Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Land of the Withdrawn Knights (1)
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Before leaving the Papal Territory, I bid farewell to Bishop Mateur.
Bishop Mateur, who usually only worked at his desk, had lost a ton of weight from all the hardship of traveling with us.
"You look sharper now—more handsome than ever, Bishop."
"R-Really?"
"Let's meet again soon. We'll probably be working together before long."
"I'd rather pass..."
After parting with Mateur, I headed to the Intelligence Office and met Hypnos.
"Just what the hell are you, anyway?"
Hypnos, still maintaining the appearance of an elderly woman, grilled me.
"This whole thing—you orchestrated it all, didn't you? Using the info you got from me."
"I just took advantage of the power struggle between Cardinal Versachio and Cardinal Epitraus."
"You're really sixteen? I can't wrap my head around it."
Hypnos shook her head in disbelief.
"Thanks to this, Cardinal Epitraus will fully take control of the Holy Spirit Church. He'll be elected as the next Pope before long."
"Cardinal Versachio's been ousted, and there are no more obstacles?"
"Yeah. The Holy Empire's government and the Holy Knights will welcome it too. It's basically a done deal."
"Then the Intelligence Office should align with Cardinal Epitraus to come out ahead."
"I'm... not really chasing power."
"Oh?"
"I just want to keep gathering intel here and there, raise the kids, and die peacefully. That's my goal."
He seemed genuinely content with his current life.
"Got it. I respect your choice."
"Whether you respect it or not doesn't matter to me."
I turned away, leaving the grumbling Hypnos behind.
"Take care, Hypnos."
"...Who the hell are you, really?"
Hypnos seemed to have caught on to something.
But I decided not to give him any more hints.
"If the chance comes up, see you next time."
And with that, I parted ways with my old subordinate.
* * *
On the way back, we ended up traveling separately from Kurt and the Inquisition Knights.
They'd only accompanied us for the safe transport of the Holy Grail, so there was no need to stick together anymore.
The Inquisition Knights were heading to another region for a different mission.
"You've done great work, Sion."
Kurt clapped me on the shoulder encouragingly.
"This all happened thanks to you. Without you, even Cardinal Epitraus might've lost his life."
"It was only possible because you stepped in, Father."
"Even without me, it would've turned out the same."
The look in Kurt's eyes held boundless trust.
It was a far cry from the old days when he'd wanted to lock me away in the mansion for my protection.
"By the way, Sion—that technique you used to check Gavrius."
"Oh, that?"
"Yeah, the one where you infuse lightning power into your sword and unleash it at blinding speed. Last time, they said it reacted to Archbishop Sapphirus's thunder magic, but now you can use it anytime?"
"Yeah, seems like it."
It was originally a technique I'd developed by adapting thunder magic back in Archbishop Hausel's days.
But I brushed it off as the power of the lightning spirit dwelling in Ashurai.
"Ashurai must hold some unknown power. Study it well. There might be other spirits' powers that emerge besides lightning."
"Yes, sir."
"It's a strange feeling, seeing you wield the Demon Spirit Sword that Archbishop Hausel used."
Kurt gave a wry smile.
"Father."
"Yeah?"
"It's been ages since Archbishop Hausel died, but he still lingers in your memory, huh."
Archbishop Sapphirus was still kicking around, but Hausel had died sixteen years ago.
"He left... such a strong impression on me."
"..."
"My goal was always to surpass that man. He was the enemy, but he was incredible."
Deep emotion filled Kurt's voice.
"We never got to settle things for good. I really wanted to beat him. It's a shame."
"Archbishop Hausel probably felt the same."
"You think so?"
Hausel had wanted to take Kurt down too, but he'd only managed a few judged victories.
'If Archbishop Hausel were still alive... Kurt would've been spurred on to get even stronger.'
Once you reach nine stars, mana growth typically plateaus.
From there, it's a battle of skill and mental fortitude.
If Hausel had lived, Kurt would've honed his skills with gritted teeth and reached even greater heights than now.
'I wanted to test myself against that version of Kurt.'
Lost in such idle thoughts, I parted from my father.
* * *
When we arrived at headquarters, we were greeted by an unusual sight.
A large crowd of knights was waiting for us.
"What's this?"
"No idea."
As we drew closer, Ianus and Bernhard stepped forward.
"13th Unit Leader of the Independent Knight Brigade."
"Yes, Knight Order Leader, sir."
"Not only did you safely transport the Holy Grail, but you also prevented a coup in the Papal Court and saved a cardinal's life."
Ianus spoke in a solemn tone.
"You are the pride of our Holy Knight Order."
As he placed a hand on my shoulder, Bernhard started clapping.
The other knights around us followed suit.
"W-What's going on?"
"A welcome crowd for us?"
The thunderous applause left the squad members flustered.
Even veterans like Lotus had probably never experienced anything like it.
"The entire 13th Unit will receive medals and commendations! Great work, everyone!"
"Yesss...!"
