Vol 2 Chapter 51 – Take Back the Lord’s Daughter【Vol 2: The Hero of the Fairy Tribe】

As Geofried and Shiranui descended in front of the lord’s mansion, the lined-up Imperial soldiers were so overwhelmed they forgot to salute.

“Is that the Black Dragon the hero Allen Norsh rode?”

“And the one leading it is the rumored…”

“Labilia Sigid. If it’s her, maybe she can save Dihel-sama’s daughter.”

Scolding the soldiers and pushing his way through the crowd, the lord himself came out to greet them.

The sword and shield of the world—a visit from a World Knight was massive news that shook the entire nation.

While the entire city was still buzzing with commotion, the centers of attention, Labilia and Allen, were invited into the reception room under the guidance of the Lord of Aegis and Imperial Army Lieutenant General, Dihel Barius.

Dihel was a Fairy-Elf with a scar on his cheek.

He looked like nothing more than a young boy, a full head shorter than Allen, but a Fairy-Elf’s lifespan and the length of their prime extended based on their amount of mana.

He definitely wasn’t as young as he looked.

Allen knew that, but he still couldn’t help but see a little boy in a military uniform acting all high and mighty.

“Welcome to Aegis City. I gladly receive you, Lady Labilia Sigid.”

“Right, I appreciate the reception.”

The reception room was modest, furnished with several potted plants by the window and a single bookshelf.

Single-seater sofas were arranged on all four sides, facing each other across a central table.

Prompted by Dihel, Allen and Labilia took their seats.

Standing behind Dihel was a young Dark Elf man, dressed in a black military uniform and cap, with a saber strapped to his waist.

He was likely Dihel’s adjutant.

He kept his gaze fixed intently on Labilia. Was he a fan or something?

“Before we get into the main topic, who is this human?”

Dihel’s interest zeroed in on Allen.

Looking back at him, Allen could feel a slight tinge of contempt mixed in Dihel’s eyes.

Allen gave a brief nod for the time being, and Labilia introduced him.

“This is Sir Noir, the man who saved the Beast Kingdom. I requested his assistance this time. The Obsidian Cult harbors six state-class criminals in addition to Eufaria. Even I cannot face them all alone.”

“Seeing as he commands that Black Dragon, the rumors must be true. Fighting alongside the disciple of your sworn friend must be reassuring, Lady Labilia. Sir Noir, I look forward to working with you.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

Despite the polite lip service, Dihel immediately averted his gaze.

Allen gave a wry smile beneath his mask.

Thanks to their blessed appearances and immense mana, Fairy-Elves believed without a shred of doubt that they were the race most beloved by the gods.

(Every last one of them has been poisoned by the Fairy King.)

(Yeah, no kidding.)

The Fairy King—Eufaria’s father—was the very incarnation of arrogance. World Knight or not, the man had openly despised Allen from the very first word.

After a beat, Labilia spoke up.

“To get right to it, the two of us came to this city believing that a renowned hero like yourself might be the Obsidian Cult’s next target. Do they have a base here?”

“They do. We’ve pinpointed the location as well. The base is located in the Demihuman Special Zone.”

“The Demihuman Special Zone?”

“It’s where the humans and dwarves live. From our perspective, you’re the demihumans, hence the name. The Demihuman Special Zone is the area closest to the city walls.”

The adjutant standing behind him brought over a map of the city and spread it out on the table.

“They run soup kitchens and tell stories there, preaching salvation for those paupers and gathering support. It’s an incredible nuisance.”

“Hmm. Is Eufaria at that base?”

“No, her presence hasn’t been confirmed. The one there is a state-class criminal, the High Priest of Demon Worship—Hellrick Gias.”

“I see, so that’s why you can’t just carelessly make a move.”

“No, he isn’t the only issue. The real problem is…”

Twitch. A prominent vein popped on Dihel’s forehead, his face flushing red as he began to shake.

The next moment, his eyes snapped wide open.

“My beloved daughter is absolutely obsessed with the Obsidian Cult!”

“Huh?”

Allen and Labilia couldn’t help but say in unison.

“That if they achieve the resurrection of Allen Norsh, they can guide this world in a better direction. That as long as Allen is here, the world will be at peace for all eternity. My little girl genuinely believes in those deranged teachings. She’s such a sweet child who shows mercy to weak races like humans and dwarves, and they took complete advantage of that!”

“Right, is that so?”

“She said she refuses to come home until the tax rate in the Demihuman Special Zone is lowered to match the standard of the Fairy-Elf Zone. And that if I were to order an assault on the Obsidian Cult’s base, she would cut ties with her papa forever.”

One second he was furious, and the next, the Lieutenant General was trembling with a pale, frightened expression.

Is this guy’s emotional state okay?

“While I’ve been wracking my brain figuring out what to do, the Obsidian Cult’s influence just keeps growing. Hellrick is probably having a good laugh right about now. They’re practically holding my daughter hostage. I can’t do a single thing. Damn it, those cowards!”

As Dihel dropped his shoulders in defeat, Labilia let out a sigh and spoke.

“So, would it suffice if we brought your daughter back for you, Lord Dihel?”

“Oh! Ooooh! Please, I beg of you! Lady Labilia, no, Labilia-sama! If we can just get her back, my forces can make our move. We’ll round up that entire religion in one swoop, and I swear we’ll make them spit out the whereabouts of the missing Lieutenant Generals and their ringleader, Eufaria!”

Dihel was burning with motivation, but a different concern regarding the Obsidian Cult began to brew in Allen’s chest.

Glancing sideways, he met Labilia’s gaze. She had likely noticed it, too.

It seemed that in this city, Hellrick was using the class system—which divided tax rates by race—to multiply the number of Obsidian Cult followers.

Targeting and taking in the weak was the exact modus operandi of a cunning High Priest.

(Eufa. Do you really think that criminal Labilia caught is actually working for the sake of my resurrection?)

Hellrick Gias.

He was the High Priest of Demon Worship.

A highly dangerous individual who, despite being human, worshipped the Demon Lord.

Perhaps his true goal didn’t lie in Allen’s resurrection, but somewhere else entirely.