Clashing Prides and Border Warfare – Part 04
“What’s wrong?! How did you feel as you killed your fellow archpriests?!”
“His Holiness fought until his last breath, afflicted by a poison called the Accursed Toxin. Despite knowing how highly infectious the poison was, the priests gave their best efforts to treat His Holiness.”
Luvain began to recount the final moments of the previous Pope. None knew about this. The noisy parade ground fell silent.
“Until the very end, His Holiness showed unwavering dedication to life and spreading our teachings. The treatment lasted for a full day and night, and during that time, there were numerous archpriests present at the Tower. However, not a single one of them besides myself entered the sickroom. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to save him, and he passed away. Even while afflicted by the poison, His Holiness spoke with a clear voice when he entrusted me with the rest, expressing deep concern for the future of the Church.”
Luvain recounted the events dramatically, emphasizing how none of the other archpriests were present and how he had undertaken the treatment despite the risk of infection, all while honoring the late Pope’s memory.
“So the archpriests did nothing because they were afraid of getting infected?”
“They were fat people.”
“I’m pretty sure they cared more about gold than the Church’s teachings.”
The knights and soldiers were being swayed by Luvain’s words.
“Not so fast! Luvain is hiding something crucial!” Guildford roared. “His Holiness had an antidote for the Accursed Toxin. There’s no way he wouldn’t have taken it. This man is lying!”
“Sir Guildford, are you saying there was an antidote for the poison?”
“Of course! His Holiness was helping you develop—”
“His Holiness would never have helped create such a thing!” Luvain snapped.
Guildford gave a start. “Ah…”
Realization dawned on him.
What an idiot. If he disparages the previous Pope here, no one will back him up.
From what Hikaru could see, among the officers of the Knights Templar, many didn’t seem to grasp the situation well, while a few were silent. Those few were probably Guildford’s trusted confidants.
Luvain raised a hand to quiet the crowd and gave Guildford a cold look. “Commander Guildford. It appears you harbor ill feelings towards the previous Pope.”
“N-No! Luvain, you—”
“I would like you to relinquish your command of the entire army, right here, right now. I have reservations about entrusting you with military power. Or would you prefer to duel Lord Gerhardt here? If you can defeat him, then you can reign by force, ignoring the legitimacy of my position.”
“Oh? Are you up for it? Sure, let’s go,” Gerhardt said. “As a commander, you seem fairly capable. I’ll use my sword as well.”
Gerhardt grabbed the greatsword stuck to the ground and pulled it out. Sand cascaded from the blade.
“…Guh.”
Except for his close associates, most of the commanding officers began casting dubious glances at Guildford.
“Me? Battle this filthy Beastman?! Luvain, after I kill their leader, you’re next! Someone, bring me my sword!”
Guildford had an attendant fetch his sword for him. It was a claymore with a blade nearly two meters long, emitting a faint yellow light.
“This magic sword, the Evil-Slaying Blade, should be suitable for dispatching Beastmen.”
“Hmm…” Gerhardt displayed no signs of astonishment as he held his greatsword with both hands.
Looks like his opinion of Guildford has dropped somehow… I get it. His weapon is too big.
Just as Hikaru arrived at the same conclusion as Gerhardt, the battle started.
“Haaaaaahh!”
The Evil-Slaying Blade in Guildford’s hand radiated even more brilliance, almost as if it were ablaze. The crowd buzzed, and even the spectating Beastmen—Jillarte included—were astonished.
“Die!”
Taking several swift strides forward, Guildford held his sword high and swung downward. Despite his flaws, he was still the commander. His strike, honed by rigorous training, was incredibly fast.
“Hmph.”
But Gerhardt, wielding his greatsword with one hand, deflected it just as he had with the young captain earlier, knocking the sword not too far. It clanged as it hit the ground.
“Gwaaah…?!”
Despite exerting his utmost effort, Guildford couldn’t maintain his grip on the weapon, and to make matters worse, he likely injured his hand due to the awkward angle of impact. He held the wrist of his trembling left hand with his right.
“No matter how sharp a sword is, it’s useless when struck from the side. Also, greatswords are not your forte, are they?”
Indeed. Hikaru realized the same thing earlier. Guildford’s expertise lay in swords, not greatswords, which was evident upon examining his Soul Board.
Gerhardt can’t see his Soul Board, but he figured it out in an instant. He’s something, all right.
Gerhardt, partly astounded, approached the knight commander.
“A-Attacking an unarmed man is inexcu—”
“Quit yammering, and let’s settle this.”
