The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 7

In the Loser’s District, a place outside the jurisdiction of the Holy Knights and home to the impoverished slums. Ironically, I, of all people, am setting foot in this land where those who have fallen from grace dwell, as its name suggests.

Even I, raised in the royal capital, have only entered this place once or twice. Kano, with her familiar steps, guided me through the district.

Houses that looked like they would collapse with a strong gust of wind, shops filled with junk-like items, and run-down taverns where fathers with red faces leaned on each other’s shoulders from the afternoon were all that could be seen, along with people in poor attire. The impression was that many of them were not in good health. They greeted Kano cheerfully upon seeing her.

“Thanks to the medicine Kano-chan delivered, my illness improved. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. You don’t have to pay the fee until Brook-san returns to work.”

“Kano-chan, always so serious about money.”

“Of course, I’ll properly take the fee. Please take care, Brook-san.”

After that conversation, I asked Kano, “You delivered medicine? Are you well-versed in pharmacology?”

Kano replied calmly, “Not at all. I just picked up some medicine that would work for Brook-san’s illness from a pharmacy in the central city.”

I raised my voice in confusion, “Isn’t that theft?”

“Don’t say such unpleasant things. The regular price of medicine is too expensive for the residents of this town. I’m providing it at a lower cost using my skills, so it’s kind of like charity work, right? Leon-san, weren’t you a Holy Knight without a compassionate heart?”

I sighed.

I see. This is what Kano meant by the dark guild. They operate like a handyman service in the Loser’s District, taking on jobs regardless of legality to make a daily living. My rational side tells me that as a former Holy Knight who was supposed to uphold the law, I shouldn’t get involved, but something bothered me.

“What about you and Sani’s parents? How long have you been living like this?”

“We don’t have parents. We’ve always lived together, just the two of us.”

I thought as much. It was clear from looking at Kano and Sani’s frail bodies that they were orphans. Knowing this fact made my heart waver. If they continued living this way, they would get caught by the Holy Knights being used by the dark guild. If Kano were gone, it would mean death for little Sani.

Though we had just met, I couldn’t bear to leave the elf sisters alone. As I was pondering what to do, something caught my eye.

“What’s wrong, Don?”

“No, just something caught my attention.”

A boy with a refined face we just passed had the same kind of text floating above his head as Kano. However, it was obscured by mist, making it unreadable.

As I watched the boy pass by, Kano said admiringly, “Oh, Don has a good eye. That boy was a famous heretic in the underworld before he came to live here. He had trouble with the dark guild and now lives here quietly.”

“A famous heretic from the underworld? His name?”

“His name is Seneca, Seneca Forest.”

That name rang a bell, and I remembered a wanted poster from my time in the knight order.

“Wait, Seneca Forest? As in the ‘Slasher Seneca’? He’s got a criminal record!”

Slasher Seneca was a heretic who once caused a stir, mainly handling assassinations among the nobility and higher society. It had been a while since I heard his name, but now he lived in this rundown district.

Nevertheless, the misty text appeared only above Kano and Seneca. What they had in common was…

“Heretics, huh?”

Could it be that my skill has manifested in a way that allows me to discern who is a heretic? If so, it might be a historically unique skill related to assessing heretical skills.

Just then, I sensed a commotion in the street. Despite the painful lesson from yesterday, my feet were drawn towards the noise source.

“Don, where are you going?”

“It seems there’s some trouble brewing.”

I found a scene I couldn’t overlook as I approached the commotion.

In this town, a rarity, a portly man was kicking a fallen older man on the ground repeatedly. The elder made small noises each time he was kicked, unable to resist.

“Kano, who is that fat man?”

“He’s known as Fatty Pitt, a man who deals in liquor and lending money and controls this town. He always bullies residents who can’t repay their debts like this to make an example of them. The residents here are too frail to resist.”

Regardless, as I stepped forward to stop Pitt, Kano grabbed my hand.

“Don, it’s better not to catch Pitt-san’s attention. He’s quite troublesome.”

“Even so, we can’t just leave it be.”

While Kano and I were talking, Pitt suddenly stopped kicking and looked our way, breaking into a sneer.

“Who do I see here but my lovely Kano? Still skinny and pitiful as ever.”

It seems Kano and Pitt knew each other. For some reason, Kano hid behind me.

Pitt waddled closer with his large frame.

“There’s no need to hide. I’ve told you before, become my woman, and you won’t have to live in that ominous haunted house anymore. I’ll feed your sister Sani well and cherish you every night. Just become my woman quickly.”

Kano, holding onto my arm, whispered.

“Let’s go. I don’t want to deal with him.”

Pitt seemed to have noticed me then.

“Huh? Who’s this? I don’t recognize the face. I hate strangers.”

Pitt glanced at Kano’s hand gripping my arm; his brow twitched, and his face quickly turned red. Shaking, he shouted.

“How dare you flirt with Kano right in front of me!”

The next moment, Pitt’s short legs lunged at us. His kick landed squarely on my shin, followed by a punch to my cheek. Pitt continued to hit me, shaking his large body.

“You’re pathetic! Too scared to even move! The rest of you, join in!”

Pitt’s call brought his lackeys to surround me, swinging their fists similarly.

It looked like a lynching, but I was unsure how to react.

(Are these weaklings really in control of this town?)

Indeed, the men were so feeble that their punches were utterly harmless. Realizing Pitt and his men were just skin and bones. I was almost disappointed, accustomed to dealing with more formidable foes in the dark guilds of the capital. I decided to let them punch me until they were satisfied, not wanting to injure them accidentally. Then, Kano stepped in front of me to protect me.

“Please stop! It would be terrible if you angered this person!”

The men hesitated to hit Kano, stopping their assault. Pitt, catching his breath, sneered.

“This coward getting angry? As if that’s scary! He can’t even fight back!”

“Pitt-san can only act big now! Listen, this person was once a member of the Royal Holy Knights!”

Kano’s words caused Pitt and his group to pause, then burst into laughter.

“A member of the Holy Knights? Only nobles or those with exceptional physical talents can join. No way such an incredible person is in this town. Kano, you’ve been deceived.”

Ignoring Pitt’s mockery, I gave the older man on the ground a potion to drink.

“No matter the reason, don’t kick an elderly person.”

Pitt spat out.

“Don’t order me around, liar! If you want to live here, better watch not to anger Pitt-sama, the don of this town!”

With that, Pitt and his lackeys left triumphantly.