Volume 1 Chapter 2-2 ACT.1 Purge Knight Rai Conwell - Part I
The woman's words caused an uproar in the entire dining hall, to which Saria reacted with anger.
"My, my, my," Rai muttered to himself amidst the clamor.
"I mean, 'pretty' is──"
Rai felt a pang of disappointment as he was told he was more adorable than a real girl.
* * *
The city where Rai lived was called Benetonash.
It was the second city of the Kingdom of Saint Ruvous and the headquarters of the widely revered Holy Church on this continent.
It was also a famous tourist destination, attracting many visitors every year.
Of course, the main attraction for tourists was the grand cathedral, the main building of the Holy Church.
The stained glass windows, which were said to be inspired by the creation myth, promised viewers awe and renewed faith, a truly magnificent sight.
The Holy Church headquarters was divided into several buildings for different departments, and Rai was currently in front of one such building, the Holy Knight building.
'Excuse me.'
After arriving at the headquarters from "Donkey's Mane Tavern," Rai changed into his usual black armor in the Holy Knight building, switched his consciousness from "Rai Conwell" to "Purge Knight Rai," and entered the room.
It was a dimly lit room with a large round table that could seat ten people.
As soon as Rai entered the room, he removed his helmet and placed it on the table.
Only 11 people, including the 8 Purge Knights, were allowed in this room, where they were permitted to show their faces.
In the back of the room, a man in a cassock stood with a weary expression.
His name was Father Curtis, the special agent.
He was the superior officer who relayed the Oracle's prophecies to the Purge Knights and gave them their orders.
"Good morning, Conwell."
"Good morning, Father Curtis. Did you have a chance to read the report I submitted yesterday?"
"Ah, yes, about Marquis's son. I'm sure it was a very difficult task for you."
With a solemn expression, Curtis comforted Rai.
"No──"
"I made sure to tell Marquis, 'We found him, but he had already passed away,'" Curtis said. "It's truly regrettable."
"Thank you. But, 'regrettable' isn't quite the right word."
Rai frowned at Curtis's words, a sense of unease prickling at him.
Curtis, oblivious to any error in his phrasing, tilted his head, waiting for Rai to elaborate.
"I understand your concern for the Marquis, given that he was his son. But to mourn the death of a heretical Reincarnate... seems a bit odd, doesn't it?"
"──!"
Curtis visibly recoiled at Rai's words, his eyes widening as he stared into the other man's.
There was nothing there.
No emotion, no flicker of hatred for the heretic.
It was as if Rai were simply stating the obvious.
"I simply found it... inappropriate to use human terms for a Reincarnate, a monster."
"O-oh, right. My apologies."
"Think nothing of it."
Curtis shuddered again, a chill running down his spine.
He, a bureaucrat sent to manage the Purge Knights, and they... they were still wading through the depths of hell.
The difference in their mentalities was staggering.
"By the way, Special Agent Priest. What's the next order?"
"Ah, stay here at headquarters today. Purge Knight Lowe, Godwin, and Special Sister Dina are scheduled to return this evening. We'll get the next instructions then."
"Sending 3? Sounds like a big deal."
The Purge Knights were veterans, each a match for a thousand.
Usually, one was enough for a single incident──more than that was considered overkill.
Purge Knight Lloyd was ranked 8th, and Purge Knight Leone was ranked fifth.
The fact that those 2, along with Special Sister Dina, who wasn't even a combatant, were all dispatched for the same mission suggested it was a serious matter.
"Nothing much. We received reports of a dragon appearing in the southern lake, so they went to capture it. The dragon the Inquisition was experimenting on died, so they went to secure a replacement."
Rai nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.
Dragons were, in essence, "Reincarnates who failed."
According to the Inquisition, when someone who was human in their past life reincarnated as an animal, the difference in the capacity of their brain and soul caused their body to transform.
Regardless of the original creature, all of them manifest reptilian features in some way.
The reason for this remains a mystery.
Due to its immense size and terrifying presence, it has been considered a symbol of both disaster and power since ancient times, a monster frequently appearing in heroic tales.
However, its true nature is largely unknown.
"Yes, that many people would be necessary to capture it."
Rai's words carried an unspoken meaning: "If it's not capture, then one person would be enough."
And Curtis didn't deny it.
That's how extraordinary the abilities of the Purge Knights were.
"By the way, Conwell. Do you have any other business here today?"
"No, I was planning to receive new orders here today, so nothing in particular."
At Rai's words, Curtis pondered for a moment before starting to speak.
"Actually, I have something I'd like to ask you."
* * *
That afternoon.
Rai, clad in the training armor used by ordinary Holy Knights, visited the training ground outside the Holy Knight building.
As he surveyed the training ground, he saw many Holy Knights running, sparring, and so on.
At the edge, a woman stood alone, shielding herself with a shield and practicing with a short spear.
She wasn't wearing a helmet and was dressed in the same training armor as Rai.
She was a tall redhead in her early twenties.
Rai ran up to the woman and approached her.
"Sorry to bother you. Would you mind sparing with me a little?"
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