Chapter 23 – New Missions Are Always Welcome
The man quietly closed his eyes.
Although the body stood on this earth, the will that had reached transcendence was able to touch the sky.
As a reward for wearing the shackles called the throne in the prison called the throne room, he took another step closer to an unknown territory not allowed to mortals.
However, is he still just a human being?
“I’m tired…”
The appearance of pressing his forehead and complaining of fatigue was no different from any other common middle-aged person.
At that time.
— Flash!
Among the three rings worn on the man’s right hand. An achromatic jewel was dyed with a cold blue light.
It emitted a brilliant radiance for a long time, shining brightly into the man’s golden eyes.
“My will has gone awry.”
There was a faint dissatisfaction in the lowly recited vocabulary.
The corners of the man’s mouth were raised slightly.
* * *
Right after work. Originally, it was the time to receive the vice-captain’s report.
Now, in my office, instead of a fresh blue-haired beauty who made my day feel good, two dark men who were not at all happy were sitting in their seats.
Besides, one was old. It’s a face you don’t want to see too much.
“Long time no see! ‘Blood Ghost’ Wolfgang von Schwarz! It’s been a long time indeed. I can still see your performance on the battlefield.”
Chief Executor of the Imperial Counterintelligence Department, Sir Randolph.
Haha! Don’t you like the nickname? You make stupid faces that don’t match your size. Knight, we’re always a group of uninvited guests. I understand.”
It’s not a bad relationship enough to be described as a bad relationship, but it was a relationship that made each other annoying in the past.
Both of them were just doing their job diligently, but this was because unintended frictions continued to arise in the public realm.
“Why the hell did you come all the way here? I know that the weight of being an executor isn’t that light.”
“Hey, I met a good friend after a long time. Are you talking about work right away? Well, a beast like you is only confined in a small cage like this. It’s okay to be picky.”
I lightly turned my head away from Sir Randolph, who had begun to scratch my nerves the moment we met.
Having to deal with the author needlessly makes me tired.
Contrary to his outward appearance, he was a man with a sharp dagger on the inside. Being so friendly must have other intentions.
I didn’t want to get closer than necessary to a man who made a living by digging into every single thing called human beings and driving them to the brink.
So I cautiously opened my mouth to the less reluctant guest.
“Your Excellency, Cardinal Malleus. Please forgive my rudeness. If I had known in advance that you would personally come to this shabby place, I would have paid more attention to the hospitality, but I wasn’t in a hurry.”
Looking at that strong impression and cold expression, which seemed like it wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed with a knife, made me miss the princess’ soft and innocent face so much.
It was only a little less reluctant, but the old man was also a difficult opponent in a different sense from Sir Randolph.
In terms of status and position, he was an elder who was positioned far higher than a knight commander.
The head of the Heretic Inquisition, who burns, tears, and grinds heretics.
Grand Inquisitor, Cardinal Malleus Ordos.
Originally, I shouldn’t have been so stiff, but I was able to maintain a dignified attitude in front of him.
This is because we can be proud that we have lived a life without any particular shame in front of the doctrines of the Catholic Church.
So, why did old man Lee come personally?
‘Aye! Heretic Questioner? Heretic Questioner Why?!’
‘God, if I have committed a sin, please do not drop me into hell…’
Some of his men had panic attacks upon seeing Cardinal Malleus’ face on their way to work, but I couldn’t help but say something.
That’s why it was so terrifying.
I also think that I’m not the type to be fooled by a bad impression, but that old man makes people’s hearts chewy just by maintaining an expressionless expression.
With such a person staring intently at my face without answering, there was no other place that felt as burdensome as this.
However, when a completely unexpected remark came out of nowhere, I was dumbfounded.
“Look, young man. You seem to be exaggerating your colors a little. Of course, love between a man and a woman is an event worthy of blessing from a heavenly deity. It is not good to overindulge in anything.”
I wasn’t the only one waiting for Cardinal Malleus’ mouth to open.
