The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 91

“What am I doing at a time like this…?”

In the bustling streets of Nasim, the largest city in the Bernard territory, I was growing increasingly anxious. No matter how thoroughly I searched, the leather pouch containing the antidote was nowhere to be found. To think I’d lose something so crucial at a time like this—I could only sigh in disbelief at myself.

Even as I stood there, my body felt as heavy as lead, and my consciousness was fading, a result of the lingering effects of the drug Prince Raymond had made me take for years.

“My subordinates are in danger as we speak, and yet…”

The reason I was in Bernard territory, far to the west of the royal capital, stemmed from a report I had received ten days ago. It came from a Holy Knight conducting espionage in Bernard.

“It’s possible that all the Holy Knights from the royal capital who were sent to suppress the uprising of the frontier people have been captured.”

I couldn’t comprehend the words at first. After all, Count Bernard had reported that while there had been some difficulties in suppressing the rebellion, the mission was proceeding without issue.

The letter also stated that the Sun People, led by Shea Seiren, had spearheaded the capture of the Holy Knights, and that some Holy Knights of the Bernard Order were involved. It went on to explain that Count Bernard was afraid of this scandal reaching the royal capital and was trying to cover it up.

Furthermore, it mentioned that the entire unit might be executed and that the author of the report feared for their own life. After this, communication with the Holy Knight from the espionage unit was cut off.

Although I didn’t know the full details, it was clear that something abnormal was happening in Bernard territory. The matter needed immediate resolution, but there was no time to mobilize a battalion from the Royal Capital Holy Knights.

With hostages involved and the Bernard Order implicated, a covert operation was essential. That’s why we formed a team of five elite Holy Knights, including myself, who could negotiate directly with Count Bernard. We made our way to Nasim.

To avoid drawing suspicion, the five of us avoided contact as much as possible while carrying out our mission. My role was to gather information and pinpoint the location of the captured Holy Knights. And yet, I made the foolish mistake of losing the antidote, despite how urgently we needed to act.

Feeling I needed to rest for a moment, I sat down on a stone in the square.

Looking back, things had been going wrong ever since I visited the mansion of the Saeed family, who control the underworld in this area.

Not only did the Saeed family have no involvement in this matter, making it a wasted trip, but Sheikh Saeed served me wine laced with aphrodisiacs, begged me to become his lawful wife, and even tried to handcuff and collar me, leading me toward a bed. It was a disaster.

“He promised me all the information I wanted if I joined him for a drink, but… he didn’t know anything at all.”

And now, it seemed I had made another poor decision, just like yesterday.

As I rested, people began staring at me with eyes full of reproach.

I wondered what was going on when an elderly noblewoman suddenly shouted at me with a furious expression.

“You’re sitting on Saintess Cecil-sama! You’ll be cursed!”

Saintess Cecil-sama? It didn’t make sense at first, but when I looked up, I realized it. I had sat down on the pedestal of a statue of Saintess Cecil.

The statue was, of course, modeled after me. I had heard that it had become an object of worship over time.

Under the piercing stares of the crowd, filled with disdain, I quickly stood up, bowing my head repeatedly. I was also overwhelmed by the sheer number of people surrounding the statue of Saintess Cecil.

There were hundreds of people praying devoutly at the statue. Among them were clearly sick children and severely injured adventurer swordsmen. Seeing their pitiable conditions made my chest tighten with sympathy.

I couldn’t ignore them, so I decided to push my way through the crowd and activate my holy magic. I couldn’t cure all their ailments, but I could at least alleviate their symptoms. As I cast spell after spell, the square erupted in cheers.

“A m-miracle!”

“The wounds are healing!”

“My coughing stopped!”

Even the elderly woman who had yelled at me stood upright, her bent back now straightened. She walked without the aid of her cane, full of joy. Just as I was about to leave the square and return to my mission, I found that my legs had become heavy, refusing to move.

No, I needed to buy an antidote from the city’s alchemists and treat myself. As I gathered my strength to keep moving, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

When I turned around, I saw a Holy Knight from the Bernard Order, clad in armor, standing before me. I immediately became more alert.

“Do you need something from me, Sir Holy Knight?”

The knight extended his right hand.

“This belongs to you, doesn’t it?”

I widened my eyes in surprise.

On the knight’s platinum gauntlet was the very leather pouch I had just lost. I hadn’t expected it to be found, so I took it, almost in disbelief. When I checked inside, the expensive antidote was still intact. I used my holy magic to quickly analyze its ingredients, and there were no signs of tampering. Though puzzled, I could only express my gratitude.

“I was in quite a bind. Thank you so much. But, where did you find it?”

“I saw a boy steal it from you, so I retrieved it. There are many pickpockets in this city; you should be more cautious.”

A boy stole from me? The story didn’t seem likely, but I bowed my head once more and asked the knight another question.

“May I ask your name, if it’s not too much trouble?”

The knight responded.

“My name is Glenn Deese. Forgive my boldness, but someone as beautiful as you shouldn’t be walking this city alone. If you’re in need of help, I’d be happy to guide you through the streets.”