Clatter clatter.
The sound of metal clashing echoed. I turned my head and saw silver-armored troops marching in perfect formation.
Their graceful movements, like a well-choreographed dance, were a sight to behold.
Even without shouting slogans, their steps showed no signs of discord, making me gasp in admiration.
‘So this is the Holy Knight Order.’
The sunlight glinted off their shining silver armor, and their silver helmets obscured half of their faces. Each wielded a silver weapon.
There were various types, such as spears, maces, hammers, and shields. Behind them, I saw those wrapped in white robes.
Most seemed to be women, though there were a few men among them. Clad in priestly attire, they walked slowly, following the knights.
‘Just as I heard.’
The holy nation centered around the goddess faith, Numen. The Holy Knight Order, where only the elite of the elite gathered.
According to Abel, the Holy Knight Order coming this time was an elite legion so renowned within the order that they were counted among the top.
Holy knights who fight using divine power bestowed by the goddess, and priests who support them from the rear with healing and blessings.
This combination was like a shield that could easily withstand even an unprecedented horde of monsters.
‘Impressive.’
Though their number barely reached a hundred, their presence was comparable to that of a formidable legion. Could this be the Holy Knight Order that I’ve only heard about?
Turning my head again, I spotted Abel silently observing the troops. Without a flicker of emotion, he gazed at the army.
Seeing him calmed my own trembling heart as I adjusted my attire.
Clack.
With a slight signal, the troops split into two. Through the gap, an elderly man with white hair stepped forward.
Using his staff to assist his steps, he walked slowly toward us.
He had a long beard that almost reached his chest and deeply lined wrinkles on his face. Yet, his piercing eyes, shining beneath thick eyebrows, suggested that he was no ordinary man.
He stroking his beard approached Abel.
“It’s been a long time, Duke Abel.”
“It has been a while, Pope.”
So that old man is the Pope.
I had heard that he was over a hundred years old this year, yet he still seemed remarkably vigorous. Despite his small stature, an aura of authority surrounded him.
“Haha, you still brim with energy.”
“You flatter me.”
As if engaged in a battle of nerves, their gazes intertwined in the air. Neither of them backed down, and their conversation continued.
“I hear you’ve been quite busy lately.”
“Yes. I didn’t expect news to reach the holy nation as well. Rumors travel fast, indeed.”
“The holy nation too is now filled with the young ones. They seem to have keen ears for news.”
“That’s quite reassuring.”
Are we already in a silent showdown? It’s supposed to be an alliance, yet their relationship doesn’t seem that cordial.
As they glared at each other, both suddenly burst into chuckles.
“Is that what you called me by name? How petty of you.”
“Yet, it’s even pettier to bring it up while knowing it.”
“Haha. That’s true.”
The tension that had lingered moments ago seemed to dissolve into casual banter, and the Pope’s expression relaxed slightly.
After fidgeting with his staff for a moment, he calmly asked Abel,
“So, what are your intentions for this time?”
“I will participate directly. There’s no reason to hide it anymore.”
“Oh… I see.”
“How about you, Pope?”
At Abel’s question, the Pope shook his head.
“I’m already too old for this. I don’t wish to take opportunities away from the youth.”
As he spoke, the Pope quietly gazed our way. His eyes slowly roamed over our knight order, stopping on me.
Before I could even react, his eyes lit up. The Pope seemed to think for a moment, closed his eyes, and let out a soft exclamation.
‘What is this?’
He approached slowly, leaning on his staff. When he reached in front of me, he locked eyes with me.
Coming so close that I felt I could see my pores, I instinctively stepped back. He, however, continued to mumble unconcerned.
“How intriguing. This must be what they call fate.”
I was speechless at the Pope’s cryptic words. While I was trying to gauge his intentions, he broke into a wide grin and continued.
“I apologize, young lady. This is a gift as an apology.”
From his cloak, he pulled out a piece of paper and tossed it casually. Surprised, I stretched out my right hand and barely caught the paper he had thrown.
Opening my palm revealed a white paper with golden lettering inscribed on it. It contained a profound magical energy that I could only guess at.
It looked like an extraordinary talisman at first glance.
“A panacea. Use it whenever you feel the need.”
The murmuring of the Holy Knight Order followed the Pope’s words. Based on their reactions, it seemed to be quite a precious item.
But to give such a thing merely as an apology gift? I wondered if the Pope was truly this generous of a person.
