Chapter 32 – Defense

The Conquering Knighthood of the Weiman Branch declared war against the diocese.

They announced through the local newspaper that the diocese was no longer an ally but an abominable good that defined them as evil, and that they would subjugate that good under the authority of the Branch Commander.

Thus, the defense of the Sanctuary Cathedral changed to be tighter than the previous day.

Looking at the size of the forces reinforced more than the previous day, Rashid asked the person in charge here.

“Approximately how many clerics are gathered here? It seems to be double the number from yesterday.”

Lampel, the knight who defended the Sanctuary under the name of Paladin, replied to Rashid’s question.

“It will be slightly less than 300. By order of His Excellency the Bishop, we gathered all the clerics belonging to the Weiman Direct Domain. There won’t be a single cleric left in the monasteries now.”

Lampel.

He, who had converted to God of his own free will and become the sword of the order, was someone who wore faintly glowing magic armor on his dark skin.

“300…”

Although it was not a small number, the opponent was the Empire’s Conquering Knighthood.

Since the power of a knight wearing magic armor typically overwhelmed a cleric, what was important now was the enemy’s strength.

“Then approximately how many Conquering Knights belong to this branch?”

“It is not precise, but we estimate it to be around 40 to 50.”

“40 to 50. If there are 300 clerics and 50 knights, it means approximately six clerics will face each knight.”

Lampel expressed his regret.

“If the order had supported us directly, the number of clerics would have probably reached thousands. But there has been no news until now. Has the order truly abandoned us?”

Honestly,

they had abandoned them.

If it had been the early stage, the order would not have abandoned them and would have saved them somehow.

But the contamination level of the sanctuary, toyed with by the archdemon, was too deep, and the Papal Court viewed the Weiman Diocese as a threat rather than an object of salvation.

This was something that could be fully known just by looking at the attitude of the Papal Court, which did not even send news.

“Support will probably be difficult. Instead, I have come, so you do not have to worry too much.”

The Honorary Cleric.

The power given by that title was grand.

“I am really glad that you are here at least. Although you are not an official knight, I would like to address you with the title of Sir.”

“There is a title of Honorary Brother. Although it is rarely used.”

“Ah, there was such a thing. Then, when I address you in the future, I will call you Honorary Brother.”

While talking with Lampel, Rashid happened to see a woman walking out through the entrance of the cathedral.

A familiar face wearing a neat habit and glasses.

‘Did she change her clothes to a sister’s? Well, she couldn’t keep wearing her uniform. If things went wrong, she would be mistaken for an enemy.’

It was Aria.

She took off the Conquering Knight uniform she had been wearing until yesterday and changed into a nun’s habit with a black veil.

The reason was simple.

It was for clear identification of friend or foe.

Rashid erased her from his mind and asked Lampel.

“Exchange rate… no, wait. Approximately how many knights belong here?”

“Including me, there were originally three, and if we add you, Honorary Brother, and that former Conquering Knight over there, there will be five in total.”

“Five… certainly we are not at an advantage. If a full-scale war breaks out, we must also be prepared to make sacrifices.”

“Even if the situation is disadvantageous, we must protect this sanctuary at all costs. Since if Lord Arkan, the archangel, manifests, he will easily defeat the archdemon. Then the misunderstanding with the knighthood will also be resolved, and everything will be fine.”

Rashid stared quietly at Lampel.

He seemed to believe the bishop’s words implicitly.

It was not just Lampel.

Everyone belonging to the diocese here was the same.

And this was also the same for her, who had come to this diocese with him.

“The defense is quite sturdy. At this rate, it doesn’t seem like it will fall easily.”

To Aria, who had approached them before they knew it,

Lampel bowed his head slightly.

“Sir Aria.”

Although they were fellow knights, Lampel did not view her as equal to himself.

Because she was a blood relative of the Director of Palace Affairs, no less.

“Have you come?”

“Yes, but these clothes.”

She looked down at the nun’s habit she was wearing with a slight sneer.

“It is still awkward. I am a woman suited more for an inquisitor’s uniform. A mere nun’s habit…”

With that, her gaze turned toward Rashid.

Of course, it was not a friendly gaze.

It was a gaze like a bird of prey, staring intently at a competitor.

“Do you not think so? Cleric.”

No nun had the right to call him a cleric.

Since it was an obvious provocation,

Rashid spoke in an unwavering tone.

“It seems like an outfit perfectly suited for you. Since you will likely keep wearing it in the future, how about developing some affection for it?”

Although she did not make a sound, she openly sneered.

It meant he could babble as he pleased.

Lampel, seeing that the relationship between the two was not good, only let out an awkward cough.

Then she made an unexpected proposal.

“How about striking first instead?”

At the absurd words, the gazes of both reached her all at once.

“I am asking how long we are going to wait here. If it were me, I would have invaded first.”

On behalf of Lampel, who was speechless,

Rashid stepped forward.

“We are not at an advantage. Unlike what you think.”

“Who says so? I am here.”

She wore a truly confident expression.

