Chapter 53: Salvation Church

Fierce sword strikes clashed back and forth. Or rather, Sir Lien was the one relentlessly pressing the attack.

However, that didn’t necessarily mean Cruel was at a disadvantage. He seemed lost in thought, leisurely blocking the attacks. He even glanced at me from time to time.

So, how must Sir Lien, who usually took pride in her knightly title, have felt?

Her eyes widened in disbelief at this unprecedented situation where she was being openly ignored.

“You…! You bastard!!”

“Wait a moment…!”

If they continued to fight like this, Sir Lien would be in danger. I couldn’t let her die, so I quickly stepped forward.

I didn’t want to admit it, but my opponent was Cruel, a hero. I knew the title of hero he held wasn’t something he’d won in a game of rock-paper-scissors.

I’d been watching his swordsmanship since we were kids.

“Step back, Sir Lien.”

“Count…! But!”

“That’s an order.”

If Cruel, not Sir Lien, were the one at a disadvantage, I wouldn’t have intervened.

Perhaps shocked by my rare use of a direct order, Sir Lien paused with a blank expression before biting her lip and stepping back.

I was a little concerned about her undoubtedly foul mood, but there was something more pressing to worry about, so I kept my gaze fixed ahead.

My eyes met Cruel’s as he silently sheathed his sword. As usual, just as I was about to speak first, he surprised me by opening his mouth.

“Are you trying to infiltrate the Salvation Church?”

“……”

The content of his question was unsettling, to say the least.

Startled, I reflexively shut my mouth. No sooner had I realized this than I tried to part my lips again, but Cruel wouldn’t miss such an opening.

His voice, filled with certainty, landed heavily.

“So, you are trying to infiltrate it.”

“……Hah.”

So what? Are you going to suggest we go together since you’re infiltrating it too?

Though you wouldn’t agree to that.

I forced the corners of my mouth up into a smile. He was probably looking at my eyes, which weren’t smiling at all.

“I don’t think it’s any of your concern, brother.”

“Don’t go.”

“……”

What?

Being hit with such a direct statement, I didn’t know how to react.

Of course, despite my speechlessness, I had no intention of obediently following his words. Why would anyone listen to the words of an ‘enemy’ running towards the same goal?

‘…Right, we were given the same mission.’

Thinking that far, my head cooled down. The bewildered feeling receded, and my stiff tongue loosened.

I broke into a bright smile. A chilly voice that didn’t match my expression slipped through my lips.

“Whether I go or not is my decision.”

“……”

“Isn’t it a little late to start worrying now? —Brother.”

“……!”

Cruel’s body flinched. Perhaps his conscience pricked him, or maybe I hit a nerve, or he was simply taken aback by the familiar address.

Well, it didn’t matter which. He might feel something, but I didn’t attach any particular meaning to those words.

Without hesitation, I turned away. I could press the attack further, but wasting more time with that guy here was too costly.

“So, there’s no need for you to concern yourself with me. It’s not welcome at all.”

“……”

“If you understand, I’ll be going now. Brother.”

I urged Sir Lien, who had been alternating glances between Cruel and me with wide eyes since I called him ‘brother,’ to follow me out of the alley.

It wasn’t just me; Sir Lien was the same. Was she really the stereotypical knight?

‘It’s not like she hasn’t seen me act like this towards Cruel before. Shouldn’t she be used to it by now?’

Or was she so bothered by drawing her sword against Cruel without recognizing him? Of course, she wouldn’t recognize him with the robe on.

I tried to distract myself with other thoughts and quickened my pace when a low voice reached me from behind.

“Hair.”

I paused.

“You’d better smear some mud on it.”

Eyes can’t be hidden.

With those words, Cruel fell silent. I also pretended not to hear and exited the alley.

Of course, my mind was a mess.

‘What’s with that guy? Why is he giving me unsolicited advice?’

Of course, the advice itself was right. It was just unpleasant to accept it…

…….

“Sir Lien, is this good enough?”

“Yes, it doesn’t look white at all.”

“But why are you standing so far away…?”

“It’s just my imagination.”

“……”

Gray? Or brown? Anyway, I awkwardly touched my hair, which was definitely not white.

As dirt rained down from my hair onto my shoulders, Sir Lien rapidly moved further away, her eyes twitching.

…For some reason, I felt a little bad?

“Sir Lien, I’m going to infiltrate the Salvation Church.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You’re not thinking of just sending me in there alone, are you?”

“……!”

For a moment, a look of utter dismay flashed across her face.

It was oddly refreshing to see such an expression on someone usually so stoic and expressionless.

I slightly raised the corner of my mouth and gestured towards her with an abundance of playful intent.

“Come here. I’ll specially put all my effort into helping you disguise yourself.”

Crack.

“……Thinking about it, maybe going in alone wouldn’t be so bad. Sir Lien, perhaps you should just wait outside….”

“N-No. I clearly promised a moment ago that I wouldn’t leave you alone, Count. As a knight, I cannot break my promise.”

“I’m okay with it….”

“I’m not.”

Her expression didn’t look okay at all. It looked like she was about to cut someone down.

I’d momentarily forgotten. Sir Lien was also a strong knight who could easily kill someone like me if she wanted to.

No sooner had I realized this than the slight upturn of my lips twitched awkwardly.

Am I going to die like this?

At the hands of my own bodyguard?

Thanks to my desperate pleas, fearing for my life, Sir Lien settled for lightly dirtying her face.

