Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Ruby
Chapter: 3
Chapter Tille: But My Eyes Can See
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I was momentarily flustered by Gauriel's proposal.
'Anything?... You'll grant anything?'
To receive such a proposal from the very beginning from a named character I could only see near the ending.
Even I, who received the proposal, was surprised enough to be startled.
An angel who felt disgust at God's coldness and fell to earth of his own accord.
A betrayer of God and a shield that stood on humanity's side.
And now, a pursuer who hid his identity while relying on the Holy Knight Order and hunting evil.
That was the knight standing before me now, Gauriel.
'Good. It's good, but... what exactly should I ask for?'
Several legendary items came to mind.
However, regrettably, those weren't things Gauriel possessed.
They were items obtained one by one as the gameplay progressed.
Even if I asked for them, how could Gauriel give me things he himself didn't have?
It would just be throwing a tantrum.
But I couldn't just receive some mediocre weapon and waste such an opportunity.
'Let's exclude items.'
But when I excluded items, nothing else came to mind.
At this rate, I felt like I'd end up becoming a deserter fugitive without even making a wish.
I started calculating in my head again.
'Items won't work. Becoming a disciple leads to a death route, asking for money would become useless once the great invasion happens soon... the options are too narrow.'
It was all well and good to say "anything."
Only then did I realize that the scope of what I could actually obtain wasn't that broad.
'I can't ask him to tear off and give me the divine-level abilities Gauriel possesses... hm? Abilities?...'
That was when it happened.
An idea so brilliant that even I was surprised by it came to mind.
'Ah! That's right! The Seven Knight Order. Why didn't I think of that?'
A thought that suddenly occurred while thinking about divine-level abilities.
It seemed like an opportunity to reach my second unique skill had rolled in more easily than expected.
"The Seven Knight Order."
"What did you just say..."
"That is what I desire."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Fight only against evil and realize justice.]
This was the motto of the Seven Knight Order.
In other words, a group created by humans to fight against evil while completely removed from inter-national political struggles.
What could be called a multinational special forces unit for the great demon war.
Naturally, they received abundant support for such a position.
Financial support to obtain the finest equipment.
The highest state guest treatment no matter which country they entered.
And so on and so forth.
'I won't have to worry about starving to death immediately. And I won't need to desert either.'
It was the ultimate decision that solved all my immediate worries at once.
But even this was just the appetizer.
The real thing came right after.
'Right. The Stone of Authority.'
The Stone of Authority was something that looked like a gem about the length of a finger.
The moment one became a member of the Seven Knight Order.
Those without authority could hold the Stone of Authority in their hands.
I already had one unique skill, but...
'With my passive... it's possible!'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Those skilled enough to enter the Seven Knight Order were fundamentally beings who could display transcendent abilities even without authority.
Therefore, there were cases where they were recruited without unique skills.
So when someone lacked a unique skill, the Seven Knight Order would distribute the Stones of Authority they possessed.
With talented skilled individuals plus unique skills added, the Seven Knight Order rose to become a powerful knight order of select elites respected even by other knights.
Such an impossible feat became possible because the financial power of the continent's five most powerful kingdoms combined.
Of course, naturally, entering such a position wasn't an easy task.
Even I would have given up if the person before me hadn't been Gauriel.
'But my eyes can see.'
For some unknown reason, I could see that pattern on the back of Gauriel's hand.
That's why I threw out this deal.
Because Gauriel was serving as the spiritual pillar of that heroic group.
Originally it would have been a fact kept secret, but...
Having played the original to the ending, I couldn't help but know.
"The Seven Knight Order..."
Gauriel seemed to be contemplating.
It appeared he hadn't expected me to throw out such a proposal.
He asked me back with an expression of complete incomprehension.
"I am merely an ordinary holy knight. Do you think someone like me has the authority to intervene in the Seven Knight Order?"
Was he trying to dodge responsibility?
But it didn't work on me.
"If you were merely an ordinary holy knight, that would be the case. Gauriel."
