The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 16

I watched Nina sleeping with a cat in the bed, still unable to believe my eyes.

Everything that happened earlier should not be something I bear alone. It’s a serious matter that should be reported in detail to the Order of Holy Knights and left for the upper echelons, including Cecil, to decide.

(To think I alone have grasped a historical fact.)

Then, I looked around the room again.

“Seriously, why are a former Holy Knight and a former nun here of all places…”

This is a guest room in “La Bohème,” a high-end brothel. The dimly lit room is furnished luxuriously, with Nina sleeping in a massive canopy bed. There’s even a fountain installed, with water spurting from the trunk of an elephant statue, making it feel like being in a foreign land.

Of course, there’s a reason why the two of us are in such a place. After Nina turned back into a human from a Demon Lord, I tried to carry her away, but Sofia Gracier, the brothel’s madam, told us to rest in the guest room until she woke up. Although I initially refused, we were forcefully taken in.

Considering it’s business hours, the high-class prostitutes we saw during the day must be working with nobles and merchants. Indeed, we’ve ended up in a strange place.

As I gaze at Nina, who is breathing softly in her sleep, the door to the guest room makes a noise. Entering the room is Sofia Gracier. Come to think of it, I’ve heard that kings, nobles, and merchants are desperate to nominate Sofia because she resembles Saintess Cecil. Indeed, Sofia in this dim room does seem to double for Cecil.

However, it’s said that Sofia, called a prostitute of virtue, has yet to be truly embraced by any man, according to the minstrels. What could that mean? Of course, it’s not something I can ask her directly.

Sofia looked at the sleeping Nina.

“Please rest assured. I’ve silenced everything that happened earlier. It should not reach the Order of Holy Knights.”

I expressed my gratitude before speaking.

“Um, I will still take Nina home while she’s asleep. I don’t want to trouble you any further.”

As I try to pick up Nina, Sofia stops me with her hand. “It’s no trouble at all. I have something to talk to you about.”

Sofia leans in close, locking eyes with me. Being in such a situation with a popular prostitute in the guest room of a brothel makes me incredibly nervous. Sofia asked:

“Hey, who exactly are you?”

“Me? If you ask me who I am…”

Saying I’m a former Holy Knight kicked out of the Order, now running a dark guild in the Loser’s District, wouldn’t make sense to her.

Sofia continued:

“I’ve felt strange since I saw you. My heart is in turmoil. I want to know more about you.”

Despite my confusion, I could think of one thing that might explain Sofia’s feelings.

The “King’s Aura” I recently released has the ability to attract heretics and win their loyalty. Considering the ancient characters floating above, it’s clear Sofia is a heretic. Maybe my skill is affecting Sofia’s heart in some way.

Of course, I can’t explain such a thing. As I remain silent, Sofia moves away and sits on a velvet armchair, crossing her legs.

“If you won’t answer, then let me guess who you are.”

Sofia surveyed me.

“You look like an adventurer with your long sword, but you might be a noble in disguise who came to Pornai.”

Such an off-base guess. Then what about Nina?

“I’m far from being a noble. I’m an orphan.”

“So am I.”

I was unaware that Sofia Gracier was an orphan. Then, the words that followed made my heart skip a beat.

“You’ve recently gone through a terrible breakup, haven’t you?”

I was at a loss for words at her nearly accurate guess. How did she know?

“It’s easy to tell by looking at your expression, given my line of work. And don’t be too down about it. There are plenty of women out there. Or was she that captivating?”

“Well, yeah…”

Sofia’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“Then, let me ask you. If you could freely embrace either your loved one or me, whom would you choose?”

Such a ridiculous question, but if I honestly answer my loved one, Sofia then mentioned that man’s name.

“How unusual. The only one who didn’t choose me wholeheartedly in response to that question before was Prince Raymond.”

It appears Prince Raymond is also one of Sofia’s clients. Then, almost as if talking to herself, Sofia murmured:

“Despite all his womanizing, his true love is a childhood friend.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Sofia shook her head. “Nothing, it’s just idle talk.”

At that moment, Nina sat up. “Don, where are we?”

Seeing Nina rub her eyes, I felt relieved. I was worried about what I would do if she kept sleeping. I expressed my gratitude to Sofia once more and picked up the sleeping cat.

“Nina, let’s go home. Kano and Sani must be waiting for us, hungry.”

As I urged the still half-asleep Nina to leave the room, Sofia also stood up. “About your identity, I’ve come to my own conclusion.”

After a pause, Sofia said:

“According to my assessment, you are a former Holy Knight, and now the emerging don of a dark guild, aren’t you? If I’m right, I have a job for your family.”