Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 141: Smell (3).

Following the smell the female knight, Monua was tracking, the Holy Knights Order disguised themselves as a mercenary group and arrived at the mercenary city of Vermandois. Of course, it wasn’t their intended destination when they left the capital. They simply followed the smell eastward, which led them to Vermandois.

In truth, smells were somewhat abstract. Even Monua herself, who could detect smells, didn’t know the exact principle behind it… However, if she were to infer from her experiences since childhood, it seemed that something significant on the continent, whether an event, object, or person, emitted a strong smell.

Like how a prophet might see a scene in their mind, suddenly, a smell would just burst forth. In a broader sense, this could also be considered a kind of prophecy.

There were various kinds of such smells. Some were fragrant, while others were foul. Naturally, fragrant smells were usually positive, and foul smells were negative. Although this wasn’t absolute, it was generally the case.

And the Holy Knight Monua used this ability solely for the peace and well-being of the Holy Kingdom. Especially in missions related to sealed evil entities, her role was very important. This journey, too, would not have been dared without her power.

Of course, what she could discern was only up to that point. She could find the way, but that was all. She couldn’t even tell if what she found was a person, an object, or a monster. In other words, she had to confront it directly to know.

The six members of the Holy Knights Order who arrived in Vermandois headed to an inn. However, they were taken aback by the cultural shock as every alley revealed blatant acts of debauchery.

Engaging in intimate acts that should be concealed even with suppressed moans, in broad daylight under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and not even in a closed room but out in the open, made them question if they were truly on the same earthly land akin to the Holy Kingdom.

Oh, dear God.

Even Monua, who had hardly ever held a man’s hand, let alone had a lover, was on the verge of losing her mind. She knew the mercenary city was a tremendous den of iniquity, but she never imagined it would be this extreme.

However, a steadfast Holy Knight could not afford to show weakness over such trivial matters. Especially not in the presence of so many juniors…!

Anyway, the Holy Knights relieved the fatigue accumulated from the long journey and began their activities in earnest the next day.

This time, Monua, along with Vice Group Leader Quintus, tracked the smell together. The rest paired up to gather information from various places.

The female knight began tracking the smell from early morning, entering the back alleys. The place, mixed with all sorts of filth, reeked of a terrible stench, yet it couldn’t hide the intense odor.

…Almost there…!

Honestly, her expectations were high at this moment. The smell she was following was the strongest and most intense she had ever encountered. There was a hope that perhaps it held a clue to perfectly resolve this situation.

Of course, at present, it was uncertain whether it was a person or an object. That’s why she was going to check it out now.

She had her doubts, but it seemed that the two Top 10 residing in Vermandois were not involved. It had been a long time since they distanced themselves from their hideout.

Is it a person? No, it could be an object. Something secretly hidden by the Top 10.

In Vermandois, everything seemed to be linked to the Top 10. Even if not the person themselves, their stature was trustworthy enough.

Then, could it be a legendary sword? Something capable of vanquishing evil in a single strike. Mercenaries were greedy by nature, so it wouldn’t be strange if they had hidden something like that. …If such a thing truly existed, it must be retrieved at all costs.

With thoughts bordering on delusion, the man and woman wandered through the labyrinthine back alleys for quite some time before emerging back onto the main street. The place they arrived at after a not-so-short walk was the guild house of Vermandois.

Despite the early hour, the front of the guild house was bustling with activity. The two exchanged glances and entered the building immediately.

They continued to ascend the floors. The place they reached was the very top floor.

Monua followed the strong smell inside and stopped in front of a certain sign.

[Allen-Mercenary Group]

They exchanged brief glances before passing by the office to confirm the owner of the smell.

What came into view was a young man handling office work at a desk.

Ah.

Upon confirming the person, Monua quickly left the spot.

“Did you confirm it?”

“…Yes.”

The two did not rush to meet the counterpart. First, gathering information was a priority.

Given the nature of the task, a suitable approach according to the situation was necessary.

Leaving the guild house, she recalled the man she had glimpsed earlier.

Honestly, it was the first time she had seen such a handsome mercenary.

Allen spent another ordinary day at the office and returned to the hideout as the evening sun set.

Exhausted from working all day and dealing with people, he had just finished his meal and bath when he heard there were late visitors.

“They said they came from the Holy Kingdom.”

“The Holy Kingdom? Are they mercenaries?”

“That, I’m not sure.”

Feeling a bit uneasy, Allen nevertheless told them to be brought in.

Sitting in the meeting room, sipping beer, people arrived. There were two of them, a man and a woman.

And naturally, as was his habit, Allen opened their status windows.

