The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 83

Prince Raymond was left alone in his bedroom, continuously screaming, “Lily! Bring Cecil back here!”

Lily, his most cherished concubine, had been drugged with aphrodisiacs and would usually respond to any of his demands immediately. Yet, there was no response.

Occasionally, the castle shook violently as if a battle was underway. Prince Raymond had no idea what was happening, but the situation inside the castle was the least of his concerns.

His mind was consumed with thoughts of Cecil Wave, imagining her in a thin, holy robe. He felt he couldn’t sleep a wink without impregnating Cecil thoroughly. Yet, still, no response came from Lily.

Thinking Lily might be asleep, he was about to leave the room when the closet door in the bedroom quietly creaked.

The person who emerged left Prince Raymond speechless. It was Leon Stein, leading Lily by the hand.

Seeing Leon Stein up close caused Prince Raymond’s blood to boil with rage. Here stood the man who had stolen his first love and lifelong friend, humiliating him time and time again, despite his royal status.

Prince Raymond found himself frothing at the mouth as he yelled, “Lily! Put this man to sleep! I’ll deal with Leon Stein myself!”

This illogical thought took root in the prince’s mind—if Leon were gone, surely Cecil would love him.

However, Lily, usually so obedient, gave no response. Prince Raymond repeated, “Can’t you hear me, Lily! Put Leon Stein to sleep! It should be easy to deal with this useless trash!”

Unexpectedly, Lily, still holding Leon’s hand, said, “Let’s go, Leon-san. The prince’s mind control still affects me a little. Staying here hinders the removal of his power and delays everyone’s awakening.”

Prince Raymond was dumbfounded. Lily, despite being under the influence of drugs, was ignoring him to speak with Leon. It would take immense strength to free her mind.

“Lily! What has Leon Stein done to you? What do you mean by removing skills?”

Lily looked worriedly at Leon Stein’s face without answering.

This scene reminded Prince Raymond of his youth, when he had seen Leon and Cecil walking in Triumph Square from his carriage—a memory that still stirred intense jealousy.

Prince Raymond shouted, “Lily, you know I’ve cherished you more than any other woman! Obey me! Shake off the hands of that filthy man right now!”

Lily bowed her head, remaining silent. When Leon silently led her to the bedroom door, Prince Raymond lost all composure.

He grabbed a long sword leaning by the bed and charged at Leon Stein’s back, yelling, “You incompetent fool, I can handle you myself!”

Contrary to his intentions, a monstrous figure suddenly appeared before him—a faceless knight mounted on a massive warhorse, reminiscent of the Dullahan from demonic legends. The Dullahan pointed its sword at him, causing Prince Raymond to tremble.

Without turning, Leon said, “Even on the day of my appointment ceremony, I swore absolute loyalty to the royal family. I do not wish to take your life, but you must understand the gravity of neglecting a holy knight.”

Suddenly, skeletons emerged, immobilizing Prince Raymond. One held a vial in its bony hand.

“Stop! You’re not planning to make me drink that, are you?”

Leon left the bedroom without responding, and Prince Raymond screamed, “Leon Stein! This is an order, save me! It’s a potent drug that can even drive a saint mad! If I drink it, it’ll be irreversible!”

His pleas went unanswered as Leon and Lily did not return. Desperate, Prince Raymond called for the palace guards, but the holy knights who usually protected him were nowhere to be seen—they had been incapacitated by Lily under the prince’s orders.

As a skeleton forced the vial to his lips, Prince Raymond, unaware of his own incontinence, continued shouting, “Cecil! Save me! I don’t want to drink this!”

His screams stopped when the thick liquid touched his tongue—a deadly potion crafted by Louis Capone to strip a saint of her powers. A single drop was enough to rob the prince of his consciousness.

When Prince Raymond’s cries ceased, an eerie silence enveloped the castle, but only for a moment. Soon, the massive structure stirred once again.

The court orchestra played an ethereal nocturne as the unaware nobles resumed their lively conversations in the grand hall.

Outside, the holy knights guarding the gates looked up, and the butlers refilled glasses with warmed wine. Hearing the cathedral bells, they wondered how late it had become, oblivious to the crisis that had just passed.

Unbeknownst to them, a historic night continued at the royal palace. Don Michino of the Michino Family and Louis Capone of the Capone Family had reached a swift reconciliation within the castle walls. Merchant leader Ludwig transferred all his trading rights to the Michino Company and set sail to foreign lands with his wife and precious daughter, Lily, before sunrise.

Most notably, Saint Cecil and the demon king Manina had met face to face, a fact unknown to those who slept through it all.