99
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 99
Tina stomped on Hyginus's face and drove a stake into his right shoulder.
"Arghhhhhhhh!"
The impact was so strong that it shattered his shoulder bone and created spider web-like cracks in the marble floor.
It looked as if Hyginus was caught in a spider web created by Tina.
"Arghhhhhhhh!"
"In this basement 10m below, I've been both a queen and a goddess. I've turned noble aristocrats into lowly slaves and even dogs. What shall we turn Your Eminence into today?"
"You, have you finally gone mad? Have you become a devil?!"
"A devil? Aren't you the devil? The vile desires and looks you poured onto me were identical to those of devils."
Hyginus turned his head and screamed toward the main entrance.
His personal guards should have been outside.
"Aaaahhh! Help me! Aaaaarghhhh!"
"It's useless, Cardinal Hyginus. Didn't you dismiss all the guards so you could enjoy your private conversation with me? And you did an excellent job with the soundproofing because you didn't want to hear the groaning of the patients outside. No matter how loudly you scream for help, who would hear you?"
"Aaaaaarghhhh!"
Tina took out a pouch from her waist and emptied it in front of Hyginus.
From the pouch fell nails as long as Tina's forearm.
Hyginus shuddered at the shower of sharp steel.
Tina picked up one of the steel nails stuck in the floor.
"I have a good idea. Let's turn Cardinal Hyginus into a heretic. No, I'll make you beg me to turn you into a heretic."
"W-why?! Why are you doing this, Tina? I saved you. You were destined to become a devil! But I...!"
"I'm grateful for that. For making me an inquisitor and letting me enjoy pleasant work every day."
"Then why?! Have you finally gone mad?!"
"I just realized through today's conversation with Sir Caesar. That the Royder Order might not be as great as I thought."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sharp nail tore off the cardinal's gold buttons, revealing his sagging body.
"Sir Caesar tried to carry through with his desired goals and ideals to the end. Why? Was it because he wasn't afraid of the Order?"
Tina skillfully drove the sharp nail into Hyginus's torso.
And very slowly, with all her might, she began drawing a pattern.
"Stop! Arghhhhhhhh!"
"No. Sir Caesar was afraid of the Royder Order. That's why he had kept himself low and hidden until now. Sir Caesar only showed his teeth to the Royder Order when he became confident he could win against them."
The nail's tip passed through his chest, grazed his navel, and blood began to bead up.
Hyginus lifted his head to look at the pattern being drawn on his body.
"T-this...! This can't be! This can't happen! Tina! Tina stop! Please stop! Pleeeease!"
Watching Hyginus wail, Tina felt a thrill run down her spine.
His appearance, helplessly fluttering like an insect caught in a spider web, was more fresh, vivid, and thrilling than any stimulus she had received before.
"What was wrong with my head? To be controlled and toyed with by such a weak and worthless old man. Was it because I was a 10-year-old girl at the time? Or was it because I was tamed by you?"
Tina pulled out the nail.
And admired the drawing on Hyginus's body.
A pentagram with a goat skull and horns drawn in the center.
This was the mark of Niflheim, designated as the worst heretical group by the Order.
"But I won't live like a doll anymore. I'm going to live showing my true nature. I enjoy torturing people. I enjoy breaking minds and turning them into mad gods."
Tina pulled out the cork of a potion.
Hyginus was terrified as soon as he saw the red potion.
Because he realized what Tina was going to do.
"Don't! D-don't do it!"
"I'm going to live as I want, just like Sir Caesar."
The potion in Tina's hand was poured onto Hyginus's body.
The red potion poured down like blood, permanently engraving the mark of heresy on Hyginus's body.
***
Caesar crossed his legs and looked at the men in black clerical robes.
He seemed to have no intention of hiding who he was, with the stake symbolizing an inquisitor hanging around his neck.
The oldest-looking inquisitor handed Caesar a small business card.
"I am Inquisitor Felix."
Caesar looked at the business card.
[Royder Cathedral Inquisition Headquarters
Bishop Felix
Phone Number: 002-1547
Address: Inquisition Office, Central Church of Royder, Montmessy]
Putting everything else aside, Caesar focused on the word 'Bishop'.
The rank of inquisitors is entirely 'priest'.
However, there is one exception with the bishop-level position, who is the highest authority managing and deploying all inquisitors.
He was the head of the Inquisition.
Caesar examined Bishop Felix's features.
