RSDCCI 16

Chapter 16

The World is Vast…

Dominica, the head of the orphanage, smiled warmly as she watched the children playing in the yard.

After a moment, her expression hardened and she spoke.

“Alright, everyone. It’s getting dark, so let’s go inside now.”

“Okaaay!”

The children bickered playfully as they ran into the church.

Dominica gave a faint, bittersweet smile, then stepped outside with a serious expression.

It was dark outside. The orphanage was located in a somewhat isolated area, surrounded by dense trees.

“What brings you here?”

At her question, a man stepped out from the darkness into the moonlight.

His face was completely wrapped in black cloth.

“Sharp eyes for an orphanage head.”

“I asked what you want.”

Dominica’s gaze sharpened.

“This is an orphanage. There’s no money or valuables worth stealing. If you’re here to kidnap children, stop now. The Holy Kingdom will hunt you down.”

“The Holy Kingdom, huh…”

The man scratched his cheek.

“I’m not interested in wealth or children. I’m only looking for a woman named Bella.”

Dominica tilted her head.

“Bella? Who is that?”

“Heh, nice acting. But it’s useless. I already know she’s here.”

Dominica narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you looking for Bella?”

“Fifteen years ago, in the Divinar territory, there was a mage couple researching magic—the remnant of demons. They were discovered and killed.”

“……”

“But their child was never found. A four-year-old girl with brown hair. And in this region, there aren’t many orphans matching that description.”

The man glanced toward the church. Dominica subtly blocked his view.

“You’re an Inquisitor… a fanatic who believes magic is demonic.”

“Fanatic? That’s harsh. I’m perfectly normal.”

“Then it’s unfortunate. Bella is not their child. I personally took her in from the slums.”

“Listen, nun.”

Killing intent appeared in the man’s eyes.

“You’re starting to annoy me. Don’t lie.”

“……”

“Someone here has seen the magic stone necklace she wears. That necklace is the key to a barrier the mage couple left behind.”

He spoke as if he already knew everything.

Dominica sighed.

“Were you the one who killed them?”

“No. I wasn’t an Inquisitor back then.”

He shrugged.

“Anyway, just hand over Bella. Give me that heretic child, and I’ll leave quietly.”

“What do you plan to do to her?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

Dominica swallowed.

“I’m sorry, but Bella isn’t here right now. She left shortly after arriving.”

“Another lie—”

“It’s true. If you don’t believe me, check yourself.”

The man stared at her, then leaned against a tree.

“Then I’ll wait here until she comes back.”

“I don’t know when she’ll return.”

“That’s fine. Patience is necessary to catch heretics.”

He spun a dagger in his hand.

“Don’t try anything funny. I’m carrying out a sacred duty as an Inquisitor. If you protect her, you’ll be treated as a heretic too.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Dominica smiled faintly.

She organized her thoughts.

Bella had left her bag behind—so she would definitely return.

She had likely gone to the eastern forest. Since night had fallen, she would return soon.

Which meant… she would inevitably meet this man.

“Actually… maybe I should look around. She might be hiding in a closet.”

The man grinned and walked toward the church—then suddenly stopped.

“…Trying to die?”

Dominica flinched as she reached into her robes.

If she let him go, he might harm the children.

But he was clearly stronger than her.

Even so—

“I will not hand Bella over to you!”

She pulled out a hidden dagger and charged.

Clang!

Their blades collided.

“Strong for a nun.”

“Protecting children is the divine duty given to me by the Goddess.”

“I see.”

The man grinned.

“But that’s all!”

His dagger struck fiercely.

Dominica barely deflected it.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His relentless attacks continued.

Her clothes tore, and wounds began to appear across her body.

“Hahaha! Must be tough protecting a demon’s child!”

Dominica frowned.

He’s strong…

He was likely the veteran Inquisitor mentioned earlier.

Would Inquisitor Kael change this situation?

She knew Kael was strong—but still new.

Facing a veteran like this seemed impossible.

And more importantly—this wasn’t even Kael’s responsibility.

I just have to hold on until Kael notices and evacuates Bella and the children!

