Inside the carriage bearing the Luminel family crest.

Looking at the sacred cavalry surrounding them, Bale said,

"They really did come for us. The great Luminel family—coming for us......."

"I told you."

Enzo stepped forward with an excited expression.

"Originally, the document containing the overall organizational chart is not something just anyone can view. The fact that they are taking us secretly also makes sense."

Curiosity flickered across Basto’s face.

"What do you mean, not just anyone can view it?"

"The overall structure of the Holy Knight Order is, in essence, a special document containing the faces and personal records of every paladin across the continent. By regulation, it is kept at the Order’s headquarters."

The Order’s headquarters was located directly inside the imperial palace.

In other words, it was the center of the paladins, a place even high-ranking nobles could not enter at will.

"Therefore, that document cannot, in principle, be taken outside the headquarters. It contains the records of everyone who has received consecration in the Holy Nation. That is why I said at the time that it was strange."

Back in the Weapon Pavilion district, when they heard Tie’s words, the twins had been greatly unsettled.

"Is that true? Supreme Commander Luminel really said he would allow the squad leader to view the overall structure?"

"Yeaah, if Tie tells her secret!"

"But even if he was curious about who you really are......"

They could not believe that Valentis Luminel had struck such a deal with Tie while violating military law.

Moreover, Valentis was the Supreme Commander who governed the entire Order.

That was why Enzo and Raul had warned the entire squad at the time:

just in case, it would be better to keep quiet about what they had been promised at the commander’s residence.

And now—

"Look."

At Enzo’s gesture, all the squad members looked outside.

"Whoa, there are ten horses out there!"

Just as Tie had said, more than a dozen sacred cavalry rode outside.

When their banners fluttered in the wind, the view from the carriage was completely blocked.

"By the way, where are we right now?"

"It is hard to see. Looks like we are still in Rosevorbel......"

While everyone pressed against the windows trying to determine their location—

"Forget it. I think they have set up a barrier."

Nordix, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

He pointed to the space beyond the cavalry, where a faint, thin film shimmered in the air.

"It looks like a barrier formed with holy power."

"A barrier? So that commander......"

Raul trailed off, and Tie tilted her head.

"Why would the uncle with bird droppings?"

Raul looked at Tie.

"Remember, before putting us in the carriage, he said his name was Leonardo Luminel."

Bale nodded.

"Yeah. He said he is the second son of the Luminel family and that the commander sent him."

"Correct. He currently holds the position of commander of the capital’s central battalion. As expected of someone from the Luminel family, he awakened a highly useful holy power at a young age."

Awakening holy power.

It was a special ability paladins could obtain upon reaching a certain level—either through long training or innate talent.

Just like the commander himself, who controlled the awakening of Sacred Sight.

"Most likely, the power Leonardo Luminel awakened is Consecrated Domain."

"Consecrated Domain?"

"He surrounds an area with holy power, transforming it into a sacred zone that blocks sight and sound from both inside and outside. Essentially, a barrier."

Raul’s expression grew serious.

"Of course, he cannot use it whenever he wants. Creating such a domain also burdens the user. So... this is somewhat......"

Basto opened his mouth.

"......Right. We should not treat this invitation as something simple."

Tie looked confused.

There were too many complicated words. She barely understood anything.

Meanwhile, Bale, after glancing at her, leaned toward Basto and Nordix.

"Why would the commander go to such lengths just to invite us?"

Bale had another doubt beyond what Enzo had said.

"Have you ever seen nobles casually invite mercenaries into their homes? The more I think about it, the stranger it seems."

Basto and Nordix exchanged a silent look.

They knew very well

how rare it was for a noble—especially an influential capital noble—to invite mercenaries into his residence.

"And the Emperor as well. Does the Luminel household not have to consider him?"

Everything revolved around the Emperor’s deep hatred of mercenaries.

The Emperor had long regarded mercenaries as nothing more than stray dogs without lineage.

And the Luminel family?

The Emperor favored them immensely.

He regarded Valentis and his entire house as his closest confidants.

"As far as I know, the Emperor even monitors whom the Luminel family associates with."

And yet—

the commander invites an entire squad of mercenaries into his mansion?

And even shows them a confidential document?

"This is completely illegal. Even if he is the commander, if he is caught, he is finished."

Bale muttered with a frown.

"I understand the kid made a deal with him. I understand she gave him information about herself in exchange for access to the document. But still......"

"Enough. For now, we will just observe."

Nordix cut him off.

"At the very least, it does not appear that the Luminel family is hostile toward us."

Bale fell silent and reluctantly nodded.

As Nordix had said, Luminel seemed quite favorable toward Agavert.

They had sent their second son, provided a comfortable carriage, and arranged flawless protection.

Basto added,

"The old man is right. Considering this was not even an official invitation, they are treating us far too well."

The invitation Tie had received had essentially been verbal.

The commander could have revoked it at any time.

But he did not.

On the contrary, he had taken the risk and brought them secretly.

"Ha...... maybe our kid was just too cute that day and the commander lost his mind?"

Bale asked seriously.

Basto nodded as if that made sense.

"Honestly, that seems the most likely explanation."

That night in ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the Weapon Pavilion district,

the squad members did not know exactly what had happened between the commander and Tie,

and so they felt only confusion.

Meanwhile—

in another carriage traveling behind Agavert.

Leonardo sat alone, resting his chin on his hand as he looked out the window.

"......That girl was the King of the Dead."

Recalling the child he had met at the bounty office, he smirked.

He had not expected to see her again.

Especially not under such circumstances.

Leonardo suddenly remembered the previous evening.

"I invited someone to the mansion."

On the rare evening when the entire family had gathered for dinner, Valentis had announced it abruptly.

"A mercenary squad will be arriving. I made them a promise."

All three sons set down their utensils at the same time.

Leonardo even asked his father, with whom he was not particularly close,

"Have you lost your mind?"

The Emperor deeply disliked it when his favored nobles entered into personal dealings with mercenaries.

And Valentis knew that better than anyone.

That was why the three sons could not believe it even after hearing the explanation.

That Valentis had encountered the King of the Dead in the Weapon Pavilion district.

Struck a deal with him.

And even learned his hidden past.

But it did not end there.

"He possessed an unauthorized holy artifact. It seems he did not know its activation conditions. Judging by the fact that he attempted to alter my memory."

At that, even Edmund, the most open-minded of the brothers, had been shocked.

An ordinary mercenary possessing a forbidden artifact.

And Valentis ignored it?

Moreover, the mercenary attempted to alter his memory?

But Valentis remained calm.

"So what. In the end, my memory is intact."

Holy artifacts do not affect those whose holy power surpasses their own.

Which meant that for Valentis, who possessed one of the strongest powers on the continent, it was only natural.

But—

"Does the Order know about this?"

Leonardo had asked with a trembling voice.

Valentis replied,

"No. They do not."

And added,

"And they will not know, unless I decide otherwise."