The rain started to fall suddenly, but no one suggested stopping to take shelter and continue the conversation.
The dark clouds covered the moon, and the surrounding area grew dim as a result.
It had been full of light a moment ago, with radiant beams and gleaming rays, but now the atmosphere seemed unusually dark.
However, nobody seemed to have the leisure to brighten the surroundings with light.
In such a moment, the voice of the paladin, Overdier, broke the silence.
"It was probably around that time."
The falling raindrops dampened the old paladin's hair and eyebrows.
His silver eyes seemed to drift, staring into the empty air, as if reminiscing about the past.
The rain that had once erased the sunset now took on the role of darkening the surroundings.
The shadows were creeping in, and it wouldn't take long before the darkness would soon envelop everything, growing even denser.
Amidst the encroaching darkness, the soft glow of Overdier's eyes created a mysterious atmosphere.
"It was when I felt I had fully become a warrior. When I looked back, I saw that the apple tree I had nurtured throughout my life bore not fruit, but poisonous fruit instead. Do you understand how I felt then? Can you even imagine it?"
When I first saw him, Overdier seemed middle-aged, but in this moment, his tone made him sound more like an old man, reminiscing about the past.
That alone made him appear much older.
It was a strange thing—the way someone's age could seem so different through their tone and demeanor.
The raindrops began to fall heavier, and while it wasn't yet the season for snow, the rain was cold enough.
"At that time, I realized I couldn't even pull out the roots of the apple tree. I felt that the power of this small order was truly insignificant."
The paladin, the very one who had caused my defeat, was the one making these statements.
Enkrid couldn't help but think about it as he watched.
Overdier didn't stop speaking.
He went on about how, after that moment, he decided to wander the continent, unable to distinguish between well-grown fruit and poisoned ones, and thus, feeling powerless.
His words, however, had a few glaring flaws.
At least, that's how Enkrid felt.
He certainly didn't let himself be swayed by Overdier's remorse.
In fact, there was something awkward about Overdier's behavior, almost reminiscent of Krais when he was fawning over Crona.
It wasn't that Overdier was lying, but his sincerity seemed lacking.
That's why there were holes in his story.
For example:
"The continent is overrun with monsters, and someone needs to deal with them. So, this old man had no choice but to step forward."
These words stuck with him.
Originally, Overdier had been part of the holy kingdom, guarding part of the demonic domains.
If he was going to leave that position and wander, that meant he abandoned his post.
His excuse sounded good, but the reality was that he passed his responsibilities onto a new paladin and walked away.
"I embarked on a pilgrimage to cleanse the continent."
It sounded nice, but in reality, Overdier had just been wandering about at his own whim.
Enkrid didn't feel the need to point that out.
Anyone who paid attention would understand the hidden meaning behind those words.
If someone wasn't interested, they would miss it, but those who listened carefully would know what was being implied.
As for Audin, he was silent, taking deep breaths, while Shinar seemed disinterested.
Enkrid wasn't sure, but Shinar had probably realized that they could now overpower Overdier if they had to.
But that seemed unlikely.
They had just fought fiercely, but now both sides had relaxed their animosity.
Only a race like the fairies could detect such subtle changes in atmosphere.
Shinar instinctively knew the fight was over.
In reality, neither side had been fighting out of pure hatred.
One side, Enkrid, acted according to his own principles, while the other side, Overdier, had acted out of necessity.
The former was driven by personal beliefs, while the latter had simply done what he felt was necessary.
Swords and weapons had clashed, hands had been exchanged, and they had been struck fiercely.
During that process, Enkrid had sensed something in Overdier's gestures and attitude.
'He was definitely planning to strike back if something went wrong.'
But there was no malice involved.
"This old man has been waiting for the revelation."
At this point, Overdier's words didn't carry much weight.
He had spoken of waiting for a revelation, but why had the inquisitor not suspect bert and make him one of his own?
And why had he placed him between priests and us? The intention behind this was hard to decipher, but one thing was certain—it had a clear purpose.
"And now, the revelation has led me here."
This man was like a cunning serpent.
The old paladin continued speaking with a smile, saying he had been following the revelation and would continue to do so, offering his life's final spark for the purification of the order.
While the details were vague, the overall sentiment was not lost on Enkrid.
Overdier had clearly been meeting with people across the continent, likely to bring them under his influence for his own purpose.
His reasoning?
Purification of the order, as he had already stated.
By this point, Enkrid thought to himself:
'This seems less like a revelation and more like a plan.'
If he was being honest, Enkrid realized the situation wasn't much different from his own.
Overdier had sent spies to monitor the order's members, testing them, and when they failed, he had crushed them.
'Didn't he do something similar to me?'
Indeed.
He hadn't killed Enkrid, but he certainly intended to make him a cripple.
The intention had been clear, even though it had vanished by now.
It seemed that Overdier had a habit of testing people.
Whether it was through their status or occupation, he didn't trust anyone completely.
'And what about the saint?'
Overdier had never mentioned the saint.
From his mannerisms and speech, Enkrid sensed there might be a plan, but at this point, it seemed Overdier had given up on that idea entirely.
'It looks like he's completely abandoned it now.'
There was no need to dwell on it any further.
What was clear was that the purpose of purifying the order was genuine, and that much was unmistakable.
Whenever Overdier spoke about it, there was no room for deceit in his eyes.
In a way, it seemed similar to Audin's intention.
The path might be different, but the goal was the same.
Swish.
The rain had become significantly heavier now.
Enkrid wiped his hair that clung to his face from the rain and spoke.
"How about we find some shelter and talk?"
His tone was raised.
It was hard to define the person as an enemy, especially since he was said to be over a hundred years old.
"Sorry, but I have to go right away. A new revelation is waiting for me."
In other words, there was another plan in motion, and there wasn't enough time to stay.
