Chapter 52: Salvation Church

There are more than a few suspicious things.

It’s expected with pseudo-religions, but the ‘Salvation Church’ was different from the countless other pseudo-religions that had appeared and disappeared over time.

‘Currently, it’s widely known among commoners, and I heard it’s even receiving support from some nobles.’

Right now, things might be okay because some nobles are sponsoring them, but starting it up would have cost a considerable amount of money.

In other words, they started with a level of funding that an ordinary person couldn’t easily obtain.

Considering their starting point was the slums, their initial spending would have been like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

Rough calculations show an amount that even a decent noble family would find burdensome…

‘It’s not about the money, and the funder doesn’t want to become the leader and be revered. What is it really?’

Frustrated, I downed the lukewarm tea left in my cup in one gulp. I immediately regretted it.

Damn it, I shouldn’t have drunk the tea. To need the toilet in a serious situation like this.

I need to think a little more about the report…

‘First, I’ll go to the bathroom. Then I’ll think again…’

“Are you perhaps planning to go there yourself?”

“Huh?”

I stopped walking towards the door.

What nonsense is this now?

Unlike my momentary confusion, Sir Lien looked at me with a respectful gaze and spoke solemnly. I caught a glimpse of her touching the sword at her waist.

“It’s dangerous to go alone. I’ll come with you.”

“Yes? No… uh… uh?”

…In the end, I was dragged along without really understanding what was happening. Without even getting to use the bathroom.

Sir Lien’s eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, ‘I admire your dedication!’ and strode ahead to open the door, waiting for me. How could I possibly say, ‘Excuse me, I need to use the restroom…’ in that situation?

Because of that, I couldn’t take any proactive action and just hoped a savior would appear before leaving the mansion, but reality was harsh.

‘Damn it, typical of my luck.’

It wasn’t that I didn’t meet anyone. There were maids and servants. I even ran into Rememver while going down the stairs.

However, our usually competent butler didn’t seem to notice my expression, which resembled someone being dragged to the slaughterhouse. He simply asked, “Are you going out?” and, upon hearing Lien’s reply that we were going to the slums, wordlessly grabbed two tattered robes, offered a calm farewell, and even saw us off.

Judging by the fact that he grabbed tattered robes instead of a smooth one or a proper traveler’s robe, he seemed to have a rough idea of what we were doing. How could someone that perceptive not notice my expression?

Could he be deliberately ignoring me?

“It seems you should wear this robe from here on out.”

Lost in thought, I realized we were already at the entrance to the slums. Sir Lien, who had led me into a secluded alley nearby, offered me the shabby robe.

I stared at it with dismay, then slowly accepted it with trembling hands.

‘Is this really happening?’

Couldn’t they at least give me some time to prepare myself? Or at least time to go to the bathroom?

If I go in like this, I might make a different kind of mistake, so I bit my lip and cautiously opened my mouth.

“…Before that, can I go somewhere for a moment?”

“Yes? Where to…?”

“Just over there… It’ll only be a moment, so please don’t follow me.”

I needed to prepare myself mentally and empty the water that was building up inside me.

Although I’d never experienced it myself, I had witnessed firsthand evidence of people losing control of their bladder when extremely surprised or terrified.

It was quite a pathetic sight. I absolutely didn’t want to show such a 모습. So, it’s better to prepare in advance. Even if it’s the slums, people don’t just relieve themselves in their pants, right?

…But what in the world is she thinking? Sir Lien hesitated with an anxious expression.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Yes.”

She must be worried because this is the slums…

Of course, I’ll be alright. Am I a child? Would I not be able to go to the bathroom alone? Besides, you’re a woman. What embarrassing scene are you trying to witness by following me?

I met Sir Lien’s gaze with a determined face. Contrary to my seemingly calm exterior, my mind was racing.

Stop stalling and just let me go, please. Can’t you see how pale my face is? You should understand without me having to spell it out.

Afraid that she might actually barge in while I was doing my business, I emphasized once again not to follow me and hurriedly dashed into a corner of the alley.

“Wa, wait a moment…!”

Anticipating that Sir Lien might peek, I turned two more corners before finally managing to relieve myself. Suddenly, the thought of just giving up on everything surged within me.

What glory am I trying to gain by going through all this trouble? It’s not like I want land, I’m just offering to give up a territory!

If that were all there was to it, I would have given up cleanly, but the fact that Cruel is in charge of this matter makes giving up impossible.

‘Damn it…’

I adjusted my pants and pulled the robe over my head.

Then, as I came out of the alley and turned a corner, someone was standing in the middle of the alley, which had been empty when I entered.

That person must be trying to infiltrate somewhere too. The shabby robe in his hand supported my guess.

But that person looks familiar. The black hair…

The man who had just put on his robe also turned his head in my direction, seemingly to identify the source of the approaching presence. Since he hadn’t put on his hood yet, I naturally met his eyes.

…’Infiltrate somewhere’?

Correction. It seems that person is also trying to infiltrate the Salvation Church. No, I’m certain of it.

“You, guh—”

Because he, too, would be carrying out the same mission as me.

Cruel Hart.

Even with the hateful figure before me, I couldn’t fully express my unpleasant emotions.

Because I was so surprised by the unexpected encounter—

Drip, drip.

“……!”

“Ah, damn it… cough,”

—I ended up coughing up blood.

I wondered why things had been quiet lately, but it just had to burst out like this. Damn it.

Not wanting to show a pathetic 모습, I quickly covered my mouth. I stared at the red liquid filling my palm and dripping onto the ground before lifting my gaze to see Cruel.

