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Of course, if someone tries to cut in line while everyone else is patiently waiting, no one will be pleased, and there will always be someone who can’t just stand by and watch.

“What the hell is that woman doing? Can’t she see everyone else is in line? She’s blatantly trying to cut in!”

Naturally, the one who stops such a bold person is usually someone who knows a thing or two.

“Shh, shut up! She might hear you!”

“What? Why? We should go over there and confront her right now!”

“Hey, hey! You’re not the one to deal with this! Can’t you see?”

Grabbing the shoulder of the person about to confront Sophia, the man cautiously warned.

“Can’t you see the emblem on her veil? That’s the Church Order’s symbol!”

“If she’s a priest, shouldn’t she behave better? Where do you see a clergy member cutting in line like that?”

“Idiot, do you think all clergy are the same? Can’t you see she’s wearing armor? And the coat of arms on her surcoat? She’s clearly a Nun Knight!”

“What? A Nun Knight? Those people who hunt demons?”

Similar arguments broke out all along the line. Some had no one to stop them, but those who stepped out to confront Sophia froze under her intimidating aura and silently retreated to their spots.

Regardless, Sophia confidently walked to the front of the line where the guards were.

“Halt! Stop right there! What brings you here? If it’s not urgent, please go to the back of the line!”

As the clueless junior guard stepped forward, the senior guard, who had been trying to discreetly let Sophia pass due to her imposing presence, facepalmed. He quickly tried to intervene, but Sophia was faster.

“I am Sophia de Chazel, 7th Seat of the Paladins. I have urgent Church business. Please let me pass.”

“Do you have any docu— Ack! Senior, what’s wrong?!”

“Idiot, step aside! …Ah, haha. Our new recruit is a bit slow. Please, go ahead!”

“No, it’s fine. He’s a good soldier with a strong sense of duty. I’ll remember him.”

As Sophia spoke, the senior guard mourned for his junior.

‘Damn, that thick-headed idiot is going to cause trouble someday.’

Meanwhile, Sophia calmly passed through the gate, clicking her tongue inwardly.

‘Tsk tsk, discipline has really slipped. Letting people pass so easily is why suspicious characters can cause trouble in big cities and fortress towns. …Well, even if they were strict, those demon hussies would still find a way.’

Without a second thought about her own actions, Sophia continued her self-righteous musings. To her, hunting demons was the most important task in the world, far above trivial human procedures.

If demons were allowed to run rampant while she followed bureaucratic red tape, entire regions would be plunged into disaster. Ordinary humans had no power to resist demons.

The continent’s peace was maintained solely because the Church Order and Paladins worked tirelessly to stop them.

Still, Sophia had been prepared to show her official documents if asked, so the senior guard’s intervention didn’t sit well with her.

In other words, the one most likely to get in trouble wasn’t the clueless junior guard but the quick-witted senior. If Sophia mentioned this incident to a lord while on a mission…

After entering Strasbourg, Sophia’s first stop was surprisingly not the church but a private investigator’s office. The man running it was named Paul Hiltman.

Originally a member of Strasbourg’s underground guild, Paul had left to run his own investigation business. The story of how he ended up here was a long and dramatic one, but since he was just a minor character, we’ll skip it.

In any case, Paul was quite capable, and if you wanted to find something suspicious in Strasbourg, he was the man to see.

Arriving at the investigator’s office, Sophia was surprised by the decent-looking building.

“Hoh, the building looks quite well-kept. The owner must be quite resourceful.”

Most private investigators barely scraped by, so the one in Strasbourg stood out. Sophia smiled slightly and entered the building.

“Welcome— Huh?”

The burly, scar-faced middle-aged man, Paul Hiltman, froze as he took in Sophia’s appearance. He cautiously asked, “What brings a Paladin Nun Knight here?”

“Why else would I come to a private investigator? I have a request.”

Sophia smiled at Paul’s obvious discomfort. In her experience, those who showed such reluctance were usually highly competent.

“…If a demon hunter comes to a private investigator, there’s only one reason. Damn, I’m screwed.”

“Hmm? You’re quite sharp. Have you worked with Paladins before?”

“Not a chance. If I had, I wouldn’t be alive today.”

“You might not know this, but being near a Paladin is actually the safest place.”

“Haha, sure, let’s go with that.”

Sophia clicked her tongue at his disbelief. It didn’t matter. Since a demon had visited Strasbourg and Sophia, a Paladin, was on its trail, Paul had no choice but to cooperate if he wanted to survive.

“Since you’ve figured it out, let’s get to the point. A demon has entered Strasbourg. Her name is Erzsebet, a high-ranking demon who seduces people with lust. She recently devoured an entire village.”

“So you need me to gather information on recent scandals involving brothels and relationships in Strasbourg? And maybe a list of outsiders who haven’t left yet?”

Sophia was impressed by how quickly Paul understood his task.

“Exactly. You’re quite capable.”

“Not exactly a compliment… But I’ll take it.”

“Send the bill to the Church.”

“Ugh. How should I deliver the information?”

“I’ll be staying at the church dormitory. I’ll give you a copy of my credentials. Bring it there.”

“Got it. Damn, working with the Church is always a pain.”

Sophia smirked at his grumbling and extended her hand for a handshake.

“Stop complaining and shake my hand. We’ll be working together while I’m in Strasbourg.”

“…Fine. I won’t do a half-hearted job, so don’t worry.”

Paul reluctantly shook her hand.

“Never thought I’d live to shake hands with a knight.”

“Comparing Church knights to thugs is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“I don’t call thugs ‘knight,’ you know.”

“Ah, I see. Sorry for putting you on the spot.”

With her business concluded, Sophia left the office. Paul would soon gather the necessary information from his existing data and local rumors.

Only after finishing her business at the investigator’s office did Sophia finally visit the Strasbourg church. As a major fortress city dominating regional trade, Strasbourg’s church was quite large.

Such a large church was usually overseen by a bishop, and Sophia clicked her tongue inwardly upon meeting Bishop Johannes Bethel.

‘This man’s Light Power is too weak for a bishop.’

Light Power grew only through holy virtue and righteous conduct. While using Light Power required the Reverse Brain Method to form a spell socket, the power itself came solely from proper reflection and virtuous deeds.

From this perspective, Bishop Johannes Bethel didn’t seem fit for his position. His Light Power was barely enough to qualify as a priest, let alone a bishop.

‘There must have been some political maneuvering.’

Though rare in the Church, where Light Power was highly valued, such things weren’t unheard of, especially in a city like Strasbourg, where the council held more power than the lord.

‘We must prevent such people from rising to the Church’s core.’

Fortunately, the Church’s core was still composed of those who had gone through traditional training, not council appointees.

‘But that’s not the important thing now.’

“I am Sophia de Chazel, 7th Seat of the Paladins. Thank you for welcoming me, Your Excellency.”

“Likewise. I am Johannes Bethel, Bishop of Strasbourg. It’s an honor to meet such a renowned Paladin.”

“Not exactly under good circumstances, I’m afraid. Our presence usually means demons are nearby.”

Bishop Bethel tried to lighten the mood, but Sophia cut him off with a serious tone.

The bishop lacked any sense of crisis regarding demons. Even high-ranking priests with strong Light Power would be alarmed and start preparing countermeasures upon hearing of a demon’s presence. Yet, Bishop Bethel showed no concern despite a Paladin’s visit being the clearest sign of a demon’s appearance.

Still, Sophia couldn’t openly criticize a legally appointed bishop and risk damaging their relationship. She needed to subtly convey the urgency.

However, her hints didn’t seem to get through. The bishop’s expression grew visibly displeased.

 

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