Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.44 – The Knight Hates Romantasy Events (6)
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...I knew from the start that there was some creep peeking at me disgustingly.
Even so, the reason Lee Han hadn't caught him yet was because he figured the guy might bolt if he acted like he knew.
'Not bad after all.'
Lee Han nodded as he scanned the muscles of the man who'd hidden in the woods and finally taken an axe to the gut.
Just from the build and bones, it was clear he was no slouch—a real 'expert'.
Good thing I played along. He'd have run for sure otherwise.
"That man...!"
"You know him?"
"...He's Senior Heresy Inquisitor Toner, who transferred to the [Holy Knight Order]. He's way beyond someone like me. Why was a guy like that hiding? And how did you take him down in one hit...?"
"Now even holy knights are crawling out of the woodwork?"
Lee Han stomped hard on the so-called holy knight Toner's gut.
Crunch!
"Aaaagh!"
Definitely an expert.
Even with an axe through his belly, the guy was still kicking.
Proof of his ferocious vitality. Lee Han pressed down harder, grinding his heel.
"Guhhh! S-stop, please stop...!"
Toner had come to and was begging, but Lee Han ignored him completely.
Their playbook was always the same anyway.
First came the threats: 'The temple won't forgive you!' If that flopped, the bribes: 'We'll make it worth your while! Just cooperate!' And if nothing worked...
"D-do you think the Light will forgive such atrocities?!"
"...I'm so sick of this crap."
They'd invoke the gods...
Lee Han was getting tired of dealing with these lunatics.
Why couldn't they just leave him be?
So.
"Hey, timid."
"Y-yes?"
"Round up some people."
"Who did you have in mind—?"
"Blackie and Chick Dad."
"......"
"What?"
"...Just feels like the peace is over."
"What nonsense is that?"
There'd never been any peace to begin with.
It wasn't long before people swarmed around Lee Han's house after the call.
"Greetings, Sir Lee Han."
Galahad's shadows.
"First time meeting you. Sir Turtle. I've heard plenty. Shame our introduction has to be like this."
A knight from Lionel.
The two most powerful forces representing the southern continent had gathered, and they got straight to work without a word.
"This scum dared insult House Galahad and the lady?"
"The temple of all things—!"
"You won't die easy. No, we'll teach you—and everyone connected to you—that hell exists in this life...!"
Word was Galahad already harbored grudges against religious powers, and with Irene insulted, his shadows had gone fully feral. Those linked to the nameless priest were in for fates worse than death.
"I've always been curious about the temple. Guess I'll get some answers now."
"Don't go too rough. The young master said bring them alive."
"Sure, but we should chop off their arms and legs just in case they run. Oh, no worries, Sir Turtle. We won't spill blood here."
Lionel's men didn't seem to hold personal grudges against the temple, but they followed orders to the letter—cold, mechanical, efficient.
"That said, Sir Lee Han, couldn't you hand over those inquisitors too? Can't trust 'em not to flip. Better with us if you can."
"Ours over Galahad's, right?"
"...The snowfield cats don't know their place."
"Better than you shady bastards, don't you think? You little colts."
"......"
"Don't just glare—bring it if you dare."
"...Fight somewhere else if you're gonna."
Calling both factions at once might've been a mistake.
The staring contest was intense. Lee Han shrugged.
No gratitude for the rice cakes, just infighting. Typical.
"U-um, y-you're not handing us over, are you?"
"S-Sir Lee Han! P-please, we're begging! Don't give us to them!"
"We didn't know anything—!"
Since Galahad's and Lionel's knights arrived, the heresy inquisitors had been pale as ghosts, trembling like they were on pins and needles. Now they were flailing for survival.
Handed over, they'd suffer worse than death.
So they clung to Lee Han.
Their one lifeline.
"Who'd think I'm the one killing you? I just spared you."
"Ah, Sir Lee Han!"
"...Assuming you're innocent, that is."
"......Y-yes?"
"Looks like they're here."
"??"
He jerked his chin ahead, but nothing was there.
What was coming...?
"-Hoho, impressive. You've started sensing my presence? Remarkable progress."
......When had he been there?
Eyes bulged. It was like the man popped out of thin air on barren ground—no presence at all.
Ghostly.
But even under the knights' stares, the elderly butler in his formal attire just smiled kindly and strolled over leisurely.
