21. So, you have to brush it off.
I was very offended.
The smell of the devil, which was buried all over the city, intensified the tantrum.
‘Whoa…’
I desperately calmed myself down.
Having experienced it once before, at least there was no extreme excitement.
Even so, it seemed inevitable that the annoyance would creep up on him.
Taking deep breaths, I searched for the source of this foul smell.
But it didn’t look easy.
‘Even if I can smell it… It’s hard to figure out the direction because it’s not a dog nose…’
As I frowned for a while, Diaz asked.
“Are you anywhere uncomfortable?”
I shook my head.
“It is nothing.”
It wouldn’t be easy to find the devil hiding somewhere in this city right now.
So I decided to finish the original purpose first.
First of all, I was thinking of meeting the mayor and solving the trivial herbalist business.
“Go to City Hall.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Diaz and I headed straight to City Hall.
However, the results were not to my liking.
“The mayor is currently absent.”
“Then when are you coming back?”
“I think it’s difficult to tell you exactly. You just informed me that you’ll be away for a while.”
“I understand for now.”
I could barely hear it from afar, but Diaz came over and explained it.
“I think it will be difficult to meet the mayor.”
“I guess so.”
Hmm… where should I start solving this?
As I pondered for a moment, Diaz came up with an opinion.
“There are only small monasteries in Rejeta, so I think we need to find a place to stay.”
I nodded at her words.
“Let’s start with a lodging… I’ll have to meet the mercenaries.”
“Are you talking about the Karcus Mercenaries?”
“Yes. Karcus.”
“Okay. Looking for a place to stay in a suitable place, let’s learn a little about the Karcus mercenaries.”
“Please.”
For now… I decided to take one step at a time.
* * *
Rejeta was not a very big city.
It was just the border between a city and a village.
It was smaller than Oryton, the first city I visited.
In addition, since it was on the way from Siporeo, which was a big city just before, it felt more peaceful.
But there was one big difference between Oryton and the people of this city.
It was said that the people here were toxic.
“Whoa. You can use these keys here. The stable is separate at the back, and talk to them when you need a meal.”
“All right.”
Diaz asked about the Karcus Mercenary Corps while taking a room.
In an instant, the innkeeper’s face turned bloody.
“The Karcus Mercenaries?”
We don’t know why his expression suddenly changed.
“Judging by their appearance, they both seem to be mercenaries… Did you come here to join the Karcus Mercenary Corps?”
It almost felt like living.
What on earth is the Karcus Mercenary Corps for them to react to this extent?
Diaz calmly shook his head and replied.
“No. We are not mercenaries, we are paladins of the church.”
The innkeeper looked back and forth between me and Diaz, then asked again.
“……Are you sure?”
At that, Diaz took out the seal that proves the paladin’s identity.
“Will this be enough?”
The innkeeper waved his hand.
“I don’t know such difficult letters. I’m sure you’re right when you say that. I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“By the way, did the Karcus mercenaries cause any trouble? I feel very hostile.”
The moment Diaz uttered those words, a stout old man who had just entered answered.
“Inconvenient? Not so much inconvenient. Repulsive.”
The innkeeper stopped him.
The old man snorted.
“Hey. Watch your mouth.”
“Watch your mouth. Did I say something wrong? And you can’t see them here either. Didn’t you keep kicking them out because you didn’t like them?”
“……”
“In other words, who likes those bastards here in Rejeta? Blocked the city completely with military force and extorted a fair amount of taxes again? Isn’t Baron Romhardy like that now because of those bastards?”
I listened to them.
Because the name Romhadi came out of their mouths.
“Baron Romhardy…what happened?”
“Don’t you know? Now Baron, you’re imprisoned. I’m protesting against the behavior of the Karcus guys.”
“I’m imprisoned…”
He rubbed his chin and searched for memories.
Viscount Morden did not exist in my memory.
Rather, Baron Romhardy had already regained power in this Rejeta.
‘I don’t know how it’s going.’
Obviously, the situation was a little different from what I know.
But one thing was certain.
Baron Romhardy would eventually return.
The support of the villagers was clear, and I remember that people’s faith in Baron Romhardy was never weak in the original work.
While tracing my memory, the old man who had just entered asked me.
“By the way, who are you guys? It looks like a new face.”
The innkeeper gave the answer.
“I heard they are the Holy Knights?”
“What? Paladins? Are you real Paladins?”
When the old man asked me back, startled, I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Haha! Baron Romhardy did this! How he did it!”
“What are you talking about?”
When I couldn’t understand what I was saying, the old man put on a more puzzled expression.
“You guys. Aren’t you the people Baron Romhardy called for?”
“not.”
“……”
Did Baron Romhardy ask for help from the Paladins?
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Just when I was trying to organize my thoughts.
I frowned.
It was because he felt the disgusting smell suddenly approaching.
and.
Read at noblemtl.com
Jump!
Someone opened the door of the inn and came in.
“Hey. A real paladin appeared? Even in a village like this. I didn’t even think of this? Kuk-kuk.”
* * *
The door opens and the man approaches.
The stench vibrated.
In fact, it was not the smell, but now it was possible to distinguish that it was the devil’s area.
‘Is this guy the cause?’
The owner of the rotten underwear that filled the entire city.
But after thinking a little, I shook my head inwardly.
