Chapter 10
When facing an unreasonable situation, Reinhardt gets angry.
Then how about now.
When a noble knight aimed a sword at him, how would Reinhardt’s Justice Radar react.
‘For now, it seems okay.’
He waited tensely, but fortunately, no message popped up.
It meant [Justice] didn't react.
It meant the opponent wasn't a villain, this situation wasn't that unreasonable a kind, and this much could be sufficiently endured.
Reinhardt faced the opponent.
Evangeline’s eye rims were trembling anxiously.
It seemed she didn't like the result.
“Sir Reinhardt. Did you not react on purpose?”
Again the question followed. Did you not react. She asked if he noticed the attack, or realized late, but anyway acted nonchalantly without daring to react to it.
Naturally, Reinhardt had just failed to react.
‘React, my foot. I didn't even see it properly.’
Hearing the call, he turned around, and the sword tip was aiming at him right in front of his eyes.
It was merely an event of just that.
“What answer do you want?”
“I thought if it was you, Sir Reinhardt, you could prepare in advance.”
“Taton’s Knight Reinhardt prepares for and dodges Paganoa’s Knight Evangeline’s sword in advance. Do you think that makes sense?”
“That is…….”
“It is an impossible thing. You should know too, Dame Evangeline. You have already seen me. At the Taton Knights, with the Commander. What judgment did you make there, Dame Evangeline?”
Then he asked in reverse.
Don't you already know. Didn't you already figure out the fact that skills are lacking long ago.
Evangeline couldn't answer.
She just retrieved the sword slowly. With a face completely red from shame.
‘Rather, it turned out well. It’s a chance to shake her off. Right now.’
Evangeline was suspecting him. It was clear she judged he hid his skills for some reason.
Because she already saw.
Because the performance shown in the process of suppressing the criminal would have clearly been different from what was seen before.
This moment was an opportunity to place distance with Evangeline.
He had to make it so she couldn't even think of approaching rashly out of guilt.
“For me, it is a situation hard to understand. I do not know the reason why you threaten me, Dame Evangeline, nor the reason why you look at me with such suspicious eyes.”
“This is not a threat but……!”
“Everyone around will think so. Dame Evangeline.”
Only then did Evangeline flinch and look around.
Citizens of Serigel were watching with extremely surprised eyes.
“Or was it to tarnish my honor?”
“No! It is never such a reason!”
Evangeline seemed to shrink back.
Skill as a knight was far above, but the current Reinhardt had a ‘justification’ more powerful than anything.
“I will apologize. I just wanted to verify. That Sir Reinhardt…….”
“That I.”
“…… wasn't hiding skills.”
“I only draw my sword at necessary moments. Also, even if such suspicion arises, this kind of approach seems clearly wrong.”
“…….”
“I hope there will be no occasion to see you again for personal reasons. Dame Evangeline. I will accept the apology.”
Reinhardt turned his body whish.
He was cold but did not lose dignity. Because surrounding gazes were still many.
The receding steps were sufficiently fast. Steps that strongly exuded the intent of not wanting to converse anymore.
Evangeline didn't follow and kept her spot. Because it was a situation where she had nothing to say even with ten mouths.
“Dame Evangeline. Are you alright?”
At the servant's voice full of concern approaching then, Evangeline nodded with a gloomy expression.
The servant tried to say something more but stopped and led her.
“We should move locations first. There are many watching eyes. I gave a word to the guards.”
It wasn't something to say rashly anywhere.
Only after moving to a suitable place did Evangeline look at the servant.
“I made a mistake.”
“Yes. But it was an unavoidable matter. Because it is a sensitive time. If Sir Reinhardt also knows the circumstances, he will understand.”
Of course he would understand. Because the opponent was a righteous knight.
Pausing for a moment, the servant asked again.
“Did you feel nothing?”
Evangeline shook her head. No reaction returned from Reinhardt.
He was just staring nonchalantly.
Without even emotional agitation.
“Is that so…….”
“But Sir Reinhardt wasn't surprised.”
“It seemed so. Then it wouldn't be something we can be certain of. Because the fact that he hid his power is clear.”
If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide skills.
There must be some reason, and in the current world, there was only one reason to hide power.
“The possibility that Sir Reinhardt is a minion of evil still exists. Would it be acceptable to think so?”
Minions of evil running rampant.
Those who permeate every corner of the Empire, desperately waiting for the darkness that will come someday.
The Paganoa Knights were a group confronting such beings.
They dealt with unclean things, and pulled out seeds of evil from all directions.
High officials, wizards of the magic tower, knights famous for being righteous, and wealthy people who were always merciful to the poor.
Behind the good masks, there were always pupils full of malice.
One could not judge a human only by the appearance revealed on the outside. Two people knew that fact too well.
“If weighing the possibility, how much would it be?”
“10 percent.”
The servant groaned.
10 percent was an overwhelmingly high figure. Even putting aside all other matters, they had to watch.
With an expression that it became troublesome, the servant nodded.