The moment his true name was mentioned,
Gauriel's face instantly hardened.
Then he shook his head from side to side.
"Well now. You're a young man with a talent for startling people. Why did someone like you end up coming here? Of all places, to Juan Fortress. Was it your own decision?"
Gauriel asked while making seemingly random deductions on his own.
It seemed he was trying to get hints about me from my expression.
But I kept my mouth shut.
"..."
No.
I had no choice but to keep it shut.
What reason could there be?
I had just closed my eyes for a moment and opened them to find myself in this state.
When I didn't answer, Gauriel continued speaking on his own.
"Hmm. It seems you don't want to answer. I don't usually like people shrouded in mystery like you. But... I'd like to make an exception this time. You must have your circumstances, right? No matter how much the opponent is a demon, one doesn't usually emit that level of anger. Normally... they're afraid."
I had been standing still, yet somehow I was becoming a person with some grand backstory.
Let it be.
I hadn't babbled any lies, so what could I do if he was doing this on his own?
"It must have taken an indescribably difficult time to gain such power. Without authority."
"..."
"But certainly... if authority were added to your transcendent abilities, you could reach a completely different dimension than before."
Having listened quietly up to that point, I could see through Gauriel's ulterior motives.
He seemed to think I wanted to enter the Seven Knight Order because of authority.
Honestly, I was surprised.
Because it was the correct answer.
'What a cunning fox. To hit the mark in one go.'
And furthermore, depending on my answer, it was also a question that could determine whether I actually possessed a unique skill or not.
If I showed interest in the Stone of Authority, it meant I didn't have a unique skill.
In the opposite case, it would mean I already had a unique skill.
Knowing an opponent's unique skill was extremely useful from a strategic perspective.
He couldn't trust me right away when I hadn't clearly shown whether I was ally or enemy yet.
I would have done the same.
I found his effort to extract even minimal information admirable.
So I decided to leak false information.
"Authority... having it is just that. Not having it is just that. Is such a thing really necessary to eliminate demons? I merely need the authority of the Seven Knight Order. The authority to strike down demons anywhere."
I actually didn't need such authority.
If possible, I didn't want to encounter demons.
However, since I was already in a situation where I had no choice but to enter, I wanted to at least pretend I didn't possess a unique skill.
I felt I needed at least that much insurance.
Would my smokescreen operation work?
Gauriel narrowed his eyes slightly.
And then... he nodded.
"Mm. If you've already reached that level, you could think that way. But there's no such thing as absolute in this world. Preparing alternatives isn't a bad thing."
Fortunately, he didn't seem to have noticed my lie.
Well, the idea of having multiple unique skills would be unimaginable even for Gauriel.
Rather, he seemed satisfied that the conversation was continuing.
So I also subtly showed agreement.
"Well. It might be of modest help in tearing apart even one more demon."
"Approaching it that way isn't bad either."
"Hmm."
Still, one anxious part remained in my heart.
Certainly, becoming a member of the Seven Knight Order would make things convenient in many ways.
However, the Seven Knight Order was, after all, a group created to fight demons.
'Since I'm becoming a member of the Seven Knight Order anyway, won't they assign me some kind of mission? If they send me on demon subjugation... that would be troublesome...'
It could become a bothersome complication.
While I was having such thoughts,
Gauriel smiled softly and continued speaking.
"Hehe. Actually, accepting your proposal would be quite a significant loss for me as well."
"What do you mean?"
"Originally, that position was one I had prepared to place a disciple I had personally trained. The Seven Knight Order is a knight order I founded. So I came to have independent appointment authority. Just for one position though. And I made arrangements so that the one position I created wouldn't receive interference from anyone."
This seemed like an incredibly sweet deal I hadn't even thought of.
I hadn't known about this part, but things were flowing in exactly the direction I wanted by good fortune.
"So while it won't receive interference from anyone... it was a position meant for someone I had trained who shared my intentions. I'm giving that to you now. I hadn't planned for this..."
"..."
