The Inquisitor Is More Merciful Than He Appears
I thought to myself, The city is the same as ever. With that in mind, I casually walked past the execution platform being erected in the square. It was probably meant for Lina, but Drina would not be using it. Since my father had prepared it, it was only right that he be the one to use it.
More to the point, this city really hasn't changed at all. As I observed the streets, I muttered quietly to myself. The city was still terribly old and dull. Dull. So very dull.
That was how I walked through the city's streets, dragging her along. The woman's clothes were already covered in dirt, but I paid it no mind, and the people of the city—who knew her status—made no move to stop me. They had probably already heard the news. If they understood what it meant to aid a heretic, no one would step forward no matter how pitiful she looked. And fortunately, the city did not stray far from my expectations. Honestly, if there had been any heretics willing to help her, the situation would have grown far more complicated.
Still... no matter how light she was, dragging a woman who offered no resistance at all was rather tiring. My arm was starting to ache, so I released her and said,
Come to think of it, there was no reason for me to drag her. She had two perfectly good legs. When I spoke with a hint of irritation, she looked at me in confusion before nodding.
At my words, she didn't even think of running. She simply followed obediently behind me. Her reaction made me chuckle. What was with not even considering escape? Did she simply intend to die as she was? She really was a ridiculous woman. That must have been why my father made such a choice.
"Well, this should be far enough. Let us begin the punishment."
Once we reached a place with no people around, I took out the inverted-cross rosario from my pocket and declared with a solemn expression.
"...?"
Drina tilted her head. Her face clearly asked, Really? Right here? It was understandable. Executions by fire were usually carried out in the square for all to see. Still, I had no obligation to ease her confusion.
I stripped her of her luxurious garments and dressed her in plain cloth. Even through the entire process, she offered no resistance. It would be a lie to say I felt no interest in her body, but I was not so fallen as a priest that I would harbor lust toward a heretic.
She stood awkwardly in the plain clothes while I prepared to carry out the sentence. I piled up the luxurious garments I had removed from her and readied the holy law.
Holy law. It was a branch of ordinary magic, distinct from unique magic... the magic used by priests. My holy law cleanly burned her clothes. As I watched them turn to ash, I declared with a solemn face.
On this day, at this hour, Drina Abnaigel has died. Remember the meaning of these words and live accordingly.
This was the punishment I had decided upon, one that my father had secretly approved.
"Ah..."
Only then did she fully understand the situation and begin to cry. Yes. In this way, our goddess Yuno is merciful. Many people misunderstand, but the dispositions of inquisitors are lighter and more lenient than imperial or royal law anywhere you go. In other words, the moment my father decided to punish her according to our laws, he had already tacitly consented to this outcome.
"Thank you. Thank you... sob."
She broke down in tears before me. The noble Drina Abnaigel had died today. From now on... she would live as nothing more than plain Drina. She would live as a commoner, with nothing to her name.
"Thank you... thank you..."
Watching her continue to express her gratitude, I put the rosario back in my pocket. After all, the punishment was at the inquisitor's discretion. If it had been that male knight my father had intended to send to the gallows, that would be one thing... but I had no desire to drag this foolish young lady—who had simply given both her body and heart away out of loneliness—up to the square and burn her alive. Her crime did not warrant it, either. The knight's crime was a serious offense that truly blasphemed against the gods, so burning was appropriate. But for her, even the harshest punishment would end at excommunication. Of course, in some ways that excommunication might be more painful than burning at the stake... but in any case, I had chosen to execute her socially. I trudged back to the city with her, then placed her in a carriage belonging to someone I could trust and sent her off. Releasing her here would render the punishment I had given her meaningless.
I planned to send her to the capital. Of course, for a noble young lady who knew nothing of the world to live with absolutely nothing... it might be harsher than death. But... I had no need to concern myself with that part. Whether she died on the streets, fell into prostitution, or surprisingly met another man and lived well—it was now entirely up to her.
"Then I'll leave her in your care until the capital."
"Yes, young master. I will deliver her safely."
The coachman spoke confidently as she climbed into the luggage compartment. I gave him a bit more silver. She sat alone in the compartment, watching me. Should I call that quick adaptation? Seeing her already trying to get used to even the luggage space, I thought she might surprisingly do all right from here on.
"Excuse me! May I ask your name?"
From the luggage compartment of the carriage that was gradually moving farther away... after hesitating for a long time, she shouted loudly toward me. I let out a small laugh. There's no way you'd hear me even if I answered from here. What was she thinking, asking now? And what would she even do with my name? Or rather, had she really not known her stepson's name? Well, I hadn't known about her until I received the report and came here, so it wasn't that strange...
The carriage had already moved much farther away. I could no longer hear her voice. But...
Still, I answered her question. After all... I would probably never meet that woman again.
"You have discarded the family name."
The aged butler who had followed behind me spoke upon hearing the name. I nodded.
It was exactly as I said. Jenkinson was the name that damned father had given me. Abnaigel was the family name... but since I had become a servant of God, I had discarded that name. What remained were only the name my father gave me and the one God had granted. That was Beckett. Therefore, I was Jenkinson Beckett.
The butler nodded at my words. At that moment, something began flying toward us from the sky.
Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo!
I knew what that pigeon was. Honestly, that person really couldn't stand to see their subordinate rest, could they? Looking at the pure white pigeon, I gave a small laugh and instructed the butler to step back far enough that he wouldn't overhear the conversation. The moment the butler withdrew at my command, the white pigeon that had been circling in the air flew straight down and landed gently on my shoulder.
It was probably the next mission. Thinking that, I waited for my annoying and troublesome superior to speak. The content did not stray far from my expectations.
> Another report has come in. I've attached the details to our cute little Coo, so check it.
A smooth female voice began to emerge from the pigeon's beak. I let out a sigh. Yes, yes, of course you did. I wasn't particularly surprised since I had expected a mission... but having to move immediately without any rest was rather irritating.
I familiarly fed some seeds to the pigeon named Coo and took out the small rolled-up paper attached to its leg.
...As expected.
After confirming the contents, I swallowed the paper whole. In short, it was information provided by the next informant. If something like this leaked, the informant could be in danger, so the disposal had to be thorough.
"Will you be departing immediately?"
When the pigeon flew away, the butler approached with a worried question. I nodded.
Having ability really was exhausting. This was exactly why one should only be moderately capable. Even as I grumbled internally, I slowly began to walk.
Shall we go, then?
Still, since it was my hometown, I looked back at the city gate with a touch of lingering affection before slowly walking away. It was still a terribly boring place. But... that very boredom was also something I felt affection for.
"Young Master Jenkinson. You may return anytime."
At the words of the butler Roger, who was still following me, I nodded. Of course I would return someday. When God no longer had need of a servant like me. When I was no longer Jenkinson Beckett, servant of God, but returned as Jenkinson Abnaigel, son of this territory's lord. When that time came, the place I would return to was this boring, old, and therefore beloved city. My hometown.