The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 92

In the guest room of the inn where Nina and I were staying, Count Bernard was present along with a woman named Cicia, the captain of the Bernard Holy Knight Order. Nina and I sat in chairs, facing the two of them.

After brief greetings, Count Bernard quickly fell silent, bowing his head and hesitating to speak.

Sensing the situation, I spoke up.

“You tried to conceal the involvement of the Bernard Holy Knight Order in the capture of the Royal Holy Knights and attempted to resolve the issue independently. But the plan isn’t going well. If this reaches the capital, it will inevitably turn into a matter of responsibility, which worries you greatly. Is that about right?”

Count Bernard’s eyes widened. “H-How do you know so much…?”

It was easy to infer after hearing stories from Sia Seiren and Sheikh Saeed, and from the expression on the count’s face.

“So, Count, what exactly is the request?”

“I’d like to ask for your assistance in rescuing the captured Royal Holy Knights.”

“Have you identified their location?”

Count Bernard nodded.

“Cicia here discovered it. They are imprisoned in an underground cemetery, fifty leagues beyond the Saintess’ Wall, in a remote area.”

“In that case, the Bernard Holy Knight Order should immediately rescue them without relying on outside help. Then, you should swiftly punish the Holy Knights involved in this incident. You might face penalties from the capital, but it won’t go as far as stripping you of your title, which is what you’re most afraid of.”

As I finished speaking, Cicia, who had been standing next to Count Bernard, raised her voice in anger.

“How dare you speak to Count Bernard like that! Watch your words!”

I silently stared at the Holy Knight Captain. She was about the same age as Cecil and young for a commander. Her well-trained body and determined gaze told me she was an outstanding knight, loyal to her lord.

A question arose in my mind: why was it Glen Dees, who seemed far inferior in ability, that was sent to study with the Royal Holy Knights instead of this woman?

The count gently reprimanded her.

“Cicia, it’s alright. We have no choice but to rely on him.”

The count turned to me.

“To return to the previous topic, it is impossible for the Bernard Holy Knight Order to rescue the Royal Holy Knights.”

“May I ask why?”

The count closed his eyes and said, “You should hear it from Cicia.”

Cicia, who had been clenching her jaw in frustration, finally spoke.

“We launched a rescue operation a few days ago, but the elite forces of the Bernard Holy Knight Order were wiped out, except for one.”

“Wiped out? Were they captured?”

Cicia bit her lip.

“No, they were wiped out. Twenty-three of my subordinates died in battle.”

A heavy silence settled in the room, as if the lively city of Nasim outside had been bleached away. I could feel Cicia’s anger, sorrow, and helplessness seep into my body. Cutting through that emotion, I spoke.

“What happened?”

“This is the report we received from the only surviving knight.”

Cicia showed me an image projection, and again, silence fell over the room.

The scene displayed in the projection was beyond belief. A succubus was devouring a male Holy Knight in a dark mausoleum. From the darkness, countless monsters emerged. It was as if we were looking at a dungeon from the Demon Lord era.

But such a thing is impossible in this day and age.

The reason is clear: when the Saintess defeated the last Demon Lord, the dungeons around the world that produced monsters were sealed by the Saintess and the King. This is a well-known piece of history called the “Hundred-Day Sealing Tour” by the Saintess and the King. After a journey lasting a hundred days, the era where humanity was threatened by monsters came to an end, leading to the peace we now enjoy.

The dungeons adventurers now explore are strictly regulated and authorized, and it’s unthinkable for monsters from those dungeons to pose a threat to our society.

“So, someone used a heretical skill to summon monsters?”

Cicia replied.

“No heretical skill has been confirmed.”

“Then, the dungeon seal must have been broken? But that should be impossible. Only the Saintess or someone of royal blood with a unique skill could break the dungeon seals.”

At my words, Cicia fell silent.

As I looked at the two, both tight-lipped, I recalled a strange story I had heard during a meal with Sheikh Saeed.

It was after we had finished negotiating a wine trade and Sheikh Saeed, now in a good mood, said with a smile, “Of course, this is just a rumor.”

“The King of Valderion, Prince Raymond’s father, is known for his deep faith and integrity, which you must be well aware of, having lived in the capital.”

There was no denying that. While I had my doubts about Prince Raymond’s education, King Valderion himself was known as a wise ruler who had maintained peace within his territories.

“However, due to that very integrity, the issue of royal succession has become complicated ever since Prince Raymond stopped appearing in public.”

“Yes, the King has only one son, Prince Raymond.”

After losing the Queen early on, the King neither remarried nor took a concubine. As a result, with Prince Raymond now absent, the question of who will succeed to the throne grows more and more complicated. It’s said that the matter will only be resolved when Saintess Cecil, who holds sway across the kingdom, chooses a side in the succession.

Sheikh Saeed continued.

“Did you know that over twenty years ago, King Valderion visited this land?”

“I had no idea.”

“That’s not surprising. Normally, when His Majesty visits a region, it’s with a grand entourage, and lavish banquets are held for several days. But this time, he brought only a small number of people. It was what you might call a secret visit.”

Sheikh Saeed continued his tale.

“The visit, initially planned for about a week, extended to ten days, and eventually, even after twenty days had passed, the King showed no signs of leaving. Wouldn’t you say that’s unusual?”

“That’s unheard of.”

“Indeed. And on a day when a rare heavy rain fell on this land, a new moon had both been born and died, the King abruptly left. Few knew of his departure, but those who did said that the normally resolute King left with a face full of sorrow, glancing back at the city of Nasim with regret as he departed in his carriage.”

That was the end of the story. While an intriguing piece of history, it seemed trivial. I had a thought at the time but dismissed it as too far-fetched, leaving it tucked away in my mind.

But now, that far-fetched idea was beginning to feel real.

The image projection in front of me, Count Bernard’s expression, and the request from Prince Raymond—all these pieces were connecting into one conclusion.

“No, it still seems unbelievable. So, Glen Dees is…”

Count Bernard nodded and said.

“Yes, indeed. He carries the blood of King Valderion. For years, I have done everything in my power as a guardian to protect Master Glen and his secret lineage.”