Chapter 30
“Let me know anytime you decide it's time to move! I’ll gladly match your pace. Aren’t we companions?”
Knight Fermil of Paganoa was now treating Reinhardt as if he were a very close companion.
Of course, Reinhardt was not.
He tried to draw a line and push him away, but it had no effect on Fermil.
“Haha, this fellow. He doesn’t seem to be in a good mood today. But that’s alright. I can understand. We are close companions, after all!”
“Did our relationship develop that much in just one day?”
“That’s what makes it meaningful. We recognized each other as soon as we met and are now going through the process of building a solid friendship. What a fateful turn of events this is!”
His hide was too thick.
Reinhardt wanted to snap at him, but he held back.
After all, Fermil was a figure related to Evangeline.
And he was also a person who would one day become a truly knightly knight.
“Could you give me some space? I have things to do.”
“Alright. I’ll be staying in the quarters arranged by Sir Ethan Taton, so come find me when it’s convenient. I’ll be waiting.”
Even as he was leaving, Fermil smiled brightly and spoke affectionately.
Click.
Reinhardt glared at the closed door.
‘What in the world is wrong with that bastard…….’
Knight Fermil.
He knew well what kind of personality that character had, but he hadn't thought he would act like that at this point in time.
‘How can he be so consistent? He’s just like Reinhardt.’
Of course, Reinhardt himself was the same.
That is, the Reinhardt before he was possessed.
The Knight of Light who had no flexibility, was straightforward, and stubbornly insisted only on the path of justice.
‘Anyway, I’ve bought some time.’
Captain Jerad of the guard had promised to inform Reinhardt as soon as any suspicious person arrived at the Serigel gate.
The moment Reinhardt would move was that moment.
When the enemy was right at their doorstep.
And when they still didn't think someone was targeting them.
Only then could he achieve the maximum result with minimal damage.
It was also a place where he could show as many people as possible Reinhardt in action.
‘Fighting on some deserted road won’t get me any recognition. That’s a loss, a loss. It would be a different story if it were still a peaceful time.’
The threat of demons was within sight.
Now that he knew that fact, Reinhardt had to strengthen his [Justice] skill whenever he had the chance and build his reputation as a knight.
The ideal goal was to earn a title like ‘Guardian of Serigel’ or ‘The Iron Wall of the Eastern Gate’.
‘I’ll become something of a local specialty in this area. Like Cheonan’s walnut cakes. If that happens, even Paganoa won’t dare to think of taking me away.’
That wasn't the only advantage.
Once Reinhardt became famous enough?
Negative forces, including warlocks, would start to avoid this neighborhood.
They too would have nothing to gain from a pointless confrontation.
‘Seems like a decent plan.’
Of course, variables always existed, and plans had to be flexible.
But it didn't seem bad as a short-term goal…… Thinking so, Reinhardt turned his gaze.
Heeu, heeu.
Bitdori was there, spread out with its eyes closed.
On Reinhardt’s bed was a temporary nest made of bundled-up clothes.
Bitdori had settled comfortably in the middle of the nest.
“Sleeping deeply.”
Reinhardt pouted and checked Bitdori’s condition.
It didn't seem to be sick anywhere. Just looking at its sleeping face, it looked very comfortable.
Reinhardt crossed his arms and pondered.
The Knight of Light was originally supposed to be unable to control his anger.
Once he got angry, he was the kind of person who wouldn't be satisfied until he had completely eliminated the source of his anger.
But now?
Despite the appearance of an enemy as significant as a warlock, he was still acting calmly without losing his reason.
‘The cause is Bitdori. That much is certain.’
Did the light spirit have such an ability?
He thought back for a moment, but Reinhardt couldn't recall a relevant scene.
-Let’s go, Reinhardt! Let’s kill all those trashes!
-Don’t touch Reinhardt! You hideous things!
-With a radiant light! Reinhardt! Now!
If anything, the light spirit was the one who incited Reinhardt.
If it seemed like a battle was about to break out, it would take the lead and illuminate the surroundings with light, block the path of fleeing enemies to make them easier to catch, and constantly shower Reinhardt with all sorts of buffs.
Judging by its actions alone, it was closer to a berserker than a spirit.
As if its only goal was to kill off all the demons on this land.
“Strange……”
But it didn’t seem like there could be any other reason.
Thinking so, Reinhardt opened the community.
He skimmed through the board, which was full of worthless posts as always, and then pressed the [Create Post] button.
[Serial Post) Does the Light Spirit control Reinhardt's anger?]
[Strangely, since Bitdori started sleeping, I seem to be able to control my anger well? And why is it sleeping all day long?]
[A warlock has appeared, but I’m still holding out in my room instead of rushing out.]
In addition to that, Reinhardt added images.
A picture of Evangeline leaving with the Sealing Stone, and a picture of Knight Fermil putting on airs as soon as he arrived.
Furthermore, a picture of Fermil being soundly beaten and rolling on the floor, and then offering a handshake with a bruised face and a grin.
ㄴAnonymous1: What the hell is a Bitdori lol
ㄴAuthor: I trained it, so it understands its name now
ㄴAnonymous2: I thought you’d post one or two chapters and then quit, but when did you get this far?
ㄴAuthor: The series ends when I escape the game…….