Although I accepted the item since it was given directly to me, I still couldn’t fathom what the Pope was thinking.
Abel too seemed to share my confusion, looking at the Pope with a puzzled expression.
“What’s going through your mind?”
“Haha. So you can see right through my gaze.”
The Pope waved dismissively, as if it was nothing significant.
Abel seemed uninterested in pushing him further, merely letting out a sigh instead of pursuing the matter.
“Then let’s begin.”
At the Pope’s words, Abel nodded quietly.
At the same time, a raven-haired priestess approached them. She took out a scroll from her robes.
With delicate fingers, the priestess unfurled the scroll vertically. It contained black-written text.
Could that be the alliance treaty established between the Kingdom of Numen and the Empire of Arye?
In front of the many people, she began reading the treaty in a calm voice without hesitation.
Most of the content revolved around what constituted a betrayal of the alliance and the consequences thereof.
However, one particular clause stood out among the rest.
“Article 10: The holy nation of Numen shall not cooperate with the Imperial Family of Arye.”
‘The Imperial Family, huh.’
Thinking about it, the only knight order from the Empire of Arye participating in this extermination war was none other than Abel’s Black Raven Knights.
No wonder the Imperial Family’s knight order wasn’t visible; it was due to this clause.
Despite that, the lingering question of why remained unanswered in my mind. Perhaps the holy nation of Numen recognized the potential dangers of the Imperial Family?
I entertained such thoughts but had no way to prove them.
“I have confirmed the alliance treaty. Is there any objection from both parties?”
“I don’t see any objections from this old man. How about you, Duke?”
Staring quietly at the paper, Abel somewhat stretched out his hand. His gaze shimmered with silver light, and a pure white light swept over the paper.
“It looks fine.”
With those words, light emanated from the paper. The Pope’s and Abel’s mana absorbed into it, causing the written characters to gleam with pure white light.
Re-establishing the same treaty every time was a nuisance.
However, doing so was necessary as a demonstration of mutual trust between the two parties.
The alliance between the holy nation and the empire wasn’t particularly solid, which made this act even more vital.
“I hereby declare the cooperation between the Black Raven Knights and the Holy Knight Order.”
Wow!
With the priestess’s declaration, a tremendous cheer erupted from our knight order. The Holy Knight Order responded in kind, raising their voices in a great cheer.
“Let’s do well this time.”
“This should be our line to say.”
Having concluded preparations for the extermination war, according to Abel, we would reorganize the system today, and the actual extermination war would start tomorrow.
Was I about to confront a terrifying monster similar to the one I had seen before?
That thought made me inexplicably tense.
I knew that the monster Evan had faced was among the stronger category of disasters. But now that we were going to face it, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves.
Noticing my tension, Abel gently placed his hand on my shoulder. In a calm voice, he asked me,
“Are you nervous?”
“…Yeah.”
I couldn’t deny it and slightly nodded my head. At my response, Abel smirked and said,
“There’s no need to worry too much. There have been no casualties in past extermination wars.”
“That’s… comforting to hear.”
I took deep breaths, trying to steady my trembling. As Abel said, there was no need to worry excessively. We would have the holy nation’s healing priests with us.
‘At least we have the ultimate safeguard…’
The reversal ability.
I didn’t want to rely on it as a rule. I hoped that it wouldn’t come to that, but life can be unpredictable.
However, I had resolved not to try using it to achieve something anymore. I wouldn’t rely on that power any longer.
[Don’t overthink it, Contractor. I’ll do my best to assist you as well.]
‘Yeah, that’s true. Thanks for worrying about me.’
[I wasn’t really worried.]
I could hear Silphy’s grumbling voice in my head. After a month of training and conversing with Silphy, we had grown somewhat closer.
Thanks to that, my spirit affinity had increased, and now I could communicate with her even without her physically manifesting.
“Then get plenty of rest. It starts tomorrow.”
“Yes. You too, Abel.”
He nodded in response and began to walk away. As I watched Abel’s back, I turned my own head.
‘First, let’s sort out the assignments.’
To ensure effective extermination, the Holy Knight Order and the Black Raven Knights would be divided into guard teams and extermination teams.
The extermination war would proceed with teams formed from these divisions. Thus, which allies I ended up working with would indeed be important.
‘What will happen?’
I felt a bit worried about it, but that only heightened my anticipation.
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