Discovery of the Secret Passage

When you manage a place for a long time, you learn many of its secrets. Usually, it's just trivial information, like where the rat holes are.

However, sometimes you make a valuable discovery, like a silver coin among them. The Secret Passage was exactly such a case.

It's been a while since I cleaned that place.

Eugene said, returning with his cleaning tools.

"Did the Priests permit it?"

"Of course. Someone has to do it, and everyone hates doing it, don't they? They'd be grateful if I stepped up."

"They must think you're going to great lengths to get your mother's belongings back."

"Yes. Even as they granted permission, their expressions seemed to mock me, as if to say, “Do you really think that will get them back? How foolish.”"

"Tsk! Who's the *truly* foolish one?"

Godfrey sighed.

"It seems I'll have to leave this village after all.""They'll eventually notice that I stole the belongings from the Sealing Chamber.""I wanted you to go out and make a name for yourself, but not like this.""Don't worry about it. More importantly, we have uninvited guests in the Monastery Basement.""You mean those Dhampir women."

The Monastery Basement has an attached Prison for confining and punishing Priests who violate the law. Now, the captured women are likely lamenting their fate there.

Dhampirs are more cunning than Vampires. Their pride remains, but their blood is diluted, making them resentful. If they ever learn of the Secret Passage, they might try to blackmail us. That would be troublesome. Don't worry, Master. I'll handle it.

His Disciple, carrying cleaning tools, smiled good-naturedly.

You're an enigma. I've taught you all this time, yet you still seem to hold many secrets." "Oh, my! I don't think of you as having taught me, Master. I think of you as having raised me." "...Quiet now, just go."

Godfrey, looking embarrassed, nudged Eugene away.

* * *

After parting with his Master, Eugene entered the Monastery Basement, and the familiar stench assaulted his nose.

"Who are you?"

A sharp yet beautiful voice flew at him.

The Prison was located in a corner of the Monastery Basement. Beyond its iron bars, red eyes gleamed. It was the Young Lady he had seen in the cart.

She glared at Eugene with clear hostility. Though her eyes were hollowed with exhaustion, they burned with life.

Two sharp fangs were visible between her parted lips. Whether Pureblood Vampire or mixed-blood Dhampir, that distinctive feature remained the same.

I'm not a Priest. I dislike the Holy Church too.

Eugene started with his prepared introduction. He was taught to get straight to the point in an interview, after all.

You're wearing Priest robes, yet you say you're not a Priest?" "These are training robes."

Eugene tugged lightly at the coarse, dull-colored front of his garment.

Anyone residing in the Monastery can wear them. The robes for officially sanctioned Priests are different.

*Ptui!*

A glob of spit landed in front of Eugene's shoe. The Young Lady spat.

They still smell disgusting.

Whatever had transpired, she seemed to have taken a strong dislike to him.

Eugene stepped on the spit, grinding it with his shoe, and surveyed his surroundings. The Monastery Basement, neglected since he had stopped tending to it, was in a terrible state.

He set down his cleaning tools and placed a chair in front of the bars, then sat down.

Unlike the defiant Young Lady, the other two, who appeared to be a mother and daughter, trembled with fear.

Perhaps in preparation for an escape, their shoes had been confiscated, leaving their pitiful bare feet blackened. It was a relief that they didn't seem to have any injuries.

*Grrrrowl.*

A hungry rumble came from beyond the bars.

"Haven't eaten anything, have you?"

"That wasn't my stomach."

The Young Lady said, her face slightly flushed.

Mommy, I'm hungry.

Eugene's gaze shifted to the other two.

They were indeed mother and daughter.

They probably weren't being starved entirely. They certainly wouldn't be given fresh blood, and at best, it would be moldy bread or a single potato.

Excuse me, My Lord.

The mother looked at Eugene with a yearning expression. Anyone with a heart would know immediately what she desired.

"I brought some food. Would you like some?"

"!!!"

Eugene pulled out the jerky Homi had packed for him and the rye bread he had bought in the market. The mother's face brightened.

*Gulp!*

The mother and daughter swallowed, but didn't approach immediately. They glanced at the Young Lady leaning against the wall, who gave a small nod.

Thank you! Young Lady!

The mother approached, her hands trembling as she took the food. Then, before her own daughter, she went to the Young Lady.

"Don't mind me, just eat."

"B-but..."

The Young Lady, who had been looking kindly at the woman, instantly turned a fierce gaze on Eugene.

As an honorable Noble of Barsia, I refuse to put anything given by *them* into my mouth.

Understood.

The mother bowed her head low and returned to her daughter.

