Kemmel Monastery.
Located on the outskirts of the Capital, this monastery belongs to the Solar Church, the religion with the largest following on the Rosenda continent.
As Imperial Executioner Julian steps into the monastery, the associates look towards him with great fear in their eyes.
And for good reason, as Julian does not believe in gods.
What reason would they think for such a person to appear in a monastery?
‘Most likely here to purge someone.’
That would be the thought of many.
“J-Julian, sir… What brings you here?”
While thinking this, a monk from the monastery approached me with a polite tone.
“I’ve come to see the Abbot. Is he inside?”
I asked with a smile, causing the color of fear to fiercely rise above the man’s head.
“H-How may I assist you with Abbot Heren…?”
I glanced at the monk’s face.
Even without looking through the ‘Color of Denial,’ the emotion of fear was unmistakably visible, along with his clueless attitude about my reason for being here.
This man likely has nothing to do with my visit.
“Abbot Heren is indeed inside. I will guide you.”
Then, a soft female voice came from within the monastery.
“Please, follow me.”
Leading the way was a nun. I silently followed behind her.
As we moved deeper into the monastery, the moans of people and the pungent smell of medicine became stronger.
Kemmel Monastery serves somewhat as a hospital, which explained the peculiar smell that didn’t feel too out of place.
“You’ve arrived sooner than expected.”
Admiring the marble columns and the harmonious design of the Solar Church symbols, the nun walking ahead spoke.
Turning my head quickly, the face of the nun, whom I had not known before, suddenly seemed familiar.
“I didn’t think it would take this long.”
“I’m not someone who hesitates. Elenoa.”
Bishop of the Dawn Society, Elenoa.
The identity of the nun guiding me was her.
Releasing her disguise through shadow magic, she smiled faintly, though the smile was not friendly.
Instead, she kept a certain distance, indicating some level of caution.
“Does your heart change in just one day? People call that fickleness, you know.”
She looked at me with suspicion, to which I only responded with a subtle smile.
Passing through the vast interior of Kemmel Monastery, a large wooden door appeared before us.
“Beyond this door, Arch Bishop awaits Sir Julian. Please, behave with courtesy.”
“I always show respect. To everyone.”
With those words, I pushed open the large door.
Beyond it was an interior decorated with white marble, not structurally different from Kemmel Monastery but with a distinct atmosphere.
‘Damp.’
Members of the order, wearing black robes, were present.
Their expressions were not welcoming. The color of ‘anger’ visible above their heads.
And the tense aura of hostility filling the room.
Such negative forces struck me like arrows.
I moved my steps without showing any reaction.
“It’s true, it’s Julian.”
“That Julian… in the Dawn Society?”
“Was the rumor of him entering true?”
Ignoring the murmurs, I moved forward slowly.
“So, you are Sir Julian.”
The murmuring gradually subsided at the sound of the voice.
The owner of the voice was a man wearing a mask, currently the head of the Dawn Society.
The masked man, seated on a jade throne, spoke with a noble’s tone, though lacking any sense of antiquity.
It was as if someone who was not nobility was imitating a noble’s way of speaking.
Of course, that masked man, Tenellon, was far from nobility, having lived as a farmer.
“Julian, you are before the Arch Bishop. Show some respect.”
Next to Tenellon, a middle-aged man with graying hair spoke.
I stopped walking and slowly opened my mouth.
“Why should I show respect?”
As soon as I spoke, the temperature around plummeted.
The air turned cold, pricking my skin like needles.
“According to Bishop Elenoa, you came here to join us. Therefore, kneel and prove your loyalty.”
“My message was different.”
The surroundings became as silent as death.
Even breathing felt oppressive.
“I’m not here to lean on some shallow faith. I’m looking for a business partner.”
In the jurisdiction of the Dawn Society, especially here, where those with exceptional martial skills gathered, my attitude might not seem wise.
But as I said before, my stance is not that of a follower of the Dawn Society but of a potential collaborator.
To do that, kneeling would not be favorable.
‘If I kneel now… the time it takes for me to dominate the Dawn Society will double.’
I sighed inwardly.
Though I felt a slight resentment for how things turned out, I ignored it and continued.
“My goal is purely power. Your goal is cooperation, and our interests align to some extent, which is why I am here.”
“Weren’t you here to be in the same boat?”
Elenoa’s voice came from beside me, slightly puzzled.
“Being in the same boat doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”
“That’s unwise.”
Unwise, indeed.
At a glance, it might seem so.
This act was a blend of playing the ‘unconventional Julian’ while seeking a safe position.
“If I fully assimilate into the Dawn Society, I’d be at odds with the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich. And if I step out, they won’t let me go.”
That’s why I’m taking this stance.
To be part of the Dawn Society, yet not fully integrate, maintaining the ability to step away at any time.
‘Besides, such an attitude should be welcome from Tenellon’s perspective.’
Julian, always with a half-closed eye, unreadable.
What would he be thinking by joining this Dawn Society?
Such questions arise, and if I were to swear unconditional loyalty to the Dawn Society, those suspicions would only deepen.
It’s clear.
In the worst case, they might think I’m acting as a double agent to betray them.
Even I would think so, given that characters with half-closed eyes are often deemed untrustworthy.
