Chapter 59: Subjugation campaign (1)

Clank, clank.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed in the air. I turned my head to see a silver-clad army marching in perfect formation.

Their synchronized movements, almost like a choreographed dance of blades, were a spectacle in themselves.

Even without chanting a single command, not a single step was out of sync. I couldn’t help but marvel at the precision.

So that’s the Holy Knight Order.

Gleaming silver armor reflected the sunlight, and silver helmets partially covered their faces. Each of them carried silver weapons—long spears, maces, hammers, shields—the variety was impressive.

Behind them followed a group draped in white robes. Most appeared to be women, with a few men among them. They were dressed in clerical robes and trailed slowly behind the knights.

Just like I heard.

The Holy Nation of Numen, centered around the Goddess church. The Holy Knight Order, composed only of the elite of the elite.

According to Abel, the Holy Knights arriving today were the best of the best—handpicked even among the top ranks of the Church.

Holy Knights who fought using divine power granted by the Goddess. Priests who provided healing and blessings from the rear lines.

That combination was like a shield even disaster-class monsters would struggle to break through.

Impressive.

Their numbers barely reached a hundred, but their presence rivaled that of a full army. So this was the legendary Holy Knight Order of the Holy Nation.

When I turned again, I saw Abel standing calmly, his gaze fixed on the approaching army without a hint of emotion.

His composed presence helped settle the nervous flutter in my own chest, and I adjusted my posture.

Clack.

At a subtle signal, the army split neatly in two.

From the opening, an elderly man with white hair stepped forward.

He walked slowly, using the staff in his hand like a cane.

His beard reached down to his chest, and his face was lined with deep wrinkles. But beneath those heavy brows, his eyes still gleamed with intensity, making it clear he was no ordinary old man.

Stroking his beard, he approached Abel.

“It’s been a long time, Duke Abel.”

“It has indeed, Your Holiness.”

So that’s the Pope.

I’d heard he was over a hundred years old this year, yet he still looked vigorous.

Despite his small frame, he radiated a quiet pressure.

“Haha. Still full of spirit, I see.”

“You flatter me.”

Their gazes locked midair like a subtle duel, neither side backing down.

“You’ve been stirring up quite the trouble lately.”

“Yes. I didn’t expect even the Holy Nation to hear of it. Word really does travel fast.”

“Our nation’s run by the young now. They’re quite sharp when it comes to news.”

“That’s reassuring.”

So the power play’s already begun?

They were allies, and yet the tension in the air said otherwise.

Still glaring at each other, both men let out a quiet chuckle.

“You’re still upset I called you by name?”

“Knowing that and saying it anyway is even pettier, don’t you think?”

“Haha, fair enough.”

The earlier tension seemed like a joke now, as the Pope’s expression softened.

He fiddled with his staff for a moment before speaking to Abel in a calm tone.

“So, what’s your move this time?”

“I’ll be participating directly. No point in hiding it now.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“And what about you, Your Holiness?”

At Abel’s question, the Pope slowly shook his head.

“I’ve aged plenty. I’d rather not rob the young of their moment.”

Then his gaze slowly turned toward us.

He carefully observed our knight order, and then—his eyes stopped on me.

Before I could react to that stare, his eyes shimmered faintly.

The Pope closed his eyes, as if deep in thought, then let out a soft exhale.

What… was that?

He tapped the ground with his staff and began approaching me.

When he stood directly in front of me—so close I could see every pore—I instinctively stepped back.

But he didn’t seem to mind.

“How curious. I suppose this is what fate looks like.”

His cryptic words left me speechless.

While I tried to decipher his intent, he suddenly let out a hearty laugh.

“Pardon me, young man. Consider this a gift of apology.”

He pulled a folded paper from his robe and tossed it toward me.

Surprised, I barely managed to catch it with my right hand.

When I opened my palm, I found a piece of white parchment inscribed with golden characters.

It radiated a strange, immense energy—clearly no ordinary charm.

“A universal healing talisman. Use it when the time feels right.”

Gasps echoed from the Holy Knight Order. Judging by their reaction, this item was extremely rare.

He’s just giving this away… as an apology gift?

Was the Pope always this generous, or was there something more to this gesture?

Either way, I’d received it directly from him—I had no choice but to accept.

Still, I couldn’t shake my curiosity about what the Pope was thinking.

