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Eugene looked around at the dumbfounded knights, then turned his gaze toward Princess Lilisain.
“Princess,” He called out.
“Yes, Your Excellency,” she answered before once again putting on her helmet and walking forward without hesitation. The holy knights faltered and made way for her, even though she was an outsider, and this was their home ground.
“W-what are you all doing?! Sirs! Brothers!” the cardinal shouted desperately, and a few holy knights hurriedly blocked Princess Lilisain’s way.
Eugene stepped forward. “Princess Lilisain is a pure-blooded member of Eland’s royal family. As such, she is able to sense the flow of mana. It’s thanks to her that we were able to trace the trail of the one who created the evil monster all the way here.”
“…!”
Eugene continued, “And my purpose is to punish the evil man who created the undead monster. Don’t tell me that the church’s holy knights are trying to sabotage it?”
“Well…”
The expressions of the holy knights blocking Princess Lilisain’s way stiffened. They glanced at each other.
‘Now, will you look at that.’
Eugene came to a rough understanding of their personality and temperament from their reactions. He was certain that they came from wealthy, prestigious families and were quite skilled. However, they appeared to be vulnerable to unexpected situations and variables. Come to think of it, even the holy knights he had faced in Count Winslon’s knight competition had been very simple and straightforward. They had devised a ploy in their own right, but it had been pathetic and boring from Eugene’s perspective.
‘I see. They don’t know much about the world, as they’ve lived isolated lives at the church. All the words they must have heard until now must have come from that little rat.’
“Sirs! What are you all doing?! You must not believe in the words of that heretic. I am the one who delivers the word of god! Do not be misled by evil! Sirs!” the cardinal continued to howl desperately, but the holy knights were still hesitating.
Eugene became convinced in his speculation, and in fact, it was true. Under normal circumstances, the holy knights would have trusted and obeyed the cardinal’s words without question. However, it was hard to do so when they saw the heads of a twin-headed ogre right in front of their eyes.
‘Heretic? That knight?’
‘But that’s the heads of an undead. I can feel the strong energy of evil.’
‘Elves detest evil, and she’s an elven royalty. Would they really lie in a church? Does that make any sense?’
The faith that the cardinal tried so hard to instill into the hearts of the holy knights was causing conflict and confusion. The holy knights were simple and naive, but they weren’t stupid.
“How unpleasant. A man who claims to deliver the words of god is calling heresy even in front of clear evidence,” Eugene suddenly said.
“W-what?!” the cardinal screamed.
Eugene continued while glaring at the cardinal with cold eyes, “Or is it because you’re trying to hide something? Is there something you can’t possibly tell to your brothers of faith?”
“You bastard!” the cardinal shouted.
“Bastard?” Eugene said. The atmosphere surrounding him suddenly shifted.
“Hiek!” The cardinal flinched. Eugene had only evoked his Fear very slightly and directed it only at the cardinal, so no one else noticed it.
“Are you insulting a duke of the Kingdom of Brantia? Are the priests of the Caylor Kingdom ungrateful, dishonorable scoundrels?” Eugene said.
“U-uah…” The cardinal remained silent while trembling. Although it was only a meager amount, the Fear of an Origin wasn’t something that ordinary humans could handle.
The cardinal’s helpless appearance was sufficient to bring deep disappointment and shame to the holy knights. Apart from anything else, Eugene had personally eliminated the undead that threatened the capital. He was a benefactor of the kingdom and the church.
So how could the cardinal be calling him names? And how could he be showing such an ugly display after being scolded?
‘Perhaps…’
‘That knight might be telling the truth.’
Eugene had proudly entered a compound protected by pure silver and divine power. They were no longer even considering the possibility of Eugene actually being a vampire. The faith of the holy knights remained strong, but a small crack had opened in their sense of loyalty toward the cardinal. The cracks quickly began to spread to the other holy knights. Even Jung Dircht, who hated Eugene the most, stared at him with bewitched eyes.
“The situation is urgent, so let’s settle it like this,” Eugene said after withdrawing his Fear.
He then continued, “Let us find evidence first before placing the blame on anyone. And I won’t ask for your cooperation, so please don’t disturb the princess and me. I simply want to find the evil wizard who created the undead. Sirs, what do you say?”
Eugene’s gaze was no longer on the cardinal but on the holy knights.
“Oh…” The holy knights were slightly touched. They were knights as well, so they were also aware of how unpleasant it was to have their honor questioned. If they had been placed in the same situation, they would have already exploded in anger. However, Eugene was showing consideration for their circumstances and was solely focused on destroying evil.
“Understood.”
“We would like to help you, sir, but not everything is clear yet… Please understand our need for prudence.”
When some of the holy knights sheathed their blades and showed their respect, the rest followed suit.
“Brotheeersss!” the cardinal shouted vehemently, but the holy knights didn’t even spare him a glance. Rather than their status or justification, it was their deep faith that was moving their hearts. Their faith was siding with Eugene—a true knight practicing honest justice and chivalry.
‘As expected, they are naïve...’
Unfortunately, the true knight was laughing insidiously inside.
“Princess, let’s go,” Eugene said.
“Yes!” Princess Lilisain answered while staring at Eugene with a charmed gaze. She was amazed at how he had gained control of the situation and shut down the cardinal and the holy knights with but a few words.
Princess Lilisain walked unhesitatingly toward the basement of the great cathedral.
***
Tap, tap, tap!
