Taming the Evil Saintess

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The most useful rule I learned during my mercenary days was that violence is often the most effective solution in most situations. Among those, a good punch was a splendid means of communication.

I had long since abandoned the idea of resolving things with words. They were a bunch of scoundrels who didn’t adhere to common sense. Fortunately, this was a cramped inn room—not the best space for swinging weapons. Moreover, there were seven of them, and their overconfidence due to numerical superiority left them feeling rather complacent.

In that sense, my ambush was highly effective.

Thump. The chief, whose nose crumpled upon impact, didn’t even have time to scream before he toppled over, and the henchmen, who suddenly lost their leader, looked flustered, seemingly frozen in place.

First swing, guaranteed victory.

It’s a principle that applies even on Earth.

I followed it up with a punch to the jaw of the guy right behind me while simultaneously kicking the legs of the man next to him, who was just standing there, staring blankly with an axe in hand.

His jaw twisted, and his legs bent in an unnatural direction. Pain that was indescribable colored his expression.

“Ugh, ughyaaaak!”

“Hey, hey! What are you doing? Kill that guy!”

Only after three of them had crumpled did the goons finally realize what was happening, but it was already too late.

It took barely ten seconds for the remaining four to end up flat on the ground.

Seven fearsome mercenaries lay sprawled across the inn room, each clutching their collapsed faces and grotesquely bent legs while groaning.

Of course, I didn’t kill them.

That would have made things much more troublesome.

“…”

I wiped my sweaty hands, still tingling from the thrill of striking.

When was the last time I truly punched someone?

Ever since becoming a Cathedral Knight, I hadn’t had a chance for this sort of action. Sure, I had beaten up Ophelia a couple of times, but that was merely to drain her energy.

I caught my breath and glanced at Ophelia, giving my shoulders a shrug.

“Did it look similar?”

“Huh?”

In an instant, seven of them had fallen.

Ophelia stared at the scene, seemingly in disbelief.

“I was asking if it looked like that cheap novel you read.”

“N-No, well…”

“Why do you have that kind of expression? Did you see a ghost or something?”

“…”

Ophelia silently brought a hand to her cheek and then subtly averted her gaze.

“Is there a problem?”

“N-No, it’s nothing…”

While Ophelia’s reaction was quite unusual, this wasn’t the time to pry into it.

Given the ruckus we had caused, it was necessary to leave the place.

Even though I didn’t use my sword to resolve the situation, I had indeed beaten up the guardians of this area.

“Let’s move to another place for now.”

“U-Um.”

Ophelia nodded absentmindedly, lacking her usual spirit.

*

There was only one inn in the entire village.

With the commotion kicking up in such a place, the repercussions were bound to be significant.

In the end, Ophelia and I decided to move to the neighboring village before the guards arrived.

We walked down the sloped road littered with stones, chewing on cheap jerky bought from the market for lunch, while Ophelia scampered along beside me. Instead of her earlier unusual expression, she wore her typical mischievous smile.

“Damn, you’re pretty good at throwing punches.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m at the level of getting my butt kicked in a street fight.”

“Can a knight throw punches too?”

“In such a small space, there isn’t enough room to swing a sword. I could easily end up seriously hurting you by accident.”

“…”

Not getting a response, I glanced over to find her blinking in surprise with wide eyes.

“What’s with you?”

“Uh, no… just found it fascinating… I guess?”

“There’s nothing fascinating about it. Back when I was a rookie in the mercenary group, they didn’t give me any sharp weapons. And when they did, it was often a dull axe or a rotten club that broke with a swing. So, to survive, I had to resort to using my fists.”

Just thinking about it sent a shudder down my spine.

I couldn’t help but feel grateful for surviving in such an environment.

Ophelia listened to my story, pondering for a moment before saying, “By the way, I don’t know much about your past.”

“It’s not that great. I’m just a commoner-turned-knight, as you put it.”

“‘Just’ what do you mean?”

“I mean, I literally came straight from being a mercenary to becoming a knight of the cathedral. That’s what happened.”

“You’ve said that too many times already. What I’m curious about is what you did before becoming a mercenary.”

“…”

I sealed my lips tightly.

To be honest, I didn’t know.

