The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 8

“After that little incident with Pitt, Kano and I found ourselves wandering down a shopping street lined with food stalls. Despite their humble appearances, they sold freshly grilled skewers, bread, and even noodle dishes.”

“Do you have any favorite foods, Don?”

“I’m not picky about food. As long as it fills the stomach, anything is fine.”

“Even though you’re an elite, you’re surprisingly down-to-earth. Then, how about we buy some bread stuffed with Holo meat, Sani’s favorite, on our way back?”

Saying this, Kano reached out to pay the stall owner with copper coins, but I stopped her hand.

“I’ll pay for this. And, old man, add three thick beast roasts to our order.”

“A new face but spending big, huh? That’ll be one silver coin. Is that okay?”

Without a word, I took out a silver coin from my pouch and handed it to the stall owner, who wrapped up the bread and well-roasted meat with a satisfied look.

“We’ll pay for our share. Let’s see, one silver coin equals ten copper coins, so two-thirds of that would be…uh…”

“No need. Consider it a payment for the night’s lodging. Allow me this gesture of thanks…”

I was about to finish my sentence when an old habit from my days as a Holy Knight took over, and I reflexively grabbed the wrist of a boy trying to walk away with a skewer without paying.

The boy, startled, looked up at me. It was Seneca Forest, the heretic we’d been talking about earlier. Up close, Seneca looked as thin and frail as any other townsfolk, hardly the dangerous heretic one might expect.

It was like looking at my former self, and I couldn’t bring myself to scold him.

“Sorry for grabbing you like that.”

Seneca said nothing as I released his wrist and quickly ran off with the skewer. With a sigh, I took out another silver coin.

“Old man, add a bottle of that Pitt wine. Keep the change.”

“Is this real?”

Sani’s eyes widened in amazement at the table, laden with food from the stalls.

“Sani, it’s real. But, Don, are you sure it’s okay for us to eat this too?”

“How could I hog it all in front of you two drooling? Eat up before it gets cold.”

The elf sisters enthusiastically exclaimed, “Itadakimasu!” and began devouring the meat and bread. Watching them eat so happily made the humble street food seem like a feast. The taste was, in fact, not bad at all.

“About the matter of the dark guild…”

As I broached the topic during the meal, their hands stopped, and they looked at me earnestly.

Kano spoke up.

“It’s a tough subject, isn’t it? I never dreamed I’d get to know someone from the Holy Knights. We won’t cry if, by morning, you’re gone, Leon-san.”

Despite her words, tears quickly filled Kano and Sani’s eyes.

“No, no, you’ve got it wrong. That’s not what I’m talking about. I want to know if you’re truly committed to running the guild.”

Kano straightened up, a moment of surprise crossing her face before she sat up attentively.

“Of course, I’m serious. Living a normal life isn’t an option for elves with heretical skills, and I want to achieve something.”

“So, you’re motivated by a desire for fame?”

“That’s part of it, yes. But most importantly, it’s for the sake of this town.”

“For the town?”

“Don, you saw it today, right? No dark guilds control the Loser’s District, nor is it cared for by the Holy Knights. It’s a forsaken land. Men like Fatty Pitt dominate because there’s no organization to enforce order in this city!”

“So, Kano believes we need an organization that will take requests from the people of this city, help them, and even maintain public order.”

Kano nodded.

I shook my head once. It seems I must accept reality, too.

“As you know, I’m now considered a heretic. I can’t return to the Knights, and I can’t become an adventurer either. I’m not entirely convinced yet, but meeting you all must be fate. Alright, I’ll take on the matter of the dark guild.”

Kano and Sani shouted in unison.

“Will you finally become part of the family this time?!”

“Ah, I’m counting on you.”

Sani said.

“Kano, we have to do that thing to Don. The hand thing.”

“Yes, before Don changes his mind!”

Sani and Kano then knelt on one knee before me with solemn expressions and said in unison.

“From this moment forward, we entrust our lives to Lord Leon Stein and swear absolute loyalty.”

“No need to be so formal. It’s not like there’s a hierarchy.”

“No, Don, it has to be done properly according to tradition. Don, please extend your hand in front of us.”

Pressured by their serious demeanor, I extended my hand.

Kano and Sani took it, and without hesitation, they pressed their soft lips to the back of my hand. It was embarrassing to have this done by two elf girls, but I knew this was the custom for swearing loyalty in the dark guild.

The next moment, a green light spread throughout the room.

I saw the light shining on my left shoulder. This was a sight I had seen often during my time with the knights. It’s called the budding of skills, a phenomenon that occurs when skills are unlocked. And then, an ancient language echoed in my mind.

“Skill Unlock Condition: Loyalty of the Heretic Achieved”

“Skill: Majesty of the King Unlocked: Able to attract heretics and gather loyalty.”

“Skill: King’s Insight Unlocked: Able to appraise heretics who swear loyalty”

As those words echoed, the mist surrounding the characters floating above Kano’s head cleared. When the mist had completely disappeared, ancient characters appeared in my view.

Kano Rainwood

Race: Elf

Heretic Skill: Hawk’s Eye Thief

Sub-skills: Reconnaissance, Stealth, Lockpicking

Hidden Skills: Shadow Walk, Silent Voice

I gasped at the unlocking of the ability to appraise heretics. Other stats were listed, such as physical strength, agility, and power.

And reading the last ancient characters, I was momentarily speechless.

Loyalty: 100 (Allowed by royal command: Sexual Relations, Marriage, Enslavement)