CHAPTER FOUR.

The Boy with the Axe

The Holy Knights’ sweet dream of staying in the capital for a month shattered into pieces in just two weeks. Upon hearing the emergency call to arms, they swallowed their tears and prepared to depart for another grueling subjugation.

The only consolation was that the Saintess would join them in this expedition. Philip, who had learned of this news only on the morning of departure, froze like a stone. Anxious and on edge, as if he might break at the slightest touch, he eagerly awaited Bellota.

Finally, the Bellota whom Philip had been eagerly waiting for appeared, accompanied by several high-ranking priests and her white horse, Lev.

“Saintess.”

Once again, it was Kabillon who greeted Bellota first. Seiden had been watching Bellota from the start, but she did not look at him and instead bowed her head towards the gathered knights.

“I apologize for interrupting your precious rest. The situation in Selento has become dire, and we can no longer stand by idly. I will join your subjugation and do my utmost to assist.”

When the Saintess personally apologized, voices of regret poured out from all sides.

“We were already itching to go!”

“Since holy knights are sworn to loyalty to the deity, it is our duty to aid the endangered citizens of the empire!”

“Let’s head to Selento quickly!”

Seiden’s eyebrows raised at the hypocritical attitude of those who had been sulking since last night’s news, but Bellota merely smiled gently. However, Bellota’s apology did not extend to Seiden. Not that he had expected it, but her intentional ignorance was clear enough to slightly irritate him.

“Shall we depart, Commander?”

Kabillon, after glancing at the sky, quietly approached Seiden, who was watching the priests.

Given the knights’ speed, riding horses dosed with potions could get them to Selento in two days and nights. But with priests joining, it was clear even with potions, it would take an extra day or two. If they didn’t hurry, Selento might be completely devastated by the time they arrived. Only then did Seiden, who Bellota still hadn’t looked at, sigh and was about to nod.

“Saintess……, over there……”

Felton, who first noticed something dazzling approaching from afar, gestured in panic, drawing everyone’s attention to where he pointed. Bellota and Seiden also turned their heads in confusion. Then they saw someone, accompanied by soldiers and carriages, approaching from a distance. Seiden’s eyes hardened as he recognized the face.

“…….”

It was Geril.

“What is he wearing?”

One of the knights muttered in disbelief, and everyone frowned at Geril. The blinding light causing discomfort to everyone’s eyes was reflected from the armor he wore. The armor, made entirely of gold, flashed brilliantly with every move Geril made.

Bellota was just as surprised by Geril’s sudden appearance. When Bellota looked at Felton, he shook his head as if he had no prior knowledge of this situation. Meanwhile, Geril’s entourage reached them.

“Saintess.”

Geril jumped down from his large horse and approached Bellota.

“Have you been well?”

Bellota skillfully hid her surprise and bowed slightly to Geril. Geril, paying no attention to Seiden, smiled and spoke.

“I have been eagerly awaiting news from the Saintess. Then I heard that you were personally leading an expedition to Selento?”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right.”

Only then did Bellota seem to realize why Geril had appeared, as she noticed the carriages and horses laden with food, potions, and other desperately needed relief supplies.

“Upon hearing that news, I knew it was time to fulfill my promise to you.”

Geril looked at Bellota with a proud smile.

“I cannot allow the Saintess to venture into such dangerous territory alone; I will accompany you.”

Bellota’s face showed a hint of discomfort at his words.

“I swear on my name to protect you.”

Seiden looked incredulously at Geril’s presumptuous claim that seemed to erase the existence of the holy knights.

“Thank you for your offer, Duke, but it’s unnecessary. We have the knights with us; it won’t be dangerous.”

Bellota tried to politely decline his offer, but it was clear she wouldn’t be able to deter Geril, who had come prepared.

“Please do not refuse, Saintess. I too have been troubled upon hearing of Selento’s plight, unable to sleep for days and nights. So I sought permission from His Majesty for support to Selento.”

Geril feigned distress with a pleading voice. Only then did Seiden realize why the imperial palace had delayed their response. It was clear Geril had interfered.

“His Majesty listened to my plea and granted this. A gate permit.”

And probably for this reason…

“I believe you will need my help.”

It was a scheme to make Bellota require his assistance. Seiden and Bellota saw the permit Geril presented.

