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◈ Chapter 25 - 6-Saint, Saint.
*
There was nothing more relaxing than leisurely watching the scenery outside the window while riding a carriage on a well-paved road.
Whether there's ash blowing outside or it's raining and winding, it feels like it has nothing to do with me.
I would sleep in the shaking carriage until I got tired of it, and when I got really bored, I would take out a book and read it.
Ah, this is the life of a nobleman.
Long live the caste system, long live the caste system.
Currently, I have finished all my business in Lighthouse Village and am heading to Stemwind, the northern capital, along with the Human Lighthouse Corps' supply train.
When I was in the lighthouse village, I was busy looking around, probably excited about the Jindo itinerary that lasted all day.
She suddenly found out that Jin was a woman, which made her feel awkward to deal with, but it turned out better.
It's been a while since I had some alone time, and while I was enjoying the journey leisurely and enjoying the journey like a scholar enjoying the arts, the carriage stopped for the first time in a long time.
The coachman opened the carriage door and said:
"Bjerg de Jevietz, the procession is behind schedule, so it looks like we will be camping here today. Would you like to eat in the carriage as before?"
"Well, it's frustrating to keep staying in here. I'll go out and eat."
The further down we went from Lighthouse Village to Stemwind, the more ash fell.
As I put on my cloak and went out of the carriage, I saw people busy preparing a meal.
Is this the mind of the inspector who watched the soldiers while drinking coffee while they worked?
It's more exciting than you think, isn't it?
I want to see your troubled face because you find fault with something.
I corrected my crooked mind and moved to the food distribution area.
"Uh?"
"Oh."
At that time, I made eye contact with Barton Wigner.
I quickly looked away as if I had bumped into my ex-lover on the street.
Oh my, I shouldn't have gotten out of the carriage.
"Bjorn, de Jeevitz, sir. Were you comfortable in the carriage?"
"Huh? Uh..., Yes."
The sound of teeth grinding was heard behind the rather coherent tone of voice.
"I too am enjoying my journey comfortably thanks to the arrangements made by Bjorn de Jeevitz."
A strong fishy smell came from him.
I subconsciously pinched my nose.
It was a mistake.
"Wow, it looks like my body smells good. Huh?"
Barton Wigner.
This time, he is the second rider, and is now an official knight of the Lighthouse of Humanity.
A rookie with two nicknames: the deer knight and the witty knight.
The noble man who saved his entire team from the danger of death by displaying his wit against Qarha, the great demon of plague, and even sacrificed his life, was currently in charge of the odd job of managing the fish farm.
"Didn't I tell you that a deer baby like that should just be put in a barn?"
Ember Cutter's voice was heard from behind.
This jockey who will be remembered as a legend, and she who shined at the top of her class, was also not a horse.
He was wearing an apron from an unknown source over armor that was only provided to great knights, including humans, and was serving stew to people.
Her clock, which symbolizes seniority, looked particularly shabby today.
"You're just drying fish meat and trembling like you're having a hard time?"
"Then do you want to change?"
"I have a weak stomach."
"Hey you fucking bitch."
The two started bickering as soon as their eyes met.
As I was looking at that scene, I wondered if I had gotten out of the carriage for no reason.
There was a terrible reason why the two were given chores that did not fit their status as knights.
On the day of the induction ceremony, Amber Cutter and Barton Wigner protested against injustice and attempted to return the seats of chief and vice president.
As an unprecedented event was about to occur in which both the chief and second positions were vacant in one rider, Lighthouse Captain Ragnar, who was in trouble, asked me to stop them.
I stopped them from drinking too much with the intention of creating another debt for him.
Thanks to my dissuasion, Amber and Barton were able to keep their grades, but since they became knights, they had to face the crime of defiance.
The punishment was to do odd jobs on the supply train heading to Stemwind.
It was something that only a minor would do, but it was also a light sentence compared to the crime.
It was a part that stood out and showed how hard I worked for the two of them.
"More than that, when are you going to pay me back my 10,000 Libra? You beggar."
"What crazy bitch would actually take that!"
"If I hand over that sword, they'll give it a discount?"
With greedy eyes, Ember reached for the Damas sword hanging on Barton's waist.
The drool seemed to be dripping from her eyes and soaking her apron.
"Sell the heart of the basilisk and set your sights on someone else's, you slut!"
"It's already become my blood and skin. Do you want to touch it?"
"Just give it up, just."
Barton's face was astonished as he watched Amber stroking her own tummy.
Is there anyone who can handle Amber's charm that makes people sick?
After the meal was over, Amber sat next to me while I was eating and started talking to me.
"Bjorn, I have something to tell you."
Seeing his serious face, I became serious again.
"What's going on?"
"Because of us, bad rumors are spreading about Bjorn."
"What?"
"We trust and follow him, but they say the eldest son of the De Jeevitz family can't even protect him properly."
"So what do you think?"
"I thought, what kind of bullshit is this?"
Amber giggled and looked at me.
I, too, was dumbfounded and laughed at that sight.
I don't know who the source of that rumor is, but if they find out what kind of preferential treatment I gave Amber and Barton, they'll be damned.
Originally, Amber Cutter, who was the top rider, and Barton Wigner, the second rider, had the privilege of choosing where they wanted to work.
There are a total of 4 locations where the Human Lighthouse Team is assigned.
Lighthouse Village, the best place to protect humanity from evil.
Keldarin Fortress defends the Northern Territory from monsters on the Nagant Coast, the only connection between the Gray Mountains and the North.
Handar Castle located on the road connecting the central and northern parts of the Esteria continent.
And the northern capital, Stemwind.
Unless something special happened, a total of 8,000 Knights of the Human Lighthouse Corps worked in rotation every five years without leaving these four assigned locations.
As with everything in the world, the levels of these four allotments were very different.
Keldarin Fortress, where monsters constantly invade, is a top priority to avoid, and even though less ash falls, no knight prefers Lighthouse Village, a remote area in the north.
Surprisingly, the knights' top priority was Handar Castle, not Stemwind, and because it was close to the central part of the continent, the culture was quite developed for the rural northern part.
Amber and Barton, who joined with excellent grades, were able to go wherever they wanted.
I offered much better conditions to those two.
I used the power of the De Jeevitz family to assign the two of them the task of guarding me.
During special missions in the Human Lighthouse, duty station rotation is suspended.
In the meantime, I could work in Stemwind without consuming any rotations and then go to Handar Castle later.
Even though he was the chief or vice-chairman, it was not a benefit that a new employee who had just become a driver could enjoy.
Of course, I didn't do them a favor without thinking.
Helga Sentle, who was originally my teacher and bodyguard, became a senior knight and was unable to properly perform her guard duties, and Ember Cutter, who had sworn loyalty to me, must be treated accordingly.
Barton Wigner was just a bonus.
"I'm telling you this to let you know that there is a type of person who will take a stab at someone if they seem to be less special than they think. Those guys usually target the weakest part of the person first."
"It's about Barton Wigner."
Inside the long clock, I saw bruises all over Barton's arms.
