“Are you saying that incidents of people getting injured are occurring around the dungeon?” Ophel received the priest’s report with a serious expression.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Surely… you don’t mean monsters are emerging from the dungeon, do you?”
“It doesn’t seem that way. While the miasma has grown stronger, based on the testimonies of many who were attacked, it appears to be the work of a bandit group. Most of them mentioned losing their supplies after losing consciousness.”
After listening to the detailed report, it became clear that this was likely the act of humans, not monsters.
“Bandits, you say…”
Ophel had heard reports that the number of people turning to banditry for survival had skyrocketed following a major plague that swept across the continent.
Thanks to recent efforts by the imperial family to reduce taxes and actively support devastated regions, public order had somewhat stabilized.
Still, the scars left by the plague wouldn’t disappear so quickly.
“What will you do? If you wish, I can request military support.”
“Are you thinking of conducting a sweep?”
“Yes, but… were you considering something else?”
Ophel slowly nodded.
“From what I hear, they seem to have stolen goods but spared lives. Judging by their pattern of attacking small groups of one or two people, their numbers are likely no more than ten. For now, wouldn’t it be worth trying to talk to them first? I’d prefer to give them another chance if possible.”
“You’re thinking of reforming them, aren’t you?”
Ophel nodded again.
“Some might find it frustrating, but… if we can act before they cross the line, isn’t that better for everyone?”
“No, I don’t find it frustrating at all. But will you be alright on your own?”
At this, Ophel responded in a calm tone.
“It’s fine. Even if it’s ten, no—up to thirty—I don’t need reinforcements.”
She stroked the sword hanging at her hip and added with confidence, “I can handle it alone.”
At that moment, the priest was reminded of who stood before him: Ophel Aichel Transrente.
A paragon among knights of this era and one of the continent’s strongest warriors.
While she had recently shown a slightly clumsy side, when she wielded her sword, there was no one in her generation who could surpass her.
Luca and Linnea, both exceptionally talented knights, would undoubtedly still fall short of her.
Frankly, if it was just an ordinary bandit group, Ophel could likely handle even fifty of them on her own with ease.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Lady Ophel.”
“Hmm. I’ll try to resolve things peacefully without unnecessary bloodshed.”
“Reformation is important, but please prioritize your safety above all else. You are chosen by the divine.”
“You take care as well. Farewell for now.”
***
After parting with the priest, a voice from above her head finally spoke up.
“[Igogodon.]”
“Don’t worry about it, Rabbit. It’s just a matter of helping a few people who’ve strayed onto the wrong path.”
“[Igogodon]”
“If punishment is necessary, I’ll deliver it. But reforming those who can be reformed is just as important.”
Hop.
“I can handle it alone, so you needn’t worry. Now, we should start preparing.”
Engaging in casual banter with the rabbit, Ophel began her day as a paladin in earnest.
Her first move was to take off her knightly attire and disguise herself as a simple traveler.
Bandits wouldn’t attack a knight.
If they didn’t approach her, reformation wouldn’t be possible.
To lure them in, a disguise was essential.
Ophel donned a robe-like outfit, spun around, and then turned to the rabbit.
“How do I look, Rabbit? Do I seem like an ordinary traveler?”
“[Igogodon.]”
“Hmm? You’re right. It does feel a bit tight around the chest… But it can’t be helped unless it’s custom-made for me.”
Indeed, all of Ophel’s clothes were tailored specifically for her.
While Erin’s extraordinary figure often overshadowed her, Ophel also had a more prominent figure than most her age.
Buying standard armor off the shelf had always been a hassle for her.
“Now, it’s your turn.”
Ophel spoke as she set down her bag and opened it wide toward the rabbit.
“Hop in.”
“[Igogodon.]”
“Feeling sleepy? I’ll walk slowly, so don’t worry and take a nap. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to it.”
Hop!
Without much fuss, the rabbit jumped into the bag.
It seemed almost designed for the rabbit, fitting perfectly.
If Luca were here, she’d probably be so distracted by the adorable sight that he’d stand frozen for five minutes.
“Alright, let’s head out. If it gets too bumpy, just let me know.”
There was no response from the rabbit in the bag, but Ophel assumed it understood and began exploring the area.
How many hours had passed as Ophel wandered around the dungeon disguised as an ordinary traveler, with her sword hidden behind her back?
As the surroundings grew dimmer—
‘There’s someone here.’
Sensing a presence, Ophel pretended not to notice and continued wandering.
How much time passed like this, she wasn’t sure.
Before long, three men appeared before her.
“Stop right there,” one of them said.
Ophel quickly turned around.
This time, two women and three more men emerged, walking slowly toward her.
“Sorry, but you’ll need to pay a toll to pass this way.”
