For several days, I have indulged in a life of laziness, leaving everything to my slaves.
Morning, noon, and night, food is served to me as I lie in bed.
This is certainly a path to ruin.
As I recline on the sofa, reading the latest entertainment novel, I watch the two of them scurrying about busily.
The house is spotless, and a subtle fragrance I like is gently wafting through the air.
When I bring the cup to my lips, the Empireโs famous coffee flows in.
As soon as the cup is empty, one of the slaves comes over to refill it, and if the snacks are running low, they are promptly replenished.
โฆCan I live like this without ever moving again?
I remove my reading glasses and stretch out broadly.
Iโm completely refreshed. Itโs about time I got to work.
I close the novel in my hand, deciding to read the rest when I return.
All my gear is perfectly organized, and the two of them help me equip it.
The preparation is quick, and all my equipment is polished.
I had kept it clean, but it was undoubtedly the two of them who gave it that extra shine.
โYouโre quite efficient. Thanks.โ
โNo problem, Master. Have a good day.โ
They see me off, bowing until Iโm out the door.
Time to earn some money.
I really shouldnโt have come to the guild today.
โSir Sky Knight, please help us! We can only rely on you!โ
I glare at Nia, whoโs clinging to my leg, with utter disdain.
But Nia doesnโt even flinch under my gaze and clings to my leg with her beast-like strength, crying.
โLet go!โ
โNo way! If I let go, youโll run away, Sir Sky Knight. I know you too well!โ
Damn, sheโs perceptive.
As soon as I entered the guild and began browsing the requests, Nia spotted me, rushed over, and started clinging to me, babbling about something I couldnโt understand.
Trying to shake her off only made her grip my leg tighter.
Eventually, I gave up trying to pry her off and decided to listen to her story.
โSir Sky Knight. Can you stop looking so annoyed if youโre going to listen?โ
โI donโt want to, but fine.โ
Niaโs story involved the marquisโs daughter I had previously helped.
Nia had been invited to the Lanakeld Marquisate and had managed to build a good relationship there.
She had earned the daughterโs trust and even received offers of support.
โThatโs a good thing, right?โ
โYes, it is. Itโs a great thing. But thatโs not the problem.โ
A group of red-hooded individuals had kidnapped the Lanakeld familyโs daughter.
The marquis had mobilized all his forces to pursue them, and Niaโs party had been assisting in the search.
After taking down several strongholds, they finally discovered the main base and launched an attack, butโฆ
โYou let them escape? Even with you there?โ
โThere was one tough guy among them. They escaped into the Great Church. Now our team and the marquisโs forces have the place surrounded.โ
The Great Church is the largest church in the Empire, located on the outskirts of the capital.
Itโs supposed to be an independent organization, teaching the ways of the divine daily, butโฆ
โDid the red-hooded group take over the church?โ
โIt seems more complicatedโฆ Entering the church without permission is a big issue, but the marquis is furious. Heโs likely to appeal directly to the emperor. So, Sir Sky Knightโฆโ
โI have a bad feeling about this, but what is it?โ
โSir Sky Knight, youโre close with the cardinal, right? Can you get permission to enter the church? ASAP.โ
Sheโs asking the impossible. But if nothing is done, the marquisโs forces might storm the church without permission.
The marquis should understand the implications, but with his daughter kidnapped, itโs a different storyโฆ
Thereโs no choice. Iโd rather not owe him a favor, but it canโt be helped.
I instructed Nia to hold off the marquis until I could get permission and set off to meet the head of the Empireโs church.
I headed to see Keller, the cardinal and archbishop.