‘Hmm…… I don’t think so.’
Something more poisonous still remained.
somewhere in this city.
something that didn’t show up.
Meanwhile, a man approached me.
“Nice to meet you, paladin man. I’m dedicated to serving this city, Karcus Mercenary Leader. I’m Karcus.”
A figure with bald hair and a sword.
And on his side was a silver portable wine bottle.
Read at noblemtl.com
Just the mercenary itself.
There seemed to be a faint smell of alcohol coming from his mouth.
I looked down at his outstretched hand.
Of course, I had no intention of catching him.
To my nose he was like filth that smelled like decay.
Realizing that I had no intention of holding hands, Karkus writhed and twisted the corner of his mouth.
He brought his face to me and whispered.
“As expected, is it different because it’s a paladin? It seems you’ve already seen me through?”
“It smells rotten. Get rid of the snout.”
“Woah. Calm down. Would you like to slit your throat?”
“There’s nothing I can’t do.”
They seemed to know me as a simple paladin, but I was a person who had acquired the qualifications of a heretic inquisitor.
Ordinary paladins were very uncomfortable with the devil’s minions.
A certain demon could be killed on the spot, but the demon’s minions were humans.
And the Paladins did not have the authority to immediately dispose of humans.
So the normal Paladins had to hold a trial after arresting the demon followers.
And if a guilty verdict came out at the trial, it was the way to execute it only then.
However, the Heretic Inquisitor was different.
The Heretic Inquisitors were beings who could be sentenced to death on the spot.
Even if that’s the devil’s minion.
Karkus, who did not know that fact, laughed at my words.
“No. You can’t. Paladins can’t touch me. I wonder if the Heretic Inquisitor will come in person.”
My hand slipped towards the dagger in my bosom.
The thought of stepping on that useless confidence right away…
“And. If you kill me now, this entire city will perish, including you.”
I stopped my hand.
‘Also.’
It looked like he wasn’t the only one.
This guy is just a jerk.
Thanks to him flirting around, I was able to make it clear that the real boss was separate.
I decided to try pretending to fall for his provocation.
He reached out with his left arm and squeezed his neck.
Sreung! Sreung!
Seeing this, Karcus’ subordinates pulled out their swords and pointed them at me.
Then Diaz drew his sword and responded.
Even so, Karkus only split the room.
tapping my arm
“Whoa. Calm down. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy.”
“……”
I let go of my hand, pretending to be out of control.
“You’ve chosen well. Paladin. That’s right. You don’t have the right to punish me. Why? I’m not a demon, I’m a human! Not yet… heck heck.”
He touched the nape of his neck.
“I just stopped by today to say hello, so don’t be so nervous. Oh, of course, stop thinking about running away.
Karkus pretended to slit his throat.
“Queek! Because everyone is going to die. Me too, and you. Everyone in this city. Alright. See you then, paladins! Hahahaha!”
As I watched him disappear, Diaz approached me.
“You’ve been patient. It’s common for people who just talk and don’t have any connection to the real devil. For now, after investigating slowly…”
“No. The devil’s seed is right.”
I could just cut it off.
Because I felt enough of the stench from him.
However, Diaz, who did not know such a fact, put on a puzzled face as he looked at me, who came to a conclusion at once.
“……Yes?”
I didn’t defer judgment because I didn’t know if he was a demon’s minion or not.
‘I was trying to find out who was really behind him or not.’
And the provocation was made to determine whether the devil hiding behind it could really blow up the city or not.
But just look at that tone…
‘It doesn’t sound like a complete lie.’
Karkus was certainly able to afford it.
And if that’s true…
‘It sounds like you can’t really run away.’
The options seemed to be gone.
Now I have become a life-and-death situation.
Then… the answer was a head-on breakthrough.
‘I’d rather hit the bread first!’
I frowned and muttered.
“I’ll have to see Baron Rom Hardy.”
“I… Rohan-sama. He’s imprisoned now…”
“Yes. That’s right. So, I’ll brush it off.”
“Ter, are you robbing?”
“Jail.”
I asked, looking at the puzzled Diaz.
“Have you never tried it before?”
“…Isn’t there usually nothing to do?”
“Well.”
It was my first time too.
* * *
The job turned out to be easier than expected.
Again, the biggest problem was that I didn’t even know where the dungeon was, but that was solved.
from the old man visiting the inn.
“I have the blueprints! I’ll give them to you guys!”
The old man, who had heard my conversation with Diaz, stepped in to help us.
Surprisingly, it was he who designed the city.
The innkeeper wasn’t standing still either.
“Okay. Then I’ll draw your attention. I’ll drag all the kegs in the inn to the front of the dungeon, tip them over, and set them on fire!”
The old man heard it and frowned.
“Ah! Man, that’s too much of a waste! Then what should I drink?”
“Is that a problem, now?”
“No. But…”
“So I’m just going to watch it like this?”
“sh*t…… I have nothing to say if you say that, but…”
anyway.
With their help, things certainly went smoothly.
That night.
“Fire! Fire!”
The innkeeper’s signal was heard in the distance.
At the same time, the soldiers standing guard around the dungeon came into sight.
Diaz and I watched the scene in the dark.
Then, without words, they talked with their eyes.
nod
swish, swish!
We sneaked inside the prison.
In search of Baron Romhardy.