Nightmare's Echo
I told myself not to do what I shouldn't. Yet I dreamed. A vicious nightmare. In it, I stood in the middle of a battlefield. Corpses lay scattered in every direction. What expression had I worn while looking at them? I couldn't remember. But one thing remained crystal clear: I had stood there like a fool, cradling the body of a woman amid that sea of corpses.
She wasn't just any woman. She had been my classmate at the academy, studying theology alongside me. She had become a priest at the same time I did. More than anything, she had been the woman I loved.
[It wasn't your fault.]
That honest, foolish classmate had said those words to me. The deaths of the others weren't my fault. Her death wasn't my fault. It had been nothing more than an accident. But… was that truly the case? Was it really not my fault? I had possessed the power to protect them. I must have had that strength. Yet back then I was immature, and I failed to save a single one of them.
I felt pathetic. I had wept for a long time, holding her body in my arms. Yes—this was the memory of my failure. The memory of when my inexperience had cost me everything and left me in despair.
--
"Hmm, I see."
In the quiet rural village of Kent in the Yura Kingdom, a priest with striking green eyes listened intently to a middle-aged woman, his expression serious as he held a scripture in his hands.
"He hasn't been attending services lately. What on earth does he do on weekends? Do you think he's found another woman?"
The priest gently took the woman's wrinkled hand and spoke in a soft voice. "Sister Hannah, there's no need to worry. I'll look into it."
With a smile, the priest handed his scripture back to her and produced his reverse-cross rosary. "That's what Inquisitors are for—to help our brothers and sisters in times like these."
"Oh, thank you, Father!"
After promising the bowing woman that he would report his findings soon, the priest brushed the dust from his robes and thought to himself, This won't take long.
Adultery in a small village like this was easy to investigate. Someone was bound to notice eventually. With that thought, the priest began walking toward the village.
This was a ranch slightly removed from the village proper. Its owner was a man in his fifties named Hanson. The woman the priest had just spoken with was Hanson's wife, and she suspected her husband of infidelity.
Today feels off, the priest—Jenkinson—thought, tilting his neck. Was it because of that dream last night? His mood had been poor all day. He planned to finish the job quickly and sleep deeply enough to forget the nightmare.
--
Returning to the village with an uneasy feeling, I began my inquiries—and was surprised. There were far fewer leads than expected. No clues at all in such a small village? Did that mean the man named Hanson was innocent after all? I hoped so, but…
That's not possible.
An investigator sometimes had to trust their instincts. And mine were telling me this was no innocent man. Just as I was about to change my approach, a voice called out from behind me.
"Jenkinson?"
I froze at the high, clear voice. It was one I knew well—yet one I had no desire to hear again.
"It is you, isn't it? What brings you here? My, it's been so long! How is Archbishop Silvestina doing?"
I turned to face the beautiful woman in the pristine white cassock who greeted me with a bright smile. Her vivid red hair, unchanged from my memories, swayed gently in the breeze, and her lovely face still wore that warm, good-natured smile. The moment her red eyes curved softly toward me, I realized I had never truly escaped the past. Seeing her brought not joy, but the faces of my fallen comrades.
"Priest Ilena. It's been a while."
Ilena Johansson. She had been my classmate at the academy under Bishop Silvestina, and we had become priests together. Now she was likely…
"Are you here on holy duty as well?"
She was an Inquisitor, just like me. At my question, she tilted her head, then shook it once she understood.
"Huh? Oh, that. No, I'm just passing through. I was heading toward Yuribe. More importantly, how is Archbishop Silvestina? You two keep in touch, don't you?"
I replied incredulously to her barrage of questions. "…Aren't you an Inquisitor too?"
She was an Inquisitor like me. Naturally, she would have contact with Archbishop Silvestina, who oversaw all Inquisitors. At my puzzled look, she answered with a hint of complaint.
"Yes, yes, but it's not easy to speak with someone as high-ranking as Archbishop Silvestina, you know? You're the one who gets special treatment!"
