episode_0029

The church is cunning.

How else could the Europa church, despite enduring persecution for centuries, spread its faith throughout the continent?

One of the secrets to their long survival was their ability to measure the situation accurately.

They were masters at walking the tightrope of extracting maximum benefits without provoking a physical confrontation, making the other party annoyed. In other words, they were skilled at balancing on the edge to maximize their gains.

“Bishop, the knights won’t stay quiet if we continue like this.”

“I know. But what can those insignificant fools do? We have many knights who have pledged allegiance to us, and there are faithful ones who are willing to lend a hand if they resist. If they have any sense, they will realize the difference in power and quietly leave.”

“But what if the disgraced ones resist more than expected?”

“Then we must fulfill the peace of God as we promised. Even if it means using slightly stronger measures.”

The church was not wrong.

Although their pride was hurt and they were angry, the disgraced mercenaries and knights understood that they were at a disadvantage.

But there was a small, cute mistake in their calculations.

They had not considered the possibility of an attack from outside.

“Tonight. Got it? Tonight, when the sun sets, come out to the streets inconspicuously and gather at the church in the southwest.”

“Don’t be afraid. Our Black Finger Thieves will join us. We must make the church pay for their hypocrisy.”

With the fire fueled by oil, it was bound to blaze brightly.

And the long-awaited D-Day.

The cheerful rebellion of the disgraced mercenaries and knights was almost over before it even began.

Many conspiracies failed to materialize and sank due to the undisputed rule of ‘Only you know.’

“This is a secret, only you know. I’m telling you because we’ve been friends for a long time.”

“…What’s with the suspenseful atmosphere?”

“Tonight, we will overturn this city. Let’s make a big profit this time and quietly leave. And start anew from afar.”

“Wait, isn’t it dangerous?”

“We have people who have agreed to join us. We just need to act when they are asleep at night. They haven’t pledged allegiance, so let’s band together.”

So it was natural that the whispers of the conspiracy spread to the ears of the guards.

If they had kept their mouths shut and kept the secret well, the disgruntled mercenaries and knights who couldn’t boast about what they knew would be in tears.

“Don’t move! You are surrounded. Drop your weapons and surrender peacefully!”

“Damn, it’s a trap!”

“Our secret was supposed to be perfect, who…wait, you?!”

“I’m sorry. I need to establish myself in Philah now.”

“You, you! We’ve been friends since we were five!”

“Shut up! You too, stop talking.”

However, the thieves who had plotted the conspiracy were not disappointed by the turn of events and did not abandon their plans.

Knowing that as former mercenaries, things wouldn’t go smoothly, they had already accepted it.

If the perfect plan had been executed, they would have been more worried about the high-ranking figure behind the scenes and the private unit infiltrating the civilian population.

So, internal conflicts and even getting caught were within the expected range.

There was a separate goal to achieve.

One was to create chaos in the city.

In that regard, they could consider their goal achieved. When the count who had made Philah his domain stirred up trouble, ordering all unrest to be quelled, the city became noisy with commotion.

In addition, there was an attack by thieves that did not seem like a coincidence to anyone. The guards and soldiers who were taking turns and resting on the castle walls and gates were all dragged out and became annoyed.

And here comes the long-awaited second purpose.

“The gate, the gate is opening?”

“There are no traces of crossing the castle walls, but could it be…!”

Taking advantage of the chaos, the gates were opened.

Mercenaries and knights who would not have accepted the proposal to join forces with thieves to overthrow the city, even if they had a rough life, were now on the verge of exploding with anger.

The battle, which was supposed to start at night but was exposed and started around dusk, continued for half a day.

Already busy with enemies coming from all directions, the peacekeeping force that had resolved to confront the oath-breakers added to the chaos.

Since it was a newly formed group, there was a lack of a sense of belonging. Moreover, by nightfall, blood identification was not properly done.

“Die, heretics!”

“Die, you thieving scum!”

Attacking allies, then unexpectedly joining the thieves, and then switching sides cautiously.

Thus, a chaotic battlefield unfolded in Filah.

In the midst of it, a few people who regained their senses, the city’s administrator, sent people to spread the news nearby.

So, this morning, the messenger rode hard to inform the real owner of the city, the Marquis, and the surrounding villages.

*****

“Since things have come to this, we need your help! Please lend a hand in saving the city.”

After finishing the explanation, I looked at the priest who was desperately requesting support.

I was not alone in the room; there were five others who looked like mercenaries.

“Should we go?”

“…Let’s hold off.”

They whispered quietly, exchanged glances a few times, and nodded their heads.

And then, oh, the priest disappeared before he could say anything, spouting excuses like wanting to fight but having injuries, feeling tired, or having other commitments.

The priest couldn’t hold them back.

Although they were just excuses that couldn’t be taken seriously, in other words, it meant ‘we’ll decide where to join based on how the situation unfolds.’

Forcing them to help here could lead the mercenaries to be too shocked and scared, causing them to instinctively plunder this place.

There is no need to understand why the conclusion came to this.

Naturally, I became the next target.

It may sound obvious, but being a knight is a great advantage.

Although the level is divided not by enlightenment but by how much money is invested in weapons and armor.

I have a set of armor and a horse.

I have been officially knighted and have built up some experience.

With just this, I am a well-equipped warrior ranking among the top knights of the era.

Moreover, isn’t my sword wrapped in a blade right now?

“The Bishop, who barely escaped the chaos, promised a great reward.”

“I see.”

“Relics, gold coins, anything will do. With that, you can get new equipment.”

But if more money is invested, more can be expected.

To be considered a complete knight, one must have a high-quality chainmail armor made by a first-class craftsman and two horses to ride. And if possible, even a squire to use for errands.

The priest was scratching that itch for them.

Money is always right. From the start, this journey was to elevate my reputation and acquire my own real estate, so it was inevitable that it felt enticing.

“Oh, right! Didn’t you say you were going to the Papal Palace?”

“That’s correct.”

“Compensation can be paid in Papal gold coins. Of course, even if you receive compensation in other coins, we will not give less.”

Oh, this is tempting. It means they won’t charge a currency exchange fee.

When I went to the Papal Palace, I had to exchange my currency anyway. Although the Imperial currency was accepted in other regions, it was not easy to buy things with dollars at a hole-in-the-wall shop.

The exchange fee was not a big deal, so it was fine.

Besides, there was a bit more trust in the church when it came to that, even though there was a possibility of being scammed.

Still.

“I have a child under my protection.”

“Ah….”

A promise was a promise.

If I left a cute girl like Lycia anywhere and went about my business, who knows what could happen. Even if I had delayed leaving Filah for just one day, what could have happened?

Moreover, he couldn’t force me to go with him. Because I was a free person.

Although there were countless classes, if we were to divide them into two categories, there were free people and bound people.

The representative of the bound people was the tenant farmers. This does not mean that the word “small” appeared three times in a phrase, but rather refers to the farmers who are tied to the land in exchange for protection.

If they were bound, it was impossible to leave the land unless their owner released them.

I, too, was once a tenant farmer following my mother, but not anymore. I was released when my biological father told me to get lost from the land.

On the other hand, free people referred to nobles, and those like me who were once bound but now roamed freely.

In other words, I had the right to determine my own fate. This was a right that could not be infringed upon by anyone.

“Well then, goodbye. May God have mercy on them.”

The priest wore a pained expression as he realized the true identity of the child, Santa.