Even the pouting Lord Randolph was holding his breath, as he must have done countless doctrinal stabbings as an executor.
Indeed, when His Majesty the Cardinal suddenly began to criticize my behavior in a serious tone, the atmosphere instantly turned strange.
Then a mad light erupted from Lord Randolph.
Damn, I got this right. You’ll keep making fun of me every time you see my face from now on.
“Pu-sup! Keuhahahahaha!”
If it were just the two of him, I would have made the mouth shut right away, but I couldn’t bear it because I was with the cardinal.
“Your body is full of traces of affection left by a woman. You could have easily erased the traces, but if you look at what you’ve left behind, it looks like you’re dying of love for each other. I just envy your youth. Even this old man, when he was young…”
“Kyaa! To think that the terrifying ‘slayer’ changed his job to a lover as soon as the war ended. It’s something to see after living a long time in the world. If the general knows this, it’s very…”
The flow of conversation that makes you feel a sense of shame just by standing still.
Is this the joridorim I’ve only heard about?
“Kuh, so what family is her lover from?”
“Shut up your snout, Sir Randolph.”
Haha! Yes, now I know something like Sir Wolfgang. Huh?”
Despite the decision I had just made, I had no choice but to respond sharply to Lord Randolph.
Because the most sensitive secret has been touched.
It was absolutely unacceptable for my relationship with the princess to be exposed to high-ranking officials of the intelligence agency.
If you ever get into the ears of His Majesty the Emperor… Isn’t it terrifying just imagining it?
‘Sigh… ‘
I expected that the sudden meeting with the two giants would be a burdensome place, but I didn’t know that it would be in this direction.
“Even though I came here with a heavy topic, wouldn’t it be great if I could start the story with a light joke? Wouldn’t it?”
“Ha ha… Indeed.”
Gritting my teeth and desperately managing my expression, I answered with a forced smile at Cardinal Malleus, who was making an inappropriately benign expression.
That old lady made the worst first impression on me.
Indeed, it was a reckless tyranny worthy of the heads of the Heretic Questioners, who were rumored to be more vicious than demons.
The dark traces that the princess left by literally biting and sucking every nook and cranny of my body this morning.
In fact, I thought it was just an expression of affection under the guise of punishment, so I didn’t pay much attention. Somehow, it became a truly terrifying punishment itself.
I haven’t even gotten into the main topic yet, but I’m already dizzy.
“So, why did the two of you, busy with construction, come all the way here?”
“That’s it, in order to formally request the ‘active cooperation’ mentioned in writing. Despite your hard work, unfortunately, the matter has escalated.”
“It is as the executor said. The seed of evil left behind by the foolish soul who grasped the hand of the traitor and the devil at the same time has germinated, threatening the will of the heavenly gods and the order of the empire at the same time.”
To spit out bomb-like remarks in a calm tone.
Indeed, it was an important matter for the two giants to make their way here.
“Is that so… Then what can I do?”
And, I had to pay the karma of my past foolishness.
If Pietro had been captured and brought back to life, perhaps one of the counterintelligence departments or the Heretic Inquisition would have taken over his personal affairs and taken care of the hardships by now.
Or maybe the two people in front of me were struggling amicably, putting their heads together.
‘Sick…’
If I had made the right decision at that time, this would not have been an incident that would have come to me as a knight commander.
In the first place, I should have quickly noticed that it was something unusual and came out with my hands moderately in the middle, but I couldn’t do that, so my nose was sewn up properly.
What to blame it’s all my fault
“Well, it’s not that the situation is going so badly right now. Because of your contributions, I was able to catch them by the tail.”
“Let me add one more thing. According to the information that the priests and paladins risked their lives to figure out, a definite link has been found between the two giants.”
“Yes?!”
So, you mean the northern puppet government and the devil worshipers joined hands?
Oh my gosh. How long has it been since the war ended that this has already happened?
