CH 2

Chapter 2: Cardinal Netia

After defeating the undead king, Gnome, I returned to the grand cathedral in the holy capital city of Thayne, which served as our base.

The ceiling boasted a large chandelier, while the walls were adorned with magnificent religious paintings.

Stained glass windows depicted the angels revered in the Holy Dragon faith.

At the far end of the hall stood a hulking figure with a rugged, stone-like visage.

Dressed in a lavish robe adorned with gold embroidery on white fabric, he exuded an air of opulence.

“Cardinal Netia, I have completed the mission and have come to report,” I said, dropping to one knee and raising my voice.

The giant turned around, his expression devoid of emotion, and directed his unfeeling gaze towards me.

In an instant, his body turned into earth, crumbling and dissipating onto the floor, disappearing.

The towering man vanished, replaced by a black-haired beauty.

Her long, glossy black hair danced in the air.

Her ethereal, porcelain-white skin possessed a beauty that instilled awe in those who beheld it.

And her heterochromatic eyes, one deep crimson and the other lapis lazuli, shimmered like precious gems.

Her dark-colored dress was flashy and venomous, unsuited for this solemn hall.

This was Cardinal Netia’s true form.

She had extensively altered her own body through alchemy.

I had heard that she was over two hundred years old in actual age.

Regardless of one’s position of power, the pursuit of immortality through alchemy was prohibited.

It was considered a disruptive act against the natural order and was condemned as a taboo in any country practicing magic.

Even in our kingdom of Adia, there were no exceptions.

That’s why Cardinal Netia maintained the appearance of that imposing man as a public facade.

Netia is not her real name either; I don’t even know her true name.

She has used over twenty different names throughout her long life, making it questionable whether she herself remembers her true name anymore.

The four of us, including me, were created by Cardinal Netia as members of the Phantom Dragon Knights.

She employed forbidden magic on us, who were once church orphans, enhancing our bodies and mana without hesitation.

If our existence were exposed, both Cardinal Netia and I would be in grave danger.

Cardinal Netia is able to confidently stay in the grand cathedral because she has ruled over the royal family and the upper echelons of the church for centuries.

She can be considered the hidden ruler of this kingdom.

When Cardinal Netia laid eyes on me, she contorted her doll-like, exquisite face into a sinister smile.

Just as I thought she had vanished, she appeared right in front of me.

“Well, well, you’ve returned nicely, my child. Come on, stand up,” Cardinal Netia said, patting my head and touching my back affectionately.

She forcefully made me stand while placing her hand on my back.

“Um, about the incident with the disappearance,” I began to report on the mission while being embraced by Cardinal Netia.

“It’s fine, no need for a report. I’ve thoroughly investigated the matter within the Order of Knights, and there’s nothing about this country that I don’t know. Besides, I have absolute trust in you. Or is there something unexpected that happened?” Cardinal Netia inquired, gazing at my face with her mismatched eyes from such a close distance.

“No, everything went according to your expectations,” I replied.

“The Undead King Gnome was there, and you made sure to kill him, right? If so, there’s no need for a report. Or is there something bothering you?” she asked.

“Something bothering me...” I muttered, and suddenly, the words spoken by the Undead King Gnom came to mind.

“You, too, are an empty being. Nameless, devoid of love, sacrificing everything without receiving honor. And so, you die without knowing the joys of being human, as a weapon of the kingdom.”

Why is that?

I have never taken the enemy’s words seriously before.

And yet, those words won’t leave my mind.

When I remain silent, Cardinal Netia furrowed her brow and her expression darkened.

She peered into my face.

“What’s the matter, my child? Seems like there’s something bothering you,” she said.

“No, it’s unrelated to the mission,” I replied.

“Oh, really? You’re troubled by something other than the mission? Go ahead, tell me,” she said in a dark and chilling voice.

Sacrifice yourself, kill your emotions, devote everything to the mission, for the sake of peace in the Kingdom of Adia.

That’s what Cardinal Netia has repeatedly told me.

Perhaps she didn’t like the fact that I was troubled by something other than the mission.

“Why are you staying silent? Can’t you hear my words?” she asked.

“No... I’m sorry. It’s nothing worth mentioning,” I replied.

Cardinal Netia let out a sigh and softened her expression.

