Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Land of the Retired Knights (6)
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Ever since I heard that Elias Edelfelt had reached 9-star at the age of twenty-nine, I had suspected some connection to the Dialogue Church.
The Aleyas family had produced several people who reached 9-star in their twenties, but that had only been possible due to the special circumstances of large-scale wars, which made enlightenment easier to attain.
Moreover, the Edelfelt family didn't possess an excellent mana accumulation method like the Aleyas family's Holy Stream Eight Emperors Method. Even Johan Edelfelt hadn't reached 9-star until his forties.
‘The Dialogue Church has many methods to increase mana volume by attribute.’
Just moments ago, Philip Edelfelt had used the Dialogue Church's Crimson Lotus.
Whether they had joined hands with the Dialogue Church or obtained their secret arts through some other means, I couldn't say... but in any case, these guys were using the Dialogue Church's techniques.
‘Elias acquiring 9-star mana, and Philip and the others possessing mana beyond their skill levels—it's all because they've artificially boosted their mana.’
I didn't think it was a wrong method, but the Edelfelt family was a prestigious house that should pledge loyalty to the Holy Spirit Church.
They shouldn't be engaging in heretical acts by using the Dialogue Church's techniques.
"This is a rather serious issue. Would it be alright to verify your innocence through a mana inspection?"
As I spoke again, Elias frowned and opened his mouth.
"You're going to inspect our mana?"
"In fact, the Holy Knight Order has already developed a technique to detect mana acquired through impure methods."
"Don't lie. There's no way such a thing exists."
"You can confirm it yourself."
"......"
Elias glanced at Greta.
But seeing her remain silent, he placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
"......!"
Edwin and Lieselotte, who had been waiting behind me, tensed up, but Elias didn't draw his sword toward me.
Instead, he slashed at the neck of Philip, who had been clutching his severed arm.
"Gasp...!"
Oscar, who had been supporting Philip, hurriedly stepped back.
After killing Philip like that, Elias glared at me with a furrowed brow.
"Don't insult us, Sion Aleyas."
"......"
"I've personally judged Philip Edelfelt, who used filthy cult techniques. I hope this proves our innocence."
Elias's eyes gleamed fiercely.
It was an attitude that said he wouldn't tolerate me pressing further.
"I've noted Lord Elias's intent to not tolerate heresy."
I bowed my head politely.
"However, Lord Elias, there may be others within the Edelfelt family using Dialogue Church techniques. Might I request an investigation into that matter?"
"We'll handle it ourselves."
"Understood."
I nodded and turned my gaze to Greta.
"Lady Greta, it doesn't seem like the atmosphere for further idle chat."
"Yes... it would seem not."
Greta's response was curt.
Even she couldn't maintain a relaxed demeanor in such a situation.
"I hope we have the chance to meet again. It would be nice if I could bring Est from our side next time."
"That would be good. It's been a long time since I've seen Est."
"Then I'll take my leave. My mission in this region is complete anyway."
With that, I rose from my seat.
"Oh, and Lady Greta."
"What is it?"
"May I ask one question?"
I looked at Greta as I spoke.
"While talking with Mr. Oscar, I heard the terms upper-grade knight and mid-grade knight."
"Did you?"
Oscar, who had been singled out, flinched beside her.
"I've never heard those terms before, so I'm curious what they mean."
"It's nothing special, Sion."
Greta said as she brushed back her hair.
"We've recently formed a knight order."
"Did you say knight order just now?"
"Of course, it's separate from the Holy Knight Order. We haven't officially announced it yet, but the name is the Holy War Knight Order."
"Holy War Knight Order......"
"We divide knights into upper, mid, and lower grades. Knights on my level are upper-grade, and Oscar here is mid-grade."
"I see. Understood."
My questions had been answered.
"Then I'll take my leave. Until next time."
I left the garden with Edwin and Lieselotte.
Under the frightening glares of the Edelfelt family members.
* * *
"Chase them down and eliminate them, Aunt."
"Wait, Elias."
"I can't wait!"
Elias Edelfelt shouted with a furrowed brow.
"We should have killed them right here! Killed them and covered it all up!"
"Kill someone I invited into my own garden? I can't do something so dishonorable."
"That guy's honor! Do you still think of yourself as a holy knight?"
"Elias, watch your words."
Greta warned him in a heavy voice, but Elias ignored her.
"Do you think staying clean yourself is enough? The Edelfelt family is already disregarding means and methods?"
"......"
"Admit it, Aunt! We've already crossed the line! Forget the honor of holy knights and think about the future of the Edelfelt family and the Holy War Knight Order!"
At Elias's point, Greta sighed.
"So what do you plan to do?"
"It's not too late. I'll pursue them."
"You plan to wipe them all out? The independent knight brigade sent by the Holy Knight Order?"
"They showed up claiming to catch bandits anyway. We can take them out in the fields and disguise it."
