LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 75: The Rats Infiltrating The Kingdom
EP.75 The Rats Infiltrating The Kingdom
A deep darkness enveloped the walls of the kingdom.
Despite the late hour, the area around the castle gates was brightly lit for a reason.
It was because people attempting to pass through the castle had formed long queues around it.
Guards lit fires at various points according to their duties, inspecting them.
Submit your identification.
Soldiers demanded identification or anything resembling it from those attempting to pass through the gates.
Hmm, adventurers, huh? No issues, you may proceed!
Those with clear identification passed through the gates without a word.
However, those with uncertain identities engaged in some dispute.
No identification? Then you cannot pass!
Those with unclear identities had to turn back.
The guards repeated this complicated process continuously.
Next!
A soldier let another person through and called for the next one. But the next person in line wasnt alone.
Oh
It was a caravan. While not particularly large in scale, there was a baggage cart, and there were quite a few people accompanying it.
There seemed to be more than twenty individuals.
Im leading this caravan, Riana. Were not large enough to have a specific name yet.
In other words, she was a wandering merchant.
Moreover, the leader of the caravan was not a man but a woman.
Shes quite young for a caravan leader.
She seemed too young for a wandering merchant.
The soldier looked at the identification Riana handed over.
Youve traveled a long way from the Adonil Kingdom.
The Adonil Kingdom was a country adjacent to the White Order, located at the southernmost tip of the continent. Therefore, it was quite distant from here.
Your name is Riana, is that correct?
I swear by the name of the Goddess.
Why such a solemn oath
Since it was a country adjacent to the Order, there were many who followed the Goddess. Perhaps she was of the same kind.
The soldier chuckled briefly at her words and returned the identification to her. Then he proceeded to inspect the merchants and their cargo behind her.
Occasionally, impure individuals would mix in with the caravans.
Taking a torch, the soldier inspected the faces of the merchants and their identifications one by one.
Meanwhile, he glanced at a piece of paper he was holding.
It was a process of checking if there were any wanted individuals matching the descriptions on the paper.
Alright, everything seems fine. Next, I will inspect the cargo.
He then approached the carts brought by the merchants for inspection.
However, Riana stepped forward, blocking the soldiers path.
What is the meaning of this?
Naturally, the soldier responded to Riana with an annoyed tone.
I apologize sincerely. We actually need to deliver the contracted goods, so time is of the essence.
I dont care about personal circumstances! Everyone must undergo inspection under the same rules!
The soldier reprimanded the young caravan leader who was blocking him. It was already late at night, and the queue seemed never-ending. And now, a merchant was delaying the process, causing further annoyance.
The soldiers face grew increasingly red. Just as he was about to speak, Riana discreetly handed him something.
Arent you tired? Once your duty ends, it would be nice to have a simple drink together.
Hmm.
The soldier coughed a few times before checking the pouch in his hand. It felt quite hefty.
!
And it even contained gold coins. The golden light shimmered through the opening of the pouch.
The soldier hesitated for a moment as he glanced at the pouch.
It seems urgent indeed. Besides, there are security guards inside anyway, so it shouldnt matter.
He was working while others were asleep at this late hour. Therefore, accepting this seemed acceptable.
Hmm. Ive checked everything. You may pass!
The soldiers tone became more polite.
This is a different matter, but the current situation in the Sael Kingdom is not favorable.
The soldier whispered to Riana who had given him the money, as a kind of repayment.
Why is that?
Riana asked the soldier, feigning ignorance.
The White Order will visit the kingdom in a few days. Personally, I recommend finishing your business here and leaving before then, my lady.
Thank you for the advice.
The young caravan leader expressed her gratitude with a smile. And Riana, without forgetting, left her final farewell.
May the protection of the Goddess be with you
Soon, along with the baggage carts, the group passed through the castle gates.
From now on, they were in the Sael Kingdom.
====
***
====
Once through the gates, the group continued to walk.
Before they knew it, they had reached a building.
However, the exterior of the building they saw was very worn out.
Sigh
It seemed like the buildings maintenance was not properly done, to the point where sighs escaped their lips.
Empty everything.
Riana, who was at the front, ordered, pointing to the luggage.
Everyone glanced around at her command, then started unloading the baggage from the carts.
Since it was late at night, there was no need to be aware of their surroundings.
However, being cautious wouldnt hurt, so some individuals kept watch.
The rest swiftly unloaded the baggage onto the ground.
The first thing to come out was the clatter of swords hitting the ground.
The items were not ordinary goods traded by merchants.
Once all the swords were out, next came the armor.
It was a type of light armor made of thick layers of leather rather than steel.
The group immediately put on the armor after taking it out of the carts.
After putting on the leather armor, they strapped swords to their sides.
Once everyone was prepared, they began entering the building one by one.
Despite the worn-out exterior of the old building, the interior seemed somewhat well-maintained.
As they entered, an old servant welcomed them first.
Greetings, noble knights!