The wizard limped down the underground path with glimmering red eyes. Despite being in absolute darkness, the wizard strode forward as if he had no trouble seeing ahead. In fact, the wizard could actually see in the night as plain as day. After all, he was a member of the Tribe of Darkness.
“Heuk, heuk…” However, the wizard was breathing raggedly. It was unbefitting of a vampire, as they were known to not tire easily.
It was because part of the damage from the undead’s annihilation had been transferred over to the wizard. Taking the risk of shared damage was only natural for one to control a powerful monster like a twin-headed ogre.
‘I wish I could have had more blood. But I didn’t have time...’
The wizard was disappointed, but there was nothing he could do. If anyone else had been responsible for defeating the twin-headed ogre, he wouldn’t have been in such a hurry. However, as long as it was ‘that person,’ he had to escape as soon as possible.
‘How did he regain his strength?’
‘Did they break the covenant?’
‘No, it wasn’t simply broken. Someone has helped him...’
‘Was he also responsible for ruining things on the Carls Baggins Peninsula?’
Numerous thoughts disturbed the wizard’s mind. The wizard suddenly turned around, as he sensed something familiar.
‘W-who is it? H-how…?’
Although the wizard had become much weaker than usual, it wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t utilize the intrinsic senses of a vampire. As such, the wizard realized that someone was following him down the underground path.
‘N-no!’
The wizard tried his best to speed up. He knew that this was possibly the biggest crisis of his life. However, the chill-inducing energy only grew nearer.
‘J-just a little bit more..’
The wizard walked forward with desperation. He could feel the wind gently blowing from afar.
“Found him! Over there!”
The wizard succumbed to despair as a voice resounded behind him.
‘You...’
***
Eugene instinctively recognized the identity of the wizard gasping against the damp wall.
‘A vampire.’
He could only sense a tiny trace of Fear from the wizard, but he knew that the latter was a vampire. Moreover, they seemed to be quite a high-ranking vampire as well.
‘Should I capture him?’
While Eugene was contemplating, some of the holy knights ran out from behind Eugene with longswords containing divine power.
“You have violated god’s providence, you wicked servant of evil!”
Wooong!
The divine power of the holy knights lit up the dark passage even brighter than their torches.
“Kuaaagh!”
Eugene merely felt a bit of discomfort, but the wizard screamed and covered his face with the sleeve of his robe after coming face-to-face with divine power. The angered holy knights ravaged the wizard’s body.
‘Well, it should be fine.’
Eugene left the holy knights to their devices, thinking that the wizard was better dead than captured. Knowing that the wizard was a vampire, Eugene was certain that the wizard would definitely talk about him, which would disturb his plan.
In many ways, it was better for the wizard to die at the hands of the holy knights.
Fwooooosh!
“Kuaagh!” the wizard screamed as a white flame engulfed his body.
“As expected!” The holy knights rejoiced after confirming the wickedness of the wizard. Only monsters and beings related to necromancy and black magic would show such a reaction after being struck with a weapon of divine power.
Thud!
Finally, the wizard scattered into ashes, leaving behind only an old robe.
“We have killed an enemy of god!”
“Today! Faith has prevailed once again!”
Ooohhhhh!!!
The holy knights roared with joy. It was their most important duty and achievement to punish evil beings that stood in opposition to god.
“Great work, sirs,” Eugene said.
“N-not at all, sir!” the holy knights answered while bowing their heads with embarrassment.
“You should have finished him off. I have nothing to say.”
“My body reacted before anything as soon as I felt the evil energy exuding from him…”
In truth, the holy knights rushed forward while pretending to be angrier than they really were because they had been worried about the duke stepping forward. Besides, a knight of Eugene’s caliber should know this fact as well. If he had been pursuing merit, he could have taken care of the wizard before anyone else, and no one could have stopped him.
Nevertheless, the honorable knight had willingly conceded the glorious work in consideration of themselves. As such, the holy knights were extremely grateful to Eugene.
“Sir. I apologize once again.”
“We were caught in a moment’s delusion, which caused us to doubt a knight as brave and honorable as you, sir.”
The holy knights apologized. Eugene shook his head. “No, things like this happen sometimes when you follow god’s will. Wouldn’t you say that even this is a test of faith? I can fully understand your positions, sirs.”
“Ooohh!”
“S-sir, you are truly…”
Eugene had willingly yielded the merit, and he was even giving them face. Even if he showed a little greed or selfishness, no one would hold him accountable for it. The holy knights were accustomed to watching the political games of nobles in the capital’s royal castle and the cathedral. As such, their admiration for Eugene grew even greater.
Heretic? Traitor?
Who would dare to use vile tricks to slander such an honorable knight?
“I feel like my delusion has been lifted!”
“Sir, you are truly an honorable knight. You have opened my eyes.”
The holy knights trembled as they were overcome with emotion and passion. They complimented Eugene, and Eugene responded with a humble smile.
“You flatter me. You were the ones who accomplished this with your deep faith and noble chivalry. On the contrary, I was truly impressed by all of you. You could never bring shame to the name of a holy knight.”
“Ooohh…”
“Sir!”
Inwardly, Eugene disregarded the passionate cries of the holy knights. Instead, he busily contemplated how he could use the innocent knights. Regardless of what anyone would say, the holy knights were the strongest among the troops residing in the capital.
What if he could win them over?
‘I might not have to get my hands dirty.’
Not only would it be possible to bring down the king and the cardinal, but it would also be possible to thrust the leaders of the kingdom into chaos. Eugene knew that fanatics would fan even a small spark into the largest of flames. He knew from his experience.