“Kidnapped.. by cultists?!..”

  Unnoticeable to a regular human's ears, the sheriff exhaled slightly more air from his nose than usual.

  However, his eyes, their gaze cold and resolute, never looked away from mine, as he uttered a single word in reply.

  “Yes.”

  “This!..”

  The words barely escaped my throat.

  “Then, the people of this town.. everyone Amelia helped over the years!.. To them…”

  “Yes. To them, the priest's fate would be just the same as Amelia's. They will remember him as the kind old priest they've known for decades, who just so happened to be caught in this heretical conspiracy near the end of his days.”

  Haaa. Haaaa.

  “So you want me to report this bullshit?! To help you cove-”

  Then, my face froze, as the realization dawned on me. It wasn't like I would be making a false report to cover up the sheriff's shortcomings. After all, based on his own words, it would have truth verification measures. That meant…

  “I told you, didn't I? Most people do not even know the evil god's name.”

  For a fraction of a moment, the man's expression flickered with bitterness.

  “If most people only knew.. If they knew just how many cultists, evil god worshippers, devil contractors - even just enemy spies…”

  The man's gaze trailed off.

  “If you continue on this path - the path of an adventurer - you shall encounter many such threats. And if you live long enough, you, too, will accumulate a trove of bitter secrets – vile, repugnant, dreadful stories, which shall never see the light of day.”

  I could understand what he was saying.

  Back on Earth, I've seen enough movies to grasp the concept of ‘the people are not ready for the truth’.

  Even beyond movies, I once had a few beers with a friend whose dad was a recently retired police officer – quite far up the chain, and well connected, too.

  He told me that if I knew how much stuff went on without ever reaching the news, I would be horrified. As one example, he said there were at least two active serial murderers in our district - and most likely more. Back then, I suddenly remembered I haven't heard of any serial murderers for years, maybe even decades.

  “So that's it? That.. that scum gets to be remembered next to Amelia? To receive the people's gratitude and admiration for his long service?”

  “If the people knew the truth - that the same beloved Sun Priest they knew for years was actually worshipping an evil god in secret - the very foundation of their faith would be shaken. Their faith in both gods and kingdom.”

  “...”

  His words made sense. They had a good reason behind them. I understood that.

  “...and what if I don't stay silent?”

  But even as my mind understood it, the sheer unfairness of it all made this pill hard to swallow.

  Surprisingly, there was no hint of threat or displeasure in the sheriff's face - only a tad of pity.

  “Then you shall still travel to Silverveil as a witness, and be free to go afterwards.”

  “..?”

  “What, did you take us for Luskar? You won't be executed, nor will you be deprived of your freedom in any way.”

  The big man shrugged his shoulders.

  “Of course, any reward would be rescinded. You would at least still save the 50 gold for your true interrogation, but there would be no purpose to it – your request for Valorian citizenship would be denied, anyway. If not Luskar or the Wastes to the west, you could perhaps buy your passage to Malkaria.”

  “So you would actually let me tell the story of what happened here?”

  “The official story will match reality – until the moment you enter the forest. From there, you will have failed to locate the cultists, while we managed to find their hideout – albeit, too late to save the two priests. Most people will take the town's word for it, and even if a few don't, they'll have enough sense not to deny it in public.”

  “...”

  I took a deep breath, doing my best to calm down.

  I really, really wanted to just let go. To storm out of this cave, get back to town, and tell the truth to all who would hear it.

  ‘But… what will it change?’

  Amelia… was dead. The priest was dead. Most of the townspeople would never believe me. And the few who would, people I considered acquaintances – they would either do the sensible thing and stay silent, or get themselves in trouble for pretty much no benefit.

  “Sebastian. If this incident proves anything, it’s that my feeling was correct – you will be an asset to this kingdom even as an adventurer, let alone if you change your mind about joining the army.”

  The sheriff, sensing my hesitation, decided to sweeten the pill.

  “If there is anything else within my power that will help you make peace with this situation, let me know.”

  ‘Take his offer. You won't change a thing otherwise, anyway. She is already dead.’

  That insidious voice in my mind, the one which largely stayed silent in the last two weeks, decided to resume its whispers once more.

  It almost made me refuse the sheriff there and then, out of sheer defiance. However, the problem was…

  I knew that this time, it was completely right.

  Even if I absolutely loathed to admit it.

  ‘Amelia probably- no, she certainly wouldn't want me to ruin my chances of surviving over something like this.’

  Part of me felt like I was betraying her memory. Another part knew I made the practical choice.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  I tried to placate the former, resolving once again to eradicate any traces of the evil god’s worshippers, whenever and wherever I came across them.

  I could only hope this was enough to make up for my shortcomings.

  And, whether or not it was – it's not like anyone among the living could answer that question other than myself.

  “Let’s talk in your office, then. I will make my report directly to you – there is something that I need your help with.”

  “Unless you ask me to falsify facts, this is acceptable.”

  I shook my head

  “The others should have reached the cave by now. They'll handle the aftermath, and transfer the bodies, too.”

  The sheriff paused for a moment, then spoke in recollection.

  “The priest’s belongings are considered the property of the Sun Temple, but whatever remains of the weapons here shall be considered legitimate loot. We can sell it directly to the blacksmith, and compensate you tomorrow before you leave.”

  I just shrugged – the few gold coins in loot that lay on the floor here were the last thing on my mind.

  “Then let us depart.”

  And so, following the sheriff, I exited the cave.

  Basking in the warm sunlight, the lush forest looked beautiful – a stark contrast to the atrocity left behind in that dark cave.

  The guards had already arrived – it was the guard who stood watch earlier today, and a man I recognized from two weeks ago - the sheriff's deputy.