"......"
Greta bit her lip and fell into thought.
"Elias."
"Yes, Aunt."
"Don't leave any traces."
"Don't worry."
"Eliminating Sion and his knights won't end it. If the Holy Knight Order starts digging into us over this, it'll be a headache."
With that, Greta rose from her seat.
"I'm going to see the family head, so you're responsible for taking care of Sion Aleyas."
* * *
"I thought we were dead......"
"You managed to escape that situation somehow. With two 9-star experts, they could have killed us in an instant."
"If they had charged, we'd have needed another plan. Let's leave this place first."
We joined up with the other squad members waiting outside and quickly exited Olsburg.
"But Lord Sion, what does forming a knight order mean? Why go to the trouble of a knight order......"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Forming an armed group in itself wasn't a big issue.
The Edelfelt family already possessed strong military power; it was just attaching a new label to it.
But calling it a ‘knight order’ changed the meaning somewhat.
And if it was the Holy War Knight Order......
"They're trying to create an organization to replace the Holy Knight Order."
"Replace the Holy Knight Order?"
"Yeah, Johan Edelfelt is still obsessed with the Holy Knight Order."
Johan Edelfelt had aimed for the position of Holy Knight Order leader.
After failing and leaving the order, he had been preparing to establish a new knight order within his sphere of influence.
"He was probably planning long-term. Introducing Dialogue Church methods to cultivate successors with powerful mana, conscripting civilians for real combat training against monsters, and so on."
"Then......"
"Yeah, the Edelfelt family has amassed far more military power than we anticipated."
For ten years, they had secretly built strength in the northwestern frontier without the Holy Knight Order's knowledge.
What was their goal?
"To topple the Holy Knight Order and establish themselves as the continent's strongest armed force."
"......!"
"They're the ones who want war."
The Edelfelt family's ambition.
It wasn't just about building power as a local warlord; it was to destroy the Holy Knight Order and take their place.
They might even dream of intimidating the Holy Empire and Holy Spirit Church to effectively rule the continent.
"But they won't start a war right now. They'll only make a big move once they have sufficient forces and a justifiable cause."
"Lord Sion, then......"
"Yeah, they can't leave us alone. They need to hide their secrets."
They're not ready yet.
They can't let a Holy Knight Order subjugation force come charging in.
"Here they come at last."
"......!"
Everyone hurriedly turned around.
Behind us, racing across the wasteland, were about fifty cavalrymen in pursuit.
"Lord Sion! It's those guys from before! Elias Edelfelt!"
As Edwin pointed out, Elias was at the lead.
It seemed Greta had permitted the chase.
Their plan was probably to slaughter us in this wasteland and disguise it as an attack by bandits.
"Lord Sion, the enemy's forces are too strong. There's a 9-star expert, and repelling them will be difficult."
Lieselotte said in a tense voice.
"How do you plan to handle this?"
"Well, it's a real dilemma for me too."
I muttered as I kept riding.
"But it'll work out somehow."
"Pardon?"
Right then.
A massive roar erupted from the rear.
"......!"
Everyone startled and looked back.
A huge explosion had occurred amid the Edelfelt pursuers chasing us.
[That Dietrich bastard timed his magic perfectly.]
‘I instructed him in advance.’
This explosion was from Dietrich's magic.
I'd told him to watch their movements and strike at the right timing.
Against a 9-star expert, even I needed Dietrich's power.
"W-What just happened?"
"Why the sudden explosion......?"
"Who knows, but we can't miss this chance. Let's pick up speed."
Dietrich's magic continued to pour down.
The enemy had no means of defense and was getting obliterated helplessly.
[No Greta Edelfelt, just Elias Edelfelt. The rest are all 8-star or below.]
‘Elias aside, Dietrich can handle the rest alone.’
They're just people who boosted their mana with attributes anyway.
No need to think of them as on the same level as holy knights.
[But Elias is breaking through. Be careful.]
Turning my head, I saw Elias bursting through the explosions.
Whatever else, the defense of the Mana Armor created with 9-star mana seemed exceptional.
"Sion Aleyas!"
Calling my name in a voice filled with rage, Elias closed in on us.
"I'll handle him. You all keep going forward."
"Lord Sion! We can't let you......"
"Edwin, do as Lord Sion says for now. He must have a plan."
As I sent the other squad members ahead, I slowed my pace.
The distance between Elias and me began to narrow.
‘Dietrich, deal with the rest.’
After signaling with a hand gesture, I reached for my waist.
But I wasn't drawing Ashurai.
I drew the black dagger I wore alongside Ashurai.
‘Igzard.’
[Got it!]
The moment Igzard responded, ominous energy began to infuse the dagger.
‘Move as I will, Xantia.’
Demon Spirit Sword Xantia.
The wicked sword I had obtained through Cardinal Epit Raus shot through the air toward Elias.