The covered part will be even worse.
It must be a sign of harassment by the Knights of the Lighthouse of Humanity who view me unfavorably.
Since I had Barton under my command, it was a problem I had to resolve.
"I'll take care of the Barton matter. Are you doing better with your studies in the North?"
Since she had become such a great human being, she also needed to know about the North.
Even more so if you want to act as my counselor.
"I thought it was a strange place, but I could roughly understand the cause. It could be said to be a crystallization of the excrement that the first emperor had piled up in abundance."
Amber poured out harsh criticism that she would have nothing to say even if she was executed right now for blasphemy against the royal family.
"Dealing with founding contributors is a very painful issue. Since they have many contributions, they should be praised, but this is all an act of undermining the imperial power. If we miss the time to collect them, we will end up in this situation."
"It sounds like the De Jeviets family undermined the empire's strength."
"Exactly."
"You do know that history is full of founding contributors who were turned away for saying the right thing, right?"
"It doesn't matter because I didn't start a country or make any achievements. And my lord, who wants to abolish the caste system, would surely cut off my head for insulting his family."
How did he survive until the devil invaded with a personality like this?
I think she would have been the first to cut me down if I didn't know she had talent.
Still, I have nothing to say because it is the right thing to say.
As Ember said, the Northern Yeviets Territory, the only subordinate state of the Oxburg Empire that exists in the north, was a headache created by the first emperor from the empire's point of view.
◈ Chapter 26 - 6-Saint, Saint.
In the past, the Rodal people who fled from Homeland established Stemwind as their capital under the banner of the Caldarin Empire and sprouted civilization on the continent of Esteria.
However, the founding ideology of driving out the devil and reclaiming homeland also fades away after 300 years.
The Caldarin Empire has become a sick place full of corruption.
The Oxburg Empire was founded by the first emperor, who was the ruler of the central region at the time, in a rebellion with the first head of the family, De Jeevitz, who was the commander of the Human Lighthouse at the time.
Crossing numerous lines, the Lighthouse Corps of Humanity served as the first emperor's personal guard and protected him until the regime was stabilized.
In the process, the Lighthouse of Humanity became the only knightly order in the empire, and the first head of the Lightship of Humanity, the first head of the Lighthouse, took control of the Lighthouse of Humanity, changed the position of commander from an elected system to a hereditary system, and established independent command authority.
The first emperor's trust in the Lighthouse of Humanity and the first House of De Jeviets was so strong that the first emperor handed over the entire northern part of the Caldarine Empire, which was the capital of the Caldarine Empire, to the first House of De Jeviets and granted them enormous autonomy.
There was no family that could stabilize the North as much as the De Jeevitz family, which inherited the blood of the first king.
Therefore, although the title of marquis was given to a family that protected the frontier, enormous autonomy, equivalent to that of a king, was passed into the hands of the De Jeevitz family.
It became the current Territory of the Duchy of Lejevits.
"I can roughly guess the first emperor's thoughts. He maintained imperial power in the central region, where his power base was strong, while at the same time entrusting the chaotic north to his right-hand man, the first de Jeviets family. In fact, the first emperor de Jeviets was the first emperor. "I stayed loyal to his wishes and stabilized the North."
The problem is that the award was excessive even for a founding contributor, and the first emperor passed away before the award could be properly collected.
When the first emperor died, a princely rebellion swept the empire, and his eldest son took over the imperial crown, the De Jeevitz family was not big enough to do anything as a central power.
The Imperial Knights were also owned by the De Jeviets family, and much of the power that the Caldarine Empire had built up over the past 300 years was also owned by the De Jeviets family.
So the second emperor must have thought this.
If the De Jevitz family revolts, they will be suppressed even if it means splitting the empire.
However, there is no need to scrape and create crumbs here.
"Afterwards, the emperor became more interested in developing the communist-free south than in the north, where the griffins had nested, and the de Jevitz family remained loyal to the imperial family as before. 200 years later, the de Jevitz family continued to dominate the north until recently. He ruled like a king."
"Yes, until recently. Let's finish the homework inspection at this point."
Even though the time was not long, Amber studied faithfully.
But it has to end here.
"There is still a long time left. The recent trends in the North, the current emperor's political ambitions, and the impact of the southern conquest..."
"I ate all my food a long time ago!"
It makes you spoon into an empty bowl a few more times!
As soon as I fired back, Amber left with a satisfied look on her face.
If you accept that crazy bitch, I will hit you with a vase.
As I looked at Amber's back as she went back to doing her chores, something suddenly occurred to me and I asked her.
"Oh, by the way, do you know how to take care of children?"
Amber pointed her finger at herself and made a face like, 'Are you really asking me that?'
"If it's a kid, he's looking at it. I'm not sure if he's seeing it well."
"Get out now."
It was definitely a stupid question.
Maybe she should have asked the person who asked.
*
The procession was longer than expected, and the sun set faster on the mountains than on the plains.
The Human Lighthouse Group returning to Stemwind finished their meal and busied themselves with the inevitable camping trip.
At times like this, some people are busier than others, while others leisurely watch the busy people.
The former were newcomers who had recently joined the Human Lighthouse Corps, and the latter were seasoned veterans who had filled up their time.
The attributes of an organization seem to be similar in any era and any place.
Barton, who had been struggling with the tent for a while, turned his head with a face that said something was coming when a hand patted his back.
There, standing there were four veteran knights of the Human Lighthouse whom he must have been tired of seeing.
"Kkkk, our knight of wit shouldn't do things like this, right?"
"Would you like to come over there with us and share that joke?"
Like the juvenile delinquents who roamed the alleys during their school days, the old-timers walked into the mountains, arm in arm with Barton.
In a quiet mountain where crickets and owls chirped, the beating continued for a while, immersed in the noise of preparations for camping.
"Why doesn't our knight of wit say anything? Could you please show me the witticism that possessed the Great Demon of Plague?"
"I heard Prince Bjorn is already hanging out with you. I hope you're good at riding the ropes, you damn bastard? Huh?"
Barton did not even groan at his pouring absurdity.
Even if he could handle mana, he was still at the level of a healthy, normal person.
The beatings from sword users were not something to endure.
Especially if it lasts for several days.
"The senior is calling the newcomer separately to spar with him in order to improve his skills. Is that correct on his face?"
"..."
Barton's face, vaguely visible in the dark, showed his hope that the painful moment would just pass.
However, there was no way things would go as Barton wanted.
This is because they are not harassing people through simple speculation.
"So, are you telling me to run to the prince right now and tell him that we're harassing him? Let's go in peace, please."
The driver said as if he was tired, stepping on Barton's face as he rolled on the floor.
It was a tone unique to Haenrell, mixed with the accent of the central region.
They were trying to get De Jeevitz's eldest son, who heard of Barton's assault, to get angry at them and accuse them of the crime.
If Björn de Jervicz asked Barton what he had done, he was planning to punish him for personally taking care of the training.
"It's about time the prince noticed. Maybe he should have targeted Ember Cutter instead."
