Chapter 14: Snake Hunting (4)

The soldiers of the Order moved into action.

Sebastian and Cedric Walker were bound with ropes without putting up any significant resistance.

It seemed they had given up on everything, rather than complying with the holy knight's orders.

"…You’re going to arrest me?"

But Robert was different.

Robert kicked Halbert, who was lying on the ground, with his foot.

He caught Halbert, who was floating in the air.

"Do you think I’ll let myself be captured so easily?"

"Resistance means death."

"Even if I don’t resist, I’ll die! Do you think I don’t know how evil your Order is!"

Robert summoned his mana. Aura enveloped Halbert.

"Since it’s come to this, I’ll kill you here and escape!"

Robert charged at the holy knight. At the same time, he lifted Halbert high.

The holy knight's eyes narrowed.

He clenched his fist and took a stance. Blue flames enveloped the holy knight's body.

Strangely, the robe the holy knight was wearing did not burn.

It only fluttered as if a strong wind was blowing.

"Scum!"

Robert struck Halbert down.

The holy knight punched a split second faster.

The sound of the air bursting echoed in the eardrums.

The holy knight's body disappeared and reappeared in front of Robert.

He punched with the same speed.

The flame-enshrouded fist struck the chest armor.

"Ugh!"

The chest armor crumpled and shattered.

Robert was sent flying backward, spitting blood.

‘Foolish.’

Holy knights train rigorously under the madness of faith throughout their lives.

Moreover, they must complete all kinds of dangerous missions under the guise of divine trials.

The strength of a holy knight, thus forged, was on a different level from that of ordinary knights.

‘Still, this woman… she was a disciple of Blue Flame.’

Blue Flame Brigandine.

One of the Five Great Holy Knights, considered the Order's top power, famous for subduing countless heretics.

Among them were several who were heroes of the continent.

‘She was an incredibly strong cleric.’

In his previous life, Damian had fought Blue Flame. She was a formidable opponent, living up to her reputation.

It took more than half a day of combat to secure victory.

"Damian Hassen."

Damian's thoughts were interrupted by the holy knight's voice.

Damian looked up at the holy knight.

"The merit of eliminating a Ulan officer is immeasurable."

"It was just doing what was right."

"I won’t hold you accountable for using the Order for your purposes."

Damian shrugged.

"I don’t understand what you mean."

"Didn’t you call the Order to quell the attack on the Black Snake?"

Despite just arriving, she seemed to know the situation very well.

He had a vague idea why the Order was late.

‘She must have been watching me from afar.’

She had been observing to confirm if he could be trusted before intervening.

It was a sinister act, but he could understand it.

After all, black mages had always been obsessed with planting spies in the Order.

"I appreciate your understanding. That Agito not only cursed our territory but also insulted my family."

The holy knight's eyes widened slightly at Damian's words.

"That’s why I wanted to eliminate the Black Snake with my own hands."

"Given the circumstances, I can’t hold you accountable."

Contrary to popular belief, the Order was a rather flexible group.

However, when it came to heresy, they were fanatical.

"The bounty on Agito’s head will be paid out as soon as possible."

"How much will I receive?"

"A hundred gold."

A hundred gold was an enormous sum, enough to buy a small castle.

But Damian wasn’t particularly interested in the bounty.

"Is it possible to receive something tangible instead of the bounty?"

"It’s possible, but what do you desire?"

The moment he had been waiting for had arrived.

Damian revealed his prepared answer.

"I want to receive a mana cultivation technique from the Order."

* * *

"I can’t understand."

The holy knight shook her head.

"A person capable of wiping out the Black Snake alone… needs a mana cultivation technique?"

The holy knight kept shaking her head in confusion.

"I only know the most basic mana cultivation technique.

The technique Damian was currently practicing was one he learned from the captain during his mercenary days.

It was a very basic technique, slow in accumulating mana and lacking any special effects.

"I was looking into more advanced techniques when this opportunity arose, so I’m asking for your help."

Of course, with Damian’s talent, he could improve the basic technique to a more advanced level.

But from experience, starting from scratch was less effective than having a ‘reference’ to work with.

"I’ve heard that the Order has confiscated various items from heretics, including mana cultivation techniques. I want one that has been confirmed as safe."

However, mana cultivation techniques were not only extremely expensive but also hard to obtain.

They only occasionally appeared at auctions in the black market.

Now that he had a connection with the Order, he planned to acquire a technique.

"…You reached this level with a basic technique?"

The holy knight looked skeptical.

Damian extended his wrist to her, implying she should check for herself.

The holy knight grabbed Damian’s wrist and channeled holy power.

The holy power explored Damian’s body.

After a moment, the holy knight’s eyes widened.

"It’s true…"

"Do you believe me now?"

The holy knight crossed her arms, deep in thought. Damian waited quietly for her response.

"There’s a better way than receiving a mana cultivation technique."

"Is there?"

In response to Damian’s question, the holy knight said:

"Aren’t you interested in becoming a holy knight?"

* * *

"No."

Damian said bluntly. The holy knight’s eyes widened slightly.

"W-Why not?"