Of course, she was extremely reluctant to do even that, her hands trembling as she applied the dirt… Still, it was better than covering both our heads and faces in mud.

And now, at the entrance to the alley where the Salvation Church was located, I pulled the hood over my head down further, a sense of grim determination washing over me.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“……”

…Entering with that expression would get us kicked out immediately, wouldn’t it?

Her face had been grim since earlier. Whatever role she tried to play, she’d be found out quickly with that look. Was smearing mud on her face that awful?

“Sir Lien.”

“Yes, Count.”

“Why do you have that expression?”

“It’s nothing.”

It was definitely not nothing.

I swallowed the retort that almost escaped my lips and let out a small sigh. Perhaps her excellent hearing picked it up, as she flinched slightly.

I briefly pondered how to break this tense atmosphere when Sir Lien, seemingly feeling unspoken pressure, bowed her head and abruptly spoke. Her expression was twisted in discomfort.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hm?”

I wasn’t trying to scold her. No, I wasn’t even sure if she was apologizing for the reason I thought.

I felt uneasy. Whether in the Demon Realm or the Empire, whenever people around me showed such reactions, it never led to a good outcome.

Because of this, I instinctively frowned, which seemed to make her feel even more like she was being chased, and she hastily added.

“I will never leave you alone again.”

“……Oh…….”

I understood why she had that expression. But you know….

‘What about my privacy?’

How will I even take care of my necessities? For the sake of safety, my privacy can be sacrificed, is that it?

My instincts were right. When I heard that sudden apology, I should have changed the subject somehow.

After worrying about how to refuse her burdensome loyalty, I came to a simple conclusion.

“…Thank you.”

For now, I’ll agree, and next time I go out, I’ll bring someone else.

“Then, let’s go.”

Worried she might press the issue, I quickened the pace of my steps, which I had momentarily paused.

I felt a lighter presence following behind me, perhaps indicating her mood had improved slightly.

Still, just in case, I glanced back at her and was momentarily speechless.

“…Perhaps you should hide your sword.”

“Ah,”

Witnessing Sir Lien’s rare moment of embarrassment, I quietly rubbed my forehead.

I’d felt it before, but this person seemed to have little interest in anything other than ‘knights’ and ‘swords’.

Still, wasn’t this a bit much?

Someone who was supposed to be playing the role of a ‘poor person who heard rumors of the Salvation Church’ was openly wearing a sword at their waist?

“…Just bury it somewhere nearby and come back. I’ll head in first.”

“B-But, I’m sorry. It’s dangerous.”

She was fidgeting. She knew it was her fault, so asking me to wait was shameless, but she was too worried to let me go alone. It was written all over her face.

Especially since she had just declared that she wouldn’t leave me alone. It put her in an even more awkward position.

Her expression was conflicted, her pupils shaking as she struggled. Normally, I would have just waited until she hid her sword, but unfortunately, I was quite pressed for time.

‘I need to deal with this faster than Cruel.’

Falling behind that guy was unacceptable, and running into him inside would be a nightmare.

So, there was only one option: deal with it faster than him.

“Just hide it as quickly as possible and come back. I’ll go ahead.”

“Ah…! Cou, Co…!”

The voice that rushed out abruptly faded away.

Tsk tsk, she couldn’t even properly address me because of the location. Since we hadn’t decided on a pseudonym or title, it would be difficult for her.

Well, it was troublesome for her, but it was good for me. Thanks to that, I wasn’t held back wasting time and was able to come straight here.

‘Is that the woman I need to talk to?’

A woman was standing at what appeared to be the entrance of the Salvation Church. Ignoring the desperate silent cries I felt from behind, I confidently stepped forward….

Slip.

Crash, bang!!

“Kyaa! Are, are you alright?”

“……”

“Oh, have you been starving for so long…? Excuse me, are you in a lot of pain? Would you like to try and get up?”

Still sprawled on the ground, I didn’t even lift my head and remained silent for a moment. A woman’s voice came from directly above.

Damn it. I rolled all the way here?

I wasn’t hurt, but I was dying of embarrassment. Or was I too embarrassed to feel the pain?

Still lying face down, I stealthily glanced back and saw Sir Lien watching me with an admiring expression.

‘Why is she even admiring this?’

She even turned away without hesitation, leaving behind that unsettling expression… Is she leaving? Is she really leaving? I felt uneasy. Was she going to cause some trouble?

I wanted to stay sprawled out like this forever, but there was no way that was possible. Either way, I had to answer to enter the Salvation Church, so I forced my mouth open.

“I… cough!”

“Bl, blood, blood!!”

I roughly wiped the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand.

So, I really was too embarrassed to feel the pain. To have my insides churned up from simply falling and rolling a few times, unbelievable.

I needed to reassure the woman in front of me first. Since she thought I was a poor person, she was probably also considering the possibility of infectious diseases. If this continued, I might not even be allowed to approach, let alone enter.

“Ah, this is… a pre-existing condition I’ve had since birth… I’m fine. It’s not contagious….”

“Ah… Please come inside. There’s a place to rest inside.”

“Before that….”

It was better to dispel any doubts beforehand.

“I heard… that you could get bread and water here.”

“Ah, yes! Of course!”

“There’s… no payment required…?”

“No, so please come in without any worries.”

The woman smiled brightly, as if trying to reassure me.

Wow, that makes me even more anxious? It seems like I don’t even need to act. My current feelings are probably exactly what the poor feel.

I didn’t bother hiding my anxiety and suspicion, following the woman hesitantly.