“Of course not.”
Lothurn smiled, as if trying to appear as friendly as possible.
“A number of important figures have gone missing in Caesania today… According to our investigation, there are traces of a certain Desecrator organization behind this.”
“I see.”
Roki had already guessed what he was about to say next.
“The Hand of Truth.”
Lothurn got straight to the point, his tone heavy like a boulder.
“They have resumed their activities in Caesania. Everything that happened today is their provocation and declaration of war against Caesania.”
He paused.
“And you, being connected to the Hand of Truth… Even with the ‘Black Sword’s’ guarantee, there is still a risk of betrayal once again. Therefore, the Caesania City Council has urgently decided to take you into temporary custody—”
“House arrest?”
Roki asked.
“Yes, please understand. Of course, once the remaining Hand of Truth elements in the city are cleaned up and it’s proven you have nothing to do with this, you will be set free immediately.”
Lothurn rubbed his hands together.
“Rest assured, you won’t be sent to a prison or anything like that. We have prepared a place suitable for your status.”
“Wait, Lothurn, I don’t recall—”
Bishop Palt suddenly grew flustered, about to say something, but Lothurn placed a firm hand on his shoulder, silencing him instantly.
“What is your decision?”
“…And if I refuse?”
“Then you leave me no choice. I imagine someone like you understands the consequences of such an action.”
“Very well. Let’s go.”
Roki replied.
No matter what, at least the question of where to sleep tonight was settled.
Seeing Roki surrounded by knights, with Selulu naturally walking by his side, Bishop Palt clenched his staff tightly.
Roki could be forgiven, but the Saintess could not—
“Your Highness! There is a constant risk of corruption breaking out in the city. You should stay with us—”
“Bishop Palt.”
The icy tone cut through Palt’s throat, and chains glowing with white light suddenly wrapped around his neck.
“If what the deputy commander says is true, then what I should be doing is watching you, Roki. In terms of threat level, the remaining Hand of Truth members don’t compare to the great sinners we regard as ‘enemies of the gods.’”
Selulu spoke slowly and clearly, her eyes half-closed.
“Moreover, the fact that the Hand of Truth can still cause chaos in Caesania already proves your negligence, Bishop. The only thing you need to do now is to prove you are still fit to serve as Bishop of Caesania.”
With that, the two sides exchanged no more words.
Bishop Palt, watching helplessly as Roki and Selulu followed some knights away, finally lost his composure.
The monks exchanged glances but wisely refrained from aggravating their superior. Instead, they called the remaining knights upstairs to deal with the mess left by the Desecrators and get back to work.
Tonight, Caesania was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Those who had long lain dormant, like worm eggs buried underground, sensed the scent of chaos and began crawling out.
“Damn it, that Roki… I could have had him under the Church’s control, but then the Steel Saintess suddenly appeared here… Could it be that the Holy Capital sensed something?”
Bishop Palt muttered nervously.
“No, even if they did, the Holy Capital would understand… Though the plan had some hiccups, leaving the hot potato with the Knights was still a decent outcome.”
He tapped his staff and stepped into the night.
“This way, I’m free to move.”
*****
After going in circles, they unexpectedly ended up back in front of Christine’s resting room.
He remembered clearly how he had come here that morning to see her, only to have Bishop Palt disrupt things. He never imagined the night would replay a nearly identical scene.
Truly, beautiful girls come and go, but the man remains steadfast.
Roki glanced at the silent Selulu.
Since leaving the apartment, she hadn’t spoken a word to him.
Selulu just stared at Roki with wide eyes.
Normally, Roki wouldn’t care about such a trivial matter, but now an inexplicable guilt gnawed at him. He felt awkward, wanting to speak first but unsure what to say.
“All right, everyone. Return to your posts. Don’t forget, we still have a city to protect.”
Lothurn, who was leading, turned around and clapped his hands. The knights responsible for escorting Roki saluted and then strode away.
He looked toward Roki and Selulu, about to say something, but noticed the subtle tension between them.
It reminded him of the time he was trying to quit drinking and was caught sneaking drinks in the middle of the night by his teenage daughter.
“Mr. Roki, starting today, you will temporarily stay in this room.”
In just a moment, the wisdom and experience of the middle-aged man told him that after delivering the necessary lines, he should leave immediately and not meddle.
The ‘Black Sword’ never instructed him to handle their relationship issues.
*****
But it really was the Church’s Saintess and that Roki…?
He truly was the only man to whom the ‘Black Sword’ showed leniency. It seemed the rumors about him weren’t unfounded.
Unlike the monks, who were often rigid and fanatical, the knights also believed in the Church but without so many strict rules.
“We’ve added some simple furniture and daily necessities inside. If you have any additional needs, you can summon the Knights’ attendants anytime.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Not at all. I’ll take my leave now. There won’t be anyone disturbing you here, so please rest well.”
After Lothurn left, Roki smoothly pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room’s layout was no different from last time, except the sofa had been moved. A bed now occupied its original spot, separated from the rest of the room by a wardrobe and a simple partition.
Change into your pajamas and get some rest.
Roki thought so just as he took a step forward when a voice without any hint of amusement came from behind him.
“Roki~ Aren’t you going to explain the situation to me?”
Chains floated behind the girl like the tentacles of an octopus, gently closing the door.
She frowned, displeased, as if there was a disgusting smell in the air—but of course, there wasn’t. The place was usually spotless, with only a faint, delicate fragrance lingering at the tip of the nose.
“This is Christine’s resting room.”
“…You already talked to her about this?”
“While you were changing clothes.”
“Secretly whispering to that woman behind my back and not telling me right away…”