  After quickly explaining the situation to them, seeing their faces tense up and then fill with the same cold resolve I saw just minutes ago, the two men entered the cave, and the sheriff ventured into the forest, with me behind him.

  It was time to leave this ill-fated cave, and soon this town, behind.

  ***

  “So that's how you did it.”

  For the first time, the sheriff's voice was filled with amazement.

  “Don’t get me wrong – for a Pathless adventurer to defeat a Death Priest, even a low-level one, is still extremely impressive. But without the sword, nobody would ever believe such a story.”

  Slowly, almost reluctantly, he returned it to me.

  “To think you possessed an Adamantium Arm..”

  “Is it really that unbelievable?”

  I understood something after the fight – if I were forced to report it, especially if I could only tell the truth, the fact that my sword was made of adamantium could not be kept hidden.

  My best bet would be to reveal just that, and to keep that information limited to as few people as possible. This was where the sheriff's offer came into play.

  “This sword.. I don't know which of your ancestors bore it, but perhaps he was a retired war hero, or a Platinum adventurer who decided to step down after a truly incredible career.”

  The sheriff opened his mouth, then closed it again. Judging by the look on his face, he ran a quick calculation before speaking once more.

  “A few dozen- no, maybe even a hundred thousand gold, with the right buyer. That's a lot of money - even for me.”

  I was taken aback.

  I knew the real value of the sword was insanely high, but to think even a ‘regular’ adamantium sword could cost over 200 times the combined worth of everything else I owned… That is, if I could sell it for its highest price, but still...

  And this wasn't even considering the sword's true nature…

  “You made the right choice asking for me help.”

  The sheriff finally returned his gaze to me, after looking at the sword for over a minute.

  “When it comes to my people, I would trust most of them with my life. But if this report happens to leak to those I trust less…”

  His voice trailed off.

  “And the city?”

  “The investigation will be under the joint jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Security, and the Union Of Faith. Although the latter will likely delegate this duty to the Sun Temple, as they were the only party involved.”

  The sheriff fell into deep thought, continuing after a few dozen seconds.

  “The Sun Temple will send someone with a truth-discerning ability, who will also be responsible for asking their questions. I don't personally know many Sun Priests or Paladins, but the ones I knew were moral and just.. at least on the surface. Still, threatening you or leaking the sword's information – such unbecoming actions would be unlike them.”

  His expression changed to that of contemplation.

  “As for the Ministry…”

  The big man sighed.

  “It pains me to admit, but in such big organizations - doubly so in the central city - there are bound to be some bad apples.”

  A complicated look appeared on his face.

  “However, I happen to know the man in charge of Silverveil's ministry branch.”

  A flash of reluctance, swiftly replaced by acceptance, marred the sheriff's face, before returning to his usual expression once more.

  “I will ask him to personally handle your testimony. Or, at the very least, assign his most trusted subordinate. This incident is already classified to a high extent, this won't be that big of a stretch.”

  The sheriff finally moved on from the topic.

  The report wasn't finished yet – the conversation shifted to the sword at the moment I described it piercing through that big, frosty [Mage Hand].

  As I got to the priest's final miracle, I told him the truth – that I didn't know which one it was, but I didn't feel its effects, and instead, the priest was stunned for a few seconds, long enough for me to deal with the skeletons, and close in on him.

  I did not specify the fact that I felt [He Who Gazed Into The Abyss] activate, nor did I even hint at its existence. Omission was not a lie, after all.

  “Perhaps he was too greedy, asking his god for too much power, and got punished for it. If so, that greed may have saved your life.”

  The sheriff simply accepted my explanation.

  As I described the priest’s death, in detail, I could feel the lingering embers of wrath flare up deep within me.

  The sheriff didn't show any reaction – besides a glimmer of pity appearing in his eyes, which, for some reason, left a sour aftertaste in my mouth.

  “Was this the last thing that happened before I found you?”

  “...no.”

  “Oh, so there was even more?”

  I had nothing to hide regarding my encounter with the god's avatar, projection, or whatever that thing was, so I quickly retold what happened after the priest's death.

  “Unbelievable…”

  The sheriff shook his head with a chuckle.

  “It’s not that I'm surprised at that mad god's reasoning, nor the disregard for his loyal servant.. and gods sending Minor Divine Projections is not unprecedented. But to think so much happened to you in one day – you truly are a beacon for trouble.”

  The sheriff's face turned serious in an instant, as he squinted his eyes.

  “Just to make sure.. you truly rejected his offer?”

  I couldn't help but glare at him with disbelief.

  My insulted reaction, instant and genuine, seemed to have convinced the sheriff, who, for the first time since I've met him, seemed slightly embarrassed.

  “I’m.. sorry. I shouldn't have asked that.”

  I took a big breath.

  “It's fine. I understand why you did. Those bastards are very good at deception.”

  “Indeed. But still, this question was meaningless – not just because the interrogation would verify it, but because I didn’t truly think you’d ever accept it, either.”

  He sighed.

  “This position – sometimes, you can't help it but become a little too paranoid.”

  I silently nodded. If he had to deal with those types of incidents even once per year, this was indeed a heavy burden – not to mention the constant vigilance required to prevent them, and the price for failing to do so.

  “You are free to go. Return here tomorrow, two hours after dawn. You shall depart then.”

  With a wave of his hand, I was dismissed.

  “...thank you.”

  For the first time, I could feel a different kind of embarrassment from the man’s awkward look.

  “Don’t mention it. I’m simply doing my duty… A duty you made much easier today, even by simply reporting that priest’s hideout when you did.”

  I couldn't help but flash a faint smile at the man's growing discomfort.

  “Now stop loitering and go! I have much to do by tomorrow.”

  “See you later, sheriff.”