The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 47/48

His smile was as detestable as ever.

Deputy Captain Nadale entered the cave with a satisfied smile, flanked by five of his senior knights and Bumpy. Bumpy, too, was grinning broadly.

Nadale surveyed the cave. “Ho, so this is the place that Cecil-sama frequented.”

After taking a look around, he fixed his gaze on me. “The person who will conduct the heresy inquisition will be arriving soon. You will be judged according to formal procedures, Leon Stein.”

“A heresy inquisition for me? For what reason?”

“How pretentious, Leon Stein. You are a heretic. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to defeat Kyle, who possesses the heretical skill ‘Izayoi’s Clone.'”

So, the man I fought earlier was Kyle Bradley, a wanted man of considerable skill. But why did such a man attack me, and how was he killed so effortlessly by someone else?

I stared intently at the face of Deputy Captain Nadale of the Holy Knights. Who exactly is this man?

Nadale continued. “Furthermore, I have caught wind of your affiliation with the Michino Family, a dark guild. That’s not all. You’ve assaulted civilians in the royal capital, kidnapped the Holy Knight Bumpy here, and engaged in a dark guild feud by the western lake, killing a man. Even Cecil-sama won’t be able to protect you now.”

“You hired the dark guild to attack me in the first place.”

Nadale’s sarcastic smile deepened. “Hired the dark guild? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Bumpy, just to confirm, is there any mistake in what I’ve said?”

Bumpy replied, “No. I was indeed kidnapped and assaulted by Leon Stein here. I got caught up in a conflict between dark guilds along the way, which was truly terrifying. It’s a miracle we managed to capture Leon Stein.”

“Give it up, Leon Stein. The Michino Family you belong to is finished as of today. Your boss, Don Michino, is probably being interrogated right now.”

“Interrogated? What do you mean?”

“We executed a compulsory investigation of that small dark guild. All heretics affiliated with it will be executed alongside you.”

This is the worst-case scenario. If a forced investigation is conducted, the skill imprinted on the left arm of every family member will be visible to the knights.

But all is not lost. If Kano and Sofia act cleverly, there’s a chance to turn the situation around.

Regardless, I cannot afford to be captured here. Even if it’s futile, I’ll resist until the end. As I thought to grip my sword, the stone wall began to creak open again.

Nadale uttered the last words I wanted to hear. “It seems Cecil-sama has arrived. Rejoice, for your heresy inquisition will be conducted by Cecil-sama herself. Prince Raymond will attend your execution. This is indeed an honor. The future king and queen will witness your death.”

◆

The door opened, and outside light poured into the cave. The sound of footsteps echoed within. However, the next moment, what caught my eye wasn’t Cecil.

It was Lilith, Cecil’s right hand and also my fellow initiate, who entered the cave. Lilith surveyed the cave once before fixing her gaze on me.

Nadale, seemingly puzzled, asked, “Lilith, where is Cecil-sama? We were informed she was following us.”

Lilith responded calmly, “Indeed, Cecil-sama did come to the western lakeshore, but a significant concern has arisen between the royal family and the nobility, and she is currently attending to that matter.”

“A significant concern between the royal family and the nobility? I haven’t received any reports. What happened?”

Lilith remained expressionless. “Our Holy Knights of the royal capital mistakenly captured Viscount Luca LeBlanc of the LeBlanc ducal family. The LeBlanc ducal family has expressed deep concern to the royal family. This matter has caught the royal family by surprise, and the court is currently busy appeasing the wrath of Duke LeBlanc.”

Nadale seemed taken aback. “What do you mean? How could the Holy Knights capture a member of the LeBlanc ducal family, of all people? This is an unprecedented blunder. Who is responsible for this incompetence? They must be punished immediately through a disciplinary inquisition, and we must apologize sincerely to the LeBlanc ducal family.”

“Yes. Duke LeBlanc demands punishment for the person responsible for executing the forced investigation on the Michino Family.”

At those words, Nadale froze, and it was visibly apparent that he was losing color. “What do you mean? Why would Duke LeBlanc have any relation to the Michino Family?”

“That’s because the Viscount of the LeBlanc family was captured at the Michino Family’s residence. The knights who conducted the investigation even inflicted injuries.”

Nadale stuttered, “That’s absurd. There’s no way the viscount of the LeBlanc family would be in that dilapidated house in the Loser’s District! This must be a lie, a plot to trap me, right, Lilith?”

Lilith shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. The LeBlanc ducal family has announced today that they have officially started commercial transactions with the Michino Family. Furthermore, the Michino Family has complained that they were unjustly demanded money and goods by you, Nadale-sama. Nadale-sama, please come with us. Time is of the essence. The king himself will decide on this matter.”

As Lilith loudly commanded the knights to take him away, the stone wall opened again, and about ten knights entered the cave. Nadale looked on in disbelief. When the knights attempted to bind his wrists with rope, Nadale yelled.

“Stop! Don’t dare touch me casually! This is a mistake! I have the utmost trust of Prince Raymond! Lilith, you will be punished for this disrespect. I can see it now!”

“Nadale-sama, you should know why Duke LeBlanc is called the Golden Lion. He is essentially the royal capital’s treasurer. With the financial situation being less than ideal, it’s not hard to imagine how the king will view this matter.”

Lilith continued, “Not only this issue, but the LeBlanc family has also questioned Prince Raymond’s privatization of the Holy Knights. Cecil-sama has been secretly sharing information with Duke Jean LeBlanc all this time.”

At those words, Nadale trembled and dropped his gaze. The knights commanded by Lilith bound the wrists of Nadale and two of his subordinate knights and led them out of the cave.

Lilith then turned to Bumpy, “It seems you were a fervent supporter of Nadale, but due to this incident, all knights affiliated with Nadale will be investigated so that you will be taken in as well.”

“Wait, please! I’m not part of Nadale’s faction! I was deceived and nearly killed by Nadale, a victim here! Right, Leon? Leon knows everything!”

Ignoring Bumpy’s plea, Lilith instructed the knights to take him away. Bumpy, now bound, continued to shout, “Leon! Help me, please!”

Lilith focused on me after the knights had taken Nadale and Bumpy away. “Leon, there’s something important I need to discuss with you.”