The Sword Genius of the Magic Empire - Chapter 106



Only Noblemtl

Mission to escort the saint.

There are 30 minutes left until departure.

In the cold sunlight of dawn rising over the office of the Elseid Citadel, at the clerk’s desk, Grantal opened his mouth as he faced the boy standing before him.

“You said you needed information about the person currently holding the position of bishop of the current church and his escort?”

“Yes.”

Enoch nodded slightly.

“There were guards surrounding the saintess who were in charge of escorting her. It seems like the mission will proceed in cooperation with them, so I need some information in advance.”

Enoch explained the situation calmly as usual.

Of course, I didn’t mention that the guards attacked. If the sect knew that they were attacking their direct line, the family would likely respond.

If that happens, there’s no telling how the situation could change. That kind of variable isn’t something we want.

“I see. I understand.”

Meanwhile, Granthal, who had been listening to the story while looking into Enoch’s expressionless eyes, slowly nodded.

“If you require any information regarding the mission, I will provide you with as much information as possible as a matter of principle.”

Enoch made a gesture indicating that he would listen without saying anything.

Of course, I knew a few things about the cult. However, I didn’t know all the details, such as the cult leader or his guards.

“First of all, the leader is the highest leader who practically rules and manages everything in the religious order.”

Granthal continued, pulling out a file.

“The guards are made up of people who are loyal to the leader. They are people he personally appointed.”

“The cult leader’s direct guard.”

“Yes, but there is very little information of note about the leader or his escorts.”

“Why?”

“Because there has never been any problem that has surfaced on the part of the religious order or its leader.”

“… …On the surface.”

Enoch narrowed his eyes slightly at the strange words.

“Yes. It’s because the leader’s actions have been obscure for the past several decades. Not only the general public, but even the healers within the cult are not aware of it.”

“Are you saying that the leader of the cult has gone missing?”

“Half of it is.”

It was a bit of a difficult story. Perhaps thinking the same thing, Grantal continued, “If I explain, the story will go a little differently.”

“In the past, it was revealed that some unidentified black magicians attempted to assassinate the leader of the cult, and the leader’s guard was formed after that. The current guards are part of that guard.”

In short, a watchdog that is loyal to the leader’s orders.

Contrary to their rather sacred-sounding title of ‘The Cult Leader’s Guard’, considering their recent outrage at the Holy Land, their standing may have been much higher than expected.

“However, it is known that the leader who accompanied some of the newly created escorts later went on a ‘pilgrimage’ and disappeared.”

Enoch tilted his head slightly.

The Way of Pilgrimage.

Clearly, it was a journey that healers belonging to the sect went on, traveling around the empire on personal training to achieve higher levels of enlightenment.

In the original, there was only a vague mention of it. I didn’t know what it was. At least, it wasn’t important right now.

After all, the point is that the leader is missing.

“There is something unusual right here.”

Grantal handed over the file he had taken out earlier.

“Recently, there have been reports of friction in some cities where the church has been dispatched to provide medical support.”

Enoch opened the file.

Attached to the inside was a clipped photo of Antenor, apparently collected by agents of the family’s intelligence agency, along with a few short notes.

Enoch quickly scanned the contents.

「… … Recently, it has been discovered that a person named [Antenor], the escort officer, is directly involved in the medical support activities of the religious order and is controlling the situation to some extent.」

“In addition, during the process, intentional contact and interference with the subjects receiving medical support are suspected… … .”

“Contact and interference.”

It was useful information, without a doubt. Now I was starting to see the bigger picture. Asking Grantal for information was the right thing to do.

Enoch looked up from his papers and asked.

“As for more precise details, there is no content?”

“Unfortunately, only the circumstances of the incident exist as written in the documents. The details have not been revealed, perhaps due to pressure from the religious community.”

Enoch nodded slowly.

Anyway, as long as you know this much, there won’t be a problem.

“Okay, that’s enough.”

The saint’s designated mission.

The sudden rebellion of the captain of the escort.

And the latest news from the church.

At the very least, I needed to get a feel for what kind of mission I was embarking on, and with this, I had successfully completed the necessary preliminary preparations.

“I’m going to go now.”

It was time to get moving.

Enoch stood up and headed for the door.

“And just one more thing.”

At that moment, Grantal’s voice rang in my ears from behind.

“I hope you don’t overdo it on this mission, Enoch.”

“… … .”

Enoch paused for a moment.

