Volume 2 Chapter 4 ACT.26 The Dark Fog that Devours People (III)
"Speaking of which, Rize, have you met all the Purge Knights yet?"
The two set off for Capella immediately after receiving instructions from Special Agent Curtis.
Later, they rested their horses by a spring. Rai broke the quiet.
"Yes. The only knights I've met are Senior Rai, Senior Alfonso, and Senior Leone."
Rize's voice dropped as she mumbled to herself. "I've only met half of them."
The Purge Knights, due to their nature, weren't publicly known by face or name.
The only exception was the second in command—but that was beside the point.
Howard and Noah had just happened to be busy. As for Sir Zeguel, the second in command... he was so occupied, Rai had only seen him twice.
Rize, stroking the horse's neck, paused. Her brow furrowed as she began counting on her fingers.
"Wait. There are seven of us—Mr. Noah, Senior Rai, Howard, Ms. Leone, Senior Alfonso, Sir Zeguel, and me."
Her hand stopped.
"Who's the eighth?"
The warmth drained from the air in an instant.
Something cold settled in its place.
Rai turned toward her, his expression dark.
"That's a taboo topic."
"Huh?"
"Don't speak of it carelessly." His gaze sharpened. "The last one... the name of the first in command must not be uttered."
The serious look in his eyes pinned her in place.
Cold sweat slid down her temple as she gave a quick nod.
"It's better if he never shows himself," Rai went on. "I have no desire to meet him. And it's best for you if you never do either."
His voice dropped lower.
"That's the kind of being he is."
* * *
By evening, they reached Capella.
A northern town, small, but showing signs of development.
Cobblestone streets ran between buildings, and market stalls lined the square. It should have been lively.
Usually, it was.
The streets were quiet.
Dinner hour neared, yet all the stalls had closed.
"Is it because of that night fog?"
"Probably."
They exchanged the words calmly, their horses walking slow, deliberate steps through the empty town.
──Why so slow?
It was intentional.
The Purge Knight was the top force of the Holy Church, one of the strongest in the country.
In situations like this, they made themselves visible.
A message to the people: The Purge Knight is involved in this matter.
It offered reassurance.
After a time, the church came into view.
Their destination.
It would serve as their base during the mission.
"Given the time, we'll take a short break once we're inside. Then patrol the town at dusk."
Rize gave a bright nod. "Understood."
As they dismounted, she glanced over.
"Um, Senior... how exactly are we going to carry out this mission?"
The look Rai gave her could only mean What a silly question...
"From sunset to dawn, we patrol the town until we encounter that night fog.
During the day, we investigate and gather information."
"...So... when do we sleep?"
Rize stared ahead, speechless.
The harshness of the Purge Knight's mission settled in fast.
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