2nd Round Villain

49 – – 400, Paladin contracted with the devil – 3

“It sucks.”

“… .”

“Be more diligent.”

It was a short review from my father after seeing the swordsmanship I had honed for three years.

To be honest, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting it. He’s a father who’s always blunt and never smiles, but I thought he’d like it when he saw his daughter’s swordsmanship reaching the pinnacle.

It was my own misunderstanding.

Only, that was it.

“… Yes, I will try.”

For even a brief review, I bow down and express my gratitude.

“Yes, good job.”

“Take a look.”

My father, who was as big as a mountain, stomped and left without looking back.

Whether it’s snowing or raining, he’s the one who doesn’t give up his upright will, so I long for him more than anyone else.

Sometimes, it’s even a little disappointing. Knowing how hard I, your daughter, tried. Knowing that I had blisters on my hands and that I practiced while skipping sleep at night.

Is that one word of encouragement difficult?

It’s just embarrassing.

Oops, my introduction is late.

My name is Beatrice Constantino.

She is the leader of the 1st Order of the Holy Knights of the Holy Church and the daughter of the Pope Saint Constantino.

Even 200 years ago, marriage between priests was forbidden under the law, but following the holy word of the Messiah, ‘Be fruitful and prosper’, the pope of 200 years ago allowed only one spouse. From then on, priests began to marry… .

I, too, was born as the daughter of a priest.

The daughter of a pope with great power and lofty authority, everyone would hope for.

To be honest, I’m not very happy. Some might call it greed, but it’s because he didn’t receive his father’s love. Because I couldn’t live up to my father’s expectations, and I couldn’t live up to the expectations of those around me who had vague hopes for me because I inherited the lineage of the Pope. just because that’s all.

I’m not happy.

Whoo-!

“Captain! Are you training again?”

The moment his father left and he was about to wield the sword again in the space left alone.

One of the paladins under his command approached me.

“Lucio, what is it?”

“You are hard today. What must happen to come? I just came to see what the captain is training.”

“Don’t be still and train yourself. Rest is the ultimate indolence.”

“oh my! I’ve already finished today’s training! Put away those horrible sounds!”

“Then, do you really want to be by my side? Can’t you find something to do? It’s annoying, so it interferes with training.”

Whoo-! Whoo-!

“hahahaha, I like all of you, Captain, but when I see you sometimes, you seem like a machine? When people rest, if they don’t rest, they will be ruined.”

“Listening to you makes me want to see it broken. Isn’t it glorious proof that you pushed yourself to the limit?”

“… Captain Lee is talking about big trouble.”

Whoa-!

“Don’t say that, even as a joke. Even so, every time I see the leader, all of our members feel nervous. I’m afraid you’ll suddenly collapse with a nosebleed.”

“I train because I like it, so why are you worried?”

“Because I wonder if he’s doing it because he really likes it.”

“… .”

“What did you say today? From the Pope?”

“You’re still not good enough, so you told me to work harder.”

“Oh, I think you should leave out the word ‘yet’. Perhaps the Pope won’t recognize you even after 100 years. He is a person who has no blood or tears.”

Maybe.

But I mustn’t give up.

I am Beatrice Constantino. A paladin who only follows the Lord’s teachings and must follow the seven lines.

Ironically, even though I am now more influenced by my father than I am by the Lord. Don’t use that as an excuse. Excuses are nothing more than shabby excuses for losers.

In the first place, if I am building enough skills to be recognized by my father, what use would that excuse be?

“Captain, can I just say one word?”

Whoo-!

“Speak.”

“Don’t be too tied to the Pope.”

“… .”

“You know. How good is the Pope. You are upright and virtuous. It’s just that he’s a little clumsy at expressing emotions, and that’s why he’s being harsh on the captain.”

“still… .”

“You are a very strict, dignified, serious Pope. Oh, do you know what we call the Pope these days? Um, geun, call me Pope Jin! Take one letter from the front!”

“Poohyong.”

“… Please don’t let this fall into the ears of the pope. If we go in, we will all be taken to the education center! ha ha ha!”

It’s been a long time since you made me laugh, but I can’t believe it.

“Don’t worry. My nickname is… Keuheum, I’ll keep silent for the rest of my life.”

“hahahaha, then I will only trust the captain!”

Lucio, one of the Holy Knights of the 1st Order of the Holy Knights I was in charge of, is a pretty good guy. To the point where I could even exchange small jokes with me, who lacked social skills.

