A Bloody Welcome to Kordia
The first impression of the Holy Kingdom's capital, Kordia, was intensely shocking. How could anyone not be startled by the sight of what were clearly priests and holy knights hanging as corpses? You could tell this was no ordinary situation just from how the pilgrims and travelers hoping to enter the Holy Kingdom flinched in surprise. Yet the soldiers guarding the fortress never touched the bodies hanging outside.
"A large-scale corruption scandal recently erupted in the Holy Kingdom. Upon learning of it, the Northern Inquisitor cooperated with the West to lead the Inquisition Court in a surprise raid on the kingdom's major facilities, punishing the guilty."
Of course the corpses hanging outside the fortress belonged to heretics who had sinned against the Holy Kingdom. This was a punishment carried out personally by the highest-ranking Inquisitors leading their forces. The upright people who had always despised their misconduct were delighted, while those who hadn't crossed the line and survived were busy holding their breath. If they got caught, it would be better to die than endure the horrific fate that awaited them. The ones with plenty on their conscience had long since become informants for the inquisitors.
The inspector's expression was remarkably bright as he confidently explained the Holy Kingdom's situation to us.
"Thanks to the Inquisitors, the Holy Kingdom, once filled with filth, has been cleansed. The Saint who had been manipulated like a puppet by the corrupt cardinals, and the Saintess who had been desperately searching for solutions at Orbis Academy, have both been set free."
"Congratulations on the Holy Kingdom's recovery. It seems Torso has been quite busy."
Listening to the two of them, I finally understood why the Northern Inquisitor had moved so urgently. They had entrusted us with Neon's escort because they were busy normalizing the kingdom. It was definitely the kind of troublesome matter that gave you a headache once you knew the details. Sometimes ignorance really was bliss, so I didn't dwell on it.
"Thanks to their disappearance, the upright figures who had been pushed out in the power struggles are returning to their positions."
"The Holy Kingdom will be occupied with internal reorganization for some time."
"Once everything is settled, it will return to its former glorious self."
As the inspector had assured us, the atmosphere inside the fortress wasn't bad. Whether because the Inquisitors had only punished the truly wicked, everyone from beggars to priests wore bright expressions. They did flinch with fear when they saw the corpses, of course. Still, since the situation had been physically normalized, it would gradually improve.
Thud thud thud thud!
"Everyone clear the way! This carriage carries documents for the fortress general affairs department!"
"If we don't finish processing today, the workload will triple, so please make way immediately!"
In the process of recovering from such heavy internal damage, it looked like the administrative branch would be worked to the bone. But this too would pass.
After checking the mountain of documents loaded in the carriage and estimating the workload, my expression, along with Anel's and Coco's, turned haggard. That volume of paperwork would be enough to grind guild employees into dust. So many people had died that the entire Holy Kingdom was in an uproar. Even if the upright officials who had been suppressed by the powerful returned, they would suffer for at least two or three years. If they had to work without rest the entire time...?
"Now I understand why it's so hard to successfully overthrow a nation."
"Just don't get caught by the working staff. By now they'd be trying to rope in anyone who can handle documents, international situation be damned."
"Hieek... I-It's scary."
Causing an upheaval is easy, but cleaning up afterward is incredibly difficult. The Inquisition Court that carried it out so casually was impressive, and the inquisitors who had massacred every last corrupt official were even more so.
Marveling inwardly, I kept walking until the inspector politely bowed his head upon reaching our destination. We had arrived at a plaza dominated by a massive gate.
"This is the teleport gate leading to Kordia, the capital of the Holy Kingdom."
"Ooh. So this is a teleport gate."
I had heard plenty of stories, but this was my first time seeing one in person. There were similar gates in the capital of each territory in the North, but I'd never had reason to use them. The only times I saw them were during city strolls, watching merchant caravans come and go. Using the gate was extremely expensive, so unless adventurers were heading out on a long-distance expedition, they usually traveled on foot.
"I sent word ahead using an emergency magic tool, so they should be cleaning up the area around the gate in Kordia by now."
"You don't need to go to such lengths to welcome us."
"They're currently removing the corpses that were hanging near the gate."
"If that's the kind of welcome, then it's always appreciated."
I had no hobby of looking at corpses, so I gratefully accepted the Holy Kingdom's consideration. The inspector glanced at his watch, decided the timing was right, and guided us toward the gate.
"They should have finished clearing everything by now. I hope you receive good news."
The inspector's gaze shifted to Neon. It seemed he knew we were traveling for the official black mage certification. Neon smiled gently in response.
"Though I became a black mage due to a momentary mistake, I have not forgotten the teachings of the gods and have returned to the light. I will bring good news, so please wait for me."
