The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 100

The crescent moon of dawn faintly illuminated the sky. The Barbara Sanctuary in the Eastern District of Nasheem, long unused, was completely devoid of human presence.

This time, I visited the sanctuary alone. Manina harbored animosity toward the saintess who had defeated demons and the Demon Lord in the past, and I decided that any action involving Cecil would be dangerous. I wanted to avoid a volatile situation like the near miss we had in the Giant Stone Castle.

Upon entering the sanctuary, decayed debris was scattered everywhere, left in disarray. Yet, despite this, the building was enveloped in an aura of solemnity, thanks to the sunlight. Somehow, the light of the sunrise filtered into the sanctuary, illuminating a circular sculpture that towered behind the altar.

Where one would expect to see a statue of the saintess, there stood an unfamiliar sculpture. As I observed it, I realized this was an ancient sanctuary used by the Sun’s People. The circular sculpture, inspired by the sun, seemed designed to change color with the sun’s angle—a remnant of the time when the Sun’s People ruled this city.

“A sanctuary without a saintess statue has its own charm.”

Startled by the familiar voice, I turned around to find Cecil standing beside me. She was squinting at the sun sculpture.

“Standing before old statues of saintesses, I feel embarrassingly immature compared to those great women, and it makes me restless.”

Before I could respond, Cecil bowed slightly.

“The fifty Holy Knights you saved arrived safely last night. They are all in good health. You have truly been a lifesaver.”

Before I could reply, Cecil took my hand.

“As you’ve noticed, Nasheem is crawling with various factions’ schemes, under strict surveillance. I’ve masked our presence with holy magic, but just to be cautious, let’s change locations.”

Cecil muttered a holy word, and in an instant, the scenery of the sanctuary vanished, and everything went dark. When Cecil lit the area with a holy spell, we were surrounded by moss-covered stone walls.

Releasing my hand, she explained, “This is an old underground passage directly beneath Barbara Sanctuary. Follow me, Don Michino.”

I followed Cecil as she led the way. Soon, an ancient door marked with runes appeared. Opening it revealed a surprisingly spacious area.

The room was equipped with a single bed, a desk, and shelves, and was unexpectedly clean, unlike what one might imagine from outside.

As Cecil lit a lamp, she said, “This room was used by a past saintess during her campaigns against the Demon Lord. It’s designed so only the saintess and those she recognizes can enter, thanks to the residual effects of the holy magic used then.”

As if freshly cleaned, not a speck of dust was to be found. Cecil took a cylinder from a shelf.

“With this, you can drink an ancient elixir-infused tea, preserved as fresh as in its heyday. Please make yourself comfortable in that chair, Don Michino. I’ll prepare the tea.”

Once seated, a porcelain cup of tea was soon placed before me. Cecil quietly sat down across from me and took a sip of her tea.

“Now, let’s get to the main point.”

After saying this, Cecil continued to look into my eyes without speaking, a habit she had when pondering what to say next.

“Do you understand that you and I are in the same boat, Don Michino?”

“What do you mean?”

“With King Valderion bedridden and Prince Raymond in a unique situation, it’s said that I alone can decide the succession to the throne. You are well aware of this.”

I nodded. “I am fully aware.”

“Of course, many people, especially those in power, find this distorted situation undesirable.”

“So, you’re suggesting that a major player in the capital is involved in the current conflict?”

Cecil nodded quietly. “Yes, precisely a major player.”

Given the few significant figures in the capital other than King Valderion and Prince Raymond, the possibilities were limited.

“Could it be Pope Gabriel? I thought you and the Pope maintained a good relationship.”

“We maintained a friendly relationship on the surface. However, to the Pope, who holds all religious power, a newly emerged saintess like me is nothing but an annoyance, especially after the issue of the assassination of Chief Inquisitor Torquemada.”

That statement cleared up a long-held doubt. The Michino Family had been prepared for the investigation related to Torquemada to reach us, but there had been no developments for months.

“So, you halted the investigation related to Torquemada on your own accord.”

Cecil did not answer directly but continued to choose her words carefully.

“Did Leon really do it?”

Unable to respond, Cecil continued. “Leon belongs to your family. Did he kill Torquemada under your orders?”

I couldn’t answer that either. As Sheikh Said said, those who run the Dark Guild can’t easily disclose information about their missions, especially not to a Holy Knight Commander.

More importantly, that night, I put an end to the persona of former Holy Knight Leon Stein. I am Don Michino and had no intention of discussing anything about Leon.

Seeing my silence, Cecil shook her head.

“I apologize. It must have felt like an inquisition. I didn’t mean to interrogate you. You must have many things you can’t discuss.”

Cecil then steered the conversation back.

“Anyway, the Pope is very displeased that I, who won’t be manipulated, hold the deciding power in the royal succession. This is what complicates the current issue.”

With that explanation, I roughly understood the current situation and what was likely to happen.

With the royal family absent and the Pope aiming for her downfall, it didn’t matter to him how much blood was spilled among the people of Bainte or the Sun’s People as long as he could pin the blame on Cecil.

As the Michino Family is connected to Cecil through factors like Leon and Torquemada, we are tied to the current issue.

“That’s all I can share with you given my position. Naturally, our differing standings mean we cannot be too familiar. However…”

Cecil hesitated, so I finished for her.

“You see some utility in me.”

“Yes, exactly. If you find no utility in me, feel free to cast me aside.”

“And you believe I currently have utility to you.”

Unexpectedly, Cecil’s face tensed for a moment, as if recalling some pain.

“Yes, you are of use to me.”

We looked at each other in silence. After a long pause, I said,

“I understand your intentions. However, if you want to involve me in this matter, Saintess Cecil, you’ll need to follow my directions. That’s my condition for this deal.”

Cecil’s expression relaxed slightly.

“If you’re willing to help, I’ll follow any order you give, Don Michino.”