“I will send a message to the Knight Order. That Dame Evangeline will stay in Serigel for a while.”
***
Paganoa Knights.
In this worldview, the role they possessed couldn't be replaced by anything.
Knight Order members were not just knights who handled swords well, but those who stepped into the realm of superhumans.
The enemies they dealt with were the same.
“I will rest. Unless it is a special matter, do not look for me.”
Reinhardt returned to the Knight Order. As soon as he entered the accommodation, he lay down on the bed flump in comfortable clothes.
Like that, he chewed over the event that happened just a while ago.
The bewildered expression of Evangeline, and even her servant who watched with calm eyes from a little distance away.
‘The result is good. First, that is certain.’
Just the fact that he grew distant from Evangeline was an encouraging situation for Reinhardt.
Knight Commander Ethan Taton might be frustrated inside, but anyway, the anxiety that he might be dragged to Paganoa had largely disappeared.
‘Because for a knight, there is nothing as important as justification. The reason Evangeline was at a loss was also because there was no justification to justify the action.’
But then.
Reinhardt pondered her words carefully.
‘Why did she pull such a sudden move?’
Honestly, it was behavior hard to understand.
No matter how suspicious, there was no need to verify using such radical methods.
If she had rather formally requested cooperation, it was clear Ethan Taton would have willingly given Reinhardt.
‘There weren't many cases where Evangeline acted like that. Unless it was a situation where she was chased quite a bit…….’
Evangeline was always calm. Whatever the situation, she calculated in her head first, and moved only after weighing gains and losses.
Clearly the behavior shown earlier did not suit the Knight of Frost.
‘The main story hasn't even started yet.’
Soul Calibur was a game confronting great evil.
Not an abstract concept, but real demons existed.
Meaning, although it was a matter of a long time from now, after the main story started.
Ultimately, things like warlocks and minions summoning archdemons to this land, and breaking down enemies derived from that step by step was exactly the central axis of the game.
‘Anyway, from now on, it’s a matter unrelated to me.’
Reinhardt dry washed his face. Emptying his complicated head, he set the goal as simply as possible.
Try his best not to follow the official history.
Bury his bones in Taton Knights, and enjoy a mundane daily life in this somewhat peaceful city.
‘That is enough. No matter if I became Reinhardt, there won't be dangerous matters in outskirts like this.’
While doing so, finding clues to return to reality was the work the current Reinhardt had to do.
The interface was still there, and the community was also active. This familiar hologram window was exactly the evidence of belief that he could return someday.
It was the moment Reinhardt thought up to there.
“Sir Reinhardt. The Commander is looking for you.”
A voice was heard with a careful knock.
Reinhardt glared at the closed door with a feeling of ‘don't tell me’.
“What is it?”
“A guard came saying there is news that must be conveyed. He said it would be better for you to hear it together, Sir.”
“Is the guard’s name by chance Hans?”
“I think he introduced himself like that. Not certain.”
Are they trying to give a reward at the City Hall level.
If it's something like that, I should refuse appropriately and return…… Reinhardt thought so and equipped his attire.
However, a while later.
When he arrived at the Commander’s office.
“Ah, Sir Reinhardt. You came just in time. Come in quickly. There is a very important story.”
Knight Commander Ethan Taton welcomed Reinhardt with an excited expression, then brought out very terrible words.
“They say signs of black magic were found on the guy you suppressed, Sir. You did a truly great thing!”
***
[Injustice detected.]
Righteous you do not tolerate black magic. Find the seed of evil hidden in Serigel, and subjugate it.
If you ignore injustice, the effect of [Justice] decreases.
[Sudden Mission: Traces of Black Magic]
[Buff Applied: Justice x1]
[All stats increase by 24.]
Reinhardt glared at the message in front of his eyes with regretful eyes.
His hands were trembling intermittently. But he didn't lose his reason. So far, it was a level where he could control himself somehow.
‘Black magic pops out suddenly here?’
What kind of existence were warlocks.
Those who contract with demons, and exert power through them.
Naturally, the magic they used were all dangerous and terrible things.
It was dangerous for Reinhardt as well.
If it was the mid-to-late game where they degenerate to mob level, maybe, but if it's the Reinhardt of this situation, he wouldn't be able to avoid damage even if hit by a light curse.
But he couldn't avoid it.
Not only would the effect of [Justice] decrease, but the image of ‘Reinhardt’ built up until now would hit rock bottom.
‘Still okay yet. If I just succeed in cleaning up before the matter gets big…….’
Since warlocks would also have wits, the moment their tail was stepped on, they would all hide into the shadows.
The work Reinhardt had to do was just catching and beating the tail they left behind. Not facing a dangerous warlock directly.
That much was possible. It was possible, but the problem was separate.
“…… I came to accompany by the request of Sir Ethan Taton. Since eradication of black magic is the top priority task of the Paganoa Knights, I will cooperate actively.”
Right beside him, Evangeline spoke like that with an expression reading the room. With an air that she couldn't even look straight at Reinhardt.