New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/1 chapter)
Orchestra and Holy Knights
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There were two women who blended into the darkness of the night. A deserted, abandoned chapel on the outskirts of Barwitch. That was their place of hiding. A decayed roof, brick walls with holes. Leaks from rain were inevitable, and with the coming season, temperature control would also become necessary. They could manage those by borrowing the power of magic. However, their current life, where they used the labor of magic to connect the lifeline, could hardly be called rich.
“Alisa, just a little more patience.” (Grace)
“Just a little more…?” (Alisa)
The girl called Alisa was turning sixteen this year. Her large, round eyes and innocent features made her look even younger than her age, but due to the characteristics of the beastman race, her body had already matured. Her well-shaped limbs and swelling twin hills gave the impression of an adult woman. The two curled horns on her head were thickly coiled as if forming a bundle. Grace embraced Alisa from behind and gently stroked that bundle.
Grace Grayson. Former leader of the “Light’s Droplet Orchestra”, and within the orchestra, she was in charge of the flute. Although she had been living in poverty for some time, her beauty remained unchanged to the point where, if she walked the streets, everyone would throw fervent gazes her way.
“You will be fine. If things go well, you will become a noble and live in wealth.” (Grace)
She was a victim of war. It was a story from about 20 years ago. Her homeland was defeated, and she lost her parents. Captured by bandits, she was repeatedly sold in human trafficking, and the place she eventually ended up was the slave merchant’s pen.
What was fortunate for her was that this slave merchant was one of the most ruthless individuals in the industry. When money circulates well, elimination becomes inevitable. An assassin hired by a fellow trader erased that slave merchant, and she was freed. However, the place she could return to had already become a ruined country. With nowhere to go, she was taken in by that assassin and was taught murder in a village settlement. Becoming a murderer was not something she desired.
But it was a world where one couldn’t survive without killing. She learned the techniques of killing and accumulated various crimes, assassination, extermination, theft, abduction. Each time, she came to hate those evildoings one by one, and she also came to hate herself for committing them.
“Grace of Ruin”. At some point, she came to be called that by assassins of the same origin. The better she became at killing, the more she was unable to endure her remorse. The underworld was overflowing with evil… She was a victim of war. The ideal she envisioned was a peaceful world without conflict.
One night, after finishing a job as usual, she received a revelation from a Goddess in her dream. That a world without strife could be created.
Guided by the divine message from the Goddess of Evil, Kea Tur de Dau, Grace fled from the assassin settlement and carried out a certain plan. To create a paradise free of massacres, violence, and plunder. So, that she herself could become the last darkness.
But that plan also completely collapsed. She lost most of her trusted comrades. The only one left was the “frail goddess” before her, trembling in the cold. She increased the firepower of her flame magic to provide warmth. As she gently stroked the adorable Alisa’s body, she reflected once again―――as long as this child could be happy.
She could not save all the children. But at the very least, she swore in her heart that, no matter what, she would make Alisa Halewood the happiest in the world.
“Grace-chan… Grace-chan is?” (Alisa)
Alisa turned around and asked Grace that.
“Eh, I…?” (Grace)
“If Grace-chan isn’t together too, I don’t like it. I want Grace-chan to become the happiest the most.” (Alisa)
Already approaching thirty, Grace, but she never once made a child. However, she thought while looking at Alisa that this is probably how a mother who has a child feels.
—
Grace left the sleeping Alisa behind and stepped outside the chapel ruins. Now, the only spotlight shining on her was the empty moonlight illuminating the night. She entered the dense forest and, suddenly, held up her flute. Even the performances of insects before winter hibernation were interrupted as she began to play her favorite melody.
To her, this flute was her only sedative. By playing it to her heart’s content in solitude, she could indulge in a euphoria akin to the effects of narcotics, allowing her to maintain her sense of self. This too was a recently stolen piece, taken from a musical instrument shop in Barwitch alongside Alisa and their male guardian. For tuning purposes as well, Grace deliberately played it loudly.
―――……
Sensing a faint presence, Grace stopped playing and spoke into the darkness.
“………How was today’s harvest?” (Grace)
“The retainers of Aldridge are restless. They are also moving up the schedule for recruiting ceremonial performers.” (Man)
“I see. Good work.” (Grace)
At the same time as she offered her curt words of appreciation, a black-clad knight emerged from the depths of the forest. He wore a full-body black light armor and carried a long sword with a black sheath and hilt. It was a gear specialized for nighttime assassinations. His long, sleek black hair extended freely. His face, though having a delicate facial outline, was concealed behind a black visor mask, making his true visage unknowable.
