Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 420

That night, several more reports arrived for Arendt.What he liked most was the call from Warren.

“See? What did I tell you? Wasn’t it most effective way?”

-…Son of a bitch.

Arendt replied plainly to the tired voice coming through the communication port.

“Yeah, next, frozen wolf. How does it feel to be a puppy?”

-You told me to do it, you fucking bastard!

“So what’s the result? You’ve become quite close with the kids, right?”

Warren, who had been exploding with anger, became quiet. He was probably gritting his teeth on the other side of the communication line. Arendt found that quite satisfying.

Finally, Warren sighed deeply and continued.

-Haa… It’s true that close protection has become possible. And I already got the Duke’s approval in advance. Yesterday, they even let me inside the mansion.

“Hey. They’re total pet people, aren’t they? If nothing else comes up, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just live there and get some meat.”

Warren started yelling again from beyond the communication port. But, of course, nothing came of it.

“You seem to be a bit more irritable lately. Maybe get some warm milk from Princess Rieta. I hear milk is good for your mental and physical well-being.”

-It’s because of you, you fucking bastard!

He always thought Warren was someone who was more than worth teasing.

“Enough of that. Anything unusual?”

Gritting his teeth, Warren suppressed his anger and continued speaking.

-…They’re not near the mansion yet, but I have something to report anyway.

“Speak.”

-There seems to be an increase in the number of outsiders visiting the territory recently.

Arendt’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Hmm.”

Because it’s a remote area, it doesn’t usually attract many tourists or visitors. However, I heard that outsiders have been sighted in the territory recently. The explorers who accompanied us investigated, so this can be confirmed.

The explorers who had infiltrated naturally blended into the territory and began to gauge public sentiment.

The city was already in turmoil because of what had happened in the capital and to the castle.

Meanwhile, people were quite unsettled by the sudden appearance of outsiders, which included the explorers.

“You still don’t know who they are?”

“The guys outside are watching them. For now, they seem to be passing themselves off as travelers. There seem to be people from the Everan and Nephele Kingdoms rather than from the Lucain Kingdom.”

Warren continued in a calmer voice.

-They claim to be natives of the Lucain Kingdom, but they can’t fool us.

“Of course. They’re guys whose job is to travel all over the continent.”

Arendt frowned slightly.

“As expected, it seems like they’re after Prince Louis and Princess Rieta.”

“But it’s strange. Didn’t they give up on taking control of the Lucain royal family? Even now, I doubt there’s much point in eliminating the royal bloodline.”

“This is exactly why naive fools won’t cut it.”

Arendt clicked his tongue in disapproval as Warren asked in bewilderment.

“They still have enough value as hostages.”

Warren fell silent for a moment, as if caught off guard.

“It’s the same even if they don’t take them alive. Crown Prince Victor would do anything to get their bodies back.”

-…I see. I understand.

“So, don’t let your guard down and be on guard. Even if the prince and princess are assassinated, their bodies cannot be taken.”

-I understand.

Warren’s stern voice returned.

-I will never let them suffer. I will protect them no matter what.

“Of course that’s how it should be. It’s natural for a dog to protect its owners…”

Before Arendt could finish speaking, Warren suddenly shouted.

-I’m not a dog, and the prince and princess are not my masters! How many times do I have to tell you…

“Yeah, good work. Make sure you do your job as a guard dog.”

Warren seemed to be shouting something, but Arendt ignored him and cut off the communication.

Arendt muttered, looking down at the darkened communication port.

“…This guy is definitely fun to tease.”

“Was it the werewolf?”

Then, a voice suddenly came from behind. Without turning around, Arendt replied irritably.

“Does a dragon not know how to knock?”

Lexion simply continued to speak, uncaring of Arendt’s irritation.

“Most wolves are rational, so it’s rare to see a werewolf get that angry. It looks like you’ve been provoking him quite a bit.”

“It’s quite rewarding work.”

“Honestly, you’re a weird kid.”

Grumbling irritably, Lexion pressed down on Arendt’s head, ruffling his hair.

Then, healing magic was cast and the remaining scars disappeared in an instant.

“Ah, seriously. If you’re going to treat me, at least do it nicely. Why do you have to mess up my hair like that?”

Arendt straightened his disheveled hair in irritation.

Lexion sat with his legs crossed leisurely across from him.

“I tried my best to show good intentions, but you still treat me like crap.”

“That’s my charm.”

After a long and familiar conversation, Lexion brought up a different topic.

“For now, the Count seems to have found a way, so he’ll soon create what you want. It’ll happen soon. He may be eccentric, but he’s a brilliant man.”

“Let’s just hope something doesn’t happen before then.”

Arendt said calmly.

“What brings you here at this hour? I’m sure the Count has prepared a separate room for you.”

“I can’t figure out what the hell you’re thinking.”

As if he had been waiting for that question, Lexion answered immediately.

“I’ve lived a long life, compared to most humans, but I just can’t seem to read your mind. The same goes for the others who have been negatively influenced by you.”

“What’s the point of reading my mind? It’s not that complicated.”

Arendt tilted his head.

