THE RISE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SINNERS

#10# THE RAGE OF THE POWER OF DARKNESS

After his birthday celebration, Leo began to be preoccupied with his duties in helping rule the Valdia region. Actually Leo has free time but because of Aiden's deteriorating marquis condition makes him have to help the older brother take care of Valdia.

Thalia herself shared her task with Leo to speed up her settlement because Thalia did not have long in Valdia. The red-haired girl took care of Valdia's economy and development while Leo took care of the security department. Crime in Valdia is high. Thalia knew Leo had a fast-moving army because that was the security duty handed to him.

Leo began his task by deploying the entire division of the Yurei army throughout Valdia, especially in the city of Valdia itself. During the 2-week run, as many as 130 criminals from theft, robbery, and various other criminals were arrested. They were immediately taken to the Caspian governorate because there was the largest prison in the kingdom.

Although a few weeks later the crime rate began to fall, but there are still many cases of kidnapping. Leo himself has deployed 4 divisions of Yurei troops to search for traces of abductors but the results are still nil. To minimize the kidnappers' abductions until the base of the kidnappers is found, Leo forms a new division called the Valdia police division.

Registration of this division is open exclusively to the people of Valdia. And who would have thought, as many as 3 thousand young men and women throughout the region registered themselves. After 1 month of training by the 5th division of Yurei forces, finally inaugurated the Valdia police division which consists of 1200 troops. The police officers were an average of 18 to 23 years old. They are based in the city center of Valdia and their duty is to maintain the security of the city.

However, even though the police division has been established, there are still many cases of kidnapping that occur. Not infrequently even members of the police involved a fight with the kidnappers. However, the kidnappers always managed to escape using smoke bombs.

***

In the middle of winter, kidnapping cases start to become a major problem in the city. The slow handling of this case makes public trust in the Aiden marquis decreased dramatically. Even the residents of Valdia dared to protest so that marquis Aiden immediately resolved the matter and arrested the perpetrators. The demonstrations were held almost daily in front of the palace gates. And so it is today, even in the midst of snowfall and the temperature of the air, the residents remain desperate to protest.

" Hhhhhh it has been a month and a half that Valdia police stood up but none of the abductors was arrested, "Thalia grumbled as she watched the crowd of protesters from the balcony of the palace's 3rd floor.

" I've deployed my troops to the underground canal but they also found no sign of the kidnappers, " Leo said, who also watched the demonstrators beside Thalia.

" Lo do you think there's a traitor in our military? They gave the kidnappers a way out, "

" It may be. But last month I have infiltrated my forces into every division of our military. There are some suspicious ones. What we suspect is nothing to do with this kidnapping. And I think this kidnapping interference is not from Valdia but from the outside, "

Thalia glanced at Leo, she also thought the same thing as Leo thought. It is true that there must be someone's interference. If not from the military and Valdia officials, it would have been from the outside.

Before long the two of them chatted, Indra suddenly jumped from below and immediately knelt before Leo.

" Our master found a secret door disguised by a wall in the eastern canal. Besides that the door was also sealed by the sealing divine magic. "

Thalia got up from her seat, "Magic seal? There are only two types of magic seals - the moon and the sun. Where do you see the senses? "

" The combination of the two seals is miss. The magic symbol we saw was the moon and the sun. I'm sure this sealing magic user has learned two holy seals, "answered the senses.

" Eastern channel? If not mistaken it's a passageway to the basement of the sacred temple guarded by five emperor level magicians. If indeed the actors went that way, wouldn't they be caught by the witches of the temple guards? " ask Leo while rubbing his chin.

" At first we thought so. But just a few meters into the east hallway, we found a branch road covered by a wall. It seems that when the construction of the canal there was a person who deliberately made a branch road and closed it with a wall, " said Indra. Uncompleted senses explained, a soldier with a look of face full of anxiety ran up to the three of them.

" What's going on? why do you look so worried? " ask Thalia.

