TRSDICI 15

Chapter 15

Nice to Meet You.

“What brings Cardinal Varun here…?”

“Ah, I came because of your son. I was the supervisor of the Inquisitor exam.”

Benedict’s face immediately stiffened with anxiety.

“Did Kael cause some huge trouble?”

Kael was the type of person who made others worry about what kind of madness he would commit even while staying quietly in the territory.

And now that fool, who had never even properly read scripture before, had suddenly gone to take the Inquisitor exam. There was no telling what kind of disaster he had caused.

On top of that, a Cardinal had personally come to visit Benedict. This was definitely not an ordinary situation.

“A huge trouble… Well, yes, you could say that. The exam was ruined, and even a Cardinal died.”

“A-A Cardinal?”

Could it be that Kael lost his temper and killed some mocking Cardinal?

“Ah….”

The strength left Benedict’s legs, and he collapsed onto the floor.

“Husband!”

“Father!”

Lillian and Aren hurried over in shock.

“Hoo… I’m fine.”

After taking a deep breath, Benedict pushed them away and slowly stood up again.

Regaining his dignity, Benedict asked calmly.

“Cardinal Varun, could you please explain what exactly happened? After hearing it, I will decide how I should respond.”

Looking at Benedict’s serious expression, Varun spoke.

“Ah, my apologies. I spoke in a misleading way. The one who ruined the exam and killed the Cardinal was not your son.”

“Then who?”

“Baron Scalen. We currently suspect he was connected to the Akseo Society, a group that worships evil gods.”

“…Could you explain in more detail?”

“Of course.”

Varun explained the attack that happened during the exam and how Kael became an Inquisitor.

Benedict widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Kael solved that incident?”

“Yes. The other examinees also did their parts, but the one who contributed the most was unquestionably Inquisitor Kael. After all, the one who defeated the demonized Baron Scalen was him.”

“Huh….”

Benedict already knew Kael was stronger than others.

Even as a child, he had always been stronger than his peers, and recently he had destroyed an entire pleasure district alone.

‘But he was this strong?’

In just half a year of pilgrimage, Kael had become unimaginably powerful.

Benedict could not even begin to imagine what his son had gone through.

“Is Kael unharmed?”

“Yes. Honestly, he looks so fine that it’s hard to believe he even fought a battle. At most, he probably only has a few scratches.”

“I see. Still, I’m relieved he didn’t cause trouble.”

“Trouble? Not at all. Rather, we should be thanking him for exposing the heretics hiding within the Holy Kingdom.”

Varun lightly bowed with courtesy.

“Oh, and Baron Luminara.”

“Yes, please speak.”

Varun asked seriously.

“Do you perhaps have any plans to govern the Scalen Territory?”

“The Scalen Territory?”

“As you know, with Baron Scalen dead, there is no one left to rule the territory. He also has no relatives who can inherit it. But we cannot leave a perfectly fine territory ownerless forever. Someone must take it.”

“……”

“And that territory will become property of the Luminara family. I intend to make it happen. Your reputation within the Holy Kingdom is already excellent, and your territory is close to Scalen Territory as well.”

Varun slowly raised the corners of his lips.

“So, what do you think, Baron Luminara?”

Absorbing the Scalen Territory.

For most nobles, it would have been a sweet offer impossible to refuse.

But Benedict calmly thought it over before replying.

“I understand what you mean. But why are you treating us so well? We had no prior relationship before this….”

“Khehehe… As cautious as expected.”

“……”

“Ah, apologies if my laugh offended you. I simply cannot fix the habit.”

“It’s fine. We have someone similar in our family as well.”

“Haha! I see.”

Varun nodded.

“To be honest, I’m not trying to win over the Luminara family. I’m trying to get on Inquisitor Kael’s good side. In other words, I’m investing in him early.”

“In Kael?”

“Yes.”

Varun continued.

“Inquisitor Kael is someone who will rise far higher than he is now. It’s not just my own insight. Anyone who saw him would think the same.”

“……”

“And above all, I like Inquisitor Kael’s nature. You could say he is the massive piece I’ve been searching for.”

“Thank you for thinking so highly of my son.”

“He deserves it.”

Benedict suddenly felt emotional.

Until now, everywhere he went, all he ever heard were complaints about Kael.

But now, an actual Cardinal was praising him endlessly….

“Does Kael know about this?”

“Yes. I explained the general situation to him.”

“And what did Kael say?”

“He supports absorbing the territory, but ultimately said the decision should be left to you.”

“That brat said that….”

“So then, what is your answer?”

Benedict carefully thought it over before opening his mouth.

“I….”

“One moment.”

At that moment, Sriben, who had been silently watching nearby, interrupted.

“My apologies for speaking suddenly, Lord. If it is alright, may I share my opinion?”

Though they had only met briefly, it was obvious that Sriben was competent.

Listening to his thoughts before deciding would not be a bad idea.

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

After bowing his head, Sriben looked toward Varun.

“And who might you be?”

“I am Sriben, the treasurer of the Luminara family.”

“Ah, so you’re Sriben.”

