"Brother, got a light? Lend me a light."

"..."

Kans's mouth twitched.

Staring at the idiot in front of him, the veins on the back of the hand gripping his chain-sword bulged.

But before Kans had time to decide whether to plant a kick and boot this sleazy thing away, or to actually "lend him a light" with his alchemical flamethrower, his expression suddenly changed.

Pink Bear's expression also changed sharply.

As if he'd heard something, the furry hand pinching the cigar trembled slightly, and he stiffly turned his head.

Behind him were countless monsters.

Those monsters that had just been scattered by the falling rain of holy light gathered again. Their deformed bodies were already sizzling under the erosion of the light, reeking to high heaven, yet they still craned their necks, countless scarlet, bizarre pupils staring unblinking at Pink Bear.

Like starved beasts that had finally spotted tender, fresh meat.

Monsters that were originally mindless and frenzied were, at this moment, moving in terrifying unison.

"F—..."

Pink Bear was so scared he dropped his cigar, and stammered:

"Everyone, calm down. I swear to the heavens, I have no interest in that one of yours who's still with a child **, I won't read those kinds of little booklets, and it's even more impossible that I'd have Her photo book or the like!

...By rights, there's no way I've offended your God of Abundance... Wait, why are you getting fiercer the more I talk? Could your gazes be a little friendlier? If you think I'm slandering your great Lord as lacking charm... would it still be in time for me to change my kink now? Mature women are actually fine by me..."

"Roar!"

The monsters' simple brains seemed unable to comprehend Pink Bear's sincerity. Some craving instinct quickly cast off their fear of holy light, and they lunged madly at Pink Bear like a spreading black tide.

But before that, Pink Bear had already sashayed off, wiggling his rear as he made a practiced getaway, so fast that even Kans, mounted on a steel warhorse, could only eat his dust.

"..."

Kans silently tightened his grip on the chain-sword, falling into hesitation once more.

Thanks to Pink Bear's "lure" behavior, their pressure had been greatly reduced. From a standpoint perspective, although they still didn't know what that thing was, that bear should count as being on their side, and both emotionally and logically he ought to render aid.

But he really didn't want to admit that the thing telling dark god-themed dirty jokes while slapping his own butt to taunt the pursuing monsters was actually their teammate...

It was simply a disgrace to the glory of the Templars.

"This one is...?"

Kans had to quietly ask his adjutant where on earth the Church had found such a shocking talent.

"I think I've seen him by the saintess's side," the adjutant said softly.

"Could he be a pet Her Highness keeps?"

Kans thought to himself, since when did Her Highness the saintess have such...

"Not a pet."

Suddenly, a gentle voice brushed by like a spring breeze. Kans's body jolted; he hurriedly swung down from his horse. All the knights together respectfully dropped to one knee, pressed a hand to their chests, and saluted the spotless white figure that had appeared from who knew when:

"Your Highness the saintess."

"Rise."

The saintess dipped her head slightly, motioning all the knights to stand, then turned to look at that comical figure strolling around with countless monsters in tow, and continued:

"He's not a pet. Though I really don't want to admit it, he is, by and large, still a human."

"Then... what exactly is he?"

"He is my knight."

A difficult-to-parse smile touched the saintess's lips as she said:

"Or rather, he was."

"Knight?"

Kans was stunned; he really couldn't connect that cheap, sleazy thing from just now with the word "knight," which represented qualities like bravery, loyalty, and fearlessness.

However, the saintess said nothing more, and of course Kans couldn't very well inquire.

"Your Highness the saintess coming here in person, could it be..."

"Nothing major," the saintess said casually. "You all withdraw first."

"Wha—"

Kans, who had been awaiting orders, snapped his head up, a searing fire flaring in his eyes: "Why?"

"No why. You should withdraw."

"But we still have the strength to fight!"

Kans said in a deep voice: "Please let us fight at your side, Your Highness! The goddess's radiance does not permit us to retreat!"

"The goddess's radiance is not for you to make pointless sacrifices."

The saintess looked at him, her expression and words still just as gentle:

"Besides, Knight-Commander Kans, you've already disobeyed orders, haven't you."

"I..."

Kans's momentum faltered.

Indeed, the orders handed down to him from above were only to hold fast; taking the initiative to charge had already been disobedience.

But as a knight who served the goddess and served the saintess, how could he possibly just sit in silence when these monsters that defiled the sacred were right before his eyes?

"Your Highness..."

Knight-Commander Kans pleaded one last time, "The Sacred Choir seems not to be at your side. Your precious, delicate person is what hundreds of millions of believers hold in their hearts. Please allow your subordinate to guard you closely."

"No need."

The saintess shook her head lightly: "There's no need to worry about my safety."

"Why..."

The Knight-Commander looked at the saintess in confusion, then suddenly pointed at Pink Bear, who was fleeing in a sorry state not far away, and barked:

"Does Your Highness think he can protect you? That man..."

"Kans."

The saintess suddenly addressed Kans by name. Although the gentle smile still played at the corner of her lips, an inexplicable shiver ran through Kans.

"This is an order."

"...Yes."

In the end, Kans lowered his head, the fire burning in his eyes snuffed out:

"I humbly obey the holy decree."

Soon, hoofbeats rose again. Seated atop his steel warhorse, Kans took one last look at the saintess before him, who appeared so fragile and delicate amid the bloody scene around her.

But this time he said nothing more, twitched the reins, and led the unit back.

"Sir."

The adjutant came up close: "What should we do next?"

Everyone in the unit was still covered in blood, but under Her Highness the saintess's benediction, their strength had recovered a fair bit and they could fight again.

"What should we do?"

Kans glanced into the distance, lowered his lids, and chuckled softly:

"Of course we obey orders. Everyone, get a good rest."

Kans urged his steel warhorse and rode toward the steel formation holding the far rear.

"I am Kans Lord, Knight-Commander of the Holy Sword Knights, number 3907. Our current unit suffered heavy losses in a monster ambush. I request a rotation, transfer to the rear for temporary rest and refit."

...

...

"You should have kept him."

After Kans left, High Abbess Lin stepped out of the shadows:

"This is a battlefield. I may not be able to protect you completely."

"I already said, no need."

The saintess shook her head lightly: "Right now I don't need anyone to protect me."

"But you..."

"But I'm the saintess?"

The saintess cut Lin off, looked into her eyes, and said with a light laugh:

"Not for much longer, Lin. The selection for the new saintess has already been settled. You'll soon have someone new to serve."

A crystal in the saintess's hand floated quietly, radiating indescribable hues like glazed glass.

The saintess sighed softly: "I never expected that the one who became the saintess in the end would actually be you."