The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 34

At the meeting of the Holy Knights, I received a report from Deputy Captain Nadale about the Michino Family, a dark guild we had been concerned about, and felt a sigh of relief.

“So, the organization known as the Michino Family was just a small group of individuals based in the slum district?”

“Yes, we’ve conducted an investigation, and it’s not a group that would trouble the captain.”

“But why would such a group take on the role of bodyguards for La Bohème?”

“The lady owner, Sofia, is known to be quite the eccentric. She probably decided to team up with them on a whim.”

I was concerned since there were sightings of Leon with the proprietor of La Bohème, but I trusted that the deputy captain would handle this matter correctly.

“And about the severely injured Kirke being transported by carriage to the Gambino headquarters, have we identified his assailant yet?”

“We are still investigating that matter. Whoever reduced Kirke to nearly a death’s door must be a considerable heretic…”

“Please report to me as soon as you find something. Now, let’s move on to the matter of disciplinary inquiries.”

The last agenda item seemed trivial. I planned to wrap it up quickly when Nadale brought up something unexpected.

“As for Bumpy Woods, we needn’t bother the captain with this. It’s likely just a case of leaving at night for a tavern or brothel.”

Indeed, violations for nighttime outings were usually minor. However, I felt a slight discomfort with the deputy captain’s leniency.

“Deputy Captain, it’s unusual for you to be so lenient when you’re usually strict about violations.”

Nadale responded without changing his expression, “Sometimes, a flexible approach is necessary. In any case, you should attend tonight’s royal party without worry, Saintess. I’ve heard Prince Raymond will be there as well.”

I sighed inwardly. The invitations from Prince Raymond had become blatantly frequent. Rumors of our engagement had even started circulating throughout the capital. I had no choice but to minimize encounters with the prince.

“No, I will conduct the disciplinary inquiry for the nighttime outing. The Holy Knights seem to have become lax recently.”

Nadale protested for a while, but I instructed Lilith to bring Bumpy Woods to the captain’s office.

The attitude of the lower knight, Bumpy Woods, who appeared next, was perplexing. I thought it would be a minor violation, but Bumpy remained silent.

“Bumpy, if you answer honestly, this can be settled with a minor punishment. Why are you adamantly silent about your destination? You’ve been seen returning to the barracks late at night recently. Where have you been going so late? Can’t you tell me?”

I had not anticipated the knight’s silence. Nighttime outings were a common violation. Probably just a visit to a tavern or brothel. I was ready to make a quick decision and move on, but Bumpy steadfastly refused to speak. And Deputy Captain Nadale’s attitude became even more puzzling.

“Well, it seems we already know the likely places he visited, and he is remorseful, so a week in the disciplinary room seems fair.”

The deputy captain’s eagerness to conclude the disciplinary inquiry felt off, especially given his usual insistence on formality and strict adherence to rules. Nadale would never allow silence. He would thoroughly investigate the facts and press the violating knight. Bumpy’s protective stance and Nadale’s unusual behavior seemed like they were hiding something.

“Deputy Captain, could you leave us? I wish to speak with Bumpy alone.”

“That won’t be possible. According to the rules of the Holy Knights’ disciplinary inquiries, the captain and deputy captain must be present, except in exceptional cases. I don’t believe this is one of those exceptions.”

“I, as the captain, have decided this is an exception. Please leave, Deputy Captain. This is an order.”

Nadale left the room with a sarcastic smile.

Once alone, I stared intently at Bumpy, who seemed unsettled. Looking at Bumpy’s face, I remembered something.

“Bumpy, we were in the same cohort when we joined, weren’t we?”

“Yes, indeed, Captain and I joined at the same time. Though, from the entrance exams onwards, your abilities were completely different, and I never really saw myself as your peer.”

“The entrance exam scores had Leon at the top, and he was expected to excel.”

“In the end, he was a huge disappointment.”

I was irked by that comment.

“Leon just hadn’t manifested his skills yet, but his fundamental abilities were among the highest ever seen in the history of the Knights. If he had manifested his skills, he would have surpassed me, the Captain.”

“Captain, you’re overestimating him. Leon was never suited for the elite group that is the Holy Knights. And the town he lives in now… it’s a dirty slum…”

Bumpy stopped mid-sentence and looked embarrassed. “Sorry, never mind.”

“What do you mean? Do you know something about Leon? What about the town he lives in?”

“Sorry, I don’t know anything.”

Bumpy then looked down again. This was getting nowhere.

“In any case, I’ve decided this is a serious violation of the rules. If you remain silent, I will have you expelled from the Holy Knights.”

Bumpy’s face shot up in alarm.

“Wait, please! Expulsion? I was just following orders from the Deputy Captain!”

“Orders from the Deputy Captain? What do you mean? Can you explain?”

I intended it as a simple bluff, but Bumpy spilled the entire story. As expected, he had been frequenting a tavern recently. But Bumpy’s next words left me speechless.

“You met and talked with Leon? Is that true?”

“Yes, it was a chance encounter at a tavern.”

Bumpy had run into Leon at a newly opened tavern in the Loser’s District. He reported this not to me but to Deputy Captain Nadale. Nadale instructed him not to tell me and to investigate Leon’s situation.

So, Nadale was still secretly acting under Prince Raymond’s orders.

Then, Bumpy shared a series of surprising updates. Leon was seen drinking at the tavern, cheerfully chatting with a beautiful elf.

“I don’t mean to pry, but what was this elf-like?”

“She was pretty but dressed in a way that screamed poverty, a perfect match for Leon, an orphan. They were talking about family matters, maybe even considering marriage.”

I was stunned again. A cute girl, a perfect match for Leon… and they’re discussing family plans? But wait, Leon hasn’t even mentioned breaking up with me. Could the picture incident make him fall out of love with me?

Bumpy unexpectedly continued.

“Leon asked me to deliver a message to you, Saintess Cecil. He wants to meet and talk directly. I have the details of the meeting place and time…”

“Leon wants to meet me directly!”

As I was overwhelmed with this newfound hope, a flustered knight burst into the room.

“Excuse me for interrupting the disciplinary inquiry, Captain, but there’s been a report of two intruders in the catacombs of the Giant Stone Castle. We need your immediate instructions.”