"Didn't you see the look in his eyes? He's a senior and junior, and he's all seven years old. I heard a rumor that he's looking to be a sword expert, but if you touch him, you won't be able to get even a bone out of him."
The two knights who were just watching the assault pouring down on Barton from behind opened their mouths.
"Or maybe he noticed it but pretended not to notice like a coward. If he grew up under that mother, he might have done that."
"Now that I think about it, I haven't heard anything about her mother. Do you know?"
"I have never seen it in person. I heard that she was the youngest daughter of the von Lorraine family, a ducal family, and that she was a witch who sold one of her eyes to the devil. They said she was a collateral descendant of the imperial family and was sold like a prostitute to the De Jeevitz family. She was born to such parents. "I guess your personality is dark and cowardly."
"Our king is pleased to hear that you had sex with a one-eyed witch."
"Hmm. There is no food that my father can't eat."
"Father, what... Huh?"
The knight turned his head at the unfamiliar voice heard from behind him.
The place where his eyes landed was 'How are we going to punish these bastards?' There I was, drooling and glaring at myself.
"You're insulting your superiors like there's no tomorrow. Do you have anything more to say? It'll be over soon, so just listen."
"Well, that's...I'm sorry!"
The knights came in with their heads lowered, making you wonder if they were the same people who were talking about the prince just a moment ago.
Of course.
What these guys are aiming for is to expose me, not to fight for their lives.
Since I have personally heard insults from my superiors that are so bad that I have nothing to say even if my head is blown off, making excuses that are pointless will only make me angry.
"Is that the end of what you have to say? If it were me, I would have said it more carefully."
Of course, I have no intention of accepting just an apology.
Because you cursed at your father? No.
Rather, I would like to hold a swearing contest with a prize money.
Then why are you harassing Barton? I'm a little angry, but that's it.
Since he received too much praise for his skills, Barton is bound to continue to run into people who are jealous of him.
It's something you have to take on yourself.
There is only one reason not to forgive them.
It's just because I want to beat up.
'Being able to legitimately kill someone is so thrilling!'
Is it possible to commit violence against others while being intoxicated with a sense of justice?
What a thrilling feeling of immorality!
"Ha ha! Double side kick!"
"Ugh! Please save me..."
"Oh, hurry up and turn around. Are you going to hit a bone?"
The beating was long and deep.
I did it with all my might, so that my whole body became as soft as minced meat, but so that I could walk when I woke up tomorrow.
"Ha, I was afraid this would happen, so I kept my mouth shut."
As the assault continued, Barton sighed.
The knights' consciousness had already flown to the other side.
"Bjorn, you know that if you start a fight like this, there will be backbiting."
"That's right. That's what these bastards were aiming for."
"But why..."
I punched Barton in the stomach as he approached.
His waist bent to match the angle of the fist that was inserted into his abdomen.
"Keuheuk! Kuk!"
It will be difficult to breathe properly for a while due to the strong shock to the lungs.
I looked down at Barton, who was rolling on the floor and breathing heavily.
"Barton, you did something wrong. Why didn't you tell me what happened right away?"
Barton slowly adjusted his posture, sat down, and excused himself.
"...If you become a knight...If you give in to this level of violence and report it to your superiors...You will be ignored."
"It's a perfect attitude for someone at the bottom of the organization, but this injustice wasn't aimed at you. It was aimed at me being close to you. Even though you knew about it, you didn't report it to me, and I realized too late that I had been stabbed in the back. "
"..."
"That's great. Now, let's be considerate so that we can be fucked by those little brats."
Any jealousy or envy that Barton gets is his.
I can't accept that for you.
However, if I am at the end of the arrow filled with jealousy and envy, that is a different story.
This time it was an aberration for the small knights from Haenrel, but the northern capital, Stemwind, was different.
If something like this were to happen amidst all the corruption and politics, it would be difficult to protect myself.
"...If I act lightly, Master Bjorn will also seem light-hearted. I couldn't act like that."
"There is no need for the person holding the rope to worry about the person pulling the rope. I am the one who handles the gossip. And if you don't want to look light, improve your skills."
I poured out cold words to Barton and called the idiot who was hiding in the dark.
"Ember! When you're done watching, clean up these little bastards."
Amber appeared leisurely, as if she had been waiting to be called.
"To hold these guys accountable, confiscate their horses until they reach Stemwind and hand over all the chores that you and Barton have been assigned to. The eldest son of the De Jeevitz family is the lower-level leader. If you do this, you will have your tongue cut out for insulting your superior. Tell them you'll pay."
Ember nodded and said as I gave my command.
"Can I add one sentence to that name? For example, something about immersing yourself in training with me all night long."
Even in this situation, Amber's eyes were too cold to ask if it was a joke.
What, why are you so angry?
Seeing her for the first time, I unconsciously avoided her gaze and blurted out her words.
"...Well, just give it one hour."
Amber, they are still your seniors...
◈ Chapter 27 - 6-Saint, Holy Son
*
Before the sun rose in the sky, the carriage reached Lothric Village.
I stopped the carriage.
This is because we need to find Mion, the main character of Esteria Biography, and take him with us.
Even though it was only three months ago that I met Jin here and told Mion that I would accept him as my servant, it already felt like the distant past.
"But why is there so much fuss?"
The small mining town, with only an inn as a facility for travelers, was noisier than when I visited before.
Children and adults alike were running here and there with pickaxes, while men wearing clocks I had never seen before were standing like security guards all over the village with lights on in their eyes.
"This is the Knights of the Holy Cross. They say they are investigating a dungeon discovered in a mining town."
Amber's words brought back memories I had forgotten.
Apparently, when I was taking the entrance exam in Lighthouse Village, Helga said something like that.
[Are they the Knights of the Holy Cross? But what exactly are these guys doing?]
Jin, who was busy looking around, showed her face for the first time in a long time.
'The Knights of the Holy Cross are an order of Holy Knights administratively located directly under the Holy See.'
[Administratively? So what is it actually?]
'The Emperor's Personal Guard.'
Should we say that they were half-brothers of the Lighthouse of Humanity, or should we say that they were the victims of the first emperor's cheap excrement? In any case, the Knights of the Holy Cross had a delicate relationship with the Lighthouse of Humanity.
The Knights of the Holy Cross was an organization brought in by the Vatican as a temporary measure when the Order of the Lighthouse of Humanity became part of the De Jevitz family after the death of the first emperor and the knights who would protect the imperial family disappeared.
It is an irony of history that the Vatican, which was about to disappear due to the Reformation at the time, was able to survive by handing over the Knights of the Holy Cross.
[In a word, you are a part of the human race?]
'It's not wrong.'
If the first emperor hadn't spouted such nonsense as 'Only the Order of the Emperor is the Order of the Emperor's Knights', he wouldn't have done something like this.
In any case, if the previous generations work hard, the future generations will suffer.
[No matter what, they are the elites who protect the emperor. Is it okay to be so arrogant?]
'What are you talking about? Why are the Knights of the Holy Cross the best?'