No, rather, from their point of view, they were aiming for a chaotic gap in the post-war recovery process.
After all, there was no way that vicious and persistent northerners would surrender quietly. In front of him, while talking about surrender, behind him he was sharpening a sword coated with deadly poison.
“It’s fortunate that our Lord Wolfgang is our main reference. We still needed elites who could move on the surface of the water, but you and the troops you lead can be trusted enough.”
“This old man, too, has heard enough of the reputation of Sir Wolfgang, the only apprentice of the general and a war hero. Would you please lend a hand in driving the horde of the Reversal from this land?”
This was something you couldn’t get out of.
Having said that, how can you refuse?
I also had a very big grudge against the North Koreans.
They can never be forgiven.
If they ever reach out to this land again, that hand must be cut off.
Anyway, those two.
From a while ago, it was very easy to give and receive. Is there something in common between the leaders of the group in charge of the dark and reluctant work?
“Please tell me in detail exactly how to go out. If I have to recruit troops, maybe how much? If I have to go out, when?”
“Compressed to the elite of the elite, as little as possible. There is no need for a large number of people to move. We have to move together as well. Plenty of preparation time, about 10 days?”
“The Church has decided to dispatch a bishop, several high-ranking priests, and experienced Heretic Questioners to this operation. The detailed personnel composition is…”
That’s how I immersed myself in planning a joint operation for a long time while putting my heads together with the dark men.
By the way, who should the men take?
Even if the vice-captain and centurion-level personnel were to be taken, the lower-level personnel were the problem.
There are a few faces that come to mind right away, but each one has a little flaw.
‘No, no.’
However, on second thought, it was a foolish worry.
Can I trust my subordinates? Should not be questioned. The more important the day, the more so.
Although the period they have been together is short, they have already gone through actual battles with new subordinates.
The members of the Black Lion Knights were no longer the ragtag people before I came.
I trust my men
“Then, thank you for your hard work. It’s been a long time since I met you, who are like close friends. It was really fun. See you next time.”
“I’m going to step back, too, this old man. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you directly, but trustworthy and faithful priests will be with you instead.”
After the long strategy meeting is over, let’s go back to where the two of us came from.
The vice-captain, who was carrying out the duties of the leader instead of me, came running to me with a nervous expression.
“Captain! What the hell is all this about? Those people must be…”
“It’s a bit serious, but it’s not urgent. They didn’t come here because of something bad. So don’t worry.”
“Haa… Is that so? I was worried that the captain might be going through hardships.”
“I’m sure you’ve had some trouble.”
Vice-captain Agnes’ expression was stained with concern, probably because of the last word he added as a joke.
Looking at it like this, it is a very detailed face like a cat. The princess looks like a puppy in many ways, like her face.
“Captain? Anything to say?”
After spending a long time with the dark men, I lost myself in thought for a while, enjoying her beauty, which felt especially refreshing.
The vice-captain would definitely have to join this operation.
Because she can use both aura and imagery at the same time, she can be seen as the core force of the current Black Lion Knights.
However, I couldn’t just take her away like this.
It was because the two of us got along well and blew our armor away due to the battle in Viscount Bartok’s territory.
‘Well, at least a piece of armor…’
Both of us have different body types, so I had to order new armor ASAP. Even if you place an order today, the schedule is tight.
According to the experience of the last battle, the performance of the armor worn by the vice-captain was very poor.
What kind of armor is something that can be torn off with bare hands with just a little force?
It would be better to take her with me and get me a new pair while I’m completely matching mine. The blacksmith is tricky, but his one skill is certain.
“Vice-captain. Do you have some time after work today? I have something to tell you. It’s an important matter. Let everyone leave early today.”
“Yes, old?! You mean time? Yes! Of course, of course there is! If you don’t have one, I’ll make one for you!”
“No, if you’re busy, you don’t have to force yourself to make time.”
But why did the vice-captain suddenly show such an unusual reaction?
I didn’t know.
