RSDCCI 17

Chapter 17

Don’t.

Rosselle, the bishop of the Divinar Diocese, was waiting inside the prayer hall of the diocesan office.

He was waiting for news.

“At last… I can erase my stain.”

Rosselle had hated magic since he was young.

His parents, who were Inquisitors, had been killed by a demon that used magic.

Because of that, he became an Inquisitor himself—to kill demons and reject magic.

“During that time, I met a couple who studied magic.”

He could not understand them.

Studying magic—the remnant of demons?

Wasn’t that the act of heretics helping demons?

“So I executed them in the name of the Inquisition.”

The couple resisted fiercely, but they could not defeat Rosselle, who had years of experience.

He reported to the Holy See that he had killed a demon that used magic.

To him, mages and demons were no different.

He felt no guilt.

“Because of that incident, I became a bishop of the Divinar Diocese.”

It was a perfect life.

Except for one flaw.

“The demon’s child I failed to kill 15 years ago.”

The mage couple had a daughter.

She must have inherited demonic talent.

He tried to kill her too—but the parents stopped him.

He could only watch as she escaped.

“After 15 years… I finally found a clue.”

There was a barrier in the couple’s house.

To open it, a diamond-shaped magic stone necklace was needed.

It took him a long time to figure that out since magic books were rare in the Holy Kingdom.

“So I ordered Inquisitor Veritus to find a 19-year-old girl with that necklace.”

Sure enough—

He found her quickly.

“To think it was Deacon Bella…”

At that time, she hadn’t been wearing the necklace, so he didn’t recognize her.

“He should be back soon.”

Veritus was someone Rosselle had raised himself.

Someone who hated magic. Someone strong.

A perfect subordinate.

“There’s no way Veritus would fail.”

Even if something went wrong, Rosselle could suppress it with his authority.

“The only variable… is Kael.”

Kael, the newly appointed Inquisitor.

Rosselle didn’t know much about him yet.

But surely—

He couldn’t match Veritus.

—

Suddenly, noise came from outside.

“Y-You can’t just barge in—!”

“Oh? So this is the place.”

“W-Wait—!”

BOOM!

The door burst open.

A man walked in calmly.

His appearance was noble—

But his eyes were like a demon’s.

Rosselle frowned.

“Inquisitor Kael?”

Kael stopped and smiled.

“So you know who I am.”

* * *

I looked at Rosselle, who stood there blankly.

Behind me, Bella and other clergy were watching.

“What is the meaning of this, Inquisitor Kael?”

Rosselle regained his composure.

I spoke coldly.

“You should know better. Bishop Rosselle. Who ordered the murder of an innocent orphan?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He didn’t even flinch.

I laughed.

“Why pretend? Are you afraid of how others will see you?”

Then I raised my voice.

“If not, then say it proudly! That you hated magic, killed innocent mages, and became a bishop!”

The clergy behind me began murmuring.

“Wasn’t that your belief? Or are you ashamed to say it?”

“……”

“Then it’s not belief. It’s just your personal desire.”

My head felt hot.

“I don’t care if you hate magic.”

“……”

“But you should not have touched the innocent. Did they attack you first? Did they point magic at you?”

“Inquisitor Kael, if you continue—”

“SHUT UP!!!”

I cut him off.

“I already heard everything from the ones you sent. I have proof. Witnesses. Motive.”

I raised two fingers.

“You have two choices.”

“First—go quietly to the Holy See and face judgment.”

I folded one finger.

“Second—kill me and run. Like you did to that mage couple.”

“……”

“There won’t be a third chance.”

Rosselle flinched slightly.

After a moment, he sighed.

“Foolish people… who know nothing.”

His presence changed completely.

“Because of you, everyone here will die. I will simply be the one who killed a mad Inquisitor who murdered clergy.”

He chose a third option.

A true fanatic.

I spoke to the others.

“Step back.”

They quickly moved away.

Only Bella stayed.

“Inquisitor… should I sing a hymn?”

I paused, then answered calmly.

“Don’t.”