After reflecting on Jin's question for a while, I realized where I was off track.
'Ah, you were sealed in the Age of Swords, right? The elite who protect the emperor are not stupid muscle knights, but an elite group called the Magic Brigade.'
Welcome, to the age of magic.
Just as a scholar was more important than a knight in modern times in the history of the Earth, even in the central region where steam engines had already begun to operate, a wizard was treated much better than a knife-wielding bastard.
This is also the reason why the North, which still gives preferential treatment to drivers, is ridiculed as being a remote area.
Among them, the Magic Brigade was a paramilitary organization directly under the emperor to which about 20,000 magicians of the 6th circle or higher were required to belong.
It is also the most powerful force supporting the emperor.
So, even if the administrative issues of the Knights Templar were complicated, there was no need to deal with them.
'Still, this emperor is giving a lot of power to the Knights of the Holy Cross.'
Let's end the detailed setup of Esteria Electric, which is complicated and doesn't require any knowledge, at this point.
The action of Jeongpan was too long.
What matters now is that the Knights of the Holy Cross have come to Lothric Village to investigate the dungeon I found, and I can demand a reward from them.
I got out of the carriage and approached the Knight of the Holy Cross.
"Hey, who's in charge here?"
"What is it, kid? Can't you see I'm working now?"
Oh, I forgot that the De Jeevitz family clock burned down.
I don't know who I am because I have nothing to show for my identity.
This is a situation that can easily be misunderstood, so I will overlook this rudeness.
I calmly explained who I was and what my business was.
"I am Bjorn de Jevec, the eldest son of the De Jevec family, and the one who discovered the dungeon here. So, I would like to speak with the person in charge."
"Fuck you. If you're Bjern de Jevitz, I'm Drich von Oxburg. Get the hell out of here, you country bumpkin."
My head naturally turned towards the sky as my blood pressure soared.
I was convinced by the second attitude.
This Knight of the Holy Cross clearly knows that I am Bjorn de Jeevitz.
There's no way he doesn't know that the status of the kid who came down like a master in the procession of the Lighthouse of Humanity cannot be low, but coming out like this is only a regional feeling that he's going to be screwed by the northern country bumpkin.
Ha, even though it's on the way down to Stemwind, I'm already excited to see what kind of adventure this little guy will have in Stemwind.
Since you made the first move, I'll deal with you with the politics that central bastards are proud of.
Let me make it clear that the North is also a part of it.
I stepped away from the Knight of the Holy Cross and called Ember and Barton.
"Barton, go right now to the villager who was mobilized to investigate the dungeon and ask him how much he was paid."
"All of a sudden? I understand."
"Ember, you need to find a kid named Mion who lives in the mountains over there and bring him back."
"All right."
They both left at my command at the same time, and less than 10 minutes later, Barton arrived first.
"The villagers said that the Knights of the Holy Cross scolded them and said that it was the government's business and did not give them a single penny."
"What?"
It was so absurd that I pursed my lips and made a sound of air escaping.
"Is that true?"
"I'm sure because I heard the same thing from the three workers who just came out of the mine."
"Wow, these damn things went crazy."
I couldn't help but slap my forehead at the foolish actions of the Knights of the Holy Cross.
I wanted to start a fight over the legitimacy of conservatives, but something bigger than I thought was happening.
I immediately returned to the procession and gave orders to the Human Lighthouse Corps.
"Surround the Knights of the Holy Cross in this town right now!"
The Human Lighthouse Corps hesitated for a moment after hearing the sudden order, but that was only for a moment and they soon moved to surround the Knights of the Holy Cross in the village and corner them.
In this respect, it was definitely a knighthood representing the North.
"This is an order from the De Jeevitz family! Do not rebel!"
"What, why are these guys like this all of a sudden?!"
In response to the sudden threat of the Lighthouse of Humanity, the Knights of the Holy Cross immediately drew their swords and fought back.
However, the Knights of the Holy Cross here were probably the lowest level of the organization, and were especially lacking in numbers compared to the Lighthouse Corps of Humanity.
And, crucially, they did not have the courage to stab the Lighthouse Corps of Humanity in the De Jewitz territory.
As the Lighthouse Corps of Humanity began to pressure them due to their numerical difference, the Knights of the Holy Cross slowly flocked to the center of the village.
I rode my horse to the center of the village and roared.
"I, Bjorn de Jeevitz, eldest son of the De Jeviets family, will arrest you for violating the Golden Edict! Everyone, throw away your weapons!"
"Golden Edict! What do you mean?"
One of the knights being driven into the village raised his voice.
This was the guy I had a fight with just now.
"Are you saying that the Knight of the True Cross doesn't know what the First Emperor's Golden Edict is?"
"I know that it is an edict guaranteeing De Jeviet's autonomy. I mean, why is it coming out of nowhere!"
"They conscripted the northern residents at will and then spouted things like that."
"Conscription! I'm mistaken! We just..."
"If it is not conscription to force the people of De Jeviets territory to do labor for the sake of the government and not pay them a penny, then what is it? Tell me! Did the Emperor order you to do this? If so, I will appeal to the Emperor myself!"
I drew my sword and wrapped around Mana.
The mana that flowed through the cool tip of the sword stuck to the blade without wasting a single ounce of it.
When a knight puts mana on his sword, it means that this simple act is no longer a threat or intimidation, like cocking a revolver.
Starting with the sword auror settling down on my sword body, blue flames bloomed one by one on the swords of the knights of the Lighthouse of Humanity.
"Stop right there, kid. Unless you really want to see blood."
A woman's voice was heard as if on the other side, beyond the siege.
The Sword Aura shook at the sound of mana flowing.
At the entrance to the village, the sound coming from the vocal cords of a person who seemed to have just arrived here gave me chills.
From her appearance, she could not even be compared to the lowest ranks of the beleaguered Knights of the Holy Cross.
Silver-toned armor decorated with gold and a clock as red as red wine revealed its identity.
Anyone who grew up in the Oxburg Empire would not know what that armor meant.
It was the imperial guard that assisted the emperor near him.
"Are you Bjorn de Jeviez? Should I say that you live up to your reputation or that you exceed your reputation?"
The horse carrying her slowly approached me.
I had the impression that he was now in his 30s.
Her auburn hair braided so that it doesn't get in the way of her helmet, her fair skin with a red tinge, and her thin neckline remind me of a delicate country girl.
But her eyes staring at me were cruel and heartless, like a tiger looking down at her deer that had already broken its neck.
It was my first time seeing her face to face, but I knew her better than anyone else.
It is often said that a sword master is a master of everything.
It meant a being stronger than anyone except the sword saint Landorus.
But of course, there are ranks among sword masters.
If you were to rank her among the currently living sword masters, she would be at the very front.
A sword saint and leader of the Knights of the Holy Cross, one of the three sword masters who studied under Archduke Landeros, and the successor to the sword saint.
"Sir Runea Horse, Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross."
A magnate of the Oxburg Empire, who appears as the teacher of the warrior Mion in the biography of Esteria, has appeared in a corner of the northern countryside.