A gate was a type of portal magic that shortened distances significantly, so precious and expensive that even the imperial family could not use it freely except in emergencies. Using Geril’s permit would shorten a journey of four days to just two.

With the Emperor’s permission, no less. Rejecting the gate permit could further aggravate the situation with the palace. Bellota’s gaze shifted towards Seiden in confusion over what decision to make next, having no grounds for refusal.

Feeling a gaze as wild as a beast, Seiden’s eyes immediately moved to Bellota. He saw eyes filled with awkwardness looking back at him. Seeing those pitiful and clear eyes, the irritation in his heart due to Geril melted away pointlessly.

What an easy target. Seiden slowly opened his mouth, self-mockingly, as if by habit.

“The gate can only accommodate a few people. Not everyone here can use the gate.”

Only then did Geril’s head turn towards Seiden. He had an insincere expression on his face, as if he hadn’t realized Seiden was there.

“Ah, right. That makes sense. But my forces and the priests should be able to fit. There’s no need for all of us to move together. It would only be troublesome.”

This slick fellow was suggesting he would take Bellota to Selento without me. Seiden, having seen through his petty intentions, responded without batting an eye.

“I must also ensure the Saintess’s safety at the risk of my life. How about we do this instead?”

At Seiden’s leisurely question, Geril’s eyebrows shot up with a relaxed smile.

“Your Grace should use the gate. We will take a shortcut.”

Then, a strange and tense air swirled between the two men. The others didn’t dare add a word and watched them awkwardly, and Kabillon also furrowed his brows, sensing the odd atmosphere.

What on earth are they doing…?

“A shortcut? Oh, as far as I know, the only shortcut to Selento involves passing through Fairen Forest. You do know what kind of place Fairen Forest is, right?”

“I might be the most knowledgeable person about it on this continent.”

Seiden knew better than anyone what kind of place it was, since he had been there several times for subjugation due to the endless emergence of monsters. Fairen Forest was a restricted area, forbidden to ordinary people. However, it was indeed the only shortcut to Selento, as he said.

“Even through the shortcut, it will take at least three days since we have to deal with monsters.”

“We will arrive in two days, in time with the gate.”

As Seiden unyieldingly countered every doubt Geril threw at him, Geril’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“It doesn’t seem like a good idea to take the Saintess through a place swarming with such monsters.”

“It’s certainly less dangerous than leaving her separated from me.”

Geril’s face momentarily hardened in response to Seiden’s arrogant retort, without an inch of concession.

In truth, Geril knew that using the gate would be theoretically easier, but in reality, traveling with Swordmaster Seiden Blackwood would be much safer. And here was this young man, confidently speaking without changing his expression.

It was annoyingly impressive, but Geril cleverly acknowledged that dragging out the conversation here would only tarnish his image. After catching Bellota’s troubled expression out of the corner of his eye, Geril responded.

“Very well. Since your will is so strong, let’s do it this way. I will send all the supplies through the gate. And I will also accompany your plan.”

Geril smiled broadly.

“Let’s go to Selento through the shortcut.”

Geril conceded to the spirited and stubborn young knight in a generous and considerate manner, making sure to point out that the dangerous plan to head towards Fairen Forest was entirely Seiden’s responsibility.

“……”

Seiden glared at that shameless face. Now truly without a reason to refuse, Geril ended up joining their departure. However, in reality, it turned out that the holy knights were essentially tasked with escorting Geril.

“Protect the Saintess!”

At Kabillon’s shout upon seeing monsters rushing towards them with bared claws, the holy knights formed a protective circle around Bellota and the priests, raising their swords. Felton and the priests also did not let their guard down and launched attacks to protect Bellota. This naturally resulted in Geril also being protected by the holy knights and priests.

“As expected. Bringing the Saintess to such a dangerous place…”

Geril muttered with furrowed brows.

As Geril said, Fairen Forest was incomparably more dangerous than any place they had visited before. However, most monsters drawn by the scent of humans could not even reach Bellota or penetrate the dense circle of holy knights around her.

The one leading the group and cutting down monsters in sight was naturally Seiden. With him clearing the most perilous path with terrifying vigor, Geril’s forces located inside the holy knights could maintain their leisure and ease as if nothing had changed from their departure.