In that moment, the 13th Unit was the star of the Holy Knight Order.
* * *
"Let me say it again: great work."
I met privately with Bernhard in the Independent Knight Brigade's commander's office.
"It was exactly in line with our brigade's purpose. Another unit probably couldn't have moved like that."
Bernhard seemed extremely pleased with my performance.
"Thanks to you, we can finally tackle our brigade's long-standing wish."
"Long-standing wish, sir?"
"You know of House Edelfelt?"
"Yes. They're a prominent regional clan in the northwest."
"They weren't even granted territory as border barons, yet they rule their domain like kings."
"I heard it was because of their major contributions in the war against the Dialogue Church."
Back when the Dialogue Church and Holy Knight Order were locked in fierce war, House Edelfelt had shone on the northwest front.
"The family head of House Edelfelt at the time was part of the Holy Knight Order."
"A Sky Rank Knight, if I recall."
"Yes, though he's retired from the Order now."
"What made him retire?"
"He had his eyes on the Knight Order Leader position. But taking that from the Aleyas-dominated Holy Knight Order wasn't easy."
"So he gave up and left."
"There were plenty of promising Edelfelt knights too, but they all quit the Order. It left us short-staffed for a while."
"When was this?"
"About ten years ago."
After Archbishop Hausel's death.
"House Edelfelt left the Order, but relations didn't sour. We've always respected them."
"That's why they could play king in their territory—with the Holy Knight Order's tacit approval."
"Exactly. We didn't even station regional knights there. They maintained order with their own forces, so no issues."
"But there were issues."
"You're sharp."
Bernhard smiled.
"It was six years ago. I was leading a knight brigade on monster hunts in the northwest when I stumbled on House Edelfelt's corruption."
"What kind?"
"They were forcibly conscripting civilians and training them as soldiers. Even putting them through live combat against monsters."
"Insane."
Only the Holy Empire has the right to conscript civilians.
Neither the Holy Spirit Church nor the Holy Knight Order can force people into service.
Training them as soldiers? That's absolutely forbidden. They could be charged with treason without a leg to stand on.
"I reported it to the Holy Knight Order immediately. We couldn't let it slide. But... it didn't go well."
"Because the Order was showing House Edelfelt consideration?"
"That too, but my evidence was thin. I wanted to investigate more, but I didn't have the pull back then. The Heresy Inquisition wouldn't cooperate either."
"..."
"In the end, the Edelfelt issue was dismissed as 'baseless slander.' After I became Independent Knight Brigade Leader, I tried reopening it, but digging up a settled matter isn't simple."
It must've been incredibly frustrating for Bernhard.
"But now? It's different. The Independent Knight Brigade's prestige is sky-high."
"So..."
"I've already spoken with Knight Order Leader Ianus. We're dispatching the Independent Knight Brigade for a reinvestigation. If problems are confirmed, we'll send a full subjugation force."
If Ianus said it, it's as good as decided.
"This is, in a way, the Independent Knight Brigade's 'unresolved mission.'"
"Commander..."
"Uncover House Edelfelt's corruption. Ensure they face fitting punishment."
Bernhard gripped my hand.
"I'm entrusting you with what I couldn't do, Sion Aleyas, 13th Unit Leader."
* * *
The next day.
I ran into Sershes while handling business at the headquarters building.
"Good day, Headquarters Chief."
"I heard, Sion."
Sershes fixed me with a cold stare utterly unlike an uncle.
"You're heading out to investigate House Edelfelt?"
"Yes, that's right."
"You'd better not stir up trouble for nothing."
"What do you mean?"
"They're no longer with the Holy Knight Order, but House Edelfelt is still a house we must respect."
Sershes's tone was firm.
"There are still plenty in the Order who admire Edelfelt knights. They produced knights of such caliber."
"..."
"Besides, House Edelfelt wields real power. Johann Edelfelt, the former Sky Rank Knight, is still around... and his kids are no slouches either. If conflict breaks out, Holy Knight Order blood will flow."
"..."
"Bernhard's been badmouthing them for years, but there's no proof. House Edelfelt hasn't caused any public issues, so no need to pick a fight..."
"Uncle."
"What?"
I deliberately called him "Uncle" instead of "Headquarters Chief," but he didn't catch it.
"Are you taking bribes from House Edelfelt, by any chance?"
"What?"
Sershes looked caught off guard.
He probably thought he'd misheard.
"Sion, what did you just say?"
"I asked if you're taking money from House Edelfelt."
"..."
Sershes's face twitched.
"Are you insane? How dare you..."
"Isn't that it? I thought that might actually be better."
"What?"
"It'd be less embarrassing if you were taking money to defend them, Uncle."
I didn't avert my eyes for a second.
"The Integrated Operations Headquarters Chief of the Holy Knight Order and eldest son of House Aleyas, cowering before some regional clan? Saying you're paid to shill for them is at least less shameful."
"..."
Don't think I'll keep smoothly brushing off your petty jabs forever, Sershes Aleyas.