◈ Chapter 28 - 6-Saint, Saint.
"My last name is Van Hoss. I guess the North doesn't even know what the Sword Saint's last name is? Still, I'm thankful that the Northern countrymen recognize me."
"Are you so stupid that your subordinates are also from the North? Oh, I guess I treated my hometown comrades too harshly."
"Judging by the way you twitch your tongue at my threats, I see that you have the skills to survive even when facing the Great Demon of Plague. So who is that idiot?"
They say silent words travel a thousand miles, and I never would have thought that even the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross knew about it.
It certainly seems to be going as intended.
I hid my joy and spat out mocking words to Runea.
"I said I was Bjorn de Jeviets, so they called themselves Drich von Oxburg? They are indeed the Knights of the Holy Cross. They serve two emperors. It is difficult to serve just one Order of the Lighthouse of Humanity."
Runea patted the galloping horse and got down from the saddle.
He then fastened the sword sheath tied next to the saddle to his belt with a simple movement.
Even though the Lighthouse of Humanity is an order of knights of the De Jeevitz family, I have to say something.
She was much more like a medieval knight than a great human being, like the fishermen of her lighthouse village.
[Oh my god, Bjern doesn't talk or act like a sexual harasser, right?]
'I'm that unlucky?'
[You're the one with the obsession with middle names, the cheesy way of speaking, and the twisted sense of humor. If you were born as a woman and grew older, I think you would look exactly like that.]
I was disgusted by Jin's ridiculous nonsense.
'The thing in between my and Runea's last name is not a middle name. It's a middle name. Isn't it a sign of a noble family with a long history dating back to Homeland? So, when I called out Lord Runea's name to provoke her, I deliberately left it out.'
[It's the same thing as being obsessed with useless things like that, you idiot!]
While Jin and I were chatting, Runea came towards me, hitting the mud with her thick armor and making a clanking sound.
"Where did you get the courage to say something like that in front of the imperial guards? They could have summarily executed you for insulting the imperial family. Do you think the proud De Jeevitz family will protect you?"
"I don't think His Majesty will protect the Knights of the Holy Cross who have been running rampant in the North. The way to protect the authority of the Imperial Family is to start with the Knight of the Holy Cross who was crowned as emperor today. I know that I am 15 years old, but I am afraid that someone will say that I am not a replacement for the Lighthouse of Humanity. Judgment is poor..."
"Perhaps it is because he has imperial blood mixed in that he is so intelligent. It is hard to believe that he was born into the De Jeevitz family. Don't you often hear people say that you don't take after your father?"
Is this bastard hitting a pad now?
What is the similarity between this evil bastard and me?
Jin's eyes must be knotholes.
At that moment, Barton came to me and whispered.
"You're just like Bjorn in that you don't want to say a single word."
"Where!"
I should have let the senior knights beat me and leave me behind!
"Are you the general manager here?"
"...That's right."
Lunea pushed back the besieging Human Lighthouse Corps and faced the Knight of the Holy Cross who had been dispatched to investigate the dungeon.
The Knights of the Holy Cross will feel unfair.
As usual, he only did odd jobs under the Vatican, such as investigating dungeons, and embezzled public funds that came out in small amounts as compensation.
But I never thought the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross would appear in this corner of the village.
"Are you the second emperor we serve?"
"Well, that's because a child I've never met introduces himself as Björn de Jeviez... Huh?!"
"For embezzlement of public funds, you will cut off your wrist, and for insulting the imperial family, you will cut off your tongue. Since it is a bother, just cut off your head."
The lines were misaligned, as if they had been cut by a sharp file, and the head of the Knight of the Holy Cross fell diagonally from his neck.
The sword was pulled out and retracted in an instant.
The fact that the head falls off first and the blood gushes out reminded me of Canniel's famous technique when executing the fisherman in the lighthouse village in the past.
When I become a sword master, I definitely have to try that.
"I will take responsibility for paying the compensation to the residents they embezzled. I will also thoroughly calculate the reward money for discovering the dungeon and place it on the De Jeviets family."
"It is the North's job to punish illegal acts committed in the North. Don't try to take it quietly."
I was sure where to punish this incident.
As expected from the central region, you are really good at politics.
But I'm not one to fall for this kind of trickery.
At my words, Runea's forehead wrinkled.
"Why don't we just skip cutting out your tongue? Or is the North free from insults to the imperial family?"
"Then cut out my tongue and leave alone the Knights of the Holy Cross who committed the crime. Of course, I don't know if they can cut out my tongue and safely cross the northern border."
"That would be difficult for me as a sword master now... Okay, let's stop with the pointless puns. What do you want?"
I could do this all day!
I quenched my appetite and got to the point.
"I would like you to submit specific documents to the De Jeviets family regarding the punishment of the knights involved in this matter. I will also assign a knight from the Lighthouse of Humanity to determine compensation and investigate the dungeon. Pay compensation to the villagers through him."
"Ha, I don't like it from beginning to end, but I will do it."
"And I hope you pay the dungeon compensation quickly. Of course, I expect it will be difficult to set the compensation because it is an unprecedentedly amazing dungeon."
Runea tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
"The dungeon you discovered is neither unprecedented nor amazing. The frost golem is unique, but it is a small and common dungeon. The reason for the delay in paying compensation is probably because our knights who were embezzling public funds here did not do their work."
Come to think of it, this dungeon was a place disguised with minimal troops to conceal the place where Demon Lord Moloch sealed Jin's soul before fleeing to the polar region after winning the battle against Jin.
In other words, the moment Jin's seal was released, this dungeon was not a place of much special value.
"Now, wait a minute! Then why is the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross in this corner of town...?"
A very bad intuition hit the back of my head and struck my brain.
At that moment, Amber held a boy's hand and called me.
"Master Viern, as you ordered, I have come to find a kid named Mion."
At that moment, the pearl-like jewel hanging around Runea's neck glowed.
It didn't take long to figure out what that meant.
"It is the Son! The Son has appeared in the world!"
Oh shit.
I feel like I'm going to lose my mind from such a crazy idea.
What is a saint?
A being chosen by the Lord.
He is a hero who holds the holy sword high, slaughters demons, and protects humanity.
The current official saint is the Sword Saint Landeros.
For 250 years, he devoted himself to humanity as a great knight and a saint loved by the Lord.
However, in recent years, there have been rumors that the Holy Sword Galgdubal's shine has disappeared.
He was already getting older day by day.
No matter how much he surpasses Sword Master, he reaches the limit of his lifespan when he exceeds 250 years old.
Everyone hissed, but they were accepting the fact that it would be difficult for the Sword Saint to play the role of a saint any longer.
The fact that the holy sword has lost its light means that a new saint has been born.
The top goal of the Knights of the Holy Cross was to find a saint who may have been born somewhere.
However, the saint could not be found until the devil invaded the continent of Esteria.
To avoid confusion, they had to search the entire continent of Esteria while hiding the fact that Renderos was no longer a saint.
It was impossible to search the entire continent of Esteria without a large-scale search.
