Chapter 253
Chapter: 253
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 253
>Chapter Title: Attic Room (2)
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The Lilium Detachment, which had spent the night near the Sigismund Territory, entered the domain boldly only the next morning.
Seongjin made his way out of the count's residence alongside Logan to greet them. The letter had been half-joking, but in the end, it was he who had summoned them here.
"But if they arrived last night, wouldn't it have been better to just come into the territory and rest?"
At Seongjin's question, Logan slowly shook his head.
"That's speaking from knowing one thing and not the other, Lee Seongjin. You have to consider the count's residence's situation when suddenly having to host a large group of guests late at night."
Who cares about the count's residence? They owe us a ton anyway. Man, that guy overthinks everything.
As Seongjin thought this with a sullen expression, Logan glanced back with a knowing smile.
"Besides, for the Holy Knights, making a splendid entrance is the most important thing. It's not widely known to outsiders, but the first thing recruits learn upon joining the Order is how to properly don their uniforms and perform a review."
"...A review? Not swordsmanship?"
"Exactly. In a way, it pierces right to the essence of the Holy Knights. To spread the Lord's will across the world, 'showing off' splendidly is more important than wielding 'force.'"
Seongjin was dumbfounded.
Showing off splendidly?
"Isn't that a bit undignified as the duty of a Holy Knight? What even is that?"
"If it helps the faithful in any way, what does it matter? A bit of proper display and boasting can sometimes resolve many issues smoothly in advance."
As he explained, Logan curled the corner of his mouth slightly. It was a smile that seemed somewhat self-mocking.
"And you'll see for yourself, but people draw more comfort from these ceremonial displays than you'd think. Even though deep down they know it's all show."
They believe the Holy Knights' shining presence is proof that the Lord's power is fully with this land.
They're struggling with misfortunes right before their eyes, yet they comfort themselves by imagining some greater hidden purpose behind their hardships.
"...So you think there's no divine will in that? You're a Holy Knight who serves the Lord God."
"Who knows."
Logan replied with a nonchalant expression.
"How could a mere human like me presume to guess the Lord's grand plan? But watching my countrymen suffer as refugees for so long, I can't help but wonder what good any plan built on their sacrifices could possibly serve."
"......"
"...No, forget I said that. Pay it no mind."
From the territory entrance to the count's residence, a wide road was lined on both sides with more people than expected, all out to catch a glimpse of the famous Lilium Detachment.
In the bustling atmosphere, they hadn't fully hidden their weariness, but the territory folk's faces were flushed with faint relief and hope. Seongjin could see what Logan meant by 'comfort.'
And then, the Lilium Detachment came into view, slowly riding down that road.
"Hmm."
Indeed, as Logan had said. The Holy Knights in their crisp white uniforms looked uniformly steadfast and imposing.
It had been just six days since leaving the capital.
Considering they'd raced here like mad, their flawless appearance was almost unbelievable.
'Hmm? Come to think of it...!'
There was another guy who stayed pristine after a mad dash and a brutal battle.
Seongjin looked at Logan with newfound eyes, and he asked quizzically,
"Why?"
"Oh, nothing."
Is laundry the second thing Holy Knights learn after reviews?
Seongjin barely swallowed the question that rose to his throat.
"Your Highness!"
At that moment, the Lilium Holy Knights approaching drew their horses to a halt and dismounted in unison.
They'd entered the territory with stern, straight lips, but the moment Logan's gaze turned their way, their faces lit up so brightly it was palpable.
Snap!
Placing hands over their hearts in perfect salute, their eyes sparkled with an intensity that bordered on overwhelming.
"Sir Otto, Sir Elly, Sir Duisang."
Logan approached the three at the front, speaking in a bright voice.
"You've all suffered greatly, hurrying here to indulge my whim."
"This is nothing, Your Highness!"
"Indeed. I have a somewhat regrettable request—may I ask it of you? It was a long journey without rest, but I'm afraid you'll need to join the pursuit force immediately. The territory has taken significant damage, and a fair number of Lycanslopes escaped safely into the demon realm."
"Regrettable? What are you saying! We thank the Lord God for this precious chance to serve Your Highness Logan and the faithful!"
Whoa.
Seongjin stepped back a pace with a weary face.
He'd thought this before, but were these guys just Logan's die-hard fans?
'At least it doesn't seem like empty words.'
The Holy Knights moved with surprising vigor as they checked their gear. No trace of travel fatigue—truly worthy of the detachment famed for beast subjugation.
They'd even safely recovered Logan's beloved steed, which he'd had to leave behind.
"Roxana!"
At Logan's joyful call, the snow-white horse approached with quick steps. It bore the insignia of the St. Bastian Knights on its flank—a magnificent creature.
Clop clop.
Its long legs and graceful neck suggested it could run like the wind.
The horse blinked its long lashes at Logan for a moment, then lowered its head to nuzzle affectionately against his chest.
"You came back safe. I'm truly sorry for leaving you behind."
As Logan patted its neck, the horse let out a soft whinny.
Its eyes, full of affection for its master, seemed utterly gentle at first glance... but...
'Something tells me it's got a temper.'
Was it just his imagination? As he tilted his head, the quiet demon chimed in.
[What is it? That horse is putting on airs weirdly.]
'You think so too?'
[Hmph! Feels just like looking at that mutt. Bad-tempered thing only acts nice in front of its owner!]