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to rely on certain military power than to entrust oneself to an ambiguous deity?”
Thus, my goal of seeking power is clearly stated, to prevent others from harboring unnecessary thoughts.
“Julian! To be so irreverent in front of the Arch Bishop!”
“That arrogant fool…! Trying to show off his useless pride here…!”
“Enough.”
When the irritated voices began to fill the room, Tenellon’s voice from the throne silenced them.
“If it’s not just about becoming a member of the order but about forming a cooperative relationship, then there’s no need to treat him this way.”
Gulp.
I swallowed my saliva internally.
Did I overdo it? Just as I thought that, Tenellon spoke again.
“Everyone except Julian and Elenoa, leave.”
***
After Tenellon’s order, and the other members of the order left, the room became somewhat quieter.
He stood up and slowly approached me, stepping on the carpet.
Elenoa, observing him, slowly knelt down.
“Ha ha ha! Indeed, as the rumors said, your spirit is remarkable. Julian, the scion of the prominent Crypart family.”
A flippant laugh.
The atmosphere created by the bishops present was completely different from the solemn aura they exuded.
He seemed to be enjoying himself.
The tone of his voice revealed his emotions so clearly that one could imagine his smiling face behind the mask.
Despite my open declaration of wanting to be a collaborator rather than a mere member, it would still be a beneficial arrangement for the Dawn Society.
After all, ‘Julian’ has declared he won’t be hostile but cooperative.
“It’s fine. You’re fine. I actually like how brazenly you present yourself.”
Saying so, he passed by me.
Afterward, as he began walking deeper into the ecclesiastical quarters, Elenoa also rose and started following him.
I, too, followed Tenellon.
Deeper into the ecclesiastical quarters, deeper inside, as doubt about our destination crept in, Tenellon spoke up.
“This area is strictly off-limits to anyone but bishops. It houses a relic.”
“Is that so?”
“Why do you think I’m showing you this place?”
“I guess I wouldn’t know. Due to my unwise nature.”
Elenoa briefly turned her head to look at me. After I smiled at her, she shifted her gaze forward again.
“While you say our relationship is merely cooperative, what I want is a faithful member of the order, not a cooperative relationship.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“But, sending you back now, after you’ve come this far, would only be making an enemy. That’s not good for us.”
Although the Dawn Society is the axis of evil in “Let’s Kill the Demon Lord,” they are, after all, a secret society.
No matter how exceptional the individual powers within the group, as a secretive organization, they’re inevitably short on manpower.
“The moment you join the Dawn Society, I’ll recognize you as a bishop.”
“W-Wait… Arch Bishop!? What do you mean…?”
“Quiet.”
After dismissing Elenoa’s attempt to express her discontent, Tenellon continued,
“Isn’t Julian a hero of the northern front? It would be only proper to treat such a hero with the respect he deserves, wouldn’t it?”
“But…”
“That’s what I believe.”
It was a clear abuse of authority, but no one in the Dawn Society dared to express their dissatisfaction with him.
And for good reason; the very existence of the current Dawn Society was due to the man before them, Tenellon. More precisely, because the relic had chosen him. With a satisfied smile, he went on,
“So, Julian. How about joining us? I guarantee you treatment unlike any before.”
“Even if it’s a cooperative relationship?”
“Isn’t it clear you’re a man with a distinct purpose?”
Hearing Tenellon’s words, it seemed the earlier confrontation had not been in vain.
I showed a faint smile.
“If you put it that way.”
“Good, then let the ‘Smiling Executioner’ be a part of our celebration. I’ll show you something nice.”
With those words, we arrived at a wide courtyard with a fountain in the middle.
But it was no ordinary fountain.
It was surrounded by bright red blood, and in the center lay a dazzling golden cup.
This was the divine relic, The Holy Grail, capable of materializing the residual death wishes of the demon Barbatos.
With a step into the blood-filled fountain, Tenellon walked straight toward The Holy Grail.
Then, inside the cup, his hand, submerged in the black liquid, began to shape something.
Soon after, he withdrew his hand, and a massive rod was formed.
“This is a demon’s horn. Through The Holy Grail, I can create the horns, the source of power for demons.”
The rod, dripping with dark liquid, gradually took on the form of a ‘horn,’ identical to those seen on demons before.
“Isn’t it impressive?”
Tenellon asked, trying to gauge my reaction.
It was indeed astonishing.
The mere fact that demon horns could be formed like this was remarkable.
But I already knew the nature of this relic and the power these horns could wield.
Still, feigning surprise seemed the best way to win Tenellon’s favor.
I deepened my act of astonishment.
“Incredible… Are you saying that by using that horn, one could obtain the power of a demon?”
“Exactly.”
“My goodness…”
That should be convincing enough.
Next, I needed to show eagerness to harness such power.
“Interested?”
Was I interested? I already knew the consequences of using that horn.
However, for a flawless performance, thoughts and words must diverge.
“Of course. That horn could be the key to achieving my dreams.”
“If you want it that much, I have no issue giving it to you right now.”
???
Caught in thought, Tenellon’s follow-up caught me off-guard, prompting me to look up at his face.
Was he offering it that easily?
Cliche Novel 
SUS, VERY SUS! (・・；)
LikeLike