Chapter 327
Chapter 327
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.69 – The Knight Cheers for the Youths (6)
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The Brass Knights. Lee Han had heard the name before.
One of the three largest factions among the Blood Cross Army, which was organized so meticulously it resembled an ant colony.
His old comrades, who had once been part of that swarm, had said:
"They're only called knights on paper. The Brass Knights are a den of half-demons. They've always focused on demon research. Sure, the Black Apostles did plenty of inhumane experiments, but the Brass Knights are no slouches either. No, they might be even worse—they don't hesitate to kidnap people or animals for their experiments."
They were all kidnapping people for experiments anyway, so arguing over who was worse seemed ridiculous. But Lee Han got the point.
While the Black Apostles, back when they were known as the Black Moon assassin group, at least kept things discreet and cautious out of consideration for public eyes, the Brass Knights were an utterly radical bunch.
A group that would stoop to any level of cruelty, sparing no means to achieve their goals.
And as far as Lee Han knew, crazies who disregarded all methods were dangerous.
'Terrorists who might do anything.'
They were impossible to predict.
That was why.
"...You're really saying they've infiltrated the capital?"
"Certain. There are at least fifty demon-bearers in the capital right now."
The woman nodded calmly in response.
"They're still ignoring the kingdom and the temples. After all that, you think they're letting their guard down?"
Pierre sneered.
Her eyes evoked the image of rats scurrying about, deluded into thinking they controlled the situation, preparing to rampage everywhere.
However.
"Then why didn't you stop them if you knew?"
Lee Han chided her.
If you knew, why not block them in advance? Why scramble now? And yet act all high and mighty.
It was a rebuke loaded with multiple meanings, and at those words...
"......"
Pierre averted her gaze.
Still expressionless, but somehow embarrassed...
Lee Han accepted Raphael's request.
If it had been from the temple folks, he'd have flipped them the bird. But it was Raphael's personal ask, and besides, those cultists weren't just hated by the temples anymore.
'These disgusting pests...!'
They were vermin even Lee Han didn't hesitate to loathe.
At some point, they'd become targets for extermination on par with spellcasters, so that alone was reason enough to take the job.
But accepting it didn't mean he was thrilled...
"Why the hell let them into the kingdom—hell, right into the noble crowds—when you knew they were coming at this exact time?"
"...!"
"Speak, you bastard."
"I-I can talk if you let go of my collar..."
"...Oh. Right."
In a private room of a rundown inn, Pierre tumbled free from his grip with a thud! She hacked and coughed as if she'd barely survived.
He was handling her roughly, to put it mildly.
Not that she was a woman deserving gentle treatment, but she was temple-assigned personnel, and yet he treated her harshly. Still, Pierre lacked the courage to stand up to him.
It wasn't just fear from glimpsing death at his hands.
No, Pierre simply couldn't defy him.
...She had long since lost his trust.
She was the one who had branded herself worse than a beast in the eyes of Lee Han, who preached gender equality yet always showed a shred of kindness to women.
It was self-inflicted.
'Lucky he doesn't kill me.'
Pierre had betrayed his trust multiple times and disappointed him often.
'Even ditched the academy on her own whim to run back to the temple.'
To be blunt, without Raphael's protection, she'd have died by his hand long ago.
She was that much of a sinner to him.
Too much so to complain about the rough handling...
And so, enduring the pain in her throat and rear, Pierre continued.
"Hoo... To start, we're not hiding Brass Knights intel without reason. The royals and temple higher-ups even suggested canceling the gathering."
"Canceling?"
"Yes. As you know, they're a dangerous bunch with no regard for means. We've barely held them off so far, but after the vampire sighting and the high demon descent, the top brass isn't underestimating them anymore... But the problem is, we 'held them off too well.' Petitions started pouring in from below."
"What're you talking about?"
"...Some recognize the threat, but others still don't see the Blood Cross Army as a crisis."
"?"
Lee Han tilted his head.
Not because he didn't understand, but precisely because he did.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Then,
"It's because you did too good a job. Most people aren't feeling the crisis."
"What?"
"Think about your achievements."
"Achievements?"
"...What if you don't even know what you've done?"
Pierre listed out his feats one by one.
"You captured those illegal mages posing as instructors."
"Oh, those spellcaster bastards? Yeah, we rescued some kidnapped instructors too. Lucky some survived and are recovering well... Hmm, should visit them sometime."
An incident that nearly killed countless academy cadets.
"You stopped the demon beast horde led by the Vampire King."
"Wasn't just me—my kids helped, and the old man clinched it."
An event that nearly collapsed not just the academy, but the capital.
"You first discovered half-demons in the tunnels and eliminated the Mother Worm and others."
"It was hot down there. Got buried underground too."
