Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Inquisitor
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The Inquisitor
Looking at the Inquisitor's dry, emotionless eyes, my hand started to itch. Pretending to scratch it, I subtly rested my hand on the hilt of my sword, and my mind felt much more at ease.
‘Is there anything she can fault me for?’
Tapping my fingers on the sword hilt, I searched my memory. I carefully picked apart the jumbled, chaotic memories of that time.
‘I drew out my aura inside that slime drake. It was only for a split second, so it shouldn't have been visible from the outside.’
After the red blood erupted from the beast, the Inquisitor's greatsword blocked my path, and I was just sent flying by the aftershock. That was all.
No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing to get caught on. With that, I subtly let go of my sword hilt and put on a friendly smile.
“Greetings, Inquisitor.”
“...”
‘Did she just flinch? Or am I imagining it?’
The Inquisitor, who had flinched ever so slightly, stared at me for a moment before striding forward.
I barely resisted the urge to draw my sword as she approached without a word, stopping right in front of me.
Presently, the Inquisitor reached out her hand, and I felt a cold touch on my forehead.
It was the Inquisitor's blessing.
I was dumbfounded that she'd just dish out a blessing without even a greeting, as if it were a habit, but having experienced it once before, I was able to receive it with familiarity.
- Hmph.
“...You sent for me.”
After the short blessing, the Inquisitor stepped back, and I cautiously asked.
“Ah, Aron, you’ve arrived.”
The answer came from behind the Inquisitor. It was that pig of a priest, Blian, wiping the sweat from his brow with a cloth and smiling brightly.
Standing right next to the Inquisitor, his ugliness was so starkly contrasted that it soured my mood, but I smiled brightly. Priest Blian was a top-tier, cost-effective vending machine that spat out gold when you fed it compliments.
“Priest Blian! It is truly an honor to see you again. When I faced the demon and was filled with fear, your words bolstered my faith, allowing me to find my way even in the darkness.”
“Haha... You're laying it on thick again. What did I even do...”
Priest Blian subtly glanced at the Inquisitor, his eyes darting around. He seemed worried the woman might crack his skull open. So, I opened my mouth.
“What do you mean, you did nothing? The demon I was fighting suddenly lost its strength! Did it not mutter, 'Damn it, that priest's prayers...'? At that moment, I knew. I knew that you, Priest Blian, were with me!”
That pig priest was probably hiding during the last incident. Or maybe he was secretly trying to flee the castle. Whatever he was doing, I didn't care. What mattered was that if I buttered him up just right, this fat slob would cough up gold.
“I-Is that so? Ahem... It seems my humble prayers were answered. What can this old body do? Nothing but close my eyes and seek the divine... Hoho.”
Seeing the fleshy folds around his eyes tremble, I could tell the vending machine was about to spit something out. Compliments are free, after all, so I decided to put in a few more coins.
“No! How can you say something so disheartening! For a follower of the faith, what could be more natural, yet more difficult, than seeking the divine! Priest Blian, you are more faithful and devout than anyone!”
“I-Is that so? Ahem...”
I was just spouting nonsense, but it seemed to move Blian deeply. He trembled, closed his eyes, and placed his right hand on his forehead in a brief prayer.
But the way he cracked open an eye to peek at the Inquisitor told me he was only pretending to pray.
“Hoo... I'm glad my prayers reached you.”
Seeing Blian's now completely shameless expression, I nearly burst out laughing and had to bite my tongue.
“Among all those I've met in Cathédoc Castle, Aron, none have faith as deep as yours. And I include those in this very chapel. This is both a shameful thing and something to be proud of. It means the will of the divine is not confined within the chapel walls but has spread far and wide.”
Seeing him launch into a long, nonsensical speech with a straight face, it seemed the vending machine was about to dispense something good this time. I put on a serious face as well and brought my right hand to my forehead. Of course, I was only pretending to pray too.
