Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: True Rehabilitation
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"Are you saying people are getting hurt around the dungeon?"
Ophelia was receiving the priest's report with a serious expression.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Don't tell me monsters are bursting out from the dungeon...?"
"It doesn't seem to be the case. While the demonic energy has grown stronger, based on the testimonies of most of the victims, it looks like the work of a bandit gang. Many said they lost their goods after passing out."
Hearing the detailed report, it certainly seemed more likely to be the work of humans rather than monsters.
"A bandit gang..."
She had heard that after the great plague swept the continent, the number of people turning to banditry for a living had exploded.
Recently, the Imperial Family had reduced taxes and actively supported the devastated regions, stabilizing public order to some extent... but the wounds left by the plague would need much more time to heal.
"What would you like to do? If you wish, I can request military support."
"Are you thinking of a purge?"
"Yes, but... are you considering something else?"
Ophelia slowly nodded.
"From what I've heard, they stole valuables but didn't take lives... and judging by the fact that they mainly targeted groups of one or two, their numbers can't exceed about ten at most... We should at least hear them out first. If possible, I'd like to give them one more chance."
"You're thinking of reforming them?"
Ophelia nodded slowly again.
"You might find it frustrating... but isn't it better to act before they cross the line?"
"No, I don't think that at all. But... are you sure you'll be alright alone?"
Hearing that, Ophelia replied in a casual tone—
"I'm fine. No need for support troops even against ten—no, up to thirty."
—then touched the sword at her waist.
"I can handle it myself."
"......!!"
At that moment, the priest truly realized that the person before him was none other than Ophelia Translente.
The representative knight of this era, a woman with one of the continent's top levels of martial prowess.
She had shown a slightly naive side lately... but when it came to wielding a sword, no one her age could surpass her.
Luca and Linea were also exceptionally talented knights, but they would definitely have to yield to Ophelia.
Honestly, against an ordinary bandit gang, she could handle more than the thirty she mentioned—
perhaps even up to fifty on her own.
"Then, I leave it to you, Lady Ophelia."
"Yes. I'll try to resolve it peacefully without killing if possible... but..."
"Reformation is important, but please prioritize your own safety above all, Lady Ophelia. You are one chosen by the gods."
"You take care too. Farewell."
After parting with the priest, the rabbit above her head finally spoke.
"Igogodon."
"No need to worry, Rabbit Lord. It's just about rehabilitating some people who've strayed onto the wrong path."
"Igogodon."
"Punishment is necessary when needed, of course. But depending on the crime, rehabilitating those who can be saved is important too."
Hop.
"I can handle it alone, so don't worry. More importantly, it's time to get ready."
She casually chatted with the rabbit like that, officially beginning her day as a member of the Dish of Holy Knights.
* * *
The first thing Ophelia did after receiving the mission was to shed her knight's attire and disguise herself as an ordinary traveler.
There was no way a bandit gang would attack a knight. If they didn't spot her, reformation would be impossible. Disguise was essential to lure them out.
Ophelia donned robe-like clothes, spun around once, and asked the rabbit.
"How do I look, Rabbit Lord? Like an ordinary traveler?"
"Igogodon."
"Hm? As you say, the chest area is a bit tight... Well, it's unavoidable since it's not custom-made for me."
In fact, all of Ophelia's clothes were custom-tailored for her.
Thanks to outliers like Erin, it wasn't too noticeable, but her bust was quite prominent compared to her peers.
So even standard armor off the shelf would be quite uncomfortable.
"Now it's your turn."
With that, Ophelia took off her backpack and opened it wide toward the rabbit.
"Come on in."
"Igogodon."
"Oh? Feeling sleepy? I'll walk slowly, so rest easy. It might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it and can nap."
Hop!
The rabbit hopped in without complaint, as instructed.
It fit perfectly into the bag, as if made for the rabbit.
If Luca saw it, she'd be mesmerized by the rabbit for five minutes, frozen in place.
"Alright, let's head out. Tell me if it's too bumpy."
No reply came from inside the bag, but—
Ophelia assumed it understood and began patrolling the area in earnest.
* * *
Disguised as an ordinary traveler with her sword hidden on her back, how many hours did she wander around the dungeon?
As dusk began to fall.
'Someone's there.'
Sensing a presence, she pretended not to notice and kept wandering.
How much time passed like that.
Three men appeared before Ophelia.
"You'll have to stop for a moment."
"......"
Ophelia quickly glanced back.
This time, two women and three men slowly emerged.
"Sorry, but you need to pay a toll to pass this way."