“Yes.”

I glanced at her.

“What do you want to do to him?”

Bella had already heard everything.

Her eyes darkened.

Not her usual innocent look—

But something cold.

“I want to kill him.”

Her voice was chilling.

“I said my memories were only fire and a rainbow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Now I remember. The fire… was from when he fought my parents.”

She clenched her fists.

“So this time… I want to kill him with my own hands.”

She glared at Rosselle.

For a moment, I saw a vision—

Bella becoming a witch.

Destroying the Diocese.

“But… I’m not strong enough.”

She scratched her head awkwardly.

I said:

“No. It’s possible.”

“When does a mage first awaken magic?”

“When?”

“When they truly need it.”

“Inquisitor, behind you!”

Rosselle attacked.

I blocked him.

“Just remember your past.”

“This isn’t the time to talk!”

“I won’t force you. It’s your choice.”

I pushed Rosselle back.

We clashed rapidly.

He wasn’t weak.

“Why don’t you understand?!”

“Magic destroys everything!”

“That demon will become a disaster!”

He wasn’t entirely wrong.

But—

He was the reason.

“Shut up!!”

Bella screamed.

“SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD!!”

She stretched out her hands.

Magic exploded from her.

I quickly moved back.

But Rosselle rushed in.

“Die!”

Then—

BOOOOOOM!!!

A massive flame burst out like a giant fist.

Rosselle was engulfed.

The wall shattered.

“As expected… but even more than I imagined.”

Magic.

Pure destruction.

But—

“…I almost died.”

Rosselle survived.

Burned, but alive.

“As expected of a demon’s child.”

He walked forward.

Bella tried again—

But collapsed.

I caught her.

“I failed…”

“It’s fine. You chose.”

“But…”

“Act like a deacon. This is my job.”

I set her down.

Rosselle charged.

“Move! Or you die too!”

I moved instantly.

His body was already weakened.

My blade passed his neck.

“Disappear.”

His head fell.

“Stop talking.”

Silence.

Bella asked:

“Is he dead?”

“Even demons die.”

“You’re amazing…”

“He was already dying.”

I approached her.

“Can you stand?”

“Wait…”

She collapsed again.

“Nope…”

“Mana exhaustion.”

“I see…”

“If you sing now, only your real voice will come out.”

“Really?!”

“Yes.”

She thought for a moment.

“I don’t feel like singing.”

I paused.

That was different.

“Then don’t.”

“Okay.”

The ceiling collapsed.

The fire spread.

“Inquisitor… carry me?”

I looked at the flames.

“…This is just like before.”

The same destruction.

But this time—

I was here.

“Inquisitor… we should run…!”

I raised my hands.

“Freedom!”

“What?! We’re surrounded by fire!”

“Hooray!”

“Aaaah!!”

Well…

At least my future changed.

* * *

I came to my senses and carried Bella out.

We left everything else to the clergy.

The deacon would be sent to the Holy See.

On the way—

“What do we do now?”

Bella asked.

“We killed a bishop… and destroyed the Diocese…”

“Don’t worry. We did our duty as Inquisitors.”

“Oh!”

We reached the orphanage.

Dominica ran over.

“You’re safe! Is Bella okay?”

“She’s fine. Just exhausted.”

She bowed deeply.

“Thank you. Without you… I don’t want to imagine what would have happened.”

She then asked:

“Bella… do you want to visit where your parents lived?”

Bella looked at me.

“Why are you looking at me? Decide yourself.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded.

“I want to go.”

Dominica smiled sadly.

“Then rest tonight. I’ll guide you tomorrow.”

Bella looked disappointed.

I dropped her.

“If you’re that eager, crawl there yourself.”

She lay flat.

“Sorry… I’ll sleep…”

“Then crawl to the church.”

“Seriously?!”

“Yes.”

I yawned and walked away.

Kids gathered.

I pointed at Bella.

“Go bring the turtle.”

“Waaah! Bella turtle!”

I smirked and walked inside.

“Wake me if bad guys come.”

(To be continued)