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156
One day, two days. Rohan consistently followed Rafon, continuing his surveillance disguised as socializing, and Arpel stayed by Rohan’s side. As this time lengthened, truths that had previously gone unnoticed were gradually surfacing.
“…”
On a day like any other, Arpel silently leaned against the prayer room doorway. He watched Rafon’s slightly hunched back, as if praying to God.
Only after confirming this sight once more could Arpel be certain of his thoughts. Fragments of emotion swirled around Rafon’s large frame. This gloomy aura was feeding on Rafon’s ‘anxiety’ and growing.
Growing more powerful and clearer day by day. The evening after confirming this, Arpel grabbed Rohan and conveyed this fact.
“He’s anxious.”
“Anxious…?”
Rohan’s eyes became lost in thought. He seemed to be recalling memories from recent days one by one.
There was probably quite a lot coming to mind. Although Rohan had shown aversion at first, he later followed Rafon around so diligently that one might wonder if he was starting to enjoy it.
He was so sincere about it that those unaware of the circumstances between the imperial family and the temple even considered Rohan and Rafon to be close friends. Though the individuals themselves would be appalled at the thought.
“…He might cause trouble soon.”
After pondering, Rohan came to a neat conclusion.
Someone who came on the Emperor’s orders wouldn’t just be sitting around wasting time at the temple. Though he was trying to manipulate the ordinary clergy in various ways, it felt decidedly insufficient for someone who had risen to the position of First Knight Commander of the imperial family.
So there was a high probability that the unidentifiable ‘plan’ was not yet finished. This would still be Rafon’s responsibility, and he… as you can see, probably hadn’t been able to properly finish it due to Rohan, who had no intention of leaving him alone all day.
People tend to find unexpected courage when pushed to extremes. The same was true for Rafon. Arpel nodded, recalling his eyes glinting ominously.
If one can’t find a gap to escape, one must create that gap themselves. That’s probably what he’s thinking.
***
The two’s predictions soon became reality.
“Urgent news!”
The calm atmosphere of the temple was quite detached from the chaotic political situation of the empire. This was largely due to the temple’s characteristic tendency to rarely involve itself in politics.
If it weren’t for the shocking news delivered by a clergyman who came running with a pale face, that day too would have been no different from usual.
“Mo-monsters. Monsters have attacked the village.”
“…Monsters? Did you just say monsters?”
“Yes. I saw them clearly with my own two eyes. Monsters that looked exactly like those the imperial family has been purging for generations, dozens of them…!”
The stuttering voice trembled excessively. As if imagining that horrific scene again, the already pale face of the clergyman turned completely blue. The bloodstains from an unknown source were particularly vivid.
“…Gather all combat-capable clergy immediately. We need to rescue the civilians as quickly as possible. I will go as well. The destination is…”
Itor Village.
Dionel, who had been listening silently to the clergyman, spoke with a hardened expression. As soon as he rose, the clergy standing guard began to move in unison. The surroundings instantly became chaotic.
“You’re going, right?”
“Yes, we must.”
Rohan and Arpel were also among them. After a brief exchange too short to be called a conversation, the two also moved. Following those who were moving their bodies hurriedly as if being chased by something.
Even while walking quickly, Arpel repeatedly recalled in his mind the name of the village that felt quite familiar. And before long, he realized.
Itor Village was the village located closest to the temple.
Coincidence or necessity? Just as he was quietly calculating this, he abruptly cut off his train of thought. Now that the incident had occurred, there was no time to ponder such things.
Get there as quickly as possible and save as many people as possible. Arpel was willing to follow this. Because that’s what Rohan wanted.
“Arpel.”
With that short call, a pitch-black sword was grasped in Rohan’s hand. Gazing at the blade that seemed like he hadn’t seen it in a long time with quite an affectionate look, he slowly turned his head. His eyes, narrowed as if gauging something, scanned the surroundings.
“Lord Rohan, aren’t you going?”
“…I should.”
Only after an ordinary clergyman cautiously spoke to Rohan, who was standing still, did his feet begin to move.
