Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Episode 42.
"We were just about to escort him to meet you, Inquisitor."
Zeras abruptly stopped walking. His gaze shifted from the Seirun tribe entering the harbor to meet Leoric's eyes.
"All the way to the Holy Capital? Even at a glance, it's over three thousand leagues. Quite the ambitious endeavor."
Leoric shook his head with an awkward expression.
"Haha, Inquisitor, you misunderstand my intentions—"
Before he could finish, Zeras's satisfied smile twisted into a subtle arc.
It was his trademark expression when scrutinizing a suspect.
"I'm giving you a chance, you see. Answer me once more."
The two paladins and priests nearby shot meaningful glances at Leoric. Unfortunately, the man himself failed to grasp the implication.
"The treatment of the Seirun will be decided according to church doctrine. The only one to be escorted was Paladin Aiden."
Siron standing beside the Inquisitor let out a heavy sigh.
"How did you graduate from the monastery with that chicken brain of yours? If your skull's just for decoration, I can polish it up prettier for you."
Leoric whirled his head toward Siron. The blatant insult made his eyes burn with rising fury.
But his opponent was a Saint-Weapon bearer—a member of the Execution Squad at that. The gap in their abilities was beyond measure.
Clenching his fists, Leoric glared at Siron.
"...Sir Siron, have I wronged you in some way? Your words cross a line. I'll formally protest to the Church."
As paladins were the face of the Valantes faith, they could officially report anyone who tarnished their honor.
"Looks like the decoration extends below your belt too."
As Siron reached behind her back, Zeras gestured for her to stop. The Inquisitor's calm voice flowed forth.
"You intended to 'escort' the hero recorded in scripture. Explain your reasoning to me. Slowly."
Executioners in black uniforms had already surrounded Leoric without him noticing.
Only then did he realize something was terribly wrong.
His pupils trembled slightly.
"Speak. Why did you attempt to escort him to the Church?"
Leoric pressed his lips tight and began racking his brain. Zeras particularly despised such behavior, considering it perjury.
The Flame Demon's expression darkened slightly.
"Look at me."
The masked figure lifted Leoric's chin with the handle of his mace.
Zeras's narrow eyes widened slightly. The gaze that spilled forth was cold enough to freeze thoughts solid like glacial fire.
Leoric couldn't conjure a proper excuse. His mouth remained shut.
"Will you not defend yourself? If you wish for this Inquisitor to judge at his discretion, so be it."
He clearly understood he was now undergoing the Flame Demon's interrogation. His face turned deathly pale.
As Leoric opened his mouth, Zeras wore an expression of pity.
"My, how time flies. Truthfulness wags its tongue so deftly that even wicked minds fail to notice. But how can I trust your words now? Doesn't your arrogant brain command you to lie?"
Leoric spat out convulsively:
"L-loyalty! Loyalty to the Church!"
"Not a bad answer, truly. Had your mouth invoked the gods, even I would have been at a loss."
Though Leoric didn't fully grasp the Flame Demon's words, he felt hope. It showed on his face.
Zeras slowly shook his head.
"Don't rejoice yet. Your charges haven't disappeared. First, confusing whom to serve. Second, that very claim being perjury."
Zeras's completely monotone voice drilled into Leoric's mind.
"The two charges contradict each other. Congratulations—you've earned yourself another chance. Now answer again: Has your faith in God degenerated into blind Church allegiance? If not, what other reason compelled you to suppress the hero? This time, I want the answer from your heart."
Zeras's eyes began gleaming.
At Siron's signal, the executioners moved with precision.
If Leoric hesitated, a pyre would be erected—so the executioners prepared in advance.
But Leoric was also a paladin who'd crossed death's threshold multiple times. Fortunately, that experience served him now.
He instinctively realized hesitation or deception meant death.
Trembling violently, he prostrated himself instantly and spoke rapidly:
"If I couldn't be the hero, I at least wanted to be remembered as the paladin who held everyone to the same standard. That's how I wished to be recorded in scripture. I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Leoric pleaded desperately:
"My greed outstripped my vessel and brought calamity. Show mercy. Grant me one more chance."
The glint in Zeras's eyes settled calmly.
"I believe you repent. But henceforth, that's for God to judge. Gavelin, come here."
It was the same man who'd previously earned Zeras's wrath with remarks similar to Leoric's.
Approaching with a somewhat cowed expression, Zeras pointed at him.
"Your companion in penance. When you return to the Church, spend sincere time in the Chamber of Reflection. Two days should suffice."
While Leoric swallowed his relief, Gavelin froze stiffly.
Having said this, Zeras lightly patted Leoric's shoulder and walked toward Yuriel.
After brief greetings, his gaze met Aiden's.
"Master, it's been a while."
As Aiden slightly bowed his head, Zeras wore a satisfied smile.
"Now then. What's all this? How long has it been since leaving the Church that you've already amassed such fearsome achievements?"
"Circumstances led me here. More importantly, aren't you in your busiest season? I didn't expect to see you here."
"I made the long journey just to see your face once. But rest assured, I haven't neglected Church affairs."
