Chapter 2
Leo William Disfrender,the second-in-command of the Second Squadron .
I heard about this man when i was investigating for clues about Marx .
And it seems that this man has gone to the orphanage quite a lot .
He must have been looking around to find out what was happening at the orphanage .
A young prodigy who became the second-in-command of a squadron of the sacred knights at the age of twenty-five .
It seems that Leo was already second-in-command in the second squad at the time of the previous captain .
« Excuse me . »
Leo walked in and took his hood off .
He wasn’t wearing the usual knight attire underneath his cloack, just civilian’s clothes and 2 swords placed at his waist .
« So… What do you want this late at night? »
« I will get to the point . »
As i started asking, he followed up .
Turning his piercing gaze toward me while talking in a low voice almost threateningly .
« It was you, right? The thing that happened at the orphanage . »
I kept my poker face without even a twitch .
Elfi too didn’t seem to be revealing an ounce of agitation .
« The orphanage? Are you referring to the incident that came to light a few days ago, the one where the child escaped from? »
« Yes, that one . You were the ones who exposed the misdeeds of George Ignus Ervanacht and the others in that case, weren’t you? »
« I’m sorry, but that doesn’t ring a bell . »
Leo didn’t take his eyes off me .
Narrowing his eyes, Leo whispered in a low voice .
« Speaking of the orphanage, do you want to talk to the kids? »
Then he began to grin .
This bastard…
I took a half-step back and reached for the jade katana at my waist .
Elfi too kept her magical eye pointed on him .
« Wait! »
Realising he was going to be attacked, he raised his arms .
« What do you want? »
« It was a bluff, I haven’t done anything to the children . »
« What . . ? »
« But from both of your reactions, it seems I was right . »
« Remaining in his defenseless posture, he continued « I’ve been investigating that orphanage for some time now on the order of the former captain . But I never found anything . »
The former Captain .
I guess he is talking about the, now dead, former sacred knight captain that was preceding Marx .
« I investigated the orphanage grounds and there were signs of fights .
The traces of the battle induced that George and the others were definitely fighting someone .
And seeing from the scale, it should have been someone pretty strong at that .
At the very least, it’s not something a civilian or even a knight of this holy city are capable of . »
« How does it make us the culpable? »
« I’ve spent the last few days checking up on the holy city’s comers and goers . It came up that a group of two mysterious people came to this holy city a few days ago . That’s how both of you came to my attention . »
Isn’t that just suspicion ?
I guess he wasn’t afraid of being wrong .
Even when coming in and out of the holy city, we made sure to erase any trace conducting to us that we might have left behind .
And there is no way our magic could have been detected from the battle ground .
Oh, I suppose he was guessing my thoughts .
« Oh there was nothing particularly fishy about you guys . However, When I saw both of you, I remembered the you were able to fight more than evenly against a wyvern . and I thought that you guys maybe could have done it . »
Leo uttered .
That was just a hunch .
He actually had nothing that could come close to an evidence that it was indeed us who raided the orphanage .
« At first I wanted to wait to be sure of it but It would have taken too long . »
It seems that Leo really didn’t have any evidence .
It was to the extent that he actually doubted it was us after seeing our reactions at first .
If it’s like that, we can probably deceive him no matter what he might says .
As I was thinking about that, Leo then looked straight in my eyes .
« I won’t go into details and if it really isn’t you then so be it, but if you are the ones who liberated the childs of the orphanage then… »
With a solemn attitude that seemed sincere, Leo said .
« On behalf of the chancel knights, I thank both of you . »
When he said that, Leo turned to us and bowed his head deeply .
He stops bobbing next to her, « Then comes the captain » with a poke so Leo can’t see him .
(TN: 隣でボソリと「だったら隊長が来い、隊長が」と言うのを、レオに見えないように小突いて止める。)
in the end, what does he want from us?
« I also owe you both an apology . »
« Why ? … »
« Originally, it was our, the sacred knight’s, responsibilities to expose the crimes of George and the others and help the children . It was undeserved and I’m truly sorry that we couldn’t resolve that until outsiders stepped in .
« …… »
Leo’s words never stated that we were the ones who did it .
I’m quite certain that it’s a trap so that the moment we nod, he will take it as an acknowledgement of our involvement .
Vice captain or not, there is no reason for us to trust him .