Judging from this reaction, it seems like the last time I threw myself into Minesweeper in Rhodes, it must have had a huge impact.

Granthal added as if to be mindful.

“Of course, since it is a mission to protect the saintess, her safety is the top priority. I hope that Enoch will also pay sufficient attention to safety and make the operation a success.”

“I will try.”

Enoch glanced to the side and said.

“Now, my life is not just mine alone.”

Yes, that was definitely not an empty promise.

Not to mention Sirocco, who had already been accepted as a follower. In addition to the sponsorship contract with Elena, there was also the cooperation with Lien, which was the first promise they had made to each other.

There were all these responsibilities that I had carried until now.

Now, it’s not just about surviving alone, there’s a promise from those who have to take responsibility.

I never thought of dying. I never thought of failing.

As it always has been.

***

In the car.

Saint Amelia slowly bowed her head. Then she elegantly folded her hands on her knees.

“… It seems like you two are getting along pretty well?”

It was a slightly curious expression.

Sirocco, sitting next to Enoch, was slightly leaning his head against Enoch’s side, covering his mouth and yawning slightly, as if he was bored.

It seemed that he was sleepy. Sirocco mumbled a few times, glanced at the saintess, and added indifferently.

“Oh, yeah. It was just a normal sign of friendliness.”

“… … Is that so?”

The saint sitting next to me. She nodded with a calm but bright smile.

Enoch’s gaze was involuntarily stolen by that smile. It was a smile so bewitching that it would be difficult for anyone not to do so.

Considering the reactions of the servants in the household, Amelia’s attitude of not being bothered by the sight of the water creature, Sirocco, was one of definite composure.

‘It’s actually harmless, though.’

Enoch suddenly looked up. They were riding in a high-roof limousine with a high ceiling and seats lined up on both sides, as if it had been designed for off-road use.

The ride quality was incomparable. It was incomparable to the family’s operational vehicles in simple comparison.

“ha.”

Perhaps feeling a little bored, Sirocco wiped the steam off the window with one finger. Then, the scenery outside came into view.

Before I knew it, outside the window I was in the north, far beyond Elseid. It was early spring, but perhaps because the weather was still cold, white snow was piled up here and there.

Even though it was called an escort, the atmosphere was still more like a trip without any sense of urgency, and this was the reason.

There was absolutely no chance of a surprise attack in this completely empty field, except for the snow. If there had been, it would have been immediately noticeable.

Shiroko opened her mouth and looked outside the window.

“Huh, it’s a bit cold here?”

“It’s outside the northern part of Elseid. It’s the coldest place in the vicinity.”

Enoch replied, glancing at Sirocco.

A girl with wolf ears in a black one-piece dress, freely revealing her legs and fluttering short pants, as always, without any explanation of the environment.

Enoch was about to ask her, who was glued to the window to look outside, “It’s snowing, so do you not need to wear shoes?” but he quickly shook his head.

Come to think of it, it’s said that depending on the high-level body strengthening magic or the magic given to clothing, it can ignore the cold outside to some extent.

Of course, the heating is maintained inside the car, but a certain degree of cold outside will be no problem.

Perhaps because of this, everyone riding in the car together had quite interesting outfits.

The saint’s revealing attire also didn’t seem to be a problem, perhaps because it was given special magic to maintain body temperature.

Enoch himself was wearing a stylish black blazer with a thin silver collar, just like his usual suit, far from being a cold-weather uniform.

Above all, he was wearing nothing more than a pitch-black cloak with white fur, which was supposedly provided by his family.

It wasn’t that cold, perhaps because I don’t feel the cold that much regardless of magic, but it wouldn’t hurt to take care of my warmth anyway.

And of course.

The most striking outfit among them is… … .

“By the way, who is the maid here?”

At that moment, the saintess looked at the girl dressed as a maid next to her with a puzzled look.

The silver-haired girl who had been sitting quietly in her seat, keeping silence since earlier, seemed curious.

Enoch said lightly.

“I will be assisting the saintess throughout this escort mission. During her stay, there will be sensitive areas that I, a man, will be concerned about.”

Even if we just talk about it like this, the reason Lien came along on this escort will naturally be covered up.

“I see. I hadn’t thought about that, but thank you for your consideration.”

Lien glanced at Amelia with her usual emotionless eyes, then quietly closed her eyes and nodded. It was the infinitely polite gesture of a maid.

“I apologize for the late introduction, Your Majesty. I am Lord Enoch’s exclusive maid. My name is Lien.”