ㄴAnonymous2: lololol
ㄴAnonymous3: Are you completely fine? Just in a calm state?
ㄴAuthor: Not really, my hands are trembling a bit. My eyes are twitching too. I’m just feeling sensitive and irritated for no reason.
ㄴAnonymous3: Then you’re not fine??
ㄴAnonymous4: lol isn’t that just cigarette withdrawal symptoms
ㄴAuthor: Originally, I should be drooling and pulling out my sword first thing. This is me holding back a lot.
There were many comments, but they lacked substance.
In a way, it was to be expected.
In the Light Spirit that Reinhardt remembered, not even a hint of such behavior could be found.
It was the same for other users.
‘By the way. I can’t believe there are so few people interested in Fermil.’
In fact, while Evangeline and Reinhardt were much-loved characters, Fermil was not.
It was because he was too troublesome to carry through to the late game.
The script that came out as his dialogue was also generally not to one’s liking.
‘Still, what can I do. If I want to pass on this troublesome burden, I have no choice but to take him with me.’
Reinhardt looked at the community a little longer before closing the window. No matter how much he searched, there was no particular information related to Bitdori.
‘I’ll have to check for myself.’
In the end, it was a part he had to find out through adventure.
It would be different if it were a path someone had walked before, but the current Reinhardt was accumulating experiences in real-time that others had never had.
“Bitdori.”
Blink, blink.
Still, when he called its name, it strenuously opened its sleepy eyes, then closed them again after realizing nothing special was happening.
Soon, the sound of soft breathing could be heard. It seemed to have fallen asleep again in that short time.
“Should I go to the temple again?”
It might not be a bad idea to go and look for clues about the phrases ‘radiant light’ and ‘fading light’…… It was the moment Reinhardt thought that.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Along with the sound of someone violently knocking on the door, an urgent voice called out to Reinhardt.
“Sir Reinhardt! Captain Jerad has sent word! The inspection of the Miller Caravan has begun!”
It was Ethan Taton.
Reinhardt immediately shot up.
“I’m going immediately. Could you call Sir Fermil?”
“I’ll do that!”
It was a demand that seemed to order around the Knight Commander, but it was so natural that neither Ethan nor Reinhardt felt it was strange.
‘What should I do with this one. It’s a bit much to leave it behind.’
Bitdori was still fast asleep.
After a moment of thought, Reinhardt carefully placed the creature on his broad shoulder.
Even in its sleep-drunken state, Bitdori gripped Reinhardt’s collar tightly. As if to say it would never fall off.
***
Twenty-two wagons fully loaded with goods.
About fifty caravan members.
In addition, a considerable amount of bribes to be given to the Mayor of Serigel under the pretext of a ‘gift’.
The Miller Caravan leader, Avara, visited the gateway city of Serigel fully prepared.
“You must be having a hard time working so late into the night. Here, it’s a small token, but……”
Naturally, as soon as the inspection began, she did not forget to show a ‘small token of her sincerity’ to the soldiers in charge.
A few gold and silver coins.
And a few bottles of precious liquor that ordinary soldiers would likely never get a proper look at in their entire lives.
In most cities, this alone was enough to pass the inspection without any problems.
Even if they were occasionally troublesome, all one had to do was toss a few more coins.
However, Serigel was different.
“What do you take us for? Are you trying to bribe the gate guards?”
“No, that’s not it……”
“Rat. Increase the intensity of the inspection. Judging by the caravan leader’s attitude, she’s clearly up to something.”
The guard, on the contrary, was rejecting all the bribes, even baring his teeth as if displeased.
‘This can’t be happening?’
Avara was flabbergasted, but she decided to play along with the soldiers for the time being.
Perhaps it was the unique strictness of a gateway city.
Or maybe it was a special audit period, or some other unpleasant incident had occurred recently.
Either way, Avara knew all too well that there was nothing to be gained by asserting her pride at the gate.
“All caravan members will cooperate sincerely with the inspection. If there is anything lacking, would you please let me know?”
“A good attitude. Wait in the carriage for a moment.”
Avara obediently followed the instruction and got into the carriage.
As she sat and looked out the window, she could see the soldiers moving busily, prodding the wagons.
The contents loaded in the wagons might be damaged by the rough handling, but Avara let them do as they pleased.
‘A minor hemorrhage.’
After all, such goods could be replenished at any time.
In the first place, what was important to her now was not the wealth she would accumulate through the caravan, but the mission she had received as a follower of ‘Agrio-s’.
“Clear the way!”
“Fall back! Surround the wagons!”
Just then, the surroundings became a little more clamorous.
This time, something was strange. The soldiers outside had the air of preparing for battle.
‘Why?’
Avara could not understand the situation.
She had disposed of all ambiguous items for fear of arousing suspicion, and the goods currently loaded on the wagons should all be ‘normal’.
Should she get out of the carriage?
Should she correct the mistake and resolve the situation now?
As she was contemplating, the sound of someone riding a horse reached her ears. Not one, but at least two or more.
‘Two knights at once…….’
Only then could Avara see it. Two knights were riding their horses and charging at full speed.
Their momentum was fierce, and Avara could even see the weapons in their hands glinting in the torchlight.
“I've been found out. How did they know?”
It took only a moment to grasp the situation.
Dark red magic erupted explosively. Avara’s eyes turned blood-red.