I Became a Dark Knight in the Game

19 – This Cult Needs a Champion (2)

The term ‘Morghina’s champion’ felt quite dubious. I turned my gaze to Morghina.

‘Was she not a real champion? A champion (pending promotion) or some kind of candidate?’

It was strange that the full authority to choose a champion was delegated to a single saintess. If it were an ordinary saintess from another cult, it would be understandable, but to Morghina?

Morghina’s fiery personality, to put it nicely, seemed well-known within the Eve Kaha cult.

Giving such a person the authority to appoint was a decision that a proper business organization would not make.

“Ah, don’t worry. It’s true that she was officially appointed as the champion of Eve Kaha. Traditionally, in our cult, the saintess appoints the champion.”

However, since religion is originally a non-profit organization, my common sense about the criteria for selecting personnel was shattered. Is this okay for a personnel manager?

“That child originally had no intention of having a champion. She used to say that if it came to it, she would just perform the duties of a champion herself. She said that none of the recent fighters pleased her.”

Morghina had a lot to say. But no matter how much Morghina, she couldn’t easily reveal her usual arrogant attitude in front of the cult leader’s kind smile.

It was more like dealing with a respectable elder or superior rather than a difficult boss.

“…I have come to resign from the position of champion.”

“Oh my. What happened?”

I signaled to Morghina. Morghina closed her eyes tightly and nodded. She untied the cross sword from her right waist.

[Master, is it an ambush? An ambush against an old man. It’s ugly but efficient. But I want to inform the master that there is a beautiful custom called a duel challenge.]

As soon as Tuon was in my hand, he started to say things that would make one grab the back of their neck and collapse. The gruesomeness of his words truly matched the term ‘demon sword’.

Even Ori, who had been maintaining a respectful silence towards the other priests (besides Morghina) since entering the Eve Kaha fortress, opened his mouth.

[That guy is subtly crazy….]

The problem was the thought process that assumed I would immediately stab the person in front of me just because I held a sword.

Even if I had drawn the sword to ambush someone, this situation was an accident. If he thought I was going to ambush, he should have kept his mouth shut. How could an ambush succeed with such noisy chatter?

I cautiously observed the cult leader’s expression. As an old priest who had cultivated his character over many years, his face showed no passion or anger.

“That’s quite a unique sword.”

Before I could answer, Morghina stepped forward.

“Grandmother, this is…”

“A trial sword, I know. I’ve heard about that gray blade a few times. But it’s strange. According to the letter from Temris, you and your champion had successfully sealed the trial sword.”

“We thought so too. But things got tangled up.”

The conversation between the two, a seasoned priest and his disciple, was quick. Perhaps it was because they had spent so much time together like family.

“May I see the trial sword for a moment?”

I placed Tuon on the table. I could hear it whining – [No! Master, you should use me in the duel, not that filthy horned sword or crude greatsword!] – but I ignored it.

The cult leader slowly ran his right index finger along Tuon’s blade. The red aura at his fingertip was a manifestation of divine power.

After observing the cross-shaped sword from various angles, the cult leader finally placed it back on the table.

“Truly peculiar.”

“Are you referring to the sword spirit?”

“No. I mean you, the owner of the sword.”

The cult leader’s eyes looked at me. It was an ordinary gaze, devoid of any force, yet it felt heavier than the murderous intent I had faced on the battlefield.

“Morghina. Step outside for a moment.”

“Grandmother?”

“Hurry.”

“…I can’t.”

Morghina muttered timidly. Her clumsy defiance was shocking. Instead of brandishing a mace and fighting head-on, she just ended it with a verbal complaint?

The cult leader, who had been watching Morghina for a moment, finally shook her head.

“I’m not trying to drive the Grand Warrior into the abyss. I haven’t even accepted his resignation yet. Only the saintess who appointed him has the right to dismiss the Grand Warrior with a spear, so I have no intention of infringing on your rights.”

The explanation continued in a gentle voice. Reluctantly, Morghina stood up and went outside. The door closed with a thud, and since no footsteps were heard, she seemed to be waiting right outside the door.

