Chapter 83: Saint of the Hor Church (1)

The Banner of Bartenberg shone brightly.

The solemn Sacred Song met the light and resonated clearly, the light carrying the melody far into the distance.

“This should be enough.”

Richard withdrew his hand from the banner.

The land of Bartenberg was not vast considering its influence.

At best, it was the size of a modest medium-sized city.

Of course, that narrow territory held the strongest power in the Northern Continent.

Because of that, there was no need for an excessive amount of faith just to repel magic.

The banner bore fifty thousand lights.

Every time it fluttered, a brilliant halo sparkled.

As long as this light was maintained, no magic could dare to cross over.

Though it might not be a full Sanctuary, it could surely be called a ‘Pure Zone.’

“What… what is this?”

Suddenly, startled by the overwhelming sacred aura and the Sacred Song, the retainers burst out of the palace.

There were hundreds gathered in front of the main hall.

Their eyes widened as they looked up at Richard.

“Lord Richard…”

Several Knights of Bartenberg tensed.

The sudden action of Richard—the center of the uncertain debate about rebellion or loyalty—had put them on alert.

But soon, the expressions of these loyal knights softened.

The light wrapped around Richard, and the radiance drawn from the banner carried no hint of malice.

Instead, it was warm enough to stir something deep within their hearts.

[Cast away all doubt.]

[When you believe, you will receive the light.]

“Ah—”

The Sacred Song came to an end.

The retainers unknowingly let out a wistful sigh.

They silently hoped the song would continue a bit longer.

“Saint Sir!”

Breaking through the crowd gathered before the main hall was the Third Knight Division, led by Aaron.

Aaron raised the banner of the Hor Church, fluttering wildly in the wind.

“Under the light of Hor, peace shall prevail!”

Questions arose on the faces of the retainers.

Who was Hor?

Why did they call Richard a Saint?

They had no way of knowing.

Clack

Aaron and the Third Knight Division simultaneously knelt down.

The pride shining on their solid faces was directed squarely at Richard.

It was a performance of unity.

Since Richard had left to lead the Hor Church, rumors of rebellion and heresy had been running rampant.

This was to prevent such baseless gossip.

“Those brats.”

Richard smirked.

He hadn’t given any warning, yet they displayed excellent sense.

In front of the main hall, it was clear who belonged to Richard and who did not.

Those kneeling were to follow Richard; those standing were retainers of Bartenberg.

Among them, Moritz and Gide were also present.

Richard’s aura grew even darker.

Moritz, who had acted as if he would never see him again, and the butler, who had been cold and distant, both wore rather decent expressions now.

[Lone Swordsman’s Sword Star – Activation]

Light gathered and coalesced into a shining star.

Richard stepped onto it and slowly descended.

“When times are hard, look upon that banner. When fear strikes, recall the light.”

Amidst the chaos and awe, a voice filled with faith embedded itself in everyone’s mind.

Richard gazed at the retainers with tears streaming down his face.

Lack of faith was not a sin.

And the retainers of Bartenberg were not sinners.

Had there been more opportunities to interact, some among them would surely have believed fervently.

Just like the Third Knight Division and Snowfall’s followers did.

Thinking this, Richard could not leave things as they were.

“Hor has bestowed grace upon this land. You owe nothing for what you receive.”

This was compassion and consideration.

Or an investment.

Soon, all would gather under Hor’s banner anyway.

***

Days passed.

The light that had driven out darkness still did not quell the turmoil in people’s hearts.

There was no time for it, either.

Over a hundred knights assembled at the main gate of Bartenberg.

Their breastplates on the left side were empty.

They had removed the proud coat of arms of Bartenberg.

“Why… are you doing this?”

One knight, shocked upon seeing this, asked.

“We are no longer affiliated with Bartenberg.”

“What did you say?”

“We decided to serve Hor, following Saint Richard.”

The knights blinked.

They quickly glanced at the others, but every one of the assembled men wore faces full of resolution.

***

From early morning, Bartenberg was shaken once again.

The Third Knight Division, the third sword of the kingdom’s greatest swordsmanship lineage, had declared mass withdrawal.

Not a single soul remained.

They gathered at the main gate, preparing to leave Bartenberg.

Countless eyes were fixed on them.

At the center stood Richard.

Minutes later, preparations were complete.

Just one step more, and they would be fully separated from the collective called Bartenberg.

Silence hung heavily.

Those who had pledged loyalty to Bartenberg glanced back quietly, clutching their breastplates.

“Let’s go.”

Each hid many things in their hearts and looked straight ahead.

A knight was not one to waste words on needless farewells.

***

A long procession stretched from the main gate of Bartenberg and moved onward.

“Huh… hmm! Father…”

I glanced to the side.

Moritz, wearing a sullen face, was sniffling and wiping his tears.

Ugh.

From that moment on, it was just that kind of scene.

