A New Beginning for Calamity Exorcists

The royal capital of Ravenraphael lay beyond the towering city walls.

On an open expanse roughly a hundred meters from its outskirts, a grand complex of buildings now stood. Originally, this plot of land had been nothing more than a detached leisure palace. However, after a certain individual arrived, everything changed.

This detached palace was transformed into the headquarters of an organization known as the Light of Holy Flame.

Leading the Light of Holy Flame was a man named Altorias.

Inside the circular building designated as a training ground, the air buzzed with excitement.

“Wow! Gawain, you’re truly amazing!”

A green-haired youth enthusiastically slung his arm around the neck of another young man, whose fiery red hair blazed like a vivid flame. He seemed utterly impressed by the red-haired youth’s exceptional performance.

“Not at all. I barely scraped by. I just barely qualified,” Gawain, the red-haired youth, responded with a humble, somewhat relieved tone as he scratched his cheek. Caught off guard by the sudden embrace, he genuinely believed his success in the Light of Holy Flame’s examination was pure luck.

“If that’s merely ‘qualified,’ then what does that make me? It’s truly infuriating how much better some people are!” Upon hearing Gawain’s modesty, the green-haired youth, Aluk, dramatically released his grip, throwing his hands over his head as he turned away, playfully chiding his friend.

“Don’t you also possess the potential to become a First-Class Disaster Purger? Aluk, you’re on the same starting line as me!” Seeing Aluk’s disgruntled expression, Gawain attempted to soothe his friend’s mood.

After all, his own performance had indeed been far more dazzling. While both had received proof of their potential as First-Class Disaster Purgers, Gawain had undeniably earned more recognition from the examiners. This was precisely why Aluk had seized the opportunity to tease him.

“Alright, alright, don’t try to comfort me. Do I look like someone who gets easily disheartened?”

“Yes!”

“You scoundrel, are you itching for a beating again?”

“Indeed!”

“Hmm?”

Aluk tackled him. “Mercy, Sir Aluk!” Gawain laughed, currently pinned at the waist.

“Heh! I never thought the future star of the Disaster Purgers would be pinned beneath me today!”

“Please don’t say such misleading things.”

“Alright, now that both of us brothers have passed the test, let’s go into the city tonight to celebrate!” Aluk quickly got off him, having finished his playful banter.

Gawain wasn’t actually weaker than Aluk; their close friendship simply led them to indulge each other. Otherwise, Aluk would never have been able to wrestle him to the ground with such impunity.

“Celebration is fine, but the red-light district is strictly forbidden!” Gawain wholeheartedly approved of Aluk’s suggestion, but knowing exactly what his friend was thinking, he added this firm condition.

“?????”

“Don’t look at me like that. There’s someone waiting for me at home, and I absolutely cannot betray her!” Feeling the bewildered stare emanating from Aluk, Gawain waved his hand, firmly refusing.

“What’s the point of living if you don’t experience the red-light district at least once?” Seeing Gawain’s resolute expression, Aluk persisted, trying to tempt him with devilish words. As Gawain’s senior (in his own mind, at least), Aluk felt it was his duty to introduce Gawain to the legendary district.

“Then you might as well not live.” Gawain rolled his eyes, then turned to leave, intending to abandon him. He couldn’t be bothered to retort to Aluk’s twisted logic.

“Wait for me!” Seeing Gawain already walking away, Aluk stretched out a hand and hurried to catch up.

Given the short distance between the Light of Holy Flame headquarters and the royal capital, they reached the city gates in just over ten minutes.

“Welcome, esteemed Disaster Purgers!”

The soldier guarding the city gate immediately adopted an obsequious expression upon seeing them, bowing respectfully.

As for how the guard knew their status, it was evident from their attire. Having passed the examination, they now possessed proof of their rank: an exquisitely crafted silver badge. While it wasn’t the emblem of a First-Class Disaster Purger, it was enough to warrant the guard’s deference.

Because they had been assessed as having the potential to become First-Class, they had been directly granted Second-Class Disaster Purger badges. This signified an encouragement for them to strive and ascend to First-Class status through hard work.

It was worth noting that only those deemed to possess high potential were granted Second-Class badges right out of the gate. Those who merely passed with average scores received a low-level Fourth-Class badge, essentially designating them as cannon fodder. Though a Fourth-Class Purger was still an exorcist, the treatment differed vastly from the higher ranks. Even so, any Purger was respected by commoners. Not just anyone could join the order; thus, those who did were ultimately regarded as superiors.

“No need to be so polite, no need at all. We’ve only just become Disaster Purgers,” Gawain said, startled by the guard’s respectful tone. He waved his hands, looking overwhelmed. They were merely new recruits, and being treated with such reverence so suddenly was entirely unaccustomed to him.

“But you are still esteemed Purgers! Once you’ve passed the trials, you become the sharp swords protecting Ravenraphael, the dawn swords guarding this world. So, there’s no need for you to be so modest, sirs.” The guard spoke patiently, seemingly wanting Gawain to recognize his new identity.

In Ravenraphael, Disaster Purgers were held in the highest esteem. Otherwise, the King would not have specially permitted the detached palace to be gifted to Lord Altorias as their base.

“Thank you for the guidance, I understand. But, Guard Raul, you don’t need to be so reserved; I’m not quite used to it,” Gawain said, reading the man’s name tag.

“Esteemed Purger, you are completely different from the others. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t be polite to me at all. May I ask your name, sir?”

“I’m Gawain, and he’s Aluk.”

“Sir Gawain and Sir Aluk? If you two ever encounter any difficulties in the future, please feel free to entrust them to me. While I may not possess your extraordinary abilities, there are some mundane matters that we city guards can handle!” Due to their approachable nature, the guard proudly puffed out his chest and boldly offered his assistance.

“Hmm, I understand. So, where exactly is the red-light district in the royal capital?”

Before Gawain could respond, Aluk seized the conversation. With a mischievous grin, he rubbed his hands together and questioned the guard. If there was anything he needed the guard’s help with, he certainly had something in mind.

“Eh? The two sirs wish to inquire about…”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense,” Gawain interrupted, reaching out to shove Aluk aside. “In any case, Raul, I gratefully accept your kind offer. If I ever need your help, I’ll certainly ask.”

For a moment, Gawain almost wanted to pretend he didn’t know the fellow whose mind was entirely consumed by brothels.

“Understood! However, if you two genuinely wish to know where the red-light district is, I would be more than happy to lead the way,” Raul chuckled softly, seemingly having only processed Aluk’s earlier comment.

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t have such intentions. Mr. Raul, you only need to tell me where there are some distinctive restaurants,” Gawain sighed. After all, visiting the red-light district wasn’t his idea.

“Distinctive restaurants, you say? Hmm…” Raul stroked his chin, pondering for a moment. “I recall a very good local restaurant in the Old City Street called ‘The Sacrificial Lamb.'”

“‘The Sacrificial Lamb,’ you say? I see. Thank you for the recommendation, Raul. Aluk and I will go try it later.” Gawain nodded politely, expressing his gratitude.

“Not at all, not at all. It is my honor to assist you two. I shall not delay your time any further; please proceed inside.” Feeling he had taken up too much of their time, Raul stepped aside.

“Understood. If you’re free, let’s have tea together sometime.” Gawain nodded at Raul.

After exchanging a few more words, Gawain grabbed the back of Aluk’s collar and dragged him into the city.

“Wait! I haven’t asked where the red-light district is yet!” Aluk let out a reluctant wail of protest as he was hauled away.