“That child, of all things. She hasn’t changed her whining ways, then or now…”

Muttering to herself, the cult leader snapped her fingers. A red wave spread throughout the room. A soundproof barrier.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a soul like yours.”

*

“A soul like mine, what do you mean?”

Criel asked calmly. He couldn’t be sure of the cult leader’s intentions.

“A hero’s soul.”

Hero. Criel repeated the word.

An honorable title bestowed upon those who opposed the Demon King. Or—

“Souls from outside this world.”

Affirmation, denial. Which should he choose? After pondering, Criel decided to speak the truth comfortably.

After all, wasn’t it already revealed that he was the owner of the Seven Great Demon Weapons? A noble knight should not lie.

“That’s right. How did you know?”

“I am older than I appear. I’ve had many opportunities to see things. Including the outsiders who repelled Balor this time.”

The leader of Eve Kaha. The old man, known only as the leader, reflected on the past.

She was once a soldier who wielded weapons on the same battlefield as Eve Kaha. The first disciple of Eve Kaha.

Kriel’s eyes widened. Did she see the hero in person?

“Do you know where they went?”

“After the fierce battle with the Demon King, I don’t know the details. I can only guess that they tried to return to their home world.”

Indeed, if they had left this world forever, it would be hard to leave any traces. Kriel’s excitement quickly cooled as fast as it had risen.

“Outsiders…”

“People like you are hard to measure by the standards of this world. But one thing, the corruption of the abyss, comes equally to everyone.”

It was a pointed piece of advice. Kriel smiled bitterly. He had guessed it, but hearing ‘using abyss skills will ruin your life’ so bluntly was a bit painful.

“Then this sword must be something I shouldn’t use.”

[Master! How could you say that! I exist for you!]

The leader slowly shook his head.

“This sword is already severed from its original form as Gratoun. It belongs to you, not the abyss.”

Belongs to me? Kriel looked down at the cross sword. A sword that thinks of stabbing others as soon as it gets a chance.

“It doesn’t seem to be a holy sword that helps people.”

“Ah, of course. Great warrior, your origin is a dark knight, isn’t it?”

The words ‘dark knight’ made Kriel feel a surge of emotion.

“It can’t be helped. This sword symbolizes your desires. Easy, fast, convenient, and sometimes wanting to be praised by someone. It’s still a demon sword.”

“Shouldn’t I throw it away immediately?”

“It’s not the abyss. It’s connected to the dark side of emotions, so it fits the term dark.”

The leader assured that as long as Kriel did not succumb to the abyss, there would be no problem using it. Tuon, in a triumphant voice, shouted that from now on, he should use him instead of a horned sword or a great sword.

“Therefore, you have no disqualification as a great warrior. The worries of Morigina will not come true.”

“In fact, I came to resign from the position of great warrior, regardless of this sword.”

The old man’s expression, as he retrieved the holy power that filled the room, turned to one of perplexity.

“There is no tool as suitable as the mark of a great warrior to hide the presence of a dark knight. Is there a special reason you want to refuse the position?”

“I don’t trust Eve Kaha.”

“Ah. That’s fine. Our order is quite lenient about such things.”

Kriel was inwardly impressed. This old woman was a formidable opponent.

“Becoming a Grand Knight means representing the interests of the group. It’s a duty that doesn’t suit me.”

“Eve Kaha wouldn’t give you orders that go against your interests, so why?”

“Because as a knight, it is proper to pursue righteousness, not profit. Having a Grand Knight who could potentially turn their sword against the order wouldn’t be good for the order either.”

The old man didn’t press Criele any further. Instead, he made another suggestion.

“Then just use the status of Grand Knight when necessary.”

“Pardon?”

“Anyway, if Morigina refuses, the position of Grand Knight won’t be awarded to anyone else. So just keep the insignia and use it when needed. There are no other obligations.”

The Eve Kaha order wasn’t exaggerating when they said they were lenient. Is it really okay to treat the position of Grand Knight like this?

As if guessing Criele’s thoughts, the old man smiled faintly.

“Originally, that position was usually─” “Grandmother!”

Bang, the door burst open as Morigina barged in.