The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 4

I’ve heard that those who frequent the headquarters of the dark guild live lives of luxury rivaling even the nobles of the royal capital. In contrast, the building Kano brought me to looked just as shabby from the outside as it did within, with its rotting floors and cobweb-covered corners.

The dark guild “Michino Family” member I was introduced to was an elf girl even younger than Kano. Though it seemed unlikely this was the extent of their membership, it hardly looked the part of a guild.

“Kano, listen! I’ve found someone amazing! It’s none other than Leon Stein-san, who belonged to the Holy Knights, an aspiration for all the citizens of the royal capital!”

“Kano? This big brother was in the Holy Knights?” A small elf named Sani asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“That’s right. Because of that, today was a mess, right, Leon-san?”

“Ah, yes, that’s correct, but I never said anything about joining such a group.”

“Where do you plan to go after refusing to join an official guild?”

“I’m going on a journey. There are guilds unrelated to the Holy Knights in the frontier regions. I’ll live there as an adventurer.”

“Ah, so you’re taking the so-called ‘downfall to the countryside,’ huh?”

Left speechless by her comment.

“Leaving the royal capital with unresolved issues with the Holy Knights will tarnish your record, Leon-san.”

While skeptical about the actions of the knights, Kano’s claim of possessing a tracking skill was worth listening to.

“Hey, Kano. Is it true that the knights were watching me?”

“Of course, it’s true! Because I’m quite an amazing person, you know!”

Kano confidently rolled up her sleeve, revealing a skill name etched into her slender arm.

The skill name engraved on Kano’s arm was “Hawk’s Eye, the Thief’s Hand.”

“Kano, this skill…”

“Yes! It’s not a normal skill, but a heretical skill!”

“Which means you are…”

“Yes, a heretic!”

With Kano cheerfully admitting this, I had no choice but to facepalm.

While typical skills are considered blessings from the gods, there exist skills deemed to bring calamity to society. These are called heretical skills, manifesting rarely with irregular abilities. Whereas typical skills were systematized centuries ago by theologians, making their abilities immediately recognizable, heretical skills are unique to the individual and defy classification, with many theologians’ attempts ending in vain.

Capturing heretics who manifest these skills is also a critical duty of the Holy Knights.

“It’s bold of you to reveal such an identity before a former Holy Knight. Being caught by the Holy Knights could lead to a heretical trial, even death.”

“I thought it would be okay since Leon-san is no longer a Holy Knight.”

“That’s not the point.”

As I stood dumbfounded, Sani, the little sister, clung to my left arm.

“Um, can you tell us about your skill, Leon-san? You must have an amazing skill since you were part of the Holy Knights!”

Kids can be surprisingly keen on hitting where it hurts. “I don’t have any skill.”

Kano and Sani looked at me, puzzled. Kano asked, “How old are you, Leon-san?”

“Nineteen. And yet, I still haven’t manifested any skill.”

There’s no point in hiding it. I honestly admitted my age and showed them my bare arm, the very reason I was expelled from the knights.

Skills usually manifest by age sixteen, often during significant moments in life. Though the principle is unclear, some theologians believe skills resonate with a person’s destiny. Cecil’s “Saintess Skill” manifested on the day of her ordination, a critical moment in her life, which is quite natural.

However, I manifested no skill. Despite being at the top of my class upon entry, I was left behind as my peers displayed their skills and advanced their careers. Despite my extra effort and confidence in my swordsmanship, I knew all too well the whispers of “talentless hard worker” mocking me. Cecil, my childhood friend, always defended me, but eventually, she too began to mock me, and I was branded a hopeless commoner.

“I might have been part of the knights, but I’m essentially useless. Though I’m confident, I’m more skilled than the average adventurer.”

“But that also means you’re an unpolished gem, right?”

“I once harbored such naive hopes, thinking a great skill might manifest and I could prove everyone wrong. Let’s hear more about this so-called dark guild, the Michino Family.”

Upon saying this, Kano and Sani cheered, “You’re joining the family!”

“No, no, I said I’d listen to your story before deciding whether to join. So, where’s the don of this dark guild or any other family members? Are you handling some kind of request?”

Kano looked uncomfortable. “Um, it’s hard to say, but for now, the family is just the three of us! But don’t worry, we’re definitely going to recruit more members!”

“Huh?”

“And, though it’s presumptuous, we’d like the former elite Holy Knight, Leon-san, to be our don!”

“No, wait, what are you talking about?”

A family of three? And now they want me to be the don? It sounded like a child’s play.

Just as I was about to refuse, Kano and Sani exclaimed.

“Leon-san, your arm!”

Following their gaze, I saw a brilliant green light emanating from my left arm, leaving me speechless.

“Leon-san, it’s a skill manifesting!”

“Ah, it seems so.”

Why now, of all times? I had longed for a skill during my time with the knights, but nothing came. Now, after being expelled, nearly captured by former colleagues, and being propositioned by this so-called dark guild, my moment had arrived. Is this my fate?

The light from my arm grew stronger as I pondered, blinding me with a flash as bright as the one when Cecil’s Saintess Skill manifested. This wasn’t an ordinary skill manifesting.

When the light subsided, I hesitantly read the ancient script that appeared on my left shoulder and was at a loss for words.

The skill I manifested was “King of Heretics.”

I had no idea what abilities it entailed, but there was no doubt this was a heretical skill.