I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 18: Judgment

“Master, the priest has arrived.”

The steward’s voice at that moment sounded more handsome than any voice actor to me. The atmosphere after the steward left the study!

I know they dislike me, but I wish they’d stop with the snide remarks since I’ve done my job properly. We, who came to the Taleraan Border Count for the sudden increase in monsters, will return to the royal capital if the destruction of the fragment of the evil god reduces the occurrence of monsters.

In other words, we’re returning to the royal capital where the daughter of the Taleraan Border Count resides, and furthermore, to the royal castle where she lives as the fiancée of the crown prince for her education. As the father who has heard from my daughter, Diane, about the things I’ve been pursuing, it’s equivalent to pests heading toward my daughter…

If I were to paraphrase what was indirectly conveyed, it would be something like, “Can your words, which were so attached to your daughter, be trusted at all?” “It might have been better if you had died here, so that my daughter could live in peace.” “Some praise you, but I won’t be fooled.” and so on…

He really let out all he wanted to say (albeit indirectly) since we’ll be leaving soon. Although I desperately (indirectly) appealed that my past actions were just youthful indiscretions and asked to be seen as a different person from now on, from the look in the border count’s eyes, it’s doubtful he believes me.

“Let him in.”

Accompanied by the steward, the priest who entered the study was one I had seen several times before. With the emblem of a high-ranking priest, the priest, who wore a stole, looked at the fragment of the evil god wrapped in a handkerchief on the border count’s desk, his expression changing and covering his mouth.

“This is…! Even if it’s just a remnant, it’s so ominous…!”

His reaction seemed as if he could see spores of mold being emitted.

“So this means it’s a genuine fragment of the evil god?”

“I’ve only heard about fragments of the evil god in legends, but if this is said to be one, it emits a convincing aura of malevolence. Although it seems to have no further effect, I recommend purifying it as soon as possible.”

“Hmm, purification, huh…”

The border count groaned. Well, of course, to purify magical elements that have turned into malice, unless one is a saint, several high-ranking priests are needed, which means a considerable amount of purification offerings will be necessary. With the financial strain that the Taleraan Border Count has been under due to the increase in monsters over the past few months, it will be quite difficult.

“Border Count, this is an important piece of evidence. It might be better for me to take custody of it and submit it to the royal castle. If you could write a note confirming this to the priests, and if you submit it along with this, perhaps the priests might request the presence of the royal castle for purification… It will be the responsibility of the first person to judge, so I would appreciate it if you could take care of it.”

“To the royal castle… Well, yes, that seems reasonable. It has been written in literature that hardly anyone has ever seen a fragment of the evil god like this, so let’s accept it as the responsibility of those involved.”

If I were to paraphrase what just happened, it would be something like, “Although purification in the border count’s territory won’t bring in a large sum of purification offerings, by writing a note, we can appeal to both the royal family and the central temple in the royal capital. It seems they’ve accepted the idea of advancing to the capital smoothly without resistance.

For the border count, by allowing me to take away the dangerous object without offering a large sum of purification offerings, he earns favor. Furthermore, since it will be submitted to the royal castle for purification, the purification offerings will be covered by the national budget, so it won’t affect the budget of the knight order.

“Then let’s prepare in the reception room. Girem, please prepare for guidance and provide paper and pen. And also, prepare the purification offerings to give to the priests.”

“Understood. Then, please follow me.”

With the steward leading the way, the priest left the study. I stood up and retrieved the fragment of the evil god, which was seated on the border count’s desk, into the magic bag.

“Then I will take responsibility for delivering this fragment of the evil god to the royal castle. If you have a letter to be handed over to His Majesty or the young lady, I will also take it. Well… there are subordinates who need rest, so I will depart in about a week.”

“Understood… Thank you.”

Though it was a small voice for the border count, it was the first time he showed a softer side. Well, not exactly soft, but it was the first time he expressed gratitude to me. In reality, just accommodating our Third Knight Order would have incurred various expenses such as food, so saving on the high purification offerings was significant.

“No, giving this territory to the Border Count was the decision of the royal family, so it’s only fair for them to bear some of the burden for purification offerings. Well then, excuse me.”

“Ah, thank you for your efforts.”

Exiting the study and closing the door, I exhaled all the air from my lungs. Alright, once my injured subordinates recover enough to move, it’s time to return to the capital! Maybe I’ll go check on Mark and Chloe’s condition before that.

Returning to the barracks, I found that the subordinates, who should have been on patrol, had returned and were making a commotion. It seems they gathered to confirm what happened unexpectedly when they saw us returning from the forest. Some who were supposed to be resting had even come down to the main hall.

“Hey, Captain Justin! Is it true that the Stampede is gone!?”

“I keep saying it! It’s already over! I was the one who did it!”

“But Cassius is saying something like this!”

Apparently, Cassius’s report wasn’t being believed. Poor guy.

“Haha, that’s true. I just reported it to the Border Count earlier. And Cassius did indeed play a role.”

“I find that amusing…”

“Huh?”

Who said that just now? I was laughing pretty hard, wasn’t I? Oh, it’s Amedeo, the squire, who’s being teased by everyone.

“Is my smile that rare?”

“Well, not exactly your smile, but… your smile is…”

Looking at Amedeo with narrowed eyes, he stammered with a forced smile. Just then, from the second floor landing overlooking the entrance hall, Simon popped his head out and shouted loudly.

“You know, I think it’s more like… not this smile!”

As Simon said “not this smile,” he imitated my face when I went to order spices and quickly disappeared. Several people in the entrance hall who had been looking up at Simon began to laugh, trying to hold back their laughter as they shook their shoulders.

I clenched my fists and silently dashed up the stairs to the second floor.