Archbishop Sernos 1
Millein stood there blankly, staring at Licht. It would be a lie to say he hadn't expected it. When Del hadn't even been able to react before his sword snapped in two, the possibility had flickered through his mind. He knew it meant dragging him into mortal danger, and he'd thought it brazen too. But now, all those thoughts were pointless. His resolve to die felt utterly hollow.
He's no swordsman. Magic?
Overwhelming power. He'd killed two Expert knights single-handedly. One of them had even been a top-tier Expert. Werner Alder. The sharpest blade at the first son's command. He looked about the same age as Millein himself—how could he possess such strength?
Millein pushed the questions rising in his mind to a distant corner. The others were doing the same. They simply stood frozen, watching Licht.
The priest, who had been gasping for breath nonstop, finally managed to open his mouth.
"E-Executioner...?"
"......"
"I... I know nothing about it. The Executioners' missions are the utmost secret from the start. What could a wretch like me possibly know...?"
"You know nothing?"
Licht narrowed his eyes. That wasn't the answer he wanted. He'd assumed a high priest like this would be close to Archbishop Sernos and have at least some information on the Executioners' movements.
But he knows nothing.
Suicide was impossible. It went against their doctrines. Even now, the priest's eyes were filled with terror. His vision must be blurring from all the blood loss. He knew Licht wouldn't spare him. And he knew a wrong answer meant no peaceful rest.
It seemed like he was telling the truth at a glance.
If he's lying...
Licht raised the Ascension Sword and drove it into the priest's forearm.
Puuk!
"Gaaahhh!"
"The young master still shows no mercy in his strikes..."
Jack, who had once witnessed Licht interrogating someone, shook his head with a wry smile.
Licht grabbed the writhing priest's face. As their eyes met, the man forgot to scream, sobbing and hiccuping tears.
"I won't ask twice."
"Uwaaa... Aaaak..."
"Are there Executioners in the Alder Duchy?"
"I don't know... I don't know! Even Archbishop Sernos said nothing about it!"
A desperate cry. Licht silently gazed down at the priest's face.
Not a lie.
He didn't seem skilled at hiding his emotions. Nor was he some rigorously trained assassin. A high priest would have lived a life of luxury and glory.
They haven't arrived yet?
Licht couldn't pinpoint exactly where on the continent the Executioners were right now. But he could roughly guess their destination. The place hiding the abducted mages en masse. The capital of the Alder Duchy, Bailen.
Even Archbishop Sernos doesn't know the Executioners are moving. Or maybe he just didn't tell this one.
Or perhaps Licht's hunch was completely off-base. Licht stood silently.
The priest, still weeping profusely, mumbled in a trembling voice.
"P-Please... spare me... If you just let me live, I swear I won't breathe a word of this."
"You colluded with the first son—no, the crown prince—to kill the second son."
"Th-That's...! I... I was just following orders! How could a mere priest like me defy the archbishop's command?!"
"......"
Licht didn't respond. He remembered what the man had said with that sly grin before the fight broke out. Leaning down, he brought his mouth to the priest's ear and whispered just loud enough for him alone to hear.
"The abducted mages. They're in Bailen, aren't they?"
"......!"
"So that's it."
Licht straightened up and raised the Ascension Sword. That reaction just now—the momentary tremor in his body and eyes—had been answer enough.
Seeing the flashing blade, the priest cried out desperately.
"Wait, please! If you charge into Bailen like this, you'll definitely arouse suspicion. Let me handle it somehow...!"
Sraaak!
Licht didn't listen. He swung the Ascension Sword, and the priest's head cleanly severed, rolling across the ground. Just like the young man's corpse, his eyes were wide open in death.
Licht shook off the blood lightly and sheathed the blade.
Tak.
"All done?"
Jack asked. The rain had by now weakened to a faint drizzle.
"Camping here... doesn't look promising. The horses are worn out too. If tomorrow's weather holds, we could arrive even earlier."
Ranin looked curious about a lot of things but held his tongue. About the sudden questions on the Executioners, most likely. He seemed content to wait until Licht explained himself.
"Any good spots to camp nearby?"
The air reeked of blood. There were fifteen corpses strewn about.
"There is a decent place close by."
"Let's go now."
Licht replied curtly. The four swords scattered haphazardly around floated back into the air, then slotted neatly into the horse's saddle sheaths as before.
"Haha..."
Millein alternated his gaze between Licht and the horses, too stunned now even to be surprised.
***
As dawn broke, the rain noticeably weakened. Licht and his five companions raced unimpeded along the main road stretching from Bailen's southern gate.
It was a main road in name only—not paved with blocks like the streets inside the city walls. The rain-soaked mud still squelched underfoot, and the damp air and rain seeping through their cloaks were just as unpleasant as ever. Even so, they made good time. Thanks to the Haste spell Licht had cast.
He hadn't used his unique magic, Tempest. He knew he'd lose control, and the horses would stumble.
"So, Sir Jack, that means you've got over twenty years as a mercenary?"
"You bet. Might look pathetic to a young lord like you, but I've made quite a name for myself in El Sion."
"Having a silver mercenary tag is proof of considerable skill. Though there's a huge gap even among them..."
