Chapter 72: The Faithful Knight’s Perspective (2)
Under the starry sky, I watched from afar with eyes that were able to see through the illusions placed over this region through my Light Attribute. This wasn't my first time seeing this hidden structure.
Now here's the question: Why have I yet to report this clearly suspicious place to the Holy Church?
The answer was simple: This last month alone allowed me to gleam into clues of a great conspiracy. What more, I had actually came across a strange 'shadow' pointing me in right direction.
I turned my eyes towards the darkness besides me with a guarded heart, then marvelled at how the mere 'Monster' I teamed up with had hidden its presence. This kind of stealth was ingenious. Even someone of my calibre couldn't see through her.
"Are you still going to hide even after I showed my willingness to work with you? Show some sincerity yourself if you are going to ask it of others." These words casted the darkness ripple before twisting.
One shadow in particular on the floor moved towards me silently. I could see that despite there being no one there, a shadow of a person's hand stretched out towards me. Then, without so much of a warning, the direction of the hand shifted towards the night sky as it materialised. The arm of a woman could be seen 'appearing' out of thin air.
It didn't take long for that arm to be followed by a shoulder and that shoulder to be followed by a head. Near the end of her entrance, colour finally returned to her body as if she was a perfect 'clone'.
However, I knew better than to foolishly think of her as one. As someone who had great experience in battle regarding Dark Specialists, I knew for a fact that they would never transfer their consciousness into a Shadow Clone unless they were about to die.
After all, Shadow Clones dissipate easily if they were to be attacked and couldn't utilise their Mana Origin in that state. Should they transfer into one, it would only be under the assumption that they would die otherwise... as a last resort.
"You're late." I spoke with cold eyes.
"Something VERY unexpected popped up. I had no other choice." This 'shadow girl' turned her head.
"Do you have the information?"
"I do. What about the data I asked for?"
"Take it." I threw her a letter that she instantly opened to read. Her expression was empty.
"Why do you want to know so much about the Death Head anyway?" I asked with intrigue.
The first thing this woman who embodied darkness asked for after meeting me was about the details regarding the incident that happened at the Swordwick's back then. Not just any details, but the 'hidden truths' only high echelons could read.
The moment I brought up the information that Cerberus was involved and spoke with certainty that the person who attacked that young girl in that incident was the 'Fourth Head' of that criminal organisation, the man named only as Death.
Though this incident was important, I don't see the reason why this strange 'Monster' would be interested in that house of freakish Warriors. That leads me to the conclusion that she wanted to know because it's related to this Death guy.
It makes sense considering they are fellow beings of the darkness. It was probably scheming inwardly like those other Dark Specialists I met. These criminals are better at killing themselves than even I. So I see no reason to keep back this information.
"I just want to know my target." She spoke with conviction in her abysmal eyes. I nodded my head as though this Monster was strange, so are the others. Intelligent Monsters had their own thoughts and motives that I had no desire to pry into.
"Anyway, do you think that this matter has anything to do with other 'Heads'?" She continued to ask.
"The assassination of that Young Miss was most likely to be Death's personal matter." I said with certainty once again. Naturally, I would never give information that I myself wasn't sure about.
"How does this relate to the Royal Family?"
"I have no right to answer that. Only the Swordwick Duke would know these matters." I shook my head as her last question was too overboard. Even if we established the bare minimum of a working relationship as of now, it didn't mean I'll tell her everything about the Swordwick Household. This was a national secret this Monster was prying at.
"You don't want the information I carry?"
"No amount of data regarding Cerberus can be enough to justify divulging this secret. Find out yourself if you're THAT interested." I rejected her firmly as I still watched her with dubious eyes.
There was too much about this creature I didn't understand. Why could it understand human language? Why did it approach me? Why was it's body like an undying Shadow Clone that Dark Specialists sought for? There were so much I needed to ask but not enough time. I could see from her expression that she was getting nervous.
"I had a plan thought out before but... I suddenly feel like it wouldn't work. So I'll answer anything you want to ask me for now, keep in mind that I got a strict schedule and need your help to save someone." The words 'save someone' affected me.
"Are you sure that there's a Dark One over here?"
"I can." I sighed as nodded her head at me.
The matter about her friend's daughter being captured made me realise that reporting the location of this 'Head' of Cerberus would only endanger that child. I didn't have the authority to make decisions and there were too many people within the Church who had no idea how espionage worked. Our faction itself believed in justice to the extent that they could act 'underhanded' at all...
What was the use in bringing along baggage? I'd rather the child be safe than losing the element of surprise. As someone who didn't have a Dark Specialisation, I couldn't infiltrate myself, but there were things I could do on the outside instead.
"You promised to unravel a conspiracy in front of me. Although I have pity for that child, do you think I would be 'manipulated' easily?" Although saving a child is fine, I have to keep the Church in mind.
Not reporting the location of a 'Head' is a heavy crime deserving of punishment. After Wealth had started to do forbidden experiments and murdered many Priests in public back then, a crusade had been announced long ago to eradicate Cerberus.
It's unfair for me to selfishly act without considering the family of those who had fallen.
"I will. You don't have to worry about that. What you SHOULD be worrying about is what I'm going to need you to do." There was a heaviness in her tone as she looked towards the mansion.
"You aren't expecting me to poke this beehive of Dark Specialists, right...?" Her nod in response to this question I asked jokingly made me furious! Is she expecting me to risk my life so easily?
