I Became a Righteous Knight in a Game

Chapter 124

An enormous amount of resources goes into raising a single knight.

They are trained, taught, given missions of an appropriate level to gain experience, and provided with equipment and lodging.

The cost was on a staggering level.

That is why smaller knight orders only accept people with a certain level of skill or higher as members.

They would invest, but they lacked the confidence to raise someone from the ground up.

But when it came to a group like the Paganoa Knights, the story was different.

What was important to them was not one’s current skill.

Rather, it was innate talent.

It meant they would willingly accept anyone as a member as long as they had the talent to one day shine brilliantly, even if they didn't even know how to hold a sword at present.

“We have to avoid combat. Do not approach at all. A loss of forces in this situation is just a dog’s death. Did everyone understand what I said?”

Miya Luxpenber.

The Personnel Officer of the Paganoa Knights warned everyone with cautious eyes.

She held the personnel authority of the knight order.

But contrary to public perception, her authority was not limited to just ‘new members’.

“I will never, ever give up. Do you know how I raised Evangeline!”

The person who held the right to make all ‘personnel’ choices, such as expelling a particular knight, promoting them, or excluding or deploying them on missions, was Miya.

The reason was simple.

Because she saw talent.

In addition to that, she could tell whether the other person was currently on the ‘right path’.

“Evangeline’s light has not yet been extinguished. It means she’s not on the wrong path.”

“Dame Evangeline has already been corrupted, Personnel Officer.”

“She is corrupted! Right now! Yes, what you said is right, but! It doesn't matter. Because Evangeline will return. To the form we used to know.”

If someone shone brightly, it meant they were on the right path.

It didn't matter if they seemed to have stumbled for the moment.

Because in the end, everything would turn out well.

Therefore, in the Palma Mountains, in the far west of the Empire.

At its entrance.

“All we have to do is wait. Until Sir Reinhardt arrives.”

Miya calmed the members who were about to rush out at any moment.

Because that was the only way to bring about the correct result.

***

The schedule was urgent.

The personnel dispatched from Paganoa hurriedly put Reinhardt in a carriage and then began to ride at, literally, full speed.

It was a journey to the far west of the Empire.

It would take a considerable amount of time, but the carter hired by Paganoa possessed excellent skills in driving horses.

“It won’t take long to reach the mountain range. It must not take long.”

Tender, a knight of Paganoa, said with a serious look while sitting in the carriage.

His expression was not good.

He looked like someone who had just been told the world was going to end.

“What happened?”

At Reinhardt's question, the knight Tender raised his eyes to look at Reinhardt.

“…We were carrying out a mission in the Palma Mountains. It was a mission where about twenty percent of the Paganoa Knights’ forces were deployed. Dame Evangeline was also among the personnel.”

“Yes.”

“And during a battle with the enemy, Dame Evangeline was unfortunately struck by a warlock who was in hiding.”

“By ‘struck,’ you mean.”

“She was corrupted. He was a follower of Agrio-s. Another member immediately cut his throat, but the black magic was not dispelled.”

He got the rough picture.

She had been caught in a surprise attack that occurred during a mission.

A warlock following Agrio-s would naturally have used magic of the [Domination] type.

‘Evangeline was hit by black magic? Her resistance shouldn’t be that easy to break through.’

There was only one puzzling point.

It might be different for other people, but Evangeline’s mental strength was on an exceptional level.

It meant she was the type of person who wouldn't even pretend to listen even if a demon itself appeared and stabbed her in the side.

‘But the story is different if a demon really did appear. Her stats aren't the type to be beaten by cheap black magic. Agrio-s intervened directly.’

Reinhardt quickly calculated the situation in his head.

After crunching the numbers for a moment, he seemed to know roughly what was going on.

“Was it the Personnel Officer who requested my help?”

“That is correct, Sir Reinhardt.”

“There must have been no casualties.”

“There were none until I departed. How did you know?”

“If a member had died at Dame Evangeline’s hands, you would not have called for me.”

“…That is true.”

The Paganoa Knights do not stand by and watch a comrade get hurt.

If one of their members were attacked, they were the type to deploy the entire knight order to cut the enemy's throat.

Even if the target was Evangeline.

From the moment she was corrupted, she was no longer an exception.

Reinhardt was briefed on the overall situation by the knight Tender.

Although corrupted, Evangeline did not attack first.

She was merely maintaining a certain distance, spewing frost with wary eyes.

Naturally, the Paganoa side did not attack either.

Following Miya Luxpenber’s strong insistence, Reinhardt was chosen as the one to solve the problem.

“She said that Sir Reinhardt would have a way.”

The knight Tender's words were not wrong.

Because there was indeed a way.

However, it was a solution possible not because of Reinhardt’s ability, but because he had grasped the opponent's intentions.

‘They’re openly calling for me. I have no choice but to go myself.’

Agrio-s had [Dominated] Evangeline.

But he had not harmed anyone. He was just staging a demonstration of power through Evangeline.

In other words, it meant, bring Reinhardt to this place.

The carriage sped along rapidly.

Since it bore the seal of Paganoa, there were no inspections or the like, and they continuously crossed the Empire, resupplying only the minimum amount of food each time they changed horses.

The surrounding environment gradually became desolate.

The proportion of wasteland increased over grasslands, and even the sky seemed to have turned a pale yellow.

Dust clouds rose following the rolling carriage wheels.

And then the mountain range came into view.

The Palma Mountains had clouds hanging on each peak.

“…I ask of you, Sir Reinhardt. Please save Dame Evangeline.”

The knight Tender’s voice was heavy.

Reinhardt nodded his head.

“Yes. I have a way.”

***

“Sir Reinhardt! It’s been a while!”

