Chapter 20
Even after he left Baron Nopak’s office, Hector, who had just met Karl for the first time, couldn’t shake off the shock.
“He was definitely several levels above me… And that age…”
Hector was the squad leader of the renowned Alcantara Knights, considered one of the top knight orders on the continent. Despite his youth, he was already seen as a prodigy. But Karl—he was in another league entirely.
“So, nothing’s been confirmed about his affiliation yet?” “No. We’ve looked into it from multiple angles, but nothing substantial.” “A man of that caliber, truly a Free Knight? Ridiculous.”
In this day and age, it wasn’t possible to become a successful knight without foundation. Powerful knights were produced through structured training and combat curricula. And those with any reputation never worked alone—they’d hit a ceiling and inevitably be absorbed by an organization.
“Keep digging. If we dig long enough, we’re bound to find something.”
Hector picked up his pen to write his report and began jotting down the details he could recall.
[Estimated rank: Expert]
He paused, then crossed out the last two words.
[Estimated age: early to late twenties. Estimated rank: Superior or higher.]
He let out a dry chuckle at the unbelievable report, then resumed writing.
“They’ll make the call from the top.”
***
Karl stayed a bit longer at the Dinston Castle, organizing recent events and reviewing the world’s power structures on paper.
Holy Knight Orders (3 total) – Claim to uphold justice
Alcantara Knights (3 total) – Pursue only personal gain
Neutral Orders (5 total) – Including the Golden Knights and Ravonia Knights
Below that:
The Order (Essus Order)
Bloodlines of the Emperor
Across the continent, factions with imperial bloodlines had quietly formed their own powers. Most of them remained submerged, waiting for the right moment.
Karl then added a new line:
[Third Faction]
He realized something from recent events—this “Third Faction” might be much larger than it first appeared. Their influence and reach across the West Continent were uncertain.
The so-called Unified Empire sounded impressive, but in truth, it was a patchwork of dissatisfaction. Forceful unification under the Emperor had turned local forces and religions into powder kegs of unrest.
No such world could remain stable forever—especially once the Emperor died.
“Then the path I must take…”
He couldn’t yet be sure where his next mission would lead. The one involving Baron Seymour and Selena had a completely different nature from this most recent task. The key was that missions came to him when he moved.
“So I’m not built for settling down.”
He’d been a wanderer for years—and oddly enough, he felt that lifestyle suited him now.
“Still… I’ll rest for today.”
With that thought, Karl said his final farewell to Baron Nopak and departed.
***
“Come back anytime. I’ll give you whatever’s left in my cellar… except a few bottles,”
Baron Nopak said with a wry smile. Leaving him behind, Karl mounted his horse once again, heading out on another journey with no destination.
The sky was clear, the breeze gentle—perfect weather for travel. Reclining in Silver’s saddle and staring at the sky, Karl looked as relaxed as ever.
“Catch him! Catch him!” “I told you, I don’t have anything! I don’t know anything either!” “Seize him!”
Then, through the peaceful air, a very familiar voice rang in Karl’s ears.
“You bastards! The guy who actually stole the goods got away! Why are you after me!?” “Shoot the horse!”
There were multiple hoofbeats—whoever was yelling was clearly being chased.
And Karl recognized the voice.
Climbing up to a vantage point, Karl surveyed the situation.
“Hit him! We got him!”
Crash!
The fleeing man’s horse was hit, and the rider was thrown to the ground. A slightly tanned man with a loud, cocky voice—Sancho—was now thinking his life was over.
“Well, look who ran far.” “Respected gentlemen, I swear I have nothing! Some crazy bastard ran off with the goods!” “You aimed for Viscount’s property too, didn’t you? Weren’t you and that thief in on it together?” “With him? Never! I was just hired for the job—I don’t even know who that guy is!”
Moments ago, Sancho had been cursing them out. Now he was groveling, kneeling with his head bowed. The mercenaries surrounding him debated whether to bring him in alive or just take his head.
“Uh—Sir Karl! Sir Karl, I’m here! Your beloved and loyal squire Sancho is over here! Don’t walk away! Save me!”
Sancho screamed like a lunatic, drawing confused looks from the mercenaries.
“You’ve gone mad. Calling for some imaginary knight now?” “Please, Sir Karl! I’ll give you everything I have—just save me!”
Still groveling on the ground, Sancho was now at the mercy of the leader, who stepped forward with a cold decision.
“He’s gone crazy. Just kill him and bring the body.”
But just as the leader reached for Sancho—
“Gack!” “Gyaaaah!”
