The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 278

“Well, well, if it isn’t Sir Azadin!” Prince Kalintz stepped between Azadin and Zekt. He was a large man with the robust build typical of Northerners, yet his hair was silver, a strong manifestation of the Yaegas lineage [a royal bloodline known for their silver hair]. Though not quite as imposing as the Minotaur Selim, this man with a lion’s mane of hair that made one question his humanity, approached Azadin with a hearty laugh, offering a handshake. “A handsome fellow indeed. Quite the figure. I’ve seen the work you’ve done. Truly capable. Defeating the Chadra Five, one after another.” “‘Defeating’ might tarnish their honor. In my report, I stated I persuaded and sought their understanding. And I nearly died at the hands of Sir Sok,” Azadin replied. “Considering that, you look quite healthy? Just surviving a meeting with the Pimbul Horde leader is legendary enough. Now, now, what are you all waiting for? Let the banquet begin.” “More importantly, you’re the new Chapter Master. Why are the King’s Church knights here?” Azadin asked directly. “They are here as my advisors, by my authority as Chapter Master. As you know, my father, King Cohen Lionheart, is promoting the will of unity. The Relief Knights and the King’s Church should not be fighting each other when we all seek to protect humanity from the forces of darkness, right? Today, I wish to make this a place of harmony.” “A place of harmony in a pleasure district? It’s so touching, I could cry,” Azadin retorted, but Prince Kalintz’s expression remained unchanged. However, the faces of the King’s Church Holy Knights contorted. “Sir Azadin, I’ve heard your reputation has grown recently. A Holy Knight who accomplishes all sorts of difficult tasks and possesses great dignity,” Zekt said with a smile, relaying the public’s opinion of Azadin. “But what about the Divine King’s Scripture copy? And if my eyes aren’t deceiving me, I sense the Divine King’s Scripture’s magic from you.” Zekt believed that Azadin’s growing fame as a Holy Knight was due to him stealing and using the power of the Divine King’s Scripture. To the untrained eye, the Divine King’s Scripture and the Relief Knights’ miracles both appeared as the same white magic… So, Zekt’s suspicion was a reasonable one from the King’s Church’s perspective. “I was unaware, but it seems I have a faint trace of the Emperor’s blood in me,” Azadin countered, causing Zekt, who usually squinted, to open his eyes wide. “Don’t be ridiculous, you soulless blasphemer. I know you have a copy of the Divine King’s Scripture. And now you dare claim to be of the Yaegas lineage?” “I wish it weren’t true, but my purple eyes are called the ‘Eyes of Harkonia’ among the Herald clan. It means I’m a descendant of Harkonia, the Emperor’s lover.” “…” The King’s Church held the Divine King’s lineage in high regard, so Azadin was asserting to Zekt that he was of the Emperor’s bloodline, a lineage that, though considered heretical by the King’s Church, they still had to respect. Of course, Zekt, being a King’s Church Holy Knight from a royal family, wouldn’t be intimidated by Azadin’s claim of being of the Emperor’s bloodline. However, if Azadin claimed to be of the Yaegas lineage, there would be no justification for searching him. “The Divine King’s Scripture…” “Everything I collected has been returned to the Throne of Butuma.” “You expect me to believe that?” “If you don’t believe it, there’s no reason to talk. Think what you will.” “………” “More importantly, why is an Inquisitor like you here? Did you get demoted for using too much dark magic?” Azadin mocked, causing Zekt to sigh deeply. “…Very well. I was agitated. I admit it, Sir Azadin.” Zekt’s bloodshot eyes returned to their usual squint. Surprisingly, he had calmed the anger he had shown just moments ago and returned to his usual demeanor. It was a natural choice, as he couldn’t fight Azadin in a place that Prince Kalintz had called a place of harmony, but few people could make that natural choice. “I will refrain from fighting you here out of respect for Prince Kalintz, Sir Azadin. But since I’ve come here as the security advisor of Fireglyph, very interesting things will happen.” “Oh, that’s hilarious. You, the top Inquisitor of the King’s Church, becoming an advisor in this place, which is practically a place of exile. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t fit your status. Are you sure you’re okay? Did you really get demoted?” “………” Zekt’s mouth clamped shut at Azadin’s question. As Azadin had said, the Inquisitors of the King’s Church were high-ranking Holy Knights, only 16 in the entire order. In comparison, the captain of Fireguard was on the level of a city guard captain, a significant drop in rank. “Well, even this alone is interesting enough. So, I can roughly guess why an Inquisitor would willingly endure such humiliation?” “Why do you think?” Prince Kalintz, who had been silently listening to Azadin and Zekt’s conversation, interjected. “…Because of the Celestials? More precisely, it’s because an organization within the Relief Knights felt threatened by the Celestials and brought you in. The Courage Order, perhaps?” “Oh ho…” Prince Kalintz’s eyes gleamed with interest. ********* The Relief Knights consisted of the three Orders of Virtue and a clergy group in charge of administrative duties. The most influential group among them was the Order of Wisdom. They created Seramite [a magical substance] from the blood of angels, researched various magics, and even gave birth to the Celestials [powerful beings created through magic]. If they formed a unit composed solely of Celestials and revealed them to the public, the Order of Wisdom would undoubtedly hold the real power over that unit… The other Orders needed to stop the Order of Wisdom’s dominance, even if it meant cooperating with the King’s Church. It was clear that the Courage Order, which