Volume 6 Chapter 25-2 It's a Troublesome Story, I Think to Myself
Catherine furrowed her brows, but thanks to the two of them, the atmosphere lightened noticeably.
Even the frustration that Randy felt from being "one step behind" earlier dissipated completely.
"Still, I didn't expect the Old Man to come all the way here."
As Randy sighed, it was evident that despite being a Church Saint and a former prince of the Empire, Alan held a higher status in this situation.
Rather, it was proper for Catherine to express her gratitude to Alan.
"The Saint is probably busy. Besides... I knew he was coming."
Alan shrugged, his gaze falling on Julius, who wore a surprised expression as if to say, "Me?"
"Ah. You've probably already heard various things *from* Julius?"
With a hesitant reply, Randy said, "Well..." as Alan smiled.
"Get your act together. You're probably thinking that you were 'one step behind'."
Alan looked exasperated as Randy showed a shocked expression and asked, "Why...?"
"How many years do you think I've been your parent?"
While still looking exasperated, Alan casually laughed, saying, "No need to worry. It's all within expectations."
"So don't sweat it. Although, you probably won't listen to that."
"Of course not."
Randy snorted, and Alan sighed, "Good grief."
"Then tell me. Sometimes you understand things by talking to someone."
With Alan prompting the conversation, Randy slightly looked down as if gathering his thoughts and said, "That makes sense."
"At first, I thought those brainwashed guys were messengers... well, they still are messengers, but..."
Randy began to speak about the two men who were brainwashed and still locked in the dungeon.
They were messengers meant to confuse Randy and his group.
However, with Julius arriving, that message became chaotically inconsistent.
"Chaotic, you say?"
Randy nodded at Liz, who tilted her head, then sighed and opened his mouth.
"Before answering Liz's question, let me clarify a few prerequisites."
With arms crossed, Randy looked straight at Julius and said, "Mr. Julius..."
"We're the same age. You can just call me Julius."
"Well then, I'll put that aside for now... You're the messenger, right?"
At Randy's question, Abel, who had been waiting in the back, twitched slightly.
But there was nothing more than that.
Julius, glancing at Abel, shook his head and said, "I don't understand the intent of the question."
"It's just as it is. You've been chosen to carry messages to those guys."
Julius and Catherine furrowed their brows at Randy's words.
"What message?"
"I can't say I have any idea..."
Slightly irritated by that reaction, Randy exhaled to calm himself.
"It's strange, isn't it? You know the relationship between [Pilgrim of Truth] and your brother, right?"
"It's not strange. It's something I found out through my own investigation."
It's not odd to know, especially since he was nearby.
Julius claimed that, but what Randy was questioning wasn't that.
"With all that surveillance, constantly being watched... A man like that holds the secret to your brother. ...If you think about it normally, he was being watched because he held the secret. Isn't that right?"
To Randy's question, Julius nodded and continued, "That's certainly true." It was about the time he first met Randy.
Julius wanted to deal with the mysterious group lurking in his own country, which was related to his brother, and sought contact with Randy.
"I wanted your ability to cleanse a massive force like the Church."
With a sigh, Randy muttered, "I kind of figured that out."
Randy understood that Julius had some intention behind contacting him.
It was right after that attack.
It wouldn't be strange to connect them with Julius.
"In any case, you were holding onto their tail. That's why you were being watched..."
Julius silently nodded at Randy's repetition.
"Then──"
Randy took a deep breath.
"──What happened to the surveillance? And how did you *get here*?"
Everyone except Alan and Keith turned their attention to Julius at those words.
Randy is right about that.
There's no reason to let Julius, who possesses the information of the group, go scot-free.
"If we're to find a reason for that, it's because you were expected to provide us with their information."
"That makes you the messenger."
Randy nodded in agreement to Liz's murmured words, "That's right."
"You understand, right? The incongruity of the information from the brainwashed group."
With a sigh, Randy heard Catherine furrow her brows and say, "I don't understand."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't really know that information well."
Randy scratched his head, "I see," noticing Catherine's pouting expression.
Indeed, Catherine had just arrived and hardly knew anything about the brainwashed group.
After briefly explaining, Randy reached a conclusion.
"They've made a move to confuse us."
Their tactic used the information that made the brainwashing of the pros possible.
"In that case, the objective of creating confusion doesn't change."
Pouting, Catherine argued that the dissociation of personality was merely an accidental find, and that Randy had simply thwarted their move.
"It's true that if we hadn't stopped it, the fact that this information could cause confusion wouldn't change. But..."
"The eeriness would decrease, though."
Randy nodded in agreement to Liz's words, "Yeah."
The response changes completely when dealing with a group whose purpose and identity are unclear versus an opponent represented by the Empire's banner.
Even if Randy and the others shared incorrect information──believing they could fully brainwash the pros──their response would become clearer.
If they acted in opposition to the Empire, they might be able to flush out the brainwashed individuals.
Furthermore, they were an organization gathered under the banner of the Empire.
It was certain that they would take actions benefiting the Empire.
Thus, their objectives would become evident.
More often than not, it would lead to invasion.
In any case, the brainwashing of the men and making Julius divulge information are at odds.
"So, we fell behind... is that it?"
Randy nodded silently to a pensive Liz.
The two mismatched strategies had shrouded the opponent's purpose and actions in a fog.
The truth of the information Julius provided, and whether the purpose of the men's brainwashing is valid.
That itself has become unclear.
"So, this is how it is?"
Alan nodded with satisfaction as Randy made a bitter face, saying, "I see."
"Keith, what do you think?"
"Indeed," Keith rubbed his chin while smiling at Alan.
"I believe it is a wonderful growth. Entering the academy and interacting with various people must be a good stimulus."
Alan nodded as well, saying, "That's right," to the pleased Keith.
"That said, there is still much to improve."
Alan, looking at Randy, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Randolph. Your bad habit. You're too focused on what's in front of you."
"What's in front of me...?"
Alan, who had been leaning forward, leaned back against the chair as Randy tilted his head.
"Think carefully. The answer is within you... The identity of the discomfort we just discussed is the answer."
Alan grinned while Randy frowned and said, "No, tell me," but that thought quickly sank him into a sea of self-questioning.
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