The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 75

I stood atop the highest spire, calmly analyzing the situation unfolding below as the moonlight illuminated the massive stone castle.

The unease that precedes the activation of a powerful heretical skill struck shortly after the party began. I immediately called off my attendance and instructed the Holy Knights’ leaders to heighten their vigilance.

An hour has passed since then, and while no incidents have occurred, an ominous air hangs over the castle tonight.

My gaze turned to the Poor’s District. Flames had erupted from a mansion managed by the Torquemada Inquisitors a short while ago, and the royal magical firefighters were still struggling to extinguish them.

Fires are so common in the capital that a night without one is rare, and while this isn’t directly our concern, the bell tolls of the firefighters stirred my anxiety further.

Amidst the sound of bells, the faint strains of the court orchestra playing a phantom nocturne could be heard.

Was the party proceeding smoothly? I had hoped to meet with Don Michino and discuss matters, but it seemed that would not be possible.

From the spire, I could see the movements of the Holy Knights taking their positions; one by the gate seemed to be nodding off.

Understanding his fatigue, yet knowing sleeping on duty was not good, I noticed another knight shaking his head similarly. That’s when I realized something was amiss.

(It seems they are repeating the same melody over and over…)

Like a broken magical phonograph, the court orchestra kept repeating the same measures. A chilling premonition washed over me, and I leapt from the spire. As I soared through the air, I saw more knights drifting into sleep.

When I landed on the balcony leading to the grand hall, the sight took my breath away.

The nobles at the party stood upright, eyes closed, heads swaying as if they were deep in sleep.

The orchestra members were similarly affected, continuously playing the same segment with their eyes shut and heads nodding.

(I’ve been had…)

This was undoubtedly the work of a heretic. It’s not normal for someone to affect so many at once. I rushed over to the guards and shook one vigorously, needing to understand what had happened.

However, no matter how much I spoke to him, he did not respond. He would awaken with the use of a sacred art, but communication was difficult in his groggy state.

I left the hall to check outside, and sure enough, the guards along the grand passageways were also dozing.

Analyzing the source of the heretical skill while murmuring sacred words, I headed towards Duke LeBlanc’s chambers when I was halted by a shout, “Cecil-sama!”

Turning, I saw five knights from the First Holy Order approaching, a rare look of panic on their faces.

I said, “Let’s assess the situation.”

One knight nodded and reported, “A heretical skill activated a few minutes ago. Many here in the castle are in a state of mental confusion, including several lower-ranked knights of our order.”

“Is the situation the same outside the castle? Has anyone identified the source of this heretical skill?”

“A powerful detection-interference skill is in effect, and we have yet to pinpoint the source.”

“Understood. All mobile knights, focus on protecting the attendees. We must not let anyone be harmed here in the castle, not on the Holy Order’s honor.”

Judging by the escalating scale of impact from each incident involving this heretic—first a single knight, then dozens, and now hundreds—it’s clear that the skill is being released continuously and the power significantly enhanced.

After quickly directing the knights, I headed straight for Duke LeBlanc’s chambers. I had assigned the top tier of our knights, including elite Holy Knights, for his protection, knowing that if they were compromised, it could be disastrous.

However, my fears were unfounded upon entering his room. The elite knights, though asleep, had formed a protective barrier around Duke LeBlanc with their sacred arts.

It seems the heretical skill does not extend to the more powerful Holy Knights. Yet, if the sleeping knights were manipulated to attack, even this team might not be able to protect Duke LeBlanc.

With few awakened knights left, it was up to me alone to apprehend the heretic and resolve this situation. I instructed the knights to guard the duke at all costs before leaving the room.

And then, the analysis of the heretical skill’s source was finally completed.

(The heretic activating this powerful skill is now in Prince Raymond’s bedroom…)

The conclusion that Duke LeBlanc and I had most feared had been confirmed.

From an early stage, we had suspected Prince Raymond as the mastermind behind the series of attacks. Acknowledging this conclusion was something both Duke LeBlanc and I had resisted, fearing the catastrophic outcomes it would entail.

Should Duke LeBlanc retaliate against Prince Raymond, for any

 reason, the nobles close to the royal family would undoubtedly turn against the LeBlancs, leading to a fruitless and bloody conflict that could last years, if not decades.

Of course, Duke LeBlanc was well aware of this. With a grimace, he had said, “As long as such incidents never occur again, I am willing to let this matter go.” I was grateful for his magnanimous decision, committed as ever to protecting the nation.

Initially, through correspondence, I subtly conveyed Duke LeBlanc’s decision to the prince. Furthermore, I had the bedridden king repeatedly stress the importance of the LeBlanc family to Prince Raymond. The Holy Order had also exerted its efforts to mediate between the two at this party.

I had always believed that Prince Raymond cared for his people.

Yet, his decision to proceed with a third plan was disheartening.

As I approached his room, the ominous atmosphere intensified. I murmured the words of a charm I always recite when facing danger.

“After completing the mission of a Holy Knight, a happy life with Leon awaits me. Thus, I can overcome today as well.”

And so, for the first time since that night, I stepped into Prince Raymond’s bedroom.