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

“Curse that cat!”

The cat, constantly changing tactics and merchandise, had been toying with Nina and me, eluding capture at every turn.

As we wandered through the capital in pursuit of the whimsical cat, Nina tugged at the sleeve of my clothes. “Don, your face has returned to normal.”

Her words made me realize abruptly. The effect of the Sub-Skill “Hidden Face” lasts about six hours. While chasing the cat, the time limit had passed. And once the effect wears off, it requires a night’s rest before it can be used again. Naturally, being pursued by the knight order walking around the capital with my current face involves risks.

The cat we were tasked to find was still in sight despite that. It would be too regrettable to let it escape now.

“Nina, let’s catch it quickly and return to the Loser’s District, where Kano and Sani are waiting.”

As I was gearing up to move on, I inadvertently looked around. That’s when I realized we were in a unique place within the capital.

Nina, looking anxious, tugged at my sleeve again.

“Don, a man is touching a woman’s buttocks.”

“Nina, try not to look around too much. And don’t ask me anything about whatever you see or hear in this town.”

For Nina, who had lived in a convent, this place might as well be an alien world. Unwittingly, we had entered the capital’s largest red-light district, commonly known as “Pornai.”

From prostitutes selling their bodies on the streets to cheap brothels where laborers earn their day’s wage seeking momentary pleasure to high-class brothels catering exclusively to nobles and merchants, this is a night town writhing with desire. Of course, this town is controlled by the Dark Guild. I believe it was the Gambino Family.

Knights of the Holy Order are forbidden from entering this town unless on duty, though some sneak in on their days off. Of course, this is my first time visiting Pornai for non-duty purposes. It’s still daytime, so there aren’t many people, but the atmosphere is uncomfortable.

“We need to catch that cat and retreat from this town quickly.”

“Don, the cat is going into a castle-like building.”

Looking in the direction Nina was pointing, I saw our target cat casually entering a building, tail held high. And of all places, it was a particularly luxurious brothel, not exactly the place that would easily assist in our cat search.

As we were peeking from a distance to see if the cat would come out of the brothel, a man who appeared to be a tout approached us.

“Hey, young master. That brothel is for nobles, so it’s useless for common folks. How about our inn instead? We have some nice girls.”

I declined casually, and the tout then turned his attention to Nina.

“Wait, you’re serious, young man? Did you buy such a young girl? You’re not what you seem.”

“No, that’s not it! There’s a bit of a situation here.”

Walking through such a street with Nina would understandably attract strange looks.

Thinking it might be best to give up on searching for the cat today, considering it’s not good for Nina’s education, we heard a commotion from the luxury brothel. The tout spoke in an annoyed tone.

“Ah, the usual conflict between Sofia Gracier and the Gambino Family.”

Then, burly men and women in dazzling dresses emerged from the luxury brothel’s grand doors.

The women, clearly high-class prostitutes, exuded a suspicious allure, drawing the attention of every man walking through Pornai. Among them, one particularly splendid woman caught my eye.

According to the tout, she was the famous Sofia Gracier.

While I’m completely unfamiliar with prostitutes, Sofia Gracier is a name known even in songs by minstrels, the most renowned prostitute in the capital, called a paragon of virtue, the madam of a high-class brothel frequented by nobles and merchants alike.

My attention was drawn to her because of the ancient characters floating above Sofia’s head. It seems she is considered a heretic.

Confronting two men, Sofia, with her arms crossed, spoke indifferently.

“How many times must I say it for you to understand? Our establishment has a history of not dealing with you people. You’re disrupting our business, so please leave.”

“Even so, Sofia-sama, it’s only your establishment. You’re the only one in our Gambino Family’s territory not paying protection money. Not paying a single penny for a shop as large as yours within our turf affects our reputation.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling you over and over. My shop has a longer history than the likes of the Gambino Family. Moreover, we have our guardians and do not need to rely on you. If you understand, then please leave. I have to prepare for the opening.”

So, even in the heart of Gambino’s territory, it’s not straightforward.

Watching the fray from a distance, that annoying fellow finally showed up. The cat I was looking for appeared at the brothel entrance, sitting down right there. It’s in a troublesome place but can’t be helped now.

“Nina, wait here for me. I’ll catch the cat this time for sure.”

It would be rude to walk into the shop, but the cat is right on the boundary. If I can catch it quickly, it will be mine.

Trying to walk stealthily and not attract attention, I could still hear the arguing voices of Gambino’s men and Sofia.

“So, I hear your all-important guard is injured. We can take his place.”

“How shameless! You’re the ones who injured him!”

“If you have proof, why not complain to the Order of Holy Knights? Of course, you can’t do that.”

Indeed, the Order of Holy Knights would probably find mediating between a brothel and a dark guild troublesome.

As I thought about this, I slowly approached the cat.

And when I was close enough to catch it, I stopped. Now’s the moment, or I’ll tarnish the name of a former Holy Knight. I tensed my calves and leaped at the cat.

The next moment, I felt the soft, fluffy touch of the cat in my hands. Surprisingly, the cat didn’t resist and contentedly purred.

Good, now I can deliver the cat to the client and complete the quest. On my way back, I’ll receive a silver coin and buy a “Musk Deer Meat Bun” near Triumph Square. Surely, Sani would be pleased with that taste. Just as I thought this, the arguing voices suddenly stopped.

I felt bad and turned around to see Sofia and Gambino’s men staring at me.

Sofia asked with a puzzled look, “What are you doing in my shop? I’ve been curious about you for a while now… Is that a cat in your arms?”

Gambino’s men laughed.

“Sofia-sama, this is why you should be on good terms with us! Leave it to us.”

I’ve caught the cat, so I tried to ignore them and go back to Nina, but Gambino’s men blocked my way.

“Onii-san, where do you think you’re going without a word?”

“I was just looking for this cat. Please don’t mind me.”

As I took a step forward, someone grabbed my shoulder.

“We’re the righteous folks who protect the peace of this town. Suspicious ones need to be inspected.”

The man said this and grabbed the long sword on my back.

“For starters, we’ll be confiscating this dangerous thing.”

“Stop your foolishness!”

Due to holding the cat, my reaction was slow, and the man pulled out my sword.

“Foolishness? Who do you think you’re speaking to?”

The man swung the sword, and I sidestepped to avoid it.

“Such a fine sword wasted on someone playing with cats.”

He smirked and then thrust the sword repeatedly like a fencer. It was slow, so dodging was easy, but taking back the sword while holding the cat was difficult.

Since they’re part of a dark guild, a bit of rough handling might be justified. I kicked the man in the stomach without causing a fatal injury.

The next moment, the man flew backward and fell to the ground. “Ouch!”

“I have a proposition. Return the sword to me. Further conflict is unnecessary.”

Another man pulled out a collapsible sword from his back.

“Hey, you do realize this is Gambino’s territory? You’ve got some nerve.”

I sighed. This man seemed like more of a hassle. All I did was look for a cat, and now this.

“Nina! Hold the cat for me!”

I noticed something strange as I tried to pass the cat to Nina.

“What’s happening?”

Black smoke was swirling unnaturally around Nina. Nina herself looked terrified.

“Don, the heretical skill might activate.”

“What do you mean?”