The point at which I was possessed was just when I was starting in the mercenary group. The only things I knew were my body’s name, Elliot, and my future of potentially being thrown around as cannon fodder.

The Black Eagle Mercenary Group. It was essentially a suicide squad disguised as a mercenary force.

When I’d talked to the recruiters, they said they couldn’t discern who I was. And it didn’t matter. Many tragic tales led people like me dragged out to the far north, while dozens of such tales got buried beneath the northern snow every day.

“Hmm…”

After contemplating for a moment, I forced a bitter smile.

But I couldn’t exactly spill the beans about my earthly life.

“Everyone has at least one past they wish to bury.”

I dodged the topic.

Ophelia wore a mysterious expression. She seemed keen to dig deeper, but I’d waltzed ahead before she could say anything.

I began to pick up the pace.

I heard it would take about two hours of walking to reach the next village. If we hurried now, we could probably arrive before sunset.

However.

“…What the heck are those guys?”

Ophelia muttered as she looked ahead.

Three figures blocking the middle of the road. Just three of them, but it felt like a mountain blocking the way.

I instinctively pulled Ophelia behind me.

They didn’t seem like ordinary mercenaries like those I had just taken down.

Even the armor they wore was different. It wasn’t shabby leather covered with iron plates; rather, they sported chainmail that covered most of their upper bodies along with helmets adorned with light blue feathers.

“Are they… the guard?”

Ophelia mumbled.

Was the city guard really here waiting after receiving a report, as she suggested? That thought crossed my mind only for a moment, but I dismissed it right away.

How many guards would even be stationed in this remote place? It was likely that only ragtag mercenaries maintained the peace here.

“Looks like they’re knights, actually.”

What’s more, their level of armament was too high for them to be mere guards.

“What? Why are knights in this podunk town? Is the Empire that prosperous?”

“Probably not. It seems they have business with us.”

Whatever the reason, this was a bad situation.

I pulled the sword from my waist, sheathing it into my pack, and raised my hands to show that I had no intention of resisting.

“…”

Clang.

As Ophelia and I approached, the standing knights straightened up.

They didn’t seem inclined to clear the way.

I sighed softly before speaking.

“If you’re here because of the scuffle at the inn… it was purely self-defense.”

“…”

The knights stood silently, making the atmosphere quite tense.

Without delay, I added, “I may have overdone it a little.”

“…”

“Maybe a bit more than a little…”

Ophelia looked at me incredulously.

Did they not seem inclined to listen? Or were they simply waiting for orders from a superior? I shrugged, taking a step back.

Now, what should I do?

Just as I was trying to concoct a new excuse.

“Self-defense, huh? You certainly overdid it. You broke all seven of their legs.”

A familiar voice cut in.

The moment I saw someone walking through the ranks of knights, I realized I wouldn’t need an excuse at all.

“Long time no see, Saintess. And Knight Elliot.”

Standing there was a woman with red hair, smiling brightly.

“Administrator Evangelin.”

“Oh, don’t be so defensive. It’s not like I’m here to arrest the Empire’s honored guest for knocking around some ruffians.”

“Then what’s your business?”

“I came to have a chat.”

Administrator Evangelin shrugged.

Although Ophelia clicked her tongue in annoyance, Evangeline remained unperturbed and motioned for the knights lined up behind her to move in unison.

“There’s a safe house from the Information Bureau nearby. Would you like to have some tea there?”

It was an atmosphere where it was simply impossible to refuse.

*

“When did you start being followed?”

“Since the Saintess’s wagon crossed the border.”

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue.

That meant they had been monitoring us from the very start.

I suspected as much, which was why I began moving on foot right after crossing the border, but it seemed I couldn’t deceive the Empire’s Information Bureau.

“Please don’t take it the wrong way. As far as I’m concerned, it’s necessary to track the route of the Saintess of the Saint and her knight during their visit to the Empire—just like when I was monitored during my visit to the Cathedral.”

Evangelin continued as she poured tea.

Ophelia glared at her before muttering curtly.

“Snake-like woman.”

“Oh my, are you done pretending to be nice?”

“Elliot, can I hit her?”