The temple, from which the clergy had rushed out, was as empty as if the tide had gone out. Turning his back on that place, Rohan too headed outside.
The destination was…
***
Inside the now-empty temple where only non-combat personnel remained, there was someone crossing silently.
“Finally…”
A voice filled with deep emotion flowed from the man’s mouth. With each step, an undisguised metallic sound could be heard. It was noise coming from the armor carefully covering his body and the sword grasped in one hand.
Perhaps due to the hand holding it particularly tightly, the blade of the sword seemed to flash especially sharply at an oblique angle.
The owner of the sword, Rafon, smiled. Without even trying to hide the madness glinting in his eyes.
‘…I heard Owen didn’t go.’
But that didn’t mean he had completely lost his reason. Even though excitement was rising to his throat, he was still aware that he shouldn’t ruin this plan with actions that would draw attention to himself.
After news spread that monsters had attacked a nearby village, most of the combat-capable clergy had left. This included the High Priest Dionel and the most troublesome existences, Rohan and Arpel.
He had briefly raised his guard upon hearing that Owen hadn’t gone, but… it seemed unnecessary. He was non-combat personnel and nowhere to be seen.
Useless vigilance only breeds fatigue. Rafon cleared away thoughts of him completely.
‘Move quickly.’
So there was only one thing he needed to do now. Carry out the plan as previously instructed. His steps, gradually increasing in speed, headed towards the lush forest stretching out beyond the temple walls.
By the time countless trees had passed by, Rafon finally reached his target location.
At the boundary where the temple forest was ending, a tree with a yellow cloth tied to it. From the moment it came into view, he no longer muffled his footsteps. With each step, the grass underfoot made a rustling sound.
“Mmph… mmph!”
At the same time, someone’s groaning could be heard carried on the cool air. The sound of violently struggling was layered over the rustling of trampled grass. It was all pitiful noise that seemed to be begging for life.
As he got completely close to the tree, Rafon discovered a man tightly bound to its base. Tattered and dirty clergy robes, a disheveled appearance, sunken cheeks from days of starvation. Anyone could see he had been forcibly tied up by someone else.
He seemed to view Rafon, who had approached, as his only hope. Light quickly returned to his dull eyes and his already severe struggling intensified even more.
Rafon, taking in this sight,
“…Haha!”
Laughed.
It was a laugh filled with joy. The loud laughter echoed through the empty forest.
The face of the man who had been bound helplessly instantly turned pale. As if he had just realized that the knight laughing with tears in his eyes was not someone who would help him. The sharp sword swaying in his hand must have also played a significant role.
“As much as I’d like to take out my frustrations…”
“…Mmph! Mmph!”
“I can’t do it now. What a shame.”
Rafon, who had struggled to stop laughing, muttered briefly. The man before him shuddered at the chilling sight, but that was none of his concern. He only regretted that he couldn’t take out on this man what he had suffered from that damned brat and the metal lump.
“I’ll end your life in one stroke. Be grateful for His Majesty’s mercy.”
“Urgh…!”
With a light click of the tongue, Rafon’s sword rose into the sky. Although the blade had no aura wrapped around it, it was enough to cut the throat of someone who couldn’t even resist.
Perhaps he had a strong survival instinct, for the helplessly bound man began to wriggle like an insect. Rafon sneered mockingly at the man and put strength into the hand holding the sword. Just as his arm muscles tensed as if about to plunge the sword down.
“…!”
Clang! A sound that shouldn’t have been heard rang out.
The sword that was about to cleanly slice the man’s neck in a straight line was blocked by something pitch black. Rafon belatedly realized it was a sword.
Something that exuded such extreme beauty that one might forget it was a sword the moment they faced it. His hand, filled with strength, trembled.
“…Why are you…”
If he hadn’t quickly wrapped aura around it sensing the presence rushing towards him, the sword would have been completely split in two. Even though he had managed to counter with difficulty, there were small cracks at the tip of the sword, so the outcome was obvious.
Rafon’s eyes, instantly filled with killing intent, glared at the opponent as if to kill. There stood Rohan, wearing that damned smile.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
