They looked up, a man who was about seventy years old stood proud. His religious garb reminded Tanya of Catholic popes. This made her turn more hostile, his power was similar to the one she had before Meiyo gave her a new gem. The power of that idiotic stalker, being X. She wasn't sure if he was revered here, but it was evident he was helping.
"Truly remarkable, you just took judgment head-on and came unscathed, as expected of the demon of the shield"
"The pope?" wondered Melty confused.
"You're the man from the capital!"
"Oh, so you remember who I am?"
"You're the one who wished to sell useless water!" accused Meiyo.
"Ah, I see you have more within your demonic team," said the pope. "Are they aware of your crime?"
"Crime?"
"Not only did you not thank God for the holy water he bestowed you. You instigated violence and doubt within this kingdom, therefore, as God's representative" Tanya wanted to kill him! She had to!"It's my duty to purify you"
"How dare you pope Balmas! Do you realize what you have just done!?" yelled Malty, good, at least she was going against this maniac. "You very nearly killed the next queen and the spear hero!"
"The spear hero and his party, including the first princess were murdered by the devil of the shield."
That was a false story, Tanya was used to and very aware of them "We are dead men walking... You fucking bastard! You and your whole biblethumping crazy people!" Tanya readied her rifle having a clear shot "You motherfuckers venerate that imbecile and ow you want to kill us!"
"Do not say his holy name in vain, little girl" said the pope with a smile stuck to his face. It was so fake, and arrogant, perfect for a supposed god-sent apostle.
"That man is completely insane! That logic is pretty twisted! It reminds me of someone" Melty looked at Malty as she said this. Tanya had to lower her weapon, without orders she wasn't supposed to shoot. She was irritated, not because she liked fighting, she'd prefer to have a conversation instead. But not when said conversation was useless. None of those devotees had an ounce of logic inside them.
"Oh, but don't worry, we have a plan of a new government to take the royal family's place" It would have made Tanya very happy if it wasn't the church who suggested it. Historically, she had seen how them taking control was a bad idea.
"What are you talking about!? That's ridiculous!" exclaimed Malty. What had she expected? The church rarely allied without later on stabbing said ally in the back. Tanya was truly getting tired of this.
"It's a church, nothing makes sense in it," said Tanya "Though government changes are good, the worst decision is to mix religion with politics. Really, I'm surrounded by idiots" she looked back at Meiyo and the girl nodded, it seemed she understood she wasn't talking about her. Tanya was grateful the shinigami got her.
"No, little one, there is where you are wrong. We shall make a better government where monarchy will not be the heads of it. Where our lord will be the only voice we hear. Where heroes are not impostors"
"We are aware of the heroes' mistakes," said Meiyo firmly. "But that doesn't mean you need to kill them! They are still useful, plus, their disasters have been dealt with!"
"We did what we thought was best!" defended Motoyasu "Ren and Itsuki too!"
"That way of thinking shows what I mean" Tanya couldn't deny that the old man was right "They began an unnecessary investigation"
Yes, and the church locked them up, not like they knew they were being rescued at the moment.
"Investigation?"
"Therefore they forced God's judgment to fall upon them!"
"So, their si is to find out the truth?" asked Tanya rhetorically "If it's that way, I want to go straight to hell. I think it is nicer" Meiyo's sarcasm was rubbing off on her, not that she minded, this was fun.
"Truth? Justice? What are you talking about?" It seemed Motoyasu had neurons left "Wait a second... It wasn't Naofumi!?"
"Impostor of the spear and the demon of the shield shall be judged and purified" Tanya saw a sword be given to the pope, but she frowned when she saw how nervous her girlfriend looked.
"World item... the power is identical to a world item"
"What's that?"
"It's hard to win against... even for Nazarick" now they really were in trouble.
The sword began to glow.
"Naofumi, activate your shield, we're under attack!" Naofumi obeyed. "Captain, give him some of your magic!"
"Roger!"
It was almost blinding, and when it stopped she glared at the pope. That was power from Being X, no doubt. That fucker kept on making her life miserable!
"I must say, even for a devil you are very tough. Though a child ordering around is unusual, it will not make out faith weaver!"
"That's because he isn't the demon," said Tanya activating her wrath magic "IT'S ME!"
No, she wasn't a demon. But that was what she was called, that, or a monster. It was better than being called sent by God or an angel. She saw the swords transform into a spear. Great, more problems. Now, this was going to get serious.
"A replica of the cardinal weapons!"
Well, now the church came to a point that Tanya could call insane. It was as if they wanted to imitate some sort of bible character. Tanya didn't want to think about something that horrible, she had enough.
"That's playing dirty!"
"Don't whine" ordered Tanya using superbia and then using her normal voice, she continued "There isn't time for questions either"
"Why summon the heroes if you had that thing!?" asked Naofumi. The first thing she said to the blonde, the first thing the other does.
