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8.

“It’s the pilgrim group.”

“They’ve gathered again.”

The air felt heavy today, a feeling everyone passing through the capital’s plaza could sense.

The hundreds of pilgrim groups, swarming in since early morning, were the culprits.

Ransel watched them from the terrace of a distant restaurant.

“Quiet! Duke Meirildun, who will lead this pilgrimage, is arriving!”

A man, clad head to toe in expensive armor, ascended the pre-prepared platform.

Ransel scowled.

The armor was so polished that each step he took sent glints of silver reflecting off the sun, almost blinding.

“Alas! Truly, alas, pilgrim group. Citizens of the Empire. Descendants of our great God.”

Duke Meirildun began his speech, unfolding a piece of paper.

“Why does the evil rooted in this land not yet disappear! Why do those who obstruct the Empire’s dream of achieving paradise continue to emerge!”

*Slurp.*

Ransel indifferently drank his fruit juice. It was going to be a long speech from the start.

“Therefore, I swear!”

By the time he ordered his third drink, Duke Meirildun’s speech had reached its climax.

“I, Meirildun, in the name of the Imperial Family and the Saintess Church! I shall surely uproot the sprouts of corruption and wickedness that have spread to every corner of this great Empire!”

Uproot.

The pilgrims were all talk, but their words were undeniably true.

Just a week into their journey, the wails of the vassals uprooted throughout the Empire had already spread.

“Oh dear, if you take this, we won’t have food to last us until the harvest season!”

“Are you defying God’s command for this pilgrimage? Behold, this man is a demon! Hang him at once!”

“Eek! S-save me! I-I’ll give you everything!”

Drinks and food, lodging and women, horses and money.

They took whatever they needed, and even things they didn’t necessarily need.

“Hand it over. Hand over everything.”

* * *

“They should be in the Oldbottle region by now.”

Ransel meticulously traced the pilgrim group’s path on the map.

There was no need to discreetly inquire.

The pilgrim group themselves reported their deeds every day.

Every four days, a paper detailing the events of their pilgrimage was posted in Rodnis Square, a now common occurrence.

“—…Furthermore, the pilgrim group purged the vile and wicked bandit forces illegally occupying the village, and dealt with a monster that lived in the lake!”

‘Basically, they turned a village that refused the pilgrim’s plunder into ruins.’

Most of it was a continuous stream of praise filled with dazzling achievements, but it was enough to let them know where they were heading.

“If you’re so interested in the pilgrim group, why don’t you just join them?”

Baron Evil Shen looked at Ransel, who was recording the pilgrim group’s movements, with a hint of confusion.

‘There’s no other way than this.’

Ransel had no intention of letting this opportunity pass him by. The pilgrim group event itself was not a common occurrence.

Yes.

This was an opportunity.

Their existence, their arrogance, the atrocities they were committing, even the relatively close route of the pilgrimage to the capital.

All of it was an opportunity for Ransel.

“Lord Evil Shen, would you be interested in making a fortune with me?”

As soon as the entire travel route of the pilgrim group was completed, Ransel went to find Baron Evil Shen.

He intended to make an irresistible offer to the most successful stable owner in the land, a miser.

“If this goes well, no one in the capital will look down on you again.”

Baron Evil Shen, who was leisurely drinking tea, sent him a nervous glance.

“Why the serious face? Just tell me. It’s not the first time I’ve lent you money.”

“The amount is a bit large this time.”

“…How much?”

“Roughly this much.”

Baron Evil Shen’s eyes widened as if to split.

“Wh-what are you planning to do with s-such an amount….”

“I told you it was business. Business.”

“…Let’s hear it. What’s your scheme?”

Ransel lowered his voice and explained his plan. Baron Evil Shen, after listening for a long time, let out a deep sigh.

“This requires the approval of the Imperial Archbishop. You can’t just do it if you want to.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll bring it back, right?”

“Who? Me?”

Baron Evil Shen looked utterly bewildered.

.

.

.

“You’re going to do something like that? At this time?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Baron Evil Shen was sweating.

The Imperial Archbishop was looking down at the top of his head with half-closed eyes.