"You're quite busy, then."
Shinar muttered, but it wasn't said in a friendly tone.
It seemed like she was implying that if he was so busy, why come here to stir things up.
Of course, Shinar wasn't trying to start an argument, but rather expressing his displeasure over the recent clash with the sword.
Overdier, on the other hand, still had a smile on his face.
"I just live as the revelation guides me."
So, it seemed he had a lot to do in terms of church purification.
Enkrid understood it that way.
Overdier, who seemed to value manners, continued to speak respectfully to Shinar.
"That's why, I'd like to ask for your help, both of you."
After asking, Overdier didn't wait for a reply and immediately shared part of his plan.
Of course, he framed it in terms of the revelation.
"Because the revelation wouldn't allow me to leave him be."
To sum it up briefly, he was planning to kill a high-ranking bishop who was a master of sacred magic.
He mentioned how the bishop's sacred spells conflicted with his own, and there was a misguided order of knights following him, though he couldn't just kill them all.
"You're telling us all of this?"
Bert, who had been listening, blinked in surprise and muttered in shock.
Overdier waved his hand to silence him and finished his explanation.
In the end, he was plotting an assassination.
"The revelation guides me."
At this point, it was no longer just an assassination plan but a divine command.
It seemed fair to say it was the latter.
"Brother Captain."
Before Enkrid could say anything, Audin, who had been silent until now, called out to him.
"May I take a short leave?"
Enkrid noticed a light rising from Audin's body.
He also recalled what Audin had said to him before, about wanting to break free from the prison of illusion.
What did that light represent?
Was it the shackles that once bound him?
Had Audin truly escaped his prison?
Had he stepped foot in the real world?
What was the first thing Audin would do after escaping?
It was all just idle thoughts. Enkrid nodded.
"Sure."
"It won't be long, Brother. So, when you return, please let the barbarian brother and everyone else know."
"What should I let them know?"
"I will share teachings with them when I return, so prepare. Thern we'll have to decide who is the elder brother, brother captain."
So, he was proposing a sparring match to determine who would be the elder brother, whoever won.
Enkrid understood and nodded.
"Alright."
The same response came twice in the same tone.
Enkrid was unflustered.
It wasn't what he had expected, but he accepted it calmly.
Overdier found this quite intriguing.
That thought crossed his mind.
Sometimes Audin couldn't hold back his thoughts.
'A person should learn to hold back sometimes.'
Enkrid occasionally worried about this side of him.
Naturally, he himself didn't have that trait as strongly as others.
The incident with Alma, who had just died, was a different matter.
That was a conversation he simply couldn't keep to himself.
Count Molsan had been playing with the idea of making knights through experiments, and that had to be shared, even if the other person wouldn't understand.
"Are you alright?"
Overdier wasn't bothered by such words.
If he had to endure a few insults to sweep away the church, he'd gladly do so for a few years.
"I'll be fine once I walk a bit. But what about you? Are you alright? I was worried you might be in worse shape, being old and ill."
Audin had a surprisingly long memory, so every word he spoke seemed to rub Overdier the wrong way.
Asking if he was alright after striking him was almost a provocation.
"That's fine. Even though I'm old, I can still walk without trouble."
Just as the conversation was wrapping up, a loud shout interrupted.
"Uo! I, Deuch Pulman, will join the battle!"
With a battle cry, Deuch Pulman, the city's leader and a man of honor, arrived with ten soldiers.
Everyone had already sensed someone approaching through the sound of the rain, so it wasn't particularly surprising.
Only Bert, the inquisitor, flinched and shuddered slightly.
Through the rain, which had thickened and obscured the moonlight, a dozen soldiers charged without torches.
Shinar, with her fairy-like vision, recognized them right away, and the others, with their heightened senses, also quickly understood the situation.
However, Deuch Pulman, lacking such abilities, just charged recklessly.
Despite the thick rain blurring his vision, he rushed forward, possibly worried that his benefactor might be in danger.
Of course, he knew his own strength was insignificant, but he still hoped that his presence might turn the tide of the situation.
Though unlikely, he couldn't ignore the chance that it might make a difference.
It was the thought of wanting to help.
"I'd like to commend that bravery," Overdier said first, and Enkrid followed up.
"The situation is resolved. But what I really want now is a hot bath, a meal, and a place to rest."
While Deuch had risked his life, he wasn't eager to die, so he was relieved when the situation seemed to be ending well.
He glanced around, noticing the shadows but unable to see much.
"Ah, yes, of course," Deuch replied, lowering his weapon.
As he did so, Audin placed a hand on the shoulder of Overdier's agent.
"Did you say your name was Inquisitor Bert?"
"Yes? Yes, that's right."
Bert stiffened.
He knew that the hand on his shoulder could easily end his life if the man wished.
And if it was Overdier he was dealing with, Bert knew that saving him wouldn't be guaranteed.
If Overdier was aiming to purify the church, killing a few people would be no issue for him.
"Have you ever seen someone recently who was gravely ill or severely injured but recovered quickly?"
Bert raised an eyebrow at the sudden question.
His job was to gather information as he traveled across the continent, so he thought for a moment before responding.
"Yes, I have heard of such cases."
"Could you find one of those individuals for me based on the latest rumors?"
"Whom are you referring to?"
"Look for a wealthy person who suddenly recovered from a serious illness and who might have been robbed of a handful of gold coins.
While I don't know their name, I suspect they could be in a city.
If you find that city, go to the largest inn there and ask for 'Audin's Father'.
If you don't find someone who has been robbed, go to the slums.
Though he's called the 'Ragged Saint,' he probably won't be wearing rags."
"...What?" Bert was confused, tilting his head.
Even Enkrid, who had been listening, didn't quite understand.
Did he just say 'father'?

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