...Why does this guy hate Max so much?
* * *
After that, the pursuit force's organization gained momentum.
From the ice wall base to the battle near the territory— the Wolf Knights had sustained various injuries, big and small, making it hard for them to perform at full capacity.
In that situation, the Lilium Detachment's joining was like rain in a drought. They were the only unit among the Holy Knights with extensive beast subjugation experience, and in a pinch, they could even handle the healers' roles.
So even Hendrik, the margrave who wasn't fond of Logan or the Holy Knights, had no choice but to accept them without protest.
Of course, that also hid the plight of the couple who led by example in the territory's affairs.
With no word on their only daughter Louise, Sir Ilma and Sir Sebastian had no time to wallow in grief. Their shoulders bore too heavy a responsibility to collapse over personal matters.
Yet they couldn't abandon the territory's duties to rush off in search of their daughter.
Sir Ilma organized the pursuit force in silence, hiding his sorrow, while Sir Sebastian rallied his troops and repaired the ice wall and canyon defenses that had once crumbled.
"Edith, did you deliver the shoes to Sir Ilma properly?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And what did he say?"
"Just... that he was grateful for you being friends with Louise."
He'd sent them shoes through Edith, but knowing Louise's true whereabouts, Seongjin couldn't help worrying.
Watching the two strong aura users grow paler by the day soured his mood, imagining their heartache.
"By the way, it's a relief you're not throwing a fit to go to the demon realm."
"What? You think I'm a kid? Why would I throw a fit?"
Seongjin scowled, and Logan blinked innocently.
"They say you're a battle maniac who dives into any commotion headfirst. Whenever something happens, you're always there."
"...That's a serious misunderstanding, man. Who said that?"
"Hmm, Sir Masain?"
"What?"
Sir Masain? The knight's faith in me is only that much?
Seongjin whipped around in shock, and Masain slyly averted his eyes.
[Put your hand on your heart and think. Can you deny it?]
'...Shut up!'
In any case, with the entire Lilium Detachment assigned to the pursuit force, Logan, their leader, naturally headed to the demon realm with them.
Meanwhile, Seongjin, who had been at the forefront during the beast uprising, decided to take a step back this time. He had no desire to court unnecessary trouble.
With Logan there, what was there to worry about? The guy would handle it.
'I'll train here and learn the ice heart control method from Father when there's time.'
The man was busy with official duties, so Seongjin would have to stay put obediently to learn properly.
Plus, Sir Masain and the guards needed some rest. Seongjin was aware he'd pushed them too hard lately.
"I'll wrap it up as quick as I can and come back. We all need to head to the capital soon."
"Yeah, sure."
As Logan turned toward the pursuit force, he suddenly remembered something and came back to Seongjin.
"Oh, right. Lee Seongjin, I have something for you."
"Hm?"
"I kept it safe, but with you collapsing suddenly, I completely forgot."
What he held out was, astonishingly, Seongjin's lost magic stone and the Glacier Troll's 'ice heart.'
"Two hearts?! Where'd you get that?"
"Found it when we caught that demon you mentioned before. Didn't you have something similar? The demon was holding it dear in both hands, so it seemed important and I kept it."
Seongjin stared at Logan in disbelief.
Wow, he did it without even being asked—competent guys really are on another level!
"Why are you so surprised?"
"Oh, nothing."
Seongjin took the cold ice chunks from him, face flushed with excitement.
Three ice hearts now. Just imagining what he could do with them made his heart race!
"As expected, you're way better than some useless Decaron Knight!"
"Gasp, Lee Seongjin!"
At Seongjin's praise, Logan startled and cautioned him discreetly.
He was worried old man Vincent, joining the pursuit force, might overhear nearby.
"The Sigismund family once ruled an independent border kingdom—a major noble house. Sir Vincent especially is a hero who guarded the southern front and greatly stabilized the Empire. Even as members of the Holy Imperial family, we must show proper respect to such a distinguished veteran."
But Seongjin snorted.
"Nah, it's fine. Don't worry. That senile old coot and I have zero need for formalities."
"What?"
A relationship comfortably trading irreverence and insults—remarkably casual, in a way.
At that, twitch. Old man Vincent's ears flicked at the front of the pursuit force.
Yeah, you listening? Then reflect deeply in your heart, you useless Decaron Knight!
"......"
The old man shot Seongjin a displeased glance but didn't bother arguing.
Seeing the famously irascible Vincent stay unusually quiet, Logan looked puzzled, alternating between the old man and Seongjin. What kind of relationship is this?
In any case, Seongjin cheerfully waved Logan off.
"Finish it quick and come back."
"You too—stay out of trouble."
"......"
...Looks like I need a serious talk with Sir Masain.
He was waving off the departing pursuit force with a sour expression when Orden approached Seongjin slowly.
"Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
Orden had also opted out of this pursuit force. Surprising, given his unmatched prowess, but Seongjin could guess it stemmed from some discord with the margrave over territory matters.
Yet after calling Seongjin over, Orden pondered long, glanced at Masain, then whispered cautiously—uncharacteristically prudent for the straightforward brute.
"If you have time, Your Highness, there's something I'd like to show you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"It's hard to explain here. I'd appreciate if you could come see for yourself. Would you accompany me?"
He hesitated a moment, gazing at Seongjin, then added softly.
"...It's about Her Highness Amelia."