All the way from the Holy Capital just for this? The Zeras Aiden knew wasn't one to move for trivial reasons.
Testing his insight, Aiden asked again:
"Do you have separate business in Ilyas?"
Zeras slightly furrowed his brow.
"Still as rigid as ever. Aren't you glad to see this master of yours? I came under the pretext of having messages and items to deliver, but truly just to see your face."
A blue haze drifted from Zeras's mouth—the sign of truth.
Though slightly puzzled, Aiden nodded.
"Of course I'm glad to see you. The judicial robes suit you well."
Zeras chuckled.
"You've gotten better at empty compliments."
"It's sincere."
Since he'd handled Church affairs well, it was only natural to be pleased. The robes did suit him.
"Is the Archbishop well?"
"Buried in work. And Cardinal Tegani beneath him."
It seemed Tegani had fully seized control of the Church's leadership. But for a middle-aged man to become a Holy Council elder—the backlash must have been severe. Aiden wondered how he'd suppressed it.
Not that it concerned Aiden greatly.
The more competent people in key positions, the better.
Nodding, Aiden continued:
"I see. But what did you wish to tell me?"
"Right, can't keep a busy man detained. First, take this."
Zeras produced a red insignia from his robe and pinned it to Aiden's chest.
"Normally there'd be a promotion ceremony at the Church, but you dislike such things, no? I've skipped all formalities. From now, you're a Meritorious Paladin. I'll assign you an Execution Squad. They're different from regular recruits—will be of great help."
Typically, Meritorious Paladins commanded new recruits. Clearly, Zeras's influence was at work.
Behind them, Execution Squad members in black armor stood in perfect formation.
After observing them, Aiden nodded.
"Understood. Though I've no immediate need—please retain command for now."
"I expected you'd say that."
Truthfully, Zeras's purpose was a warning to certain factions.
As the Church's powerholder, by publicly recognizing Aiden's merits, he ensured no maggots could even raise their heads to discuss punishment.
At present, Tegani and Zeras's will was the Church's will—none could oppose it.
He intended to clear all obstacles in Aiden's path. This was partly why he'd entered politics.
Though unaware of his master's deeper motives, Aiden clearly recognized the goodwill.
Thus he bowed his head.
"Thank you."
He'd expected disciplinary measures might restrict him, but it seemed he could continue operating freely.
"No need for formalities. More importantly—any immediate plans?"
With time available, of course he'd undertake something. As Aiden considered options, Zeras spoke again:
"Actually, amusing rumors emerged from certain insects."
Zeras glanced around.
"Not the place for this. Let's go inside."
He walked slowly toward a white carriage emblazoned with Valantes's sun emblem.
Zeras entered first, Aiden following.
"Read this first."
Aiden began scanning the document Zeras handed him.
It detailed why certain radical priests advocated expeditions, their contingency plans when thwarted, and classified information about the Duchy—including the Demon Cult.
Naturally, Aiden already knew this content.
Zeras spoke slowly:
"The Duchy of Trapelga. You know its location."
The Demon Arts Sovereign State—called the Devil-Possessed Duchy, it was a holy land for dark mages, located at the continent's eastern edge.
"The nickname isn't mere mockery. Evil runs rampant there."
It was also a haven for demon worshippers.
Their magic differed fundamentally from the Empire's—a dark art invoking demons through payment.
Aiden looked at Zeras.
"You can't possibly mean to strike there?"
The Empire had reasons for never conquering the Duchy.
"In my heart, I'd love to crush it utterly. But you know as well—though we've excised the Church's rot, festering wounds remain. A war without proper foundation would only strangle itself."
Aiden felt relieved. He'd worried Zeras might rashly mobilize armies to purge evil.
Zeras pointed at the document.
"Grand Archbishop Randol—now just ashes from the vermin we burned—handed a relic to the Archduke."
Aiden knew, but the situation was irreversible.
The Archduke defiles the supreme treasure stolen from the Church.
The corrupted relic sometimes serves as a conduit to contract with the Demon Archduke of the Abyss—the Archduke gave it to his eldest son.
Tarkan de Trapelga. The ducal heir was a high-ranking demon worshipper.
In the original story's mid-section, this gave the Empire justification to crush the Duchy. Their ruler being a contractor? For the Church, it was perfect pretext.
But not now. Premature.
Zeras spoke again:
"Hence my point. I intend to pluck the sprout before it grows. Deploy Saint-Weapons to execute the heir—if you've no conflicting plans, will you join? No pressure, of course."
This was the new paradigm Zeras created upon seizing Church control.
But Aiden was skeptical about this assassination.
Success would bring many benefits, but the odds were uncertain.
They might even provoke a transhuman enemy.
After consideration, Aiden replied:
"While Cadak stands, it's impossible."
Zeras grinned.
"Word is the Archmage has turned his back on the Duchy."
Aiden's eyes flickered momentarily. This diverged from the original story.
Even attributing it to saving Deril and Sain's ripple effects left too many loose ends.
"Worth a try, no?"