'......'
Ophelia quickly scanned the surroundings.
Eight in sight... no signs of additional ambushes.
This is manageable alone.
"A toll? I haven't heard of that."
"Of course not. It's a new rule starting today."
Ophelia responded coldly to the laughing man, not buying it.
"Judging by your nonsense, you're the ones attacking civilians around here."
"You heard the rumors and still stuck your neck out?"
"So what will you do?"
"Is that all you have to say?"
"You seem pretty relaxed. Better hand over your stuff if you don't want trouble."
"Let's keep it nice, miss. Just give us the money and we'll let you go."
They acted tough, but their voices trembled slightly at the ends.
Their young tones betrayed their forced bravado.
This is definitely manageable.
Ophelia slowly removed her robe's hood.
Seeing her red hair and distinctive circlet, the bandits visibly panicked.
"......!!"
"From your faces, you know who I am?"
It would be weirder if they didn't.
The Dish of Holy Knights appointment ceremony had been so grand.
To people of this era, Luca, Linea, and Ophelia were symbolic figures like Saintess Erin.
"That makes things quick. No pointless resistance. Drop your weapons and follow me. If you turn back now, I'll help you become new people. If not—"
Ophelia drew the sword from her back.
"We'll settle it here with a duel."
At that moment.
The apparent leader stared into Ophelia's eyes and shouted.
"That hair color... you're the famous Ophelia!"
"......What?"
"Ophelia Translente. The woman appointed to the Dish of Holy Knights who can't even memorize a single line from the Holy Scripture."
"!!!"
Ophelia, who had maintained her composure, faltered for the first time.
That rumor... had spread this far?
"Th-that's—"
"What? Say it now if you can. It's in that great Holy Scripture, right? Surely a Holy Knight knows what even we do?"
"I-I... um."
Ophelia sweated profusely, racking her brain desperately.
Damn it. I definitely... I definitely knew it...!!
"Go-God's..."
"God's?"
"......!!"
The bandits openly laughed at her stammering silence.
"Plain Fact! That great Plain Fact the zealots keep yapping about!"
"!!!"
The leader yelled at Ophelia like he was arguing.
"If it's so amazing, why did my family have to die in agony from disease? What was your precious god doing while our village died out? ...Though arguing with someone who can't even memorize the words is pointless."
"Th-that's not true! God's Plain Fact surely helps you too—"
"Shut it! Kill us or drag us to prison, do whatever. We won't follow some meaningless divine will! Everyone!"
At the leader's command, the entire bandit gang drew their weapons.
Normally, Ophelia would have responded calmly... but the shock of even these godless thugs reciting it effortlessly while she couldn't as if cursed made her freeze, sword in hand.
'Do I even have the right to rehabilitate them?'
They'd lose if they charged. She'd win for sure... but...
Having prioritized reformation, her resolve naturally wavered.
What can I do if even mere bandits recite the Plain Fact perfectly while I can't remember it?
Is crushing them by force the only thing I'm capable of, not true reformation?
"Charge!!!"
As the bandits lunged at Ophelia.
"......!!!"
A brilliant flash erupted from Ophelia's bag.
The bandits halted mid-charge, frozen in confusion.
"Wh-what is that!"
"Magic?!"
At the same time—
Hop, and it burst from the bag.
It had round eyes like sea glass and fluffy fur.
With rabbit ears, it was an adorably cute form for a Divine Messenger.
So—
"What is this?!"
"......A rabbit??"
—As it appeared, the bandits couldn't yet grasp that this was a being manifested in the world.
They had no idea what it meant to face this existence.
It blinked its unblinking eyes at the stunned bandits—
"Igo no Igodon."
"!!!!"
The moment the words ended, the space directly behind it—
tore open.
A massive rift formed where space literally gaped its maw.
A creepy hum, like something not of this world: whirr, whirr—
And—
—Whiiiiiirrrrrr!!!!!!
"Gyaaaaaaah!!!!"
"S-save me......!!!"
The entire bandit gang was sucked into the unknown rift.
The sight was eerily reminiscent of an absolute being devouring prey.
A moment later.
Once they were all gone, the torn space sealed as if nothing had happened.
"R-Rabbit Lord...? What in the world...?"
Ophelia stared in saucer-eyed disbelief at the surreal scene of space ripping and people vanishing, but the rabbit just tilted its head nonchalantly a few times—
"Fifty Plains Long Live the Sponsored."
—and began the true meaning of 'rehabilitation' for those who dared mock a Holy Knight chosen by the gods.