was allied with the Northern Empire, was leading the charge. “This is quite surprising.” Prince Kalintz was impressed that Azadin had instantly grasped the situation. Even the clergy and high-ranking knights who had long dedicated themselves to the Relief Knights were bewildered, yet this Herald clan member, who had only recently joined the Order, had seen through it all. “As you know, my father, the Northern Emperor, is also a member of the Yaegas royal family. Ultimately, he wishes to unite the King’s Church and the Relief Knights.” The ambition of the Northern Emperor, Cohen Lionheart. It was to unite both the Relief Knights and the King’s Church under his command. More precisely, to unite the Relief Knights, the King’s Church, and all eight kingdoms into one, thus making himself the complete unifier of Hybris, leaving his name in history. “The unification will happen soon, and everything will be as my father wishes.” “So, are you satisfied, Your Highness?” Azadin asked. The Northern Emperor, Cohen Lionheart, would be satisfied. He would unite both the Relief Knights and the King’s Church, and as the leader of the Northern Alliance, he would achieve a feat greater than the Emperor. But what about his son, Kalintz? Kalintz felt a pleasant bewilderment. Those who dealt with him only saw the Northern Emperor beyond him, and no one focused on Kalintz’s own desires and ambitions. Because a king’s son should not have personal ambitions. But Azadin was asking about Prince Kalintz’s will, not the will of the Northern Emperor Cohen Lionheart. “…Ah, well, that’s a difficult question to answer right now. It would be better to talk about it after we get to know each other better. Since there’s alcohol here, how about we get to know each other here?” “No, I have another appointment. Then, I hope you enjoy the harmony. Everyone.” Azadin bid farewell to Zekt and Kalintz and left the scene. ********* Azadin’s steps faltered. When he was persecuted by his clan as a child, Azadin was saved by the teachings of the Relief Knights. By upholding and protecting virtue, by revering good and righteous values, and by becoming brothers and communicating with each other, regardless of skin color or race. Even if harsh abuse, beatings, and contempt were poured upon him right now, there was still beauty and love in this world that he had not seen. The teachings of the Relief Knights were a salvation and a promise for Azadin. But when he actually came into contact with the Order. Virtue had vanished, and a marketplace filled with shady political maneuvers and conspiracies awaited him. Of course, Azadin was no longer the boy he once was, so he knew this would be the case. ‘How foolish. A child who learned how to kill while being beaten believed that the beauty claimed in a few books would exist in reality.’ Azadin felt sorry for his younger self as he thought that. And he felt sorry for his current self because he could no longer believe in what he had believed in back then. “Oh, it’s Captain Azadin. What are you doing? In a place like this?” “Sis, it’s not a good idea to act like you know me in a place like this…” “……” Azadin turned his head at the voice calling him. The female bandit Camilla and her younger brother Kuntach were sitting at a table on the street, calling out to Azadin. “Are you having a meal?” “Yeah. Having a drink too. Why do you have such a sour look on your face? Didn’t you find anyone you liked?” “You could say that.” “Then, how about we drink together? Rather than wandering among those unpromising fellows, how about you hang out with me?” She pointed to the seat next to her table. Azadin chuckled and sat next to her. “Yeah. It might be better to be here than to be hurt by those unpromising fellows.” “It’s the countryside. What did you expect?” Camilla was understanding it in a different way, though Azadin was talking about the people of the Relief Knights. Azadin knew she was misunderstanding, but he didn’t bother to correct her. “Why were you making that face? Tell me. Captain. You always make decisions on your own without telling anyone.” “I’m sorry about that.” “If you know, tell me. What are you planning to do by building a bridge at the Southeast Rock Fortress?” “Trade, I want to create a better environment for the people here. And for the others we’ll be trading with.” “Hmm. It’s not really my place to say this, but the people here are criminals. Do you think those guys deserve a better life? Just look at Chashan, for example. He’s killed and ruined so many people by selling drugs. I don’t even know if those guys are worth saving, and you’re going to create a better path for them.” “Of course, when the moment to judge comes, I will judge. But until then, I don’t want to hate and cause pain. I want to believe that mercy has meaning. Otherwise, this world is too harsh.” Only then did Camilla realize that Azadin hadn’t just been wandering around the pleasure district. “Can I help you?” “Just talking to you now has been a great help, Camilla.” Azadin was lonely. Within his clan, he was an outcast, and the only ones who had shown him affection were Aldis and Kazas, and that was just pity and consideration from those older than him. Even so, Azadin had protected his love by loving the stories of the Relief Knights, by loving virtue. But that was not how people received comfort from each other. Even if the other person was not a paragon or a virtuous person, just by sharing the stories in one’s heart and having someone listen, it was so comforting… Azadin didn’t know that. He spoke of the beauty of humanity, but in his heart, he did not understand why humanity was beautiful. ‘That’s why many people, even Holy Knights, cannot maintain their faith. I was in no position to be disappointed in them.’ Azadin was newly aware that he was hopelessly ignorant when it came to human relationships. “Thank you, Camilla. You are beautiful.” Without thinking, Azadin said that.