“For a mere Guard Jojang to stand and fight against a demon is in itself a praiseworthy feat, but I see your courage, the faith that lies at its foundation, as even more commendable. It is more than enough to serve as a model for others. You did not fight the demon with aura, the sword of humanity, but with the sword of faith you carry in your heart.”
Blian paused, short of breath. It wasn't a pretty sight, but I could bear it.
Blian, who had survived this long on his silver tongue, was certainly long-winded. And he was so serious that even I started to wonder, ‘Was I really that amazing?’
Drumroll...
Seeing Blian rummaging in his robes, I swallowed unconsciously.
“Your unwavering faith and the achievements born from it serve as a fine example to all, and thus deserve a reward. That is why I wish to give you this.”
What Blian pulled out with a proud look was a piece of golden cloth. Blian held out the golden cloth, which shimmered as if made from molten sunlight, with the expression of a nobleman bestowing a treasure.
‘What is that.’
I forgot to react to the incomprehensible object and narrowed my eyes.
“Ahem... Don't feel too burdened. It's a position befitting someone with faith as sincere and steadfast as yours.”
Thinking I was speechless with overwhelming emotion, Blian’s expression grew even more pompous as he unfolded the cloth.
It was a golden cape. A golden cape with a single black stripe. It was the same as the one Blian wore around his neck, but it was missing one stripe. The meaning was obvious.
“Aron, I hereby appoint you an Honorary Monk.”
Blian smiled a smile that made me desperately want to punch him.
‘What a load of shit.’
I fought to keep my expression from crumbling.
A guy with the Devil's Handprint on his heart being made an Honorary Monk? From a distance, it might be a comedy, but for me, up close, it was a terrible tragedy.
“It's fine, it's fine. I may have pulled some strings, but the Inquisitor herself has acknowledged it. She said she saw you risk your life to take off a warlock's head. Though a warlock is a lesser being than a demon, delivering justice to one is still a sufficient achievement.”
Blian glanced at the Inquisitor as he approached me. Then, he stood on his tiptoes, draped the cape over my shoulders, and clapped.
“Th...ank you. Haha... This is so unexpected...”
I forced a bright smile while fighting the urge to grind my teeth.
“No need for thanks... From now on, you must come to the chapel every week, no matter how busy you are. Haha!”
Blian clapped me on the shoulder, beaming. He meant it as a joke, but it felt strangely chilling, and I laughed awkwardly.
‘This is fucking ridiculous.’
Grit.
The trembling of Blian's jowly cheeks made me clench my jaw. I felt that if I relaxed even a little, I would plant my fist right in his face.
“Ah, and could you guide the Inquisitor for me? She wishes to look around the castle, but I have some urgent matters to attend to.”
Having draped the cape on me, did he now consider me part of the family? Blian asked the favor with a much more relaxed expression than before.
‘This pig bastard?’
My mouth itched with retorts, but I couldn't let my true feelings show.
“Haha, to accompany the Inquisitor is an honor for me.”
At my response, Blian’s cheeks quivered again.
He looked just like a senior passing off a ticking time bomb to his junior, and my fists clenched instinctively.
‘I swear, one day I'm going to beat you to a pulp.’
I made a vow to myself as Blian patted my shoulder.
That one day, I would set aside the time to give this pig a thorough beating.
***
‘Shit.’
I cursed inwardly, looking at the Inquisitor who followed half a step behind me without a single word.
I was leading the Inquisitor, who had gone beyond taciturn and seemed to be practicing a vow of silence, on a slow tour of Cathédoc Castle.
The Inquisitor said nothing, merely following me. Every so often, when I'd turn my head, I'd find her indifferent eyes staring holes through me, making the back of my head itch.
The streets were more than quiet; they were empty. The news that the Inquisitor was walking about had clearly spread.
I’d heard another inquisitor had visited Cathédoc Castle a few years ago, and more than ten people had their heads cracked open.
It was common for the peasants not to go to the chapel and instead gather in their homes for worship. Since many were illiterate, the contents of the scriptures were often distorted.