Additionally, the problem was that the new saint was in the north.
How can they dispatch the Knights of the Holy Cross to the autonomous North without giving a proper reason?
Due to several reasons, it was never revealed that Mion was a saint until the demonic invasion.
There shouldn't have been any.
If only some idiot hadn't trolled.
'Ah, you idiot!'
If I had a gun, I would put it in my mouth and pull the trigger three more times.
What kind of reward was that that provided the justification for dispatching the Knights of the Holy Cross to Lothric Village?
Even if it were an official department under the Vatican, it would definitely search for saints!
It's my fault, but it's still unfair.
I never would have thought that the day I arrived at Lothric Village, the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross would go on a search.
If I had been a day earlier, I would have taken Mion to Stemwind, and even if Lunea had arrived a day earlier, she would not have been able to find Mion living deep in the mountains.
This can only be said to be a prank by Esteria's biographer.
[I thought his talent was extraordinary, but I couldn't believe that that kid was a saint.]
'The problem is that I have no intention of handing Mion over to the Knights of the Holy Cross.'
[No matter how urgent the talent is, are you planning on keeping the saint? Don't you give it up for the sake of all mankind?]
'I don't give up for the sake of all of humanity. Geomsung is an old man who has lost his strength, and Mion is young. Do you think the monks in the capital will let Mion focus on training? The moment she arrives in Octantium, she'll be wasting valuable time being tangled up in political propaganda.'
The Oxburg Empire is already struggling in a war with the Kingdom of Junta.
If a saint appears at this time, the emperor will turn Mion around to strengthen his authority.
"Saint, we have waited a long time to meet you like this. Now, come with us."
◈ Chapter 29 - 6-Saint, Saint.
Lunea knelt down in front of Mion and spoke in a gentle voice.
His appearance had changed 180 degrees to the point where I wondered if he was the guy I was arguing with.
"...Saint? I'm a saint. Something seems wrong..."
It wasn't difficult to read the confused emotions on Mion's face.
Not only was it not enough that he was suddenly taken in by a knight of the Lighthouse of Humanity, but the knight of the True Cross revered himself as a saint, so it would not be easy for a 12-year-old to understand the situation.
"Sir, I guess you're confused. I'll explain it to you slowly on the way to the church."
A gentle smile and a warm voice like a spring breeze stained my ears.
But Mion took a few steps back from her.
It seemed as if he was on guard.
It didn't take long to realize why Mion was doing that.
Her decapitated body and the small amount of blood splattered on her armor could not help but be uncomfortable for the young Mion to see.
Ember, noticing Mion's reaction, covered him with her cloak hood and blocked his vision.
At this point, I blocked Runea's path.
"A saint is born in the North! And that saint is the founder of the De Jevietz family! This is a blessing for the North! The Lord has bestowed great grace on the De Jeevitz family!"
"...What are you doing now?"
What are you going to do? Knowing.
"The honor of leading the saint belongs to the Knights of the Holy Cross. I have no intention of taking that away. However, the saint currently belongs to the De Jeevitz family, so I hope His Majesty will send a formal letter!"
I went through the protocol.
In any case, this is the child who the De Jeevitz family declared that they would receive as starter.
So, if His Majesty sends a letter announcing the birth of a saint and taking him to the imperial family, I will hand over Mion.
This request was based on the calculation that the North would somehow have a hand in the saint's birth.
On the surface.
'Your Majesty will also try to make good use of the saint's birth, so it will take time to prepare various things. 'It could be as short as two months or as long as three months.'
[But isn't that just buying time? In the end, we have to hand Mion over to the Knights of the Holy Cross.]
'How I utilize that period is up to me.'
Although it was vague to Jin, it would be difficult for the emperor to send an official letter to the North by then.
Even if they did, it wouldn't be a situation where they would let the saint go easily.
"Oh, by the way, I will instruct you to thoroughly crack down on joining until His Majesty sends an official letter."
Closing a person's mouth doesn't stop it, but it can turn it into nonsense, even if only for a moment.
This was tantamount to a declaration that the saint would not be used until the emperor's official approval was given.
It was a huge concession from the perspective of the De Jeevitz family, who could strengthen their political influence as a saint until the letter arrived.
But that's the story of the De Jeevitz family.
What is the use of the De Jeviets family's growing political influence?
If the North is excited by the birth of a saint, my saga will be buried.
From my perspective, there is absolutely no reason to beat myself up.
Runea, who had been moving her hand to the sheath of her sword several times as if trying to swallow her anger, soon got her emotions under control.
"I admit it. Your political acumen is as good as that of the central nobles who eat away at the Oxburg Empire. I never thought you would think of your maternal grandfather in the North."
"I take it as a compliment."
"But you don't seem to know what the essence of politics is."
"...Huh?"
"Unsheathing your sword when you're in trouble is also politics."
The sword that was sleeping on Runea's waist finally showed itself, unable to hold back.
I could tell right away what Runea was going to do.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you all. I have the skills to do that."
This idiot plans to knock out the Human Lighthouse here and kidnap Mion!
'Tch, did you notice!'
The change in her attitude means that she realized that if she loses Mion, it will be difficult for her to take him to the capital.
Once a saint is stranded in the North. The De Jeviets will drag their feet with all sorts of excuses.
There will be a bloody political battle for some time, and the Knights of the Holy Cross will have to suck their fingers.
Unless they are willing to start a war to send a saint, the North is in trouble so far.
But similarly, if Runea forcibly kidnaps Mion and takes her to the central region, there is not much the De Jeevitz family can do, no matter how furious they are.
All you have to do is make excuses.
When asked why they went on a rampage, if you give them a rough explanation of the reasons, such as the North was interfering with them, or there was interference from the Devil Cult, etc., The Emperor will take care of it from then on.
Lunea accurately understood my intention and broke through using her own strength of powerful force.
Taking advantage of the moment, Amber spoke up.
"It may be presumptuous to say this, but that woman, if she messes up, she's the one with Bjorn..."
"Say no more. It's an order."
This is the third time I've said that today!
And when did I mess up?
Ha, it ends up getting to this point.
I had no choice but to pull out my sword.
Runea laughed and looked down at me.
It was as if she was saying, 'I wanted to fix it, but it took a while.'
"I hope her sword skills are as good as her speaking skills."
She is a monster who has overcome the limitations of the human race, and among them, she is a sword master who is at the forefront.
Then there is only one thing for me to do.
I gritted my teeth and raised my sword.
And even though he was afraid, he shouted with sincerity to the knights of the Human Lighthouse who were fighting against Runea.
"The Lighthouse of Humanity! Stop that woman at the risk of death! No, even if you die, stop her!"
I spouted lines like a third-rate novel villain and ran into the forest, holding Mion in my arms.
"Bjorn?! Bjorn?! Hey, you piece of trash!"
I heard a cry that was identical to Amber's voice, but how could that be?
Is there a knight in the world who insults his lord by calling him trash?
What about the lord who appointed such a knight?
It must be an illusion.
