Chapter 19
Reinhardt met the two pairs of eyes and thought.
‘I’m caught.’
The two were staring at Reinhardt as if frozen.
Knight Evangeline, and a man he had never seen before.
‘He doesn't seem to be a knight. That man must be the Inquisitor.’
His identity was clear.
An Inquisitor of Paganoa.
He would be in the position to determine whether a suspicious party was a demon or not.
That was fine so far.
In the first place, Reinhardt was also hoping that Evangeline would bring an Inquisitor.
The only problem was the fact that both of them seemed to have been greatly shocked by Reinhardt's current appearance.
[You have saved an innocent citizen.]
[The effect of ‘Justice’ has been strengthened by your righteous choice.]
*Stat increase per stack +1
The message popped up in a timely manner.
Reinhardt turned his gaze back to the front. He took his glowing index finger off the citizen's forehead and moved on to the next person.
‘The water's already spilt anyway. It's a waste to miss an opportunity like this.’
[Justice] was being strengthened every time he treated a few people.
Reinhardt kept his mouth shut and went on to treat the groaning citizens one by one.
Evangeline and the Inquisitor did not interfere and just watched.
And finally, after treating the last person.
“Sir Reinhardt.”
Evangeline approached and spoke cautiously.
Instead of answering right away, Reinhardt took a light breath. Then, looking at her, he said clearly.
“Resolving the situation comes first. Will you help me?”
Evangeline closed her mouth and nodded. The large man who had been standing beside her also readily cooperated.
Reinhardt, along with the two, carried the groaning people out of the City Hall. Even though his [Justice] buff had been dispelled, he still had enough strength to lift a citizen.
‘I've bought some time, at least.’
Reinhardt glanced at Bitdori sitting on his right shoulder.
The little fellow, who was always flying around restlessly, was dozing off, looking very tired for some reason.
He didn't know for sure, but it was certain that the process just now had been quite exhausting.
‘Anyway, it's certain that it's Bitdori's power. Reinhardt doesn't have the ability to fix something like that. Unless it's beating a demon to death.’
The faint anxiety was gradually growing in size.
No matter how he thought about it, Bitdori had abilities similar to the ‘Spirit of Light’.
The only differences were its appearance and intelligence.
The Spirit of Light he had seen on the other side of the monitor could converse with humans on an equal footing, had clear preferences, and above all, did not have such a round appearance.
“Sir Reinhardt! What on earth is this…….”
“A warlock appeared, and fortunately, I was able to execute him. Dame Evangeline, would you assist with the explanation?”
“Yes, gladly.”
The area around the City Hall was crowded with people who had gathered to see what was going on.
Among them were some who could be called high-ranking officials, and priests from each order could also be seen everywhere.
When Reinhardt brought out an unconscious victim, the priests would step forward to take over the remaining treatment.
‘It looks like it's been confirmed. If he were suspicious, an Inquisitor would have thrown a punch first.’
Reinhardt focused on his work while consistently checking the attitudes of Evangeline and the Inquisitor.
The common thing was that both of them looked confused.
In any case, the suspicion that he might be a Minion of evil was cleared. For the current Reinhardt, that was enough.
‘The rest can be explained away vaguely. Because it's Reinhardt.’
The righteous Knight Reinhardt knows nothing.
Except for standing up against injustice and helping innocent citizens.
***
The tumultuous commotion was coming to an end.
The news that a warlock had appeared put the mayor of Serigel and other high-ranking officials on high alert.
They were frantically busy requesting cooperation from each order, contemplating measures to prevent a recurrence, and sending out various official documents outside the city.
“I have only done what I had to do.”
And Reinhardt was at the center of this commotion.
He had defeated a warlock. Not only that, but he had also saved the people who were suffering from the effects of Black Magic.
“Did our Lubra Order offer any small help to Sir Reinhardt? That is all we wish to know.”
“It was a great help. I am not a priest, so I cannot speak in detail. Because I do not know.”
“But you did receive help!”
“That is correct. The ring you gave me as an appreciation gift gave me strength when I was facing the warlock.”
The bishop of the Lubra Order's Serigel branch nodded as if he was deeply moved.
The ‘appreciation gift’ from the Lubra Order was helpful.
With that single sentence, the order's prestige had risen significantly.
“Sir Reinhardt. If you would visit us after the situation has been resolved, we will see if there is any additional help our order can offer. There surely will be.”
“I cannot refuse while citing a knight's honor. If it will help save citizens from similar problems, I will accept it. I will visit you soon.”
“Yes, Sir Reinhardt. Then…….”
The bishop of the Lubra Order walked away with a beaming smile.
It was clear that he would give him a few choice ‘appreciation gifts’ on his next visit. If he was lucky, he might even receive a slightly more special gift.
The guests who came next were similar people.
“Sir Reinhardt! I heard about your amazing valor…….”
“Our Truma Order is also looking for ways we can help someone like you. If you have time…….”
“Please visit the Famia Order! I earnestly request it!”
High-ranking priests from each order came in a line, and each of them requested Reinhardt's visit with a subservient attitude.