A force that could have threatened the kingdom undetected.
"You thwarted the sultan's schemes and toppled the mage tower plotting against the capital."
"Wasn't solo, but yeah."
The sultanate threat and imperial collapse removed dangers from the kingdom.
"...You captured enemy leaders, including half-demons, at the Grand Temple."
"Didn't that whole temple burn down in the end?"
The reason it ended with just the temple's destruction.
"You saved the Sword Saint in Offen, uncovered demonization intel..."
"Wasn't intentional, but true."
Crucial info gained, preventing the Sword Duke's grief-stricken retirement.
"You wiped out over thirty Blood Cross Army splinter groups?"
"The fake Hao Sect Leader helped a ton."
"...And ultimately, you slew a high demon, rallied the knights, and swept away hundreds of thousands of demon beasts."
"Not solo, I said."
...He had saved the kingdom—no, the entire south.
"So, what about it?"
"......"
"Why the look?"
"...Impressive, all over again."
Yes, he was the 'hero' who resolved every crisis in the south.
The problem was more people didn't know he was the hero. But the man himself didn't care.
He even preferred avoiding the hassle.
Hence, impressive.
Not weighing pros and cons, but fighting purely by his convictions and heart—that yielded these results.
Thus, he needed no reward.
If he wanted something, he'd seize it himself!
...And as a result.
"...Most think the Blood Cross Army isn't that strong, so you and a few others handled everything. When really, you're the impressive ones."
"...They haven't seen blood themselves, so stories of danger don't feel real?"
"Pretty much. Idiots."
"......No, I get it."
"?"
Lee Han had once been a soldier, even deployed overseas.
That taught him people don't feel crisis unless they suffer personally.
Tell them war abroad could spread here—does anyone listen?
Without seeing blood themselves, they chase personal gain. Human nature.
Proof of peace, evidence someone else bleeds behind the scenes.
And the one who bled and fought was...
"Fine. So some fools aren't sensing crisis and whine to party on? And even if cultists sneaked in, they're pushovers—capture 'em for intel, right? That other folks' opinion?"
"Spot on. Sharp as ever."
"Sharp? High-and-mighties all think alike."
He hadn't expected better.
That was the plan. Pierre paused at the sight...
"...Aren't you pissed? It's the peace you bled for. Don't you resent them ignoring it to party?"
"Why would I?"
"......"
"Weird thing to say. Why get mad? They'll see blood soon enough."
"?"
"You're misunderstanding. I didn't volunteer for those things to sacrifice for strangers. Loyalty to the kingdom? Even less."
"...Then?"
"It involved my people."
"......"
"So in that sense, I don't mind if they underestimate the cultists. Them slacking off? Fine too. After all..."
"—Even if those fools die, I won't shed a tear."
"......"
"Harsh?"
"......No, I'm impressed."
In that moment, Pierre was certain.
She understood why he'd never failed in all those incidents.
'He draws a hard line between himself and outsiders.'
Thoroughly, ruthlessly.
'This man's no self-sacrificing hero. He's a fighter who picks his battles and who to protect.'
For the first time, Pierre felt a strange thrill glimpsing the man's true nature.
Then.
Knock knock.
Startled!
The sudden presence made Pierre tense.
It was a discreet inn room, unknown to others.
Yet an unfamiliar knock at the door. Fearing the Brass Knights had caught on, she reached for her gun when—
Creak!
Lee Han flung the door open.
"Finally here?"
"Haha, sorry, Sir Lee Han. Took time gathering the docs you asked for."
"Whatever, you made the deadline. Reliable as ever, Hao Sect Leader."
"...Always wondered—what does 'Hao Sect Leader' even mean, Sir Lee Han?"
The man grumbled as he entered. Pierre blinked at him.
But regardless.
"Clothes?"
"Here. And this."
"Looks pricey."
"Is. From a high-end salon. But it'll pay off, haha."
"Bill the temple later. I'm broke."
"Would I charge you, Sir Lee Han? Never."
The two men bantered amiably. Pierre felt a sudden dread.
Not from the unexpected guest.
Her dread stemmed from...
Shhh!
"Put this on."
"...This?"
"Can't you tell? It's a dress."
"...I know, but why do I have to wear it?"
"You said cultists are hiding in the capital. Mixed with nobles."
"Th-that's true, but..."
"So how do we catch 'em?"
"......"
"Duh. To catch a tiger, enter its den. Gotta go in ourselves."
"G-got it, but why me in a dress..."
"Your talents will make it easier."
"T-talents?"
As her anxiety peaked and sweat beaded, sure enough—from his mouth—
"Deploy, Succubus. Become the party queen bee."
"......"
The cruel order dropped.
...The light faded swiftly from Pierre's eyes.