It was less heresy and more a minor mishap that occurred when illiterates gathered, but an inquisitor had no room for such flexibility. In this age, ignorance was clearly a sin.
As I walked through the uncomfortably quiet and deserted castle, I slowly sorted through my thoughts.
‘This could actually be an opportunity.’
When I first put on the cape, I felt a sense of rejection because the situation was so unexpected, but on second thought, it wasn't a bad situation for me.
The church folk were like a cartel armed with holy scriptures; they took care of their own. It was safer to be on the inside than the out. And there were plenty of benefits.
It was absurd, like I'd suddenly been forced into the life of an ill-suited spy, but I already had the cape on. If you've already stepped into the swamp, it's more beneficial to think about where to place your next foot.
‘As long as they don't find the handprint.’
I glanced at the Inquisitor and nodded to myself. Turn crisis into opportunity! Recalling a slogan I'd heard long ago, I tried to calm my mind.
Even so, I couldn't keep dragging this Inquisitor around. Every time our eyes met, I felt a scratching in my throat, as if I'd swallowed a fish bone, and it felt like my lifespan was shortening.
‘If I don't shake her off properly, I could get saddled with her again.’
Remembering how Blian had been eyeing the Inquisitor, I realized I could be stuck with this duty again in the future. I had to nip this in the bud.
Glancing sideways, I saw the Inquisitor was still watching me. Feeling her gaze, I casually touched the hilt of my sword and opened my mouth.
It was time to roll the dice.
“Inquisitor, are you not feeling a bit peckish?”
I asked with a carefully crafted, serious expression.
The Inquisitor looked at me for a moment before giving a small nod, so slight that you would have missed it if you weren't watching closely.
“There's a place I frequent. Would you care to join me?”
I had a few unresolved questions about Cathédoc Castle, and Brick's mother was one of them.
Brick's mother had the worst, most horrendous cooking skills of anyone I'd ever met, and she ran a restaurant.
It was a mystery how she could think of selling such dreadful food for money, but the bigger mystery was that she actually had customers.
After being tricked by Brick into visiting once, I had never gone anywhere near that place again.
But now, that horrific fish bread was sure to be the perfect weapon to get rid of the Inquisitor.
‘And I'm also curious to see how the poker-faced Inquisitor will react when she eats it.’
I briefly worried she might get angry and swing her mace, but I was confident she wouldn't.
The Inquisitor might be able to crack a noble's skull if crossed, but with such immense power came incredibly strict rules.
As long as it wasn't related to the holy scriptures, she wouldn't pull out her mace.
The Inquisitor nodded with that same expressionless face.
‘I'll make it so you never want to accompany me again.’
Ready to cut my own flesh to cut my enemy's, I nodded back.
Just by eyeballing it, I had at least twice as many bones as this woman, so if we were both going to be grinding them down, I was sure to win.
‘But... fish bread.’
My heart began to pound for some reason.
***
“Aron, it's been so long! Have you been well?”
“Yes, Masha. It's been a while.”
Brick's mother, Masha, had wrinkles on her face, but unlike others, she was a beautiful woman who retained a unique air of elegance. Moreover, her noble character matched her appearance.
“Oh, would you like to sit over here?”
Spotting the Inquisitor behind me, Masha's eyebrows twitched slightly before she led us to a corner table.
The Inquisitor naturally took the greatsword off her back, stood it beside her, and sat down. Even so, she turned the hilt toward herself, keeping it within easy reach.
‘I have the advantage here.’
Sitting across from her, I habitually calculated the moves.
Being indoors, there were many obstacles that would hinder her from swinging a greatsword, whereas my sword was long enough to crack her head with a simple thrust. At most, I could take her neck in two moves.
The Inquisitor sat in a proper posture and once again stared at me with her indifferent eyes. Her black pupils, contrasting with her white armor, were strangely burdensome, and I was the first to look away.
A short while later, the hellish fish bread arrived.
Masha smiled gently, placed the fish bread and mugs of ale in front of us, and walked away.