“If you simply play a numbers game, you would think we are at a disadvantage. But since a talent like me is here, I don’t know why you are having such pathetic thoughts. Ah, is it because you have no war experience that you cannot gauge it well?”

“If you are that outstanding, why don’t you go and overturn them alone? That would probably be better.”

It was just a throwaway remark,

but she seemed to think about it quite seriously.

“Alone… that wouldn’t be bad either.”

And her sneering expression was exactly one meant to provoke Rashid.

“If someone does what another cannot, the person suited for that position will probably be me. Anyway, the archdemon here will be taken care of by the archangel who will manifest soon.”

As expected,

there was a fatal imbalance arising from the asymmetry of information.

Rashid did not show it outwardly, but around this point, he was certain of his victory.

‘You should have done some investigation. If you had luckily met a key man, you would have known that the archangel manifesting here is not an archangel, but the archdemon.’

“Hey. Even if you visit the knighthood alone, make sure to restrain the inquisitor who will arrive soon before you go.”

She knitted her brow slightly, wearing a puzzled expression.

Because she could not understand the reason why they should restrain the inquisitor.

Since Lampel was nearby, she cautiously asked for understanding.

“Sir Lampel. Could you excuse us for a moment?”

“Yes, converse comfortably. I will look around again overall.”

Once Lampel departed and they were left alone,

she, having no reservations, asked point-blank.

“What are you thinking? Restraining the inquisitor who will visit.”

“You don’t need to know that. Or, since the bishop here is restraining the inquisitor, do you plan to fight all the clerics here?”

Aria looked at the clerics stationed around.

The number was indeed large.

“I get the intent, but”

she wore a dry expression.

“I cannot understand it in my head. Explain it kindly. So that I can understand it easily. In a nice way.”

“You ask for too much.”

“Although we are competing with each other for the inquisitor position, you must distinguish between public and private matters. I will resolve the matter on the knighthood’s side. Instead, I must clearly know the reason for trying to restrain the inquisitor.”

“The reason is?”

“Because otherwise, I might strike you.”

She spoke with a serious face.

If it were anyone else, it would be different, but

since she was someone who would do it in earnest,

Rashid decided to give some explanation.

“If we do not restrain the inquisitor who visits, we will become enemies here. You know that, don’t you? Surely you don’t not know?”

“Anyway, our goal is not to cooperate here, but to deter the demon that will descend. Although they talk about the archangel here, that inquisitor has the blood of the Jaeger family. To catch the demon, joining forces with that inquisitor should be the priority rather than the archangel.”

Her words continued.

“Even if I do not know well, for accepting the demon’s surrender, that single inquisitor will be better than several of you or me.”

“Is that something to be said by you, who are going to visit the knighthood alone?”

“In any fight, there is compatibility, and especially if the opponent is a demon, it is right for someone suited to its essence to confront it.”

She did not omit this talk either and muttered as if to herself.

A strong confidence.

“Of course, if it is one-on-one, I will win. Since that inquisitor is only ‘special’ to demons.”

From where did such confidence arise?

But considering the two medals she carried, it was not something to be passed over lightly.

‘I don’t know this woman well.’

He did not know her skill, nor did he know the backstory.

All he knew was that she was a blood relative of the detestable Director of Palace Affairs.

“I plan to restrain him safely first. Afterward, in line with the archangel’s manifestation, I intend to subjugate the archdemon together with the inquisitor. Is this enough of the answer you wanted?”

“What I don’t understand is: do you truly have the intention of becoming an inquisitor?”

“Why do you think that?”

“I am asking about the courage to be hated. If you restrain that inquisitor, will that inquisitor really like it? No matter what the reason is, if it were me, I would dislike it extremely.”

“I will do the persuading. He will probably understand.”

If they restrained him, the only one who would be pleased was the bishop here, who had an odd state of mind.

Since the inquisitor could carry out the work independently anyway, without necessarily cooperating with this diocese.

‘There is something. Something I don’t know. What is it?’

He could only harbor such thoughts.

But she could not know Rashid’s inner thoughts.

And Rashid’s answer was consistent.

“If we do not restrain him, the bishop will attack that inquisitor in another way. That is not good. It is better if I restrain him and protect him myself. Then, when the archdemon emerges, I can release the inquisitor appropriately, and once that happens, we can execute the archdemon together with the manifesting archangel. This is my thought.”

She did not believe it as it was.

“It seems you are hiding something. Even if I understand the content itself, I am not convinced. Tell me what you are hiding.”

Of course he was hiding something.

“Hey.”

Rashid’s voice turned cold.

“Did you already forget that we are in a competitive relationship? What is the reason for me to show you all my cards? Would you do that if you were me?”

He was not an opponent who would tell her even if she pressed further.

To her who was giving up and about to turn back,

Rashid said these words.

“If you become my attendant next time, I will tell you everything without this kind of thing. Because then, you won’t be a competitor, but a ‘subordinate’ I must exploit.”

Rashid especially emphasized the word subordinate.

Hanging a cold smile on her lips, she left suddenly as if it were not worth replying.