She released her grip on me and looked straight into my eyes.

“You’ve done well on this mission as well. If you have any desires, speak them out. I truly care about you. If it’s something that can be granted, I’ll prepare it for you right away.”

“Cardinal Netia...” I hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

“Well, you see, I actually want to attend that academy.”

I decided to say it boldly.

Mocked by Gnome for leading an empty life, I had been thinking during my journey back to the holy city of Thayne if this was enough for me.

During that journey, I caught a glimpse of the academy in the holy city.

Students were happily chatting and laughing throughout the school building.

In the midst of the bustling crowd, people were engaged in friendly competitions involving minor magic spells, while others eagerly indulged in pastries.

Among them were boys and girls of similar age to mine.

Until now, I had never paid any attention to the academy or any world unrelated to myself.

But perhaps it was because Gnom’s words bothered me.

At that moment, I just stared at the school building for more than half an hour.

Envious.

It was an emotion I had never felt before.

No, perhaps it was an emotion I used to have in the distant past.

“Cardinal Netia, um... could you grant me a favor? Just for a week, no, a few days would suffice,” I said.

“I can’t believe you, of all people, would ask for something so pathetic,” Cardinal Netia said, her eyelids twitching with irritation.

I could feel the malevolent mana emanating from her body.

She was angry. I shouldn’t have said anything after all.

“Well... but yes, you have a point. It’s true that the ‘Phantom Dragon Knights’ are quite unstable... Besides, we are treated like sensitive matter by the upper echelons of the church. If something were to happen to me, it could be irreparable. It might be better for this child, who is the most emotionally stable, to acquire at least the bare minimum of worldly and social skills. The circumstances now are different from ten years ago. Moreover, most of the dangerous forbidden sorcerers that had been rampant in the kingdom have been dealt with in recent years... Even if one person is absent for a while, it won’t cause significant problems,” Cardinal Netia pondered, placing her hand on her chin.

It seemed that she was seriously considering my request.

Cardinal Netia snapped her fingers.

“Alright. From now on, for three years, you will attend the Knight Academy in the royal capital not as the ‘Nameless No.1 of the Phantom Dragon Knights’ but as just a church orphan named Ain. It’s a bit troublesome for ordinary knight academies to accept non-nobles, but the one in the royal capital should accept commoners as long as they have a noble’s recommendation.”

“Oh, really, Cardinal Netia!” I exclaimed in delight.

I had voiced my wish, but I never expected it to actually come true.

“Yes, I know the academy headmaster personally, so I’ll send a letter on your behalf. However, if by any chance your identity becomes known, it will be a disaster. So, please try not to stand out too much,” Cardinal Netia said.

“Yes, understood. I’ll make sure not to stand out,” I replied.

Of course, it was only natural to try not to attract attention.

Both my physical body and mana were endlessly enhanced by forbidden sorcery.

They far surpassed the limits of an ordinary person.

I learned magic from Cardinal Netia, the strongest magician in the Adia Kingdom.

I learned swordsmanship from the first knight commander of the Adia Kingdom, “Sword Saint Siegfried,” who was resurrected by Cardinal Netia as an Undead Knight.

If I were to unleash my true power, the academy would go into a panic.

Moreover, if it were revealed that I was a member of the “Phantom Dragon Knights,” it could cause a major uproar throughout the kingdom.

Of course, I was aware of that.

If I kept it in moderation, there shouldn’t be any problems.

“However, in that academy, those in the higher classes tend to attract attention. Even the official knight orders would take an interest in them. That’s why, regardless of the entrance exam results, I’ll make sure you’re assigned to the inferior class. Even if something happens, the academy headmaster will handle it appropriately. Well, you’re skilled, so you should be able to manage even without going to such lengths,” Cardinal Netia explained.

It seemed I would be assigned to the lowest class, but it didn’t matter to me.

I wanted to attend a peaceful academy and experience a normal youth with my peers.

After graduation, I would disappear and return to being a member of the “Phantom Dragon Knights.” Classes and evaluations didn’t matter to me.

“Thank you very much, Cardinal Netia!” I expressed my gratitude.

Cardinal Netia looked at me, smiled kindly, and placed her hand on my head.

“It will be a series of unfamiliar experiences, but do your best, Ain. I believe in you.”