“Is that allowed? Besides, as the Saintess visiting the Empire now, Ophelia, you should behave properly.”

“Ugh.”

As I turned my back on Ophelia, who was pretending to gag, I faced Evangelin.

High-ranking Administrator Evangelin.

Given that I had visited the Cathedral several times regarding the formation of alliances, I could say we were somewhat familiar by now.

Nonetheless, why was she appearing before us when she should be in the Empire’s capital?

“Ah, congratulations on becoming a Cathedral Knight. I’m sorry it took me so long to reach out.”

“It’s nothing particularly great.”

“I believe you are the first Cathedral Knight to receive such an appointment within three years, Knight Elliot.”

“Too much flattery.”

I replied vaguely, and Evangelin smiled warmly.

“So what brings you to the Empire?”

“I came to hang out. Got a problem with that?”

“There’s virtually no guest who sneaks off to the Empire without revealing their identity.”

Evangelin, an administrator, was also well-connected with the Information Bureau.

From our previous discussions, I knew she was meticulous and painstakingly thorough. A perfectionist who wouldn’t tolerate a single variable.

In front of someone like her, Ophelia, notoriously one of the most recognized women in the world, was wandering around as if she were a commoner? That must have been a colossal source of anxiety for her.

What’s more, Evangelin knew all too well about Ophelia’s troublesome personality.

I quickly reassured her:

“I don’t plan on causing any incidents.”

“It seems like you already did.”

“That was self-defense.”

“Sure, but that guy was trying to rip you off. You should be thankful I didn’t kill him.”

While Ophelia puffed her chest out with pride, I contemplated giving her a slap, but decided against it in front of Evangelin.

She sighed deeply as she set her teacup down.

“So what’s your real purpose?”

“I’ve already announced my intentions in the Cathedral. I’m here to search for the Hero’s Divine Mark on a pilgrimage.”

“To such a remote place?”

“Just mixing in some tourism.”

“In that case, we’d best help facilitate the Saintess’s tourism in our Empire. It wouldn’t be bad for us if the Saintess instills a good image of our Empire, either.”

Although she said that, it was clear she intended to accompany us to prevent any capers.

I couldn’t shake her off either. While the Cathedral might be fine, this was still the Empire’s territory. We were merely visitors here.

“…Hmm.”

Anyway, the Intelligence Bureau handled high-level intel.

Since we had already been discovered, it wouldn’t hurt to have their assistance.

I opened my mouth.

“Do you happen to be well-versed in the geography of the Empire, Evangelin?”

“Knight Elliot, I’ve buried my bones in this Empire. What’s more, geography is one of the subjects that weighs most heavily in the Information Bureau exams.”

“Then do you know of a small village called Lauren?”

Lauren. A location featured in “Sword & Magic Chronicles.”

It was where the hero received the Divine Mark from the goddess and subsequently conquered the goblins that attacked the village before heading to the capital of the Empire—a location that essentially served as a tutorial area.

Of course, it was a backwater village that the Empire wouldn’t give a second thought.

So, I didn’t expect an immediate answer.

However, Evangelin’s reaction was unexpected. She removed her glasses and frowned.

“Are you planning to go to Lauren? Why’s that?”

“Well, I’ve been there before… and it’s known for its grain-producing area and apples. Despite my appearance, I do enjoy fruits quite a bit.”

“…”

As I stammered that out, Evangelin’s expression grew even more serious.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you really not know?”

Evangelin’s question caught me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“It looks like you really don’t know, so allow me to inform you.”

Evangelin sighed lightly and spoke in a calm tone.

“Lauren and its surrounding area are currently off-limits.”

“…Why is that?”

“Several years ago, it was devastated by monster attacks; it’s been like that for quite some time.”

“…”

“Everyone in the village was annihilated. The forces of the viscount who held effective power in that territory were also wiped out. An investigation team was dispatched to uncover the truth, but they found nothing. The only vague conclusion was that it was either a natural occurrence or the work of a dark mage.”

Those words were like being hit with a hammer on the back of my head.

My mouth fell agape.

The monsters came to Lauren? It was devastated? There was no village anymore?

What about the people who lived there?

More specifically, what about the people who were supposed to live there?

“So….”

The hero?