Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 489: A Night of Grace

“Cough, cough!”Arendt covered his mouth, trying to stifle the cough that was about to burst forth. But it didn’t seem like a very good choice.

“Ugh…”

His breath hitched and his mind went blank.

Shadows rippled before his eyes. The candle lit on the desk felt incredibly ominous.

The walls of the familiar room seemed to be closing in on him from all sides.

All he could hear was the exceeding loud sound of his heart. Just as he was about to be consumed by the thought that he would suffocate and die at any moment…

His vision widened again, accompanied by a stinging pain. A faint scent of blood accompanied it.

Blood began to seep out little by little through the gap between his fingernails that had dug through the bandage wrapped around his neck.

Only after the white bandage had turned half red was Arendt able to breathe properly.

“…Fuck, damn.”

His whole body was drenched in cold sweat.

As the wound deepened, his vision began to return properly.

Darkness was just darkness. Even the candles that had flickered strangely regained their original form.

Arendt pressed his temples once and swept his sweaty hair back.

Only then did he feel a little bit more relieved.

After catching his breath for a while, he felt a wave caressing his shoulders.

It must have been Nereid’s hand that was stretched out in concern, but now, far from feeling any relief, it only made him feel even more uneasy.

Arendt suppressed his disgust and responded bluntly.

“I’m alright. At least I got some sleep thanks to you.”

Only then did the water disappear.

It was because She knew that Her own presence was not having a good influence on Arendt.

As even Nereid retreated, Arendt abruptly got up from his seat and changed his clothes.

Only after he tied up his hair and put on his full uniform did he regain his sense of reality.

At that moment, the communication device on the desk began to glow.

The light returned to Arendt’s eyes.

Because there was only one place that could contact him at this time.

As expected, as soon as he connected the call, he heard the main point, with the greetings skipped.

-I found Master’s scent. It’s in the mountains near the northern border.

This was the news he had been waiting for.

“Has Warren been moving separately until now?”

-He joined nearby. Apparently, like me, he caught the scent of Master’s blood and came running. We’ll be moving together.

Although it was impossible for the other person to see, Arendt nodded with satisfaction.

“Good. There’s bound to be some common ground between like-minded dogs, so play nice and search together. I’ll ask Captain Kendrick to head there too, so contact me again if you have any results.”

-What? Hey, I’m not some mutt—

It seemed as if Stellar was about to swear at him, but Arendt just cut off the call.

This was a satisfactory result, all things considered.

Although he had thoroughly erased all traces of himself while moving, it seemed that even Nikephoros could not do anything about Lexion’s claw that was embedded in his body.

‘Should I go for a walk?’

Because it would be impossible for him to sleep any more anyway.

Arendt habitually grabbed his sword and the Frosty Touch and threw open the window.

‘If I leave and run into someone, it’ll be annoying.’

Day by day, the number of people meddling in his business was growing, and it was driving him mad.

Arendt jumped down and landed silently. Fortunately, no one seemed to have woken up.

Instead, Luna, who had flown in from somewhere, landed comfortably on top of his head.

As though his head were some kind of perch, Luna began preening its feathers.

“…I clearly told you. I don’t mind you following me, but don’t sit on my head.”

Arendt muttered irritably, but then let out a deep sigh and began walking.

The weight and warmth felt above his head drove away the last remnants of unease.

“Tch.”

He must’ve looked ridiculous. Arendt trudged straight to the Crown Prince’s training ground.

He didn’t forget to check the state of the perimeter while he was at it.

Familiar knights, fully armed, stood guard with strict vigilance. The guards, too, were tense as they carried out their night patrol.

Among them, there were some who came to greet Arendt.

Arendt, being ‘Arendt’, responded by ignoring it altogether.

The stars were unusually bright.

Someone would have usually been chatting during a night shift like this, but… everyone was so tense that the area was just quiet.

Just like the moment the stage lights go out.

But the silence was not eternal.

When the lights come back on, the silence from before would feel like a lie, and the story on stage would begin anew.

Arendt naturally walked towards the training ground where Lexion was sleeping.

Since Stellar set up a strong barrier, it would be impossible to look inside.

But he thought it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look at the situation.

‘Something unexpected might’ve happened.’

But before he could take even a few steps, Arendt sensed something was off.

Clearly, there should have been guards posted here, as Lexion was defenseless.

“…”

Yet there wasn’t a single presence felt nearby.

Arendt’s pace slowed.

Likewise, as if sensing something, Luna, who was perched on his head, suddenly raised its head. It was on high alert.

Then, a faint trace of blood brushed past his nose.

Arendt reflexively drew his sword and spun around.

“…!”

A huge presence suddenly appeared, and an enormous shock crashed into him.

Arendt tried to hold his ground, but was thrown back.

Before he could fully regain his footing, another attack came flying in. Arendt quickly rolled to the side, still on the ground.