"But seeing you changed my mind. No matter who I train, it would be difficult to create someone with your caliber."
Gauriel's eyes sharpened.
"And that hatred toward demons. I won't ask deeply. Everyone has their circumstances. But I was pleased with just the weight of that hatred. What I want is exactly two things. Hatred toward evil, and the power to realize that hatred. You already possess both."
I didn't particularly answer.
The reason was that I briefly contemplated myself.
'Come to think of it, why did I get so irritated earlier?...'
When I faced the demon,
I felt an uncontrollable disgust.
Actually, even now while looking at Gauriel, I was feeling such emotions, albeit faintly.
I still didn't know the reason.
'Is it just me? No. Listening to Gauriel's words, it doesn't seem like everyone gets angry. I'll need to investigate this slowly.'
Gauriel, thinking I was still contemplating his offer, finally asked:
"I'll ask just one thing. If you promise just that one thing, then I won't say anything else to you either."
"A request?"
Gauriel took out a small medal from his pocket.
Then he flicked it with his thumb and threw it to me.
Clink.
I caught it.
"Far to the north. In a place called Cha Les, there's an old ruin called Teratorium. Could you place that medal on Teratorium's altar? I have circumstances that prevent me from entering that place."
"..."
Cha Les.
And Teratorium.
A land standing at the edge of the continent.
It was a name I knew.
According to my current calculations... it was certainly a place I would have to visit at least once someday.
But right now, it was unreasonable to go there immediately.
The distance was one thing, and I needed to do some farming now to prepare for the great invasion.
While I hesitated for a moment, Gauriel added:
"I'm not asking you to do it right away. You must have come here for your own business as well. Just do it whenever you can."
"..."
"Such opportunities aren't common. I don't know if what I'm doing now is right either. What will you do? If you refuse, I won't urge you any further. You don't have much time to think. I still have things to clean up."
It didn't seem like a lie.
Gauriel was ready to leave at any moment.
"Would it be difficult?"
At his question,
I gripped the medal tightly.
'Oh well, whatever happens, happens.'
I decided to just go for it.
There wasn't really any other path, and I had already gained much from the situation.
And even if I pondered more, it wasn't like a better method would emerge.
"Deal accepted."
"Haha! Excellent. Well then, since we've ended up in the same boat, you could tell me your name at least, right? My name is Gauriel. Though you seem to already know my true name."
Nodding as a substitute for an answer,
I blurted out the first name that came to mind.
"Rohan."
"Rohan. Rohan, is it. An easy name to call. Now, let's end the introductions here. I'm quite busy with work today."
Gauriel tapped his knuckles.
"Let's continue this conversation next time."
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Gauriel disappeared into the forest like that.
Leaving me in the care of his adjutant.
The middle-aged man who had been sitting next to Gauriel in the carriage we first rode, not saying a single word, was his adjutant.
After Gauriel disappeared,
Gauriel's adjutant approached me with courtesy and introduced himself.
"I am Holy Knight Monted. I will escort you to Straun, the headquarters of the Seven Knight Order."
And then he immediately began guiding the way.
Thus began our brief journey together.
"..."
"..."
Of course, it was called a journey, but we barely had any conversation until we reached Straun.
Since he was quiet, I also felt awkward about starting conversation.
Thus we spurred our horses and were able to arrive at the Seven Knight Order's stronghold.
"This is Straun, the base of the Seven Knight Order. In the distant past, it was also the starting point of the heroes who began to resist the demons."
For the first time, Monted seemed to show signs of life, having been almost wordless until now.
"All the monks here are holy knights. Therefore, this is sacred ground that the demons' claws can absolutely never reach."
That wasn't true.
Though I couldn't say it out loud right now... this Straun monastery would also eventually crumble miserably under the demons' advance.
All life would wither.
The scene of only death and demons running rampant came to mind.
Knowing that fact, I swallowed dry saliva.
Gulp.
'I must complete preparations to survive before the great invasion begins...'
Realizing my situation once again,
I followed Monted and set foot into Straun.