Imperial Guard - Chapter 26



Only Noblemtl

Episode 26

Knights of the Silver Cross

Felice practiced an awkward smile, wiping the sweat from her shiny hair.

He was now waiting for someone very important.

A once-in-a-lifetime event happened to an ordinary bishop.

‘The Knights of the Silver Cross… It really seems like a dream.’

Knights of the Silver Cross.

The Silver Cross Knights of the Gaia Church are considered one of the strongest knight orders, comparable to the Knights of Kamen of the Kamen Empire.

They said that such great people would visit District 4 and even send a reporter to the branch.

Felice was nervous and shaking from the morning because of that.

‘My sincerity has finally been acknowledged!’

Felice truly thought so.

How many common people have been saved thanks to you!

It is clear that he recognized his hard work in spreading the word of God for a pittance.

This was an opportunity not to be missed.

A chance to become an archbishop…!

‘No matter what happens, you have to look good.’

Even today, a parade of knights was scheduled.

I couldn’t imagine how much money I could make by selling the Soul Purification Department under that pretext.

Jerk- Jerk-

Felice’s heart began to pound at the sound of heavy footsteps outside.

He heard the clanking of his armor along with the sound of his footsteps like the trumpet call of his success.

Click.

Felice lit the candles she had prepared and extinguished the glowstone that illuminated the room.

The light of candles shining in the darkness created a holy and sacred atmosphere.

It was the art of conversion that elevated the lowly Felice to the position of bishop, and the reliable method that made him a faithful priest whenever necessary.

Squeak-

As the branch priest opened the door, knights in plate armor entered the room.

Felice greeted them politely, making the sign of the Gaia Church.

“Welcome, warriors of the Gaia Cult.”

“May the peace of Gaia be with you.”

Marco, who had paid homage to the bishop as a representative of the Knights, looked around.

He couldn’t understand why they had drawn the curtains and were lighting only one candle in broad daylight.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was praying to Lady Gaia so much that I forgot what time the Paladin was visiting.”

“Isn’t it the rule that prayers should be offered in the prayer room?”

“··· However, I couldn’t go to the prayer room because of the faith that was welling up in my heart.”

“I see. Be careful next time. And the room is too dark.”

Marco sat down, not paying any attention to what Felice was saying.

“Oh, yes. I’ll turn on the light right now.”

Felice blew out the candle with a look of regret and turned on the glowstone magic tool.

Plan A didn’t work, but that’s okay.

There were 17 plans prepared to capture the Knights.

Now only one has failed···.

[It’s the Demon! The Demon has appeared!!]

As Felice was preparing her next plan, a madman started screaming outside.

“··· Priest Rohan. What’s the commotion outside?”

Felice nodded to the priest who was guiding the paladin.

It was a signal to drag that crazy guy out immediately.

But before the Rohan priest could move, Marco rose from his seat.

“They say the Demons have appeared. I’ll go check it out.”

“Ma, Marco! That guy is a famous crazy… no, crazy guy in District 4! Don’t worry about it!”

Felice grabbed Marco’s arm without realizing it.

I felt that if I missed this opportunity, I would never be able to become an archbishop.

[Demon! It’s the Demon! The Demon has appeared!!!!]

Marco’s brow furrowed at the sound of the voice again.

He said, looking down at Felice’s bald head.

“If you lie to me, I will cut you down in the name of God.”

“Ugh, ugh···.”

Those words sounded like he was going to cut Felice down at any moment, so Felice had no choice but to let go of Marco’s arm.

Jerk- Jerk-

Marco immediately turned around and headed outside.

The knights followed him, and Felice followed behind.

When he came outside, Marco was already confronting the madman.

“··· Did you just say that the demons appeared?”

Marco looked Rael up and down.

It seemed like a normal inspection, but strangely enough, I couldn’t properly grasp the level.

“A demon has appeared in Area 3. This is an emergency.”

Rael looked at Marco and continued speaking.

Marco, who heard that the demons had appeared, was already focused on himself.

“Hey you! How dare you cause trouble in the Gaia Church!”

“Lael, what you say is true…! I guarantee it!”