Although they are my knights, the relationship between me and the knights is not very close. Should I say that there is a sense of distance that never narrows?

They respect me as a model paladin, but they don’t try to build personal friendships apart from him.

I like that one too. For me, the Pope’s daughter, a friendship that makes a knight lazy is nothing more than a luxury.

Sometimes, very occasionally, like now, having a light conversation with Lucio makes me feel at ease.

Whoo-!

This is just ‘head ventilation’. More laxity should not exist for me.

‘Cause I’m still lacking

Because I do not live up to the expectations of my father, people, and the world.

You have to cultivate more faithfully.

Whoo-!

It wields a greatsword nearly 2.5 meters long. A truly gigantic greatsword that could not fill the blade even with three people standing side by side.

This guy, also called the Greatsword, has fought countless battles by my side. All of my achievements, such as winning countless noble victories over evil and raising the banner of glorious victory, were all possible because of this great sword.

In fact, he is no different from my alter ego.

These days, sometimes I have doubts.

Would it be right for me to use this sword? Isn’t the sword too much for someone like me?

No progress, only being scolded by my father. These days, I keep thinking about it more and more. It is a misconception that stems from futility.

“But, Captain! It’s a big deal! big deal!”

When I was lost in meaningless thoughts, Lucio, who had left earlier, came running back in a huff. What was so urgent, he was sweating profusely.

“Why? Lucio.”

“The Tuguk guys are attacking! The northern part of my country is under attack!”

“… ! They ended up… ! But why are you so excited? It’s a big deal, but Tuguk used to invade this church quite often.”

“Yeah, but… ! The scale is not normal this time! They said they brought all their troops! Make up your mind!”

“no way!”

The country that is most hostile to this castle country, Tuguk (鬪國).

The savage nation, which makes battles its business and enslaves the captives of the defeated nations, has so many violations of the doctrines of the Holy Church that it inevitably comes into conflict with us.

Conflicts between countries naturally lead to armed conflict.

Although Tuguk often invades on a regular basis… A full-scale invasion. The most terrible ruin called war, Tuguk is about to cause.

Hurrying to fix my great sword, I headed for the northern part of the battlefield.

*****

What Lucio said was true. Tuguk decided and prepared a surprise attack on the Order, and with their overwhelming fighting power, the Order was defeated in every battle.

Tuguk is the nation of warriors. Their infantry, guided only by the logic of force, is the strongest on the continent. I hate to admit it, but even the Holy Knights of my home country have a hard time dealing with the infantry of Tuguk.

The problem is that all of Tuguk’s troops are attacking the church at once. The south has already been pushed back, and the east, west, and north have been occupied. All that remains is the Seonghwangcheong in the center.

I, no, we are preparing for the final battle here at Seonghwangcheong, where we risk everything.

In this glorious land, where the history of the Lord’s doctrine has been handed down.

I will risk my life and death

“Captain! The Pope says he is going to hold a Bishops’ Conference!”

“A conference of bishops?”

“yes! It might be our last meeting, so he told us to stay alert and dress up!”

“Why do you insist on saying that? I hope this is a common message to all bishops.”

“That, that… It is said that it is a name specially added only to the captain… .”

“… Then it is.”

Ha, I let out a small sigh helplessly as I adjusted my clothes. It’s good not to make even one thing that gets caught.

Even in a situation where the end is right in front of your eyes, the pods, the elders of the church are really… If I were a man, could they have done that?

Each society has its own role. Just as the elderly pass on their knowledge to the next generation, and the child humbly accepts the knowledge.

Usually men go out to do extraterrestrial work or fight with weapons. A woman does housework in the house or manages the inner room.

I’m not complaining about the system. Because everyone has their own way. If they’re satisfied, what’s the problem? However, I

I just want to become a knight recognized by my father.

Elders, priests, even my father ask me to become a nun.

However, I don’t want to become a nun. I don’t want to be that kind of weak woman who sits in a church and gives a pretentious smile to the occasional churchgoer.

Holy Knight.

My ideal is to stomp steadfast steps into the earth, to protect my sacred beliefs with my whole body covered in pure white armor.

However, until now, there has not been a single female paladin. It was common sense that male instructors would become priests or paladins, and female instructors would become nuns. Everyone who heard about my dream either laughed at me or worried about me.