Dominica had once dreamed of becoming an Inquisitor.

Though she failed, she never stopped training.

She could endure.

But—

“Annoying.”

The man pulled out another dagger.

It shot toward her neck.

I can’t block this…!

It was unavoidable.

So this is a veteran Inquisitor…

The wall before her was too high.

But her life didn’t matter.

My children…

If she died, the children would try to protect Bella—and be killed.

Bella would then live in guilt forever.

That must not happen…

The dagger approached her throat—

BOOM!

A loud sound echoed.

Someone rushed in at incredible speed.

A man appeared in front of the enemy—

Swinging his sword calmly.

His eyes were filled only with cold killing intent.

The fanatic hurriedly crossed his daggers.

BOOOOM!

He was blasted away, rolling across the ground.

“You roll well.”

Someone spoke.

“Like a pill bug.”

Dominica stared in shock.

Tall figure. Black priest robe. Handsome face under moonlight. A blade filled with wind.

She couldn’t mistake him.

“Inquisitor Kael…?”

Even a veteran Inquisitor had been blown away in a single strike.

“Go take care of the children.”

Kael said, glancing at Dominica.

“This suits me better.”

Later

“Director! Are you okay?!”

Bella ran over.

Dominica finally came to her senses.

“B-Bella?”

“Wait! I’ll get herbs!”

“No! You can’t stay here! Leave with Inquisitor Kael—!”

Bella smiled calmly.

“It’s okay. Inquisitor Kael is stronger.”

“But there might be others— Ah! The deacon!”

I answered.

“Don’t worry. I already knocked him out.”

“I-I see…”

I turned to Bella.

“Deacon Bella, go inside. Treat her and calm the children. If it’s noisy, I can’t sleep.”

“Yes!”

Bella carried Dominica inside.

The pill bug stood up.

“You’re up, pill bug.”

He removed his hood, revealing stitched scars on his mouth.

“Who are you?”

“An Inquisitor who came to kill a bug like you.”

“Then cooperate. I’m hunting a heretic.”

“Where?”

“Your deacon. She’s the child of mages.”

I tilted my head.

“So what?”

“Magic is demonic! Those who use it are no different from demons!”

“This scar—done by magic!”

I smirked.

“You’re worse than a bug.”

“What?!”

“Your hatred is misplaced. Hate the demon—not everyone who uses magic.”

“Shut up!”

“You shut up. If you’re stabbed, will you hate every blacksmith?”

“……”

“Stay curled up like a bug.”

He gritted his teeth.

“You defend her? Then you’re a heretic too!”

“Finally showing your true nature.”

We faced each other.

Then—

His body split into three.

Illusions.

He attacked.

I struck—

But it vanished.

Another attack—cut my cheek.

“Confused which one is real?”

I smiled.

“Didn’t expect someone to use the same technique as me.”

Then—

I created ten afterimages.

“The world really is vast… and full of idiots.”

He panicked.

We clashed repeatedly.

Then—

I erased my killing intent.

He reacted to a fake.

Stab!

My sword pierced his back.

“How…? No killing intent…”

“You’re not worth it.”

“You…!”

“Go.”

I pulled the sword out.

Blood sprayed into the night.

Later

I brought the unconscious deacon.

Slap! Slap!

“Wake up! It’s morning!”

“It’s night…”

“Early birds don’t starve.”

“Who are you?”

“The one who killed him.”

“I-Inquisitor Veritus?!”

“Who told him to kill Bella?”

“I-I can’t—”

“Talk or die.”

“The Holy Kingdom will—!”

“I’m an Inquisitor too.”

Still silent.

So I whispered:

“Ever had your nails torn out? Eyes gouged?”

“I still won’t talk!”

“Everyone talks eventually.”

He trembled.

“Or we can ask the Saint of Truth.”

Silence.

“Choose. Talk, get beaten, tortured, or die.”

He knelt.

“I’ll tell you everything…”

I nodded.

“Good.”

As he spoke, my suspicions became reality.

Looks like… I’ll hear more screams tonight.

(To be continued)