This meeting was arranged at Ransel’s semi-coercive request.

Needless to say, five fine horses were spent as bribes to arrange this meeting.

—If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility. On the honor of the Dante Family.

That darn Dante Family. If it weren’t for past ties, he would never have dreamed of doing something like this.

Muttering inwardly, Baron Evil Shen cautiously eyed the Imperial Archbishop.

“Wh-what do you think?”

After a long silence, the Archbishop’s eyes slowly opened.

“I heard you were a nouveau riche from the border, but now I see….”

A short yet long silence followed. Sharp eyes scanned him up and down.

The fear of the words that would follow overwhelmed Baron Evil Shen. His breathing grew shallow. His chest felt like it would burst.

“You were a clever one.”

“Hoo.”

With a wave of relief, Baron Evil Shen exhaled the breath he had been holding.

“I never thought of it myself. Why didn’t I think of it? Especially at such a good time.”

“…Uh?”

“If prepared properly, it could be an opportunity to elevate the pilgrim group’s honor. I quite like it.”

“Thank you! Your Grace, thank you!”

“However.”

The Archbishop interrupted Baron Evil Shen.

“Even with all your money, can you handle such a grand festival alone?”

“Of course! Of course! I will sell all my assets if I must!”

“No, I don’t believe you. Since it has come to this, the Saintess Church should also contribute some funds. It’s not like we can let you do all the good work.”

“Ah, y-yes, th-that’s right.”

Baron Evil Shen couldn’t hide his flustered expression.

The Archbishop not only agreed with Ransel Dante’s audacious plan but also began to delve deeper.

—They will absolutely not refuse. Just trust me. Just do it.

Was what he said indeed true? Baron Evil Shen felt goosebumps rise on his arm.

“It seems I need to broaden the scope. Fortunately, His Majesty seems to have time today.”

“His M-Maj…!”

Baron Evil Shen’s face turned deathly pale.

“Go and deliver it to His Majesty yourself. Understood.”

“Yes? Yes… yes!”

It felt like his lifespan had been halved.

9.

In the center of the capital, there was a large park where nobles spent their leisure time.

Ransel and Marigold had been visiting this place every weekend for months.

Waterfowl flew around the lake, and wealthy families of the capital gathered noisily in the garden.

“Hic!”

“It’s okay. I’m holding you.”

As always, Ransel brought Marigold onto a small rowboat floating on the lake.

To her, who couldn’t see, the rowboat was a symbol of terror. Fearing she might lose her balance and fall at any moment, her lips trembled.

Rowing to the center of the lake, Marigold took a deep breath.

“Ready… I’m ready.”

“Then let’s begin.”

When Ransel snapped his fingers to signal, Marigold’s expression changed instantly.

Her eyes were closed, her face serene.

Birds flapped their wings around the swaying boat, but her calm demeanor remained unshaken.

Her appearance, which at times felt almost sacred, was truly admirable.

After a while, Marigold slowly opened her mouth.

“Knight.”

Ransel smiled.

Marigold’s quiet voice even carried a sense of authority. She was a completely different person from moments before.

“Tell me who you are.”

Ransel shifted his position on the rowboat. He knelt on one knee, lowering his head.

“I am Ransel Dante.”

.

.

.

“I am your loyal servant, Ransel Dante.”

Ransel knelt before Marigold.

Beside him, the knight, who had been fighting with a sword just moments ago, lay unconscious on the ground.

Behind him was a small fence, and the cheers of dozens of spectators and gamblers filled the air.

“The winner of the first preliminary round of the Imperial Knights Tournament is!”

Baron Evil Shen, with a wide grin, rushed over and lifted Ransel’s arm.

==========

—Regular Event: The main event of the ‘Knight Tournament’ hosted by Baron Evil Shen and the Saintess Church is three months away. Who will be crowned the Empire’s greatest knight?

※Due to Saintess Church regulations, holy knights from ‘all religious orders’ within the Empire will participate in this Knight Tournament.

==========

“Ransel Dante of the Saintess Church!”

“Woooooah!”

“Give me back my money, y-you…!”

 

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