“What about Gwaine Alberti?” (Grace)
“……There is still no result.” (Man)
“Wasn’t ‘infiltration’ supposed to be your specialty?” (Grace)
“I am making efforts.” (Man)
Grace was using this man as much as she could. She no longer had any interest in anything other than Alisa’s happiness. She didn’t care if this man would destroy himself as a result of her orders. Moreover, as he was one of the causes of the collapse of the former performing orchestra, she even thought to kill him after overusing him.
“……” (Man)
“Continue the surveillance.” (Grace)
“……” (Man)
Without even responding, the black-clad knight vanished into the darkness. He was once an acquaintance who had worked with Grace, but now he was a servant under her dark magic. He himself had no will, merely being used daily as a familiar. That subjugation was brainwashing, corrupting even the mind. If a person who knew him before were to see him now, they would no doubt be astonished at his drastically changed personality.
—
It was a story from about one week prior. A room in a tenement house located in the back alleys of Barwitch. It was a secret meeting place known only to the people of the underworld. The windows were even covered with bars, making it dim despite being daytime.
Ozeas Skillward, realizing that in the designated meeting place he could not even enjoy the outside scenery, wore an expression of displeasure. The room, perhaps due to a lack of ventilation, was filled with the stench of mold. The security of the city and the traffic in this secret meeting place were inversely proportional. Therefore, this moldy, dusty air indicated that Barwitch’s security was relatively stable. To Ozeas, good security only meant bad business for himself, and he sighed for two reasons.
Moreover, he was once again being kept waiting. Previously, when dealing with the Magic Guild, he had also been kept waiting at Dali Amor’s café. Why is it that I, the head of the Holy Knights, am always the one being made to wait by the client?—he thought in dissatisfaction. But he reflected that perhaps he had become so idle recently that it warranted this. He sneered at himself, thinking that he had grown old.
Even his once sharp instincts for negotiations had, as of late, been dulled by the sight of money placed before him, leading to repeated failures. As a result, the Holy Knights’ personnel were gradually decreasing in number. First, it was the Fifth Rank. And this year, the Fourth Rank, Colin Briggs, and the Sixth Rank, Giovanni Battista, had gone missing. He assumed they had perished in the Azarigrad turmoil, but with their safety unknown, their positions remained vacant. The Holy Knights were, in other words, the “military force” of the Melpeque Church. A shortage of personnel was a blow far more severe than a recession.
“Hey, Paula… Lately, I feel as if I’ve been abandoned by luck.” (Ozeas)
“Well, that is beyond my knowing.” (Paula)
The Second Rank of the Holy Knights, Paula Maura, curtly brushed off her superior’s question. Having been summoned suddenly, she was thoroughly irritated. She fluttered the large wings growing from her back, desperately trying to ventilate the unpleasant air in the room. And with good reason—accompanying Ozeas to meet the client was work for a lower-ranked knight. Yet, she had been summoned all the way from the Western Magic Academy to Barwitch and, after a two-week journey, was now forced to babysit Orgias. It was only natural that she was not in a good mood.
*Creak…*
The room’s old entrance door let out a groan. Two visitors. Ozeas always ensured that his meetings with clients had an equal number of attendees. In this dangerous world, there was always the possibility that a failed negotiation would lead to an enraged client resorting to violence. Especially considering that today’s client was an assassin specializing in murder.
” Ozeas.” (Grace)
The one standing at the front was Grace Grayson. Orgias had not met her since their collaboration on the Paradise Cyans’ child-rearing project. Behind her, a tall man stood as if melting into the darkness. Ozeas, sensing an abnormal killing intent from the man, faltered for a brief moment. However, as a lender to the woman before him, Ozeas Skillward quickly realized his superior position and regained his composure. Observing her superior’s fluctuating bravado, Paula Maura sighed in exasperation.
“Grace, you’re late.” (Ozeas)
“A reclusive life comes with many difficulties.” (Grace)
“Reclusive…? Hah, merely hiding is not what one calls a reclusive life. You mean a life on the run.” (Ozeas)
“…That’s true.” (Grace)
Compared to five years ago, Grace had become haggard. Though her beauty remained intact, her hardships were evident in her appearance. Had it been in the past, she might have lashed out at Ozeas’ provocation, but now, even that energy had faded, leaving only exhaustion.