"It's powerful, and it requires a tremendous amount of mana to activate"
"You and I could use it, as well as my parents, uncle and aunt" informed Meiyo to Tanya. The blonde girl sighed. If she had that weapon, how powerful would she be? Maybe she could end the fights she was sent to easily. She shouldn't be thinking that now.
"What are you waiting for? A written invitation?!" said Tanya to her companions in a volume only they could hear. "Attack now, he's distracted and recharging"
She shot using ira, Meiyo seemed to be sending shards made of shadows. Many religious folk were dying.
"What are you doing!? They are civilians!"
"Oh! Now you care! Not before in the waves!" snapped Tanya "We're at war! Is that clear enough to you!? They just said they want to kill us! Our responsibility is to defend our own even if it costs us our lives! Mainly royalty! That's our mission! Don't be a pussy and do your job!"
"Hey! Melty! Sin't there anything you can do to take out his believers!?"
"I didn't study spiritual magic!"
"I'm so dumb! I forgot about that!" said Meiyo, suddenly many magical circles appeared on top of the believer causing them to fall asleep. Good, Tanya didn't need to kill more people. But the damn pope was still standing, no wonder her girlfriend said this would be tough.
"I won't forgive you! I'll avenge Ren and Itsuki! You'll pay for manipulating us!" Motoyasu again.
"The spear hero..." mumbled Raphtalia.
"Is very noisy" ended Filo.
The blonde hero sent his attack but the pope managed to black it. Well, he seemed to have enough power for that.
"We need to break his barrier or we won't win!" Melty sounded very worried.
"She's right," said Naofumi and Tanya in unison.
"If I can't do it alone..." Motoyasu looked at the other hero "Naofumi, its time for us to work together"
At last.
"You'll pay for rebelling against the future queen" Tanya was the future empress but she never introduced herself as Malty did. Her arrogance was tiresome.
Send a combo attack!" ordered Tanya to Motoyasu and his team, who obeyed. But Tanya could still feel the energy. Of course, it wasn't gonna be easy.
"Deplorable, you must accept our lord's mercy!" that damn pope!
"I won't!" said Motoyasu in front of Naofumi. Tanya nodded towards Meiyo, sending some of their power to Motoyasu, but it was useless since the attack didn't even make a scratch.
"This mana... it's from the believers" said Naofumi.
"And he's using it for his barrier" continued Melty.
"They're asleep" Tanya was trying to understand, until she understood, being X could get into one's dreams, these were his believers. He could be doing the same to them. That son of a bitch!
The pope attacked, it was only a light movement. It reminded Tanya of how Fitoria and Meiyo attacked their opponents. At least they had been able to make a shield, even if Naofumi didn't, that had been a fire attack.
"That's cheating! Fight with honor! Fight like a man!" yelled Motoyasu.
"Everything can happen when it comes to love and war, you maggot," said Tanya "There aren't many rules, but fighting with honor isn't one of them."
"We can keep our defenses up" declared Meiyo looking at the heroes. "We are here to help you, you are not alone. Stop doubting and believe in your team, in yourselves. In us!"
This speech had been a bit too religious-sounding to Tanya's liking, but she knew it was needed. A pair of enchantments were heard from afar, two new energy sources and others. Her soldiers and the rescued heroes were here.
"You're late!" yelled Tanya.
"We had some trouble on the way, Major!" she heard Visha through the 'radio'.
"Let's just eliminate these maggots" she declared. "Hey, you heroes, do you think you can play nice? Or should I keep babysitting?"
"We'll work together!"
"That won't be needed" it was Solution, who had hugged the pope. The heroes were next to Tanya, and now she understood why her men feard the lieutenant. Solution absorbed him into her body, the man yelled and screamed and the shock of others was not helping his case. Once gone, Solution licked her lips, the weapon left on the floor now in her hands.
"It's the perfect gift for the supreme beings" said Solution looking at Meiyo, the girl nodded, not like many understood that Solution meant both Tanya and her girlfriend. Now fitoria was Next to Tanya as she turned towards the heroes.
"This is because of your arrogance!" yelled Tanya as if they were her soldiers "Can you see the disasters you made playing hero!?"
"But-"
"No buts!" continued Tanya "You are incompetent! Naofumi is the only one I can give at least a little respect to! Justice assumes responsibility! It may be blind to some things, but not to evidence!"
"You need to fight together," said Fitoria.
"An angel..." the blue-haired girl turned into a filolial. Good idea "If not, I have to eliminate you for the greater good of this world"
"I see things ended without me needing to interfere," said a feminine voice. Tanya looked at the source, a beautiful woman with a crown and purple hair in an updo. Without a doubt, this was the queen of Melomarc. Tanya felt happy on the inside, more connections and a better reputation would make her mission easier!
"Mother..." said Melty.
"I am the queen of Melomarc, Mirellia Q Melomarc"