The Knight of Vanity

“Captain!”

Arthur Haim jolted awake, only to find his vision consumed by utter darkness.

He struggled to sit up from the bed, and a pair of strong arms promptly helped him upright. He gasped for breath, asking, “Is that Wilson?”

“Captain, your eyes…”

“Merely a necessary price.”

His eye sockets were empty voids, and his spiritual perception had completely regressed to that of an ordinary person. He attempted to get out of bed, but stumbled precariously, nearly falling.

Fortunately, Wilson was there to steady him in time.

He had lost his twin pupils, his spiritual perception, and his left calf.

Yet, as Arthur became aware of the missing parts of his body, a faint smile inexplicably curved his lips. Compared to what he had gained, this price was insignificant.

He mentally sorted through his muddled thoughts, his voice low as he inquired, “Wilson, where are we now?”

“The Church.”

“Tell me, in broad strokes, what transpired while I was unconscious.”

“I… I’m not entirely sure either. When I awoke, I was already inside the Church. The Rheinhebo family had left some people here, and although we ventured out to gather information, they didn’t stop us.”

“What about the Lower City? After such a catastrophe, it couldn’t possibly be business as usual, could it?”

“The morale of the people in the Lower City has collapsed, but the Blackwing Knights, disguised as Witch creations, have forbidden anyone from entering or leaving. They’re using force to temporarily suppress the widespread despair.”

Arthur fell silent, then let out a soft sigh. “That method won’t last much longer. Let us take over.”

Wilson looked at Arthur in disbelief. “Captain, you intend to intervene in the affairs of this city-state? The Greed Witch has already attacked once. Even if she inexplicably held back this time, who can guarantee she won’t return?”

“She has already been defeated by us.”

“Captain?”

“This is our answer to the residents of the Lower City.”

Wilson sank into a prolonged silence, eventually speaking in a slow, deliberate tone. “But Captain, I don’t understand. Our journey was meant to find new hope. Why undertake something superfluous?”

“Wilson, I am no longer a follower of the Holy Light.”

Watching Arthur utter these words with a tranquil expression, Wilson’s own face became complex. “We… we have already sensed it.”

Within Arthur Haim’s body, the blessing of the Holy Light was no more.

Arthur appeared utterly unconcerned by this change in his identity. “But you all still are, so it falls to you to step forward. Show the residents of the Lower City the miracles of the Holy Light.”

Wilson’s voice was deep. “But, can you tell us why?”

Arthur suddenly turned his head to look out the window. Even though he could see nothing, he could vaguely perceive a presence there. He then chuckled, a relaxed smile gracing his lips. “This is the guidance of the Holy Light.”

Wilson’s eyes widened abruptly. He took a deep, deliberate breath and said, “Then, I understand.”

Arthur listened as Wilson’s footsteps gradually faded away. Once silence again enveloped the room, his relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a look of profound gravity.

“Heh, did you sense my presence?”

By the window, a white dove perched silently, its twin pupils burning with azure flames. It cocked its head, speaking again. “Strange. Your spiritual perception should be even worse than an ordinary person’s now. What exactly allowed you to sense my presence?”

Arthur turned to face the source of the voice, stating calmly, “Naturally, it’s because I didn’t sense your arrival.”

“Then why did you look so grave just now?”

“Because I suddenly needed to use the restroom.”

An instant silence fell between them. After a long moment, the white dove responded coldly, “You know, don’t you? Don’t speak of things that shouldn’t be spoken!”

Arthur scoffed. “Do you take me for some heretic who spreads disaster?”

The white dove suddenly wore an extremely human-like, thought-provoking expression. “Do you believe you aren’t?”

Arthur frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Arthur Haim, isn’t it true that even speaking is painful for you now? The unknown whispers and murmurs filling your mind haven’t vanished, have they?”

Arthur’s expression subtly shifted. “Are you saying you’ve experienced this too?”

“How could I? From the very beginning, I accepted this power. For me, it wasn’t incomprehensible. But you are different. Your cognition is still human; that is knowledge no human can comprehend. Your end is already sealed.”

Arthur’s expression remained exceptionally calm. “Holy Knights never fear death.”

“Have you forgotten? Heretics cannot be killed, former Holy Knight.”

The white dove spread its wings and soared, casually dropping its piercing mockery. Arthur sat silently on the bed for a moment, then, leaning against the wall, he fumbled his way out the door. He stumbled along, his face growing increasingly anxious.

*Damn it! Where in this church was the restroom?*

A man’s voice suddenly reached his ears. “Do you need help?”

“Ah, thank you. I need to go to the restroom.” As Arthur spoke, his steps abruptly halted, and he turned towards the direction of the voice. “Steward Ark?”

The one-eyed Ark spoke placidly. “The Patriarch instructed me to remain here until you awoke. However, you are very clever. You’ve already acted, even though I hadn’t said anything.”

“I merely did what was within my power.”

“That is excellent. In these peculiar times, what the residents of the Lower City need most is the solace of the Holy Church.”

Ark helped Arthur walk towards the restroom, then suddenly spoke again. “Actually, I know exactly what you and Miss Victoria were discussing just now.”

“Eavesdropping outside a door is hardly the behavior of a gentleman.”

“I am no gentleman, nor was I eavesdropping. It was merely a troublesome fellow who voluntarily informed me.”

“The heretic who’s been clinging to you?”

“They are the Voice of the Deceased.”

“That’s interesting. They weren’t in this state before.”

“Something happened.”

Upon reaching the restroom, Ark guided Arthur, and after he had relieved himself, Ark helped him back.

“You are quite different from the other Holy Knights.”

“How are they?”

“They… they greatly value their identities. You, however, seem not to care much for yours?”

“If I could, I would rather have been born into an ordinary family. Even in a place like the Lower City.”

“Do you know what Victoria was like before? When Reyn Rheinhebo first met her, she looked as if she’d been buried in a rubbish heap for days. Seeing Reyn Rheinhebo’s opulent attire, she eagerly pressed forward, her desperate attempts to please him both ludicrous and pathetic. She actually… believed she was using him.”

Arthur halted, his voice low in his sightless world. “If that were the true Steward Ark, he would never mock the one he serves behind his back.”

“Ark” seemed not to hear, continuing, “Therefore, I permitted her to commit the sin of Greed. So, what do you think will become of you?”

They slowly turned Their head; Their twin pupils, imbued with the deep sea and starry sky, watched Arthur with amusement. They spoke softly, “Oh, human who witnessed your mother die for hope, I hereby proclaim the birth of a new heretic. Your name shall be—the Knight of Vanity!”

And so, Arthur Haim truly awoke.