Upon entering the Paganoa Knights' camp at the entrance of the mountain range, Miya Luxpenber rushed over to greet him.

Her eyes as she looked at Reinhardt were urgent.

It was clear that she was dying to solve the problem right away.

“How is the situation?”

“The same as before. We don't attack, and neither does Evangeline.”

“I will see for myself.”

“Don’t you need to rest? You must have rushed here without any rest.”

“It is not necessary.”

“I understand. Please wait here for a moment! I’ll assign someone to you right away.”

The camp was generally filled with an urgent atmosphere.

Everyone’s expression was grim.

The fact that a member of Paganoa had been struck by black magic meant that anyone else could be struck at any time.

Their confidence was broken. The atmosphere of dismissing warlocks as nothing could no longer be found.

The surrounding knights sent ambiguous glances towards Reinhardt.

Some had suspicious eyes, while others had looks of desperate longing.

It was actually a natural reaction.

Because there were almost no people here who had seen Reinhardt in person.

Miya Luxpenber, Inquisitor Bardo, Knight Fermil, and Evangeline.

Aside from those four at most, to them, Reinhardt was just a knight from the eastern Empire surrounded by rumors.

However, those who knew, knew. The living witness who had directly witnessed Reinhardt's prowess was right here.

“Reinhardt! I don’t know how long it’s been!”

“Fermil.”

“Have you been well? I heard the news. You’re still performing amazing feats, they say? I’ve been doing my best here so as not to fall behind you.”

Knight Fermil.

A man who was once busy fooling around, relying on the prestigious name of Paganoa, but had become a true knight through the catalyst that was Reinhardt.

He carried a spear on his back that looked heavy at a glance.

His upper body was also considerably thicker, a sign that he hadn't neglected his strength training.

“Anyway, thank you for rushing here. We have no way to save Evangeline. But the Personnel Officer said so. That you, Reinhardt, would have a way.”

“It should be possible. I’m not certain, but.”

“As expected. I knew you would say that. The Personnel Officer has found the right answer again. An escort will be formed soon, so just for a moment here….”

“An escort?”

“We can’t send you alone, can we? The Palma Mountains are a truly dangerous place. No matter how strong you are, no, it would be the same for any of us.”

“An escort is not necessary. One person to guide the way is enough.”

Too many eyes would be troublesome.

It was a situation where he didn't know what he would face in front of Evangeline.

If things went wrong, he might have to have a ‘conversation’ with an incarnated Agrio-s, and that scene would be enough to cause misunderstandings among others.

“Reinhardt. But.”

“Tell them that. An escort is not necessary.”

“…I understand. It must be something that has to be done that way, right?”

Reinhardt nodded his head. Fermil conceded with a helpless expression.

“I’ll take care of the guiding. Fortunately, Evangeline’s location isn't too far. Just wait a moment. I’ll go and tell the Personnel Officer.”

Miya would accept Reinhardt’s proposal.

It might be different for other people, but she was someone who had directly witnessed Reinhardt’s ‘light’.

The talent she was born with always provided a clear answer.

Reinhardt was walking the right path, and at the end of that path, the figure of a hero who would save the world was waiting.

“Bitdori. Find Evangeline. Don’t get too close, and if it seems dangerous, run away from that spot immediately.”

“Peep.”

Bitdori, who had been waiting quietly on his shoulder, flew towards the mountain range without a moment's delay.

In fact, he didn't really need a guide either. He was only taking Fermil because it was him.

Soon, Miya appeared with a worried expression. She looked like she was going crazy with worry.

“Sir Reinhardt! Will you really be okay?”

“I am fine. We do not have time for this. If you permit it, I will depart.”

“…It is not a matter for me to permit. I am the one making the request. You don't need any other support, right?”

“No.”

“I understand. The other personnel will remain on standby here. And, this.”

Miya handed him a scroll.

Complex magical formulas were written densely on it.

“The moment you tear it, we will know your location. If the situation takes a dangerous turn, please use it without hesitation.”

“I understand. Fermil. Let us depart.”

“Alright.”

Reinhardt raised his gaze and scanned the mountain range. He found a faintly sparkling light.

Bitdori had become his guidepost.

Upon entering the mountain range, he felt a damp and sticky air. His breathing became difficult, as if a thick fog had settled.

It was a common phenomenon in areas contaminated by demonic energy.

Of course, it was a scene he had only seen through a monitor, so it was only now that he realized what it actually felt like.

“Fermil. Spray this all over yourself.”

“This is, oh, the item that was recently supplied. It was such a rare item that it could only be used in limited places.”

Reinhardt sprayed the neutralizing agent on his own body and handed it to Fermil.

Breathing became a lot easier.

“It’s an item made by the Taton Knights. It seems you haven’t heard the news.”

“…Was it you again?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’m impressed. Purely impressed. More importantly, Reinhardt? Do you happen to know the way?”

Just then, Fermil asked with a puzzled look.

Originally, he was supposed to be the guide, and Reinhardt was in the position of following him.

But now, Reinhardt was striding ahead as if this place were his neighborhood's back mountain.

“I know it.”

“How on earth… no, if it’s you, I suppose it’s possible.”

Fermil was quickly convinced.

That was why Reinhardt had chosen him as a guide.

The two climbed the mountain range for a long time. The cries of what were clearly magical beasts could be heard from all directions.

It wasn't the cry of an animal, but a cry that induced a sense of foreboding, as if scraping metal.

How much time had passed like that?

‘She’s in a terrible state.’

Reinhardt found Evangeline.

She was in a bizarre posture, like a puppet on strings, and was exhaling cool breaths as if it were the dead of winter.

Her vacant pupils creaked and turned towards Reinhardt.

A cool smile hung on her lips.

“I have been waiting.”