Ch.395EP.82 – Not a Knight-Errant. Not Even a Knight (4)

Unlike Ihan’s discomfort and unease about the city, the guards protecting it simply welcomed them according to procedure.

“Let me check your identification.”

Swish.

“Hmm, confirmed. But you can’t enter with swords or axes. You need to surrender them…”

Swoosh.

“Ah, a mercenary from the Mercenary Union? Pass!”

Ihan passed through the main gate without any issues.

Although his identification had lost its validity when he was banished from the kingdom, there was no way to verify this in a kingdom without a computerized system, so he could pass through easily. The weapons, which had been the biggest concern, were also allowed thanks to his mercenary badge.

To be precise, it was an “Official Mercenary Union Badge.”

‘Caesar gave me a nice gift.’

The badge that the Mercenary King had casually handed over as a “gift.”

It was an official Mercenary Union badge that needed to be renewed every quarter, and because the renewal process was so rigorous, it had high credibility and served as another form of identification that allowed free passage into most territories.

Thanks to this, Ihan grinned as he avoided having his weapons confiscated.

“Fortunately, Lady Attendant, thanks to that man we can quickly… Ah, right. You’re not here.”

Ihan reflexively looked to his side and spoke, but there was no one beside him.

“…Habits are scary things.”

Ihan scratched the back of his head.

They had parted just five minutes ago, and he had already forgotten.

‘Am I too dependent on Lady Attendant?’

He knew he shouldn’t be like this already, but…

‘I miss her already.’

Even though it was just a brief separation.

* * *

Leira remained outside.

It wasn’t that he had separated from her to do something secretive.

To put it simply:

– “You’re saying the city looks strange? I understand! I’ll wait quietly outside for you, Sir Knight!”

– “Aren’t you worried? You’ll be alone.”

– “No! I have Nurungi with me, so I’ll be fine!”

– “…That makes me even more worried.”

The two-headed dog, who remained hidden due to its appearance but secretly guarded the attendant, meant that even if knights attacked, there would be no problem.

Still, he couldn’t help but hesitate to leave her, worried about not being by her side to protect her.

However…

– “Don’t worry, Sir Knight! I won’t get hurt at all.”

– “There are no absolutes in this world, but…”

– “Even so, I’ll be fine. So don’t worry and accomplish your goal, Sir Knight. And be careful in your fights.”

– “…Why are you assuming I’ll be fighting?”

– “Since you said the city feels ominous, it’s confirmed there must be demons here! Then of course you’ll fight them.”

– “Why, why are you saying such ominous things…?”

– “Hehe.”

So despite his concerns, Ihan had been forced to enter the city alone, but this time he had no desire to fight demons or other ominous beings.

‘This time, I’m definitely going to resolve my business peacefully and leave, I swear!’

He didn’t want to fight if possible.

He had absolutely no desire to get involved with demons.

He wasn’t some battle-crazed berserker…

‘Lady Attendant misunderstood.’

That must be it.

…Probably?

* * *

Florentia, the city ruled by Count Deniro, was incredibly peaceful compared to other territories.

Apparently, Count Deniro was a man without ambition who chose to live quietly, unlike other local lords who sought hegemony?

Whether that was true or not, at least compared to the territories Ihan had visited so far, it displayed a peace that seemed almost heavenly.

“Florentia is a city that cannot be self-sufficient. The land is barren, and water sources are far away, making farming difficult. It’s also strategically difficult to utilize. This is probably why other regional lords don’t pay much attention to Florentia.”

“So it’s peaceful because there’s no benefit in conquering it, and even the lord has no desire for war.”

“That’s correct.”

A city with nothing particularly impressive, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

As Ihan nodded along to what he casually heard while being guided by Giovanni, suddenly:

“Ah, this way please.”

“…There’s a church in a place like this?”

“Don’t you know? The authority of the temple has declined significantly recently.”

“Even so, well…”

Ihan was at a loss for words.

A dilapidated building that looked like it could collapse at any moment, across a narrow, damp alley.

No matter how you looked at it, it was shocking that such a crumbling house was called a church.

‘Wasn’t the church supposed to be a core place for community?’

Although they had done wrong, the church itself was a place for residents to communicate, so it was puzzling to see it in such a ruined state.

Knock knock.

“It’s Corin. The youngest of the Medici family.”

“……”

“I know you’re in there. I’m not here to collect money. I just brought someone who wants to meet you.”

“……”

“…I’ll reduce your debt, so please open the door.”

Creeeeak…

Though he seemed to have overheard a rather cheap conversation, Ihan paid no attention to that.

Or more precisely:

‘A Briton?’

He was only puzzled as he confirmed the other person’s face.

“Well, look who it is! Isn’t it Giovanni, the fallen noble merchant guild master!”

“There’s no need for such exaggerated welcome, and what’s your intention in mentioning ‘fallen noble’? Are you trying to anger me?”

“Ahem, th-that’s not it. Don’t misunderstand, haha…”

The man with the awkward laugh could be described kindly as looking like a womanizing playboy, or less kindly, as a vile con artist.