The sound of beatings didn't last long.
The verbal abuse and shouting stopped as soon as we ran down the street.
Even though I was running away with all my magical power while holding Mion, who was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
'Tch, has it been sorted out already?'
In that case, the only thing to bet on was the belief that the search skills of the leader of the Knights of the Holy Cross would be poor.
Strength and search are two different things.
It is never easy to find a hidden enemy in a forest you are visiting for the first time.
It's good if you don't get lost.
"Your cunning is better than the rumored swordsmanship skills."
Expectations cooled quickly and coldly.
Lunea couldn't even search, so when I ran one step, she caught up to me three steps.
It looked as if it was running by folding space.
Is Gyeong-gong like that in the martial arts magazine?
It was a skill that could not even be imitated.
Indeed, a sword master.
Because of his excellence, it is hopeless from the opponent's perspective.
"What do you think? If you stop here and hand the saint over to me, I'll finish you off with a few hits."
"Fuck it. There's no point in saying it."
"W-What?! This brat-headed kid!!"
Runea showed a refreshing response to my provocation.
Ah, now that I think about it, it's not a fresh reaction, it's normal.
I was so obsessed with Amber that I forgot.
"Don't think of spouting such foul language at me and getting away with it! I'll break you in a few places!"
"That's a good thing to do with a kid, you old lady!"
As soon as she finished speaking, sword energy flew through the wind.
"Ugh!! They said they only broke it in a few places! They said they broke it!"
"Ajum, I told you not...? I've never even been able to hold a man's hand properly, let alone date... Madam...? Do you know how sad it is that I have no experience with men at this age?!!"
It couldn't be possible that the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross was a woman who was scratched by her old lady's voice.
In this day and age, those old clichés aren't even used in mass stores!
Lunea's face was filled with anger and her arms fell and she swung her sword.
Every time she swung, the large sword energy cut down her entire tree.
"Oh, as you wish, I will lick your dick today!!"
"Oh, that kind of sucks."
"Shut up!!"
I was satisfied with the plot development, but the sword power poured out on me was no joke.
Runea was firing sword energy like her machine gun, which was difficult for me to even fire a few times.
I, who was obviously the weak, couldn't face him with the penalty of running away with Mion in my arms.
I said to Mion, who was held in my arms like a princess.
"Mion, what do you want to do?"
"...Yes?"
"I'm asking whether you want to remain in the North, or whether you want to be taken to the Central Region by the Knights of the Holy Cross. We don't have time, so please keep your worries short."
After a short silence, Mion opened her mouth with her clear eyes as if she had decided on something.
"I'm going to the Knights of the Holy Cross. Please stop."
"...I see."
I bit my lip without realizing it.
Mion was a necessary talent to get through this world.
I felt like I wanted to hold on to it.
If she had had enough time, she might have taken a long time to persuade him.
But if that's Mion's will, she should be respected.
A person's heart is not something that can be obtained through force.
I dropped him off as Mion wanted.
When I stopped, Runea's sword also stopped.
"You won't be able to speak properly for a while because you'll be so stressed out by me, but if you have anything to say, say it all now."
Runea, who had won, was so triumphant that she swaggered.
Is that something a grown man would say to a 15 year old?
I feel sick to my stomach, but there is nothing I can do.
It was a complete defeat, losing both ability and strategic goals.
What more can a loser do?
"Are you going to fuck me?"
I really need to get on my nerves at this point.
Fuck, I can't even sleep because it's so unfair!
"Hey, hey!! I'll make you lie down and whine for a few days!"
"Wait a minute, the saint has something to say before that."
Only then did Runea come to her senses, approached Mion and knelt down on his knees.
Without being able to control my red face.
"Saint, I apologize for my indecent behavior. Could you please forget about the commotion for a moment?"
"Don't worry, I forgot everything."
"Thank you. Then, please come to the central area with me."
"No. I will stay in the North."
◈ Chapter 30 - 6-Saint, Saint.
What is this guy doing now?
On a sudden whim, I tried to read Mion's intentions.
"Sir, saint. Didn't you say you would forget me? If it's because of my indecent behavior, please reconsider..."
"That's not the reason. I just want to stay in my hometown."
"Saint, you must not act foolishly. You are swayed by personal feelings and abandon your cause. Please think of the humanity that the Lord has entrusted to you."
I silently watched the conversation between Mion and Runea.
Now that I think about it, it is a very distorted encounter, different from the original.
Because Runea was originally Mion's teacher.
In the first half of Esteria, Mion, who obtained the holy sword Galgduval, was able to safely go to a nearby church with Jin's help.
Recognized as a saint there, he sets out on a journey to meet the emperor, who has taken refuge in the south, avoiding the devil and devil cult believers who are destroying humanity at all costs.
However, driven by the persistent pursuit of the Devil Cult, the priest who was helping him in the central region also loses his life and is in danger of death.
It was Runea who saved Mion at that time.
Dear saint, I have waited a long time.
A time when Octantium burned down, the Sword Saint lost his life, and the emperor took refuge in the streets with the poor.
Runea wept bitterly at the birth of the saint.
But this current situation was different from the original.
"Is it crazy that I want to stay in my hometown?"
"Saint, Your Majesty is waiting. The Sword Saint, the nobles of the central region, the winemakers of the South, tailors and farmers, beggars who make a living on daily beggars, snobberies and deaf old men are all waiting for you, Saint. Because we are scared, saint."
"..."
"Humans are weak in front of the devil. The power, evil, and sweetness of the devil are too great for a mere creature to resist. That is why the Lord gave us the Holy Son. Holy Son, please guide us, the weak ones! My hand. Take hold of the central region and announce to the Esteria continent that a new saint has been born, and save the lambs who cannot sleep at night from the fear of the devil!"
Despite her passionate confession of faith, Mion's eyes grew colder.
"But what if I tell you I'm staying in the North?"
"...If that is so, saint, please forgive my disrespect."
What they meant was that they would take him away by force.
As if those words had become a wedge, Mion opened her mouth with a determined look on her face.
"I am a woodcutter. That is, until the driver called me a saint. A lower-class person who lives from day to day. That was me. So I don't understand difficult words well. The same goes for political things."
"...Saint."
"But there is one thing I know for sure. If I go to the central region like this, I will have to live like a puppet for the rest of my life. Just like now. That is not the life I want."
Only then did I understand Mion's intentions.
I was trying to figure out who was more free between me and Lunea.
Even in the midst of confusion, you put Runea and I on the test table.
Should I say that he is also the main character?
"It won't be any different in the north. And even if you go to the center and fulfill the responsibilities that the Lord has entrusted to you, that is not the life of a puppet."
"You didn't try to kidnap me."
In response to Mion's rebuttal, Lunea closed her mouth.
"Before I told the driver that I would stay in the north, I told Bjorn that I would go to the central region. Bjern respected my opinion without a second thought. I am a lowly woodcutter, so I don't know which is the better choice. But which one is better for me? "Even a fool can tell if you respect him more."
Runea became mute and just twitched her eyes.
