RSDCCI 20

Chapter 20

I Won’t Say It Twice.

The relic of Charity among the Seven Virtues—Saint Vertior’s relic.

If you wore those sandals, your fatigue would be healed with every step you took.

I asked,

“What’s your name?”

“R-Rak.”

Rak.

Just as I had heard before from the Chain Hunter.

“Where did you get those sandals?”

I already knew Rak had them before the Chain Hunter took them, but I didn’t know how he got them.

“Ah… I once shared some bread with an old man. He saw that I was barefoot and gave me the sandals he was wearing…”

“Where is that old man now?”

“A few days later, I went back to the same place… and found him dead with his ankles cut off.”

“Hmm.”

I examined Rak.

He was so thin his bones showed. He must have been in a similar state when he shared that bread.

Rak was someone who tried to remain good, even in darkness.

“…Haa.”

Saint Vertior, the embodiment of Charity among the Seven Virtues.

He had been one of the greatest merchants in the Church, yet donated all his wealth to save countless lives.

He was also known as the Father of the Poor.

Maybe it was destined for his relic to reach Rak.

As my silence dragged on, Rak hurriedly took off the sandals.

“I-if you need these, please take them. As repayment for helping me…”

I stared at the sandals in his hands, then at his bare feet.

Even if he knew they were a relic… would he still give them to me?

For some reason, I felt like he would.

At least the information from my past life wasn’t wrong.

The Chain Hunter cuts off the ankles of debtors who can’t repay.

Rak was one of those debtors.

In my previous life, the Chain Hunter cut off Rak’s ankles, then noticed the sandals’ power and took them.

He had been a renowned mercenary, after all.

“For now, keep wearing them.”

If I were still the person I used to be, I would’ve cut off his ankles and taken them.

Just like I did in my previous life.

But this time, I wanted to obtain them differently.

Taking them by force would make me no better than that trash.

“…What?”

“I said keep wearing them. I’ll take them later.”

“Ah… okay.”

Rak hesitantly put the sandals back on.

“Rak.”

“Yes…”

“I heard you’re taking care of someone. Take me there.”

I already knew where his house was, but if I went straight there, it would be suspicious.

He was already wary of me.

“W-why…?”

“Hmm. Then I’ll just search for it myself. Using the authority of an Inquisitor. I’ll go house to house. Day and night…”

“……”

“And then angry people will come out asking, ‘Who the hell is Rak?’”

“I-I’ll guide you.”

“Good.”

Rak quickly led us to his home, with Bella and me following behind.

It was a narrow, worn-down house.

“Here…”

Inside, there were no small bones.

Just a young girl lying there, breathing heavily.

Unlike Rak, she wasn’t emaciated.

“Your sister?”

“Yes… her name is Rami.”

“And your parents?”

“I don’t know.”

“I see.”

I turned to Bella.

“Bella, check your bag. If you have cold medicine, give it to her.”

“Yes, Inquisitor!”

Brightening instantly, Bella pulled medicine from her large bag and approached Rami.

After giving it to her, she asked,

“Inquisitor! Can I give them bread and water too?!”

“Go ahead.”

“Yes, thank you!”

She took out bread and water.

At this point, I wondered what that bag didn’t contain.

Rak looked at me.

“We don’t have money to buy this…”

“This isn’t a loan. It’s charity.”

“Charity? Why would you do this for us…?”

Because of the relic.

But thinking about it, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Because you gave something to someone else.”

Rak shared bread with the old man and received the relic.

And now, I was offering help to obtain that same relic.

Without his small act of charity, none of this would’ve happened.

“Ah… thank you.”

“Go eat.”

“Yes.”

Bella watched over Rak as he carefully ate.

Rami’s breathing gradually steadied.

Then I spoke,

“Bella, get up.”

“Huh?”

“It’s time to work. Looks like they’ve finally arrived.”

I looked toward the doorway—there wasn’t even a door.

A rough-looking man stepped inside.

“Leave.”

“What?”

“Take another step with those filthy feet and I’ll cut them off.”

“The hell are you—”

“Hey, bald guy.”

I pointed at him.

“Get out. You’re leaving anyway.”

“….”

He swallowed hard, then scoffed and stepped outside.

I said to Rak,

“Keep those sandals on. I’ll be back for them soon.”

Rak, frozen with bread in his mouth, nodded stiffly.

I stepped outside, with Bella following.

Ten burly men were waiting.

“What do you want?”

“Someone wants to see you.”

“The Chain Hunter?”

They exchanged glances before one nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Why so many of you dogs? Did your master throw you some scraps?”

They burst into laughter.

“Sometimes he does. So, you coming quietly?”

“Of course. Lead the way, you mutts.”

They frowned but turned around.

