iven to him at the start. I'll ask him to show me.

Village.. village.. this. A report from that time.. It gives some useful information. The most important part for me.

『The girl to be sacrificed, Liselotte, was rescued. It was too late for any others. The effects of the ritual are currently unknown. Taking into account her wish to be stronger, we will provide basic training while keeping her under observation.』

So the knights helped her get stronger.. using it as bait to keep an eye out for the impact of the ritual. Lisa was taught by the knights. The knights could find out what happened to the child they helped. And that information is passed on to the country.. so nobody loses out.

『Because it has eaten into the soul, even the church cannot lift the curse. The second rank saint Mira Lilienson, who was present, was also unable to remove the curse. There is nothing we can do.』

A second rank saint, so she must have the protection of Harvenshis-sama. Mira Lilienson. I'll try and remember the name.

The effect of the curse was also summarised..

『Liselotte is seen often at the Adventurers' Union. Apparently Mira Lilienson is trying regularly to remove the curse. The knights no longer have a role to play here. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.』

Lisa is.. well, she's doing fine with the Nether army. Speaking of which, I wonder if she got to meet the people from her village. She said it was a small village, so I feel like she could have. I'm sure they were worried about Lisa, the only one not to come, so at least her parents should remain.

Shall I ask about it when I let them know about what happens here? I imagine Lana has done something about it.

"There are not enough details about this ritual. ..Magic Count, do you know any more?"

"We do not know any more, at least. I do have an idea, but it would require His Majesty's permission."

"The castle's prohibited section. Even for you, His Majesty's permission would be.."

"Yes, it would be stored there if anywhere."

The report on the ritual is.. oh, it is not visible to players.

[Event] Ritual Report

The contents of the ritual are indeed written, but the person who wrote it lacked understanding.

Due to being a report of everything that happened, specific information cannot be discerned.

It is very difficult to read, but.. it is all written down, so those capable of understanding the contents will be able to do so.

In that sense, the person who wrote this report is excellent.. but, the number of people who can understand the contents is likely low.

Well, it seems to be treated as an event item, as there is no text.

..Or so I thought, when my bookmark floated up, becoming a book and fluttering open. After opening to a certain point, it stops and a pop-up displays information from the Book of Elder Records.

"We have also seized a book with the same mark on the cover as the one they wore. It was written in characters I had never seen before, but.. I can only describe it as creepy."

"Even though you couldn't make out the words?"

"Yes.. It made me feel uncomfortable, like I was looking at something I shouldn't be. It's here.."

The book held by the civil servant is thin with a black cover, with the Yellow Sign embossed on the cover.. the same one that Lisa told me the cultists wore.

From the Book of Elder Records, a pop-up about the book is displayed.

The King in Yellow

A book of poetry and drama, filled with words both beautiful and terrible.

Readers, performers and audience are gradually led into madness.

The King in Yellow

An incarnation of Hastur.

『The King in Yellow』 refers to the incarnation of Hastur, and also a book with the same name.

The contents of the book are probably unreadable to begin with.. It's more likely it was used as a resource for ?Ancient Divine Linguistics?. Clearly a bad choice.

The Yellow Sign

The insignia of Hastur, an emblem that causes madness and evil to converge in the conscious mind.

If seen by a healthy person, it has no particular effect, but may cause discomfort.

If seen by someone mentally unstable, it will cause nightmares.

It's on the cover of the book, so it's likely that all the people related to the investigation have seen it..

Apparently it depends on the viewers spirit stat. It's high for me because it's my main stat, but few people other than priests raise it..

Anyway, the Magic Count is going to take a look, so I should probably stop him.

"It's better not to look at it. I recommend that you thoroughly seal it up in your prohibited section."

"..Do you know what this book is?"

"Simply put, it's a book related to the world of the Outer Ones."

"This is.."

"I've stopped you, but I don't care if you ignore my warning and go crazy from looking at it."

As for the world of the Outer Ones, I'm not sure I understand the setting. It is pointless to think about it with concepts like good and evil.

No, even if it is just an entertainment book for them, it may have an adverse effect on humans. Since they are all at full strength, their base status is probably overwhelming. In this case.. it is certainly not about good or evil. If anything, it's about management responsibility.

It's something that can only be dealt with on the spot..

It seems that the judge, the Duke and the Magic Count have finished talking about what to do.

"We will be in trouble if we have no information. Do you have anything we can put in the records?"

"Well, yes.. First of all, the book is called The King in Yellow, and the mark on the cover is called the Yellow Sign. The King in Yellow is the name of an incarnation of the Outer One, Hastur."

I'll give a light explanation of what I learned from the Book of Elder Records.

"I don't know if he was originally crazy, or became that way because of the book."

"..Have the investigation members been affected?"

"You can check to see if they are having nightmares."

"I wouldn't want to keep it too close, so what can we do.."

"The only way to handle it would be to seal it away in the back of the prohibited section?"

"I can take it from you, if you prefer. I will return it to its owner."

After further discussion, I'll keep it. I'll return it to Hastur later.

Basically, the judge and the civil servant talk, and the duke asks questions. The Magic Count was responsible for catching the culprit, so he'll give his report. Cecil-san and the other adventurers also cooperated, which is why they are here too.

There are other nobles, but they are basically just listening. There are no particular problems, so they are keeping quiet.

The knights are always watching and guarding the whole area. There are many things to concern them, not least the protection of the nobles, but also the escape of the criminal, adventurers running amok, and my sudden arrival.

"That's all."

The conversation continued, until the civil servant who was reporting on the details finished.

