Chapter 53: The Return of the Doom-Class Death Knight

Chapter 53: Scheme (3)

The jousting arena fell silent as if doused with cold water at the appearance of the Church. The nobles felt even greater fear at the Church's arrival than when they saw the black magic. They knew well that the Church would act like a mad dog when it came to matters involving black magic.

"Damn it!"

The first to break the silence was Jackson Cutter. Realizing that things would not end well if he stayed, he tried to flee. But Damian did not release his wrist.

"I can't let go... Gah!"

The moment Jackson Cutter tried to resist, the Church's paladins rushed in. They struck the back of his head with the pommels of their swords, forcibly dismounting him, and then twisted his arms.

While Jackson Cutter was being subdued, the remaining paladin approached Damian. He was a man with a face as round and plump as a full moon.

"Sir Damian, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Thomas, a 2nd-class paladin of the Church."

Unlike regular knights, paladins indicated their ranks. A 2nd-class paladin was equivalent to a mid-class knight.

'Indeed, he has good connections.'

Damian had Victor contact the Church in a nearby city last night. The message he sent was that a heretic would likely appear at the jousting arena, and he requested the dispatch of paladins. As a bonus, he mentioned that one of the heretics was a mid-class knight, and asked for someone of matching skill to be sent.

The Church not only immediately accepted Damian's request but also sent forces capable of countering a mid-class knight. Thanks to this, it seemed he could handle the current situation without using his own strength. It was a classic case of using poison to fight poison.

"Indeed, as Sir Damian said, there was a filthy heretic."

At this, Jackson Cutter screamed in a fit of rage.

"Who, who is a heretic! I have done nothing wrong..."

One of the paladins struck Jackson Cutter's mouth with the scabbard. A sound of something breaking could be heard.

"You, a heretic who uses black magic, have a lot to say."

"Do not dirty our ears; remain silent."

The paladins growled as if they were about to kill Jackson Cutter. The fear in their eyes made Jackson Cutter visibly flinch.

"But, Sir Damian, where is the other heretic?"

Damian pointed to the audience stands.

"That man is the mid-class heretic I mentioned."

Jacques Noire's expression twisted.

At the same time, Thomas rushed towards Jacques Noire.

* * *

When the jousting match began, Jacques Noire had no worries. The bracelet he gave to Jackson Cutter was no ordinary item. It was a creation of a notorious black magician who had put his heart and soul into it.

When Jacques Noire was a low-class knight, this bracelet had saved his life several times. If not for the significant drawback of consuming life force and magic power, he would have worn it all the time.

As the jousting match started, Damian Hassen began to move. Watching Damian knock down knights with a single horse, Jacques Noire felt a sense of anticipation.

Jacques Noire did not know what kind of fortune Damian Hassen had obtained. However, given that he had brought Damian Hassen to the level of a low-class knight in just a few months, it seemed to be a significant fortune.

By killing Damian Hassen today, Jacques Noire would gain both the Copperhead family and the fortune. It was truly a memorable...

Then, Damian Hassen grabbed Jackson Cutter's wrist, and the bracelet shattered.

"..."

Black magic spread in all directions. Jacques Noire's mind was filled with confusion at this unexpected turn of events.

Before he could sort out his confusion, an even more shocking event occurred. The paladins sitting in the audience stands revealed themselves.

"..."

Jacques Noire was taken aback. Despite the paladins being right there, he had not detected their presence at all. He only felt their presence after they removed their robes.

The robes they wore were no ordinary items. They were special holy artifacts used by the Church during covert operations.

The Church's paladins quickly subdued Jackson Cutter. The overlapping chaos left Jacques Noire momentarily unable to think.

"That man is the mid-class heretic I mentioned."

It was only when Damian Hassen pointed at him that Jacques Noire realized what was happening.

A paladin rushed towards him, swinging his sword at Jacques Noire.

Jacques Noire instinctively raised his arm to block the attack. The sound of his arm guard and the sword blade clashing was sharp.

"Screech!"

"Screech!"

The clash between the two mid-class knights produced a tremendous impact, enough to knock over the people sitting nearby.

"Indeed, there was a mid-class heretic!"

The paladin's eyes blazed like fire.

"To use black magic with the talent granted by God's blessing! I will tear you apart and offer you to God today!"

"You fanatics have no sense of reason. You bark like dogs without a care."

Jacques Noire spoke calmly, but his mind was racing with countless thoughts.

The Church was as powerful as the empire, with its influence reaching every corner of the continent. As far as Jacques Noire knew, almost no one who opposed the Church had survived.

"Do not speak out of turn, heretic!"

White light burst from Thomas's body. Strangely, despite the light, it did not blind the eyes.

Holy power.

A miracle that only those who believe in and serve God can use.

"I will crush your skull right now!"

Thomas tightened his grip on his arm, pushing the blade further.

Jacques Noire did not resist. Instead, he used Thomas's strength to propel himself backward into the audience stands.

"Where are you trying to run!"