“Gah!”
Gerhardt’s uppercut struck Guildford’s chin. Guildford’s armored form briefly hovered in the air before toppling backward.
“Commander!”
“Lord Guildford!”
“Damn it.”
Three knights, his trusted confidants, hurried to Guildford’s side and lifted him up, casting hostile glances at Gerhardt.
“Knights Templar, what are you waiting for?!” one of them shouted. “Our commander has been injured. It’s time to take down these foul Beastmen!”
No one budged. Among the other commanding officers, an older, gray-haired figure spoke up.
“He lost in a one-on-one duel. As per the agreement, command will temporarily return to His Holiness Luvain.”
“Wh-What?!”
“Everyone, swear your allegiance to His Holiness.”
The older officer knelt before Luvain, lowering his head, and the other officers followed suit. The rest of the knights and soldiers did the same.
Luvain accepted their allegiance with a satisfied smile. “Sir Guildford, do you still cling to the position of Knight Commander?”
“Kuh…”
“The commander is injured and requires immediate medical attention!” a confidant said, assisting Guildford out of the parade ground.
“Your Holiness, may I have a word?” the older officer asked politely.
This guy nodded at Luvain when we arrived, Hikaru thought. It finally made sense. Oh, I get it now. This was all part of the plan from the start. Since it’s clear that the Knight Commander hates Luvain, he wouldn’t have come to Parametria without taking precautions. Luvain must have reached out to this man beforehand and secured his loyalty.
If that was indeed the case, then Luvain’s task was simple.
Infuriate the Knight Commander, portray him as a clear insurgent, and then seize command by force after incapacitating him.
Nasty…
Watching Luvain nonchalantly instructing the knights, Hikaru sighed. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for Guildford. The man had been manipulated right from the start.
On that day, Guildford vanished from Parametria, accompanied by his trusted officers and nearly 200 knights and soldiers. Paula’s treatment had concluded by evening, and by that time, numerous soldiers regarded her with eyes full of reverence, addressing her as “Saint”.
The next challenge was the negotiation with the commander of the Quinbrand Empire’s army. Luvain managed to make prior arrangements with the Knights Templar since they were from the same country, but dealing with the Empire would be considerably difficult.
Let’s see what you’ve got, Hikaru thought.
“Silver Face, I need to discuss something.”
Luvain summoned Hikaru just before dinner.
“No.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You’re clearly going to give me some tedious job.”
“I’m sure there are a lot of tasks out there that are exceedingly tedious to others, but effortless for you.”
Only the two of them were present in the room. The fiery red sunset visible from within cast a warm hue on Luvain’s complexion, but Hikaru was aware that the archpriest was under a considerable amount of strain.
“Fine. Let’s hear it for now.”
Arguing with Luvain, who always had a retort, would prove futile, so Hikaru relented with a sigh.
“I would like you to serve as a secret envoy to the commander of the Empire’s army.”
“You’re growing more audacious by the minute.”
“Oh, I expected an immediate refusal. Are you considering it?”
“Absolutely not. I’m just flabbergasted. I seem to recall you saying that my job is solely to be your bodyguard.”
From being a bodyguard, to a participant in a duel, which Gerhardt had already resolved by himself, and now a secret envoy.
“Then I will go with you. That way, you will technically be guarding me.”
“Fine, I’ll do it.” Hikaru conceded before Luvain’s absurd proposals could escalate further. “I’ll just sneak around and deliver your written message to the commander. A perfect job for me,” he said sarcastically.
“Silver Face, your talents are extraordinary. I doubt there is anyone in this country or even the entire world who possesses such remarkable ability. That is why I can entrust you with my life.”
Luvain’s face turned serious.
“…”
Hikaru wondered what he meant by those words. Should he accept them as genuine and sincere compliment? Interpret them as distress over the lack of trustworthy subordinates? Or did Luvain genuinely place trust in him…
No way. Even if he did, this guy’s utmost priority is the Church. There’s no point in me meeting his expectations.
Luvain’s words did catch Hikaru off guard, but he had matured enough not to embrace them wholeheartedly.
“I expect additional payment for this.”
“Of course.”
With a feigned smile, Luvain reverted to his usual self. Hikaru immediately regretted his impulsive demand for additional payment.
“Get to writing the letter, then. I’d like to finish the job today.”
Luvain placed a letter bearing the Pope’s seal on his desk. “It’s already done.”
“…”
I really can’t trust this guy.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
Rule Breaker (Light Novel)
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
This man is funny ash