After remaining mute for a moment, Leo lifted his head .
« I’ll just tell you one thing . I don’t think you should be involved in this anymore . »
As he said so, Leo’s expression turned grim .
« It’s obviously weird that the matter of the orphanage didn’t come to light before now .
It’s quite possible that the Order of the Chancel Knights or the upper echelons of the Cult of Melts are involved . If you get too involved witht these kind of people, they will get rid of you . »
« …… »
« I may not be convincing, but I will take responsibility for this matter and get to the truth . So you guys better not get involved anymore and get out of this city as soon as possible . »
« That’s it . » he said as he stand up and turned his back to us .
He looked outside to know if there was anyone suspicious outside .
Leo then put on his hood again and as he was getting out .
« How kind of you . They would have to be at least as strong as a wyvern to be a threat anyway . »
(TN: mtl be like -> « You are very kind . After all, he’d been so violent when he was a wing dragon . » :sweat:)
Elfi talked back sarcastically .
Leo turns around and tilts his head being dispirited
« Don’t say I haven’t warned you »
« … yeah . »
I nodded .
« It is the mission of our second squad to protect the Holy City and the people in the Holy City . Even though you’re not from the Kingdom of Teaching, you’ll be under our protection while you’re in the Holy City . You don’t want to put the people you’re trying to protect in danger, do you? »
Leaving these unsavory words, Leo left the room .
Then a long silence take place in the room .
I investigated a little to see if some sort of trap had been placed or if we were under surveillance but there was nothing of the sort .
Did he really come here only to thank us ?
» the higher-ups are involved » ITALIQUE
I knew that since long ago .
It was the Sacred Knights who were actively sending children to that orphanage .
The reason the Lily and George were able to do what they wanted without anyone finding out was probably because the knights were helping them .
And it is, in all probability,because of Marx .
The fact that that guy’s name came out of Michelle’s mouth made that possibility even higher .
If Leo’s words are true, it seems that the investigation of the orphanage was ordered by the former captain .
That captain is now dead, and in his seat currently sits Marx .
It may not be obvious but I’m certain it’s not a coincidence .
I’m persuaded that Marx and the others killed the former captain, who was trying to find out what was going on in the orphanage, because he was an eyesore .
« The kind knight advised us not to get involved, but what are we going to do Iori? »
Unfortunately, I can’t abide to it .
I’m not backing out now .
Not before I give Marx the end he deserves .
◆
<Leo POV (more or less)>
The former captain of the second squadron, Huril Marine Marcellot, was a woman of integrity .
An unshakable trust in her Lord, leading her men with bravour, and above all, serving and protecting the masses .
For Leo, Huril was such an ideal knight .
More than six months have already passed since she disappeared .
Since Marx came in as the new captain, the second squad has changed a lot .
It’s murky, flaccid, lazy and disgusting .
Many of the men left the squad because they couldn’t bear to see their squad fall so low .
Now that Huril is gone, the only person who can support this second squad is me .
Leo believed so, and he still serves as the second-in-command in this second squadron .
« …excuse me . »
The day after he met the pair of black-haired boy and silver-haired girl .
Leo had been summoned to Marx’s private quarters on the top floor of the second squadron quarters .
As he opened the door, the bitter smell of cigars poked his nose from inside .
This smell, mixed with the perfume, made his head hurt .
« So, what are the results of your investigation? »
From the get go, Marx asked about the progress of the investigation on the orphanage case .
« George and Lily, are yet to be found . We are also investigating the person who attacked the orphanage . »
From this report, Marx let out a sigh of discontentment .
He tapped his fingers on the desk with his knuckle and turned his irritated gaze to me .
« It’s troubling Deputy Commander Disfrender . There’s an urgent need to investigate those two . And to think you would let a kill roam freely . I’m afraid that if we let such a great threat go, it would damage the image of the Second Squadron . »
« I’m sorry I didn’t meet your expectations . »
« I’m paying fairly well . That’s why I’m leaving the case to you . Do you understand that? »
Tick . . ,Tick . . ,Tick . . , one at a time, continuously .
The sound of Marx’s fingers echoes through the room .
Intimidatingly .
Leo could do nothing but bow his head and apologize to the irritated Marx .
« And I don’t want to say too much about it . I’ve heard that you have access to the children of the orphanage . »
« … yes . I go there once every few days to check on them . »
While gathering information about the orphanage under Huril’s direction, Leo has come into contact with the orphans on several occasions .
