Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Chapter 134

Chapter 134

The Count sent away the noble and called in the demon worshippers. “Bring Duke Anies to the palace right before the ritual begins.”

The demon worshippers were incredibly startled. The ninth worshiper, who had the most authority to speak amongst the henchmen gathered, animatedly objected, “What??? The duke? Do we really need to do that? We already have enough offerings for the ritual–there is no particular need to drag the duke in as well.”

“I’ve already decided.” The count was stubborn. “If we leave him alone, we leave our ankles bare and vulnerable. We’ll risk tripping. We should cover our bases and deal with him decisively.”

“…I heard that the Duke hosted a banquet. Is that why you’re doing this? He’s obviously provoking you, and if you fall for something so simple…”

“Pfft. Hahahahaha!” The Count burst into laughter, and yet his eyes were still red with fury. “Then, you would have me run away from the duke’s provocation with my tail between my legs?”

“…That’s not what I meant…”

“I will bring even greater tragedy upon the duke. How dare he look down on me–I’ll make him regret trying to provoke me.”

“…But… Sect leader told us to not risk our lives.”

“And? Are you going to give up on the ritual? Or, are you going to reject me?”

The demon worshippers shut their mouths tight at the count’s question. On the surface, the sect leader naturally held a superior position to the count; after all, the count was just a mere follower of their heretic religion. However, in reality, the count held the power. The count had provided money, land, and sacrifices to the cultists who had been chased across the land, and it was the count’s active sponsorship that had allowed them to gain influence. It wasn’t easy to abandon these resources and go out into the wilderness again.

‘Moreover, this is a demon summoning ceremony. We don’t know when we’ll have a chance to hold such a large summoning ritual again.”

They were ready to proceed immediately whenever the holy relic arrived. Therefore, the demon worshippers acquiesced once more, “We understand.”

“Good. Then go and do as you’re told.” The Count explained his plan to drag Luisen into the palace.

Even though they knew that the count was too eager and obsessive about his revenge, they could not go against him. “Revenge is good and all, but please don’t forget the most important thing: to worship *Him*.” 

Just one last sentence–a final plea to the count. Everything else flowed as the count desired.

***

Before dawn–in the deepest, darkest time of the night:

A carriage silently passed through the capital’s northern gate. The carriage itself was plain, painted in a common black, but a dozen people surrounded it like an impenetrable wall. Despite being outfitted as mercenaries, the people had especially good discipline and horse-handling skills, creating an ominous aura.

These were Count Doubless’s knights. The carriage carried a demon worshiper and their holy relic. It was their duty to transport this carriage safely.

The carriage and knights raced quickly through the empty streets. There were no other passersby and no light, so it felt as if they were walking through the darkness. However, that didn’t matter to them.

Just then, an arrow flew at the carriage.

Whinnny–!

The startled whinny of a horse echoed out into the silent night. The church’s Paladins blocked their way, “Please halt.”

The sudden appearance of these Holy Knights flustered the people escorting the carriage, but they quickly composed themselves and exchanged glances with their companions. Some of the count’s knights pressed closer to the carriage, while others drew their swords and charged towards the knights.

Clang–!

The sound of steel hitting steel reverberated out into the otherwise tranquil sky. At the same time, the carriage accelerated. A perfect response–as if the group had been trained in advance.

However, the Paladins weren’t about to let them go, “We’ll call for backup. The rest should follow them!”

The Paladins divided into two groups: one would block the count’s knights and the others would chase the carriage.

Clank–! Clash–! Clang–!

The chaser and chased. The blockade and battering ram. Scattered sounds of hoofs and various branches breaking entangled with the shaking earth. The clash of weapons and the sharp metallic sounds echoed through the night sky.

The Paladins were faster than the carriage. The moment the Paladins caught up, the cultist inside opened the door and reached out towards the knights. Something snake-like and dark extended from his sleeve, attacking the knights.

Because the Paladins had expected a monster attack and were armed, they weren’t injured. However, their surprised steeds slowed down, and the distance between them and the carriage had widened once more.

The Paladins didn’t give up on their chase. According to information they had received from an inquisitor, these people were moving sacred relics needed for a heretical ritual. The Paladins had to risk their lives to prevent such a ceremony.

However, the Paladins could go no further. A Death Knight, mounted on a black horse, appeared before them.

“Knngh. I couldn’t believe it when others talked about it, but there’s really a monster like that in this world.” 

