The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 247

Despite the unexpected summons, Azadin remained composed, offering the supply unit members drinks, food, and heated water for bathing.

The supply unit’s scribe, initially prepared to seize Azadin, was quickly won over by the lavish hospitality.

“Well, given your generosity, we’ll take the time to bathe, eat, and rest. Sir Azadin, please complete your travel preparations and depart with us tomorrow,” the scribe conceded.

“Understood. Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Azadin replied.

After addressing the supply unit members, Azadin sought out Camilla.

“What is it, Azadin?” she asked.

“Once they’ve had a few drinks, try to glean some information from those people,” Azadin instructed.

“What kind of information?”

“This summons is vague. I want to know the reason behind it, the current atmosphere, and why they’re specifically requesting my presence,” Azadin explained.

“Ah, I understand. I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

Azadin left Camilla to her task.

Shortly after, Camilla returned, having completed her investigation.

“Azadin, I’ve finished gathering information.”

“How did it go?”

“Not well. The supply unit members are also unaware of why the Chapter Master summoned you. However… they mentioned that a summons with minimal attendants usually indicates suspicion of a crime. They predict you’ll lose Vermilion Fortress and be taken into custody. They said it’s unusual to issue a summons like this to someone already assigned to a post,” Camilla reported.

“Could they have discovered my use of the undead?” Azadin wondered, a pang of guilt hitting him.

“I don’t believe so. Azadin, may I offer some advice?” Camilla asked.

“What is it?”

“Take off the mask.”

“The mask?”

“Yes. You’re handsome, aren’t you? Why not use that to your advantage? Wearing a strange mask makes you look suspicious, even if you’re just standing there.”

“This mask is a keepsake from someone dear to me.”

“If it’s that precious, keep it safe, don’t wear it on your face. Why are you hiding your face?”

“Well, that’s…” Azadin hesitated, unsure how to explain.

In truth, Azadin had never considered it. He had simply developed the habit of concealing his face and continued to do so.

Furthermore, Azadin now viewed his face as belonging to Arae.

Arae had stated she would return what she had taken from Azadin upon her death, but Azadin couldn’t accept it.

He hadn’t reconciled with Arae when she was alive, and he deeply regretted it, so he didn’t want to acknowledge any reason to resent her.

Therefore, Azadin considered his current appearance to be Arae’s, and he had no intention of using it for personal gain.

Surprisingly, Camilla, a complete stranger, had seen through his reasoning.

“Azadin, if you remove your mask and show your face, people will treat you well,” Camilla insisted.

“What are you talking about? Camilla, the situation is serious.”

“I’m serious too.”

“Even though I’m a Herald?”

“It’s better to be a handsome Herald than a Herald wearing a strange mask. Or what? Do you expect people to see your true value beyond your looks? Come on. Use your good looks to get ahead. After all, if the price is the same, people will choose the better-looking option. You can charm people without spending a penny, so why aren’t you using it?”

“…Well, I don’t want more guys like Legion.”

“He’s a bit special. Anyway, he’s on your side, and things are going well, right?”

Indeed, thanks to Legion, commanding the soldiers had become much easier.

“When you’re summoned by the Chapter Master, take off your mask and act friendly. If that doesn’t work, then we can consider other options. Just try it once, for the sake of it. I’m not suggesting you seduce anyone, just remove your mask and show your face.”

“Okay. I don’t think it’ll make much difference, but I’ll try it,” Azadin agreed, deciding to heed Camilla’s advice.

*********

The next day, Azadin completed preparations to depart for Fireglyph with Camilla, Kuntachi, and Bernard.

Azadin donned the most luxurious navy blue gambeson [a padded defensive jacket] from the equipment of the former squad leaders at Vermilion Fortress, and as Camilla had advised, he removed his mask.

The supply unit’s scribe was visibly shocked.

“Uh… Sir Azadin?”

“Yes. Did you rest well yesterday? I apologize if the preparations were inadequate,” Azadin responded.

“Ah, no, it’s not that. You’re a Hospitaller-Errant… Please, speak casually. I’m your subordinate, so I’m sorry that you’re treating me so well,” the scribe stammered.

He was the same person who had accepted the drinks, food, and bathwater without hesitation the previous day, but overnight, he had become extremely grateful and respectful towards Azadin.

Moreover, he acknowledged Azadin as a Hospitaller-Errant [a knight of the Hospitaller Order who travels and serves where needed].

Until now, those who knew Azadin was a Herald [a person with a divine connection] had not considered him a true Hospitaller.

“Hmm?” Azadin was puzzled by the supply officer’s sudden change in attitude.

It wasn’t just him.

The soldiers the supply officer had brought were also surprised to see Azadin, and even the people of Vermilion Fortress froze the moment they saw him.

To the people of Hybris, someone as tall and with such clear skin as Azadin was the kind of figure only nobles, or even royalty, possessed.

If Azadin were to claim to be royalty, most people would believe him.

Even those who knew he was a Herald were intimidated by Azadin’s clear skin, tall and imposing stature, and handsome appearance.

‘See? I told you so,’ Camilla mouthed silently.