Sriben adjusted his glasses.

“You know me?”

“I intend to know you from now on.”

Varun’s emotionless gaze strangely sent chills down Sriben’s spine.

“Then I will state my opinion.”

Sriben looked toward Benedict.

“I also believe absorbing the Scalen Territory would be beneficial. However, I think now is too early. The issue with the pleasure district and the market has not yet been properly resolved, and the plague spread by Baron Scalen still remains within the territory.”

“So in short, you’re saying we should accept the offer once our own territory stabilizes.”

“Yes.”

“But will the Scalen Territory really remain ownerless until then? Ignoring the pleasure district issue, we don’t even know when the plague will be resolved.”

Sriben gave a small smile.

“After all, we are not the desperate side here. The truly desperate ones are those who want to pull Young Master Kael onto their side.”

“So we only need to show willingness for now?”

“Yes. Besides, absorbing a territory requires many procedures and will take time anyway. Deciding later won’t be too late.”

“I see.”

Varun, who had listened quietly, spoke awkwardly.

“Well, it’s true that I’m the more desperate one.”

“My apologies if I offended you. Whispering while standing right in front of a Cardinal would have seemed even more disrespectful.”

Sriben bowed his head.

“It’s fine. Though you seem to understand the political flow within the Holy Kingdom quite well.”

“That just happened somehow.”

“I see.”

Varun turned back to Benedict.

“Then may I hear your decision now, Baron?”

“For now, please proceed with the groundwork regarding the Scalen Territory. Once our own territorial issues are resolved, we will give you our final answer.”

“Understood. Then I shall contact you again later.”

“Yes.”

This time, Varun looked at Sriben.

“Then Mr. Sriben, you’ll have to come with me.”

“…Suddenly?”

“Yes. Inquisitor Kael told me that if I wanted to learn the full truth behind the attack, I should seek you out. You’ll need to come to the Vatican for questioning.”

Sriben looked at Benedict.

“My Lord?”

“Sorry, but this is beyond my authority.”

Next, he looked at Lillian.

“Lady Baroness?”

“Please return safely.”

Sriben turned toward his final hope.

“Young Master Aren?”

“This is a good chance to clear your sins completely. If you return alive, it means your crimes weren’t too severe.”

Aren was colder than expected.

Seeing Sriben frozen like a statue, Varun chuckled quietly.

“Khehehe, there’s no need to worry so much. I promised Inquisitor Kael that I would return you safely.”

Sriben let out a deep sigh.

“Damn it. Let’s go.”

He began walking, then looked up at the night sky.

‘Ah… I want to become a cow.’

This time he would at least travel comfortably by carriage, but Sriben honestly felt that pulling Kael’s wagon had been preferable.

After registering Bella as an Inquisitor’s assistant in the capital, I rode on horseback for two days before arriving at the Divinar Diocese.

First, I headed to the Diocese Office itself.

I needed to notify the bishop that I had come to investigate the surrounding area.

That way, I would have proper authority to move freely, and if necessary, I could also receive support from the Diocese.

‘More importantly, gathering information comes first.’

We immediately met privately with the bishop in his office.

I asked the bishop, who introduced himself as Roselle.

“Have there been any suspicious incidents around here recently?”

“Hm, suspicious incidents….”

Roselle thought for a moment before answering.

“I’m not sure about that. However, another Inquisitor did arrive in the Divinar Territory a few days ago.”

“Another Inquisitor?”

“Yes. He is a very capable man who has already captured over a hundred heretics.”

“Do you know why someone like that is staying here?”

“No, I do not….”

Roselle shook his head.

“As you know, Inquisitors are not obligated to explain details of their investigations to the Diocese Office. Information could leak otherwise.”

An Inquisitor only needed to report the details afterward.

Considering their authority, Inquisitors were given remarkable freedom.

“Then do you know where this Inquisitor currently is?”

“Well… He didn’t mention where he was going.”

“I see.”

At that moment, I considered the possibility that the Inquisitor himself might be the one behind the future attack.

The timing overlapped too perfectly.

“By the way, your assistant is Miss Bella, correct? I heard she came from a nearby orphanage.”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“I see. Then there’s no need for me to explain the local geography.”

Roselle looked at me.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“No, this should be enough. We’ll be going now.”

I stood from my seat.

“Yes. Thank you for visiting. I hope both of you continue thoroughly rooting out heretics in the future. I shall also do my best in my own position.”

“Take care.”

I nodded and turned away.

Maybe I was more polite than I thought.

After leaving the Diocese Office, we headed toward Bella’s orphanage.

The orphanage was a small church, and children of various ages were running around outside.

“Ah! It’s Sister Bella!”

As soon as one child shouted, all the children rushed toward Bella.

Bella pulled things out from her bag and handed them to the children one by one.

‘Now I finally understand why her bag is so huge.’

Bella chatted with them for quite a while.

Sometimes the children glanced at me with admiration.

They were probably talking about today’s events.

Then a middle-aged nun approached me.

“Nice to meet you, Inquisitor. I am Dominica, the head of this orphanage.”

