The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 61

“Le-Leon?”

Cecil’s voice echoed in my mind.

This was my first time using Kano’s skill, “Silent Voice.” Moreover, my consciousness was focused on Cecil, probably why my voice reached her.

Even though my appearance changes when I use the skill “Another Face,” it seems my voice remains the same when transmitted through Silent Voice.

Glancing up, I saw Cecil looking around in confusion. I was not only clad in the armor of the LeBlanc family but also bore the face of Don Michino. There was no way she could find me.

But this was a convenient situation. It seemed the man lurking behind was slipping past Cecil’s sorcery for detecting heretics, and informing her of the problem was beneficial for completing our task.

I sent another message to Cecil.

“Cecil, please calm down and listen.”

Despite my words, Cecil seemed confused.

“Why can I hear Leon’s voice? Are you here?”

It was impossible to explain that I was hired by the LeBlanc family to guard Lady Elena without causing more confusion. I resolved to quickly share only what was necessary.

“Anyway, the details can wait. Cecil, the tall man behind Prince Raymond, is…”

As I was about to directly reveal the heretic’s location, an unforeseen event occurred.

An unfamiliar man’s voice resonated in my mind. It was a disturbingly unpleasant voice.

“Former Holy Knight Leon Stein, I would appreciate it if you did not interfere.”

Then, the next moment, the effect of “Silent Voice” disappeared, and my communication with Cecil was cut off.

Trying to activate the skill again, I realized I needed to wait some time before using the same skill. While I was figuring this out, Cecil and the Holy Knights accompanying Prince Raymond had already started ascending the central spiral staircase in the entrance hall.

“Don, shall we disappear and follow?”

Kano whispered next to me. It seems my words had somehow reached Kano as well.

“Yes, let’s split up. Kano and I will follow that heretic. Kirke, you take care of guarding the lady.”

Just as we stood up, a butler attached to Lady Elena hurried over in a panic.

“It’s terrible. The young lady has escaped from her room while we were momentarily distracted!”

With a sigh, I resigned myself to the situation.

We had only been at the LeBlanc family’s mansion for about thirty minutes, but it was already clear that this task would be troublesome.

“Yes, we will find the young lady immediately, so please rest assured.”

Leaving the heretic man to Cecil for now, it seemed our only option was to search for the wayward lady.

“Why not tie up that wild child with a rope or something?”

Kirke complained as we searched the mansion for Lady Elena.

I had instructed Kano to search for Elena separately. Kano was probably the best cat finder in the capital, so he was the perfect choice for locating a lady as whimsical as a cat on his own.

As we looked around, Kirke commented.

“But really, is the Holy Knight Order preparing for war? Just at a glance, Holy Knights are everywhere, with experience in capturing Dark Guild executives. It’s quite frightening.”

Given that Jean LeBlanc and Prince Raymond, two of the nation’s highest VIPs, were present, it was natural for the security to be tight, but this was excessive.

Moreover, the Holy Knights seemed tense as if before the capture of a major heretic, not merely on guard duty.

While searching for Lady Elena, we were repeatedly stopped by Holy Knights, who insisted on us removing our helmets. Unlike the Holy Knights, nobles’ private soldiers had a lower status, and we were warned not to wander around, making even simple movements difficult.

Additionally, it felt like a Holy Knight was constantly shadowing us, keeping a close watch on our every move.

Despite the discomfort, we diligently searched through Lady Elena’s favorite spots, including the maid’s quarters, the kitchen, and the rose garden, to no avail.

As we continued to explore the mansion, a sense of unease grew. What was particularly alarming was the behavior of the Holy Knights’ patrols. Although their defense seemed impeccable at first glance, occasionally, I noticed Holy Knights stationed in positions that made no sense, as if the command structure was divided in two.

Thirty minutes had passed since Prince Raymond and Cecil entered Jean LeBlanc’s bedroom. From the behavior of the surrounding Holy Knights, it seemed nothing had happened yet, but the tension within the mansion only intensified. Before long, Kirke, too, became less talkative.

(What exactly is going on with that heretic and this situation?)

Then, Kano’s voice echoed in my mind.

“Don, I have located Lady Elena unharmed.”

Apparently, after escaping her room, Lady Elena had hidden in a storage shed used by the coachmen. Kano then reported something we had somewhat anticipated.

“I don’t know why, but the Holy Knights have continuously pursued Lady Elena. For now, we’ve escaped by concealing our presence, but what should we do?”

I finally grasped the situation and gave Kano instructions.

“Extract the lady from the mansion immediately. A significant conflict is imminent within minutes. This conversation might be overheard, so be extremely careful.”

“Understood, Don.”

After my conversation with Kano ended, Kirke said,

“Don, I’ll fortify our defenses with a magical barrier. This feels dangerous.”

“Yes, we’re heading to Jean LeBlanc’s bedroom now.”

Merely seconds after our conversation, the mansion was shaken by a thunderous explosion, unmistakably the result of Cecil’s sacred magic.

And as if the explosion was a signal, an unprecedented scene unfolded around us.

Suddenly, some Holy Knights turned their swords against other Holy Knights and LeBlanc family soldiers as if everyone knew what would happen, instantly plunging the mansion into a combat state.

Holy Knights launched an attack against Kirke and myself, but they stood no chance. I used capture techniques, and Kirke used fireballs, quickly bringing our attackers to the ground.

Looking around, the scene was utter chaos. Some Holy Knights were restraining others who had suddenly turned violent, but both sides wore the same armor, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

There was no time to engage with them or to think. Although battles raged around us, Kirke and I went to Jean LeBlanc’s bedroom, where Cecil and the others were.

The second floor, where Jean LeBlanc’s bedroom was, had already turned into a battlefield. Smoke filled the air, and the ground was littered with injured Holy Knights, LeBlanc family soldiers, and maids. The sharp clash of metal echoed everywhere.

I could hear Cecil directing the Holy Knights.

“Immediately evacuate Viscount Luca LeBlanc!”

Simultaneously, a man’s voice boomed throughout the mansion.

“Cecil! The Duke LeBlanc is no longer breathing! We must abandon the duke and the viscount and leave this place! Just protect me!”

That voice likely belonged to Prince Raymond. Cecil appeared to defend Prince Raymond and Duke LeBlanc amidst the battle.

There was only one option. Drawing the sword from my back, Kirke and I stepped into the chaos that was anything but ordinary.