“Even if a single lower priest guarantees it···!”

thud-

A battle axe as big as Marco’s body fell from his back to the ground.

Felice, who had been shooting at Cecilia, was startled and hid behind the priest guarding the main gate.

“What you have before you now is the Knights of the Silver Cross. If you lie, I can cut off your head in the name of God. I ask you again. Has the Demon really appeared in the capital?”

Marco looked at Rael and opened his mouth.

I really didn’t mean to cut his throat, but I had to make this kind of threat to stop him from playing pranks.

“···It really did appear. I don’t know the exact location yet, but it’s somewhere in the underworld of District 3. This is the proof.”

Lael took the demon horn out of his pocket and handed it to Marco.

“This is···.”

Marco frowned as he grabbed the horn.

Marco can tell because he has been a slayer of demons his entire life.

This horn was cut off from a recently deceased demon.

“Did you make it?”

“yes.”

“If you cut it yourself, take out your sword.”

Rael immediately drew his sword.

Even though I had brushed it off a few times, there was still some purple blood left.

Marco ran his fingers down the side of the sword.

‘It hasn’t even been an hour.’

Marco, who checked the viscosity of the blood, made the sign of the cross while looking at Rael.

“I’m sorry for doubting you. May the peace of Gaia be with you.”

“it’s okay.”

Rael made the sign of the cross and received the typical greeting of a knight of the sect.

Rael, who came from an orphanage, was a layperson in the church and had to follow proper etiquette.

“The parade is canceled. The Knights of the Silver Cross will now pursue the demons.”

Marco turned his head and looked at Felice.

His eyes widened when he heard that the march was canceled.

“Yes? Yes?! That, that won’t do. Donations and soul purification sales, no. The believers’ expectations···.”

“Bishop. A demon has appeared in the capital. Are you planning to make me say the same thing twice?”

“Uh, uh···. That’s not it···.”

Felice shrank like an octopus between rocks.

Rael smiled happily at the sight.

‘Looks good, octopus head.’

It was fortunate that Rael happened to know someone.

Now that I’ve had my chance, I can just sneak out like this…

“What is your name?”

Then, Marco spoke to Rael.

Rael answered, feeling uneasy for some reason.

“···This is Rael.”

“Take the lead and lead the way.”

“yes?”

“Sure, that horn is the one you just cut off. But that doesn’t prove that there are other demons.”

“I heard from those who collaborated with the Demon that another Demon was hiding in the underworld of District 3. I captured them with the outer guard, so you can hear their testimony.”

Rael knew this would happen and prepared perfectly.

There were numerous witnesses. Even if the demons had already fled, the fault lies with the witnesses, not Rael.

“Well done. Then, you take the lead and go to the outer guard. After hearing the testimony, I will accompany you to the expected location.”

“···.”

Suddenly-

Marco carried a huge battle axe on his back.

It seemed perhaps heavier than Rael’s body.

“Go ahead. Rael. If there are no demons, I will cut off your head.”

···What kind of kid is this?

Rael thought as he looked at Marco’s calm expression.

*

“Father Cecilia. Is this the normal atmosphere of the church? If we report that there are demons, isn’t our work over? Why are you wasting your time?”

“··· I’m sorry, Rael.”

Cecilia lowered her head, speechless at Rael’s words.

She loved the church and the god Gaia, but there were those who sometimes put their faith above people.

“Haa. And he even threatened to kill me. Lady Cecilia, please take care of the orphanage when I die.”

“T-Don’t say things like that! If there’s no demon tribe… I’ll do whatever it takes to stop Marco!”

“Isn’t Lady Cecilia a lower priestess? How can she stop the Commander of the Silver Cross?”

“Ugh···.”

Rael walked towards the outer guard, teasing Cecilia.

Well, actually I’m not scared.

Originally, Marco’s eyes would roll back just by hearing the word ‘Demon’.

Even though you threatened me like that, I wouldn’t have cut off your head even if there were no demons.

‘But why did the Knights of the Silver Cross come all the way to District 4? They said a paladin was dispatched earlier… Why do they need a paladin in a place like this?’