Apparently, he had been deeply moved by whatever conversation he had with Ludwig.

But a grown man crying like that was somewhat pathetic.

“Richard, you have no idea what resolution I made!”

Well, I didn’t want to know the exact change in his heart.

The important thing was that Moritz had made a new determination.

And the same went for Gide.

Since the darkness was lifted, his attitude toward me had changed.

His gaze held not only affection but also respect and awe.

“Ha, the great warrior and Hor owe me a lot.”

Suddenly, Huger muttered.

His twitching cut was blowing wind ceaselessly.

“Why should I be grateful?”

“You might not know about the great warrior, but you should know about Hor.”

“Wha—”

“By the way, I wonder when my Cupid is coming. I’m waiting so eagerly my neck is sore…”

I couldn’t understand a word he said.

I simply brushed off his rambling and raised my speed.

We were advancing steadily.

***

“Ah! Saint Sir!”

A playful voice came from behind.

It was Leon and the First Knight Order, who had come to see us off.

“Why, you traitors.”

I muttered spitefully, but they just chuckled.

They were probably the only ones laughing upon hearing the word ‘traitor.’

Their antics were so faint that I couldn’t help but smile.

“Unfortunately, the farewell ends here.”

We had already come quite a distance from Bartenberg.

The First Knight Order stopped us.

We stopped as well and exchanged farewells.

“Please take those two carriages as well.”

Leon glanced sideways at the two large black carriages.

They must be carrying some funds and supplies.

“Lord, I didn’t know you were so generous.”

“How much did you pack?”

Leon raised his hand and pointed at one carriage.

“That one is just supplies, nothing special…”

Then he pointed to the other carriage.

“Though I heard you defeated a dragon recently with the Third Knight Division, this carriage is full of gems worth twice the value of the dragon’s spoils.”

“Cheeky.”

Twice the value of dragon spoils easily exceeded ten million gold.

There were plenty of places that needed money, but thanks to this, there would be no shortage.

That was just the small stuff.

But it wasn’t the end.

Leon took out three wooden boxes from the carriage.

“This is the reward for your trade with the Lord, and these two are gifts so you won’t have to beg anywhere.”

The long box and a smaller one were for me; the remaining one was for Moritz.

“Hm, these are heavy.”

I inspected the outside of the long box first.

This was exactly what I had requested as payment for the trade with the Lord.

I didn’t expect anything else as a gift.

Snap.

At that moment, I heard a sniffle.

Glancing sideways, I saw Moritz clutching his box, tears welling in his eyes.

Tsk, I clicked my tongue and said to Leon,

“If it’s a gift, why not deliver it yourself?”

I wondered how someone could vanish without a trace on the very day of their ordination.

They truly lived up to the nickname “Iron Blood.”

“I did say that.”

Leon nodded and then smiled coolly.

“… You seemed a bit shy about it?”

“No way.”

After that, the Third Knight Division and the First Knight Order exchanged farewells with some regret.

Those who know how to choose their own path also respect the choices of others.

Everyone here did just that.

Though they had chosen different roads, there was no grudge between them.

They were comrades who had fought through battles together.

“They’re leaving.”

Aaron said with a sigh as he watched the First Knight Order return to Bartenberg.

I looked back at those who remained.

The Third Knight Division, Aaron, Gide, Moritz, and even Snowfall’s followers.

Since Vallach had parted ways with Bartenberg, only my true people remained.

“We are the First Army of the Temple Knights.”

I took in each of those who had chosen me.

They smiled warmly and met my gaze.

“Temple Knights.”

“Looks like it’s finally our turn to depart.”

“I’ve been third for three years straight, you know.”

Just because they were the Third Sword of Bartenberg didn’t mean their skill and talent were lacking.

From the beginning, to join the knights of the kingdom’s greatest swordsmanship lineage, one had to be a genius since childhood.

“You will become stronger than any other group.”

That was no empty promise.

In fact, the energy radiating from the Third Knight Division was even fiercer than when I first saw them.

From the dragon hunt to battles with the Undead.

Having fought through such rare battlefields repeatedly, they had no choice but to grow rapidly.

They would only become stronger from now on.

If they survived.

“Let’s depart.”

We mounted our horses once again.

We were heading to the Baren Kingdom.

“Daddy…”

Adele and the elves appeared in the forest.

We had left them there on guard to avoid unnecessary troubles if we brought them back to Bartenberg.

If the Lord had found out about even the elves, there would have been no good news.

“How have you been?”

“Mm! What about Daddy?”

I gently pushed away Adele, who ran up to me eagerly.

“Not bad.”

Though this was the outcome, it didn’t mean the future was closed off.

I simply held onto hope.

The day Bartenberg and its Lord, Ludwig, would shout Hor’s name once again.

“Today will be history!”

“Ooooh! So says Hor!”

“May faith spread far and wide!”

We sang our rough song as we pressed onward.