that the Goddess’s stronghold had corruption inside? What a twist."

Seraphina purified the corrupted barrier, but that allowed the consciousness behind the doll to escape.

Sigh

"It seems like these people planned this quite well. I don’t even have time to chase after that doll now."

So Seraphina allowed the doll to escape and instead quickly purified herself and changed into the ceremonial clothes.

Since the Cardinal was behind this, he would make his move soon. And Seraphina would simply catch him then, in front of everyone, and expose him.

...

"Please use this room for now."

Cardinal Flux opened the large hall for the Hero to use, and Kael followed Neil and Leon inside.

The room looked comfortable, but the looks he and Leon were getting from the others kept it from feeling welcoming.

Iris glared back at the people, daring them to act or say something stupid, and that made the guards keep their mouths shut.

"Hero Neil, please allow the guards to help you into the ceremonial armor. It can be difficult for a first-timer to wear it properly."

The Cardinal gestured for a guard to bring in the armor, and Kael felt sorry for Neil.

For someone who did not even have the strength to use a sword properly, this armor was a nightmare to put on. Neil’s legs were shaking by the time he finished putting it on.

The armor was a little too big on him and looked clumsy. Even an ignorant person could tell that it was not his size.

Usually, people would simply assume that this was because the armor had been fitted for Leon’s size since he had been declared the Hero. But the Hero’s armor was special.

The magic within it allowed it to adjust to the Hero’s size and grow with them. It was obvious that Neil was not the Hero, but Leon was.

The moment Kael wanted to point it out, Leon grabbed his arm and shook his head, indicating that there was no need to say anything.

Cardinal Flux kept praising Neil, and the poor child kept suffering. At this rate, Neil was going to collapse, and Kael felt sorry for him.

He was about to suggest something to help the child when Cardinal Flux decided to bring out some drinks.

"You all must be tired. Here, please have these drinks and relax. They will also give you enough strength to get through the ceremony."

Kael accepted the glass, but Leon pretended to drop his. Iris was not even offered one in the first place, indicating that the temple had no intention of acknowledging her presence.

As for Neil...his glass looked different.

Kael sniffed his drink, but there did not seem to be anything mixed into it. Still, he decided not to drink it and instead stored it inside his space.

As for Neil...the child drank his before Kael could stop him. His shaking instantly stopped, and he looked much stronger than he had only seconds before.

To most people, it would have looked like a miracle. But such miracles did not happen without certain tricks being involved.

’Did the Cardinal use magic in this drink? I will need to keep an eye on him.’

Kael felt even more worried for Neil now, and Leon tugged at him again, asking him to lean down so he could whisper something into his ear.

Kael followed his instructions, and Leon spoke softly.

"I feel an aura of corruption in the temple. It is possible that the Cardinal is an idiot and colluded with a corrupted person. We had better stay on high alert."

Leon was much more sensitive to corruption as the Hero, so it did not surprise Kael that he could sense it far more accurately than Kael could.

But what did surprise him was the fact that this was happening in the temple of all places.

"Are you sure about it?"

This was not an accusation that could be made lightly. But Leon nodded, certainty shining in his eyes.

"I am certain."

Somehow, the situation was becoming both more favorable and worse at the same time. So Kael decided to send out another familiar to keep an eye on things.

He was worried about Seraphina as well, so he wanted to find her and check up on her.

Kael managed to make his arrangements just in time to see the Cardinal clap his hands together and gesture that it was time to leave.

Throughout it all, Iris remained unnoticed. People either were not cautious of her or simply considered her unimportant, and that gave Kael an idea.

He imbued a small letter with his magic and sent it toward Iris. Since Iris was already looking in his direction, she noticed his lead.

She intentionally lingered behind the guards and grabbed Kael’s message as soon as it reached her.

There were only a few lines for her to read.

[Search around the temple without being noticed. The Cardinal is up to something. Leon said he could sense corruption. Just see if you can find any traces anywhere.]

Iris nodded, and before anyone noticed, she vanished from the scene.

Now that everyone was distracted, it should be easy for her to search around and find evidence. The first place she decided to investigate was the Cardinal’s office.

Kael trusted her with this task, and she intended to complete it.