The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 10

Due to their nature, battles become unconventional when heretical skills are activated. Having faced various heretics during my guard duty, I’ve learned that discerning the abilities of heretical skills is crucial.

Seneca unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes. I barely managed to dodge them, but the speed was completely different. It was as if his arms had multiplied, with the number of slashes increasing rapidly.

(How much faster does he plan to get?)

Reluctantly, I drew my longsword to respond. Seneca, wielding a knife, sparkled with excitement.

“What a splendid sword! Who exactly are you, Onii-san?”

“I’m not someone worth naming.”

Even as we spoke, Seneca’s speed increased, emitting a strong murderous intent. A single misjudgment could lead to serious injury. Despite his innocent appearance, it seems he possesses a heretical skill specialized in killing.

In this narrow alley, the longsword was at a disadvantage. I retreated towards the main street while fending off Seneca’s attacks.

The sudden appearance of two individuals swinging deadly blades on the bustling main street caused a mixture of surprise and screams among the residents.

Though I’m reluctant to harm a child, heretic or not, I didn’t want to cause any more commotion. My grip on the sword tightened.

I swung my sword with great force. When Seneca’s knife moved to block, I returned my sword to its sheath on my back, catching him off guard.

I grabbed Seneca’s arm, immediately immobilizing him. I repeated this basic capture method countless times as a Holy Knight. A more experienced heretic might activate another unusual ability here, but it was clear this child had not mastered his skill to that extent. I tightened my grip just enough not to break his joints, took the knife, and threw Seneca to the ground.

As Seneca lay on the ground, the murderous aura he had been emitting gradually disappeared, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“This knife is rusty, and the blade is in poor condition. Take better care of your tools of trade.”

Saying that I placed the knife on the ground and was about to leave when Seneca stood up, rubbing his arm in pain.

“Are you sure it’s okay to let me go?”

“What do you mean?”

“After fighting you, I realized. You’re a Holy Knight, aren’t you? Aren’t you going to capture me?”

It seems my actions had given away my identity to Seneca.

“Unfortunately, I’m a former Holy Knight. You’re lucky to have escaped with your life. If this had been a few days ago, you would have been sent to the heretical inquisition. You’d have been interrogated by Deputy Captain Nadale and faced certain death.”

As I was about to resume my search for the cat, I was stopped again with a “Wait!”

“Why is a former Holy Knight hanging out with those elves?”

“There are reasons for us to act together.”

“Is it true that they started a guild?”

Seneca seemed to have heard rumors that Kano and Sani had started a dark guild.

“I didn’t think it was anything serious, but it’s a different story if you’re with them! Can I join the guild and participate in some quests? I want to earn money!”

“Unfortunately, we’re not quite a guild yet, so there’s no work available…” I started to say but then paused.

“If you’re looking for a job, I could give you a quest.”

“Really!?”

“If you see Pitt causing trouble for the residents, give him a gentle kick in the behind for me. The reward will be, let’s say, two silver coins.”

“That’s an easy job!”

With a smile, Seneca left. Once he activates his skill, he becomes a heretic full of murderous intent, but he seems to have a straightforward personality. His physical abilities are high, and he could become a valuable worker for the family as more requests come in.

As I thought to resume searching for the cat, another troublesome scene caught my eye.

(Is this because of the “King’s Aura” skill I released?)

Staring at me in the street was a quiet-looking girl in a nun’s habit, with ancient letters indicating a heretic floating above her head. And in her arms was a cat, sound asleep, undoubtedly the one I was searching for.

I knew I was in for more trouble but decided to speak to her anyway.

“Are you following me because Pitt told you something?”

The girl shook her head. “Tomorrow, Saintess Cecil-sama returns to the royal capital. I want to be under the king’s protection.”