We followed.

One of them approached me.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“You look like an Inquisitor. You should watch your mouth here.”

“Why?”

He leaned in, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“No one cares about status here. The Church’s reach doesn’t extend to places like this.”

“….”

“So if you don’t want to die, keep your head down.”

I brushed his hand off.

“The Church’s reach may not extend here—but my sword does. So stop testing my patience and just walk.”

He clicked his tongue and backed off.

Then another voice came from behind.

“That’s a fine deacon you’ve got there.”

“Don’t come closer.”

“She doesn’t look strong. Why pick her? Don’t tell me…”

I sighed and stopped walking.

The sun shone down, as if telling me to endure.

But I’ve never been one to listen.

“Too many dogs. Hard to keep walking.”

I glared at them.

“First come, first served.”

“What?”

“Start killing each other. I’ll spare the last one alive.”

They burst into laughter.

Then suddenly—

One man’s head vanished.

Blood sprayed as it fell from the sky.

“Ha…?”

Their laughter died.

I shook the blood off my sword.

“I won’t say it twice.”

My killing intent crushed them.

“First one alive.”

Silence.

Then one pulled out an axe and struck the man beside him.

Chaos erupted.

I planted my sword and clapped.

“Let’s see who’s the biggest idiot.”

“Gaaah!”

“Wow, you died to that? Should’ve dodged.”

“Urgh!”

“That’s it! Good job, you bastards!”

Encouraged, they fought even more viciously.

Soon, only one remained—the bald man from before.

“You survived.”

“Y-yes…”

“So I told you to just walk quietly. Why didn’t you listen? Are you the Goddess? Testing my patience?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Then keep walking. Take me to your master.”

“Yes…”

We followed him to a two-story wooden building.

“Is the Chain Hunter here?”

“Yes. He’s probably with a guest.”

“Good job, dog.”

“Yes!”

He bowed deeply.

“Thank you for sparing me—”

He suddenly coughed up blood.

My sword was already through his heart.

“Why…?”

“The sunlight reflected off your bald head and hurt my eyes. You attacked first—no complaints, right?”

He tried to speak, then went limp.

I pulled out my sword, grabbed his body, and kicked the door open.

Boom!

Everyone inside turned to look.

“What’s this?”

“Priest clothes? An Inquisitor?”

“Crazy bastard.”

About fifteen of them.

Nothing compared to the Chain Hunter.

I raised the corpse.

“I’m looking for this bald guy’s master! He killed all his comrades! What a real piece of trash!”

I looked around.

The building had an open center, showing the second floor.

“Anyone know where his master is? Bet he’s just as stupid—I’d love to see his face!”

They stared in confusion.

Just as they began to rise—

“What’s all the noise?”

A voice came from the second floor.

A man with a hooked nose and sharp eyes.

The Chain Hunter—Mordak.

“Are you his master?”

Mordak glanced at the corpse and nodded.

“And?”

“Then train your dogs better!”

I threw the corpse at him.

Before it reached him, it split in half.

Mordak was spinning a chained sickle.

“Figures. Dogs resemble their master.”

“You killed him, not me.”

“No. He was just unconscious. You finished him.”

I clicked my tongue.

“I threw him to you to save him. Cold bastard. These guys will die the same way.”

“….”

Mordak sighed and stopped spinning his weapon.

“So? Why did an Inquisitor come to a place like this? Not for a loan, I assume.”

“You should know.”

“Hm.”

He leaned over the railing.

“I was going to talk, but… just leave.”

“Why? Afraid you’ll piss yourself?”

He smirked.

“Did you visit the church first?”

“I’ll go after this.”

“So you didn’t. Meaning no one will know if you die here.”

He continued,

“You’re young. Leave while you can.”

I scratched my ear.

“Tell your dogs to stop barking. Maybe put that chain around your own neck.”

“….”

“Whether you suffer losses or not isn’t my concern. You’ve been stealing others’ livelihoods—can’t stand losing your own?”

His eyes narrowed.

“So you’re serious?”

“I just don’t like dog handlers.”

My killing intent filled the room.

Weapons were drawn.

“Then I’ll begin the judgment of heretics.”

I spoke to them all.

“Your crimes are many. But the greatest is exploiting the desperate for your greed.”

“….”

“So accept your judgment.”

I glanced back.

“Bella.”

“Yes, Inquisitor.”

I protected my ears with divine power and covered them.

“Show these heretics the greatness of the Goddess.”

Bella nodded and stepped forward.

She stopped before me, closed her eyes, and clasped her hands.

Others watched in confusion.

Then—

Rumble…!

A massive surge of mana erupted from her body.

I grinned at them.

I can’t be the only one who hears this.

Soon—

Hell would unfold here.

(To be continued)