The soldier immediately knelt down and replied, "I'm sorry to bother you and miss. I want to report important news. The soldiers of Gerelia and Valdia are currently engaged in a fight at the sacred temple. "

Sontak Thalia, Indra, and Leo were shocked to hear the news.

" Indra assigned divisions two, five, and eight to find out the sealed secret door information, "Lo's orders to Indra.

" Good sir. Then I'll resign. " The senses jump down and disappear from view.

" Lo we can't blame Gerelia's men. Forced to punish our own troops to avoid a wider conflict, "gaga Thalia because she knows the position of Valdia now which has begun to be controlled by the kingdom through the forces of Gerelia in Valdia.

" Let me go to the temple. Brother, I want you to do something. " Lo brought his lips closer to his brother's ear and whispered something.

Thalia was shocked to hear Leo's whisper. " Lo are you crazy? If we do that, it will only add to the problem! " said Thalia with a slightly raised tone.

" Leave it to me. Brother just do what I say. I'm leaving first. " Leo immediately left the balcony and rushed towards the sacred temple. While the demonstrators themselves can be slowly muted thanks to Boris who promised faster handling of kidnapping cases.

***

Just 7 minutes later, Leo arrived at the sacred temple. Just like the soldier said before. At the holy temple there was a fight between the Valdia and Gerelia soldiers. Seen some soldiers from the two camps are battered and sprawled. They all became a spectacle of pilgrims.

Shortly after Leo arrived, the leader of Gerelia's main force arrived in Valdia. The leader was named Reynald D'Caltus a viscount caste noble from the county of Trixia. He was the general who succeeded Prince Teo in Valdia.

" So you're the son of Mr. Aiden huh? " reynald approached Leo on an iron horse.

" Are you the leader? " say Leo.

" yes. And very unfortunate sir. Gerelia soldiers who have the sacred duty of escorting and guarding the pilgrims are actually attacked by Valdia's delinquent soldiers. They attacked us and soiled this place. If this news is heard to the ears of prince Teo or even king Gerelia, it will surely be the end of the special autonomy of Valdia's marquess, " Reynald concluded with a wry smile from his lips.

Leo was silent.he looked around the sacred temple. Prior to this incident, Leo received numerous reports of unfair treatment from Gerelia's soldiers. Starting from the wild collection of Angelus pilgrims, the forced increase in lodging rates for Angelus pilgrims, and the neglect of Angelus pilgrims around the holy temple. The discrimination committed by the Gerelia army actually made Leo furious, but because of the rampant kidnapping cases shifted Leo's focus. If this fight did not happen, Leo would delay his arrival to the holy temple.

" Humbly? Isn't Gerelia's army a delinquent? You raise the lodging rates here, abandon the pilgrims of Angelus, even in the city of Valdia you do your best to my people. I don't care if the king or the prince will hear it or not, but the attack my soldiers are doing is a justification for your reliability! " reply Leo stared cynically at Reynald.

Reynald was instantly lured by Leo's words. " Fuck you! Just watch out I'll report this incident to the king! "

After Reynald's clash, Indra came riding a horse carrying a rolled up letter.

" Mister there's a letter from Miss Thalia, "Indra handed the letter to Leo.

Without a word Leo took the letter and gave it to Reynald. And Reynald opened the letter. Instantly he was surprised by the contents of the letter containing Valdia's complete mastery of the sacred temple and pilgrim paths. The letter also read the forced retreat of Gerelia's forces from Valdia. The letter was signed by Thalia von Valdius.

" What the fuck is this letter!? You have no right to decide for yourself. It is the king who has the right to decide! " snapped Reynald who slammed the letter to the ground.

" Valdia is a special autonomous region. We reserve the right to govern our own territory outside the kingdom. Now draw your troops to the capital and give the letter to the king or prince Teo. If you still don't want to retreat, I'm not afraid to capture your entire army here! " strictly Leo who was also witnessed by the pilgrims.

Reynald, who was not struggling, immediately took the letter again and headed to the headquarters of Gerelia's forces with the soldiers who had previously fought for the withdrawal process.

