RSDCCI 18

Chapter 18

How Can You Be So Sure?

As soon as dawn broke, we followed Dominica into the forest.

Bella asked,

“Were you perhaps acquainted with my parents, Headmistress?”

“Yes. I happened to run into them while wandering through the forest.”

“Then… you must have known they were mages.”

“That’s right.”

Bella parted her lips as if to ask something more, but then fell silent, as if afraid to continue. So I asked instead,

“Why did you not tell Bella that truth?”

“Because I could see what her future would become if I did.”

Dominica answered calmly.

“Bella had lost her memories due to shock, but if I spoke of her parents, there was a high chance she would remember.”

“……”

“Then she would have grown up burning with a desire for revenge. And the target of that revenge would have been the bishop here.”

“You knew that as well?”

“I wasn’t certain, but I suspected as much.”

“I see.”

“And if Bella had ended up killing him, she would have spent her entire life being hunted by the Church.”

It was an accurate prediction.

In truth, Bella would become the Witch of Envy, killing clergy, and eventually meet her end at Rudian’s hands.

“That’s why I told you to keep the magic stone necklace hidden under your clothes when around people…”

At Dominica’s gaze, Bella scratched her head awkwardly.

“Hehe… when I keep it inside, it touches my skin… But I only took it out when no one was around. I guess someone still saw it.”

Dominica let out a deep sigh.

“Perhaps this too was fate. A trial one must face someday, no matter how much one wishes to avoid it…”

I replied,

“Still, as you predicted, there is no longer any chance of Bella being hunted by the Church.”

“That’s true. It’s all thanks to you, Inquisitor.”

Dominica smiled faintly and turned to Bella.

“And Bella… I’m sorry for hiding the truth from you.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m actually grateful to you.”

“Grateful?”

“Yes.”

Bella gently held her magic stone necklace.

“You knew I had a mage’s blood, yet you treated me just like everyone else. And not only that—you even risked your life to protect me.”

“……”

“So you don’t need to feel sorry.”

Bella smiled softly.

Dominica stared at her blankly for a moment, then smiled as well and continued walking.

“Many clergy in the Church believe magic is a remnant of demons that destroys everything… but I think differently.”

She looked up at the clear sky.

“I think magic is beautiful. Because I’ve seen their magic.”

“……”

“Of course, it has destructive aspects. But humans are the same. There are those who make others smile, and those who plunge others into despair…”

She turned to us.

“In that sense, I believe the two of you are people who bring smiles to others.”

I tilted my head.

“I understand Bella, but you say that even about me, whom you’ve only met today?”

“Yes. Your strength is certainly something to fear… but you used that strength to protect the smiles of my children.”

I thought for a moment before answering,

“But most people who stand at the tip of my blade fall into despair. They either beg for their lives, try to run, or charge at me and get stabbed.”

“……”

“And yet your opinion remains unchanged?”

Dominica nodded.

“Yes. Because I believe you were right.”

“I see.”

“May I ask you one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

She looked straight into my eyes.

“Inquisitor Kael… do you wish to live in darkness?”

“Darkness?”

“Yes. It feels like you avoid the light.”

I tilted my head, then nodded.

“That may be true. Most vermin hide in the darkness, so I go find them myself.”

“Ah…”

“But…”

I drew my sword and held it straight.

“I will cut through the darkness again and again… until there is nothing left to cut. And at the end of that… I simply hope there will be a small light.”

In my previous life, I cut down countless vermin, only to face the abyss that was the Demon God.

Even if I had defeated it, I couldn’t be certain that light would await me at the end.

No… I was certain that only an empty hell awaited.

“Is that… greed?”

“No. I’m certain there will be light.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I will pray for you.”

Her eyes were too sincere to be taken as a joke.

I let out a small laugh and sheathed my sword.

“I see.”

Then I turned to Bella, who was quietly sobbing beside me.

“Why are you crying again?”

“…Because it’s sad.”

“Is that so? I find your inability to sing properly far more pitiful.”

Bella stopped crying.

“What’s wrong with you, seriously?”

“Then what’s wrong with you?”

She held out her hand.

“Truce?”

“Make peace with your vocal cords first.”

“Hey!”

“We’ve arrived.”

Dominica stopped walking.

The area was filled with smaller but greener plants and trees, as if it had once burned.

“Somewhere here should be a section protected by a barrier. I don’t know exactly where it is, so we’ll have to search.”

“With such a large burned area, it might take time.”

“Yes, most likely.”

I stopped them as they began to spread out.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Follow me. It’s this way.”

They looked confused but followed me.

I stopped at a spot where the grass was longer and less green, as if untouched by fire.

Thump.

When I tapped the ground, the space around it shimmered, revealing a square box covered in a magic circle.

“Place the necklace there.”

I pointed to the diamond-shaped slot.

Bella blinked.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m taller than you.”

“Ah.”

“Just do it.”

“…Okay.”

She approached nervously, knelt, and placed the necklace into the slot.

A soft glow spread as the magic circle dissolved.

“Open it.”

“Yes.”

Inside were dozens of books.

“What is this?”

“Magic books.”

Quite a collection—far too many for ordinary people.

Her parents must have been exceptional in magical knowledge.

“This one is placed separately…”

Bella picked up a book.

“Magic for Bella, and for Everyone”

She opened it and began reading at an astonishing speed.

Within ten minutes, she finished.

“I… think I can use this magic.”

Impossible for most—but not for Bella.

“May I try?”

She looked at me nervously.

“Go ahead. You already blew up a diocese. Burning a forest won’t matter.”

“….”

“I mean stop hesitating. If you fear your own magic, then give it up entirely.”

She stood up, determined.

“I’ll try.”

I nodded and stepped far back.

Dominica followed.

Bella gathered her mana.

It was immense—but controlled.

‘She’s regulating it…?’

For a beginner, it was absurd talent.

Then—

Flash!

The mana vanished.

No fire. No ice.

Just… calm.

I looked up.

A massive rainbow stretched across the sky.

Seven colors forming a bridge in the heavens.

Dominica covered her mouth.

“This… this is it. I followed this rainbow when I first met them…”

Bella collapsed, breathing heavily.

“That was your memory.”

“…Yes. I saw this with my parents.”

I smiled faintly.

Bella gripped the grass.

“Inquisitor…”

“Speak.”

“…Thank you.”

I ignored the faint sound of her crying.

Instead, I shielded my eyes and looked at the fading rainbow.

It would return whenever she wished.

“Yeah.”

* * *

The next day, at the Papal Palace of the Ella Church.

Clergy gathered in a conference hall.

“The Divinar Diocese has been destroyed, and Bishop Roselle is dead.”

Cardinal Gregory spoke.

“And the one responsible is Kael Luminar.”

“It’s troubling.”

Cardinal Barun countered,

“What is troubling? Roselle attempted to kill innocents and falsified reports.”

Gregory frowned.

“Still, Kael’s actions are too extreme. Two major incidents within a week.”

“The problem isn’t Kael.”

“But such unchecked power will cause issues.”

“And the acolyte uses magic. That will cause unrest.”

Barun laughed.

“So that’s your goal—to suppress me.”

Tension rose—

“Enough.”

The Pope, Ventus Telarion, spoke.

“Let us observe. It is too early to judge them.”

Then—

BANG!

The door burst open.

“Your Holiness! You must come!”

The man introduced himself.

“I am Marcel, caretaker of the ‘Book of Origins.’”

“That sacred text?”

“Yes.”

He spoke solemnly:

“For the first time in 102 years… a new chapter is being written.”

Gasps filled the room.

“And the name recorded is…”

He took a breath.

“Kael Luminar.”

(To be continued)