The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 97

In the deepest floor of the fifth basement of the mausoleum, a legendary creature awaited—a massive dragon known only as the Great Wyvern.

While avoiding the hellfire that could burn one to the bone, I swung my sword, and Nina unleashed sharp icicles in response. The wyvern’s scales were tough, leading to a deadlock, but the battle was decided when Manina recalled some ancient knowledge.

“Don! Manina says the wyvern’s weak spot is at the base of its neck! That’s where the heart’s core is!”

Following her directions, I struck at the base of its neck with all my might, finally landing a significant blow. As the giant dragon roared in pain, Nina and I simultaneously bombarded it. After decapitating the wyvern and stopping its heart, I sheathed my sword.

When we stepped into the deepest room, I breathed a sigh of relief.

The room, protected by a barrier, held familiar faces from the former colleagues of the Royal Holy Knights. They were emaciated from their long captivity but still alive, shackled with heavy lead at their ankles.

Since I was not Leon now, but wore the guise of Don Michino, unknown to almost everyone in the capital, they did not recognize me.

“I’ve come to rescue you, Royal Holy Knights. There isn’t much, but we have food, water, and potions.”

The knights, half in disbelief, began to show signs of relief and joy as the most exhausted among them drank the potions.

While Nina was distributing the potions, I noticed a particularly troublesome man raising his voice. It was Bumpy, a peer from my past, collapsing to the ground, gasping for breath.

“That girl there, I am near death. Please treat me with more care than anyone. And I’d appreciate it if you could spare more food and water for me.”

I stopped Nina’s hand as she was about to give a potion to Bumpy.

“No, this man still has some strength left. Let’s prioritize those who are more severely injured.”

Bumpy, momentarily speechless, then smirked his irritating smile.

“Hey, I am the heir of the renowned Woods family. It would be wise to curry favor with a noble like me.”

This noble bragging was something I’d been sick of hearing since our days at the knight training school.

“Watch your attitude, Holy Knight. We need to escape this dungeon-like mausoleum, and depending on our mood, you could be devoured by monsters in an instant. Anyone who dies here will turn into an undead and wander eternally until they’re cut down.”

The other knights reacted.

“I apologize. This man is too foolish to befit the Royal Holy Knights. Don’t upset them. Hey, apologize to this man, Bumpy.”

“One after another, the knights chimed in.

“Kneel and apologize,” “We know you’ve been hoarding food for yourself,” “You should be expelled by Saintess Cecil.”

Under the barrage of insults, Bumpy teared up and bowed his head.

“I apologize for my earlier words. But please, hear this: I will generously reward you if you protect me above all others.”

Despite his rotten nature, his tenacity to survive at all costs was indeed remarkable.

Looking around, I wondered aloud.

“How did they intend to rescue these knights, used as bargaining chips, locked in such a dangerous dungeon?”

“Saintess Cecil,” answered Cisia from my shoulder. “Glenn Deeth was planning to negotiate with her for the release of the hostages, hoping to seal the dungeon with her magic as they did in the legend.”

Understanding Glenn Deeth’s intentions, who had managed to secure the trust of the Sun’s People through this unusual feat of capturing the Royal Holy Knights and was also planning to rekindle his relationship with Cecil, whom he had once courted.

After Nina freed the knights and provided them with food and water, their vitality returned. However, harsh glares were directed at Cisia, who had conspired with the Sun’s People to trap the Royal Holy Knights.

“These feelings are what you must bear,” I said. “Some here have been violated.”

“I understand,” Cisia replied, her usual commanding tone somewhat restored.

As we emerged from the mausoleum at dawn, the familiar faces of the master swordsman Lilith and the special-ranked Holy Knight Michel approached, astonished by the sight of the twenty-three bodies.

Upon noticing us, Lilith widened her eyes in surprise.

“Impossible, are they all unharmed…”

The captain of the rescued unit stepped forward to report. “Lilith-sama, thanks to this man, everyone is safe!”

Lilith turned to me. “Don Michino… after the night at the Giant’s Castle, it’s you again…”

As the name Don Michino was spoken, confusion spread among the knights. Naturally, it was taboo for the Royal Holy Knights and our dark guild, the Michino Family, to be openly associated.

I addressed them.

“The one here is Cisia, the commander of the Bernard Holy Knights. She was involved in the capture of the knights, so I’m handing her over to you.”

Lowering Cisia from my shoulder, I continued.

“Cisia, the commander, was involved in Glenn Deeth’s schemes under special circumstances and greatly contributed to the release of the knights. It’s not my place to say, but I hope for a lenient punishment.”

As Nina and I prepared to leave, Lilith called out.

“Don Michino, where do you think you’re going?”

“We rescued them on a specific commission. Now that the job is done, we’ll return to the capital.”

While Lilith and the other knights still had complicated tasks ahead, we had completed the requests from both Sia Seiren and Count Bernard. I was eager to return to the Loser’s District, surrounded by Kano and Sani, to eat and perhaps drink some liquor.

Lilith expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for your assistance. We cannot ask for more help under our circumstances, but being informed of the current situation won’t harm you.”

Lilith then discussed the armed first wave of the Sun’s People surrounding the Saintess’ barrier, and the tense situation in Nasheem. Saintess Cecil was in command of the Bernard Holy Knights in the commander’s absence, negotiating to avoid combat with the Sun’s People.

This information was from three days ago when Lilith left Nasheem. It wouldn’t be surprising if the situation had escalated into intense combat by now.

As the explanation concluded, Lilith handed me a letter.

“This is from Saintess Cecil. She asked me to give it to Don Michino if I met you.”