Chapter 58: The Scent of Blood (2)
Raela’s whispers went on, affirming her manipulation.
“You’re far too noble and vital, my Lord. Only you can save this beautiful domain from those wicked forces.”
Kyle found her words more convincing.
His downfall wasn’t his doing but the work of evil people. Being caught in their plans meant losing the domain to their tricks.
So, defending the domain meant fighting against evil.
It wasn’t about avoiding financial duties!
“You have to stand up to this conspiracy, my Lord. If you, as a leader in the Gerthonian Empire, fall for this ploy, the Codex of Light will lose its shine, and chaos will reign.”
“Is it… Is it on me to take action?”
“Yes. If you face these dark times and wicked plots, you might become the saint of our time! Stand against this evil horde and crush the enemy!”
“No, that’s a bit… scary.”
Kyle wasn’t the heroic type, to say the least. He was more of a coward.
Known for hesitating and missing crucial decisive moments, his only venture into the Loracus investment had ended badly.
And true to his nature, Kyle wasn’t easily swayed by Raela’s lures.
“Isn’t it kinda unsure if Reinhardt really invaded? I mean, if he was serious, he’d totally bring more soldiers and siege stuff, right? And it’s planting season, perfect timing for his agriculture-based place. If war’s gonna happen, it needs to be quick, but he doesn’t seem ready for that. We’re gonna negotiate till tomorrow, so let’s just chill and see what happens.”
Raela’s lips twitched a bit.
After mumbling to herself for a bit, she quietly nodded.
“Alrighty then, my Lord.”
***
“This dude only gets all serious when he can’t make up his mind. Seriously, such an indecisive guy eating up all my time here. It’s seriously frustrating.”
Raela walked back and forth in her room, muttering away. The black knight, summoned by her, listened quietly to her ranting.
“The old lord was too smart, so I had him dealt with. But who would’ve thought the new guy would take ages to decide on anything? Ugh.”
“Why not slip him some potions or mind-control stuff?”
The knight, unable to stay quiet, piped up.
At that, Raela turned sharply.
“Are you suggesting sneaky stuff in front of me? I’m like the angel of the Red Chalice, the one who made Kyle Monastery the ultimate party spot.”
The knight quickly bowed. It was a dumb idea. Sneaky stuff is the Red Chalice’s go-to move. And a celestial being like Raela had way more power and wisdom.
But did the knight doubt her true identity? A glimpse of doubt lingered. And as if to silence that doubt, Raela grabbed his helmet’s visor.
In an instant, the knight saw visions – not hell, but the Red Chalice’s version of heaven.
In their afterlife, there’s no heaven or hell, just guests and the table. And the knight was on the table.
After a moment of seeing the knight’s fear and guilt, Raela let go.
The knight fell, struggling for air.
Raela, not even looking his way, said,
“I’m doing stuff everywhere. The Codex of Light, Elil, the Immortal Order, and all that jazz. The Red Chalice entrusted me, so I gotta manage it all.”
“I’m, I’m sorry…”
“To find the old lord’s secret, we gotta keep Kyle’s mind intact. Messing with it ain’t gonna help. And who knows how ‘intact’ his intelligence is now.”
Raela scoffed.
“Keeping control here might be a challenge. Forget that guy. But did you meet the Holy Grail Knight? Did you find Hesabel?”
“Yep. Found it.”
The Black Knight was one of the knights sent to track down Isaac. Finding Hesabel wasn’t exactly a challenge. I mean, come on, a beauty covered head to toe even in broad daylight? Hard to miss, right?
“Seeing you alive, it looks like you really did betray us,” Raela remarked.
Hesabel confessed, “Yup. I tried stirring up some trouble with trolls, but couldn’t get much out of them. They seemed loyal to the Grail Knight, who was suspicious. So, direct interrogation wasn’t an option.”
Raela scoffed, finding it somewhat amusing. “A vampire who can’t handle sunlight being loyal to a paladin of light? I might buy it if it was a top-notch deception. If she can fool a paladin, that’s quite a skill.”
Raela toyed with the idea that Hesabel might be faking loyalty to fool Isaac and gain his trust. But there was something about Hesabel’s faith that felt off, not towards the Red Chalice as expected.
“That Grail Knight must be nuts. I don’t get why he’s cozy with the Gulmar family successor… but hey, he’s not the big player here,” Raela muttered, eyeing the village below.
“Bring me a lost kitten’s neck. I want to hear firsthand whatever excuses it’ll meow,” she added.
***
“This annoying brat,” Reinhardt grumbled the next day at lunch, spotting Bexter entering the inn’s restaurant. Everyone present heard the mumble, but it was obvious he wasn’t cursing at Bexter but at Kyle.
Bexter quietly entered and bowed deeply to Reinhardt. In response, Reinhardt slammed his sword sheathed on the ground and retorted.