"You must be crazy." The woman didn't respond to my icy tone nor the combative intent I gave off.
"Aren't you a 'Knight'? Why not risk yourself to save a innocent child?" Her eyes narrowed gently.
"Magic defines a person. It defines their nature and their trustworthiness. And in that same vein, you are a servant of darkness." Was this 'thing' one of those legendary Fiends? I felt the urge to slay it.
The woman in black didn't respond, her eyes glanced towards the mansion sharply for a small moment. I didn't interrupt her as I was too busy trying to figure out what her true intentions were.
"We have some time. So, let me introduce myself first." She bowed as her nervousness hid itself.
"My true name is Harmony, this world's Bullet Goddess." Her words caused my face to turn red as a fiery pit of malice burned in my heart, but I had the gracefulness of a God's Apostle to stay calm.
"Blasphemy." This one word conveyed my heart's emotions and thoughts better than anything else.
"Have you seen 'God' before?"
"You must be a Demonic Beast of high intelligence trying to shake my faith, but I won't be moved by such blasphemous and deceitful lies!" I drew my sword and pointed it towards her in a fit of rage.
"So you think I'm a 'Demon' just because of my magical Attributes? Isn't that narrow-minded? I'm sure that there were many quotes in your religion about not judging a book by its cover." Her tone was still cynical and light despite my cold attitude.
"Those words don't apply to Demonic Beasts!" My eyes widened as slowly approached with killing intent. Letting such a silver-tongued Monster escape me might lead to other troubles later on.
"Hehe, what a big farce!" Her eyes looked down on me despite the fact SHE asked me for help.
"What it?"
"Your 'Magic defines a person' is nonsense. If that is the case: How do explain those 'Intrinsic Arts' of the Holy Attribute and Evil Attribute within you? Are you saying that you yourself can't be trusted but CAN be trusted at the same time?" She laughed.
"How do you know that!?" I have never shown my abilities to those outside the Seven Apostles and have always kept a low-profile. What kind of method did she use to see through my Affinities?
"I have my ways. However, none of that matters right now. The first thing you'll learn while working with me is that I do not judge what's 'black' or what's 'white'. My only question is this: Will you or will you not assist me in saving that young and innocent girl named Madeline?" She stepped in front of my blade's edge as I halted my actions.
"I won't help you."
"Then leave." She pointed towards the village.
"I feel sympathy for that young girl, but I'm unwilling to risk my life this way. You are being unreasonable if you think I'll be able to take on both a 'Head' and her Shadow Servants."
"Aren't you a God's Apostle?"
"I..." I suddenly gulped down my following words as I realised that I never introduced this position.
"You're little juniors seem to talk a lot about you in their free time. It allowed me to gain insight on you." Her eyes was as dark as an abyss as she moved towards me and put her hand on my shoulder. My blood pumped as I glared at her.
"Are you threatening me?" I spoke in a deep voice.
[Intrinsic Art- Demon Fork!]
My powers in the Light Affinity and Evil Affinity manifested outwards. As the Light Affinity focused on quickness and 'creation', I was able to forge it into a weapon that floated by my side. Then the vileness of my Evil Affinity corrupted it dark red.
This was the weapon that earned me the title of God's Poison, a Intrinsic Art that had the proficiency to inflict venomous stabs on even the most intangible of being. One touch meant death!
"You are this strong, yet you're still afraid?"
"Such a petty provocation... Do you think a Berserker-type Fire Swordsman like myself could escape an encirclement? I am not going to take such a big risk for a scheming Monster." But before the Astral Fork could stab her, she spoke up again:
"I'll help you stay hidden." I willed the 'Demon Fork' I created to stop just before her indifferent eye.
"...How can I trust you?"
"My inner beliefs are that a person is as good as their actions, not their thoughts or intentions. Even if I was to die, I'd like to one day die without having any regrets." She spoke as if she experienced it before. I could feel some 'humanity' in her tone.
Although our beliefs were different, I somehow instinctively felt she was telling me the truth...
I couldn't help but be curious: Who was this 'thing' called Harmony, and was she an evil existence?
Perhaps I should observe her before imparting my judgement on her. There wasn't time to interrogate.
"...Fine. Then I will trust you once. Be ready to accept the consequences if you betray me...!" A cunning smile appeared on this Monster's face after hearing me, then she opened her arms.
"What are you doing...?"
"Hug me."
"Don't jest in this situation"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" I was moved by her serious tone and unconsciously did as she asked of me. It was only after feeling a vague 'link' between our Mana Origins did I understand that this was some sort of Contract. Was this a Familiar Pact?
No, this seemed different than that. It felt more like a temporary connection of limited strength.
Her body turned into a sticky substance as it covered my entire body. Like polluted water or contaminated glue, darkness stained my clothes before moulding and transforming itself to fit my physique. It took a short moment before it calmed.
After settling, I looked at my hand in surprise.
[Shadow Wear- Darkness Dress!]
I guess it's time to uphold my end of this agreement.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
FlowingWaves
FlowingWaves I’m going to take updating a little slower from now on as I realised the quality of my chapters have dropped lately due to the schedule I put up. I’ll still be updating, just at a slower rate to get this Arc done properly. Expect massive changes like last time at the end of this Arc and a change in location.
My advice for those wondering about where this story’s ‘plot’ is: Read it for characters. If not, you won’t enjoy this one bit. It’s written in a slice-of-life-ish way.