Subjugation Expedition (1)

Clank, clank.

The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed through the air. Turning my head, I saw a silver-clad military force marching in perfect unison, their ranks flawlessly aligned.

Their synchronized sword dance as they approached was a magnificent sight to behold.

Though they weren't chanting any slogans, their footsteps showed not a single misstep, drawing an involuntary gasp of admiration from me.

'So that's the Holy Knight Order.'

Their silver armor glittered under the sunlight, with half-faced silver helmets obscuring their features. Each knight bore a different silver weapon—pikes, maces, hammers, shields—displaying considerable variety. Behind them walked figures draped in white robes.

Most appeared to be women, though some men were among them. These priests followed slowly behind the knights in their clerical vestments.

'Just as I'd heard.'

Numen, the holy nation built around the Goddess Church. And the Holy Knight Order, said to gather only the most elite among elites.

According to Abel's explanation, this particular contingent of holy knights comprised only the most distinguished members handpicked from the entire church.

Holy knights who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fought using divine power—the Goddess's blessing. And priests who supported from the rear with healing and additional blessings through that same divine power.

Together, they formed an impenetrable shield that even a disaster-class horde of monsters couldn't easily breach.

'Impressive.'

Though their numbers barely reached a hundred, their imposing presence rivaled that of any ordinary army. So this was the legendary Holy Knight Order of the Holy Kingdom I'd only heard about in stories.

Turning my head again, I spotted Abel standing perfectly still. He observed the military procession without the slightest hint of agitation.

Seeing his composure, I adjusted my own attire and steadied my trembling heart.

Clack.

At some unseen signal, the ranks immediately split into two, and from between them emerged an elderly man with white hair.

He walked slowly, using the staff in his hand as a walking stick.

His beard hung long enough to reach his chest, and deep wrinkles lined his face. Yet the piercingly bright eyes beneath his thick eyebrows betrayed that this was no ordinary old man.

Stroking his beard, he approached until he stood before Abel.

"It's been a long time, Duke Abel."

"Indeed it has, Your Holiness."

So this old man was the Pope.

I'd heard he was over a hundred years old this year, yet he still seemed remarkably vigorous. Despite his diminutive stature, an undeniable aura of authority emanated from him.

"Heh heh. Still full of vitality, I see."

"You flatter me."

Their gazes tangled midair as if engaged in some invisible contest of wills. Neither yielding, their conversation continued.

"You've been making quite a stir recently."

"Yes. I never imagined word would reach even the Holy Kingdom. Rumors do travel fast."

"Our Holy Kingdom has been revitalized with younger blood these days. They all keep their ears keen for news."

"How fortunate."

Was this already a battle of nerves? Despite being allies, they didn't seem particularly friendly.

After a moment of mutual scrutiny, both cracked faint smiles.

"Calling me by name now, are we? How petty of you."

"Knowing full well yet deliberately voicing it—now that's true pettiness."

"Heh heh. I suppose you're right."

As if their earlier tension had merely been playful banter, the Pope's expression softened slightly.

He fiddled with his staff for a moment before addressing Abel in a calm tone.

"So, what are your plans this time?"

"I'll be participating personally. There's no reason to hide anymore at this point."

"Oh ho... I see."

"And what of Your Holiness?"

At Abel's question, the Pope shook his head from side to side.

"This old body has aged beyond its years. I've no desire to steal opportunities from the young."

As he spoke, his quiet gaze shifted toward our group. The Pope's eyes, which had been slowly surveying our knight order, came to rest on me.

Before I could even react to that gaze, his eyes gleamed faintly. The Pope closed his eyes briefly as if lost in thought, then let out a soft sigh.

'What?'

Using his staff for support, he approached me. Standing directly before me now, the Pope slowly met my eyes.

At this distance—close enough to see individual pores—I instinctively stepped back. Unfazed by my reaction, he murmured:

"How fascinating. So this is what they mean by fate."

I found myself speechless before the Pope's profound words. As I struggled to discern his meaning, he burst into a hearty laugh and said:

"My apologies, young lady. Consider this a gift of atonement."

He pulled a slip of paper from his robe and tossed it toward me. Reacting instinctively, I reached out and barely managed to catch the thrown paper.

Unfolding my palm, I saw what appeared to be a white slip inscribed with golden characters. The paper thrummed with an immense, indescribable energy.

Even at a glance, this was no ordinary talisman.

"A Panacea Talisman. Use it when you deem it necessary."

The Holy Knight Order buzzed at the Pope's words. Judging by their reaction, it seemed to be an exceptionally precious item.