[Strength: 52] [Agility: 49] [Stamina: 54] [Intelligence: 20] [Magic Power: 18]

[Talent] [Steadfast Will] [Principled] [Stubborn] [Honest] [Sensitive] [Insomnia]

[Strength: 47] [Agility: 44] [Stamina: 48] [Intelligence: 17] [Magic Power: 20]

[Talent] [Recklessness] [Curiosity] [Faith] [Will] [Miser] [Hyper-Sensitive] [Touchy] [Delusion]

As soon as he read the brief thought below the decent stats, he instantly discerned the opponent’s identity.

The Holy Knights Order.

There was only one reason the sluggish Holy Knights Order would move. It must be that there was an issue with the demonic seal beneath the Holy Kingdom… Indeed, his uneasy feeling was spot on.

…Damn it. The seal’s already having issues…?

Considering they had just entered Chapter 3, the pace was too fast… Thinking about the reason, it seemed the opening of the Spirit Gate in the small city of Amper last time had a significant impact.

There wouldn’t be any immediate problems, but at this rate, the seal would break in a few years.

Anyway, that was that.

Allen was curious about why the Holy Knights Order had come all the way here. Perhaps Group Leader Viola had recommended him again.

“What brings the followers of the Holy Kingdom to this humble place…?”

Before the middle-aged man answered, he exchanged glances with the female knight.

He spoke in a heavy, calm tone.

“Having come this far, I guess there’s nothing to hide.”

With that, he took out a token and placed it on the table with a thud.

“Quintus of the Holy Knights. This is Monua.”

Allen feigned appropriate surprise.

Quintus, the Vice Group Leader of the Holy Knights Order, and the Pinkette Monua. They were quite famous characters in the Holy Kingdom, so he was already aware.

“So, you are from the Holy Knights Order!”

“Please keep it a secret.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t I keep my mouth shut for fear of divine retribution?”

Quintus briefly scrutinized Allen’s face as if to assess him.

The information gathered about Group Leader Allen throughout the day was frankly astonishing. Achievements that seemed unbelievable to have been accomplished in just two years. A talent who was associated not only with the Top 10 but even the Prince himself…

There was no doubt about his abilities. It was just the mercenary part that was concerning.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Your exploits are said to be remarkable…”

“They’re greatly exaggerated.”

Stopping right there, the Vice Group Leader slowly got to the main point.

“Do you happen to know the Prophetess Aloa?”

“Of course. I’ve met her once.”

“It is through her that I’ve come here.”

…Through Aloa?

Wondering if this was a recommendation from Group Leader Viola; his expectations were completely off the mark. Even Allen hadn’t anticipated Aloa.

Honestly, he didn’t have much of a connection with the Prophetess. Didn’t she even send him away immediately the last time they met, saying she had a headache?

…Could it be because of this…?

Indeed, no matter the route, the demon event in the Holy Kingdom was a huge pain. Getting involved would naturally be a headache. In fact, ignoring it was the easiest option.

That was why players usually ignored this Holy Kingdom event unless they were collecting divine power. The rewards were meager compared to the trouble.

Especially since it was just the beginning of Chapter 3.

“In fact, there’s a problem in the Holy Kingdom.”

Hearing it stated so openly, it seemed like a trap. Allen looked for a chance to decline tactfully.

“Oh dear.”

“We would like you to lend us your strength.”

“I’m sorry, but I have no connection to the Holy Kingdom. Plus, I’m an atheist.”

Allen made it clear that he was an atheist. However, the other party was also a person of considerable stubbornness.

“It may be hard for you to understand, but our knight order has a certain ability, and it points to you. This means you could be of help to us.”

A poor argument to persuade an atheist mercenary, unless they were a fellow believer.

“I’m just a mere leader of a mercenary group.”

“We will offer sufficient compensation.”

This was a more tempting offer. If they had led with talk of compensation, it might have been more effective. However, Allen, who had already made up his mind to refuse, was not swayed by those words.

From the start, this was a chain event. It wasn’t going to end with just one thing. The easiest way was to leave it alone, which says it all.

How can you receive compensation for every single thing? Besides, the stingy Holy Kingdom won’t cover it all.

“It’s okay. I’m also quite busy these days, so it’s a bit hard to take on other tasks. It’s unfortunate.”

Of course, Quintus did not easily back down after being rejected once. However, when Allen repeatedly refused, a knight stepped forward.

“It’s about protecting the continent! It’s a matter of justice…!”

“Monua!”

The Vice Group Leader warned Monua, but didn’t strictly restrain her. This was probably what he wanted to say, too.

Unfortunately, such remarks didn’t stir any emotion in Allen.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s something I can do.”

Allen smiled gently and pointed at the door with his hand.

“Would you please leave now?”

The righteous female knight, seeing this, gritted her teeth and managed to say one last thing.

“…I’ve misjudged you.”

However, Allen did not respond. He was not someone to be swayed by such shallow provocations.

In the end, the two left the room without any gains.

…I don’t have anything to feel guilty about.

After all, it had nothing to do with him.

…It’s not like I have a genius member who has opened the door to mana here anyway!