“So, is Lord Kyle Hendrak still playing sick?”
“He’s always been delicate…”
“He’s got a talent for spinning lies with that irritating face of his. Sir Bexter, isn’t it exhausting babysitting a youngster?”
“I’m simply serving my lord.”
Reinhardt clicked his tongue at the composed reply. The unwavering loyalty of the Imperial Knights lingered even after serving different masters in retirement. His respect for Bexter stemmed from this irritating dedication.
“So, you’re here to plead his case?”
“Indeed.”
“The situation isn’t looking good, Sir Bexter.”
Reinhardt expressed his displeasure at the capital’s enraged nobles, involving even high-ranking members of the Light’s Scripture. The compromised Brandt ducal family had also sold them out… He threw in these details for added effect.
It was a prolonged threat, not easily resolved with mere intimidation tactics.
“I’m here because this could be the last chance for a reasonable resolution, Sir Bexter,” Reinhardt muttered, looking weary.
“Do you know what’s being whispered? I’m supposedly another victim of Lord Hendrak. They promised me a hefty sum if I manage it. A smoother settlement, they say. What are your thoughts?”
“If things don’t resolve, hiring mercenaries might be the next step.”
“Exactly. Warriors will swoop in. What happens to this land after they tear through it? What if the bishop decides to hold a heresy trial here? I stepped in before it escalated to that.”
Ultimately, Reinhardt was there to settle a debt. But he was also the only one who could handle things with some level of moderation. The longer Kyle barricaded himself in the castle, the messier things could get.
“Man, you could end up losing the domain. Maybe have to give up the castle or other stuff. The name of Hendrak’s domain might be the only thing left. But hey, ain’t I paving the way for a sweet comeback? How much do I owe the old lord anyways?”
“Appreciate your kind words.”
But Bexter just replied quietly.
Right when Reinhardt was about to blow up at Bexter’s calm attitude, he finally spoke up.
“I’m doing my best with what I got, too.”
Reinhardt paused.
“Your best, huh?”
“Yeah. So, can we chill for a bit and avoid any unnecessary drama? Things are pretty tense right now, and even a small thing could blow up. Let’s try to sort things out within the domain.”
Known Bexter for a while, Reinhardt smirked at his long speech. He called it “domain matters”. It wasn’t about outsiders causing trouble, but things stirring up within the domain itself.
Reinhardt sighed, looking tired. After a silent moment, he reluctantly spoke.
“Give it two days. Investigation team’s coming then. There’s talk of an inquisitor from Bishop Pinchet’s side tagging along. Sort this out before they arrive.”
“Thanks.”
Bexter gave a deep bow.
Reinhardt, looking even more exhausted, headed upstairs. Isaac, who had been quietly observing, was left wondering what was really going on.
Their eyes met. Bexter walked over to Isaac with purpose.
“You’re Grail Knight Isaac, right?”
“Hmm? Yeah, that’s me.”
Bexter glanced around before whispering.
“Mind chatting in private?”
***
Isaac and Bexter moved to the inn’s backyard.
Isaac wasn’t sure why Bexter wanted a chat but half-expected a fight to break out.
Thoughts like, “You seem tough, let’s spar,” or “You might turn into an enemy, so fight me!” crossed his mind. Just silly ideas born from curiosity.
“He’s pretty strong.”
Judging by his vibe, Bexter seemed almost as tough as Gebel. Isaac hadn’t seen a non-holy knight this beefy before. The gossip about being an Imperial Knights’ agent seemed legit.
Even retired, Bexter looked like he could take on all seven Hendrake knights solo.
“This spot works.”
Bexter stopped under a tree, ensuring privacy. Once he confirmed they were alone, he cut to the chase.
“Gotta ask straight up. Has Hesabel Gulmar joined you, Grail Knight?”
Isaac was shocked by the mention of Hesabel Gulmar. Who knew someone else knew her true identity?
“Word’s out that Gulmar’s heir is under Yukhar’s thumb in Seor. Saw someone resembling the wanted posters hanging with you, Grail Knight. What’s the deal?”
Isaac never expected another person to recognize Hesabel so quickly. Accepting her raised ethical questions.
She has been sheltered by him, confident that her identity will not be revealed, also because he thinks her talent is too valuable to be wasted. But if her identity is so easily exposed, it might be better to keep a distance from her.
Isaac debated whether to deny or pretend not to know, but then he remembered what Bexter said.
Only then did Isaac know what he should say.
“Yeah.”
Isaac spoke with conviction.
“A follower of the Red Chalice Club, heir to the noble Gulmar family, Hesabel Gulmar, has witnessed the glory of the Codex of Light in Seor and has converted to our religion. Now she serves me.”
The story of an evil infidel who, at first, changed after meeting a holy knight.
How common, yet how beautiful and magnificent?