A unit of Paladins patrolled the area nightly, preventing cultists from preparing rituals and dragging monsters into the capital. However, the Death Knight repeatedly disrupted their efforts. The knights, prepared for the possibility of his arrival, raised their weapons without a hint of surprise.

“There’s only one of him. We can pierce through!”

The Death Knight was intimidating and overwhelming–he single-handedly blocked and fought back against a number of Paladins, taking them out of combat. However, the Paladins were prepared to die here. One person, accompanied by five or six Paladins rushed towards them at this moment.

It was Morrison–heretic inquisitor and the person in charge of the demon worshiper case. He rushed there after hearing a commotion while patrolling with his unit nearby. “What happened to the holy relic?”

“It slipped away.”

“I’ll hold onto that bastard.” Morrison said.

“Understood.”

Morrison swung his mace at the Death Knight; the Paladins simultaneously bounded away. The mace clinked of the Death Knight’s armor, but Morrison wasted no time.

Clank–!

Weapons collided forcefully with each other. Morrison was prepared to break his arm with every swing. However, the Death Knight’s attacks were easier to block than expected because it was momentarily exhausted from its previous battle. In the meantime, the Paladins chased after the carriage.

Only the Death Knight, Morrison, and the unconscious Paladins were left on the road. The Death knight was so black it seemed as if he would dissipate into the darkness of the knight, so it seemed as if Morrison was standing by himself.

“Did you go easy on me?” Morrison asked. “As I suspected, you’re no ordinary monster. Do you remember your past life? I’ve run into you, with the duke.”

[……]

“Your name was Ruger, right?”

[…It’s no use trying to hold me back, Inquisitor. The sacred relic has probably already arrived in the palace.]

“…I see.” When Morrison arrived, the carriage was already out of sight. If the carriage entered the capital, the Paladins wouldn’t be able to follow.

However, Morrison’s business didn’t end there. He had always planned to speak with the Death Knight if he ever met the being again. There was something different about him–something that set him apart from an ordinary monster.

Morrison said, “It’s amazing that we can communicate. Just like the legend. You still have some form of reasoning and memories… You must still have a human soul.”

[……]

“But, why go against God’s will and follow heresy?”

[I’m a knight. I’m merely following my master.]

“Even now–at this point?”

[……]

The Death Knight answered with actions instead of words; he flourished his blade. A long cut was engraved into the ground in front of the inquisitor. An action that belied anger.

[I’m already cursed.]

“This curse that won’t let you rest even after death… Do you have no desire to end it?”

[…I was cursed because I failed to keep my knight’s oath. Therefore…]

“No. There are many traitors in this world, but not all of them end up like you. You have been cursed because you turned your back to God and compromised your values with Heresy.”

[……]

This time, the Death Knight didn’t respond. The being wasn’t ignoring Morrison, rather the words had struck to his core.

“Repent. Acknowledge your sins and atone for them until your soul shatters.”

[I-I can’t betray again…]

“Human oaths are meaningless. The only absolute we can obey is God’s will.”

The black horse whined and pawed at the ground. The shadowy horse moved with the hands of the Death Knight–the Knight’s hesitance was clearly shown in the horse’s behavior.

“Follow his will, and one day your curse shall vanish. His sun shall shine upon you. Our God is merciful and loving…”

[…I…]

The Death Knight looked at Morrison. He was about to say something before suddenly turning back in the direction of the royal palace.

[Ah–Master is calling me.]

“Ignore him. Am I not conveying God’s teachings to you right now?”

[I have to go.]

The Death Knight’s silhouette wavered like unstable mist or fog.

[…I can’t refuse.]

Is it impossible for the Death Knight to break free from the commands of the devil worshippers? Morrison sensed that this might be his last moment to persuade him. If these words did not work, their next encounter was bound to end in the flames of conflict. “You should be able to refuse. Recall your death. If you were so desperate as to break your knight’s oath, you must…”

But, before he could finish, the Death Knight vanished. Morrison stood still and stared at the empty road.

Right before the Death Knight vanished, their eyes briefly met. It seemed like, for a moment, he could see Ruger’s face inside the empty helmet.

‘As expected, he still must have feelings for the duke.’

The next time they met, Morrison would be able to see the consequences of the Death Knight’s decision. It was hard to be optimistic since the knight disappeared in response to the demon worshiper’s summon, but at least he could see the knight’s soul for a moment.

Indeed, love truly is sublime.

The holy scriptures were once again proved correct. Morrison drew the holy sign with his fingers.

***

A few days after the banquet:

A guest had arrived at the Anies’ capital residence: a messenger from the royal palace.