" Sir, I apologize in advance for interfering. But isn't your decision too risky? Prince Theo is a very tempramental man, if Reynald gives the letter to the prince, I fear the prince will come directly here and revoke Valdia's special autonomy rights, " said Indra who was worried about the decision of his master.

" Just relax, I have an ace for that matter. Indra now return to the palace, tell my brother to have a surprise meeting with all the leaders of the Valdia division. Tell them that the holy temple and the pilgrim's path are completely in Valdia's hands and tell my brother to create a new patrol line, "

" Good sir, I will convey it soon. " Indra immediately drove the horse towards the city again.

Leo walked up to the pilgrims and Valdia soldiers who were treating their wounds.

" From now on the holy temple and pilgrim lines will be escorted directly by the entire Valdia army! I on behalf of the Valdius family promise there will be no more discrimination against the Angelus pilgrims! All will be treated equally and fairly now! Morning merchants and inns, from now on I want you to serve the pilgrims of Angelus justly and justly as the pilgrims of Deus! From now on if there is a commotion whether it be Angelus or Deus or even the priests from both camps, I will not hesitate to punish you! " leo said to all the pilgrims and the inhabitants of the holy temple.

Leo's words were greeted with cheers of happiness by the pilgrim Angelus. But on the contrary, the cynical look and look of dislike are shown by the pilgrims of Deus. But what power, they can not protest because the holy temple is in Valdia which incidentally is a special autonomous region.

After that brief speech, Valdia's cavalry troops began to come in unison to the temple. They had temporary orders to guard the temple and secure the pilgrim line until Thalia determined the new patrol line and which divisions would be placed in the shrine and pilgrim line.

Although his duties at the temple are over, Leo is reluctant to return to the city. He chose to remain in the sacred temple area until night because he felt calm there even in the middle of the snowfall. Leo took shelter under a large tree in front of the gate of the sacred temple area. He lit a bonfire there to warm up the body.

" Sorry-sorry, "there was a gentle voice of a woman from behind the tree where Leo was taking shelter.

Leo looked behind the tree. He saw a beautiful woman wearing the royal priestly robes of Angelus.

" What's wrong, miss? "

The woman approaches Leo and thrusts a piece of grilled chicken thigh on Leo. " I-it's food for the master. Since this afternoon I noticed the master had not eaten anything so I think now the master is hungry. This is also my gratitude as a pilgrim of the Angelus because thanks to our master we were finally able to escape discrimination in this holy land, "

Leo picked up a piece of grilled chicken and replied, "Thank you, lady, I've been working as the son of marquis Aiden. In addition, it is appropriate that this region is guarded by Valdia troops, not the kingdom of Gerelia. "

" The marquis son of Aiden? Could it be that you are Mr Leo being talked about? "

" Yes, I'm Leo von Valdius. Didn't I just say my name?  Miss herself what's her name? " Lo started eating that piece of chicken thigh.

The woman's face flushed. " Hehe I was busy cooking so I didn't hear your screams. Yes, my name is Sely. I am the former royal priest of Angelus,  "

" Ex? At the age of the young lady how can I retire as a priest? "

" Ahahaha, I often leave my duties in Angelusia just to go to this holy land. So the holy priest ended up firing me but he also gave me the opportunity to live in the holy land. "

" Hmm so yeah. You should retire early, '

" Then you're sorry to interrupt your night, I forgot there was some business at the temple. I'm going first.  " Sely was about to leave Leo because she felt that she was bothering the resting Leo.

" Wait! " Lo put down the chicken piece and stood up.

Sely who walked away a few steps turned her body around. " I-yes sir what's wrong? "

" You're an ex-priest, aren't you? "

" Yes, I'm a former priest, "

" Can you use the magic of the holy seal? "

" I can sir. But my invigoration magic is the magic of the goddess Cilia instead of Grecia, "

" It doesn't matter! Miss Sely will you work in our palace? "

Sely was surprised to hear Leo's words. " Eh!? T-sir, didn't you say the wrong thing? "

" No! I desperately need a priest with sealing magic for my sister. Our meeting tonight seems like fate, "Lo's approaching Sely.