Of course, it is common to send a paladin to a branch, but that is only for up to District 3. I have never heard of sending a paladin to a branch in District 4.

Rael turned his head and looked at the knights following him.

Actually, being a paladin is a pretty great job.

Unlike a knight who only needs to be strong, a paladin must be strong and have faith.

‘Come to think of it, what are you doing these days?’

Rael recalled a memory from when he was ten years old.

When children in orphanages turn 10, they are sent to the classroom to test their talent for vocal chords.

Rael was naturally rejected as soon as he entered the church.

‘In fact, the fact that I was returned should make me question the existence of God.’

And the year after Rael was returned.

The most troublemaker in the orphanage was recognized for his talent in the law.

From then on, Rael lost his faith in Gaia.

‘You said you were studying to become a knight.’

I was thinking of visiting there sometime when I had the chance to go to the headquarters of the church.

The name is clearly···.

“Carlson. Are you really from here?”

Yeah. Carlson. It was Carlson…

uh?

“Yes. Haha, I wanted to work in District 4 because I had fond memories of that time!”

“He really is a peculiar fellow. Still, I am glad that Marco-sama gave him permission.”

Rael turned his head in surprise.

A blond man with a cheerful expression appeared among the knights.

Seeing a familiar face, Rael approached him.

“Carlson? Your paladin’s name is Carlson?”

“Yes. I’m Carlson. What’s up?”

“24 years old. From an orphanage in District 4?”

“Huh? That’s right. Do you happen to know me?”

···It’s the real Carlson.

Rael pointed to his face with his hand, looking at Carlson, who had become even more frivolous than when he was nine years old.

“Carlson. Don’t you recognize me? Do you want to get lost?”

“Huh… Huh, Huh?! That rude tone! Are you really Brother Rael?!”

Carlson’s eyes opened wide.

I had heard the name Rael before, but I never imagined it would really be Rael.

“Hey kid, where is the guy who can tell a person’s identity by the way he speaks?”

“Brother Rael! I never thought I would see you here! I thought you would have already gone to a great place!”

Carlson approached Rael with a bright smile.

“I never expected you to be here either… You joined the Knights of the Silver Cross?”

“Haha, it’s all thanks to you, hyung. You taught me how to use magic when I was young. That helped me a lot in controlling divine powers.”

“··· Really? I was just telling you not to bother me.”

“Hey. Don’t joke around, bro.”

“···.”

Rael walked and talked with Carlson.

Fortunately, Marco wasn’t that picky when it came to killing demons, so he seemed to allow this.

“Carlson, you’re still a slacker.”

“Your speech is still the same, hyung. Wow. By the way, has spring finally come to you too, hyung? Your girlfriend is so beautiful.”

“··· You crazy bastard, can’t you see that you’re wearing a priest’s garb?”

“Your Majesty, it’s nice to meet you. I am the junior priestess Cecilia.”

Cecilia greeted Carlson, and Rael sighed.

When I met Carlson again after a long time, he seemed more like a troublemaker than when he was 9 years old.

“Oh. Sorry. I thought it was your taste… Since you really hated the church, I should have made you wear a priest’s robe… Aaaah!”

Rael patted the back of Carlson’s head and looked at Cecilia.

Fortunately, Cecilia blinked as if she didn’t understand what he was saying, but smiled when she met Rael’s eyes.

After smiling awkwardly, Rael turned his head.

‘I really need to avoid seeing that kid Carlson as much as possible.’

The relationship you’ve worked so hard to build with the next saint may be shattered.

Once this is over, it seems better to pretend not to know anything.

‘··· Still, I don’t feel bad.’

Rael thought with a smirk.

It was the first time I felt this joy in this world.

Should I say that I feel a sense of accomplishment in taking care of the orphanage?

Honestly, I felt okay.

“I’m sorry, brother. I never thought you would be a real priest…”

“Okay, when we’re done, let’s go to the daycare together. Miss Sarah and Sister Rayzel will still be there.”

“Oh, really? That’s so great! I especially missed you, Teacher Sarah, when I was at the podium.”

“I’ve been concerned about the wrinkles around my eyes lately. Let’s not talk about that.”

