“Are people getting injured around the dungeon, you say?”

Ophilia was listening seriously to the priest’s report.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Could it be that monsters are coming out of the dungeon…?”

“Doesn’t seem like it. While the magic is getting stronger, quotes from many of the attacked indicate it seems to be the work of a thieves’ group. Once they lost consciousness, many reported they had their belongings stolen.”

From hearing the detailed situation report, it seemed highly likely it was the work of humans, not monsters.

“A thieves’ group….”

She had heard news that after a major plague swept across the continent, the number of those surviving by thievery had skyrocketed.

Recently, the royal family had been reducing taxes and actively supporting the devastated regions, which had somewhat stabilized public order, but it would still take considerable time to erase the scars left by the plague.

“What will you do? If you wish, I can request military support.”

“Are you thinking of extermination?”

“That’s correct… but, do you have something else in mind?”

Ophilia slowly nodded her head.

“From what I’ve heard, they seem to have stolen valuables rather than taking lives… Given they’ve primarily ambushed one or two people at a time, it’s reasonable to estimate there are no more than ten of them… wouldn’t it be better to hear them out first? If possible, I’d like to give them another chance.”

“You seem to be thinking of reforming them?”

Ophilia slowly nodded again.

“You might find it frustrating, but if we can do something before they cross the line, that would be the best outcome, wouldn’t it?”

“No, I don’t think so at all. But, will you be alright on your own?”

Hearing those words, Ophilia casually replied—

“I’m fine. I don’t even need support for up to thirty of them.”

—After saying that, she adjusted the sword hanging at her waist.

“I’m enough on my own.”

“……!!”

In that moment, the priest realized the person before him was none other than Ophilia Translerente.

The quintessential representative of knights in this era, a woman possessing formidable combat prowess across the continent.

She had shown a slightly clumsy side lately, but when it came to wielding a sword, there was hardly anyone of her age who could surpass her.

Luka and Linea were also exceptionally talented knights, but they would surely have to defer to Ophilia.

Honestly, if it was an ordinary thieves’ group, she could likely handle not just thirty, but maybe even up to fifty on her own.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you, Ophilia.”

“Hmm. I’ll try my best to resolve it peacefully without resorting to killing…”

“While reform is important, please prioritize your safety above all else, Ophilia. You are a chosen one of God.”

“Take care of yourself too. Now then.”

After parting ways with the priest, only then did the rabbit on her head begin to speak.

“Ribbit.”

“Don’t worry about it, Lord Rabbit. It’s just about rehabilitating those who’ve strayed onto the wrong path for a moment.”

“Ribbit.”

“If punishment is necessary, I will administer it. However, recognizing those capable of rehabilitation based on the severity of the crime is important.”

Hop.

“I can manage perfectly well on my own, so there’s no need to worry. More importantly, I should start getting prepared.”

Thus, engaging in casual chatter with the rabbit, Ophilia commenced her day as a Holy Knight Plate.

* * *

The first thing Ophilia did after receiving her mission was to change out of her knight’s attire and blend in as an ordinary traveler.

A thieves’ group wouldn’t attack a knight. If they couldn’t be found, rehabilitation would be impossible. Disguise was essential to lure them out.

Ophilia donned a robe-like outfit, spun around once, and then asked the rabbit.

“How do I look, Lord Rabbit? Like an ordinary traveler?”

“Ribbit.”

“Hmm? I suppose the chest area is a bit tight according to your words… but then again, unless it was custom-made for me, there’s no helping it.”

In reality, all the outfits Ophilia wore were tailored just for her.

Although not as pronounced as Erin due to her unusual proportions, she too had a bust that was relatively noticeable compared to others her age.

Thus, even wearing ordinary armor purchased off the rack could be quite uncomfortable.

“Now then. It’s your turn.”

After saying that, Ophilia removed the bag she was carrying and opened it wide like a mouth towards the rabbit.

“Come on in.”

“Ribbit.”

“Oh? You seem sleepy? I’ll walk as slowly as I can, so feel free to doze off. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but if you adapt, you should be able to nap.”

Hop!

Without a fuss, the rabbit complied and hopped right into the bag.

Perfectly fitting as if it was prepared just for the rabbit.

If Luka had seen it, he would likely be distracted by the rabbit for about five minutes, unable to move from that spot.

“Shall we begin? If it shakes too much, let me know anytime.”

Although there was no response due to being inside the bag—

Ophilia assumed the rabbit understood and began wandering around.

* * *

Thus disguised as an ordinary traveler, hiding a sword behind her for several hours around the dungeon.

After it had gotten somewhat dark,

‘There’s someone.’

Detecting a presence, she pretended not to notice and continued to idle about.

After some time had passed.

Three men appeared before Ophilia.

“I’m going to need you to stop for a second.”

“…….”

Ophilia quickly glanced back.

This time, two women and three men slowly emerged.

“Sorry, but to pass this road, you’ll need to pay a toll.”

‘…….’

Ophilia rapidly surveyed the surroundings.

Eight had revealed themselves… but there didn’t seem to be anyone else lying in ambush.

