The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 5

It has been over two weeks since we left the royal capital. Following Prince Raymond’s orders, I traveled to the distant Orleans territory to conduct a heresy trial against two heretics. Despite being mere peasants with seemingly harmless beliefs, as the Grandmaster of the Holy Knights, I was tasked to personally attend to a matter that a local inquisitor could have easily handled. After days of travel, returning without significant accomplishments feels futile.

Amidst the intensifying conflicts within the dark guilds back in the royal capital, being assigned such a trivial task by Prince Raymond is puzzling. A plethora of duties await my return. Above all, one particular concern incessantly troubles my mind. As I ride on my horse, I let out a sigh.

“Why did I say such things?”

The argument I had with Leon on the day of my departure keeps replaying in my head. I had harshly lashed out at him, calling him “useless” and wishing he would disappear from my sight after believing rumors that he was discontent with our relationship.

Knowing well that Leon is self-conscious about not having manifested any skills, my recent stress seems to have made me more irritable towards him. Leon, being his kind soul, always forgives me, but this time, something feels amiss.

“It must be because of that strange dream. I’ve already sent Leon a letter, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”

Right after leaving the capital, I had a disturbing dream about Leon being expelled from the Holy Knights—a scenario impossible in reality. Upon waking, I immediately wrote an apology to Leon, an uncommon act for me, and sent it with Minerva, our intelligent carrier pigeon. By now, I should have received a reply from Leon.

Yet, as days pass without any word from him, my mind can’t help but wander to the worst possibilities, all prompted by that dream. Leon looked utterly desolate in it, not just expelled but manifesting a heretical skill so dangerous that it warranted execution by fire.

He was torn between living as a heretic or upholding justice by ending his own life. In the end, he chose to abandon everything—justice, the Holy Knights, and our childhood friendship—to live as a heretic.

What a ludicrous dream. The kind and gentle Leon, I know he could never become a heretic. While pondering this, I hear Minerva’s beautiful cry from the sky. My heart races with anticipation as she lands on my shoulder with a letter tied to her leg.

I expect Leon’s reply to be filled with his usual kindness, enough to lift the gloom from my journey. However, the letter contains something utterly unexpected.

During the silent ride, my mind goes blank. The sender isn’t Leon but Nadale, the Deputy Captain, overseeing the capital in my absence. What does this mean?

According to Nadale, Leon Stein has voluntarily resigned from the Royal Holy Knights. He packed his belongings and left my residence, with his unknown whereabouts. He also severed all ties with me.

Did my harsh words hurt him? Or, could it be that the incident with Prince Raymond on that day somehow reached Leon?

“To all members! Full speed back to the capital! We’ll return in ten, no, five days!”

Leon, this can’t be true. When I get home, you’ll greet me with your usual smile, won’t you? After all, we’ve overcome everything together until now.