“I’m just saying: let’s throw some muddy water on the faces of those damned gods. Don’t you agree with me, Lexion?”

“…Could it be explained that simply?”

Lexion frowned slightly and spoke coldly.

“Gods live for ages. So long that a rookie human like you can barely even look up to them.”

“You’ve really been nagging a lot lately. Are you suddenly feeling guilty now?”

When Arendt muttered sulkily, Lexion replied curtly.

“Then what are you going to do about it?”

“…”

This time, it was Arendt who was left speechless.

“How many times have I told you? You’re so arrogant.”

Lexion gave him a look of blatant pity as he just blinked blankly.

“It seems you think those around you see you as a ruthless person, but that’s a big misconception.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Arendt asked back irritably, but only received a cold response.

“You already know. You’re just pretending not to know. You’re such an idiot.”

“I really don’t know what you want me to do. If you’re going to talk nonsense, just get out.”

The apprentice knight’s tone was beginning to show genuine irritation. Lexion, who had been glaring at him disapprovingly, clicked his tongue and changed the subject.

“Let’s go back to square one. What are you planning to do? No matter how hard you try with your limited thinking, you won’t be able to change anything.”

“I know that as well.”

Arendt, leaning back against the backrest, replied in displeasure.

“You’re right that I’m arrogant and prideful, but I’m not that full of myself. Don’t make me repeat the same thing over and over.”

“You rookie…!”

“And.”

Lexion, about to say something, closed his mouth.

Arendt, cutting him off, added nonchalantly.

“That bastard said the same thing.”

“What?”

Lexion frowned and asked curiously.

It was because he didn’t realize who the bastard Arendt was talking about was.

Arendt spoke plainly.

“God. Luce.”

“…”

Lexion, who was about to say more, fell silent. Arendt slowly continued, brushing the ends of his loose hair.

“Human power is weak. I’ve only recently realized this clearly. We don’t live long, and not all of us are in tune with magic. We don’t possess bodies as strong as those of the beastmen… And dragons are incredibly strong, so I don’t need to mention that.”

“…”

Lexion looked at Arendt with sunken eyes. At first glance, it sounded like a rather self-deprecating remark.

“But even those great gods ultimately chose heroes and saints from among humans. There must be a reason for that.”

But his bright yellow eyes, shining brightly, proved that he was not frustrated.

“A strength incomparable to a strong body or magic traits….”

Eventually, Lexion gave up on pressing him and had no choice but to ask a question.

“Are you talking about faith?”

Arendt added calmly.

“As well as an overwhelming number and a sociality far superior to that of other races.”

Dragons are a god-fearing race, but they are overwhelmingly few in number.

And now, there were only two left.

The beastmen live in seclusion, do not mix with other races, and do not rely on gods.

Although the elves had an ecology similar to that of humans, they were also small in number.

Besides, the elves were too fearful to allow new heroes to emerge.

Because they even experienced the annihilation of their ancestors by the hands of God.

“That’s why Luce had no choice but to choose humans this time as well. Even if it was only to ensure a stable harvest of faith.”

Arendt continued slowly.

“So, we too must use our human characteristics to fight back. That’s probably the way Luce will feel the most humiliated.”

“…”

“The hero Khan, against Luce’s will, left records of Chernion to his descendants. He even went to the trouble of separating the temple from the imperial family.”

Hero Khan had already laid the foundation for his descendants to become independent from Luce since that time.

“I dare to spit in the face of God… After all, it is only possible because we are foolish humans.”

Arendt shrugged.

“Humans are a flawed species that, while trying to save someone from drowning, end up drowning themselves.”

“…”

“Look even now. There are quite a few who abandon the gods they’ve served their entire lives and side with Chernion. It just shows how much humans are influenced by those around them.”

The apprentice knight shrugged.

“Exposing the dark side of the gods and bringing them down is a task best suited for heroes. A scoundrel should be able to do his part.”

Arendt added with a sly smile.

“Lexion, I have never forgotten the promise I made to you, not even for a moment.”

It was a very cheerful tone.

“I will give the glory of victory to Laius de Winfried… but I have no intention of giving the credit to God Luce.”

“…It seems like you’ve already done something.”

As Lexion groaned, Arendt blurted out something unexpected.

“Lexion, you will live much longer than me.”

“That’s obvious.”

“In that case, as long as Lexion is alive…”

Arendt paused for a moment and then added plainly.

“Even without me, God Luce will never be able to sleep soundly.”

This was not a stage.

It was impossible to just end the story by saying, “I ate well and lived well,” just because the hero won.

History continues on.

How long did it take him to accept this fact?

‘I don’t know what Lexion was like in the past, but…’

Lexion, from “The Blue Knight of the Holy Sword”, may have simply hidden away without participating in the war.

Because there wasn’t a single person who understood his intentions.

But the current Lexion was definitely different.

Arendt smiled his characteristically ill-tempered smile.

“I’m not the only one who made a promise, am I? I staked my life on it. Surely you wouldn’t be so ruthless as to pretend not to know?”

“…”

Lexion, who briefly opened his mouth, ended up letting out a deep sigh and facepalmed with a sharp smack.