" Su-an honor to me but sir... "

" If you accept my offer, you can stay and live in the palace. You can visit the holy temple whenever you want,  "

" Good, if begi– "

...Booooooom...!...

Uncompleted Leo said, sounding a loud bang from the direction of the city. After the bang, a wave of magic power suddenly appeared. The wave lasted only one second but the effect was felt by the pilgrims. Pilgrims were vomiting, fainting, and even convulsing due to magic shocks.

" Uhhuk! What is this magic wave? " Sely dropped her body while she held back the nausea in the stomach.

Leo himself realized the origin of the shock. He put out the campfire. " Selty this is your first assignment. So be prepared, "

" Eh sir!? What are you doing!? " shock Sely because Leo suddenly carried her in front.

Leo was silent. He concentrated his magic energy then used the flying magic of the wind element. Slowly the bodies of the two of them started floating upwards then darted rapidly towards the city.

***

Upon entering the city, a puff of black smoke emerged from the 2nd floor of the palace. Leo and Sely moved there. And there were many palace soldiers lying on the palace grounds. Leo flew down.

" What's going on!? " ask Leo while helping one of the wounded soldiers.

" No-nona Melina is raging sir, " said the soldier.

" Anyone who can still move immediately reveal yourself and the wounded comrades out of the palace! " cried Leo. The wounded and indirect occupants of the palace flocked out of the palace.

" sir! " Indra reappears before Leo with the entire Yurei division.

" You're all on one mission! Save the rest of the people in the palace! Don't fight Melina! " leo's orders to the Yurei army.

Yurei's army moved quickly. And it only took 5 minutes the rest of the palace residents were successfully removed including marquis Aiden and Boris.

Marquis Aiden approached Leo and said, "I'm sorry Leo in this condition I can't even do anything. "

Leo held the father's shoulder and replied, "Now the father took a brief refuge from the palace. I'll take care of this. Uncle Boris please take care of my father. "

" Okay sir! " Boris brought marquis Aiden out of the palace escorted by 3 divisions of Yurei forces.

" just a sec! where is my brother!? " cried Leo to the Yurei troops.

" Old! Miss Thalia won't go! she insisted on calming Miss Melina down! " shouted Indra while running towards Leo. Without a word, Leo went straight into the palace.

***

...Braaaa...!...

Just as Leo was climbing the second floor steps of the palace, he was startled by Thalia who was bounced out from inside Melina's room.

" Sister!? " Leo approached Thalia who hit the wall.

" Ha-be careful Leo. She's not Melina anymore. "

" anyways why is big sister forcing her to fight him! " Lo carried the older brother and took him out of the palace. However, after that he again entered the palace to see Melina.

Leo peeked a little at Melina's broken bedroom door. The puff of darkness surrounded Melina's body.

" It's rude to see me quietly from behind the door! "

...Boooom...!...

Melina's voice changed. He shoots a black magic bullet at Leo, causing an explosion. It was fortunate that Leo managed to dodge the attack and then jumped up to Melina and kicked her until Melina bounced out of the palace.

" Sily...! " cried Leo while jumping from the broken palace walls. Sely himself immediately ran towards Leo.

" How dare you kick me, "Sizzle Melina with an evil look that looks at Leo.

Leo put both hands to the ground. " Because you're not my sister now, so there's no reason for me to be a coward! Ice dome's! "

Around Leo, Sely, and Melina appeared an ice dome that slowly covered them. Melina tried to break through the dome with exploding black magic balls. But the ice dome was very hard.

" You won't be able to get through it! Better sleep well in my sister's body again! " Lo raised his right hand and went out of the magic circle. Instantly, a chain of ice emerged from the ground and wrapped around Melina's body, leaving her motionless.

" Now Sely! Use your holy seal! "

Sely spread out her hands. From under the feet appeared a glowing blue magic circle. " O goddess of illumination for lost souls, Blesser of the sorrowful soul, Healer of wounded souls, Your servant asks for the gift of your magic to confine the might of your world. Please grant my prayer to keep the spark of sin in front of me! Holy magic: blue moon seal! "

From under Melina's feet also appeared the same magic circle as under Sely after the priest finished his spell. The circle below Melina slowly rose up and shrank and went into Melina's stomach.