However, I didn’t want to be left as a weak woman. I wanted to be a protector rather than a protected one. so i took the sword He held the Great Sword, one of the largest among swords, that was difficult to carry even with a normal binding.

practiced I practiced when everyone else was resting. I practiced when everyone else was sleeping. I practiced when everyone else was playing.

There is a saying that hard work never betrays. In the end, I became the first female paladin, and now my skills have been recognized and I have become the leader of the 1st Holy Knight Order. Even so, there are still people who don’t trust me, so what if I was born as a man? I have a question.

Whatever happened because I was lacking, I put the great sword on my back and headed to the place where the bishops’ meeting was to be held.

“You’re here.”

When we arrived at the round table where the Bishops’ Conference would be held and were seated, my father spoke.

“Yes, Pope.”

“Then, since everyone seems to have gathered, let’s start the Bishops’ Conference.”

Father’s solemn declaration made the atmosphere at the round table heavy.

The first bishop to speak was the 1st bishop, who had been restless as if his mouth had been itching since earlier.

“We must commit to the next one!”

It was an expected offer. Bishop 1 always said that there would be no victory in this fight, and insisted on abandoning Seonghwangcheong and fleeing to another country. I sighed.

That’s not wrong. We have a father who is absolutely strong on our side, but the opponent is Tuguk. It’s not just Seonghwangcheong left. furthermore… .

“Bishop 1, we are under siege right now.”

“No matter what, throwing away Seonghwangcheong… This is the land chosen by the Messiah!”

“Although Tuguk is strong, they have been fighting for a long time. The eastern, western, northern, and southern parts of this church were all defeated, and considerable fatigue must have accumulated. Turning your back on them without even fighting them… .”

1 Other church members begin to refute the bishop’s remarks. I closed my mouth and stayed still.

Because to them I am a hateful being. For I am sitting in the position of Grand Knight Commander that most of their sons would want.

“Three bishops, has Tuguk ever not fought? They only fight all four seasons! They don’t get tired easily! And even the Messiah would not want all of his descendants to be exterminated because of just one building called Seonghwangcheong!”

“1 Bishop! Do not try to misinterpret the will of the Messiah! Disrespect!”

“We have to find a way. At this rate, everything is just dog death. We must find a way to survive, even by breaking through the siege of Tuguk that surrounds Seonghwangcheong.”

“Disrespect! disrespect! Disrespect! How can you abandon this land of grace! All we have to do is to firmly defend this land of the Lord!”

“The 2nd bishop is excited, but he is not wrong. An honorable martyr is better than a surviving apostate.”

“Martyrdom is also martyrdom. Even if we all die, the children must live. It is a law that should not force martyrdom on children who do not know anything.”

“Um… Is there any chance that Tuguk will save even the children?”

“It is better to die than to live in a country where people are captured and made into slaves by making them prisoners of war. We cannot allow our children to be treated unworthily.”

“Is it necessary to consider mass martyrdom as a last resort? Huh… .”

“Um… .”

The atmosphere inside the round table becomes solemn. Mass martyrdom can be done a hundred times or a thousand times for the sake of the Lord, but it must be done at the end.

Nevertheless, that number is mentioned.

“In the end, only one thing matters.”

“Sir Beatrice?”

“This is our final battleground.”

“… .”

“Whether you run away or defend it, you must fight. You have to fight to open the way, and you have to fight to protect Seonghwangcheong.”

“… .”

At my words, the bishops nodded in agreement. They usually dislike me, but this time they seem to have nothing to refute. I shut my mouth again.

“Sir Beatrice is right.”

At the round table in silence, my father opens his mouth alone.

“Whether you flee or sacrifice your life, what you must fight for is the unchanging truth. When the sun rises tomorrow, we will have a decisive battle with the evil group of Tuguk.”

It was a statement of dignity and authority. No one dares to express an objection.

“… then.”

“?”

“If you’re going to fight anyway, let’s break through the retreat. A retreat where even children could be evacuated to the Empire. We will hold out until the end at Seonghwangcheong. Expecting support from the Empire is one way.”

1 Father nodded at the bishop’s suggestion.

“That’s a good idea. If not, who will lead the way through the retreat?”

“… .”

Those who had just been claiming battle hesitated. I understand. Because no one wants to hasten death.

Tuguk’s encirclement is thick and dense. Opening the gates of Seonghwangcheong and attacking the enemy camp is, in itself, tantamount to committing suicide.

“The Holy Knights should be in charge. Isn’t that the duty of a paladin?”

2 Bishop glanced at me and said.

“I also think it’s good for the 1st Knights to clear the way out.”

