Chapter 405: When the Dust Settles

“Brother, got a light?”

“...”

Kans’s mouth twitched.

Staring at the idiot in front of him, the veins on the back of his hand bulged as he gripped his chain-sword.

He hadn’t yet decided whether to kick this lecherous fool away or actually give him a “light” with his alchemic flamethrower when his expression suddenly changed.

The pink bear’s expression changed as well.

He froze, the cigar trembling between his furry fingers, and slowly turned his head.

Behind him stretched a tide of monsters.

The ones that had been scattered by the earlier rain of Holy Light were gathering again. Their warped bodies hissed as the lingering radiance burned through their flesh, filling the air with stench—but they still stretched their necks, countless crimson eyes locking hungrily onto the pink bear.

Like starving beasts that had finally found fresh meat.

Though mindless and frenzied, their movements at this moment were horrifyingly uniform.

“Oh, hell...”

The pink bear’s cigar fell from his paw as he stammered, shaking all over.

“Easy there, everyone, calm down! I swear to the heavens, I’ve got zero interest in your childbearing goddess! I don’t even read that kind of heretical literature, and I definitely don’t have any pin-ups of Her Grace!

Seriously—no way I’ve offended your so-called Mother of Abundance! Wait, why do you all look even angrier the more I explain? Could we... maybe soften those glares a bit? Look, if you think I’m implying your great deity lacks appeal, I can fix my preferences right now! Really, I can—!”

“Raaagh!!”

The monsters’ primitive brains clearly couldn’t comprehend his sincerity. Instinct and hunger quickly overpowered their fear of the Holy Light, and they charged like a black tidal wave toward the pink bear.

But before they could reach him, the pink bear had already bolted—hips twisting, running with astonishing speed. Even Kans, astride his steel warhorse, could only eat his dust.

“...”

Kans silently tightened his grip on the chain-sword, hesitating once again.

Thanks to that bear’s “diversion,” their pressure had drastically lessened. From a tactical point of view, although no one knew what that thing actually was, it was technically on their side. Logically—and morally—he should provide support.

Yet he really didn’t want to admit that the vulgar creature spewing obscene jokes about Evil Gods while taunting monsters with its wiggling rear was, in any capacity, their ally.

It was an affront to the honor of the Holy Order.

“Who... is that?”

Kans couldn’t help but ask his adjutant in a low voice, wondering what kind of insane talent the Church had recruited.

“I think I’ve seen him before—near Her Highness the Saintess,” the adjutant whispered.

“Her Highness keeps him as a pet?”

Kans silently wondered when the Saintess’s tastes had become so... unique.

“Not a pet.”

A gentle voice, soft as spring breeze, drifted across the blood-soaked field. Kans’s body jolted. He immediately dismounted, and all the knights dropped to one knee in unison, pressing their fists to their chests.

“Your Highness the Saintess.”

“Rise.”

The Saintess gave a slight nod, motioning for them to stand. Then she turned her gaze toward the absurd figure still being chased by monsters in the distance.

“He’s not a pet,” she said quietly. “Though I hate to admit it, he’s... more or less human.”

“Then... who is he?”

“He’s my knight.”

A faint, indescribable smile touched her lips.

“Or rather—he was.”

“A knight?”

Kans blinked, completely unable to connect the vulgar buffoon from before with the noble word knight, which stood for courage, loyalty, and honor.

But the Saintess said no more, and Kans knew better than to press further.

“Your Highness came here in person... does that mean—”

“It’s nothing serious,” the Saintess interrupted lightly. “Withdraw your troops.”

“Wha—”

Kans lifted his head abruptly, eyes blazing. “Why?”

“There’s no why. You are to withdraw.”

“But we still have strength to fight!”

Kans’s voice hardened. “Please allow us to fight at your side! The Goddess’s glory does not permit us to retreat!”

“The Goddess’s glory does not require meaningless sacrifice.”

The Saintess looked at him, her tone as gentle as ever.

“Besides, Captain Kans—you’ve already disobeyed orders, haven’t you?”

“I...”

Kans’s breath caught.

Indeed, his original orders had been only to hold the line. Charging forward on his own had already been a breach of command.

Yet as a knight serving the Goddess and the Saintess, how could he stand idle while these abominations defiled the sacred ground before his eyes?

“Your Highness...”

Kans bowed his head deeply. “The Sacred Choir is not by your side. Your safety—the hearts of millions depend upon it. Please, at least allow me to remain as your guard.”

“No need.”

The Saintess shook her head gently. “My safety isn’t something you need to worry about.”

“Why...?”

Kans looked at her in confusion, then pointed toward the pink bear still flailing in the distance.

“Surely you don’t believe he can protect you? That—”

“Kans.”

The Saintess {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} spoke his name suddenly. Her lips still curved in a tender smile, but Kans felt an involuntary chill run down his spine.

“This is my order.”

“...Yes, Your Highness.”

At last he bowed his head, the fire in his eyes extinguishing.

“As you command.”

Soon, the thunder of hooves rose again. Mounted atop his steel warhorse, Kans cast one last look toward the Saintess—so fragile and pure amid the gore around her.

But he said nothing more. With a pull of the reins, he led his unit back.

“Captain,” his adjutant rode up beside him. “What are your orders now?”

Every man in their ranks was still bloodstained, but the Saintess’s blessing had renewed their strength—they were ready to fight again.

“What to do?”

Kans glanced toward the distant horizon, lowered his eyes, and gave a faint smile.

“Follow orders, of course. Rest well, everyone.”

He urged his steel mount onward, heading toward the rear defensive line.

“This is Kans Lord, Captain of the Sacred Sword Knights, ID 3907. Our unit was ambushed and heavily damaged by monsters. Requesting rotation—moving to the rear for temporary recovery.”

...

...

“You should have kept him here.”

After Kans’s departure, High Sister Lin stepped out of the shadows.

“This is a battlefield. I may not be able to protect you completely.”

“I told you—it’s fine.”

The Saintess shook her head softly. “I don’t need anyone’s protection right now.”

“But you—”

“But I’m the Saintess?”

The Saintess cut her off, smiling faintly as she met Lin’s eyes.

“Not for much longer. The new Saintess has already been chosen. You’ll soon have someone else to serve.”

A crystal floated quietly in her hand, shimmering with an indescribable, glass-like radiance.

The Saintess sighed gently.

“To think... the one who became the next Saintess—turned out to be you.”