Some even seemed to feel a subtle sense of crisis.
It was clear that they were thinking of stopping the Lubra Order's solo run.
“I will visit you. I surely will.”
Reinhardt gladly accepted all their offers.
The situation also provided a good excuse.
The threat of Black Magic can pop up anytime, anywhere. In such a situation, if he could save innocent citizens, he would gladly accept any help. That was the excuse.
“You're busy. Incredibly busy.”
Next was Ethan Taton.
He was now looking at Reinhardt with an indescribable expression.
“I thought I knew you well, but I seem to have been mistaken. I really didn't think you would accomplish such a great thing, did I?”
“I have only done what I had to do.”
“Of course. I thought you would say that. By the way, could you spare me a moment? The mayor has come in person. Of course, you must be tired from the fierce battle, but if you would be so kind as to understand…….”
“It's alright. I am not tired.”
Reinhardt accepted the offer with a truly knightly face.
People were dying to give him gifts from all sides.
He had to be moderately humble as always, but he had to take and eat everything they gave him.
“That's Sir Reinhardt for you! I knew it! You are a knight who puts the well-being of others before your own body!”
“Yes, I am a knight.”
“I have never felt so regretful that there are not many knights like you in the world. Then I will prepare a seat.”
Still, he didn't expect the mayor to come in person. Reinhardt thought so as he watched Ethan's receding figure.
‘Is it because the demons haven't started to appear in earnest yet?’
In the original game world where the story was in full swing, warlocks were like extra enemies that could be easily seen anywhere.
To elicit such a reaction, one had to defeat at least one demon, but at this point in time, the value seemed to be quite different.
“Sir Reinhardt! This way!”
Just then, Ethan Taton returned, making a fuss.
When he followed him into the commander's office, the plump mayor of Serigel greeted Reinhardt with a smile on his face.
“Sir Reinhardt! We finally meet!”
“I am Knight Reinhardt. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“I am Graham, the mayor of Serigel. Count Tristan has entrusted me with the proper authority. I was truly amazed when I received the report of what happened today. To think that a knight like you is in this city is so…….”
Mayor Graham started making a bigger fuss than Ethan. With every compliment he showered, his cheek fat jiggled and saliva flew.
Reinhardt was annoyed, but he endured it as an upright knight.
“It was a natural act for a knight.”
“Hahahaha! Indeed it is. In any case, since you have achieved a merit, there must be a reward. How about I relieve your fatigue?”
Relieve his fatigue. Reinhardt thought for a moment about the meaning behind those words.
‘This… I shouldn't accept this.’
He was okay with anything in kind.
He was willing to accept any gift, be it a sword, armor, gold coins, or accessories, but this time it was different.
[The Mayor of Serigel? This guy is just a god lol]
[If you build up some favor with the mayor, you can just think of it as making the game progress much easier.]
[But if you get too close, you'll definitely become a criminal. You won't be able to leave Serigel at all, so it's better to draw a line lol]
It was a post he had seen on the community.
It was good to raise the mayor's favor. But he shouldn't get too close.
The reason?
The mayor was not a very clean person either.
Considering Reinhardt's characteristics, it meant that he didn't know what would happen if they got entangled.
“I must decline. I still have much to do.”
Reinhardt refused, and Ethan flinched.
But fortunately, Mayor Graham did not seem displeased.
“If you mean things to do?”
“I must resolve the situation. I will rest after everything is settled.”
“Excuse me, Mayor.”
Just then, Ethan quickly clung to the mayor.
Seeing him whisper something in his ear, it seemed that things would go smoothly.
“Is that so? Hmm, I see. Indeed.”
Mayor Graham seemed to have been roughly convinced by Ethan Taton's explanation.
It was clear that he had explained well that Reinhardt was originally like this, and that persuasion wouldn't work on him.
“I seem to have been rude. Let's postpone our meeting. Instead, I'll send a small gift. Sir Ethan will deliver it.”
“I will not refuse.”
“Yes, it is very reassuring to have a knight like you. Let's meet again in the near future.”
He did not refuse the handshake. He could feel the thick flesh in the hand he accepted. The sweat made him feel bad.
Graham left abruptly.
Perhaps they would meet again soon for an unpleasant matter…… Just as Reinhardt was thinking that, Ethan Taton spoke.
“Oh, by the way, Dame Evangeline asked me earlier. If Sir Reinhardt really wanted to join Paganoa.”
Reinhardt flinched and turned his gaze. Ethan Taton had an expression as if he was expecting praise.
“So I told her. Sir Reinhardt's dream was always to join Paganoa. Even now, that thought will never change.”
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I am…….”
“Of course, not for personal gain, but to help as many people as possible. To willingly throw himself where the power of a strong knight is needed. I didn't forget to say that either.”
Reinhardt couldn't answer and kept his mouth shut. It was an ambiguous situation to react to.
At that, Ethan Taton smiled as if he understood everything and patted Reinhardt's shoulder.
“So when she comes back later, speak to her well. You might even achieve your dream today.”