Yet to give such a thing as a mere apology gift—was the Pope always this generous? The question lingered in my mind.

Well, since he handed it to me directly, I supposed I would accept it.

But what exactly was the Pope thinking?

Abel, too, seemed to share the same suspicion, eyeing him with a dubious gaze.

"What are you scheming?"

"Hoho. That piercing stare of yours could bore right through me."

The Pope ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dismissed his gaze as if it were nothing of consequence.

Abel, likewise, didn't press further, exhaling only a sigh before letting the matter drop.

"Then, shall we begin?"

At the Pope's words, Abel gave a silent nod.

Simultaneously, a black-eyed priestess stepped between them. She promptly drew a scroll from within her robes.

With bony fingers, she unfurled the parchment vertically. Inside, black ink spelled out words I couldn't decipher.

Was this the Alliance Treaty between the Holy Nation of Numen and the Arieh Empire?

Without so much as a tremble before the gathered crowd, she began reciting the treaty in a composed voice.

Most of its contents detailed what constituted betrayal of the alliance and the penalties for such acts.

Yet among them, one final clause stood out starkly.

"Article 10: The Holy Nation of Numen shall not cooperate with the Imperial House of the Arieh Empire."

The Imperial House.

Come to think of it, the only knight order from the Arieh Empire participating in this subjugation was Abel's Black Crow Knights.

No wonder I hadn't seen any knights from the Imperial House—this clause must be the reason.

Still, the question of why lingered stubbornly in my mind. Perhaps the Holy Nation of Numen also recognized the Imperial House's threat?

The thought crossed my mind, but there was no way to confirm it.

"The terms of the alliance have hereby been reaffirmed. Do both parties find them acceptable?"

"This old man sees no issue. And you, Duke?"

Abel, who had been quietly studying the parchment, extended his hand slightly. His eyes gleamed silver before a pure white light swept across the document.

"No objections here."

With those final words, light seeped from the parchment. The mana of both the Pope and Abel was absorbed into the paper, and soon after, radiant white light burst forth from its inscribed letters.

Drafting a new treaty with the same terms each time was a tedious affair.

Yet they insisted on doing so—as a symbolic gesture to reinforce trust between both sides.

Given that the alliance between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire lacked strong cohesion, this ritual was all the more necessary.

"On this day, we hereby declare the cooperation between the Black Crow Knights and the Holy Knight Order."

Waaah!

Following the priestess's proclamation, a thunderous cheer erupted from our side. Not to be outdone, the Holy Knight Order raised their voices in an equally deafening roar.

"Let us work well together once more."

"I should be the one saying that."

With this, the preparations for the subjugation expedition were complete. According to Abel, today would be spent reorganizing, and the real battle would begin in earnest tomorrow.

Would we be facing a calamity-level monster similar to the one we saw back then?

The thought alone sent a ripple of tension through me.

I knew the creature Evan had fought back then was among the stronger specimens of its class. But even so, I couldn't help the tremor in my hands.

Abel, noticing my unease, placed a light hand on my shoulder. His voice was calm as he asked,

"Nervous?"

"...Yes." ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Unable to deny it, I gave a small nod. Seeing me like this, Abel chuckled softly before speaking again.

"There's no need to worry too much. No casualties have ever occurred during a subjugation."

"That's... reassuring to hear."

I took deep breaths, steadying the tremors. As Abel said, there was no point in dwelling on fear. After all, the Holy Kingdom's healing priests would be with us.

And I still have... my last resort.

The Regression Ability.

I didn't want to rely on it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if possible. I prayed I'd never have to—but human affairs were unpredictable.

Still, I'd abandoned any thought of using regression to manipulate outcomes. I'd resolved not to depend on that power anymore.

[Don't overthink it, Contractor. I'll do my best to support you too.]

Yeah... You're right. Thanks for worrying about me.

[I wasn't worried, exactly.]

Silpi's grumbling voice echoed in my mind. Over the past month of training, I'd grown closer to him through our conversations.

Thanks to that, my Spirit Affinity had improved enough that we could now communicate without him needing to manifest physically.

"Then get some proper rest. Tomorrow marks the beginning."

"Right. You too, Abel."

At my words, he nodded and turned away. Watching his retreating figure, I soon averted my gaze as well.

First comes the assignments.

For efficient subjugation, the Holy Knight Order and the Black Crow Knights would be divided into escort teams and subjugation teams.

Moreover, the operation would proceed in small, coordinated squads. So, who I ended up paired with mattered more than I'd like to admit.

Wonder how it'll turn out...

I was a little anxious, admittedly.

But at the same time—I couldn't help but feel excited.