Ashen hair, faded green eyes, and a facial expression that was far from frequently smiling, instead rigidly frozen.
Simultaneously, there was a strong smell of blood.
Just as dogs urinate when making eye contact with a dog butcher, this person emanated an aura that instinctively provoked disgust just by looking at him.
"I am Caesar Sylvatil. I've heard quite a bit about you. They say you've truly captured the prophets this time."
"It is thanks to the Goddess's protection. I regret that I have not yet finished cleaning up and have come to this place."
Felix took out a notebook and pencil.
But he did not open the notebook and held the pencil upside down, tapping the notebook.
Perhaps this was a routine before starting work properly.
Or maybe to make someone uncomfortable and nervous.
Or perhaps he was truly uncomfortable.
[Cardinal Hyginus, brutally murdered in the Royder Church.]
[Rumors that the Cardinal's body was marked with heretical symbols...]
[Royder Church refuses to make a statement.]
Caesar picked up the newspaper spread out on the table.
"It seems I have made a mistake."
Caesar used psychometry.
-What a low-level provocation.
Oh, really.
Is this level of provocation nothing?
Others would have exploded with rage.
It seems he didn't get the bishop-level position by just throwing a tantrum.
Felix turned his neck and spoke.
"I came here to ask a few questions, and I would be truly grateful if you answer sincerely."
"May I ask one question first?"
"By all means."
"As an imperial-designated federal security officer and a special security officer of Wizard Province, I want to investigate this cardinal's bizarre murder case. Will you officially commission me? Or shall I just investigate?"
Felix's under-eyes twitched.
-Much more insolent than I heard.
-Or trying to create tension.
-I want to tie him up and lash him with a whip.
Oh my, a whip?
I thought all inquisitors tormented people with stakes.
Still, good to know.
When he gets angry, his under-eyes twitch.
"This matter will be handled entirely by the Royder Church. And I don't think I mentioned..."
Felix raised his glasses.
"I do not believe that Sir Caesar is completely unrelated to this incident."
-Trying to connect Tina the inquisitor with Caesar at once and grab his weakness.
-If forced, it can be connected.
-Tina and Caesar have known each other for quite a while.
Oh, trying to get me through Tina?
The insolence seems to be more on your side.
Trying to bind me with such a shallow trick.
You're far off.
"I thought this was a witness investigation, but it seems to be a suspect investigation. May I call a lawyer?"
"A lawyer would be of no use..."
"Harrison! Come in!"
Harrison opened the door and entered.
Then Harrison and Knox, along with three other bespectacled individuals, came in.
Felix glared at Caesar with a ferocious expression.
"What is this?"
"You said you believe I might be related to this cardinal's bizarre murder case. Then, according to Homigraph law, I can be accompanied by a lawyer who can defend me. Isn't that right, Harrison?"
Harrison looked at Felix and the inquisitors and said:
"If you truly said that, Lord Caesar can indeed be protected by lawyers. According to Homigraph law, in the case of a simple investigation excluding inquisition, one can be accompanied by a lawyer during questioning."
Harrison, Knox, and the three lawyers all took out and placed their lawyer certificates on the table.
Harrison looked directly into Felix's eyes and spoke.
"Are you here to conduct an inquisition on Lord Caesar? If so, we will not step back."
Before Felix could even respond, Harrison pulled up a chair and sat down.
This guy's boldness has improved quite a bit.
Felix's under-eyes trembled severely.
If this is indeed an inquisition, clear evidence of heresy must be presented.
Of course, someone like him could drag Caesar to the basement and interrogate him with whipping without any evidence, but Caesar's reputation is incredibly high, and he is even an imperial-appointed official.
Moreover, this is Wizard Province.
The moment he takes Caesar for an inquisition without any evidence, there was room for intervention by the Arch Duke and the Emperor.
"Sir Caesar, you seem to be taking this matter too lightly. The Cardinal has passed away."
"I am well aware. That's why I brought lawyers to prevent any stray sparks from hitting me. My words might be misunderstood by the head of Inquisition."
Felix stared at Caesar for a while before standing up.
"I understand Sir Caesar's intention. Let's end it here today."
"Take care. I won't go far."
Felix and all the inquisitors left the study.
Caesar took a deep breath and looked at Harrison.
***
"When did you secure these lawyers?"
"Just in case. To be honest, criminal defense isn't my specialty."
This guy's sense has grown quite a bit.
