WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: WeTried Translations

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◈ I Became the Dark Knight in the Game World ◈

Chapter 20: This Order Needs a Great Warrior (2)

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The phrase “Morgina’s Champion” sounded rather suspicious. I turned to Morgina.

‘Was I not actually a real Champion? Maybe I’m a Champion awaiting promotion, or some sort of candidate?’

It was strange enough that a Saintess had been given full authority to choose a Champion. Perhaps it would make sense for an ordinary Saintess from another order, but Morgina?

Even within the Church of Eve Kaha, Morgina’s temper, generously described as fiery, seemed well known.

Giving someone like her personnel authority was not a decision any properly run for-profit organization would make.

“Ah, don’t worry. You were formally appointed as Eve Kaha’s Champion. In our order, it has traditionally been the Saintess who appoints the Champion.”

Religion was not a for-profit organization to begin with, so my common sense about the criteria for choosing someone in charge of personnel shattered completely. Was this really all right?

“That child never intended to have a Champion in the first place. She used to say that, if necessary, she would carry out the Champion’s duties herself. Apparently, none of those people who claim they can fight these days meet her standards.”

Morgina looked as though she had plenty to say. Yet even she seemed unable to show her usual arrogance before the Head of the Order’s gentle smile.

It was not the awkwardness of dealing with a superior at work. It was the attitude one took toward a truly respected elder.

“...I came to resign from my position as Champion.”

“Oh my. What happened?”

I gave Morgina a look. Morgina squeezed her eyes shut and nodded. I untied the Cross Sword from my right hip.

[Master, is this an ambush? Ambushing an old person is ugly, but effective. Still, I would like to inform you that there is a beautiful custom known as challenging someone to a duel.]

The moment Tuon landed in my hand, it began spouting things that would make someone clutch the back of their neck and collapse. The ugliness of its words suited the term Demon Sword perfectly.

Even Orisin, who had remained quietly silent since we entered Eve Kaha’s fortress, perhaps out of respect for the temple’s priests other than Morgina, finally spoke.

[That bastard is subtly insane....]

The problem began with the thought process that assumed I would stab the person in front of me just because I had drawn a sword.

Even if I had truly drawn it to ambush someone, this would have been a disaster. If it thought I was about to ambush someone, shouldn’t it have kept quiet? How was an ambush supposed to succeed after making that much noise?

I carefully checked the Head of the Order’s expression. Like an old priest who had cultivated her character over many years, she showed neither agitation nor anger.

“That is quite a unique sword.”

Before I could answer, Morgina stepped in.

“Grandma, you see, this is...”

“The Devouring Sword, isn’t it? I have heard of that ash-gray blade several times. Yet it is strange. According to the letter from Temlis, you and your Champion sealed the Devouring Sword successfully.”

“That’s what we thought too. But things got complicated.”

The conversation between an experienced priest and her disciple moved quickly, perhaps because they had spent so long together as family.

“May I see the Devouring Sword for a moment?”

I placed Tuon on the table. I could hear it whining, but ignored it.

[No! Master, in a duel, you must use me, not that filthy Horn Dagger or crude greatsword!]

The Head of the Order raised her right index finger and slowly ran it along Tuon’s blade. The red energy gathering at her fingertip was an expression of Divine Power.

After examining the Cross Sword from several angles, she set it back down.

“It truly is unusual.”

“Do you mean the Sword Spirit?”

“No. I mean you, the sword’s owner.”

The Head of the Order looked at me. It was an ordinary gaze without any force behind it, but it felt heavier than the killing intent that had been directed at me on the battlefield.

“Morgina, wait outside for a moment.”

“Grandma?”

“Go on.”

“...I can’t.”

Morgina muttered timidly. That clumsy resistance shocked me again. Rather than charging in with a mace and starting a brawl, she was only pouting that she didn’t want to go?

The Head of the Order watched Morgina for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

“I am not trying to drive the Champion out because he is of the Abyss. I have not even accepted his resignation yet. Only the Saintess who appointed a Champion has the right to dismiss that Champion by force of arms. I have no intention of infringing on your authority.”

Her explanation continued in a soft voice. Reluctantly, Morgina stood and went outside. Even after the door shut with a clack, there were no footsteps, so she was probably waiting right in front of it.

