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

It was a long day. After offering prayers to the knights laid out in the morgue, I sat in the captain’s office chair and felt a wave of fatigue hit me. Looking back on the day, the attempted capture of Viscount Luca LeBlanc, the son of Duke LeBlanc, seemed inconsequential.

The events that unfolded at the western lakeside and the great forest area could only be described as a disaster. There were eight martyrs and ten severely injured, including Lilith. As a result, we captured Grittz Mars, a major figure in the Capone family, dead. This capture, at the cost of significant damage, netted us a rare big fish among heretics in recent years.

I noted the name of the captive in the report: former Holy Knight Leon Stein. According to eyewitness accounts from knights at the scene, Leon, despite being seriously injured, managed to take down Grittz with speed unseen even by the elite of the First Holy Knight Order. Without Leon, the knights told me, a destruction would have been certain.

An autopsy revealed that Grittz possessed a heretical skill known as “Play of the Lodge Wood.” The scars on the knights made it undeniable that Grittz was also the murderer of a sister at the Saint Marianne Monastery. In other words, Leon managed not only to capture Grittz but also to resolve the sister’s murder.

I couldn’t help but slam my fist on the desk with all my might.

I was utterly disgusted with my incompetence. The responsibility for the significant casualties this time lies with me for not recognizing this scheme. How can I possibly make amends to the knights who have passed away?

I had no idea that Grittz was masquerading as Deputy Captain Nadale. According to Lilith’s report, Leon had tried to meet me in person to report that Nadale was a heretic.

It was only Leon who realized that a member of the Dark Guild’s leadership had infiltrated the Holy Knight Order, an unprecedented situation.

I want to hear the details from him, but I have no grasp of Leon’s current situation.

Lilith, who spoke directly with him, reported that Leon Stein is not a heretic and does not belong to the Michino Family, a Dark Guild.

On the other hand, there is information that Kano, an elf who delivered Lilith to the Holy Knight Order, and Seneca, who treated the severely injured Holy Knights, are affiliated with the Michino Family. If Lilith’s report is accurate, what is the relationship between them and Leon?

I’ve received various reports from knights at the scene, but the words Grittz said to Leon just before dying are particularly haunting.

“Capone’s blood vengeance.”

There isn’t a soul in the royal capital who wouldn’t shudder at these words. The Capone Family’s unity is unparalleled among the Dark Guilds. Those who receive this declaration are doomed to be erased by Capone. Since a knight spotted a black messenger bird just before Grittz died, the Capone Family, having received the message, will surely seek vengeance on Leon.

Of course, the Holy Knight Order has also lost many lives. We must suppress the Capone Family itself.

Though I anticipated this, the royal capital will temporarily fall into a state of war. More lives will be lost. I sighed and set down my pen.

After finishing the report, I stood up and donned a white long coat. There’s no time to feel tired. I need to communicate with Leon as soon as possible to prepare for the events that will unfold from tomorrow. He is now indispensable to the strength of the Holy Knight Order. As the future captain, I must get him to return to the Holy Knight Order at all costs. Leon doesn’t have time to be distracted by a pretty female elf.

I decided to start by visiting a tavern in the Loser’s District, where there have been sightings of Leon.

As I was preparing to leave, there was a knock at the door.

“Captain, you have a visitor.”

A visitor at this hour? Who could it be?

“Inquisitor Torquemada wishes to meet with you. He wants to share information regarding Leon Stein and Nina Nightsky.”