"Spot on. Even among silver ranks, the skill gap is massive. Take Jack here—he hasn't been silver for long."
"We're all silver rank; it's all the same."
"Still, it's rare for mercenaries to channel aura into their blades. You exceeded expectations."
"See? Even the knight admits it. The mage too."
"Then is Lord Licht gold rank?"
"Huh? Oh, the young master's got a wooden tag."
"Wooden...?"
"He literally became a mercenary the other day. Though purely on skill, he'd outclass gold."
In just a few short days—perhaps because they'd crossed the line between life and death together—the five had grown close, regardless of status.
With Ranin leading at the front, Licht silently gripped the reins. The sun was setting, draping everything in twilight hues. The gates of Bailen, capital of the Alder Duchy.
Millein and his two companions had concealed their identities. If they were exposed during inspection, word would reach the crown prince and Archbishop Sernos for sure. That would cast suspicion on Licht, Jack, and Ranin too.
No need to invite that hassle when it would only restrict their movements. Jack and Ranin's silver mercenary tags, emblazoned with El Sion's crest, sufficed.
High-rank tags were practically a mark of identity in themselves. Especially paired tags, which required both achievements and proven skill—enough to breeze through most inspections anywhere.
They cut through the long inspection line, passed the massive walls, and reached the southern gate entrance of Bailen.
"Lord Licht, Sir Jack, Sir Ranin. Thank you so much. We made it safely thanks to you."
"The Alder family doesn't forget favors. We'll repay this debt."
"Thank you. You saved our lives."
The three, cloaked head to toe, bowed deeply in gratitude. Once inside Bailen, it wouldn't take long to reach the main Alder estate.
"When you return to your family."
"Yes, as you said, Lord Licht, we'll keep as low a profile as possible."
They couldn't exactly rampage in the heart of the Alder capital. They needed leads before striking at the crown prince and Archbishop Sernos. He'd already coordinated with Millein: hole up and play dead until the time came. Millein, Del, and Jamel had agreed without objection. They had no other choice. Staying put meant death. To them, Licht was their last thread of hope.
"Sir Del."
"Yes?"
"How much support does the second son have within the Alder family?"
"...It's embarrassing to admit, but practically none. The crown prince has all but secured succession, and his maternal family's influence is overwhelming."
"If something like this happens again."
"Even so, they won't act openly within the family. He's far too cautious."
"I see."
"Yes. Even with Werner and others from the crown prince's side dead, they won't confront us directly. It would be admitting they ordered the assassination first."
"Lord Licht."
No sooner had Del finished than Millein spoke up again.
"Before, you asked if I was prepared to kill my brother and claim the crown."
Licht nodded slightly.
"I've been wrestling with it ever since. Wondering what I should do."
His eyes burned with resolve.
"If necessary, I will. If it were just me, maybe not... but..."
Millein glanced at Del and Jamel standing guard behind him.
"I've got lives depending on me now. I won't go down without a fight."
With that, Millein gave a small smile. The three bowed once more and departed.
Jack and Ranin fixed their gazes on Licht.
"So, what's the plan?"
At Jack's question, Licht silently lifted his eyes.
The evening sky, dyed red by the sunset. And below it, the throngs of people passing through Bailen's southern gate.
"As promised, the original commission ends here."
"Additional commission?"
"Like I said when we started, this could really get you killed."
After a moment's thought, Licht explained the situation: tracking the abducted mages, and the possibility he himself was being hunted by Executioners.
"Whoa..."
"That's what I was asking the priest about yesterday..."
Jack and Ranin let out heavy sighs. This wasn't just an Alder Duchy issue. The Palenia Holy Kingdom was involved—a whole different level.
"You can head back now. If the pay's insufficient..."
"Nah."
But Jack switched expressions just like last time.
"We'll take another one. The add-on we got was from the Alder lordling—we haven't gotten yours yet."
"......"
"Right? We're in, obviously?"
"Haa..."
Ranin sighed deeply, looking half-resigned.
"We're already too deep in this mess. Pulling out now probably wouldn't change much anyway."
"Exactly!"
"...Lord Licht. The original commission ends here and now, but I'll ask once more. Do you wish to issue an additional commission?"
Licht silently studied their faces. The rugged mercenary's shadowed features in the sunset glow, and the slender guide's.
He didn't deliberate long. Licht flicked two gold coins into the air.
"Additional commission."
"Details?"
"Track the missing mages and gather intel."
"Easy enough."
"It'll cost you your lives."
"That's mercenary work for ya."
They needed information. A guide wasn't just good for geography and politics—he excelled at intel gathering and tracking too. He'd be invaluable.
Still, Licht had hesitated because he didn't want to drag them into his mess.
But now...
"We start tomorrow?"
Jack barked a hearty laugh. Licht nodded.
"Gotta hit up an info broker first thing tomorrow. What about you, Lord Licht? Got separate business?"
"I do."
Ranin asked. Licht turned his head.
The Alder capital, Bailen, bathed in red. And at the southern edge, starkly visible even from afar: the towering white spire.
The seat of the Alder Diocese. Bailen Cathedral.
"A place to visit."