The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 89

“Please forgive the grave rudeness of our young ones for drawing their swords on you.”

In the reception room I was led into, the man grasping my hand is none other than Sheikh Saeed, the head of the Saeed family himself. A stout man with a tanned complexion, he wore a gentle smile.

“It is an honor to meet you, Don Michino.”

As I was invited to sit on a luxurious couch, Sheikh Saeed said,

“What would you like to drink?”

“No, thank you. I’ve come here to discuss business today.”

Sheikh Saeed shook his head.

“In this land, it’s said that no business can be settled without a drink. Don Michino.”

With a gesture from Sheikh Saeed, a butler with a turban approached. “Since you’ve traveled from afar, I would like you to enjoy some Bernard wine. And for the lady, perhaps some palm juice.”

Soon, glasses were placed before Sheikh Saeed and me, and wine was poured. The dry climate of this region probably influenced its taste, making the wine richer and almost blood-like in color.

Following the drink, servants brought in food. The table quickly filled up with dishes like mountains of oysters, escargot soaked in butter, large lamb chops seasoned with unique local herbs.

Upon tasting the wine, its rich, fragrant aroma enveloped my taste buds and escaped through my nostrils. Nina next to me seemed enchanted by her juice as well.

Sheikh Saeed seemed pleased. “It seems you liked it, Don Michino. Did you enjoy your interactions with the women of Bernard? The women here, like the wine you’re drinking, have a deep and rich flavor. They are passionate yet possess the depth of well-ripened maidens. If you haven’t indulged yet, I can provide as much as you wish.”

I shook my head.

“Thank you for the offer, but I must return to the capital as soon as possible. I have a request to make of you today.”

“If it’s a request from the renowned Don Michino, I will spare no effort. What may I help you with?”

“To be blunt, I need information on a man named Glen Dees, who I believe is affiliated with the Bernard Holy Knights.”

“The Holy Knight, Glen Dees? I’m not familiar with him. What has that poor man done to be pursued by Don Michino of the capital?”

At that moment, the skill “Appraiser” reacted. This is one of Sofia’s sub-skills that activates when someone lies. This means the man knows Glen Dees.

Silently, I stared at Sheikh Saeed for a while, then drained my glass of wine and said, “May I have another glass?”

“Of course. Our local saying goes, ‘A visitor from afar should be lavishly entertained.'”

As Sheikh Saeed signaled, the butler poured more wine into my glass, and refilled Sheikh Saeed’s as well.

“Changing the subject, are you aware of the situation concerning the detachment of the capital’s Holy Knights sent to this region?”

“That would be the troops who visited this area about two months ago. They’ve been delayed in returning from the frontier, presumably struggling more than expected with the suppression of an uprising. After all, the leader of the frontier people, Shia Saeiren, possesses a rare beauty and bewitches people with her mysterious sorcery. It wouldn’t be strange if all the knights from the capital were enamored by her.”

Sheikh Saeed stabbed an oyster with his knife, cleanly removed its flesh, and popped it into his mouth. “Would you like one?”

Nodding, I accepted an oyster as Nina quickly polished hers off.

Sheikh Saeed then speared a butter-soaked escargot with his knife and said,

“In any case, people disappearing suddenly is common in these expansive borderlands. And once someone disappears, finding them again isn’t easy—it’s like bringing back the dead from the underworld. Sometimes, it’s essential for us, the living, to give up.”

“Does that mean the knights are already dead?”

“Who knows? All I can say is it’s best to be cautious. Here, it’s commonplace for the hunter to become the hunted, whether they’re elite knights from the capital or even someone like you, who mocked my old friend Louie Capone.”

Sheikh Saeed licked his knife, gleaming with butter, and picked a mushroom with his fingertips.

“By the way, are you acquainted with that mysterious woman from the capital?”

“The mysterious woman from the capital? I’m not sure who you mean.”

“Is that so… Well, last night, another unexpected visitor from the capital came here, asking me the same questions about the situation of the Holy Knights dispatched here.”

As I remained silent, Sheikh Saeed continued.

“Her face was hidden, so she must have her reasons, but no veil could hide her stunning beauty, matched only by Shia Saeiren. She made even an old man like me feel like a youth brimming with vigor.”

Sheikh Saeed chuckled as if relishing the memory.

“I planned to intoxicate her with wine and claim her for myself, but she escaped. I would have liked to spend at least one night with her, as she turned out to be quite resistant to the wine.” He then glanced at my empty wine glass. “You seem unphased by the drink as well. What kind of constitution do you have?”

“I’ve trained to withstand such beverages.”

I wiped my mouth with a napkin, and as I did, the wine-soaked napkin caught a pale blue flame and quickly burned away.

“You understand the implication of not only drawing a sword against me but also serving me the poisonous blood of a manticore.”

A sarcastic wrinkle formed on Sheikh Saeed’s cheek.

“That’s the trouble with upstarts. This is our land. No matter how powerful you are in the capital, you’re just a frail rat here. And if I send your corpse back to the capital, Louie Capone would be very pleased. Everyone! No need for subterfuge any longer. Seize these two!”

As his commanding voice echoed, armed members of the Saeed family emerged from hidden doors in the room. There were seven of them, each a skilled veteran. Unperturbed, I picked a sliced batticka from the plate and placed it before Nina.

“Nina, you should also have some dessert. This is far superior to what we bought from the stall yesterday.”

As Nina began to eat the fruit with a smile, I placed another piece of fruit before her, then turned to Sheikh Saeed.

The expression on Sheikh Saeed’s face had completely changed in just a few seconds. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his mocking smile had vanished.

And no wonder. The men who had just appeared were not aiming their blades at me but at their boss, Sheikh Saeed. All of them had their eyes closed, heads swaying gently. Yes, they were under the spell of Lily’s heretical skill “Dream Art Number,” asleep and under control.

I turned to the pale and trembling Sheikh Saeed and said, “You mentioned it yourself that it’s commonplace here for the hunter to become the hunted.”

“Let’s get to the point. Who is Glen Dees?”