“And so? Now that you’ve come crawling back to me, does that mean you’ve come up with a plan for compensation?” (Ozeas)
Ozeas Skillward wasted no time in bringing up money. The failure at Paradise Cyans was primarily the orchestra’s fault. Attempting to recruit the boy Jack into the orchestra had been problematic in itself, but beyond that, the orchestra members’ misunderstanding of orders led to the attack on Soltaire, which was a severe blow. Furthermore, their departure from the isolation facility and entanglement of the San Amolina Grand Cathedral had only worsened the situation.
All of it was due to the arbitrary actions of the Light’s Droplet Orchestra.
“I’ll return the money after I take over one—no, two cities.” (Grace)
“Taking over two cities…? Are you planning to incite terrorism?” (Ozeas)
At the unexpected proposal, Orgias furrowed his brow.
“Of course not. I no longer have any intention of resorting to violence.” (Grace)
“Then, what do you plan to do?” (Ozeas)
“…Hmm, it will take a little time, but I’m thinking of returning to my original profession.” (Grace)
“Your original profession? A murderer’s original profession is quite the ominous topic.” (Ozeas)
Grace crossed her slender, pale arms and leaned against the wall of the room.
“My profession is that of a musician. I’ve already left that life behind.” (Grace)
“You intend to restart the orchestra? The name Grace won’t sell anymore.” (Ozeas)
The crimes of the Light’s Droplet Orchestra were not only known in the city but throughout the country. And that its leader was Grace Grayson, a blonde female musician, was also widely recognized.
“Isaiah Aldridge.” (Grace)
“…What?” (Ozeas)
“You know that name, don’t you?” (Grace)
“Who in this city wouldn’t? He’s the one who discovered the holy scripture ‘Akasha’s Genealogy.’ I’ve met him in person before.” (Ozeas)
“Aldridge is a noble with a marquis rank whose official and public hands reach the towns around Barwitch. According to the spy’s investigation, it seems he is planning to early on transfer the actual power to the son who returned from the magic university.”
That Grace’s aim was the power of the noble Aldridge, and the money that accompanied it, was something he understood. However, he felt irritation toward her, who was acting reserved in speaking of the method. Ozeas, who could not quite grasp the conversation, raised his voice in irritation.
“And so what of it! Do you intend to take the place of that son?” (Ozeas)
“I cannot take the place of the son, but it seems a celebration also serving as a bride-search will be held soon.” (Grace)
“Bride search? …Ha, no matter how much it is you, a past-marriage-age old woman would never be taken as a partner.” (Ozeas)
“Oh my, you say something delightful. But it is not about me, it is about my daughter.” (Grace)
“Daughter…?” (Ozeas)
For Ozeas, it was nothing but incomprehensible. That Grace, who had long been involved in work as an assassin, had experienced pregnancy and childbirth in the past—such a story he had never heard. However, even if she were to use a daughter, it was an impossible story.
“Nobles perform marriage with nobles. How would some tomboy-like girl manage to deceive the son?” (Ozeas)
“With ‘mana’.” (Grace)
The dark magic that Grace was skilled in—within that was also an art of brainwashing, something Ozeas, who was well-versed in magic, knew well.
“Oh… it is becoming somewhat realistic. And, the method to contact the son, setting aside the other noble crowd?” (Ozeas)
“That is why I said it. I am returning to my original profession.” (Grace)
“Uhm…?” (Ozeas)
“In the ceremony, performers as ‘entertainers (clowns)’ are needed. I will infiltrate the mansion as a musician, find an opportunity to contact the son, and cast brainwashing magic. How about it?” (Grace)
Ozeas, while keeping a furrowed brow, was deep in thought. That his decision-making was getting slower year by year—this was a sign of his own aging. If within a few years he could take control of an entire city, the expectations were great. However, if it were to be realized, it still felt lacking in refinement.
“The strategy is understood. However, if it is a request from a noble, it would be extended to a trusted organization. Furthermore, do you not lack personnel as a musical group?” (Ozeas)
That the number of personnel was lacking was something the Holy Knights also shared.
“For that, lend me your power. If we attach the ink of the Melpeque Church, trust should be a light matter. Recruitment of personnel too, I ask through the church’s connections.” (Grace)
“Oi, know your place. You, insolently, to me—” (Ozeas)
“What if I say I will return double the debt amount?” (Grace)
Ozeas was weak to money. No matter what kind of request, as long as money was piled up, his will would easily bend—this was Ozeas’ flaw. However, even being self-aware of this, he still succumbed to money, such was the nature of a money-grubber.