The attack that narrowly missed him left a large gash on the ground. Blood began to seep from his side where the enemy’s sword had grazed him.

“Shit!”

Just as Arendt pushed off the ground, cursing and trying to get up…

A sharp prickle was felt right next to his neck, accompanied by an eerie chill.

“Don’t move.”

“…”

A familiar voice came from above his head.

Arendt glanced at the sword that had been thrust right up to his neck, then turned to face the assailant who had suddenly attacked him.

A man stood with his back to the star-filled sky, gripping the hilt of his sword.

Cold, emotionless eyes stared down at Arendt from behind a mask.

“If you’d just stayed still, you could’ve died peacefully.”

Arendt let out a bitter smile.

“Good evening. Do you really have to say hello like this?”

“I see that your mouth is still working.”

Roger, who had responded briefly, seemed to be sheathing his sword, but in the blink of an eye, another attack flew in. Arendt didn’t miss that moment, slipping away and activating the Frosty Touch.

Their swords clashed. Arendt didn’t try to hold his ground, instead naturally distancing himself.

Something caught against his foot. He dropped his gaze, and he saw a soldier who had died before their eyes could even close.

‘Tsk.’

It was certain.

Everyone in the area was already killed by Roger. Arendt’s gaze shifted back toward him. He saw Luna flying quickly away while Roger was approaching, sword loosely dangling in one hand.

It was heading back to report to Salem.

‘This…’

A twisted laugh escaped.

‘The situation isn’t very good.’

The stench of blood filling the air was growing thicker. Judging by the fact that he had deliberately cleared this place, he must have been watching him for quite some time.

Since he couldn’t barge into the dormitory that was teeming with knights, he waited until Arendt was alone.

A chill ran down his spine.

That meant that no one noticed Roger’s surveillance.

Even Laius.

‘Can I escape?’

As Roger drew closer, Arendt calmly worked through the situation in his head.

No matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t seem possible to shake him off.

Moreover, even if he succeeded, it was clear that more people would die at Roger’s hand while he was pursuing him.

However, it was impossible for him to fight Roger and win.

‘But there’s no other choice.’

Now, he had no choice but to put everything on Luna.

Arendt, unleashing the Frosty Touch, kicked off the ground and ran towards Roger.

A swirling storm of pale frost rippled along his movements.

“As impressive as ever. You’re not even a little shaken.”

Roger, who burst into blunt admiration, also readily accepted Arendt’s challenge.

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As the ‘Blessing of Karma’ was activated, his sword was engulfed in red flames.

Roger’s appearance here meant only one thing.

Their full-scale offensive had begun.

“What brings you to a place like this?”

Lumiel, facing Iris, spoke calmly as if she was about to offer her tea.

Iris examined her with closed eyes, as if she found that point particularly interesting.

“You’re surprisingly unfazed, High Priest.”

“There aren’t many things in this world that can be solved by panicking.”

Lumiel also looked at her with profound eyes.

She was too beautiful to be called an ordinary human being, and at the same time, she was oddly unnatural.

The fingertips peeking out from her robe looked as though they might snap if touched, and not a speck of dust could be found on her porcelain doll-like face.

If those tightly shut eyes were to open, she felt like she could glimpse the abyss within.

‘She must be human…’

It felt like she was facing something unknown.

“As expected, you are wise.”

Iris let out a small laugh and moved silently. Lumiel simply watched her movements.

“Is it okay if I sit down?”

“Of course.”

After permission was granted, Iris pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Lumiel.

“I apologize, but I won’t be offering tea.”

“Naturally. I’m not so careless as to enjoy a drink in the heart of enemy territory.”

Iris chuckled softly.

Lumiel replied calmly.

“Seeing as you mentioned enemy territory, it seems your intentions are not very friendly.”

“Unfortunately, that’s probably the case.”

Iris smiled broadly, extending a pale finger and pressing it firmly against a piece of paper. It was one of the relief mission reports Lumiel had been examining just a moment ago.

It was a simple movement, but to Lumiel, it felt like a tremendous threat.

Lumiel’s hand quietly brushed against the emergency escape artifact under her desk.

With just a little bit of magic power, she could escape. Once she was out of the area, it wouldn’t be difficult to call the palace for help.

But then Iris spoke.

“The Great Temple is already completely surrounded by my children. If I give the order, this place will be reduced to rubble.”

Lumiel had no choice but to abandon the idea of escaping alone.

“So, I will give you two choices, High Priest.”

“…Please speak.”

Lumiel nodded slowly, barely suppressing the crack in her voice.

Iris stared at her quietly and continued speaking in a low voice.

“As a servant of Lord Luce, you may choose to die here… to embrace a noble martyrdom alongside the rest of your clergy.”

“…”

“Or you may choose disgrace, if only for a few fleeting days.”

The Saintess of Darkness smiled pleasantly.

“Tell me, wise High Priest… which fate do you prefer?”