With this number, she could deal with them easily on her own.

“Toll? I haven’t heard of that.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. It’s a law that was enacted today.”

With a smirk, the man said this, but Ophilia replied coolly without budging.

“From your nonsense, it seems you’re the ones who’ve been attacking civilians passing through this area?”

“So you’ve heard the rumors and had the guts to stroll in here, huh?”

“If so, then what are you going to do?”

“Is that all you’ve got to say?”

“You look pretty relaxed, but if you don’t want to end up in a bad way, it’d be wise to hand over your belongings.”

“Let’s keep things nice and friendly, miss. Just hand over the cash, and we’ll let you go.”

They were acting tough, but the tremble in their final words betrayed their effort.

Their voices sounded youthful, clearly trying too hard to appear strong.

With this level, she could certainly handle it.

Slowly, Ophilia took off the hood of her robe.

The thieves clearly panicked upon seeing her red hair and distinctive circlet.

“……!!”

“From your expressions, it seems you recognize who I am?”

It would actually be stranger if they didn’t.

Her knightly appointment as a Holy Knight Plate had been celebrated in grand style.

For contemporary people, Luka, Linea, and Ophilia were virtually symbols of the era, just like Saint Erin.

“If that’s the case, this will be quick. So, don’t even think about resisting; drop your weapons and follow me. If you change your minds now, I’ll be by your side to help you become new people. If you don’t follow—”

Ophilia drew the sword from her back.

“That will mean we’ll have to fight it out here.”

At that moment.

The one who appeared to be the leader shouted, staring into Ophilia’s eyes.

“Given your hair color, you must be the renowned Ophilia!”

“……What?”

“Ophilia Translerente. A woman who was appointed as a Holy Knight Plate yet can’t even recite a single passage from the Bible.”

“!!!”

Ophilia, who had maintained her calm demeanor, was visibly shaken for the first time by those words.

That rumor… had it spread this far?

“Th-that is—”

“Why? Are you going to recite it now? It’s in that illustrious Bible, right? Surely someone claiming to be a holy knight wouldn’t fail to know something we all do?”

“I, I….”

Ophilia broke into a cold sweat, desperately racking her brain.

Damn it. She definitely… definitely knew it…!!

“Th-the God’s….”

“God’s?”

“……!!”

Stumbling over her words, the thieves openly burst into laughter.

“An all-too-simple fact! That grand fact the religious figures prattle about!”

“!!!”

The leader shouted at Ophilia as if demanding an answer.

“If that was truly something so significant, then why were our families left to suffer and die from disease? What was that grand God doing while all the villagers were dropping like flies? … But I guess it’s pointless trying to argue with someone who can’t even recite a word.”

“Th—that’s not true! God’s grand fact will surely be of help to—”

“Enough! Just kill us or drag us off to prison. I have no intention of following some meaningless divine will! Alright, gang!”

At the leader’s command, the entire thieves’ group pulled their weapons.

Under normal circumstances, Ophilia would have calmly dealt with this, but… the shock that she couldn’t recite what they effortlessly remembered hit her profoundly, and she fell deep into thought while gripping her sword.

‘Do I even have the right to rehabilitate them?’

Even if they charged at her, she would undoubtedly win. It was guaranteed that she would win…

But, as someone who had prioritized reform, her heart began to waver naturally.

What could someone like herself, who couldn’t even remember the basic fact that even common thieves could recall, possibly do?

Is it truly all she could do to just crush them with force instead of rehabilitating them?

“Come at me!!!”

Just then, as the thieves rushed toward Ophilia.

“……!!!”

A blinding flash erupted from the bag she was carrying.

All the thieves froze mid-charge, stunned into silence.

“What, what the hell?!”

“Is it magic?!”

And at that moment—

Pop! Something leapt out of the bag.

It had eyes like a sea hare and fluffy fur.

With rabbit ears, it possessed a surprisingly cute appearance for a Messenger of God.

Thus—

“What the hell is this?!”

“……A rabbit…??”

—When it finally revealed itself, the thieves could hardly grasp what this being was doing in this world.

They couldn’t possibly understand what it meant to face this entity.

Without changing its expression, the creature blinked repeatedly, observing the stunned thieves and then――

“Ribbit.”

“!!!!”

As the words ended, a massive tear appeared right behind it.

A literal gaping split opened in space.

A disturbing sound vibrated, reminiscent of something not of this world.

And then—

“—GWAARRRGHHH!!!!”

“Ugh, aaaaaah!!!”

“Sa-save me…!!!”

The entire thieves’ group was sucked into that inexplicable rift.

The scene was eerie enough to evoke thoughts of being devoured by an absolute entity.

A while later.

After they had all disappeared, the torn space seemed to restore itself as if nothing had happened.

“Lord Rabbit…? What on earth…?”

As Ophilia watched the unbelievable, surreal scene of space being torn apart and people being sucked in with wide eyes, the rabbit tilted its head a few times, seemingly unfazed—

“Fifty rabbits domino!”

—It began the true meaning of ‘rehabilitation’ for those who dared to ridicule the chosen knight of God.