Her face said she didn't know she was going to get punched like this.
And it was the same for me.
I never thought he was such a smart kid.
"...I see. I'm sorry that things turned out this way. But, saint, I must complete my mission."
Runea, who had been silent for a long time, spoke in a firm tone, as if she had made up her mind.
Mion let out a sigh as she realized what her decision was.
"Even if it goes against me?"
"As long as it's with me, it's okay."
I stood between Runea and Mion.
We confirmed each other's feelings.
Since opinions differ and cannot be narrowed down, the only thing left is to use force to suppress the other party.
I slowly drew my sword.
I don't know how many times I went in and out today.
But this time it's real.
Of course, the chances of winning against Runea are extremely slim.
From the moment I failed to escape, the outcome was decided.
The opponent is the Sword Master, who is considered the second strongest after the sword saint Landeros.
I may be superior in swordsmanship, but a bud that has not yet opened cannot beat a fully bloomed flower.
However, when I faced her with her sword in hand, it seemed like a good thing.
As a prosecutor, my entire body was filled with the desire to win.
Being able to share a dance with a sword master is a tremendous opportunity.
How beautiful is Sword Master's Sword Aura.
How will they respond to my swordsmanship?
The swordsmanship of the Knights of the Holy Cross is famous for being heavy and serious, but what is it like in practice?
So where will this raindrop take me?
My body was hot.
I got so hot that I wanted to swing my sword at Runea right away.
But my wish did not come true.
"What are you going to do, are you going to participate too?"
Runea, who was facing her sword, shouted towards the empty grass.
At her words, a blurry figure appeared under the shade of the tree.
"As expected, you are the one who inherits the Sword Saint's castle, Runea. It's been a while."
Hiding one's body with magical power and immersing oneself in the darkness was a low-level tactic that only an assassin would use.
But I knew the voice of that lowly man.
What was surprising was that Lunea also recognized who the owner of that voice was.
"Sir Helga Sentle. I heard that you abandoned the Knights of the True Cross and joined the Lighthouse Order of Humanity. I won't ask you why, but there will always be a place for you in the Knights of the True Cross."
"I'm grateful for that. The Lighthouse Corps of Humanity is so hard-pressed that I always wanted to beat it up. It's almost better than when I was walking around the streets with you."
"Why are you bringing up stories about your childhood?"
Runea suppressed her emotions and spoke as if she had just met someone she was happy with.
"I wanted to ask you when I met you. Why did you, who was knighted and could have inherited the name of the Sword Saint, undergo 'surgery' and go to the dark side of the empire?"
The goal of stealth is to hide one's body.
In order to hide one's body with magic, a different method was needed from a knight who collects mana in the Danjeon or a wizard who creates a circle around the heart.
So, in order to remain hidden, assassins undergo 'surgery' to twist the circuit through which magical power circulates.
And the moment I had that surgery, I could no longer grow into a knight or a wizard.
I had as many things I wanted to ask as did Lunea.
What was your relationship like with Runea?
Why did he, a member of the Knights of the Holy Cross, come all the way to the North?
Why did he, who was a senior sword expert and could have inherited the castle of a sword saint, learn the art of stealth and stay in the dark side of the empire?
Why was he sneaking by my side when he was busy as a senior knight of the Lighthouse of Humanity?
And why didn't you tell me that?
"I'd like to have a cup of tea with you and clear my mind, but we're both busy, right?"
But now I have to sort things out with Mion.
I watched their conversation, trying to control my emotions.
"You must guide the saint to the right path. So no matter how much you do, you cannot back down."
"If we take the saint by force now, we will never be able to restore our relationship with the Knights of the Holy Cross. Is that what you want?"
"There is no other way, is there? We can't let the Humanity Lighthouse take advantage of the saint as they please. The resolution has already been made, so stop the useless persuasion."
"In that case, instead of thinking that the Lighthouse of Humanity is taking it away, how about thinking of it as me taking charge of the saint for a while?"
"What nonsense is that?"
Despite Lunea's absurd reaction, Helga had no mischievous expression on her face.
"Rather, I would like to ask, what nonsense are you talking about now? If your Majesty only sends a letter, I will send the saint safely. Until then, I have no intention of using the saint. Isn't this enough for the Lighthouse of Humanity to make concessions?"
"But there's no way that can be protected..."
"I understand that you can't trust the Lighthouse of Humanity. But you can trust me, right?"
Runea quickly realized Helga's intentions.
"Surely, Helga, you are offering a guarantee so that the conditions that that arrogant kid made will be kept?"
"A mere knight's guarantee doesn't mean much. But there's a difference between you and me, right? I promise in my name. So stop here and don't make the situation any worse. That's also the way for the Knights of the Holy Cross."
I was grateful to Helga for stepping up for me, but she wouldn't have gotten to this point if the situation could have been stopped with his assurance.
"What if I refuse?"
Lunea was ready to attack at any time.
She was like that too.
There was no way she could be persuaded by something like that.
"In that case, I have no choice but to reveal the enormous wrongdoing you committed against His Majesty when He had not yet ascended the throne."
"W-W-Why is that being brought up here?!"
Lunea's face turned as red as a ripe blush.
What, what did you do to be so embarrassed?
"If you say a word about it, I will definitely kill you."
"Will you cooperate to prevent that from happening? Oh, your mouth is itchy? That day, in His Majesty's bedroom..."
"Stop! Okay! Damn it! I'll take your offer!"
Runea's sword entered her sheath at an invisible speed.
At this point, she just wanted to hand over Mion and hear what happened that day.
Runea pursed her lips and spoke to me in an angry voice.
"Again, Bjorn, I do not believe in your covenant. I, the recipient of Lord Sentle's favor, am falling for that lie out of my own personal feelings. Please do not bring any disgrace to Lord Sentle's name. If that time comes, please show my wrath. It won't be easy to handle."
"Remember that."
I smiled and answered half-heartedly.
Is there anything sweeter than a loser's excuse?
Lunea seemed like she couldn't bear to leave here, so she walked up to Mion and got down on her knees.
"Saint, the mistakes I committed today all came from my wrong judgment, not the will of the Knights of the Holy Cross. If you want to punish me for my sins, I will gladly accept it. However, please make a decision for the sake of the empire."
Mion said nothing.
He just looked down at Runea with dry eyes.
Still, consider yourself lucky that things went as wrong as this.
If you really kidnapped Mion, how could you have handled the crooked saint?
"We will see you again soon, Björn Jevič."
With those words, Runea disappeared towards Lothric Village.
As her figure disappeared beyond the forest, Helga approached me.
"You probably have a lot of questions. I understand. I'll explain everything."
She has a mountain of things she wants to ask him.
But I was so overcome with anger that it was okay.
I couldn't stand her last words, which were getting on my nerves.
"You fucking bitch! You called me without my middle last name!"
Next time I see you, I will definitely avenge this humiliation today!
[... You idiot.]
With Jin's sighing curse, all the commotion that took place in Lothric Village came to an end.
◈ Chapter 31 - 7-My Friendly Hometown