Screams rang out as several mercenaries collapsed behind him. The startled leader turned around—and found a knight standing calmly among the bodies, sword in hand.
“Who are you…?” “Someone who has a debt to collect from the one kneeling there.”
Trembling, the leader opened his mouth.
“No one’s dead. Take them and get them treated.”
With just that short command, the leader knew there was no point resisting. He gathered his fallen men and retreated. The best he could do was report what had happened to the client.
Even after the mercenaries left, Sancho remained groveling in front of Karl.
“You have something to say?” “Thank you! You saved my life!” “Not that.”
“…Not that? Oh! Hahaha… Right. I’m guilty! I swear, I wasn’t going to keep the bounty for myself! It’s just… bad habits, you know? I’ll change, I swear!”
Sancho pressed his forehead to the ground.
“Just the bounty?” “…Did I also take your coin pouch? Haha…”
“Hand it over.”
“Umm… I don’t have a cent left, actually. I, uh, lost it all in a card game that turned out to be rigged…”
Karl silently held out his hand.
“No money means you die.”
His dry tone sent a shiver through Sancho.
“W-Wait! I have something! It’s from the transport shipment! I don’t know what it is, but it wasn’t what they were after. Some crazy woman took the main item. But this was also part of the cargo—so it must be valuable!”
Sancho offering some unknown stolen item was pathetic—but Karl’s interest piqued at the question mark floating above it.
[Ring of the First Holy Knight Commander: Can only be worn by one who is worthy. A legendary ring once worn by Martin Scott, the first commander of the Holy Knights. Said to reveal itself when needed.]
Karl, usually unmoved by most things, was genuinely surprised. This was no ordinary artifact.
In a world where superstition and religion were stronger than science, the legend of this ring had always persisted. That whoever possessed it would one day become master of the Holy Knight Order.
Of course, that was a long-lost myth. The current Order was too mired in politics for a simple ring to grant anyone real authority—but its historical value was undeniable.
“…Still, how the hell did this end up with Sancho?”
If this wasn’t the primary cargo, then what was?
“Explain everything. What happened?”
Karl’s voice had softened a little. Sancho lifted his face and began to speak quickly.
“I got a request from villagers! They’d been robbed by Viscount. I couldn’t turn down the poor folks! So despite the risks, I—” “Skip the crap.” “Yes, sir…”
Summarized, here was the situation:
A village exploited by Viscount Julio learned he was transporting something valuable.
They pooled money and hired Sancho to steal it and share the loot.
When Sancho went after the convoy, other unknown parties joined in. A strange woman took the main item and fled.
Everyone else was caught or killed—only Sancho escaped and ran into Karl.
“There’s too much that doesn’t add up. Villagers hiring someone to rob a baron?” “Actually, they weren’t poor. They built a thriving village by clearing wastelands. The headman picked a great spot—trade grew fast. But Viscount Julio claimed it was illegal and tried to seize their property. When they refused to pay absurd taxes, he bled them dry.”
“So, they figured they had nothing to lose and planned to rob him.” “Exactly. Oh, and the shipment’s final destination was Count Calido’s territory.”
Of course. That name again. Karl had been hearing it a lot lately—and he had a feeling it wouldn’t stop.
“You saying Julio works for Count Calido?” “Yes. He’s one of the Count’s most loyal men. He rose fast, and he’d do anything the Count asked.”
So Julio was Calido’s fixer—handling dirty work so the Count could keep his hands clean.
“And you still tried to rob that convoy?” “Well… like I said, I lost everything at that card game…”
To anyone else, Sancho’s excuses might’ve worked. But Karl had known him long enough—not to mention their shared time on the East Continent.
He’d always suspected Sancho held secrets. But since they wouldn’t be together long, Karl never bothered digging.
Sancho also knew Karl had sensed it—and chose to say nothing. That subtle tension lingered between them until Karl, surprisingly, spoke first.
“The woman who took the main item—can you find her?” “…!?”
Sancho’s pupils widened in shock.
“I probably can. Why?” “I’m curious.”
“…!”
Whatever his reason, Sancho knew this was the best ally he could ask for.
“If you come with me, I’ll split the profit fifty-fifty!”
Karl gave a small nod, and Sancho handed over the ring.
“You take it, Sir Karl. Think of it as a token of trust—an advance payment. I don’t think this is any ordinary ring. Hehe.”
With a foolish grin, Sancho beamed at Karl.
Karl took the ring casually, then looked at the window that appeared.
[Mission: Find the truth hidden in lies.]