His manner of speaking also seemed quite unlikable.

Sure enough:

“Besides, I see Medici has been successful. Bringing around a mercenary of this caliber.”

“Watch your mouth, Corin! He is my benefactor!”

“Oh my, I apologize. I didn’t know that, haha!”

From his sarcastic tone to his unmasked expression.

It was a moment that revealed he was exactly the type of person he appeared to be.

Ihan:

“I never expected to see a Briton exile in a place like this.”

“……”

“Or perhaps you’re not an exile, but a deserter? Hmm, no. Looking at your physical condition and hands, you know how to handle cards, but you’ve never held a sword. Clearly a good-for-nothing.”

“Ah, um…”

“Not an exile, not a deserter, but a Briton is here… there must be circumstances. What might those be?”

“……”

“…Woman troubles, I see.”

“!?”

“Hmm… Cheating? Adultery? Or did you mess with someone else’s woman?”

“W-what are you…!”

“…You messed with someone else’s woman? You’re trash.”

“!!”

“Guild Master, are you sure it’s okay to ask this guy?”

It was common sense to treat someone who picked a fight from the first meeting in the same manner.

The truth-guessing game of Ihan, which even made the Grand Sorcerer tremble in fear, successfully turned Corin’s face deathly pale.

…The strange thing was:

“Guild Master, is this really the right person? He doesn’t seem wise at all.”

“……”

“Guild Master?”

“……”

“Why is your face so pale?”

“I-I just realized anew that my lord is no ordinary person.”

“?”

“…Haha.”

Giovanni’s back was already drenched in sweat as he laughed awkwardly, his pupils trembling.

Like someone who had encountered a ghost in a horror movie.

* * *

“I-I’m Acolyte Corin. M-my master is currently away…”

Indeed, Corin introduced himself with a subdued demeanor, informing them that the priest Giovanni wanted to introduce was another person.

“You’re amazing, my lord. You subdued that arrogant and rude Corin in just three minutes.”

“It’s a small talent. And he’s not that rude. It’s just his way of being cute.”

“…You call that cute?”

“Yes.”

Compared to spell-casters and cult members, this was just someone with a twisted personality.

Besides…

‘Is he just fearful?’

Ihan could tell that such a caustic manner of speaking was a self-defense mechanism.

It was somewhat understandable, being alone in a foreign country without any compatriots.

However, unfortunately, Ihan had no intention of comforting him.

They had just met, after all.

What was important now was:

“So when will this master of yours return?”

“I-I don’t know exactly. Once my master leaves, he rarely comes back home.”

“…I see.”

He wanted to resolve his business quickly.

…Should he go to another city instead?

“My lord. Don’t be like that. Give Corin a chance. Despite appearances, he’s quite capable.”

“This guy?”

“Before becoming an acolyte, he was a disciple of a renowned sage.”

“…This guy?”

“I know it’s hard to believe, but yes, it’s true.”

As Ihan pointed at him, Giovanni nodded again, asking him to believe, while Corin, feeling strange about how he was being treated, frowned with a sullen expression.

“…Hey, isn’t this too much, talking about me right in front of me!”

“What?”

“W-well, that could be the case.”

Though he had been subdued immediately.

It still seemed unbelievable, but Ihan decided to trust Giovanni.

Although they hadn’t known each other long, based on his assessment of Giovanni’s character, he didn’t seem like someone who would deceive him, so taking a chance on someone he recommended…

Thud.

“This doesn’t work. Do you know how to use it?”

He held out the compass, and seeing it, Corin:

“…A holy relic?”

“Oh, so you do have some discernment.”

“H-how did you get this?!”

Corin looked at the compass with a shocked expression, his pupils trembling.

He seemed stunned to see a holy relic.

Regardless, Ihan asked:

“This thing is strange. It looks like an ordinary compass. It doesn’t lead me to my destination.”

“……”

“And when I follow its direction, I keep encountering demons and witches.”

“……”

“…Why are you making that face?”

As Ihan’s questions continued, Corin’s expression became increasingly strange.

How to describe that expression?

Like someone saying, ‘Why is a person who should have died long ago still breathing?’ – that kind of unpleasant look?

Just as Ihan was about to clench his fist:

“-Have you encountered demons or witches wherever this compass pointed?”

Suddenly he asked a question, and Ihan reflexively nodded.

“I have, unfortunately.”

“…No. It’s not unfortunate.”

“…?”

“This holy relic, I suspect, is the ‘Pilgrim’s Compass.’ It was left behind by a saint who traveled all pilgrimage routes in this world. I’ve heard that with this compass, one can reach mysterious places unknown to anyone else, but-“

“……”

“This compass also reacts sensitively to demons. So in a way, this compass could be considered a demon hunter’s treasure.”

“……”

“B-by the way, how many demons have you encountered on your way here?”

“……”

“…Hello?”

BANG!

“That damn person…!”

…He realized he had been deceived, and added a new name to his mental hit list.

Indeed, Ihan was freshly reminded of the worldly truth that there is no kindness without reason.