After talking to Carlson, we quickly arrived at the outer perimeter guard post.

Rael called the guard at the main gate.

“Captain Lael!”

“Oh, you’ve worked hard. Can you bring me those guys I left for you earlier?”

The outer guard flinched at the sudden rush of knights and hurried inside.

After a while, the guards and thugs that Rael had saved came rushing out.

The thugs I saw a few hours ago were terrified and cowering at the sight of the knights.

“Hey, Captain. Who are these guys…?”

“Testify about the demons you saw.”

Rael glanced at the knights behind him and whispered to the thugs.

“I’m giving you serious advice. See that Battle Axe the big guy is holding? If you don’t want to get left behind, just get to the point quickly.”

“Ah, I see! The demons are located in the Zenon Guild in District 3···.”

Rael took a step back as he watched the thugs testifying to Marco as if they were confessing.

And whispered to Cecilia.

“Father Cecilia. If I run away now, will you not be caught?”

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea…, Rael.”

“Ugh. That’s too bad.”

Rael waited for the testimony to end, his mouth watering.

*

Jerk- Jerk-

On the main street of District 3, dozens of knights walked in formation.

He must be really scared because everyone passing by is startled and gets out of the way.

‘Even though he is a knight, is it okay for him to go like this?’

The knights’ destination is the Zenon Guild.

It is the place that rules the underworld of District 3.

Rael followed the paladin and spoke to Carlson next to him.

“Carlson. Can you go out like this? The demons will all run away.”

“Huh? Running away?”

“··· When an opponent you can’t defeat comes, you have to run away. The demons aren’t even human.”

Actually, I didn’t understand.

If Rael were a paladin, he would have split his forces and surrounded Zenon’s Guild on all sides, blocking their escape route.

“Aha. This is your first time meeting the captain, Brother Rael. You don’t have to worry.”

First of all-

At that moment, Marco, who was walking in the lead, stopped.

He stared at the alley on the right.

Inside, I felt a familiar atmosphere.

“Marco… his eyes turn red whenever he sees a demon.”

As Carlson spoke, Marco raised his Battle Axe high in the air and shouted.

“I found where the demons are! In the name of Gaia!”

At the same time, light began to leak out from Marco’s body.

It was an enormous amount of divine power.

The light that spread around flowed into the knights.

“Wow, this is a great power of blessing. I feel strength surging from my body.”

Seeing Cecilia’s reaction to the light, it seemed like a blessing.

Rael also carefully placed his hand on the light.

‘···Is it like a territory?’

It’s similar to what I felt in the realm of the Thousand-Year Sword Master.

But, compared to that, it was definitely weak.

Perhaps Marco was a paladin, so it would be appropriate to call it a sanctuary.

“Isn’t this amazing?! Is this the power of the Knights of the Silver Cross!”

Rael, who was touched by the light, also clenched his fists and shouted.

Of course, Rael felt nothing.

I pretended to be a little surprised, but Marco, who was in the lead, suddenly shouted again.

“Kill the demons! In the name of Gaia!”

Boom- Boom-

Marco, clad in plate armor, started running.

It was amazing how he could run so fast wearing that heavy thing.

“In the name of Gaia!!!!”

The other knights started running after him, even the scheming Carlson.

Boom- boom- boom- boom-

The ground shook as dozens of men in plate armor ran past.

Rael blinked behind him.

“Lael, let us follow you!”

“Oh, yes.”

Even Cecilia was incredibly fast at running thanks to her blessing.

Rael sighed and drew magic into his body.

Looking at the situation, it seems like only he will suffer without receiving any blessings.

Kwaaaaang-!

After a few minutes of Lael and Cecilia running at the same pace, a loud noise erupted from the front.

Marco, who was standing in the lead far away, was lowering his Battle Axe in front of a building.

“May the peace of Gaia be with you!”

Phew-!

The building, which had been hit three times by a giant battle axe wrapped in divine power, collapsed like a sand castle.

Rael laughed in vain at the sight.

“··· Are those guys really knights? Not barbarians?”

As expected, the religious community is full of crazy people.