Although they had entered the building as merchants, the title spoken by the servant was different.
Riana, who had just been referred to as a caravan leader, spoke up in response to the servant.
How have you been, brother? I thought the building was collapsing, so I was worried about what happened.
However, Rianas voice carried a chill.
That, thats because here in the Sael Kingdom, the White Order has
The servant also sensed her coldness and tried to say something, but
Swoosh
Rianas sword pierced through the servants throat first.
Crk! Grrr-
The servant, with blood gushing from his throat, looked at Riana with a helpless expression.
He tried to say something, but blood bubbled from his throat.
Daring to neglect the sacred building decreed by the White Order like this. You deserve to die a hundred times.
Her actions were drastic. It was not something a mere caravan leader could do.
Leaving the dead servant behind with a pierced throat, she looked at the individuals she had brought with her.
We are the proud holy knights of the White Order. We must fulfill our duties as holy knights.
They were not actually merchants leading the caravan. Their true identity was that of knights of the White Order.
In a few days, the diplomatic envoy will arrive. Gather as much information as possible before then.
The White Orders diplomatic envoy was scheduled to arrive in the Sael Kingdom in a few days. And they were merely a scouting party for gathering information before the envoys arrival.
This fact was known only to some nobles in the Sael Kingdom.
If it were to be revealed, it could lead to significant diplomatic issues.
Therefore, they had no evidence of being holy knights while being holy knights.
They did not possess anything directly related to the White Order.
Even the equipment and weapons they had concealed in the carts were all ordinary.
Their current attire also seemed like that of ordinary adventurers.
No one would suspect they had any connection with the Order.
In short, this mission was unique in that they were affiliated with the White Order but couldnt openly declare their affiliation.
Our goal is the Sael Kingdom. Find as many weaknesses as possible. If there are none, create them.
She spoke without hiding her true intentions.
The purpose of this scouting party was clear from the beginning.
Pressure the Sael Kingdom.
It was a quietly issued directive.
In the name of Riana, the vice-commander of the White Order.
Riana, the vice-commander of the White Order.
At her words, the members bowed their heads.
In truth, Riana was the vice-commander of the White Order.
However, the vice-captain, Werther Leo Bane, had gone missing, leaving the position vacant.
Thanks to that, Riana had taken over the position of vice-commander in Werthers absence.
Although it was only temporary, it didnt matter to her. She was not attached to the position.
As long as the Order prospered, it was enough for her.
The happiness of the Order was her happiness.
Let me say it again, never tarnish the name of the White Order.
Any entity tarnishing the White Order in this process would be eliminated.
As soon as it gets bright, lets start by searching for information on the missing priest, Yuel.
The disappearance of Priest Yuel. This incident was the catalyst for the White Order dispatching holy knights and an inquisitor to the Sael Kingdom this time.
====
***
====
The day dawned.
Indeed, the rats have come.
Despite staying up all night for work, there was no trace of fatigue on her face. Instead, she smiled.
Her smile was like that of a child holding a toy.
Celia closed her eyes for a moment to gather her thoughts.
[The holy knights of the White Order have infiltrated the kingdom.]
It was information she had acquired staying up all night.
Hmm, what should we do?
The credit for obtaining this information went to Nariel, the elf.
After persuading Nariel to join her side, Celia naturally extracted various pieces of information from her.
Among them was the story of a noble who had entrusted a commission to her.
Of course, the one who had commissioned Nariel was not the noble himself. He was merely a lackey.
But fortunately, elves were keen-sighted beings.
Recalling the appearance of the person who had given her the commission, Nariel described the features to Celia.
An old man with white hair, a beard, and a large scar on his left eye and hand.
Based on this information, Celia relayed the message to Princess Elena through the shadows.
It seems Princess Elena is quite capable.
Coincidentally, the person mentioned was someone Princess Elena remembered.
With this information, they could determine which noble the person belonged to.
Choosing to recruit Princess Elena was indeed a good decision.
Celia nodded in satisfaction.
In fact, she had simply instilled a single thought into Princess Elenas mind.
Serve the great one.
With just this simple idea planted, the rest of the actions followed according to Princess Elenas will.
Now she realized that she had performed her role very well.
Thanks to her, they had learned that the one who sent the adventurers to the mountains was an empty-headed viscount and immediately deployed shadows to monitor him.
I wonder if he was having such an amusing thought
It would take at least several days for the diplomatic envoy of the White Order to arrive in the Sael Kingdom.
Yet, they had already sent some holy knights secretly ahead.
Shadow, deliver this to Princess Elena.
The shadow behind Celia nodded.
Tell her to deliver the gift I gave to the nobles.
This was an opportunity for Celia to deal with troublesome nobles and seize control of the kingdom. It was an action of loyalty to the great one she served.
====
***
====
A special mission has been issued!
Dispatch Maru () to the dungeon Nest of the Evil God.
Reward: 5-star transcendent ticket for Maru ().