‘No, are they really reacting like this just because of my looks? I’m not even a woman, I’m a man?’ Azadin was bewildered by the supply unit’s drastically changed reaction, but the more he observed, the more he realized it was true.

The supply unit members accepted the vermilion [a red pigment] that Azadin gave them without much fuss, and they gave him more of the various supplies they had brought, such as arrowheads, swords, farming tools, and metal products like nails, than the agreed-upon price.

“It’s good that the luggage is heavy. We should leave it behind.”

“Is that alright?”

“You treated us so well yesterday, this much is fine. I’m in charge of the supply unit, so it’s within my discretion,” the scribe replied.

Azadin couldn’t help but be amazed at how easily people could change their attitude.

*********

With the help of the supply unit, Azadin’s group borrowed a raft from a nearby logging camp and arrived at Fireglyph.

“Is that Fireglyph?” Azadin asked, gazing at the fortress.

Where several paths converged, stood the imposing Fireglyph Fortress.

It boasted a massive watchtower and spires that dwarfed Vermilion Fortress, and the huge walls, said to have been built by giants, were inscribed with powerful flame runes, warning any enemies who dared to approach.

“Traces of the ancient giants. Impressive,” Azadin murmured.

Azadin was well-versed in the tales and legends of the Hospitallers, and he was deeply moved by the sight of the flame runes on the walls of Fireglyph.

As the river’s current slowed as they approached Fireglyph, Azadin’s group disembarked and rode their horses to the Fireglyph checkpoint.

The Fireglyph soldiers stopped the approaching group, but when they saw Azadin on horseback, they were so surprised that they stammered.

“Uh, wh-who are you?”

“I am Hospitaller-Errant and squad leader of Vermilion Fortress, Azadin,” Azadin announced.

“From Vermilion Fortress?”

“Then, a Herald?” the soldiers exclaimed, their surprise evident.

Everyone was astonished that Azadin was the rumored Herald, but they were also flustered by Azadin’s handsome appearance and grace, which seemed almost angelic.

‘See? It works,’ Camilla thought, repeatedly convinced that her advice had been correct as she watched everyone being overwhelmed by Azadin’s aristocratic demeanor.

“I’ve come because I received a summons. May I meet Chapter Master Hexenmeier?” Azadin inquired.

“Ah, yes. Please, wait a moment. We will escort you to the reception room,” the soldiers replied, their polite attitude unwavering, and they promptly led Azadin to the reception room.

“Oh.”

“……” There was an unexpected presence in the reception room. It was Centurion Zan and other Northern Aragasa [a group of warriors from the Northern Empire].

In fact, Hexenmeier had explicitly instructed them not to allow anyone else into the reception room, but the soldiers and servants were so flustered by Azadin’s dignified appearance that they thought they couldn’t make such a distinguished guest wait outside, so they led him to the reception room.

Fireglyph had been excluded from the core administration and power struggles of the Order, so even the servants had forgotten Chapter Master Hexenmeier’s warning and sent Azadin’s group to the reception room.

“Ah, you!” Camilla exclaimed, recognizing Centurion Zan.

“Tsk,” Zan raised his hand to stop his subordinates.

“Everyone, calm down. Hmm. Azadin, why are you here?” Zan asked.

“Because I became a member of the Hospitallers,” Azadin replied.

At that moment, Zan’s subordinates were shocked.

“What?”

“Hospitallers?”

“Are you out of your mind?” they exclaimed.

However, Zan knew that Azadin was speaking sincerely and clicked his tongue.

“So, you’re in the Chadra Highlands. The Hospitallers are as insidious as the King’s Church,” Zan remarked.

“Zan, why are you here?” Azadin questioned.

“I can’t answer that.”

“Just by not answering, you’ve already given a lot of answers, haven’t you? From the looks of it, you didn’t come to meet the Chapter Master, but rather you’re the attendant of a high-ranking person who is currently having a private meeting with the Chapter Master,” Azadin deduced.

“Then be satisfied with that,” Zan replied, clicking his tongue at Azadin, who had grasped the situation with just a brief analysis.

‘That means the Chapter Master is a traitor to the Order. Oh, well, I guess it’s obvious? The Chadra Highlands are like an exile, so even if the Chapter Master is in a high position, if he’s just guarding the Chadra Highlands, he’d naturally want to rebel. If he’s usually dissatisfied, he’d have more motivation to rebel,’ Azadin thought, realizing that Chapter Master Hexenmeier was a traitor colluding with the Northern Empire.

At that moment, the door to the reception room opened, and a large, silver-haired Northern man entered.

“Huh? What is this guy?” the man asked.

“I am Azadin, a Hospitaller-Errant. Your Highness,” Azadin replied, guessing the other’s identity. He was Zan’s superior, and his Northern appearance was obvious. Given the circumstances, it was easy to tell that he was of the Northern Empire’s bloodline.

When Azadin addressed him as Your Highness, he glanced at Zan.

“I didn’t say anything. That’s just how he is,” Zan said.

“Ah, so that’s how he is?” the Northern prince responded, understanding the situation.

“Nice to meet you, Azadin. Yes. I am Kalintz Lionheart, son of Cohen Lionheart of the Northern Empire,” he said, offering Azadin a handshake.