He stood motionless, looking at me, or rather, at the blood-soaked ground right in front of me.

“……”

“……”

The green eyes that had been fixed on the ground slowly moved upwards, stopping at my mouth.

I immediately lowered my head. Damn it, I’m too embarrassed to look up.

Coughing up blood just from being ‘surprised’ of all things. I’m embarrassed to death just by that, and the fact that I’m showing this 모습 in front of that guy is just great.

There’s no point in standing here wasting time, so I was about to push past him and leave the alley when a familiar silhouette hesitantly appeared behind him.

“Count, I apologize. I was worried… so…”

Sir Lien trailed off as she recognized me, eventually falling silent.

Her gaze shifted between me and Cruel standing in front of me.

As I watched her hand slowly move towards the sword at her waist, seemingly understanding the situation, I blankly thought.

‘—At least she didn’t find me while I was relieving myself. That’s a relief.’

***

Although he covered his mouth with his hand, he couldn’t hide the blood flowing through his fingers.

Seeing the blood staining the ground and Deon Hart’s hand turning red, Knight Commander Lien Riner inwardly regretted her decision.

‘I shouldn’t have let him go alone.’

Why hadn’t she considered that she was the only person available to escort Count Hart?

Looking back, the signs were clear.

His pale face, trembling hands, the way he bit his lip as if enduring pain and the cold sweat, not to mention his uncharacteristic behavior of rushing into the alley as if trying to hide something.

The Demon King’s curse had been triggered.

‘I’m a disgrace to the knights.’

Since her eyes weren’t just for show, she knew he wasn’t in good condition.

That’s why she had asked with concern when he said he would excuse himself for a moment.

[Are you sure you’ll be alright?]

[Yes.]

His firm answer and the expression that clearly said not to follow him made it impossible for her to go against his wishes, which was a mistake.

Contrary to the rumors, Count Hart is a kind person who dislikes causing trouble for others.

Of course, he showed a different, brutal side during battles, which was quite shocking… but that was only when it came to ‘battle’.

Normally, he was too soft and too kind.

This time alone proves it. If he lacked information, he could have ordered someone to investigate further, yet he fearlessly set foot in this dirty place to see for himself.

The reason he tried to hide his condition must have been because he thought she would tell him to return if she saw him coughing up blood. He didn’t want to cause worry, and he wanted to investigate.

How could she not be concerned?

‘But…’

She shifted her gaze to the man standing in front of Count Hart.

Who is he? Due to his position, she could only see his back, so she couldn’t properly identify him, but judging by the Count’s expression, it seemed their relationship wasn’t friendly.

Could it be an assassin who had been waiting for an opportunity? Trying to attack the Count while he was weakened?

But it’s rare for assassins to reveal themselves so openly.

‘…Did he already try once?’

Even weakened by the curse, the Count is a hero. He wouldn’t easily allow an attack.

If the attack failed due to the Count’s considerable skill, and they then entered a standoff, it would make sense.

‘First, I need to subdue that person.’

Being negligent about the Count’s condition and safety is an unforgivable mistake, but being paralyzed by that shock and failing to do her job is an even greater sin.

I am a knight. A knight who must protect the Count.

Having quickly regained her composure, Lien slowly placed her hand on her sword.

As if sensing the suspicious movement, the other man belatedly pulled up the hood of his robe and turned to face them.

The moment Lien felt his gaze beneath the robe, she immediately drew her sword and charged at him.

Clang!!

A chilling sound echoed.

***

With their swords locked, Cruel silently scanned the other person’s face. Despite the sudden attack, he remained unfazed.

It’s a familiar face. The leader of Deon’s knight order, wasn’t she?

She swung her sword relentlessly. Clang! The harsh sound echoed again, shaking his eardrums.

Having earned the title of ‘hero,’ Cruel skillfully blocked the attacks, his green eyes, which Deon loathed so much, briefly flickering towards the two of them.

‘So it is a mission.’

Cruel had heard beforehand that Deon had received the same mission.

Therefore, the Duke’s words, urging him not to lose, echoed in his mind once more. Along with the added task.

He knew it intellectually, but he never dreamed they would encounter each other so soon. He had been so surprised when their eyes met.

There was no chance of passing by without recognizing each other.

Pale skin and red eyes were not common. With such obvious evidence, wouldn’t it be absurd for his own brother not to recognize him just because he was wearing a shoddy robe?

His shock at the unexpected encounter was brief. His fleeting thoughts were interrupted when Deon, unable to contain his agitation, coughed up blood.

—Was that due to his congenital health issues, or the Demon King’s curse?

His brother had been weak since birth. If the curse was added to his already frail body, how much longer did he have?

He didn’t know for sure, but it wouldn’t be long.

“……”

Staring at the blood smeared around Deon’s mouth with a disturbingly calm expression, Cruel thought.

‘That guy shouldn’t be participating in this mission.’

He would stop this, no matter what else happened.

Was one arm not enough?

The thought of placing another request crossed Cruel’s mind. He showed no signs of suspecting that Deon had received a ‘curse’.

And why would he? He had seen it clearly.

The bizarrely patterned black mark etched on Deon’s collarbone, at the border of his neck.

As others who knew about the mark would think, Cruel also believed it was slowly eroding Deon’s health and lifespan.

‘So, until that short lifespan runs out.’

He just had to endure until then.

Repeating those words in his mind, Cruel kept Deon in his sight.

His green eyes, devoid of vitality, were deeply sunken, focused solely on one person.