Ophel glanced around quickly.
There were eight people in sight… and no signs of others lying in ambush.
This much… I can handle on my own.
“A toll? I haven’t heard of such a thing.”
“Of course not,” one of the men said with a smirk. “It’s a new rule starting today.”
Unfazed by the man’s mocking tone, Ophel replied calmly, “Judging by your nonsense, it seems you’re the ones responsible for the recent attacks on civilians around here.”
“You heard those rumors and still had the guts to show up here?”
“And if I did, what then?”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“You look pretty calm for someone about to regret not handing over their valuables.”
“Let’s not make this difficult, lady. Just give us your money, and we’ll let you pass.”
Though they were trying to sound tough, there was a slight tremor in their voices.
Their youthful tones betrayed how hard they were trying to keep up the facade of confidence.
This much… I can handle easily.
Ophel slowly removed the hood of her robe.
Her red hair and distinct circlet instantly made the bandits visibly uneasy.
“Judging by your faces, you recognize me, don’t you?”
It would have been strange if they didn’t.
Her appointment as a paladin had been celebrated with such grandeur that it was nearly impossible for anyone to not know her.
To the people of this era, Ophel—along with Luca, Linnea, and Saint Erin—was a symbolic figure.
“Good. That makes this simpler. Do not resist unnecessarily. Drop your weapons and follow me. If you change your hearts now, I’ll help you become better people. But if you refuse—”
Ophel drew the sword strapped to her back.
“—Then you’ll have to face me here and now.”
At that moment, the one who seemed to be their leader locked eyes with her and shouted.
“With hair like that, you must be the infamous Ophel!”
“What?”
“Ophel Aichel Transrente. The so-called paladin who can’t even recite a single verse from the holy scriptures!”
For the first time, Ophel, who had maintained her composure, faltered.
‘That rumor… had spread this far?’
“That… that’s—”
“Why? Go ahead, say one for us now. Surely even we lowly bandits know it, so you must too, right? Or are you going to claim you don’t?”
“I-I…”
Sweat beading on her forehead, Ophel desperately tried to recall.
Dammit. I know this… I definitely know this…!
“By the… by the will of the divine…”
“The divine?”
Unable to say anything further, Ophel froze, and the bandits laughed openly at her.
“Plain and simple truth! That’s what the holy folk are always spouting, isn’t it? The plain, simple truth!”
The leader, now emboldened, raised his voice and mocked her.
“If that so-called truth is so great, then why did my family suffer and die of disease? Why did everyone in my village perish while your great god did nothing?! …But I guess asking someone who can’t even recall a single phrase is pointless, isn’t it?”
“That… that’s not true! The truth of the divine is surely—”
“Enough! You can kill us or drag us to jail, but don’t expect us to bow to some meaningless will of the divine!”
“Everyone, get ready!”
At the leader’s command, all the bandits drew their weapons.
Normally, Ophel would have responded calmly, but the realization that even these bandits could recite a verse she could not left her shaken.
‘Do I even have the right to reform these people?’
She would win.
She was certain of that.
But reforming them had always been her priority, and now her resolve was wavering.
‘If I can’t even remember something that ordinary bandits can recite, what right do I have?’
‘Am I only capable of suppressing them with force, not reforming them?’
“Attack!!”
As the bandits charged at her—
“…!!!”
—suddenly, a brilliant flash of light burst from the bag Ophel was carrying.
Startled, the bandits stopped in their tracks.
“What’s going on?!”
“Is this magic?!”
At the same time—
Hop!
Something leapt out of the bag.
With bright, sun-like eyes and fluffy fur, it had the appearance of an adorably innocent rabbit.
Its rabbit ears twitched, and its overall cuteness made it hard to believe this creature was a divine emissary.
“What is this?!”
“…A rabbit…??”
As the creature revealed itself, the bandits were too stunned to comprehend what they were seeing.
They could not grasp the significance of encountering such a being.
The rabbit blinked and stared at the frozen bandits with an unchanging expression before speaking.
“[Igogodon.]”
As soon as it spoke, the space behind it split open.
A massive rift, gaping like a mouth, tore through the air with an ominous hum that didn’t belong to this world.
Then—
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!!!
“AAAHHH!!!”
“HELP ME!!!”
The bandits, one by one, were sucked into the rift.
The terrifying scene resembled an absolute being devouring its prey.
Moments later, the rift closed as if nothing had happened.
“R-Rabbit… what was that…?”
Still wide-eyed, Ophel stared at the impossible, otherworldly phenomenon.
The rabbit tilted its head nonchalantly a few times and then replied.
“[Osibma Non Huon Manse.]”
The divine emissary had begun the “true” process of reforming those who had dared to defy a chosen paladin.
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