The Sword and The Dress - V4Chapter 4

The Sword and The Dress (Volume 4) – Chapter 4

Translator: Nezu

Editor: Daed

***

Though monsters and demons frequently appeared in the vicinity of the Black Desert, it wasn’t totally uninhabitable. On the contrary, there was even a large city there called Custos, a city not inferior to other ordinary large cities. However, there were no other livable areas around the Black Desert aside from Custos, which was surrounded by strong, high walls.

Located at the far end of the empire, this city had the second largest temple after the Holy Church. It was bustling with knights, soldiers, hunters and mercenaries dispatched from the Capital. To sum it up, it was like a fortress, one that was full of highly combative people.

To help slay the monsters and demons that lurked around and promote public safety in the empire, the prices of goods in this city were low and its various amenities were all well-equipped. Mercenaries and hunters who were officially registered also received discounts on inns or purchasing houses.

“I didn’t expect to be back here so soon.”

I mumbled as I stepped down from the carriage when we arrived at the inn.

Since the Holy Knights here were relatively strong, there was almost no need for us to come here for expeditions. If we ever did, it was either because the Holy Knights here didn’t have enough people to proceed with their mission or they were all gone on a mission.

‘I also got help from them when I went to apprehend that demon king.’

Because this place was filled with monsters and demons, the Holy Knights here have backup support. However, though they have clergies—who had difficulty moving quickly over long distances—as their support, these clergies were all kind of on the weak side…

In fact, they weren’t much help when dealing with monsters and demons. This was mainly because they lacked physical strength and combat experience. Moreover, unlike using a sword to fight, casting holy magic needed time. If it was a high priest or a saint, this problem would’ve been compensated by their strong holy power. However, if it was only an ordinary clergy, it was better to use a holy knight.

This was the reason why Holy Knights were more preferred than Clergies in this battle-prone area. Holy magic was much stronger in places where there were many believers around. If it wasn’t for that fact, I would’ve simply gone alone and broken through the barrier without the help of others.

“The agreed date is in three days,” a tired-looking Ortzen said as he stumbled out of the carriage.

I do exercise and train sometimes but how could he be in a worse condition than me, a noble lady? Well yeah, I have holy power, but still.

“If the other party doesn’t show up on the agreed date, we’ll wait for them again to contact us in the next two days. The situation there doesn’t seem that good either.”

“He’s lost his mana. Even though he said that what he did was for the sake of the demon realm, I don’t think the demons care that much.”

Though it was unfair, a crippled, commoner soldier who had made big contributions was compensated only with a few pennies. In cases in which the person’s contribution was so big that it was very hard to ignore, they would be knighted instead. However, it was more common for these forlorn knights to be robbed of credits by high-ranking nobles. This could also happen to low-ranking nobles.

Since even humans were bound by such a tradition, it wasn’t surprising if this kind of practice also happened in the demon realm.

Small fries from the demon realm only latch onto demon kings, whom they considered their own kind of heroes. However, they wouldn’t choose to serve under a weak demon king. Well anyway, that demon king was stupid in many ways.

“If things go well, do you think the other party will cooperate? Since demons usually ask for asylum.”

Though demons were the church’s main enemy, the Goddess still extended her mercy to them. As long as they made a contract that didn’t involve coveting human souls, demons could even roam around the empire… but of course, they would be kept under surveillance. This was because they couldn actually pretend to surrender and act as a spy. Therefore, they couldn’t just wander around the empire without being watched.

“Things will proceed more smoothly if that happens. But we have to approach the barrier in a way that won’t raise the vigilance of the demon king.”

That means…

“I have to go alone.”

As soon as these words left my mouth, Jullius, Tess, and Cain, who were unloading the carriage, immediately looked at me.

“What do you mean alone? That’s too dangerous!”

“Yes, I think so too!”

“C-captain! You’re still weak!”

Tess, this punk. I know I am, but it’s annoying to hear it from someone else, you know?

“The demon king is weaker than me. He doesn’t even have mana. Even if three or four of him attack me at the same time, he still won’t defeat me.”

He can’t even use his mana so he’ll be nothing more than a civilian. Even if he has trained hard, and my body has changed, he is still far weaker than me.

“But monsters and other demons could still appear.”

This time it wasn’t Tess who answered but the Saintess, Iner.

“I can take care of that. I can sense the amount of mana in a certain area even from a distance. So if the demon king brought others with him or he has recovered, then we can decide if we should all go.”

Huh? You can do that? But it will be hard to do that, even for a high-ranking priest, if the demon king decides to hide his mana.

“Can you still check even those that are hiding their mana?”

“Yes. The High Priest and I can. That is why demons can never come near the Holy Church.”

I see. But if that’s the case, isn’t it better for the Saintess to go to the Imperial Palace than to stay in the Holy Church? Does she have any reason to stay? Tess and Cain reluctantly agreed when they heard Iner’s words but the Captain did not back down.

“But still, I’m against sending… Sir Roel alone.”

Now he’s saying my name with a ‘Sir’. Did Tess and Cain scold him again? I walked towards the Captain and looked up at him.

“It makes me sad that you don’t trust me.”

“No, it’s not like that-!” He said in panic, then sighed and shook his head. “I’m just worried…”

“I fully understand your concern. But I have to go alone. Besides, it’s unlikely for me to be in danger. Well, things can still go wrong. Accidents can still happen. But if I’m going to back down for those reasons, I shouldn’t have become a knight in the first place. Even if an orphan like me had no choice but to be a knight, I could’ve just escaped and done something else.”

I know it’s not an easy thing to do, but it isn’t impossible. For high-ranking priests, if they ever wanted to return to the secular world no matter what, they could swear in the name of the Goddess that they would never use holy power again. However, most priests take pride in being chosen by the Goddess so it’s rare for a priest to give up his holy power.

“Would you be very upset if I had no intention of backing down from the face of danger because of my stubbornness?”

“…”

He didn’t say yes nor did he say no, but soon he answered after some hesitation.

“I don’t think I have any right to be upset. But I will be very worried and… sad. I don’t want… Sir Roel to go alone.”

Ugh… the word ‘sad’ bothers me even more than ‘upset’. But I just can’t back down here now.

“I’m sorry, even though I told you that I’ll do everything that you want me to do. But it’s only this time. After that, I’ll never leave your side ever again. I promise.”

This is a special case. Even though I am lacking in ability right now, I have no choice but to go alone… not that I like it. Jullius nodded, albeit reluctantly, even though he still didn’t like the idea of me going alone.

“If something like this happens again, then do you mind if I… do as I please?”

“I won’t. I will even allow you to grab and lock me up.”

I wonder if Captain Jullius will be able to properly lock me up.

“…okay. I’ll put up with it this time.”

“Thank you.”

I stood on my toes, hugged Captain and patted his back. I suddenly wondered what it would have been like if I had been in the same situation as him. Well, I won’t have to worry much since he’s strong, but if he was as weak as I am today… Hmm, I don’t think I can let him go. I’m going to keep him and lock him up.

Now I feel even more sorry for the Captain.

***