Living as an Unemployed in Another World

36 – 2. The Path of the Dagger (17)

17.

Knights are the hands and feet of the lord. Count Louver, who reigns like a king in the periphery, was able to solidify his foundation in the chaotic territory where dungeons appeared every day because he never let the monsters appearing in the territory. The villagers, who saw vicious monsters attacking rice fields and private houses being subdued by the Count’s knights, did not hold back their ardent support for him.

That’s not the only thing the Knights do. Criminals, outlaws, or those who go against the will of the Count. It is mobilized to protect peace through force even from all kinds of enemies. Therefore, if I had to pick out all the contributors that made the current Count possible, it would definitely be the knights of his order.

However, there has always been antipathy towards those who do not engage in ill-will, and enjoy all sorts of privileges from birth, no matter how good-natured nobles are. In addition, the adventurers operating within the Louver Territory had a basic resentment towards them as the Knights defeated the monsters they originally had to defeat to build their reputation and gain support. There was also a group of people who were envious of leaving the strong monsters to form a party and subjugate them, only beating the weak monsters and boasting that they were knights.

But that’s all. Adventurers and knights do not challenge each other to fight, even if they confront each other. This is because the size of the basic justification is different. There would be no need to ask who would be more popular: an adventurer who fought for personal value and a knight who fought to protect the territory even nominally.

Among them, the leader of the knights is the one who leads such a group of knights, and is said to have the skills of two or three knights with mature skills and sufficient experience. Possessing both the lord’s trust and military force, in fact, he was one of the most powerful people in this territory.

Even so——Even if he was a knight commander like that, he couldn’t surpass the knights of the cathedral.

How many followers of the god of order are there in this country? The cathedral in the royal capital is the headquarters of the doctrine and is the place with the greatest justification in defending justice. And twenty knights belonging to such a church. It is said that they are monsters that can fight more than 10 knights. In the first place, neither as a ‘keeper’ nor as a ‘fighter’, the weight class is not right.

When such a cathedral knight stood in his way, Knight Commander Derek had no choice but to swallow his saliva. Although he is a giant fit for a knight and has a poor physique that is about a handful smaller than him, he feels weighed down by the name value of his position. Eventually, he puts on his helmet and opens his mouth to speak.

“…… The innkeeper and his wife either hid the criminal or did not.”

Everyone in the room, no, except for one, heard the cathedral knight’s voice for the first time. An overly thick and artificial voice that you can tell at once that it is not human. Derek, who had gone through all the temple battles, had energy that made him want to step back without even realizing it.

“You are actively, cooperatively, and assisting me in the search.”

“Is that so?”

The knight stood firm and nodded his head. I think to myself, it’s a situation where I can’t stand my face. I don’t know why the people of the church protect the adventurers of the territory, but who can doubt the knight who serves the god of order? It is a world where even questioning is called disrespect.

“But…… Because the lord’s treasure must be retrieved…….”

The horse stretches. Is it because he himself knows? Whether or not you investigate, you have to somehow save face here and go back to stand on your side later. No matter how much the knights of the cathedral were the opponents, rumors should not spread to individuals that the core members of the knights were pushed out of the fight.

Fortunately, perhaps because the knight in the cathedral knew about it, instead of sending them away, he walked out to the center of the hall and started talking like he was vomiting again.

“I will use miracles from now on.”

A single word that does not require further explanation. Leaving behind that one word, a divine aura surrounds the armor. The entire hall is enveloped in a flash of light that burns for a moment, then fades again, speaking to the dumbfounded audience.

“There is no one in this building who has changed its appearance through the use of magic or illusions. I swear by the faith of the orderly god.”

When a knight who serves a god falls in the name of a god, will there really be someone who can refute him? Rather, it was a miracle that was more certain than the magic item he brought, so the knight commander, whose justification had disappeared, could not continue the investigation. He gestured to the knights behind him and they backed away with a sad expression.

“…… I didn’t expect the church to be so active in the affairs of other people’s domains.”

Derek murmured low enough to only respond to superhuman hearing, but the paladin did not bother to answer. Well, the truth is that he didn’t feel the need to use the command language, so he didn’t answer. Seeing that, Derek frowns even more and runs out of the inn.

Immediately.

“Whoa, I thought I was going to die from being stuffy. What was that just about?”

“You idiot, they say it’s a miracle, a miracle.”

“This is the first time I’ve experienced something like that. No, nothing special happened.”

“You said that dirty face wasn’t magic? Even God doesn’t care.”