Abel seemed just as suspicious, casting the Pope a wary glance.

“What’s going through your mind?”

“Haha, those eyes could pierce through anything.”

The Pope merely brushed off the question as if it were nothing.

And Abel, seemingly unwilling to push further, let out a quiet sigh.

“Then let’s begin.”

At the Pope’s words, Abel gave a silent nod.

Just then, a priestess with jet-black eyes stepped between the two men.

She reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll.

With her thin fingers, she unrolled the parchment vertically, revealing black ink across the page.

Could that be the alliance treaty between the Holy Nation of Numen and the Arie Empire?

Standing confidently before so many eyes, she began reading the treaty aloud without a trace of hesitation.

Most of the contents outlined what constituted betrayal of the alliance—and the consequences thereof.

But one clause stood out more than the others.

“Clause 10: The Holy Nation of Numen shall not collaborate with the Imperial Family of the Arie Empire.”

The Imperial Family, huh…

Now that I thought about it, the only knights participating in this subjugation from the Arie Empire were those under Abel’s command—the Black Raven Knight Order.

No wonder I hadn’t seen any knights from the Imperial Family.

So this clause was the reason.

But even then, why?

Could it be that the Holy Nation of Numen also recognized the danger the Imperial Family posed?

I couldn’t be sure.

“We have now reaffirmed the terms of the alliance. Do both sides accept?”

“I see no issues from this old man. What about you, Duke?”

Abel, who had been quietly studying the scroll, extended his hand.

His eyes shimmered silver, and a white light swept across the parchment.

“No issues here.”

As soon as he said it, the scroll began to glow.

Magic from both the Pope and Abel flowed into it, causing the ink on the paper to shine with radiant white light.

Renewing the same treaty again and again might seem tedious.

But it was a symbolic gesture—one meant to reinforce trust between the two nations.

With the alliance between the Holy Nation and the Empire being far from ironclad, this formality was necessary.

“I hereby declare the cooperation of the Black Raven Knight Order and the Holy Knight Order.”

Waaaah!

A loud cheer erupted from our knights.

Not to be outdone, the Holy Knight Order.

“Please take care of me again this time.”

“It’s us who should be saying that.”

And with that, preparations for the subjugation campaign were complete.

According to Abel, today would be used to reorganize the formation, and the full-scale campaign would begin tomorrow.

So we’re going to be up against another calamity-class monster like the one we saw back then…

The thought alone made me tense.

I knew the one Evanhad fought before was among the stronger ones even within the calamity class.

Still, now that it was really happening, I couldn’t help the nerves.

Abel must have noticed. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder and asked in his calm voice,

“Nervous?”

“...Yes.”

I couldn’t deny it and gave a small nod.

Abel chuckled softly at my honest reaction before speaking.

“There’s no need to worry too much. Not a single casualty has ever come out of these campaigns.”

“Well... that’s a relief to hear.”

I took deep breaths to steady my shaking nerves.

Just like Abel said, there was no reason to let anxiety get the better of me.

Especially since the Holy Nation’s healing priests would be accompanying us.

And… I’ve got my last resort too.

The power to return. Regression.

I really didn’t want to rely on it. I hoped nothing would force me to.

But life is unpredictable. You never know what might happen.

Still, I’d made up my mind—I wouldn’t try to change things by using regression anymore.

I’d promised myself I wouldn’t lean on that power alone again.

『Don’t overthink it, Contractor. I’ll give it my all too.』

Yeah. You’re right. Thanks for worrying.

『I wasn’t really worried or anything.』

The grumbling voice of Sylphi echoed in my head.

After a month of training together, we’d grown fairly close.

Thanks to that, my affinity with spirits had increased enough that I could now speak with Sylphi without her having to manifest.

“Then get some good rest. It all begins tomorrow.”

“Okay. You too, Abel.”

At my words, he gave a brief nod and walked away.

Watching his back for a moment, I then turned away myself.

First comes the team assignments.

To ensure maximum efficiency, the Holy Knight Order and the Black Raven Knight Order would be divided into two units: the guard team and the subjugation team.

Within those units, we’d be assigned into smaller squads.

That meant who I’d end up teamed with was quite important.

I wonder how it’ll turn out.

I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious…

But at the same time, I was genuinely looking forward to it.

– – The End of The Chapter––

 

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