“Oh, it’s nothing to apologize for. I left a bit early so as to avoid exposing my presence unnecessarily to those around me throughout the schedule.”

As the two girls’ brief introductions came to an end, Enoch leaned back against the leather seat and glanced at Amelia.

“If you don’t mind, I have a question.”

“What could it be?”

“About this assignment.”

The saint nodded slightly.

“If it’s something I can answer, I’ll be happy to.”

“You said you were helping the victims of the demons in a mining city located in the wilderness. Is it normal for you to take action yourself to ensure their safety?”

Imperial Oz. It is also an area where demons appear.

In the first place, it was called an escort for that purpose. A person of saintly rank was directly dispatched to the scene with other healers to restore the damage in the remote area.

There was a strange feeling somewhere.

Especially since Enoch felt like she didn’t quite fit with the Amelia he ‘knew’.

But Amelia answered with her usual calm demeanor, without a hint of agitation.

“Because I wanted it.”

“You must be aware of the dangers of demons.”

“Because helping people is a mission that I must carry out myself.”

“I might die.”

“No matter what the cost. That will not change. That is the position of a saint.”

She answered with a calm look.

Enoch tilted his head slightly.

Meeting Amelia’s gaze head-on like this, I could tell she wasn’t stupid enough not to understand that she might die.

But there was something even more puzzling about it.

“… … One more thing. I have a question.”

Enoch turned his head away from looking out the window.

“I have never been trained as a professional escort. I brought Scirocco into my squad, but I haven’t accumulated any achievements yet. Compared to other ranks, my current merit is limited to being a topic of conversation.”

“… … .”

The saintess, with her bright blond hair flowing down her back, stared blankly in silence. Enoch glanced at her from the side.

“Why did you appoint me as your bodyguard?”

It may be direct, but it was an obvious question.

That was also what Enoch was most curious about in this assignment. He couldn’t just play along without knowing the English.

“If the escort was simply unsightly, there would have been many more powerful and well-known ones among the other direct descendants of Elseid and the magicians affiliated with them than me.”

“Of course I am well aware of that fact.”

Amelia looked straight at me. Her eyes shone noble like emeralds.

“But even so, I needed Enoch, not anyone else.”

“Can I ask why?”

“that…….”

Amelia bowed her head for a moment.

Her blond hair flowed silently. The dawn light streaming in through the moving car window cast a dark shadow like a veil on the saint’s cheeks.

“It’s not something I can tell you directly. However, maybe you’ll find out naturally in the future.”

Amelia’s voice, as she answered like that, was very faintly faint.

And Enoch did not miss the moment when her eyes, which had lowered their head, narrowed slightly.

At that moment, Shiroko, who was looking out the window, pulled on my sleeve. Then, he pointed outside.

“There, there’s a village!”

“… … .”

As I glanced out the window, a gust of wind blew past, revealing the snow-covered mountains and the city perched on their slopes.

Amelia gave a small exclamation of admiration from the side.

“… … Ah, over there.”

A mining city built on a snowy mountain,

Pangaeon.

The houses built on the slopes of the mountain had a warm atmosphere made of red bricks or brown wood. The roofs were covered in snow.

The lake reflecting the blue sky is covered in thin ice.

In the village far away, smoke was rising as if they were cooking rice.

And beyond that, a city with a mix of modern and old atmospheres came into view, with its skyscrapers.

Suddenly, I turned my head to look at the snow-covered peaks of the high mines, but the rising sunlight was blinding me, so I eventually gave up.

“… … .”

And then, in front of a line of cars slowly moving on a snow-covered road.

Suddenly, several figures appeared without a sound.

It was soon realized that dozens more shapes had appeared on both sides of the road.

Enoch, who noticed the sudden appearance, looked out the window expressionlessly and opened his mouth quietly.

“There are unidentified people ahead.”

Suddenly, a sharp tension passed through the room.

The driver of the limousine, who heard those words from the driver’s seat, looked quite flustered and shouted in a trembling voice.

“I, all the horsemen, are armed!”

At those urgent words, Amelia clasped her hands together, looking somewhat nervous.

Even at a quick count, the number is more than twenty.

There were not a few. As he said, they were all holding a horse saddle in their hands. I could feel Shiroko glancing over from the side.

“… What are you going to do?”

Enoch watched them calmly.

Anything that is slow to respond to is not good. That is something I have personally learned so far. This time is no different.

I had to take action right away.

This time, the worries didn’t last long.