“Looks good, knights. He sighs and then just walks away.”

“Why did you keep your mouth shut in front of them?”

In an instant, the hall was engulfed in turmoil, and the inn was restored to its normal appearance, but…… A few still couldn’t help but laugh.

Mr. Cooper and his family, stunned by a sudden big deal, hugged each other, patted each other, and calmed down. It’s probably the first time you’ve been doing business here for a long time.

The pink-haired woman, who was unusually pale in daylight, sat down in her place only after all the knights had left, and eventually went up the stairs to the second floor, supported by a young man with arms crossed.

And the lone knight…… I looked up at the two of them without saying a word.

I took a difficult step. Supporting a human who has no energy to walk was not as easy as one might think. After taking her trembling girl to her room so that she could calm down by herself, she immediately knocked on the door where her knight was staying.

Perhaps they knew I would come, the door opened right away. The reason why I refused to be treated by Mr. Cooper’s family and didn’t bother to stay in the hall was probably because they were waiting for me. He gave me the bed this time as well, and sat down on a chair in front of the table, getting ready for a written conversation.

“First of all…… Thanked.”

As soon as I sat down on the bed, I lowered my head. Honestly, I don’t know where I would be today without this person’s help. He paused for a while, and then, with a fluent hand, he wrote down his handwriting on the paper.

【It looked difficult.】

I ended up laughing. If someone seems to be in trouble, does he help with all his might, regardless of the situation? I wondered if it was a priestly answer, no, maybe it was the person’s own personality. I felt like I finally got to know a little about him right in front of me.

【Can you tell me what the situation is?】

Yes, I must say. Because you deserve to hear all my reasoning. And, at least, there was a thought that going to the church and revealing the circumstances, rather than the count himself, would bring about a better ending for Mira. I’ve been telling you all my doubts about Mira for quite some time.

“… ….”

Even after the story was over, he remained silent for a long time. What kind of face are you making right now? I became curious about the expression hidden behind the toxic helmet. I also wondered what verdict he would give to the slender woman in her pursuit of order and justice.

At last he picked up the pen. The conversation was short. After saying that, I had no choice but to leave the room.

【Can you give me some time to think? I will consult with my colleague. I’ll tell you again tomorrow.]

My eyes suddenly opened. It was dawn when I looked out the window. I have nightmares sometimes, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had trouble sleeping. I left the room looking like a zombie and came down the stairs to get a drink of water.

And there was a mummy. Like the last time, he sat alone at the table, not at the counter, and licked his lips with a red face as he drank a liquid that he couldn’t tell whether it was alcohol or water. And when our eyes met, he offered me a masterpiece with a faint smile.

“I told you to drink in moderation. Will you become a thief like that?”

“Ahahahaha, I have no face.”

A stretched tone. I didn’t answer. I stared at the glass in front of me and stared at her face quietly. Soon, Mira spoke to me as if confessing.

“I am leaving.”

“Where.”

“Aren’t you surprised? A little bit sad.”

“…… Where.”

“Anywhere.”

I forcefully asked, but she brushed it off lightly. And at the end, she muttered as she emptied the glass she had filled unknown how many times.

“This is…… I guess that’s not where I belong.”

“… ….”

“Why? I have a younger sister who calls me oppa, but is it regrettable that she is leaving now?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Not really.”

Mira giggled as if she didn’t believe me at all. The pink hair, dizzying her eyes, tumbled on and off her face. It was a funny sight.

“…… There, Jin.”

“Why?”

“Here, was it 2 copper for a hot bath?”

“Why is that?”

“…… I happened to have 1 copper, and the two of us split it in half, …… Do you want to wash together?”

Instead of squirting the liquor from her mouth into her face like a standard raffle, I stared at Mira with closed eyes, as if tempting me. He knew that the look in her eyes was not a lie.

“You… ….”

Mira seemed to think that my delayed response was an outright refusal. Mira came to her own conclusion and soon expressed her regret with her sad eyes.

“Yes, I am the one to go…… I can’t take it…….”

“… ….”

“Sorry, I said something stupid. Were you expecting it?”

Mira laughed. I couldn’t help but laugh. So she answered in a straight and serious voice.

“Then why not? I’m a guy too.”

“Puheh, that word makes me feel really good.”

In the end, I couldn’t even drink a single drop of the drink Mira gave me.

The next day.

The news that a thief with a bounty in the capital was captured at the count’s mansion spread throughout the village.