Chapter 16
A conversation fitting for the filth-strewn back alley was taking place.
Reinhardt continued to speak, staring into the empty air with the creaking man beside him.
“I am in no position to help anyone.”
“Well, is that really so?”
“That's rather direct for a monologue. Such expressions are not good.”
“What would happen if it became known that the famously righteous knight helped the… no, that side? Hmm? It would be quite interesting, wouldn't it?”
Reinhardt felt his heart drop.
The man had clearly almost misspoken just now. It was fortunate that it only came out as ‘bla-’, but if the word had been completed.
“I really wish you would be careful with your words. If something like that happens again, I'll have to continue my patrol.”
“Alright, alright. More importantly….”
“Also, someone seems to think their words can be trusted. Their confidence is too excessive. Do they think there's someone who will believe them?”
“That's not wrong either. All we can do is attach the label of suspicion.”
“In the first place, those who can't even stick their heads out like moles buried in their dens, just by the way they talk, it's like….”
No one would believe the claims of a warlock.
In the first place, they were beings who wouldn't dare come out and talk.
All they could do was, at best, create groundless rumors by using their minions.
‘Even that won't work on me. Who do you think I am?’
It might be different for other knights, but the image Reinhardt had steadily built up would surely block such rumors at once.
In the manner that the Minion of evil was just trying to tarnish the honor of the righteous Knight Reinhardt.
“As expected, honest persuasion won't be enough.”
Just then, the man took something out from his bosom.
It was a Scroll. As soon as he realized that, Reinhardt kicked the ground and leaped back.
But the opponent was faster.
Tear-
Simultaneously with the tearing of the Scroll, a crimson demonic energy engulfed Reinhardt.
[Perfect Resistance!]
However, there was no effect.
Reinhardt, who had crossed his arms to cover his face, realized this and relaxed his posture.
Perfect resistance.
The message in front of his eyes was explaining the situation.
‘I knew it. These crazy bastards.’
Equipping himself with Anti-Magic Power had been effective. A value of 40 was enough to easily shake off most Black Magic.
“So you are a knight after all? Very interesting.”
“Interesting? Shall I teach you a thing or two about what's interesting?”
Now, Reinhardt was starting to get annoyed too.
Perhaps trying to have a rational conversation with a warlock was a mistake from the beginning.
The disappointment from the situation going wrong.
And the annoyance from the anxiety that things might get bigger was contorting Reinhardt's expression.
“Hoh, so you finally show your true colors….”
“True colors, my ass. Maybe you'll come to your senses after getting beaten to an inch of your life. This is your last warning.”
Grip.
Grabbing the man by the collar, Reinhardt bared his teeth and warned him.
“If you don't want to be thrown in prison and have a one-on-one interview with the interrogator, it would be best for you to get your act together and get the hell out.”
“Interesting. But remember. I am Agrio-s. I never give up what I want….”
It was the moment the man was muttering in a gloomy voice.
“Peep!”
Suddenly, Bitdori kicked off from Reinhardt's shoulder and flew up.
It instantly rushed forward and, with its short arm, accurately struck the man's face.
Thwack! Crash!
An unexpected sound was heard. The situation that followed was the same.
As if hit by a carriage, the man's body flew back, rolled on the ground a few times, and then came to a complete stop.
“……”
Reinhardt was dumbfounded and stared at the scene.
The man's hands hung limply.
It seemed he was completely knocked out.
“What in the….”
Bitdori flew back to the dumbfounded Reinhardt.
Then it started to shrug its body as if asking for praise.
“Um, Bitdori.”
“Peep!”
“Well, good job for now.”
“Pee-peep!”
When Reinhardt lightly petted it, Bitdori started flying around excitedly. But it didn't stray far from Reinhardt.
‘What did it just do?’
How on earth did such monstrous strength come out of this small body?
Sending the man in front of him flying with one hand was not so easy even for Reinhardt.
It might be a different story if his [Justice] buff was stacked high, but right now, he would have had to be content with just beating him up moderately.
“Peeep! Peep!”
Bitdori pulled Reinhardt's hand with all its might.
To be precise, it was a finger. It was pulling his index finger with its short arms, hugging it as it grunted.
The monstrous strength from a moment ago was not felt. He only felt a force that made him wonder if anything was pulling at all.
‘I don't understand this at all.’
Reinhardt obediently followed its demand.
Bitdori pulled Reinhardt towards the unconscious man, then pointed at the man with its short arms and waved both hands wildly.
“……Beat him more?”
“Peep!”
“He's already unconscious?”
“Peep? Peeeeep! Peebit!”
For some reason, its movements became even more dynamic. It was like a mixed martial artist pinning down an opponent and raining down punches.
Dumbfounded, Reinhardt swung his fists in the air.
He only pretended to hit so as not to kill the man by mistake, but Bitdori seemed satisfied with just that and acted as if it was nodding in contentment.
