The Assassin and The Blind Saint

Arc 3 Chapter 7: Runfeld Village

The next day, we had reached Runfeld Village. Lena along with the other five heroes are in a Manor (Luxury House) resting after a long journey.

The village of Runfeld was managed by the priests of the Temple of Athens led by an Abbot. Not much different from Lena's hometown.

Not far from the village, there is a ruins of an old village that was destroyed due to a natural disaster 60 years ago. The residents who managed to survive then rebuilt a new village not far from the ruins.

In every direction north, east, south and west of the village, there is a secret Temple where the heroes will do the Trial. They had to find the Temple before it was occupied by the other heroes.

Once the heroes enter it, they won't be able to get out before completing the trial. Some Holy Knights and Patrol Guard will guard the heroes outside the Temple during the trial.

We Patrol Guard were at a tavern in the village square.

"What about the honey milk from our village, sir?" The shop owner approached me.

The people in this village are very friendly. They welcomed the group with joy. Offering the Guard Patrols a full meal and drink for the day.

They say, the priests of the Temple of Athens have been very well cared for and they were when the natural disaster that destroyed this village 60 years ago.

"Very fresh, Mr. Milbert." In addition to the tavern owner, Mr. Milbert also has a position as Village Chief here.

Being in the countryside like this reminds me of my childhood.

A naive, clueless boy who dreams of becoming a hero. Do I still want that now? Seeing Arthur with Lena makes me want him back.

But I'm sure... A man who lives the path of blood like me should not expect happiness in this world.

L'm... It has destroyed a lot of people's lives. I took their happiness away by killing those they loved.

I'mfrightened... It would be bad karma that I've been turning around to come to me.

I'm still afraid to see him... Even though I knew he was alive. I was afraid to hear those words come back out of him if I went to see him.

"Ussss.... "

I heard he already had a child. Family life is like any other normal human being.

I don't want my presence to ruin his life.

"Sirius!" I turned to see Senior Kurt calling out to me loudly.

"What happened to you, Junior? Feeling guilty for those who died under your leadership?" asked Senior with a worried tone.

"Ah, not Senior. I guess I'm just exhausted after a long trip like this" I said reasoned.

"All right, take a break."

Out of the tavern, I saw the lively and bustling landscape of Runfeld village.

***

On the other hand, Arthur along with the other heroes and Georgy are gathering in a room in Runfeld Village Manor.

"Mr Georgy, did you find out about how the last Trial actually was?" tanya Juan—a Hero candidate from the Kingdom of Aragon. He had a good relationship with Arthur.

"I heard from Albert he had a Trial fighting with himself inside the temple" Georgy replied.

"Fight with yourself?" Arthur seemed confused by Georgy's reply.

"Fight with ourselves like our imitation?" alicia.

Georgy was then silent for a moment to be seen remembering something.

They then chatted about the previous heroes with Georgy. Of the five former heroes, two of them had died, one had disappeared somewhere and two were in the Empire.

"Now I'm worried about the Saint" said Georgy slowly.

Hearing this, Arthur was slightly surprised. He thought the security in this village was very good.

"He still hasn't chosen a Knight as his personal bodyguard" Georgy said.

Hearing this, the heroes again looked confused.

"Aren't you the Exclusive Knight of the Saint, Mr Georgy?" the famous Maxhill asked did not say much.

"Different from the hero, a Knight of the Saint's choice is the Saint's prerogative."

To become a hero, certain criteria are needed to be officially adopted and blessed by the Saint.

Whereas, the Saint's chosen Knight was someone pure he chose to be his companion. They will both have a special bond that can be used when in a fight.

"I'm just, the Knight of choice of the previous Saint—Maria Olivia. The Knight will be much stronger with the Saint by his side, and the Saint will also be safer if the Knight is always by his side," it was obviously Georgy whose tone changed in memory of his time with Saint before.

Hearing this, Arthur has a question for Georgy.

"Mr Georgy, can a hero be a Knight of the Saint's choice?"

Hearing this question, Georgy was silent for a moment.

"I think there are some heroes who are the Knights of choice of the Saint" replied Georgy.

Hearing this, Arthur's heart became relieved. He did not want any other man besides himself to have a close relationship with Lena.

"Arthur, I want the Saint to choose you as his Knight of choice" Georgy said.

"I-i?" Arthur was surprised to hear Georgy.

"You have courage, determination and a clean heart. You also look pretty close to the Saint." Hearing Georgy's words, Arthur suddenly smiled.

However, Georgy's mind is different from Arthur's. Georgy worries about something other than the Saint's safety when he hasn't chosen his Knight of choice.

"Well... For now, you focus first on finishing the trial tomorrow night" Georgy said.

"Why should it be night, Mr Georgy?" ask Juan.

"That's because the secret temple where you're going to do the trial will only open on full moon nights."

***

At night, two Vampire figures were stalking Runfeld village from a distance.

"Regulus, it looks like their entourage has arrived. Have you prepared the summoning magic?" ask his partner Marinua.

"Yes, the preparation is a little more to be done" said Regulus, who was seen licking his hand that looked stained by human blood.

"Hoo... You drank how much human blood to prepare that summoning magic?'

"Hm... I think about 100 people." Regulus answered with a cold smile. "Then, what about their strength? Did you count the guards that were brought to the village?"

"There were approximately 300 guards who came with the entourage of the Saint. I think 200 men is enough to defeat them, too" replied Marinus.

After finishing with their affairs, the two Vampires then disappeared in the darkness of the night.