He's now ready to become a proper official.
"By the way, what are you planning to do? The Cardinal is dead, isn't he?"
"It's actually good for us. Their focus has shifted towards the Cardinal's murderer. We just need to do well with the pharmaceutical company and welfare projects."
"I'm worried the Inquisitors might start poking around everywhere."
Caesar chuckled.
"Does that seem likely? The Cardinal's body had heretical symbols drawn on it. The paparazzi photos have already been sent to the newspapers."
Of course, the Royder Church pressured the newspapers to prevent publishing the photos, but that's fine.
The film itself wasn't confiscated.
And although Felix threatened and tried to intimidate them, he knows very well.
The moment the Royder Church creates a problem here, he'll eat all the criticism and lose his position as the Inquisition Head.
"But they won't stay still. If they allow the malaria treatment and the Cardinal's bizarre murder case becomes public, won't the Royder Church's image completely bottom out?"
"That's true. They won't stay completely idle."
Caesar put a cigar in his mouth.
And recalled the 'idea' Felix had thought of earlier.
"But it won't be easily digestible, will it?"
Caesar picked up the telephone in the study.
***
Felix got into the carriage and pressed the sharp pencil tip with his thumb.
"He's definitely insolent, but he does have a sharp mind."
One Inquisitor spoke up.
"What should we do? Shall we take him by force?"
"Throwing Caesar into the interrogation room isn't the problem. The problem is that this is Wizard Province. The Arch Duke has long kept the Royder Church at a distance. If we take him to the interrogation room without clear evidence, we'll give the Imperial Family and the Arch Duke room to intervene."
"Will the Arch Duke move? He's not even a noble, just a bastard-born knight."
"He's not just a simple knight, but a public official. His reputation is high too. Connecting him with Tina the Inquisitor will be more difficult than thought."
An Inquisitor beside him spoke.
"Why are you trying to implicate Caesar? Don't you already know the culprit is Tina the Inquisitor? Is it because of the malaria treatment?"
"That's part of it. But the Cardinal has passed away. Moreover, heretical symbols were drawn on his body. The culprit's scale is too small to end this as a mere rebellion."
They've now somehow suppressed the media and hidden the ugly Niflheim symbol drawn on Hyginus’ body.
But the problem was that Hyginus' body had been left in the church for too long.
Considering the estimated time of death, he had been left in the church for at least 3 hours. Could no one have entered the church during that time?
If someone who saw Hyginus’ corpse appears and interviews journalists, the Royder Church's authority will instantly plummet.
If they even have photos of Cardinal Hyginus’ corpse?
Even more horrifying.
"We can't let people focus on the Cardinal's murder case anymore. We need to divert their attention elsewhere."
"Oh, so for that reason, Caesar..."
Felix broke the pencil lead with his thumb.
"Yes. Tarnish Caesar and create an issue, until Tina is caught."
"But how, when Caesar is standing so firmly?"
"We don't need to hit Caesar directly."
The carriage stopped.
Felix opened the carriage door and stepped out.
He looked at the store sign.
[Benjamin & Sons]
"If we can't target him directly, we'll cut from the periphery."
Felix immediately entered the tea shop.
Everyone discussing something fell silent and stared at Felix and the Inquisitors.
Felix broke through that strange silence and headed to the counter.
The maid-uniformed employee trembled.
"Wh-what would you like..."
Benjamin gently grabbed the employee's arm.
"Laura. I'll handle this. Take a break."
Benjamin spoke while pumping his thick pectoral muscles as much as possible.
"What would you like, sir?"
"Are you Benjamin Junior?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I have a few things I'd like to ask. Can we talk somewhere quiet?"
Benjamin opened his mouth with a stiff expression.
"...We're still working. Please have some tea and wait."
"Is there something more important than the work of the Royder Goddess?"
"It's not that..."
"Come to think of it, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Felix, the Inquisition Head. I heard there are heretics in Homigraph. I'd like to ask you a few questions about that..."
Benjamin felt like he was being sucked into Felix's deep green eyes.
"Are you seriously going to refuse?"
Benjamin's pectoral muscles shrank.
Felix's words contained a strange power that could only lead to submission.
"Did you say you're Inquisition Head Felix?"
An old man with a cane opened the shop door from behind.
"Yes, that's right."
The old man removed his fedora and smiled softly.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Gregory Walterwood, a member of the Homigraph Council."