Thomas shouted and chased after Jacques Noire. The sounds of intense struggle echoed from behind the jousting arena.

"Indeed, it is the Church."

Watching this, Damian was impressed. There was no better place to deal with black magic.

"Hmm...?"

At that moment, something caught Damian's eye.

The Copperhead Baron was pale and fleeing the jousting arena.

* * *

"This, this can't be... In my territory, such a thing happens...!"

The Copperhead Baron was drenched in cold sweat as he walked, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"Jacques Noire! This foolish man using black magic on my land!"

The Church's heretic hunters were relentless and cruel. They would not let this incident end with just Jacques Noire and Jackson Cutter; they would conduct a wide-ranging investigation to root out all involved.

"If it is revealed that I tried to deal with them... No, no, I know nothing. I knew nothing!"

The Copperhead Baron trembled as he walked.

Olivia looked at the baron with disdain.

A man who usually acted so dignified and cunning was now so terrified in a real crisis.

"Olivia! I need to think of a solution! If the Church comes, tell them I have fainted and buy me some time! Do you understand?"

As soon as he reached the tent, the baron ordered Olivia.

"That won't work," Olivia said flatly.

"Obey me! Why are you so talkative!"

Olivia's response made the Copperhead Baron shout.

He needed time to gather his thoughts.

"Your Excellency, where are you going? Are you going to take a nap?"

The sudden voice made the baron jump and turn his head.

Right behind him stood Damian Hassen.

"...Damian Hassen! What nerve do you have to show your face to me!"

From the paladins' attitude, it was clear that Damian Hassen had called the Church. To the baron, Damian was now the enemy who had ruined everything.

"I came to discuss matters with Your Excellency."

"Don't talk nonsense! What are the knights doing! Get rid of him!"

The baron's knights blocked Damian's path.

"Approach no further..."

Damian struck the knights' chins with the back of his hand, too fast for anyone to see clearly.

The knights fainted on the spot. The baron screamed.

"Your Excellency, this is disappointing."

Saying this, Damian grabbed the baron's collar and lifted him up.

"It seems you are not pleased that I called the Church... But you seem to have forgotten that you tried to kill me?"

As Damian exuded a killing aura, the baron's face drained of all color.

"Shall we go inside and discuss this quietly, or would you prefer another way?"

"I, I will discuss it! I will!"

The baron shouted in a hurry. Only then did Damian smile in satisfaction.

"You have made a wise decision."

* * *

"Your Excellency, I am disappointed."

Damian sat in a chair, putting his feet on the table.

The baron did not even think to criticize Damian's attitude.

"I thought we had a good relationship. Trying to kill me behind my back?"

"You must have heard some strange rumors. I never tried to kill you. What nonsense..."

"Lady Olivia has already told me everything. Jacques Noire wanted my life, and you promised to clean up the mess, didn't you?"

The baron glared at Olivia. Olivia met his gaze without flinching.

"Yes, Father. I told him."

"Olivia! You are mad! Why did you do this..."

Bang.

Damian struck the table with his heel. The baron closed his mouth again.

"Your Excellency, I have not finished speaking."

"You, you..."

"If I tell the Church that you tried to deal with Jacques Noire, what do you think will happen?"

The baron's face turned ashen.

"I, I didn't know! I really didn't know! I didn't expect Jacques Noire to use black magic..."

"Do you think such an excuse will work with the Church?"

The Church did not tolerate anything directly or indirectly related to black magic.

Moreover, the baron was involved in a murder attempt using black magic.

Claiming innocence to the Church would not go well.

"Sir Damian! I am sorry! I was wrong! Please, do not report me to the Church..."

"Even if I don't say anything, Jackson Cutter will expose everything. You know how terrible the interrogations of the heretic hunters are, don't you?"

At Damian's words, the baron felt his strength drain from his body.

"Your Excellency, I have connections with the Church. Defending you should be easy."

Damian spoke in a subtle tone. The baron looked as if he had found a savior.

"You, you..."

"But there are a few conditions."

"Speak! I will agree to anything!"

Damian counted on his fingers.

"First, allow my brother to court Lady Olivia."

"That, that is easy."

"Second, declare me the winner of this jousting tournament."

"That is only natural!"

The first two conditions Damian mentioned were quite easy. But the next one was the problem.

"Before the end of the year, transfer half of your territory to Lady Olivia."

"That is absurd! Half! Are you in your right mind!"

The baron was furious. Damian's voice became sharp.

"Then, go to the Church and defend yourself."

The warning made the baron close his mouth.

"Finally, as compensation for this matter, send 300 gold to the Hassen family."

"300 gold is..."

"Considering you tried to kill me, it's not a large amount, is it?"

The baron was forced into silence by Damian's murderous tone.

"What will you do?"

"I, I need some time to think..."

"Make your decision right now."

Damian spoke firmly. The baron sighed and said,

"...I will agree to all your demands."

"You have made a wise decision."

Damian stood up. Before leaving the tent, he warned the baron.

"Your Excellency, just in case. If you break or delay the