Though thin, the orphanage director had a well-trained body. She felt like a sharp dagger hidden in cloth.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Bella told me everything. She said Inquisitor Kael saved my life. I don’t know how I could ever repay this debt….”

“Then may I ask one thing?”

“Of course.”

“I heard another Inquisitor is staying in this territory. Have you seen him before?”

To find the culprit behind the destruction of the Divinar Diocese, I first needed to gather information from many people.

“Ah, I haven’t seen him personally, but I heard reports that he was seen in the eastern forest nearby. Though that was a day ago, so I don’t know if he’s still there.”

Not an inn, but the eastern forest….

Something definitely smelled suspicious.

“I see. Thank you.”

I turned toward Bella.

“Assistant Bella. We’re leaving.”

“Huh? Already?”

“You can stay here instead. In return, your singing will forever remain the roar of a demon….”

“I-I’ll go!”

Together with Bella, I headed toward the eastern forest Dominica mentioned.

For now, I planned to meet that Inquisitor and ask why he had come here.

Perhaps he was not only behind the future attack, but also the one who would burn down the Diocese Office.

‘Still, this is frustrating.’

Even using “Following Wind,” finding one person in such a massive forest was incredibly difficult.

In fact, even after wandering for three hours, I had not seen a single person or even a monster.

And even if I did find the Inquisitor, he might know nothing at all.

‘Maybe I should stop here for today. I can investigate the nearby orphanages tomorrow.’

The sky was slowly growing dark, so I spoke to Bella.

“We’re leaving. I’ll teach you how to control your mana once we return.”

“Oh yeah.”

Bella followed behind me tirelessly.

Partly because she had left behind her huge bag, but she was probably unconsciously strengthening her lower body and waist with mana as well.

“Come to think of it, what’s with that mana stone necklace? You’ve been wearing it constantly whenever there aren’t many people around.”

Bella had worn the diamond-shaped mana stone necklace ever since I saved her from the monster.

“Ah, this? The orphanage director told me I was already wearing it when I was left at the orphanage.”

“How old were you then?”

“Four.”

“Then you might remember your real parents.”

“No.”

Bella smiled awkwardly.

“Strangely, I can’t remember them. The only things that come to mind are fire and a rainbow.”

“Fire and a rainbow? Are they connected somehow? Or are those simply the only memories left?”

“I’m not really sure either….”

This time, I looked at Bella’s plain hairpin.

“Then what about that hairpin?”

“The orphanage director gave it to me. Cute, right?”

“Cute? Wearing that while singing makes you look like some mad wom—”

I suddenly stopped speaking.

Not because Bella glared at me.

‘A madwoman who sings?’

Suddenly, something struck my mind like lightning.

The Holy Kingdom gave the title “Seven Deadly Sins” to the worst criminals alive, and among them, I had been publicly labeled Wrath.

Naturally, because of that, I had paid attention to the other Seven Deadly Sins as well.

And among them was one criminal who sang while wearing a necklace and hairpin.

A being who possessed a voice and beauty capable of charming all people, yet endlessly envied the happiness of others.

‘The Witch of Envy.’

Now that I thought about it, the Witch’s characteristics matched Bella almost perfectly.

Beautiful appearance. Hairpin. Necklace. Singing. Massive mana….

What if Bella eventually learned to control her mana and became a mage?

And because of that, she could finally sing properly as well?

‘It’s very possible. No, it’s almost certain.’

The reason I had never realized this before was simple.

In my previous life, the Witch died to Rudian before ever crossing paths with me.

Because the Witch of Envy mainly targeted clergy members.

‘But Bella doesn’t seem like someone who would kill priests….’

I organized the facts in my mind.

The Witch was a mage.

But among the clergy were many who viewed magic as remnants of demons.

‘Then could it be…?’

What if some clergyman tried to kill Bella after discovering she had the talent of a mage?

And during that process, Bella developed hatred toward the clergy and became the Witch?

‘Wait….’

Come to think of it, Bella lived in an orphanage within the Divinar Territory.

And soon, one orphanage in the Divinar Territory would be attacked.

Then, one month later, the Divinar Diocese Office would be destroyed.

‘Could this really be coincidence?’

No.

What if the veteran Inquisitor discovered Bella’s existence and came to the orphanage?

And what if the orphanage director and even the children were slaughtered while trying to protect innocent Bella?

Then afterward, Bella awakened after witnessing that horrific scene, killed the Inquisitor with overwhelming mana, and eventually destroyed the Divinar Diocese Office as well?

‘This is it.’

I stared at Bella, whose eyes were blinking blankly.

‘Was it you? The one who burned down the Divinar Diocese Office?’

To think I had been searching for the culprit while keeping her right beside me….

‘Then it’s obvious where that Inquisitor will appear.’

The problem was, I didn’t know when he would make his move.

It could happen in a few days… or perhaps—

I immediately drew my sword and wrapped one arm around Bella’s waist.

“E-Eh?”

“There’s no time to explain. Just quietly follow me.”

Kicking off the ground, I shot forward like the wind.

(To be continued)