Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 222: Youre wrong, you bastard.

Reports came back from the explorers.“So…”

After a while, Llewellyn could finally make out the gibberish coming from the other end of the communication port.

“He’s gone? That guy?”

– Oh, that’s right! He disappeared without a trace the very day I delivered the note!

Scarlett screamed in frustration.

Llewellyn asked irritably.

“First, calm down and explain clearly. You didn’t just miss him, did you?”

– No! I told you he really disappeared? I kept watching him even after I delivered the note…! Cough cough!

Scarlett, who had been screaming, coughed several times.

After a while, she regained her composure and quickly continued speaking.

– We were guarding the entrance and the back door of the inn! We were even watching the windows! But he wouldn’t come out at all, so the innkeeper went in to check.

“But he disappeared without a trace?”

– Yes! He didn’t even bring any luggage! There was no trace of anyone having been there at all…

As soon as Llewellyn heard that part, he realized why Scarlett was so flustered.

She was convinced that the man who suddenly disappeared after receiving the note was a real dragon.

“So, are you guys okay?”

– Why would we not be okay? Isn’t it that person named Sir Arendt who you should be worried about, not us?

“Haaah… right, that’s right.”

Thinking about it again, he felt a pang of relief.

But it was shocking that he himself went out without a care in the world.

‘What on earth is he thinking?’

Arendt’s intention was fully understandable.

Even if he brought the book as Lexion said, the results wouldn’t be very good.

In the worst case scenario, Lexion, who would intercept the book, might suddenly attack them.

It was only natural that Arendt, who was strongly disliked by Lexion, would not have a good time.

In that case, it would be better to invite him here, which was a place that was at least a little more advantageous to them.

But it was questionable whether Lexion would move as they wished.

As he was lost in thought, he heard Scarlett’s worried voice from the other end of the communication port.

– Are you okay, Union Leader? Aren’t you with the client? Since the request has been completed, wouldn’t it be better to leave for a while? Of course I want to see the dragon at least once! But people have to live first.

“Yeah, I want to do that too… but I’m the type of person who uses his hands a lot, so that’s a bit much.”

– …Oh my god. The person I know who is the most hands-on is the Union Leader? And those words are coming out of the Union Leader’s mouth?

“What I’m saying is.”

Llewellyn, who had been grumbling as if lamenting, changed the subject again.

“Look for him for a few more days, and once you’re sure that the man has really left, withdraw. You can collect the compensation from the union later.”

– Okay, I understand. Be careful.

With those final greetings, communication was cut off.

Llewellyn let out a deep sigh.

“What will happen now…”

The problematic book that the dragon was looking for was analyzed yesterday.

Although he was not able to reveal what the ‘magical power’ was that the Nephele Kingdom spoke of, he was able to obtain a sample of the magic power from the cleansing magic hanging on the book.

It was a different kind of magic from the books discovered in the magic stone mine.

It meant that the dragon that occupied the mine and the dragon that left the book were different beings.

It may not seem like much, but it was a huge accomplishment.

They were in a situation where they were only tracing the legends of dragons that may or may not have existed, relying only on incomplete literature.

In the meantime, a clear group for comparison had emerged.

‘Lexion and the dragons of the Magic Stone Mine, the dragons of the Lakeside Lair, and the dragons that were discovered as ghouls. Were these the only dragons whose true selves have been vaguely revealed?’

Jin said that there were quite a few documents and books left in the lakeside lair.

If that was true, then it meant that the dragon at the Lakeside Lair also left without cleaning up.

‘Then the only possible possibilities are…’

A warrior killed in battle.

The dragons, who did not want to be caught up in the war, moved and took everything they held dear with them.

It would be right to see those who failed to do so as having met with an unexpected death.

‘If only I could talk to Lexion directly.’

They may also be able to uncover other facts that were previously hidden behind a veil.

It was an unimaginably dangerous thing, but at the same time, it was something he had always wanted to do.

‘Arendt probably thought about this too.’

He was always babbling nonsense but never said anything important, so he couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

Arendt returned the book to Count Stadler, who had finished his analysis.

Then, he left the palace by himself, saying he was going out in the morning and without even telling anyone his destination.

“…I don’t know either.”

Llewellyn sighed deeply and collapsed on the sofa.

What on earth was that guy up to?

Arendt seemed preoccupied with other thoughts for several days after his visit to the elven kingdom.

Then today, when he went out for the first time in a while, he saw his back and he looked strangely happy…

‘I’m so anxious.’

It was clearly a scene right before he was going to cause trouble.

Llewellyn’s face suddenly turned pale.

The main temple was always filled with light, no matter when you visited.

Sitting in the guest room, killing time, Arendt was able to realize this fact anew.

The midday sunlight poured in pleasantly through the exquisitely positioned windows.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here.’

It was his first visit since the temple was turned upside down by the overthrow of the former High Priest Theodore.

Lumiel, the new High Priest, was busy organizing the interior of the Grand Temple.

So, Arendt also tried not to bother her until now.

He had been so busy lately that he hadn’t had time to contact her separately.

‘Nothing has really changed.’