"Long time no see, butler."
"Likewise."
"...I didn't say I was glad."
"Doesn't your gaze say it for you? I see joy in your eyes, Sir Lee Han."
"J-joy? Or maybe fear and trembling?"
"You've got jokes now, eh? Hohoho."
"...If you say so, butler."
Lee Han bowed deeply, conceding.
He was always polite to elders (monsters excepted), but extra so now. Sweat beaded on his brow.
Rain-like sweat poured, but he didn't dare wipe it, head bowed.
......He hadn't realized before, but now that he'd grown a bit, he got it.
This man was truly—
'A [superhuman].'
He'd known, but feeling that power up close made it real—body screaming.
The other was no mere human in disguise; something else entirely. Lee Han panted.
No fight, yet utterly drained. Stamina conservation impossible.
A few words felt like five marathons.
To such a Lee Han.
"You've grown too fast. Your senses and stamina allocation are still rough. Fix that, and breathing will come easier."
The butler offered advice freely, patting his shoulder encouragingly.
Then his gaze shifted to the heresy inquisitors.
Not the warmth for Lee Han, but icy shards of glass.
Meeting it silenced them all—no one dared speak.
......Instinct.
The primal urge: don't defy this man.
And so.
"Follow me. I'll guide you."
He'd merely 'said' it, and the inquisitors—
Step, step...
—followed.
With utter 'certainty' they mustn't resist.
"-If you're honest and truthful, you won't die."
Lee Han nodded.
Good call sending that letter.
Just.
'Didn't expect the butler himself.'
He'd figured someone would come—not him specifically.
"Albert... John Ray Albert..."
"S-Sir Lee Han, you're acquainted!?"
The knights clocked the butler—Albert—instantly.
No amateurs here; they'd sensed his unfathomable strength.
Plus, the superhuman in butler garb was infamous. Easy to spot.
"Just know his face, happened to meet."
"Looked friendly enough."
"Friendly? Nah, I was groveling. Flip it: could you be rude to him?"
"Impossible."
"Right? He's a forced politeness machine."
"S-so you are close."
"...Misunderstanding."
Unwanted assumptions brewed, but he let it slide.
Especially since—
'Thanks to the butler, no pointless brawls. Lucky break?'
He'd considered handing the interns to Galahad or Lionel, but favoring one risked disaster—and blowback on him.
So he called the royals—or rather, his sister.
Sure enough, manpower arrived fast. Kept the houses from clashing.
But.
'Feels like I'm catching misunderstandings instead...'
He saw the looks flicking between him and Albert: 'No way...'
Misconceptions multiplying live. Lee Han swallowed a groan.
Maybe.
'That auntie orchestrated this?'
Why the butler? Probably a warning shot to the factions.
[-Mine.]
It echoed like that. He smiled bitterly.
Such needless drama.
"Sigh..."
"A sigh? Good. Deep breaths are healthy for the mind. Rest up."
"...Not scared off my luck?"
"Why would luck flee?"
"......Just nonsense."
"Hm?"
Albert's smile remained unreadable.
He'd answer anything, but vaguely.
So.
"See you later. I'll bring decent wine. Drink then."
"Oho, drinks with Sir Lee Han? Already looking forward."
Albert showed genuine anticipation—almost glee.
First real emotion. He eyed Lee Han a moment.
Suddenly.
"...Meant to just peek and go, but I'll share an amusing tidbit."
"A-amusing?"
"Indeed. Why the temple's gone mad targeting Lady Irene Windler."
"......?"
...Not just power grabbing?
Lee Han blinked at the surprise. Albert continued.
"Lady Irene Windler seems the top 'saintess candidate.' The temple's dead set on kidnapping or swaying her. Hohoho."
"?"
"Amusing, no? With a saintess, pope's no issue. They'd reclaim the [Pope] title from the war god. Expect more hunters soon. Intriguing."
"??"
"No worries. If they cross the line, I'll visit the temple. Hohoho."
"......"
Lee Han thought himself rude, but words failed him.
He was that floored.
Because.
Wh-what'd he say?
...Saintess?
That shut-in—?
"......"
Swipe.
With plains-dweller vision, Lee Han's eyes turned next door.
"That... saintess (candidate)?"
In the yard, a yellow chick peered through a telescope at his house, grinning cheekily. Lee Han's distrust of the temple only deepened.