Judging by her stammer, she was quite shocked.

"A holy knight is the most glorious position, bestowed by God to punish evildoers."

Unfortunately, Damian had never had a single gram of faith in his life.

More importantly, there was a crucial reason why Damian refused to become a holy knight.

‘A holy knight is just a hunting dog for the Order.’

Holy knights are obligated to obey the Order.

Refusal means excommunication and trial by the Inquisition.

"Please reconsider. With your skills, even my master would be interested."

The attention of one of the Five Great Holy Knights, ‘Blue Flame,’ was a significant honor.

For someone else, it would have been a great honor, but not for Damian.

"I still don’t understand God’s love. For now, I want to travel the world and practice God’s word."

He couldn’t say it outright, so he decided to gloss over it.

"…Such a sacred statement. It’s refreshing to hear."

Strangely, his fabricated words seemed to please the holy knight.

She looked at Damian with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.

"But if you change your mind, please come to the Order at any time. I’ll personally welcome you."

"Understood."

Damian would never visit the Order to become a holy knight.

"I’ll grant your request to receive a mana cultivation technique instead of the bounty."

The holy knight readily agreed to Damian’s request.

As a disciple of Blue Flame, she had the authority to grant such a request.

"In return, I have one condition. The Order will send people to investigate Agito’s traces. I ask that you receive them at the Hassen Manor."

"I will."

Damian said without hesitation. It wasn’t a request he could refuse.

The Order was fanatical about eliminating heretics and would suspect him if he refused.

"Thank you for your understanding."

The holy knight drew two lines in the air with her fingers, the Order’s greeting.

"By the way, we haven’t introduced ourselves. My name is Agnes, the first disciple of Blue Flame."

First disciple.

It referred to the first students taken in.

In his previous life, all of Blue Flame’s disciples were well-known.

But there was no Agnes among them.

‘Was she killed by black mages before she could become famous?’

Damian didn’t know everything about the future.

"Agnes, it’s an honor to meet you."

Damian mimicked the Order’s greeting.

"By the way, can I finish my business?"

"Do as you please. What business are you referring to?"

Damian approached Cedric Walker, who was bound with ropes.

When Damian approached, Cedric Walker lifted his head and spoke rudely.

"Why is this bastard coming over… Ugh!"

Suddenly, Damian kicked Cedric Walker in the stomach.

Cedric gagged and fell to the ground.

"You’re soft like a pig."

"Y-You crazy… Ugh!"

Damian stomped on Cedric Walker.

He chose spots that would cause pain but not endanger his life.

Cedric Walker needed to be taken to the Order to suffer more.

"Phew, I feel better now."

Damian stopped beating Cedric Walker once he was unconscious.

He looked at Agnes with a satisfied expression.

"Let’s take him now."

Agnes nodded, looking flustered.

* * *

Damian returned to the manor immediately.

By the time he arrived, it was already dark.

But the entrance to the manor was brightly lit.

"Damian!"

His family was waiting for him with torches.

"Where have you been in such a dangerous time!"

Baron Hassen scolded Damian as soon as he saw him.

But his eyes were full of worry despite his words.

"Why are you out in this cold weather?"

"Is the weather important now! Did you cause trouble somewhere again?"

"I just went for a walk to get some fresh air."

Baron Hassen looked doubtful.

His mother slapped his back.

"What did I tell you? I said Damian wouldn’t do that, didn’t I?"

"Hmm… You were right."

Baron Hassen sighed in relief.

"Damian, I know you might feel stifled at your young age, but stay in the manor for a while. There are many who bear grudges against you."

His father said with a worried expression.

"Against the Black Snake and the Ryanbloom Marquess… You never know what might happen if you let your guard down."

"Father."

"I know you’re skilled, but… no one can predict what might happen in this world."

Father gripped Damian’s hand tightly.

"Take the Black Snake, for example. They don’t play by the rules. Who knows if they might poison an arrow and shoot it at you when you’re on a familiar path?"

Damian nodded slowly.

"Father, you’re right."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

A bright smile appeared on Baron Hassen’s face.

"I was thinking of doing something about it anyway, so I took the initiative."

But his father’s expression darkened again.

"…W-What? W-What do you mean by ‘taking the initiative’?"

"Before long, the name Black Snake will be completely erased."

"W-What do you mean by that?"

"Victor can explain the details."

Victor’s eyes widened at the sudden mention of his name.

"Then I’ll go to bed since I’m tired."

Damian let go of his father’s hand and started running down the road.

"Damian? Damian!"

Baron Hassen tried to stop Damian, but it was too late. Damian was already far away.

"Oh, right."

He turned back and shouted.

"Someone from the Order will come soon, but don’t be afraid. They’re just here to investigate the traces of a black mage."

Baron Hassen’s mind went blank at this.

"What? The Order? Why is the Order coming? What black mage?"

Damian, who had already disappeared, wouldn’t answer.

Baron Hassen looked at Victor. His eyes were so fierce that Victor shuddered.

"Victor… you need to explain everything that happened today in detail!"

Damian caused the trouble, and Victor had to deal with the consequences.

Victor shed a silent tear.