Time of Unity – Part 05
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Translator: Kell
Like Cal said, there was a bit of an uproar while the meeting was on recess.
Sept was down on the hallway, with a knight on top of him. The king’s swollen face suggested he was beaten up. More than a dozen other knights were stopping those who tried to help.
“You can’t help with the mission to the Altar?” the knight said. “Just elect a new prophet? I know you’re trying to take advantage of the chaos to bring down the Church, but we won’t let that happen!”
“I’m not interested in the downfall of the Church,” Sept replied. “If anything, I’m all for coexisting with them.”
“Bullshit. Like hell I’m going to believe that! I bet that witch who wants to destroy the world was one of yours too!”
“Good heavens,” I said.
Cal nodded with a strained laugh. “This is what happened after Commander Eudwright told his men about the meeting. Those two argued for a while, but you know how the king is. He has a bit of a sharp tongue.”
The young knight came to protest, but was met with the king’s cruel words, which resulted in him hitting Sept. Cal sensed the danger as soon as the knights came barging in, and sent Lia back to her room immediately. While he was at it, he came to call us and returned to see that the situation had grown into a rather violent confrontation.
Unfortunately, the governor, Albus, and the priest were not here.
“Where are the others?” I asked.
“People are calling for them right now. Apparently, they all left the church after some of those guys causing the ruckus told them to.”
I laughed. I could see why even Pooch wasn’t around on guard duty. “Very thorough. So they’re not fools running around. Commendable, I suppose.”
“Hmm. It seems that the Church is not monolithic either.”
Things would only get more complicated if a Beastfallen like me stepped in, and people would probably get hurt. I could hold back, but the knights would not hesitate to turn their swords at me. Most of all, Sept himself didn’t ask for help.
As we were talking, the young knight mounting Sept wrapped his hand around the king’s neck, his eyes glinting with rage.
I thought he looked a little grimy for a knight, but he just had brown skin. His messy, short hair and large almond eyes reminded me of a wildcat.
While the knight had fire in his eyes, Sept’s green eyes were cold as ice.
“You use force when you don’t get what you want,” Sept began. “You push for what’s best for you without caring about others. If they refuse, you denounce them as evil. Is that what you call righteous? Very admirable.”
“Of course. We, the Knights Templar, will fight to save one person, even if it means losing a thousand soldiers. We will not abandon those who are waiting for help just because it’s not worth it. I will proudly uphold our way of justice. If you refuse, we will deem you as wicked. There’s nothing wrong with expecting integrity from rulers!”
“Then you can let your knights uphold your righteousness as they die in vain. I’m sure you understand. My troops have no obligation to join you in your suicidal crusade.”
“Bastard!” The knight raised his fist once more.
“Enough!” Eudwright’s booming voice stopped the knight.
I turned around to see the commander, the governor, Albus, and the priest scurrying down the church corridor towards us.
Eudwright looked furious as he pushed his way through the crowd of people. He grabbed the knight mounting Sept, lifted him up with one hand, and threw him on the wall. The knight groaned in agony as he crumbled to the floor.
Ignoring the knight, Eudwright helped Sept up. “I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty,” he said. “I failed to supervise my men. They’re an excellent knight, but can be a bit hot-tempered.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was careless. I let my guard down a little bit too much around the Knights Templar. I will have an escort around me next time.”
Eudwright’s expression hardened, unable to say anything back.
“Commander!” the knight barked, crawling on the floor. “Why are you buttering up to that man?! He clearly said that we should abandon the prophet. I understand that we need the assistance of witches. But if we grovel at them, what will become of our dignity as the Knights Templar?!”
“You fool! Where is your dignity as a knight?! Our power should only be used against threats to the masses. What you displayed was one-sided violence!”
“I beg to differ, Commander.” The fact that he did not yield from the commander’s reprimand showed just how steadfast he was. Hands on the wall, the knight staggered to his feet, and faced Eudwright. “That man is willing to sacrifice one to save a thousand. He will sacrifice a thousand to save ten thousand. He is a threat to the people. We must strive to protect everyone! Someone in power who disregards even a single person should be condemned!” His cutting remark overpowered even Eudwright, his superior.
I almost whistled in admiration, but held myself back, given the atmosphere. Instead, a whistle came from my side. Surprised, I lowered my gaze, and sure enough, it was Zero.
“Hey, Witch!”
“It is fine, Mercenary,” Zero said. “Overly naive and obstinate. I quite like their brand of righteousness. Very well. I will accompany the knights on their crusade to the Altar.”
Shit. She said it. In front of many people too.
Tension turned into confusion as the crowd stirred. Zero sauntered through the people and stood between the young knight and Eudwright.
“It is clear that the area up north is now the most dangerous place on this continent. Sending inexperienced witches to such a place will only result in everyone, including the knights, to fall to the demons. It would be suicide to go there with only the Knights Templar. However, if I accompany you, it is possible to liberate Knox Cathedral and even rescue the prophet on Generos Island.”
“W-Wait, Zero!” Albus cut in, her face pale. “You’re our most powerful asset! You’re way stronger than me. You have to be in Wenias when the demons attack again.”
“Why would I need to be here, Mooncaller?”
Albus shut her mouth. Zero no longer called her “lass”. She already saw Albus as a full-fledged witch.
“You yourself were going to abandon your post and go into battle,” Zero continued.
“That was partly because you’re here.”
“Exactly, Mooncaller. My suggestion is based on the assumption that Wenias can be adequately defended even without me. Because you are here, I can make my move.”
“Make your move?” The governor blinked, leaning forward. “Am I getting this right, Lady Zero? You’re not accompanying the knights to save the prophet?”
“Indeed. That is only a bonus, so to speak.”
“Then what is your real objective?”
“The same as the righteous young knight there. Saving both a single person and a thousand, no exceptions. That is to say, I will save the world.”
It was like a line straight out of a drama. Were it not for the current situation, laughter would have filled this place, not silence.
But who could possibly laugh off Zero’s declaration? If there was anyone who could save the world, it was her.
“How are you going to do it?” the governor asked. Everyone probably harbored the same question—except me, of course.
Zero’s answer was brief. “Find the witch who caused all this and kill her.”
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