Special treatment… Was that it? Now that I thought about it, I rarely saw Silvestina speaking with other Inquisitors. As I pondered this, she suddenly remembered something.
"Ah! Right. Let me introduce you. This is the Holy Knight traveling with me."
At her words, I looked at the woman standing awkwardly beside her. She had short blonde hair, striking features, and clear blue eyes that gave her an androgynous beauty.
"I am Horaya, assigned to guard Priest Ilena."
The Holy Knight who introduced herself as Horaya seemed quite skilled. Her refined mana and flawless posture were impressive.
"Jenkinson Beckett."
After the introductions, I turned my attention back to the investigation. There were still no leads, but… Well, there's always a way. Today was a service day at the village church.
"What? Weren't you going to the church?"
I wasn't heading toward the church. Hanson wouldn't be attending anyway.
"Where are you going? Hey! Jenkinson!"
I ignored her voice and returned to the ranch. If there were no clues, I would simply have to find them myself.
--
As expected, Hanson was still at the ranch. Sister Hannah was nowhere to be seen—she had likely gone to church for the service. Hanson was leisurely herding sheep while chewing on grass.
Chew. Chew.
Watching him, I tried chewing on some grass myself. It didn't taste particularly good. I couldn't understand why anyone would do such a thing.
"…What's this? An investigation?"
Ilena, who had followed me after all, whispered quietly. Ignoring her, I turned to Horaya.
"What do you think?"
"Pardon? Ah, well…"
Surprised that the question had been directed at her, she hesitated before answering in a lowered voice, careful not to be overheard by Hanson.
"Isn't he just herding sheep normally?"
That was true—Hanson was simply tending to his sheep. But something still felt off to me.
"This might be a bit stimulating for the ladies to witness."
As Hanson glanced around, I sensed that something was about to happen.
Swish.
"!"
At the sudden sight of Hanson removing his pants, Ilena's eyes widened in shock and she covered them with both hands. Amused by her innocent reaction, I glanced at Horaya. She watched the scene with complete composure, as if accustomed to such things. Then again, a Holy Knight who had seen real combat would have witnessed far worse.
"It was bestiality."
As Hanson led one of the sheep away, she sighed. I nodded.
"Yes, this sort of thing is fairly common."
"Th-this is common?"
Ilena muttered in disbelief. I saw no need to watch any further. The investigation was already over. There was no point in sullying my eyes any more than necessary.
--
Inside the train bound for the Holy Kingdom, Gilbert was leisurely reading scripture while Greg sat across from him, unable to hide his displeasure yet remaining quietly in his seat.
"So what changes if we hold a meeting about that demon?"
Greg was skeptical. Gathering people was fine, but would putting their heads together really accomplish anything? Couldn't they just beat the demon to death? That was Greg's thinking.
"Lilith is a dangerous demon. She plays with people's hearts—especially their lust."
Gilbert gave that answer, then returned his gaze to the scripture. It had been a while since he'd had time to read, and the scripture wasn't so bad after all.
"Hmph."
Though Greg still looked dissatisfied, he didn't complain further.
If this is why they sent him, the Pope is a frightening man indeed.
Gilbert thought to himself as he observed the man. He was certainly difficult to handle. Anyone else would have had far more headaches.
"…That brat's name was on the list, wasn't it?"
After a long silence, Greg asked carefully. Gilbert immediately understood who he meant.
"Indeed. After all, he was the one who dealt with Lilith's subordinates."
"Hmph! That useless son of mine, always doing pointless things."
Greg grumbled with a displeased expression and closed his eyes. Gilbert chuckled at the sight. The guardian of Rucella—his skill was the real thing. If the man had been even a little younger, Gilbert might have lost to him. Of course, his behavior was childish, but with that level of strength, it was no wonder Rucella treasured him so highly.
And if Rucella's guardian was this strong… Gilbert found himself curious about the giant who would also be present.
Well, I'll see him soon enough.
The giant from the Yura Kingdom had likely been invited to the meeting as well. With that thought, Gilbert began to look forward to it. Just looking at the attendees, it would be a gathering of some of the continent's most renowned powerhouses.