“Honestly, that child. From then to now, she has not changed at all, always pouting....”

Muttering to herself, the Head of the Order snapped her fingers. A red wave spread throughout the room.

A Soundproofing Barrier.

“It has been a very long time since I last saw a soul like yours.”

* * *

“What do you mean, a soul like mine?”

Kriel asked calmly. He could not be certain what the Head of the Order meant.

“The soul of a Hero.”

Hero. Kriel repeated the word to himself.

An honorable title granted to those who opposed the Demon King. Or...

“Souls that came from outside this world.”

Should he acknowledge it or deny it? Kriel considered it, then decided to tell the truth.

His identity as the owner of one of the Seven Demon Weapons had already been exposed. A noble knight should not lie.

“That is correct. How did you know?”

“I am older than I appear. I have had many opportunities to see many things. Including the outsiders who defeated Valor this time.”

The Head of the Church of Eve Kaha, an old woman known only as the Head of the Order, reflected on the past.

Once, she had been a soldier who carried a weapon on the same battlefield as Eve Kaha. Eve Kaha’s first follower.

Kriel’s eyes widened. She had seen the Heroes herself?

“Do you know where they went?”

“I do not know the details of what happened after their fierce battle with the Demon King. I can only assume that they tried to return to their home world.”

If they had truly left this world forever, it would be difficult for any trace of them to remain. Kriel’s hopes cooled as quickly as they had risen.

“Outsiders....”

“People like you are difficult to measure by this world’s standards. But Abyssal corruption approaches everyone equally.”

It was pointed advice. Kriel gave a bitter smile. He had suspected as much, but hearing someone bluntly tell him that using Abyss skills would ruin his life still hurt.

“Then this sword must not be something I should use.”

[Master! How can you say that? I exist for you!]

The Head of the Order slowly shook her head.

“This sword has already been severed from Gratuon’s original form. It belongs not to the Abyss, but to you.”

It belongs to me? Kriel looked down at the Cross Sword. Being on the same side as a sword that thought about stabbing others the moment it had a chance to speak was hardly reassuring.

“It does not seem like the kind of holy sword that helps people.”

“Ah, naturally. Champion, your essence is that of a Dark Knight, is it not?”

For some reason, the words Dark Knight caught in Kriel’s throat.

“It cannot be helped. This sword symbolizes your desires. It is the embodiment of every desire to do things easily, quickly, and conveniently, and sometimes to be praised by someone. It is still a Demon Sword.”

“Should I not throw it away immediately?”

“It is not the Abyss. Since it is directly tied to the darker side of your emotions, the word dark suits it well.”

She assured him that there would be no issue using it as long as Kriel himself did not submit to the Abyss. Tuon, sounding strangely triumphant, shouted that from now on, Kriel should use it instead of the Horn Dagger or a greatsword.

“Therefore, you have no reason to be disqualified as Champion. What Morgina feared will not happen.”

“Actually, I came here to resign as Champion regardless of that sword.”

The old woman’s expression turned troubled as she withdrew the Divine Power surrounding the room.

“There is no more suitable tool than the Mark of the Great Warrior for concealing a Dark Knight’s presence. Is there a particular reason you wish to refuse the position?”

“I do not believe in Eve Kaha.”

“Ah. That is fine. Our order is rather relaxed about such things.”

Kriel was impressed inwardly. This grandmother was a formidable opponent.

“As Champion, I would have to represent the interests of an organization, would I not? It is not a duty that suits me.”

“Why not? Eve Kaha would not give you an order that conflicted with your own interests.”

“A knight ought to pursue righteousness, not self-interest. Even the Church would not benefit from having a Champion who might turn his sword against it someday.”

The old woman did not press Kriel any further. Instead, she made another proposal.

“Then use your status as Champion only when you need it.”

“Pardon?”

“Since Morgina refuses, the position of Champion will not be given to anyone else anyway. Keep the Mark, then use it when necessary. You will have no other obligations.”

The Church of Eve Kaha really was relaxed about such things. Could they treat the position of Champion this casually?

As though she had guessed Kriel’s thoughts, the old woman smiled.

“Normally, that position is for the Saintess’s...”

“Grandma!”

Crash!

The door flew open as though it were about to break, and Morgina rushed inside.

Footnotes:

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