CHAPTER 139…………………………………….
The Dawn Will Rise
Watching the believers pushing and running at each other in the square…
…there’s no way they’d be killed.
Pope Lucarion wore a faintly bitter smile.
Whether it was Sir Valen of the Dawn Knights or Esric, the wizard who defeated the calamity—
Ultimately, the person pulling the strings behind both of them was Prince Leonis.
…He wasn’t gentle and kind like Prince Emilion, but he was clever—calculating to the point of cunning.
Lucarion didn’t think that such a man as Leonis would kill innocent believers.
Well, maybe a few casualties wouldn’t be so bad.
Even if just one died, the believers’ frenzy would only intensify.
To Pope Lucarion, their lives were nothing more than kindling to burn the cathedral.
“Do not forgive heresy!”
At his command, the believers surged toward Esric, who stood ahead.
The Sun Knights raised their shields to block them, but it wasn’t enough.
The shields would collapse, and it was only a matter of time before they stepped over the ruins of the crumbled walls.
“Da–awnn…!”
“Wi–ll rise…!”
“…?!”
But a strange voice ringing out from the edge of the square wiped the smile from the Pope’s lips.
…How did those ruffians gather like this?!
Armed paladins sprang out from every corner.
“Wh-what? What is—?!”
“The…Dawn Knights?!”
“Again…? Could it really be…?”
Unlike the other orders, each of them was armed differently.
The Sun Knights always carried a shield in one hand, no matter the weapon.
The Radiant Knights all used swords, except for Elnor.
But the paladins who had appeared now wielded everything—from swords to hammers like Valen’s, spears, axes, even maces.
Each weapon was unique.
Yet, despite the differences in arms…
“The Dawn will rise!”
“The Dawn—will rise!”
The golden light of divinity bursting from their bodies was undeniably real.
The Sun Knights had shields to block the believers, but the Dawn Knights had none.
So their chosen method was…
KWAANG—!
They smashed the ground along the believers’ path.
Whether it was coincidence or only those with such temperament became Dawn Knights, it seemed everyone acted the same.
KWA-KANG—KWAANG—BANG—!
A dozen or so Dawn Knights appeared at the square’s edge and, as if by agreement, smashed the ground.
“Ugh…agh?!”
“Waaah?!”
“St-stop?!?”
The believers at the front tried to stop abruptly, but were thrown or tumbled on the shattered ground behind them.
Thanks to the spectacular destruction, those behind could stop in time.
“W-what are you suddenly doing!”
“You’re supposed to be the Dawn Knights! Then deal with the heretics! Why are you blocking us!”
“I-ik…! You’re siding with the heretics…?!”
KWAANG—!
A heavy axe fell next to the believer who had spoken.
The Dawn Knight didn’t hesitate.
“Watch your words.”
He glared at the believer with flashing eyes.
“The faith of the Dawn Knights will not waver.”
“G-go, g-goo…!”
The sudden appearance of the Dawn Knights stopped the believers in their tracks.
“Everyone, calm down!”
Among them, Ribal, a disciple accompanying Valen, jumped to a high spot in the square and raised his voice.
“There is information that Pope Lucarion VII is involved in the death of the Saint!”
At the young paladin’s voice radiating divinity, the believers’ eyes wavered.
“T-the Pope…?”
“What…then that person earlier…is really the Dawn Knight Commander?”
“What on earth…is going on…?”
“His Holiness the Pope…couldn’t be…”
“But they’re the Dawn Knights…they would never act against doctrine!”
They followed no one’s orders but were more devoted to the church than anyone else.
It was well known that their faith was unshakable, and the sudden appearance of so many Dawn Knights was enough to shake the believers’ conviction.
Ribal glanced around and bowed slightly to the senior knights at the square’s edge.
They returned his greeting with bright smiles.
…As I thought, they all came!
Ribal felt his chest swell with emotion.
The Dawn Knights did not act as a group.
To spread Solius’s word farther, wider, and more broadly, it was common for only the master and a single disciple to accompany each other.
The fact that they had gathered here meant that the divine word was needed in this place.
A fact known to all Solius believers.
“Then…really…?”
“His Holiness the Pope…killed the Saint…?”
“The Dawn Knights shall not distort the word of Solius!”
Barthéon, vice-commander of the Radiant Knights, pushed through the murmuring believers.
“How dare you slander His Holiness the Pope!”
Chaaang.
Drawing his sword, he advanced toward Ribal in the square’s center.
“You will pay for that sin…with your life!”