The main temple was, as always, quiet and neat, spacious and grand, yet also simple.

The tall stained-glass windows held the light and sparkled softly.

Next to it was a statue of Luce.

As always, Luce’s statue was looking down at Arendt with a benevolent face.

As he looked at the beautiful face made of plaster, he felt somehow awkward.

Actually, he didn’t really like coming to the temple.

It was only natural, since this was the second time he had come into contact with the god in the temple.

‘It’s quite fun to watch the priests slowly avoiding me as if they’ve seen a ghost.’

Arendt stared blankly at god Luce, as if he was having a staring contest with the statue.

Luce and Chernion.

Which of the two killed the elves?

‘If it is true that believers cannot touch each other…’

At that time, the elves sided with Luce and fought against Chernion’s camp.

So were they followers of Luce?

However, there was no evidence that all enemies of the evil god were Luce’s people.

‘It seemed that the elves treated Nereid more closely than Luce.’

Elves were a race friendly to all gods and creatures except for the evil god.

In that case, it would be more correct to classify them as a neutral entity.

They fought against the evil cult, but did not receive Luce’s protection.

Then, Chernion might have tried to erase his traces, or to get revenge.

In the end, it meant that there were suspicions against both gods.

“…My head hurts so bad.”

Arendt furrowed his brow.

It was a problem that he couldn’t find an answer to even if he thought about it alone.

That doesn’t mean it was an issue that could be discussed with other people, though.

He thought about asking High Priest Lumiel for advice on this matter, but soon gave up.

Unlike before, she was now known as the High Priest, the closest being to Luce in the current Caerleon Empire.

It was also absurd that Arendt, who was only an apprentice knight, would have such an exclusive conversation with her.

It was purely a favor bestowed upon him by High Priest Lumiel.

‘If I, who has no faith, say something like that, it might end up being a great insult to her.’

Actually, it was pretty tense when they had similar conversations before.

He really didn’t want to get into trouble with Lumiel.

So Arendt had no choice but to quietly give up.

Tak.

Just then someone knocked on the guest room door.

As Arendt raised his head, the door opened and Lumiel came inside.

Unlike before, Lumiel, wearing the robes of a high priest, approached with a big smile.

“Have you been waiting long, Lord Arendt?”

“I just arrived. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Your Excellency.”

Arendt rose from his seat and said his greetings.

Then, High Priest Lumiel had an awkward expression on her wrinkled face.

“It feels a little strange when Lord Arendt calls me like that. I heard you’ve been on a long journey. Are you okay?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Your Excellency, you must have been out of your mind.”

“I have never been this busy in my life.”

The High Priest, who had answered playfully, sat down facing Arendt.

Only then did Arendt sit down.

“How are you doing these days?”

“It’s almost all sorted out. There were some priests who didn’t understand, but thankfully, we were able to resolve it through dialogue.”

The High Priest added with a bitter smile.

“But in the end, there were some who wanted to leave the Great Temple. I didn’t force them to stay. I helped them move to other temples they wanted to go to.”

“You must have had a hard time.”

Although she spoke easily, it was obvious what kind of hardships Lumiel had gone through after becoming the High Priest.

If it weren’t for her, the Great Temple wouldn’t have been cleaned up so quickly.

The Emperor’s direct support may have helped a little, but it was ultimately her actions that the subsequent conflict was prevented and resolved peacefully.

“So, what brings you here today? I wish we could have had a more comfortable conversation outside. I’m sorry for making you come all the way here.”

“I know you’re busy, so I won’t take up too much of your time. I just have something to tell you.”

Arendt answered plainly and put the things he had brought down on the table.

High Priest Lumiel’s eyes widened at the pile of documents that were piled up in tall stacks.

“What is all this?”

“These are documents from the Elven kingdom. They are about the Evil God… that is, the God of Darkness. They are abbreviated versions of what was discovered in the temple of the god Nereid. I brought them here so that you, the High Priest, can take a look.”

“Hoo…”

The eyes of High Priest Lumiel sparkled.

True to her curious nature, she seemed to be intrigued by the unknown world.

“This is very valuable information. Thank you. I wish I could do something in return.”

“Just taking a quick look is enough.”

Arendt shook his head at her words.

“If you have any questions, please let me know. I also have a report on what happened in the Elf Kingdom, so please take a look.”

“All right.”

Lumiel nodded, looking quite pleased.

Arendt chuckled and leaned forward to add subtly.

“Your Excellency, to be honest, this is a bribe.”

“Yes?”

Lumiel’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

In fact, Arendt had another reason for coming to the Great Temple.

“I have a favor to ask.”

When Arendt deliberately whispered voice, Lumiel’s face also became serious.

“Is it serious?”

“If you want to be precise, it’s closer to a prank.”

A mischievous smile appeared on his still young face.

“It’s not that difficult, can you help me?”

“…If it’s not difficult, that’s fine, but I feel a bit uneasy when Arendt says that.”

Lumiel, who had been silent for a moment, smiled vaguely.

But even so, the High Priest nodded.

“What I mean is…”

Arendt, who had received permission, lowered his voice and began to explain in a low voice.

High Priest Lumiel also listened intently.