" Aaaaaaaaaaaargh....!!! " the power that controlled Melina's body instantly groaned in pain. The moaning slowly shrank and disappeared and Melina fainted. Leo let go of the ice and left Melina lying down.

" Mister, please close your eyes for a moment. I want to check the seal I planted. Since this lady was wearing a pajama dress so I had to open it from the bottom, "Selly approached Melina's body. Leo closed his eyes.

Sely opened Melina's dress to see the seal she had planted. Seen in Melina's stomach is a magic seal symbolized by a blue crescent moon giving off a dim blue light. Sely I re-covered Melina's shirt because the seal was successfully embedded.

" It's mister, "said Sely.

" Thank you, Sely, you saved my sister. "

" So she's Miss Melina who is said to have the element of darkness? " ask Sely.

" Yes, that's why I'm looking for a priest who can use sealing magic. Sely from now on I want you to stay by Melina's side. In addition to keeping the seal, I want you to teach him the knowledge you gained from Angelusia, "

" Eh?? but sir, Gerelia is a Deus. If I were the Angelus teaching Miss Melina, it could be an offence and the master's family could be punished by Deusia, "

" Just relax, Valdia is special autonomy. No one can bother Valdia, "

" Then so good. I'll be Miss Melina's companion, "

" Hmm thanks Sely. "

Leo opened his Ice dome, then he carried Melina who was still unconscious. From a distance Thalia ran up to them.

" Leooo! Melinaa...! " Thalia hugged her two sisters.

" It's okay, brother now. Melina won't go berserk anymore, "

" No-nona Thalia!? " shock Sely looked towards Thalia.

Thalia herself immediately let go of her embrace and turned to Sely. " Sily...!? "

Sely ran and hugged Thalia as if she knew Thalia well.

" You know each other? " ask Leo.

" Yeah! Sely used to be my fairies during a beauty contest in Cronix. He was originally a priest but because I had no potions so I made an impromptu potion and who would have thought Sely was so good at applying haha, " replied Thalia releasing her wound to Sely.

" It has been a long time not to see the lady. I've been in Valdia for a long time but I've never seen a miss, "

" Ahahaha yes I am busy in the capital so rarely come back. Oh yes Sely, was it you who sealed my sister's power? "

" Yes Miss Thalia. From now on I'll be Miss Melina's companion. I'm so happy to have this job, "

" Waaaah gratefully we finally meet again and we can meet anytime now, "Thalia hugged Sely again.

" Then Sely come with me, we go around the palace talking, "Talia continued holding Sely's hands.

" But I have to... "

" It's okay, Sely. You can walk around with my sister, Melina is calm. You can start your new job tomorrow morning after Melina's kiss, " said Leo.

" Good be Leo. Then Miss Thalia let's go around hehe, "

" Mari-marii., that's the Sely I know. " Thalia pulled Sely's hand and took her around.

While Leo brought Melina to his room because Melina's own room was destroyed. After putting his brother to sleep, Leo ordered Indra to bring back his father and Boris along with all the palace residents because the state of the palace was safe.

Leo was very relieved this time because before, he had thought about the power of Melina who had not been sealed after the incident. And this time he could be relieved and rest his mind for a moment by lying next to his sister.

Leo kept glancing at the sweet face of his sleeping sister.he brought his lips closer to Melina's ear and whispered, "Sister Barjanji will get the heavenly flower to heal you and get you out of this suffering Melina. "

After the whisper, it was unexpected that Melina woke up and kissed Leo on the cheek. " I'll wait until you get that flower. I love my sister very much, " said Melina with eyes that were still dim.

Leo was a little surprised to get a kiss of Melina.he immediately smiled a little. " Now go to sleep again. It's still dark. Good night Melina, "

" Good night brother. "

^^^To be Continue.^^^