This isn't charity from the Religious Order. I'm not a Priest, and I'll be leaving soon. These are my personal belongings.

The young lady crossed her arms without replying.

Meanwhile, the mother and daughter ate their food with visibly more ease. Eugene's heart warmed at the sight.

Eat slowly. You'll choke if you rush.

...You truly aren't a Servant of the Holy Church.

The Young Lady's expression softened slightly.

"I've never seen *them* smile like you do." "I've told you many times." "Hmph!"

Eugene quietly observed the mother and daughter eating.

"What? Did you think we only drink blood?" "No. How much nutrition could blood possibly have? How could you live on just that?"

The mother put a piece of torn jerky, easy to eat, into her young daughter's mouth.

It's just... it's been a long time since I saw a mother and child eating together. It's a nice sight.

The Young Lady looked at Eugene with a strange expression.

Our lifespan is long. If there's no joy in a long life, then life itself is like a prison. Our tongues are more delicate than yours, and they deserve to be pampered.

It was just as Godfrey had said. It was typical of a proud race that called itself the Nobles of the Night.

"Then why don't you have some too?"

"I don't need pity."

"As you wish. I'm just happy to see the mother and daughter eat their fill."

The Young Lady sighed softly.

What exactly is your purpose? You don't seem to be here to clean, nor to mock. Did you truly come purely out of kindness?" "The child is innocent."

The Young Lady bit her lip and held out her empty hands. She was one who hated being indebted more than death itself.

"As you can see, we have nothing to repay you with." "Yes. Bare hands and bare feet." "..."

The Young Lady pulled back her outstretched legs. She must have been embarrassed to show her dirty soles, being a Noble House Young Lady.

Eugene stood up and headed towards the Secret Passage.

A narrow passage was visible beneath the intricately concealed spot. As he had checked periodically, there seemed to be nothing amiss.

Eugene felt a gaze on his back. He turned to see the young lady staring with curiosity, then quickly lowering her head.

She's within the Prison's line of sight.

This was a troublesome problem for Eugene, who intended to secretly infiltrate the Sealing Chamber.

He didn't think the women would scream and interfere, but he wanted to eliminate even a 0.1% risk factor. Fortunately, a suitable method came to mind.

Eugene spent some time pretending to clean, then gathered his things and left the Monastery Basement.

"See you at the next mealtime." "Thank you!" "..."

Unlike the mother and daughter, who bowed deeply, the Young Lady didn't spare him a glance.

As he exited the Monastery Basement, the Monastery was noisy. Loud voices suggested a fight had broken out.

He rushed towards the commotion and found the Priests gathered. Godfrey and the Senior Priest were confronting each other in the center.

Are you mad? How dare you in this holy Monastery!

The Senior Priest pointed a finger at Godfrey, and the other Priests looked aghast.

Godfrey had drawn his sword.

* * *

While Eugene was talking to the Dhampir women in the Monastery Basement, Godfrey met with the Senior Priest.

He hoped that if he asked, his Disciple might be able to retrieve his mother's belongings. There was no harm in adding his weight to the request.

Absolutely not.

The Senior Priest was firm.

We cannot allow a Witch's evil objects to be released into the world. As far as I know, Eugene's mother was nothing more than an Herbalist. She merely possessed a bit of Sorcerous Power. Has anyone ever seen her commit evil deeds?

No one had. Apart from providing good medicine, there was no clear evidence, which was why the Monastery hadn't been able to touch her.

If you sprinkle even a little filth into a cup full of water, it becomes undrinkable. Eugene's mother was indeed a Witch. Even though her medicine cured many children, mothers, and elders?

In terms of the villagers' health and quality of life, no one had contributed more than Eugene's mother.

More than such petty tricks, Faith in God is the true panacea. Many people, whose conditions only worsened despite praying day and night in the Monastery, recovered after just one dose of her medicine. Priest Godfrey, how can you utter such blasphemous words? You're not just defending your Disciple's mother, are you? I merely wish to face the world practically, without prejudice.

Their voices grew louder, and gradually, Priests from the Monastery began to gather one by one.

The Senior Priest, sensitive to his standing, watched the reactions of those around him. As someone aspiring to become the Abbot, he couldn't afford to lose even a small argument.

It seems to me, Brother, that you haven't let go of your heart since you lived as a Knight. Perhaps something is more important to you than Devotion to God.

At those words, Godfrey bristled.

"Are you insulting my devotion to the Monastery all these years?" "One who cannot call a Witch a Witch cannot be called a Servant of God."

More Priests gathered. It became like an arena, hosting a verbal battle between the two.

This stimulated the Senior Priest's inner desires. He would do anything for his position.

