Reincarnation of a Hunter

 

There was only one church in all of Westphalia and the Palatinate that had a cardinal of the Paladins Order.

 

I organized a hasty mission to find it. We had to move quickly, so I chose men with excellent riding skills.

 “I will get a letter from his lord, and I must be ready to set out at once.” “Yes, Master.” 

After getting his men ready for the journey, he headed back to his office to get his father’s letter.

 

Having been warned, the servant at the door opened the door without knocking as soon as he saw me.

 

Inside the chamber stood five heavily armed knights in full armor. A captain and a deputy captain.

 “Still not on the road, you slow bastards?” 

I sighed softly, and my father gave me a sealed scroll.

 “You shall leave now.” “Yes, my lord.” 

My father smirked.

“Answer again.” “…Father.” “Take this with you. You’re going on a mission, and you need a seal.” 

He took the signet ring off his finger and handed it over.

 

The knights stared, but he didn’t look them in the eye.

 

They, including the captain of the knights, were part of the eldest son’s group.

 

I took the seal and hurried back to where my men were waiting.

 

Meanwhile, the knight, standing before Count Michael, asked,

“My lord, do you intend to make any serious use of Master Eric? You are rather interested in your sons.” “Pardon me.” 

The Count watched Eric out the window, and without delay, he climbed onto his horse and rode away.

 

Eric was too capable for his good. He was brave, he had good judgment, and he was clever.

 

‘A gift too good to be wasted. I’ll have to try to use him for that job.’

 

Count Michael finished his thoughts and said,

“When a man does a good job, he should be rewarded, so that he will continue to work hard.” “But Master…” “Enough. Just know that I don’t want to get in trouble with Noah.” 

The implication was that the heir would eventually be his stepson, the Count’s eldest son, the minor lord Noah.

 

The Count’s words eased the Knight’s expression.

 

Eric’s father, Michael, had originally been a viscount of Marcel, a poor fief in the southern part of France’s kingdom.

 

Handsome and well-known in social circles, he married first and had a son, Eric, by a concubine.

 

Then, the sonless Count of Westphalia offered Michael the title of Count.

 

On two conditions. First, he must marry his daughter Laurian, an unmarried mother, to protect her honor. Second, he would appoint Laurian’s son, Noah, as an heir.

 

Michael’s wife, angry at his acceptance of these conditions, returned to her home, leaving only his concubine and his son, Eric, to follow to Westphalia.

 

Eric was Count Michael’s only legitimate child, but since he had a minor lord heir named ‘Noah’, he was looked down upon.

  

I rode with the group, changing horses and eating meals in the saddle to save time. I had to make contact with the Cardinal before the Palatinate could play tricks.

 

It was late at night when we reached the city of Aachen.

 

An autonomous province with no fiefs, its economy dependent on the god, and no walls, I rode straight to the cathedral.

 

As they approached the church gates, guards stopped them with spears drawn.

 “Halt. Identify yourself and your reason.” “I come with a letter from the Lord of Westphalia for the Cardinal. I am Eric, the Lord’s son.” 

The guard, who immediately lowered his spear, asked for the family seal, and I held out my hand to show him my ring.

 

The seal was a type of magic tool commissioned by the Tower of Magic and impossible to replicate.

 

The soldier, who checked the seal ring with a simple tool, nodded.

 “Please wait a moment. I’ll get a knight to show you around.” 

Soon a knight and a group of soldiers came, seemingly on duty.

 

The knight wore a surcoat with a large red cross on it, identifying him as a paladin, and bowed politely to me.

 “It’s still early, so I don’t know if you will be able to see the Cardinal, but I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.” “Thank you, I’ll take my soldiers with me.” 

After all we’ve been through, I shouldn’t be the only one to rest easy.

 “Master, thank you for your concern.” 

A senior soldier thanked him.

 “If you’re so kind, please help me carry my luggage.” 

The senior soldier smiled and took the luggage, Their horses were taken to the stables by the soldiers.

 

I followed the paladin to what appeared to be a guest quarters, but it was empty at that time, and looking around to see if anyone was there. 

 

He opened the door and walked in.

 “Please stay here for a moment, and I’ll see if I can get in to see the Cardinal.” “Take care of that, please. It is urgent.” 

The paladin smiled slightly, perhaps because the nobleman had asked for a

‘favor’

rather than a

‘command’.

 “I will deliver it, even if it means waking the Cardinal.” 

And I fell back on the bed as soon as the paladin left the room.

 “Wake me when the knight comes.” 

I had been riding a horse for so long, and my body was aching.

 

My body was exhausted after a day of riding.