“……”
Reinhardt looked back and forth between Bitdori and the fallen man.
Pressing his throbbing temples, he began to think about how to solve this new problem.
***
Serigel Guard Headquarters.
Guard Captain Jerad, with his mouth agape, asked the reporting soldier again.
“You said Sir Reinhardt came?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“And he captured an additional Minion of evil?”
“You heard correctly.”
Starting as a low-ranking guard for 15 years.
Looking back on all the time it took for Jerad to secure the position of Guard Captain, there had never been such dynamic days.
Black Magic.
Minions of evil.
To think that two of those bastards were caught in just a few days.
‘In any case, this is welcome news.’
Performance was also important for a Guard Captain.
Jerad thought so and rushed out without even properly putting on his uniform.
There, the good and upright knight was standing firm.
A sword was held in one hand, and in the other, a criminal who had been dragged by the wrist.
“Sir Reinhardt. I have just received the report. That person….”
“Is a Minion of evil. I will return to the knight order, so request a nearby temple to verify it. I have no evidence to present.”
“Ye-yessir! I understand.”
Jerad saluted as if he had returned to being a new recruit. In response, Reinhardt just nodded with a calm expression.
Knight Reinhardt has captured an additional Minion of evil.
The powerful news would surely spread throughout Serigel in an instant.
It might even reach Evangeline, who was probably rushing back here.
‘That's not a big deal.’
The mayor would present a plaque of merit, Ethan Taton would praise Reinhardt's achievements, Evangeline would look at him with disbelief…….
Such situations were trivial to the current Reinhardt.
As long as he wore the mask of an upright knight, he could easily get through it just by spouting nonsense.
‘The problem is this fellow.’
The real problem Reinhardt faced was Bitdori, which was currently pulling his hand frantically.
“Peep! Peeep!”
Bitdori was grunting and trying to lead Reinhardt somewhere.
Since they couldn't communicate, he didn't know the exact reason. He could only guess the destination.
However.
Don't ominous guesses usually turn out to be accurate?
‘It's definitely being affected by Black Magic.’
Bitdori was small and light. Just looking at it pulling him now, it only had the muscle strength to match.
However, the monstrous strength it showed against the Minion of evil earlier was clearly not something that could be explained by common sense.
‘It was the same when it saw the warlock and got angry. It kept puffing up its body and showing its annoyance, and then it even hit him and sent him flying.’
It was clear that it only exerted its hidden power when facing a warlock, a Minion of evil, or something similar.
And.
Reinhardt had seen such a being in the game.
-Don't make Reinhardt do such a thing!
-You can do it, Reinhardt! I'll always be by your side!
-I'm not afraid! You don't need to listen to those cowards!
The Spirit of Light.
The character that always stuck to Reinhardt's side and wouldn't leave him clearly came to mind.
It was a fellow with an appearance like a tiny elf, with fairy wings, and even holding something like a magic wand in its hand.
‘The Spirit of Light had exactly that role.’
The Spirit of Light only followed Reinhardt's words and did not leave his side even until the moment Reinhardt was defeated and knelt.
It was also one of the reasons why Reinhardt could slice through demons like butter.
The [Light Attribute] buff that the spirit used was a skill that showed a fraudulent aspect comparable to [Justice] when facing demons.
‘But this fellow came from the Lubra Order. Not the sun god Truma.’
The difference wasn't just the order.
The Spirit of Light seen in the game was a being with intelligence equal to that of a human.
But what about the Bitdori currently pulling his finger with a grunt?
Wasn't it behaving no differently from a cute puppy?
“Reinhardt, Knight Reinhardt!”
Ethan Taton was waiting at the main gate of the knight order he had returned to.
“You truly never cease to amaze me! I've already heard about your great achievement! Not only me, but the mayor was also greatly impressed!”
As soon as he saw Reinhardt, he rushed out to welcome him with his arms spread wide open.
His expression was similar to that of an investor whose stocks had jumped tenfold.
“Now that the report has gone to the mayor, there will probably be some definite reward soon. You'll refuse again, of course, right? Saying you just did what you had to do?”
“Yes.”
“Of course! You will! I also… Sir Reinhardt?”
“Since you've already received the report, I'll be back in a bit. I have somewhere to go.”
“Ah, of course! You'll be back by today, right? If possible, I'd like you to be back by evening! The mayor might even come in person, you know!”
“I'll try.”
Reinhardt gave a half-hearted answer and spun around.
As if he had no emotion about this situation. As if he was a person who had to focus only on what he had to do right now.
Naturally, Ethan Taton willingly respected his opinion.
“But it's fine even if you're late! Come back after you've finished everything you need to do! I'll be waiting happily!”
He ignored the shouts coming from behind. He didn't have the luxury to care about such reactions right now.
“Peebit!”
Bitdori was still pulling Reinhardt somewhere.
As if telling him to trust it, it was exuding a feeling that it would give him a big gift if he just followed.