I repeat, Eugene's mother was a Witch. Her soul is burning in Hell. Even if her blackened hands beg and beg, it's too late. God's Mercy does not reach Hell. That Eugene fellow will meet the same fate as his mother if he leaves the Monastery.

*At that moment, Godfrey felt something snap inside his head.*

"Are you calling that a talk?!"

He drew his sword and pointed it at the Senior Priest. Amidst the murmuring of the startled Priests, Godfrey realized his mistake.

See, Brother Godfrey. No, you're no longer a Brother! You are still a Knight, not a Priest. To be a Servant of God, you are too violent and fail to confront evil.

The Senior Priest spoke with a calm face. He was smiling a victorious smile inwardly.

What in the...

Eugene, arriving late, realized the situation had gone completely awry.

* * *

Late afternoon. Master and Disciple stood facing each other on a hill overlooking the village.

"So, you're being expelled. For trying to strike down the Senior Priest in the holy Monastery." "I drew my sword out of anger, not with the intention to strike him down. And I'm leaving of my own accord."

Knowing that an expulsion order had been issued, Eugene respected his Master and said no more.

When the sun rises tomorrow morning, Godfrey's presence should not be in the village.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"You drew your sword because you couldn't tolerate the insult to my mother, didn't you?"

"It wasn't just for that."

"It's better this way, actually. You were planning to leave anyway, and since you're going before me, I can see you off."

"I've always felt this, but your mindset of always looking on the bright side is truly remarkable. It's something I can't emulate."

"Unlike you, Master, a born Knight, I... am a bit more complicated."

Godfrey, now seemingly without attachment to his role as a Priest, didn't react even when called a Knight.

Eugene looked at him with a subtle gaze.

"Won't you be lonely? Would you consider traveling with me?" "Enough of that, boy. I intend to go on a pilgrimage to seek the Voice of God on my own. It's time for you to graduate from being a Squire."

Godfrey threw the sword he was holding, scabbard and all, to Eugene.

What is this?

It wasn't the sword Godfrey usually carried.

A gift. I originally intended to give it to you on the day you left, but given the circumstances...

He drew it slightly, and the clean, sharp blade, without a single flaw, reflected the light. It looked like a newly crafted sword.

"It's not a legendary sword, but it's a good one." "The Blacksmith in this village is skilled. I will use it with gratitude." "And one more thing." "?"

Godfrey also drew his own sword.

From our first meeting, I knew you possessed monstrous strength and talent. I thought I had conducted your Knight Training to match it, but I was mistaken. Even that was confined within the shackles of my common sense and experience. Are you saying you'll increase the intensity of my training after seeing me take down that Monster Boar? A quick-witted one is easy to teach. Yes, that's right. I didn't even know I could exert that much strength myself.

The past years of education weren't meaningless. What Godfrey had taught was primarily how not to die, rather than how to kill.

There was ample time to teach how to kill. As long as one lived, there would be countless opportunities to learn how to kill.

There are enemies who fight dirty, ambushes in the dark, dangerous areas like swamps or sand deserts, situations of ambush or encirclement, and hidden knowledge that is easy to fall victim to if unknown.

He imparted experiences that some had to pay for with death, some with lifelong scars, and some with vast amounts of gold.

Learning how to avoid death is a lifelong endeavor, but learning how to kill comes quickly.

Godfrey pointed his sword at Eugene.

I've taught you the framework of my Swordsmanship and techniques. How you use them is entirely up to your own capability.

Eugene also silently pointed his sword at his Master. Like Master and Disciple, their stances were identical.

Godfrey smiled faintly at his presence. Though their heights and faces were different, it felt like he was facing his own son.

Living a solitary life, he would sometimes be overwhelmed by thoughts of descendants and a profound loneliness.

But the Disciple before him felt like looking into his own mirror. The emptiness of being alone seemed to be completely washed away.

For now, you'll use the forms and techniques I've taught you, but you'll quickly forget them. Why is that? Because the divine power and talent you possess will break through them, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. If the sword grows larger than its scabbard, it's only natural for the scabbard to tear.

Godfrey pulled his sword to the side.

Before you leave this village, I will tear open the scabbard in your heart. Then you will truly possess your own Swordsmanship.

Godfrey closed his eyes.

To ordinary people, he was the Blind Knight. To those who respected him, he was the Knight of Prophecy.

His Master began to exude a sharp, formidable aura he had never shown before.

But Eugene was not afraid. Instead, a strange, exhilarating sensation, like blood boiling, spread from his heart throughout his body.

It felt like the inner voice he had heard when he killed the Monster Boar was speaking to him again.