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chapter 50
“Haha… don’t worry too much. Mr. Lister will be fine.”
Evan said this to Isabel with an awkward smile. He had already repeated the same words three times.
The shadow on Isabel’s face hadn’t lifted over time, and Evan couldn’t help feeling concerned.
“But… Mr. Lister couldn’t even eat before he left… If it weren’t for me…”
“Mr. Lister has already eaten. It’s not because of you, Isabel, so don’t worry. He’s probably just going to sleep with his companions instead of the church for a change.”
Of course, Lister, who traveled across the continent leading the Zeronis forces, wasn’t “sleeping with his companions for a change.” But Evan didn’t want to make Isabel uncomfortable, so he added a little lie.
“And besides, this seat was originally prepared for you, Agent Isabel.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because you deserve to be treated that way!”
Evan couldn’t hide his excitement.
“You not only returned safely from the infamous Lettina, but you also treated hundreds of patients and even discovered the Holy Sword! Mr. Lister said that perhaps the Holy Sword had chosen the wrong owner, but I don’t think so. Surely an angel wouldn’t choose the wrong person as its wielder!”
Isabel smiled happily, but the mention of Lister’s name soon made her gloomy again.
Isabel avoided Lister, but that was only because she herself was the wielder of the Demon Sword. If she could hide it, she would have gladly talked to him.
She had learned in her first run that a scary person isn’t necessarily a bad person. Lister had even advised her to maintain a dignified presence.
There were very few Archangel Agents. So Isabel had wanted to become closer to Lister and chat about the things they had in common as agents. Especially in the first run, they hadn’t even properly introduced themselves, so it would have been nice if this time she could get closer since Lister approached her first.
‘But I angered him…’
Even though he had spoken rudely to her and she didn’t want to bow down, she had no desire to confront him.
Feeling that any further words would be useless, Evan decided to get to the point.
“Anyway, Agent, I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“We need your help in the Golem Defense Battle that will start tomorrow at noon.”
“Oh, I’ll help! I’m very good at healing!”
Setting aside her previous gloom, Isabel shouted confidently, but Evan shook his head. That wasn’t quite what he meant.
“Just now, the holy protective barrier that covered the entire Castle Tina—did you create that?”
“Yes!”
“Could you create a barrier of that level again tomorrow at noon?”
“Yes!”
“Tomorrow morning, representatives of the participants currently in Castle Tina will come here for an operational meeting. It would be great if you could attend as well. I’d like to make your holy protective barrier one of the key tactics for the operation. Is that possible?”
“Yes! Ah, but…”
Isabel paused, deep in thought, then asked casually:
“I’m looking for Erika… ah, no, an elf adventurer named Erika. Will she also attend that meeting tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never heard of that name. If an elf adventurer came to Castle Tina, there would probably be rumors… Are you trying to meet her?”
“Yes, I really want to meet her.”
Isabel felt disappointed. Smiel had also sent a message to find Erika here, and in the first run, she had even told Isabel about Erika participating in the Golem Defense Battle. So Isabel had expected to meet her.
But it seemed she wouldn’t this time either.
Having fought Lister and unable to meet Erika, Isabel’s spirits sank twice as much, making Evan anxious.
“Well, there are many people from other regions, so perhaps someone knows her. If she’s an elf adventurer, it shouldn’t be too hard to find out. I’ll look into it separately as well.”
“Would you do that?”
Sitting down, Isabel smiled brightly for the first time. It was a smile born from not wanting to disappoint.
Then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
A priest opened the door and spoke:
“Bishop Evan, a guest has come regarding the knight.”
“Oh, I see… the time already… Ah!”
At that moment, Evan’s eyes lit up. He quickly turned and asked Isabel, who looked puzzled:
“Agent, are you very tired?”
“No, I’m fine!”
“Sorry to interrupt your meal, but there’s someone I’d like you to meet. Shall I introduce them?”
“Who is it?”
“I hesitate to say, but perhaps you know the Wall-Facing Knight, Galtan…”
Evan trailed off unconsciously. Upon hearing the name ‘Wall-Facing Knight,’ he immediately recalled the dazzling smile Isabel would give.
“Perhaps know? Impossible. Isabel knows that name well. Even in the first run, ‘Wall-Facing Knight’ was famous. Isabel clenched her fists and leaned forward toward Evan, her face beaming.
“I want to meet him!”
Though Galtan was mocked today under the title Wall-Facing Knight, he had once been a knight admired by all. Galtan’s retainer, Konas, had witnessed his brightest days firsthand.
For that reason, Konas had endured the harsh stares of citizens and lived stubbornly, hoping for the day Galtan would rise again and lift his spear.
But even for Konas, today was a difficult day.
No restaurant would serve him, and he had to rely on the church again.
Of course, the church hadn’t scolded him. All churches in Opaland always ran free meal services, and it wasn’t difficult to pack leftover food. Yet Konas still felt deeply apologetic toward the Castle Tina Church and its priests.
‘How many times have I relied on them already…’
Konas forced an awkward smile at the two people carrying the baskets, a guilty smile he always wore when taking free food.
Then he turned pale. He realized that one of the two people walking out of the church was Bishop Evan of Castle Tina.
“Ah…”
Not knowing how to react, Konas stammered. Isabel followed Evan and looked at Konas with sparkling eyes.
Konas was a black-haired woman in her early twenties. She had a small scar on her chin and seemed very tense.
As they approached close enough to read each other’s expressions, Konas suddenly shouted:
“Th-thank you for everything until now!”
“Eh…?”
Isabel was puzzled by the sudden shout and looked at Evan, wondering if he knew the reason. Evan’s expression was just as confused.
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“I know how much help you’ve given. No need to apologize! I will never forget your kindness…”
“Ah, no, I plan to share even more in the future. Who said you shouldn’t come again?”
