I TOLD YOU, I DO NOT LIE

Kojo was led away by the four knights, his hands tied behind his back. The knights cast glares at him periodically, ensuring he wasn't trying anything funny.

(You can escape, but why are you playing along? I thought you liked the game of cat and mouse you were playing? Why not keep it going?)

As they moved through the temple, the residents cast glances at Kojo, whispering to each other.

Kojo sighed, "It's going to make the situation worse if I escape now."

He had already tried to explain his circumstances to his captors, that he was from Archadia and came to the Holy Land of Ezkanur with Cassie and Yuki for certain reasons, but not only did the knights pay him no mind, but they became enraged by the casual way Kojo mentioned the names of the most Venerated Archsaint Yukio Hayashi and Lady Cassandra.

(Of course, they won't listen, after the game of tag you made them play. I'd be angry too. Just imagine,the fact that a pervert is using me for sport.)

Kojo shrugged.

"They already have a bad impression of me, one that they won't change even if I was to explain everything to them. So, I'll just let them take me to a superior who will hopefully know who I am or be open to dialogue," he muttered.

"Hey, stop talking," one of the knights shoved him.

"Sorry, I sometimes talk to the annoying voice in my head," Kojo said.

( Who are you calling annoying.)

" I think I'll just go ahead and ignore it." He told the knights. They shrugged.

" Weirdo." One of them said.

As they turned a corner, they heard someone calling out. Cyrus walked towards them, a smile on his face. The knights bowed. "We found this intruder in the convent, trying to have his way with the women there."

Kojo protested, "It's all a big misunderstanding."

One of the knights sneered, "Oh, then explain why you were peeping during the purification, or what you happened to be doing there at that time? Hmm?"

"I'm a victim of circumstance," Kojo protested.

"Oh, so now we're the bad guys."

"Well, you are though."

"How does that even work?"

"I'm innocent until proven guilty."

"Oh really? So what were you doing in the convent in the first place?"

Kojo looked away and began to whistle.

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"Uh okay well, what if I told you a girl brought me in?"

"What if I replied that that was bullshit?"

"See, you don't believe me."

"Because everyone knows the law. In fact, there's a barrier that casts a curse on any man who enters without permission and makes them impotent."

"You're lying," Kojo said.

"I am not."

"Are too."

"And what shows that I'm lying?"

"I'm not impotent."

"What shows?"

"Untie me and I'll show you."

The knight went behind Kojo and began to untie him before she came to her senses and blushed. She quickly pulled her hands away.

"What was I about to—"

"Ah well, it was worth a shot," Kojo said with a shrug.

"Why you." Kojo looked away and whistled.

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"Huh, that's a strange looking owl," he said, looking at something above her head.

"Oh no you don't! I won't fall for—" just then a drop of excrement fell on her shoulder and an owl hooted as it flew off.

The knight pursed her lips and bowed her head.

"See, I was telling the truth."

She screamed and began to shake him violently.

Cyrus, who was observing the entire event with amusement, giggled and then intervened.

"Calm down, calm down. I think I can clarify things."

Cyrus smiled, "Kojo is not an intruder. He came here at the behest of Lady Cassandra and Archsaint Yukio. The Saints Leonard and Aldean are also aware of his presence."

The knights were shocked, their faces pale. One of them asked, "Paladin Cyrus, are you not just trying to cover up to save him from execution?"

Cyrus chuckled.

"I do not lie. But in regards to the accusations, as to whether Kojo actually did what he was being accused of..."

Kojo narrowed his eyes, "You don't believe me?"

Cyrus shrugged, "It's possible."

"It's not!" Kojo yelled.

The knights looked at each other, unsure. "How does the intruder know so many high-profile people?" one of them asked.

Cyrus replied, "That's because the person you have tied up is the Champion of Archadia."

The knights stared at him then burst out laughing. "You shouldn't joke around, Paladin."

Cyrus giggled, "I'm not joking."

"This guy is the one who defeated Carnage Queen Sasha?" one asked in mirth.

"If he was truly the strongest warrior of a country like Archadia, it wouldn't make sense for low-ranking knights to have caught him so easily," added another, hugging her sides.

Even the knight who was screaming a while ago covered her mouth and stifled a giggle.

Kojo was not amused.

"Why is it so hard to believe?" he asked.

"Cyrus himself said it's possible."

(It's possible that you're a lech who preys on women?)

"That's not what I meant!"

"I understand how absurd it may seem. I didn't believe it the first time either," Cyrus said, ignoring Kojo's glare.

"But I told you, I do not lie."

The ropes that were tying Kojo broke apart, and he stretched, startling the girls.

"I've had enough of the ridicule."

Cyrus was about to say something, but Kojo remembered that he and Lin had to go out exploring. He apologized to Cyrus, "I'll attend to whatever you're about to say once I get back."

With a burst of speed, Kojo disappeared, the force of his movement knocking the knights back. He reappeared and told Cyrus, "Oh and tell Yuki that I'll see her too," then disappeared again with a loud boom.

The knights were stunned, while Cyrus just shook his head and muttered, "Why am I being sent on errands? Well, it doesn't matter. It's all to fulfill the goal." He turned and walked away with his hands behind his back. There was silence.

One of the knights said after a while, "Then again, as low-ranking knights, it's equally unlikely to meet a Paladin like Cyrus Smoke. So, it means..."

The knights looked at each other and said in unison, "That he was telling the truth."