“Besides, in Dali Amor, your standing was once in danger. Having one or two more bases would be better for you, no?” (Grace)
“That is… if you all take control of Barwitch, does that mean entrusting its management to our knight order?” (Ozeas)
“In the name of a supervisory role, yes.” (Grace)
Ozeas let out a fearless grin at that proposal. That was a sign of approval. The Holy Knights, who were just beginning to lose strength. Relying solely on donations to the church was unsustainable, and they had been repeating dirty work. If they could obtain stable tax revenue, it would be a matter of security. Furthermore, they could select knight candidates from each town. It was killing two birds with one stone.
“Wait a moment, Ozeas.” (Paula)
There, Paula Maura, who had decided to listen silently from the back, interrupted.
“What is it, Paula? Do you have complaints?” (Ozeas)
“I have no complaints. Just, propose one exchange condition from our side as well. Are you still a High Priest (Druid) of the Holy Knights? Honestly, you are heading straight down the senile old-man road.” (Paula)
“W-what did you say—” (Ozeas)
“Exchange condition? Then, with the city’s management rights and tax revenue…” (Paula)
Ozeas and Grace, who had their conversation starting to come together, both harbored resentment towards Paula.
“You too, what do you intend to do if we say we will not lend a hand? In the end, are you not almost entirely relying on our church’s power? Then, it is not a matter where you can complain if we propose a bit more conditions from our side.” (Paula)
“…Hmm, well, that’s true.” (Ozeas)
Paula pressed on.
She, on a daily basis, dealt with troublesome influential figures at the Magic University and the royal capital of Elindroa, so she was well-versed in negotiations.
“Then, what is that condition? If it is to accomplish the objective, I will swallow even somewhat bitter matters.” (Grace)
“Very well? Then, let me consult with Ozeas for a moment, so could you leave the room for a little while?” (Paula)
“…Got it.” (Grace)
Paula Maura moved her large black wings to intimidate Grace. Paula was of a bird-type beastman race. With the wings on her back, she could fly in the sky, but perhaps due to being raised in a high place, her manner of speech also had a high-handed tendency.
—
“What is this about, Paula? Money and a base, are these not already sufficient?” (Ozeas)
After Grace and the black-clad knight had exited, Ozeas and Paula began their discussion with just the two of them. Ozeas appeared dissatisfied.
“Sufficient? …Well, Ozeas. You have aged, haven’t you? The name of Greed’s Skillward will fade away.” (Paula)
“What do you mean?” (Ozeas)
“Right now, we have a complete advantage. Since it is a perfect opportunity, how about making them shoulder the church’s unfinished work?” (Paula)
“Oh. That is an excellent idea.” (Ozeas)
The Melpeque Church Holy Knights were also the workforce of the church. Especially, for work requiring combat or physical confrontation that was difficult for just the church’s druids, it went without saying that the Holy Knights were mobilized.
“If I recall, among the sealed-designated holy relics, there are still some left loose in Barwitch.” (Paula)
“Ah, the task of securing relics, huh.” (Ozeas)
In this world, there existed holy relics referred to as traces left behind by the gods. Among them, possessing power surpassing human intelligence, there were some that were deemed too dangerous and were ordered to be sealed by the church’s judgment.
Out of the 17 currently discovered holy relics, 8 had received seal designation.
These relics were as follows:
- God’s Compass <Rhizomata Volga>
- Demon Bow <Aerial Volga>
- Scripture <Lineage of Akasha>
- Grimoire <Black Grimoire>
- Grimoire <White Grimoire>
- Strange Circuit Board <Timaeus Manuscript>
- Holy Sword <Liel Bringer>
- Demon Sword <Care Slave>
Most of them were still yet to be secured and remained loose. Reasons included their management by beings higher than humans, but among them, there were also holy relics possessed by individual humans, making them extremely dangerous.
“Indeed. If they are skilled in covert work, let us send them to Alberti. The grimoire he took from the Magic University must be somewhere.” (Paula)
What Second-Rank Holy Knight Paula Maura was wary of was the Black Grimoire. Its owner was, as of now, said to be running a school together with his child in this very town. Since he was constantly dealing with children, she had her sights set on him, thinking that his guard must be lowered.
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