Chaa-jaeng.
And he wasn’t alone.
Radiant Knights were approaching the Dawn Knights at the square’s edge.
The believers stepped back, avoiding the fight.
In the tense standoff…
“I will deliver Solius’s judgment to the false!”
Ribal drew his sword boldly.
“Receive it gladly.”
“How dare you!”
In the square’s center, the two swords clashed.
Chaaang. A sharp metallic sound rang out, and golden light erupted in the rain.
At the square’s edge, knights charged each other.
“The Dawn will rise!”
“The Radiance will shine!”
Different faiths serving the same god collided.
Rewinding time.
Kuurrrr.
When the walls collapsed like sandcastles…
“Ugh, damn it!”
Leonis ran wildly through the empty corridors of the papal palace.
“How…wide is this place!”
While Esric and Valen bought him time, Leonis was searching every corner for evidence that the Pope killed Emilion and used the Saint.
Evidence mentioned by the captured Shadow Knight:
A ledger recording the poison used on the two and its purchase.
“I have to find it! I have to find it!”
Panting, Leonis searched without pause, overturning anything that might hold the ledger.
“Come on, damn it!”
He pulled books from shelves in frustration and anxiety.
Evidence wasn’t strictly necessary; faith didn’t follow reason.
Still, Leonis had asked Esric and Valen to buy him time to find it.
If Valen persuaded Elnor, or the Dawn Knights appeared, all would be fine…
But if both failed?
He had to create a justification to accuse the Pope as a criminal and execute him.
He could have forged it, but Leonis wouldn’t.
He didn’t want to reveal his brother’s death that way, and above all, Valen, Dawn Knight Commander, would not allow it.
“Huagh…huagh…”
Leonis, desperate, paused at a large door to catch his breath.
“…Found it.”
Unlike other rooms, this one had a particularly thick, heavy wooden door.
A luxurious doorknob adorned with gold.
It was clearly the Pope’s office.
Leonis ran to it and gripped the handle.
Click-clack. No matter how he twisted, it wouldn’t budge.
“Ugh…!”
He twisted harder, but the door wouldn’t move.
It was locked.
No, it wasn’t just locked.
It seemed magically sealed with an engraving.
“Open, damn it…!”
Bang—bang—!
He pounded with his fists, grinding his teeth, but it was immovable.
Then:
“I’ll break it.”
“Ronan!”
Ronan, searching another room, came running.
Leonis stepped aside eagerly as he arrived.
Ronan’s cold, shining gaze fixed on the door.
Chaaang.
Drawing his sword, he enveloped it with aura.
Pitch-black aura flared sharply.
The seal meant nothing against his sword.
Shwaak—!
A straight slash of black light.
The heavily locked door split open as if it were lying.
KWAANG. Ronan kicked it wide open.
Leonis dashed inside first.
He quickly scanned the Pope’s office.
Desk, bookshelves, stacks of documents. All had to be searched.
“Bookshelf! Check for the ledger!”
Ronan immediately went to the bookshelf.
Leonis ran to the desk by the window.
Kwaa-rrrung—! Lightning illuminated the room.
“It should be here…where…?”
He grabbed documents, flicking through them.
But no evidence was found.
“This can’t be…impossible…!”
Grinding his teeth, he cleared the desk.
He opened each drawer—nothing.
Then…
Clunk—
His hand froze.
The last drawer, unlike the others, was locked.
The same sensation as the doorknob.
A faint vibration ran through his fingertips.
Not a normal lock—sealed with magic.
“Ronan!”
Ronan came immediately.
Chaaang. He drew his sword, black aura flaring again.
A precise, sharp strike.
Ronan’s sword cut only the lock; the engraving was erased by the aura.
Shh-rrng. The drawer opened easily.
Inside lay a small leather pouch, standing firm, sealed with a green cord.
“…!”
Leonis’s eyes widened.
He carefully took the pouch, examined it, touched the green cord.
“…Found it.”
Quietly, with a determined gaze.
“Evidence.”
It was total chaos.
“This…my grand…plan…!”
Pope Lucarion gritted his teeth, watching knights clash across the square.
The Radiant Knights were falling one by one to the Dawn Knights.
There was a basic skill difference, but Esric’s magic in the air greatly helped the Dawn Knights.
Grrr. Lucarion glared at Esric floating in the air.
He wanted to tear him apart instantly, his face twisted in rage.
Only one person could possibly stop him…
“Elnor…!”
She was not here.
“Where the hell is that woman right now!”