3 The bishop points to me and says,

“I agree. Excluding the Pope, the church’s highest power is Sir Beatrice, so you should take responsibility for your great power.”

Finally, wedge up to the 1st pontoon.

The eyes of my father, who received the opinions of the bishops, turn to me. I bitterly closed my eyes.

I wouldn’t say it’s an opinion that doesn’t contain any personal feelings, but it’s not wrong.

Paladins exist to protect. That which exists for faith, denomination, and gyoza.

As the Order’s number one paladin, I have to step in.

“Yes, our 1st Knights will go.”

“Sir Beatrice, are you okay?”

My father asks in a worried tone. How long has it been since my father showed me emotions other than strictness?

It’s time to go to die, you show me that.

I answered calmly.

“No problem.”

“… .”

After that, the Bishops’ Conference concluded after settling some minor issues. Upon returning, I told the 1st Knights that we would go to the battlefield tomorrow. There were some who accepted it with resignation, but there were also a few who screamed at the inevitable death.

I climbed the wall and saw the encirclement of Tuguk. One by one, they were heavily armed with armor and weapons, and even though they were not at war, they were training in front of us proudly. At the forefront stood the commander of Tuguk, Agesiliad, limping.

Agesiliad, who was born lame and overcame all kinds of adversity and became the king of the kingdom by overcoming unfortunate circumstances, was once my idol… Now he is only the enemy’s enemy. I glared at him and returned to the castle.

The time has come for the sun god to disappear. The blazing sun seeps into the ground, and the shadow of the sun, the moon, shyly reveals itself. The moon seen through the window is the last moon I see.

Kki-Ik-.

Returning to my room, I sat down on the bed. On a hard, rusty bed. It was a bed that was somewhat similar to the life I had walked.

click-.

I opened a bottle of wine. I don’t drink enough to get drunk to keep myself from getting distracted, but I like alcohol very much. This is because drinking alcohol can make you forget about loneliness and suffering.

Squeak-.

When the day is bright and tomorrow comes, I will die. Swept away by the mighty waves of the enemy, your entire body will become a thousand pieces of corpses.

No regrets. There is no regret. Go out, the sea you wished for.

After I die like that, those who dismissed me as a woman won’t be able to tease me carelessly anymore. Even a blunt father would shed at least a drop of tear after his daughter died.

“Ahh… .”

Maybe it’s because I’ve been drinking, my mind is restless. My heart, which had been completely captured until just now, overflows with indescribable emotions.

pop-.

“Ahhh… .”

Blood flows from the eyes. It is hot and transparent blood. A paladin should be strong, but he shouldn’t cry, and he shouldn’t be clumsy.

Actually, I have only one regret left. A regret that I couldn’t bear to admit when I was sober.

Hearing just one word from my father that I love him. That’s all. If you say that, I will die of joy.

“Ahhh… .”

I tried my whole life to please my father.

tomorrow i will die

That fact weighs heavily on me. I am helplessly crushed.

It’s futile. It is unfair. It’s sad.

I want to be acknowledged by my father. I don’t even want a long life. I want to hear that I worked hard on my father just once, just once.

It feels like all the hard work I’ve built up my whole life is about to collapse like a burst dam. Like salty sea water flowing through my eyelids right now.

Lord.

Do you want salvation?

Please, to your sheep.

If you show me mercy even once.

I will die of joy

And, when I was praying with my hands together in the air.

[Hey, Lady? Why don’t you look up?]

A voice came from the window.

A sticky, soft, sweet voice.

Wiping the moisture from my eyes, I raised my head. Then, I saw a man standing at the window.

It has black wings on its back.

A goat’s horn is embedded in its forehead.

He is holding an inverted cross, symbolizing evil.

A tall, pale, tall man.

[Not even sorry. Oh, is the Lord too kind? How could I let a beautiful lady like you die?]

[I wouldn’t do that. Come on Lady. hold my hand Become my family and accept the power. Then you can live, win this war, be recognized by everyone, and receive the love of your father that you so much desire.]

[Now, come on? You know that life-changing opportunities don’t always come, don’t you?]

It was a sweet voice that seemed tempted at any moment.

Instinct cried out. The author is dangerous.

Moving my hand to the great sword lying next to me, I quietly asked a question with full vigilance.

“Who are you?”

He spread his arms wide and shouted loudly.

[I am the son of the dawn! Fallen Angel Lucifer! I am the devil who will be your salvation!]