"What do you have to say?"

"Hmph. Why should I be judged. How many others can be saved at the cost of a small few? I've done well."

"We have a country to serve. We know it's not going to be pretty. But.. we shouldn't misjudge what it is we need to protect. A nation is its people."

"What's the difference! For the power to fight, to kill! Data on living beings is essential! And knights! And adventurers! They kill other creatures! Why do you deny me! This country has grown by force!"

A noble, who will deal with a problem with the minimal sacrifice necessary.

A researcher, preparing in advance for the problem.

"I don't know what you are trying to say. I don't know, but I know it can't be allowed."

"『For the good of the country, for the future, a noble sacrifice.』 is not something we can permit."

It can be used as an argument for almost anything, so they can't allow it.

Even without that, a crime is still a crime. The death penalty is the only option.

In fact, the death penalty has been decided.

"I'll remember your patriotism. But I can't allow it."

"You'll regret it someday, losing my brain..!"

"Don't worry. We'll take care of it."

"Take him away."

Oops, I'll be troubled if I let you do that.

"Oh, can you wait? I'm not finished here yet."

"Speaking of which, what brings you here.."

I leave the adventurer group of Cecil-san and his friends, moving in front of the criminal.

Now, for the RP. Change my atmosphere and tone of voice.

Extending my hand towards the condemned, I call out Athame and activate its blade of light.historical

"My name is Anastasia Atropos Nemeseia. Outer One and Ruler of the Afterworld. By order of the Goddess Stellura, I will now execute annihilation of your soul."

"This... eh..."

Even if you change your tune now, it's already too late. The decision has been made.

Cecil-san's group of players gasped. The judge, the Duke, even the Magic Count, too. Annihilation of the soul is serious in this world.

"Wretched lamb, forsaken even by the Goddess of Mercy. The price of repeatedly meddling with those souls under the jurisdiction of Stellura-sama.. is for you to be subjected to flames until your existence ends."

"No, don't! That can't be...!"

"God's work will be done.. ?Erasing Burning Chain?"

"Wait.."

I was wondering what direction it would play out in, but the target has disappeared.

<You have done well.>

The quest is complete.

"Where did he..."

He's probably in the Dreamlands by now. Well, I don't know if the Dreamlands exist, but I'm pretty sure he's in another world.

On a huge stone chair, naked and in chains..

Sitting and waiting forever, for Aforgomon, the ruler of time.. and when he comes, the chains will ignite, burning until the soul is gone.

After endless torture and pain, he will finally be extinguished.

Suddenly, the body was returned to where it was.

The flesh has been burned, but unnaturally, the clothes are undamaged.

"I'll leave dealing with the body to you."

"He was.. trapped by the God of Time...?"

"Yes."

"Foolish.. wretch.."

The duke pities him. Perhaps his patriotism was genuine. He just chose the wrong methods. The way he did it, though, was a big problem.

In the TRPGs, when caught by Aforgomon, your very existence is erased. Even memories and records. In other words, there was no such person..

Compared to that, isn't this better? It's a small matter to the person who was burned.. but there will at least be a record that this person existed, a fool who offended the gods.

"..This court is now adjourned. I sincerely hope.. you will keep what you have seen in mind and never forget it."

After the judge's words, the body is carried away by the knights.

Oh, right.

"Judge. This is a different matter, but I'd like to speak to you as a Nemeseia. It's not a bad thing, so don't be so defensive."

I'm sorry, after you thought it was done, but I still have some business.

"You too, would you like to hear about it?"

"Are you sure?"

"It's fine. It concerns not just the judge, but you also, as representatives of the country."

Let's get the Duke and the Magic Count involved.

"Arbiters were being summoned previously, but what's the current situation?"

"Ah, so it's that. It was foolishness...hmm. The method was lost in a power struggle."

"..Let's not get into that then. I'll give you this."

"This is.. thank you, Your Majesty, Nemeseia."

"Now then, if you'll excuse me."

I say goodbye to Cecil-san, and transfer back to the palace.

And now to the Medium.

Let's return the book quickly.

Now, the question is.. where is Hastur? I remember reading the place was called Aldebaran, but.. is that a separate area?

Oh, King Woofwoof! Always with good timing!

"What is it?"

"Good timing. I'd like to return this, but where is Hastur?"

"That's.. He was looking for it, so it must have fallen into the other world. I'll get him."

King Woofwoof has disappeared, so I'm sure he has gone to call for him.

More importantly.. it fell into the other world? Is it possible to fall from one world to another? There seem to be other Cthulhu related items around..

The King of Tindalos returns with the incarnation of Hastur, who is completely covered with yellow cloth and a pale mask.. The King in Yellow, the same as the title of the book.

This is the famous incarnation of Hastur.

"Good day, Hastur. I came to return this."

"Oh, sure."

A long, robe-like yellow cloth that reaches down to the ground. There are countless tentacles sprouting from it, one of which receives the book.

Hastur seems to be quite young? Not a boy... but maybe a young man.

"So it fell into that world. No wonder I couldn't find it."

"That book is harmful to humanity. Take care with it."

"There's nothing I can do when it disappears on its own."

"Well, certainly, but put it somewhere as stable as possible."

"I'll do my best."

That's a bad response. It's more like ‘I'll think about it'.

"Well, looking forward to working with you."

"Yes, please treat me well."

Now that I have returned the book to Hastur, it's time to go home.

So.. hunting. No, I'll finish the crafting for Ertz-san first. Then I'll hunt.

See you later, Mh'ithrha and Hastur.