"Haha. I truly hope those words are not false."
At Neon's declaration as a devout follower of the gods, the inspector offered a pointed remark before stepping back. Escorted by his farewell, we stepped into the gate. A slight floating sensation washed over us as our vision shifted. It didn't last long. When the floating feeling vanished, a pure white city filled our eyes.
The heart of the religion that served the gods. A place where most believers across the continent would make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, and the capital of a nation ruled by those who had received a portion of divine authority.
The pure white city that should have been without a single speck of dust looked very different from normal. Bloodstains smeared everywhere. Drag marks where corpses had been pulled along. Bodies still hanging on crosses being cleared away. Thanks to holy laws, the corpses showed no signs of decay, but their bodies were embedded with all kinds of filth and stones.
"Wow...."
"They really went all out, didn't they?"
"The Inquisition Court is famous for showing no restraint once their eyes roll back, but I never imagined it would be this bad."
We couldn't hold back our admiration at the city's spectacular yet gruesome scenery. I couldn't even fathom how many sword dances they had performed. At this point I was genuinely curious.
"No matter how different the regions are, if the Holy Kingdom was this corrupt, wouldn't it have been noticeable?"
With this level of decisive action, it wouldn't have been strange if they had known long ago. In fact, the fact that they hadn't known until now seemed more strange, so I muttered without thinking.
At that moment, the middle-aged inquisitor Torso appeared before us and answered with a benevolent smile.
"That's because the Holy Kingdom and the orders in other regions essentially operate as separate entities."
"Ah. I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking."
"Harboring questions is a natural right of any person. On the contrary, I am grateful that you ask them."
Torso chuckled warmly as his gaze turned to Neon. The moment it landed on him, Neon bowed with perfectly rigid posture.
"This humble black mage Neon! Though I once strayed onto the wrong path, after enduring much hardship in the North I realized my faults. After proving my desire to atone, I have come to the holy sanctuary of the gods where the sun never sets.....!"
"Please keep it brief."
"I've come to receive my official black mage certification!"
At Neon's short and simple introduction, the faces of the people behind Torso filled with bewilderment. They looked as if they were seeing such a novel black mage for the first time, and I smiled in sympathy.
"He's quite an interesting friend in many ways, isn't he?"
"So it seems."
"A clown would suit him better than a black mage."
"Well, as long as he hasn't committed any actual crimes, there's no need to worry."
At Torso's words, the inquisitors beside him offered various reactions. The dignified man, the boy who appeared young, and the woman with pink hair all gazed at Neon with interest. Every time their eyes landed on him, Neon trembled and quickly hid behind Adela who was standing nearby. Adela's gaze filled with disdain pierced him, but he paid it no mind. He really was an amazing friend in every sense of the word.
"Argo. Can I shake this guy off?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Sister Adela! Please don't abandon your pathetic younger brother!"
"Annoying. Get off."
Eventually shaken off by Adela, Neon naturally moved behind me.
"Can I hide behind you too?"
".....Go ahead."
"Thanks."
The inquisitors' gazes must have been quite terrifying. While I pondered how a mage who had been quite successful in the Central region had ended up as a clown, I continued walking.
The streets were still chaotic, not yet free from the aftermath of the judgments. The fortunate part was that the people's expressions were remarkably bright. From the looks on their faces, it seemed the high-ranking officials of the Holy Kingdom had committed truly terrible acts.
As I observed them closely, Torso spoke with a bitter expression.
"It is all due to our own shortcomings. To think we failed to notice while they suffered so greatly."
"It was because those snakes prepared so meticulously."
"Honestly, if I'd had the chance I planned to sweep them away. I just didn't expect it to be today."
"Still, I never imagined they would cross the line this far."
The inquisitors' expressions were grim. It seemed their hearts ached at the realization that they hadn't known until the Holy Kingdom had fallen into such ruin.
Owen, who had been walking quietly while listening to their conversation, offered comfort.
"It couldn't be helped. Who would have thought the Holy Kingdom would bribe the Central Inquisition Court?"
"Right. Who would have imagined those bastards would fall for money?"
The dignified man nodded in agreement with Owen. Even they hadn't expected the Central Inquisition Court to be so thoroughly corrupted.
After that, we continued in silence until we arrived before a massive temple. Torso turned to face us with the temple at his back and smiled.
"Welcome to the grand temple. Though the Holy Kingdom is in chaos in many ways, we are not so heartless as to turn away guests who have come visiting."
"Then I'll look forward to your hospitality."
To his playful welcome, we responded with equal wit and stepped inside the grand temple.