The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 43

“It’s been some time since I last visited this place.”

Riding my horse to the lakeside on the western outskirts of the royal capital, I found a stark contrast to the bustling city. Here, the tranquility was only occasionally broken by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.

Before joining the knight order, Cecil and I had our base in the forest near this lakeside. Despite coming from the noble Wave family, Cecil was a tomboyish young lady who had often run away from home since she was young. We lived in various places together, but this base near the lakeside holds the most memories.

Before the entrance examination for the knight order, we would practice our swordsmanship by this lakeside. After practice, we would gaze at the lake and talk about our dream of joining the Holy Knight Order and protecting the peace of the royal capital.

“The future we imagined, where Cecil would become the leader of the Holy Knights and I would become the Don of the Dark Guild, was certainly unexpected.”

Choosing this place as our meeting spot was to avoid curious eyes. It would be problematic if rumors started spreading about Cecil, a highly renowned figure in the capital and possibly engaged to the prince, meeting alone with a man.

The western lakeside is a serene and scenic place, but occasionally, monsters that pose a threat to people appear, making it an uncommon destination for the residents of the capital. Perfect, if she would come.

While waiting, I practiced some light swordplay, then laid down on the grass to stretch.

Looking up at the sun to check the time, I sighed. The sun’s angle indicated that the time we were supposed to meet had passed.

I had left a message with my colleague Bumpy, but I honestly wasn’t sure if Cecil, with her busy schedule, would accept my invitation. Bumpy had mentioned that Cecil was looking for me, but I knew all too well that the duties of a Holy Knight Order leader wouldn’t allow her much free time.

“It’s amazing that Cecil can endure the troublesome role of a Holy Knight Order leader.”

Thinking to myself, I was about to take a nap for another hour or so when the bushes nearby rustled.

“Great, has a beast appeared?” I gripped the hilt of my sword and peered out, noticing someone standing in the shadow of the trees.

“Cecil…?”

No, that’s wrong. The figure’s build suggested it was a man. And when the man emerged from the shade, I was shocked.

The man’s face was swollen red as if he had been tortured, and upon closer inspection, it was a familiar face.

“B-Bumpy?”

Despite his injuries, it was unmistakably Bumpy. He silently fixed his gaze on me.

“Did you get hurt during a mission?”

Bumpy weakly replied, “I’m fine,” but his voice trembled, making it clear he was anything but.

“Injuries are the least of my concerns.”

“Did you manage to tell Cecil about our meeting?”

As soon as I mentioned Cecil’s name, Bumpy’s face contorted as if he was about to cry.

“Leon, I’m sorry. It’s the end for both you and me.”

“What’s going on? This isn’t like you. Did something happen?”

As I watched Bumpy tremble with his head down, puzzled, the trees in the distance rustled again. I heard a bowstring being drawn and instinctively drew my sword.

The Heretic Archer. As the thought crossed my mind, I split an arrow straight at me with my sword just in time.

“Bumpy, what is this about…”

Armed individuals emerged from the forest surrounding the lake as those words slipped out. A quick count revealed more than ten. The next moment, a barrage of arrows rained down on us.