“Eh?”
“Eh?”
Evan and Konas exchanged bewildered looks.
The misunderstanding was quickly cleared. Konas fanned her flushed cheeks.
Though Konas had received free meals from the church several times before, this was the first time the bishop personally delivered them. Seeing Evan in person, she assumed, ‘The important person came to tell me not to come again.’
Fortunately, Evan smiled and waved his hand:
“You may come more often. Don’t feel the need to buy anything in town to apologize. It would be exhausting to argue with the citizens every time.”
“But how can I always rely on your help? I have some pride too.”
“It’s fine. That’s exactly why the church receives support funds. More importantly, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Evan turned to Isabel, standing beside him—and was somewhat embarrassed by how brightly she was staring at Konas.
“Say hello. This is Agent Isabel.”
“An agent… like Mr. Lister. Hello.”
“Hello!”
Konas didn’t know, but Isabel was the happiest she had been since arriving in this city.
The Wall-Facing Knight, Galtan! She already knew the name.
Before leaving for her journey, when discussing the future with Smiel, she had learned about the three great incidents that had devastated Opaland in the first run: the Undead Parade, the Elven Genocide, and the Dragon’s Betrayal. Among them, the Undead Parade had caused massive casualties across the continent.
Three legendary warriors died in that incident: Oxir the Mage Tower Lord, Sinawi the Dancer, and Galtan the Wall-Facing Knight. They killed countless undead until their last moments.
Even before Smiel gave her the information, Isabel had known of them. Their deaths were monumental events known across the continent.
And now, she was about to meet one of them!
Thinking Smiel would surely be delighted, Isabel excitedly exclaimed:
“Hello, Galtan! I didn’t know you were a woman!”
“I’m Konas. Our leader is male.”
Konas’ answer carried a clear intention to avoid embarrassment, which Isabel gladly accepted.
“Ah, so you’re not Galtan! Then where is Galtan?”
“He’s at home, staying in, as befits the Wall-Facing Knight.”
“I want to meet him soon!”
Konas felt awkward. Ten years ago, when Galtan’s knight order was active, fans rushed to interact with him, but now, such fans had vanished.
Yet this small priest’s excitement was reminiscent of those fans from ten years ago.
Why was she jumping around so much? Was she teasing them?
It seemed plausible. Not knowing Galtan’s gender meant the priest wasn’t a fan of the Galtan Order.
But Konas trusted Evan hadn’t brought her just to tease, so she looked at him for explanation. Evan had been waiting for this.
Displaying unbishop-like playfulness, Evan spread his hands as if presenting a grand gift, pointing to Isabel:
“Be amazed. The Holy Sword exists. Here, Isabel recently found it in Lettina and gave it to the rightful owner!”
“That’s right!”
Isabel shouted excitedly, waiting to see Konas’ surprise.
But soon, she felt puzzled. Konas seemed shocked, but her appearance suggested the words alone couldn’t fully describe it.
She was pale and barely breathing, her face appearing to float in the surrounding darkness.
Then, Konas grabbed Isabel by both shoulders and pulled her close, close enough to see her reflection clearly in Konas’ eyes.
“Excuse me! I must… ask you something.”
“Ask me anything!”
Konas had enough awareness to know she was excited. Yet she chose to ask quickly rather than calm herself.
Konas couldn’t help it.
“Did you… find the Holy Sword? You, the priest?”
“Yes!”
“Really? If you’re joking, I’ll be angry.”
“It’s true! I’m the agent. An angel helped me!”
“Ah…”
Konas bowed her head. Isabel, helplessly held by her shoulders, made a short ‘hm’ sound, then patted Konas’ shoulders with her short arms. Isabel always enjoyed doing that.
At that moment, Konas suddenly looked at Evan:
“Bishop! May I take this agent with me?”
“You should ask the agent, not me.”
“Agent!”
“I’m fine!”
Konas grabbed Isabel’s hand. Isabel ran to match Konas’ pace so the baskets wouldn’t spill. But Konas insisted on taking both baskets from Isabel.
“Give them here! I’ll carry them!”
Despite Isabel’s protests, Konas remained silent. Isabel became slightly sulky, but it wasn’t out of being ignored—it was Konas’ joyful confusion.
Soon, they reached a small cabin. Most other houses in Castle Tina were brick, so the log cabin stood out. Konas hesitated, then whispered to Isabel in a lowered voice:
“Stand behind me for a moment?”
“Why!”
“Please, just this once, follow my instructions. Lower your voice too…”
Isabel complied. Konas bowed in thanks and walked up to the cabin.
“Leader, I’m here. It’s Konas.”
“Go back.”
A low voice, as if resting, immediately replied. Konas bit her lip briefly, then smiled:
“Go back? I brought enough food to fill two baskets. You’ll be surprised by the menu.”
“You shouldn’t have brought anyone.”
Galtan always reacted this way. Realizing the futility of everything he achieved, he had secluded himself, communicating with no one but Konas, and even Konas could not meet him without permission.
He could detect anyone approaching without looking. Truly ghostlike.
But now, it was the end. Galtan’s seclusion was about to end.
“Don’t be surprised, leader. I brought a priest from the main church.”
“I don’t care.”
“This priest found the Holy Sword!”
Silence.
But beyond this door, Konas knew Galtan’s breathing had grown heavy.
Before being called the Wall-Facing Knight, Galtan and his order traveled across the continent with one goal: to find the Holy Sword. They searched until the very end. Konas, his retainer, knew how desperate he had been.
Yet Konas had never mentioned the sword to draw him out, fearing his irreparable anger.
Now, she threw the only bait that could make someone who had turned away from the world face it again.
Trusting Isabel to do it.