I’m sure the kids have a lot of anxiety because of this .
Leo visited the orphans several times, hoping to alleviate some of their worry .
Marx exhales, « Whew … »
« It’s embarrassing, well, that’s not a bad thing in itself . I heard that there are some subhumans mixed with the orphans . You know what I want to say don’t you? »
« … but … »
« I don’t need an excuse . Heh, you know what? Now that the Second Squadron is united in the position of ‘anti-subhuman’, don’t you think the unity of the entire second squad is more important than some demi-human kids? I’m sure you will make the good choice . »
Back when Huril was around, the Second Squadron was free to think how they wanted about subhumans .
However, while on a mission, our own emotions about it didn’t matter, we saved people and subhumans equally .
That was Huril’s way .
The current Second Squadron is steeped in Marx’s ideology of the exclusion of subhumans . More and more knights are blatantly discriminating against subhumans whether they are on a mission or not .
« You, the second-in-command, shouldn’t be doing anything that could disrupt the chain of command . Don’t you think so, Deputy Commander Disfrender . Hmm? »
« … . »
« You don’t say a word when it’s not convenient for you huh… Well, good . You’d better think twice about what you’re doing . »
Marx’ mouth contorts as he points to the captain’s symbol engraved on his armor .
« You’re aiming to be the captain of the second squad, aren’t you? I think I will give away the captaincy to you someday . So, don’t let me down too much ok? »
« … Yes . If you’ll excuse me . »
He looked away, and as I turned to leave the room .
« Oh, and about Kyrie . »
« … . . »
In a somewhat joyful tone, Marx held me back .
« It’s been decided, we are going to get married . »
Leo’s expressionless face, which didn’t move the whole time, collapsed at that one moment .
Marx continues his words with a disgustingly happy tone .
« I’m sure this will make things even easier for you and your parents . »
« … . . »
« I heard that you have been close for a long time now . It’s your friend’s wedding, I’m sure you are delighted right? »
Just barely, Leo clenched his teeth .
Noticing this, Marx grinned broadly .
« Ha ha ha! Oh,don’t worry I’ll invite you to the wedding . I’ll even make arrangements so you can make a speech . »
« …I’m honored . »
« Think about the content of your speech . I’m looking forward to it, Mr . Disfrender . »
« Excuse me . »
Nodding, Leo hurriedly left the room .
The only person left in the private room is Marx, sitting in his chair .
Marx stared at the door of the room for a while, but his body soon began to shake .
« Kuh………… »
A small breath escaped from its mouth .
Eventually, as he couldn’t bear it anymore, he burst out laughing .
« Hahahahahahaha! What a nice face, Disfrender! The despair in your face! That’s what I wanted to see! »
Sheer mockery .
Marx laughing his head off, holding his belly and contorting his face in glee .
« I can’t wait to see how he reacts when he see her in her wedding dress! »
A malicious sneer echoed through the private room .
◆
<MC POV>
We were peeking out from the attic of his quarters watching Marx smiling and laughing .
« What a disgusting piece of shit… »
Elfi muttered dumbfounded .
Yeah .
I almost jumped down to crush his nasty grinning face out of annoyance .
I don’t like that .
This man who betrayed and played with people like toys is still smiling like this .
It’s nauseating just to look at him .
I definitely won’t be satisfied so long he is able to smile .
« There are signs of other people just outside the door . It’s assuredly not a good idea to rush him here . »
Elfi said so in a calm tone .
Unconsciously, my hand was reaching for the sword on my waist .
I was clenching my hands hard enough for blood to flow down .
« I know… »
Even if the opponent is rotten and deserve the worst death possible, he is still a captain of the Sacred Knights .
He will probably be able to withstand the first strike from us .
There are a also a surprising number of assassination countermeasures in this room .
If we make a commotion right now, it will make it harder for us to go to the Mourning Light Labyrinth afterward, and it would certainly be a wiser choice to gather more information about this guy before taking action .
Just killing him wouldn’t be enough . He needs to suffer otherwise it wouldn’t thirst of revenge .
I don’t care if I have to take detours .
I will do my best to prepare a fitting end for you .
Let’s look investigate a little more closely .
I swear to you, Marx .
I will, without doubt, give you the worst death you could wish for .
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