The Holy Knight’s Fall

Drip.

Cold threads of rain fell upon the tombstone. Standing beneath a black umbrella, Reyn silently watched the old pastor, who was devoutly praying for the deceased in the rain.

Steward Ark stood quietly amidst the curtain of rain, allowing the downpour to drench his black tailcoat. Beneath his calm gaze, a deep fear lay hidden.

This was something no one had foreseen. Yet, overnight, the elders of the Elder Council had collectively committed suicide.

Reyn found it difficult to describe his current feelings. He seemingly no longer needed to consider becoming an enforcer, for with the disappearance of the Elder Council, which had controlled most of the family’s power, there was no one left to oppose him legitimately.

Steward Ark lowered his head and softly said, “A Holy Church vessel arrived at the port today.”

Reyn’s eyes flickered. There were still five days remaining until the week Louise Christian had mentioned. This ship was clearly not from the Holy Church’s sanctuary.

So, why would the Holy Church send a ship at such a sensitive time?

He silently gazed at the cold tombstone, his voice low. “Where are they now?”

Steward Ark replied, “They’ve already settled into the branch church within the Rheinhebo territory. Bishop Carlos is the one receiving them.”

Reyn’s expression subtly changed. A bishop was the highest-ranking administrator of a branch church. For a bishop to personally greet them, it seemed the people sent by the Holy Church this time held a very high status.

He looked thoughtful. “Steward Ark, ready the horses. I intend to visit Bishop Carlos.”

The branch church was situated in the upper district of the Rheinhebo territory, not far from the Rheinhebo family’s estate. Under Steward Ark’s black umbrella, Reyn slowly stepped through the church’s gates.

His arrival was quickly noted by Bishop Carlos. Having inherited the Rheinhebo family’s peerage, Reyn was invited into a reception room.

Bishop Carlos was over fifty, his sparse hair a mix of black and white. Another young blond man in the reception room was observing Reyn with keen interest. Just as Reyn’s gaze met his, Bishop Carlos took the initiative to speak. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, this is Macaven, a Holy Knight from the Holy Church.”

Reyn’s expression shifted slightly. Holy Knights held an esteemed position within the Holy Church; each one had received the blessing of holy light and served as the true vanguard against heretics.

Macaven watched Reyn, a hint of arrogance in his demeanor. “You are Count Reyn Rheinhebo? To inherit a peerage as a bastard, you must possess some cunning. I assume you won’t refuse to assist us?”

Reyn frowned in confusion, but Bishop Carlos quickly interjected. “Holy Knight Macaven’s squad is responsible for transporting a sealed heretic. However, during transit, the heretic’s body showed abnormalities, which is why they were forced to temporarily dock in Rheinhebo territory. They require materials to sustain the heretic’s life.”

Reyn’s brow gradually smoothed out. He spoke softly, “The Rheinhebo family will offer its full support. May I ask what materials Holy Knight Macaven requires?”

Bishop Carlos’s voice was flat. “The heretic they’ve sealed this time is a [Blood Demon]. Those possessed by it develop a thirst for blood, requiring a large daily intake of fresh blood.”

Reyn’s expression froze, then his eyes narrowed slightly. He spoke softly, “Is that so? Then I might not be able to help much.”

Bishop Carlos’s expression gradually turned cold. He looked at Reyn impassively. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, you seem to have applied for sanctuary with our Holy Church? Although Enforcer Louise Christian was very enthusiastic in assisting your application, I believe this matter may require reconsideration.”

Reyn’s lips twitched, and he looked at Bishop Carlos with a mocking gaze. “Fine. Refuse it then; that’s your prerogative. But don’t forget, this is Rheinhebo territory. Even the Holy Church shouldn’t think of breaking the law here!”

Macaven’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly spoke. “Reyn Rheinhebo, how did your three elder brothers die?”

Reyn frowned. “They were killed by the Gluttony Witch.”

Macaven scoffed. “Is that so? They just happened to be killed by the Gluttony Witch, and you just happened to become the sole heir. Don’t you think that’s too much of a coincidence? Bishop Carlos, how exactly do your enforcers investigate cases? Why do you allow someone colluding with a heretic to remain free?”

Bishop Carlos watched Reyn’s rapidly changing expression and slowly began to speak. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, I don’t think there’s any need for us to be so unpleasant, is there? In this territory, far too many people have died due to the Rheinhebo family’s heavy taxes. Now, it’s just a few more.”

Reyn remained silent. The other party clearly intended to pin the accusation of colluding with heretics on him. Since this was Holy Church territory, it was best to retreat first.

Macaven suddenly scoffed. “Reyn Rheinhebo, you have too many expressions. Now, I, Holy Knight Macaven Dio, arrest you on charges of colluding with a heretic!”

A faint glow appeared on his body, and he then rushed toward Reyn, seizing him by the throat.

Macaven looked disdainfully at Reyn, who was lifted high off the ground. “May the holy light forgive your sins.”

White light began to emanate from his palm, but in the next instant, the white light violently trembled. Crimson blood began to flow from Macaven’s seven orifices. He lowered his head blankly, staring in disbelief at the gradually dissipating white light on his body.

“Ah… ah!”

Macaven let out the most desperate, miserable scream, as if plummeting into an abyss, and fell to his knees, his eyes dim.

“Cough, cough!”

Reyn, having narrowly escaped, rubbed his reddened neck, staring bewildered at Macaven, who looked like a dead man.

Bishop Carlos watched everything unfold, his face pale. Macaven’s body no longer held the aura of holy light; God had withdrawn His blessing.

Was it simply because he had touched Count Reyn Rheinhebo?

Reyn finally recovered his senses, looking up at Bishop Carlos. “What happened to this fellow?”

Bishop Carlos instinctively took half a step back. “He violated God’s will and is no longer a Holy Knight.”

Reyn’s eyes flickered. He had initially thought the Holy Church was a den of corruption, but he never expected their God to be so righteous.

Then again, a religious order that had existed for so long inevitably produced a few parasites.

Bishop Carlos cautiously stared at Reyn. He himself had once been a Holy Knight of the Holy Church, also possessing the blessing of holy light. He had only retired from the Holy Knight Order due to old age, yet the holy light had not withdrawn its blessing from him.

The holy light would never withdraw its blessing over a minor matter. There was only one circumstance under which a blessing would be revoked: collusion with a heretic.

But how could Macaven possibly collude with a heretic? And why would the holy light withdraw its blessing at precisely this moment?

Bishop Carlos cast a deep glance at Reyn. The holy light seemed to be rejecting contact with him.

Needing time to think calmly, Bishop Carlos dismissed Reyn. “Count Reyn Rheinhebo, we have many internal matters to attend to within the Holy Light. You may leave now.”