Chapter 196 (1/2)

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Chapter 196 – A Jewel in a Dunghill

Conia Mercury the Blue Knight walked at a brisk pace. Servants were taken aback by her stern expression and quick steps, but no one could stop her. It was early in the morning, with not much people around.

「Lord Gilbert!」

Conia slammed the door to Gilbert Gabranth's office open.

「Wh-Whoa!」

Surprised, Gilbert froze on the spot, a bag of coins in his hand. It looked like he was just about to head out.

「What's the matter, Conia? It's still too early.」Gilbert said as he quickly hid the bag.

Compared to Conia's office, his was incredibly messy; doc.u.ments lay scattered about, even down on the floor. He awkwardly closed the door, locked it, and stepped out into the hallway.

「I have a question, Lord Gilbert.」

「We're both Blue Knights. You don't have to address me as “Lord”.」

「I cannot do that. You won twelve straight champions.h.i.+ps in the temple knights martial arts tournament, an unprecedented achievement. I do not think we're of equal status. That's what I always thought, at least. Until now.」

Gilbert's eyebrows twitched, as she seemed to be implying something.

「I heard you a.s.saulted a bunch of kids yesterday together with a temple knight. Is this true?」

Troubled, Gilbert scratched his nape.

「I do not want to believe it, but the information came from a trusted source—」

「It's true.」

「What?」

「I kicked a kid. So what?」

「How could you…?」Conia turned pale. She didn't want to believe it.「Why?! I heard that when you were a temple knight, you were disciplined and kind to the weak—a model of the temple knights!」

「It was all so I could become a Blue Knight.」

「What do you mean…?」

「Unlike you, I didn't have support from the regional churches, see. So I had to do things my own way. Anyway, there you have it..」

「W-Wait!」

「See ya! You should relax once in a while. Try not to be too stiff, okay?」Gilbert said as he walked away, waving his hand.

Stunned, Conia simply watched him go.

Agiapole, a city surrounded by a white wall. Outside of it lay several settlements. The walls weren't exactly flawless either. With its huge size, it was bound to have a few tears.

「Hmm… Looks like we can go through here.」

Hikaru and the gang pa.s.sed through a tunnel dug underneath the walls and made it outside the city.

「We could escape through here in case of an emergency.」Lavia said.

「True. I wasn't expecting to see this, though.」

Barracks made of wood sprawled along an area outside. The walls prevented the place from being seen from the Tower—from the Pope's room.

「This place seems… lively.」

「You're right, Hikaru-sama.」

Not one person noticed the three of them as Hikaru had Group Obfuscation on. Kids came out of the camps, running and shouting cheerfully. Women drew water from the well and did laundry. Men were carrying packages. The elderly, wearing rather shabby clothes, were enjoying a board game.

A town, Hikaru thought. A town with no white makeup applied.

Since the Tower was on high alert, many places were locked, so Hikaru couldn't explore to his heart's content. While checking out other places, they ended up here.

Hikaru had a lot of things on his mind. What would be his next move? What should he do about the underground laboratory and the holy items? What about the sealed cave? Should he unravel the mysteries or get a signature from the Foreign Minister and just leave?

「Breakfast is ready!」

A man arrived, pus.h.i.+ng a cart with a steaming pot on it. Children quickly swarmed him.

『That soup looks delicious!』Drake said.