The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 20

“Cecil-sama, I have something to discuss with you.”

Nadale, the Deputy Captain, stopped me at the garrison with these words.

“Prince Raymond wishes to meet with you tonight, Cecil-sama.”

“Please tell him I cannot make it tonight. There’s been a sighting of Kirke, and I want to focus on capturing that heretic.”

“That won’t do. Entertaining royalty is also part of your duty as a leader. Moreover, it’s unforgivable for Saintess Cecil to enter such filthy streets like Pornai without informing me in advance.”

Indeed, my actions were questionable. Upon hearing that Leon was frequenting Pornai, I couldn’t stay put and ventured into the upscale brothel, La Bohème, though I ended up with no information about Leon.

However, the brothel owner, Sofia Gracier, watching me with a sly smile the entire time, was concerned.

Since then, I’ve continued sending knights to investigate, leading to unexpected information.

“Deputy Captain, have you heard of the Michino Family, a dark guild?”

“The Michino Family… Are you referring to the legendary family that unified the capital’s dark guilds about a century ago? After their collapse, their name has been lost to history, hardly mentioned by anyone today.”

“There’s strange news. The Gambino Family usually controls the red-light district. Recently, the Michino Family has taken over as the bodyguards for La Bohème. What could this mean?”

“La Bohème, you say?” Nadale looked surprised. “…Naturally, I am not well-acquainted with brothels, but it’s a strange tale indeed. It doesn’t seem like something the Gambino Family would allow.”

Exactly. It’s not something to be allowed. The Gambino Family, known for their powerful magic skills and destructive retaliatory actions, harbors many heretics. Without a significant heretic in their ranks, the Michino Family would likely vanish from the capital without a trace.

“Deputy Captain, just to be safe, please investigate the Michino Family dark guild. It must involve a powerful heretic.”

“Cecil, I’ve wanted to see you!”

Upon entering the designated room, Prince Raymond said.

“Cecil, you look beautiful tonight.”

Prince Raymond, clearly intoxicated, unabashedly ogled my chest and hips, heating my entire body. It seems those feelings still linger in me. I concentrated hard to dispel those wicked thoughts.

He offered me a drink, which I politely refused. I must not drink this.

“Prince, what do you need? As you know, the capital is in an emergency with the dark guild conflicts intensifying. Being busy as a leader, I don’t have much time.”

“Don’t say that. When you had time for that knight, you gave him more than enough time. I think I deserve some of your time, too.”

“He was my batchmate and a good confidant. My relationship with you is different.”

“Enough with the pretense. You were lovers, weren’t you?”

The prince smirked. “Truly, that was exhilarating.”

Exhilarating? What does he mean? As I puzzled over this, the prince, after gulping down a drink, said.

“When Nadale showed him that portrait of you that day, he looked like it was the end of the world.”

My mind went blank at his words. Did he see that portrait of me?

“That wasn’t the real me that day. You must have put something in my drink…”

“Even if I did, that was still you, Cecil. Deep down, you desire me. Isn’t that true even now?”

Saying so, Prince Raymond threw two portraits on the table. One depicted me in underwear, being led by Prince Raymond; the other showed Leon, pale-faced, as he saw the picture.

I attempted to seduce Prince Raymond while Leon, with trembling hands, cut his thumb with a longsword and stamped a blood seal on his resignation letter. My heart felt like it would burst.

“Why would you do such a thing to Leon…”

“It’s been a grudge since we were kids. Ever since Cecil ran away from home and started associating with that filthy orphan, I’ve wanted to disgrace and kill that man. He made a prince like me jealous. Cecil and I have a much older connection than he does.”

I finally realized it. Yes, Leon and I had been trapped by Prince Raymond. Thinking back, it was odd from the moment I was ordered on an unnecessary expedition despite the capital being in an emergency. Leon was certainly banished while I was away. And then…

“Raymond, don’t tell me you went as far as to harm Leon after banishing him,” my voice trembled.

“Since there’s been no report, that guy must still be sneaking around. Well, I’ve made sure he’s ousted from the official guilds, and being the skillless fool he is, he might as well be dead somewhere. Hey, don’t look so scared. It ruins your beauty. Don’t worry. I’m forgiving enough to overlook a past fling or two. Also, Cecil, I’ve asked my father to proceed with arranging our marriage.”

“Foolish Raymond. You’re the one who will end up hurt the most.”

With those words, I quickly left the room. Prince Raymond’s voice echoed behind me.

“Cecil! You’ve consumed enough of a strong aphrodisiac that would kill a normal person! It’s only a matter of time before you forget him and become mine!”

Even after the prince’s voice faded, my legs trembled with fear. Sneaking around? Ousted from the official guilds? The harsh reality of Leon’s situation was beyond my imagination, and it felt like my heart was about to burst.

I bit my lip.

Leon, I’m sorry. I am responsible for not seeing through their scheme as the leader. Please be alive. I swear I will find you and devote myself to you as long as I live.

Cooling my sweat-drenched body with the night breeze, I made that solemn vow.