‘...Shit.’
She must have been feeling unnecessarily generous, because the bread was packed with an unusual amount of fish. I cursed under my breath. I felt like I'd fled a wolf only to enter a tiger's den.
Just then, the Inquisitor placed her right hand on her forehead for a short prayer and picked up the fish bread without even taking off her gloves. I couldn't help but gulp, my attention fixed on her.
Without a moment's hesitation, the Inquisitor took a bite of the fish bread and chewed for a long time.
Then...
‘She just scowled.’
For the first time, an emotion appeared on the Inquisitor's previously expressionless face.
The Inquisitor looked at the fish bread in her hand with trembling eyes, then lifted her head to stare at me.
Her brow furrowed minutely, and her slightly parted lips froze. The fish bread seemed to have dealt her quite a shock.
Forgetting she was an Inquisitor, I almost burst out laughing. I used all my strength to keep the corners of my mouth from twitching.
After glaring at me for a moment with wavering eyes, the Inquisitor spoke for the first time.
“...Aren't you going to eat?”
Her voice was clearer than I expected. However, it was dry and cracked, as if she hadn't spoken in a long time. One of the Inquisitor's hands stealthily moved toward the mace at her hip.
“Ah, yes.”
Startled, I picked up the fish bread. I had it in my hand, but I was truly afraid.
To instill such distinct fear in me, who had rarely felt it in my life... Masha was incredible, in a way.
I took a large bite of the fish bread, and an abyss deeper than the ocean filled my mouth. I felt if I opened my mouth right then, whales and fish would leap out, singing and dancing.
To be able to evoke such emotion with food... Astonished, I forced myself to chew. I could guarantee it. If you fed this fish bread to a spy three times a day, they'd confess any secret within two days.
The Inquisitor watched me with trembling eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and took another bite. The angle of her fine eyebrows steepened.
And so, we took turns eating, one bite at a time, until we were able to erase the horrific fish bread from the world.
Having vanquished the terrible, colossal enemy that was the fish bread together, I felt a strange sense of camaraderie with the Inquisitor.
“...”
However, the Inquisitor, her face now pale, seemed to feel differently. She wiped her mouth with a cloth and glared at me with a look of utter disgust. At some point, the Inquisitor's poker face had completely shattered.
Just then, Masha asked, “Should I get you another one?” The Inquisitor shot to her feet and hastily left.
‘She won't be following me again.’
I was sure of it as I watched the Inquisitor, in her hurry to leave, bump her greatsword against the doorframe.
“Oh my, she must be busy. I made one more for each of you, just in case it wasn't enough...”
Masha's dejected muttering made me scratch my beard in irritation.
“We didn't even order more, why would you just make them... What am I supposed to do? Ha... Just give them to me.”
What kind of idiot restaurant owner makes extra food without an order? My hands trembled with anger.
“That’s our Aron.”
I forced down the rising wave of annoyance at Masha's strangely burdensome gaze and glared at the two fish breads placed in front of me.
‘...Maybe just getting my head smashed in by her mace would have been better.’
I considered it seriously as my hand, trembling with fear, moved.
***
“Jojang, your outfits get more and more impressive by the day.”
Kel muttered, looking at me with an exhausted expression.
“Of course. Isn't it beautiful?”
I scoffed at him and adjusted the cape on my shoulders.
At first, it had felt like a portable guillotine hanging around my neck, but after wearing it for a while, I realized it was quite effective.
Most people in the empire were followers of the Sun God, so wearing this got me discounts wherever I went. If I tapped the hilt of my sword on top of that, I could even get the guard discount. The cape felt like a royal pass.
This golden cape was more efficient than any accessory.
“Well... never mind. As long as you like it, Jojang.”
Kel trailed off uncomfortably, but I paid him no mind. This was a guy who carried a handkerchief with a flower pattern in his pocket, so it was obvious how terrible his aesthetic sense was.
“By the way, Jojang, did you hear?”
“What?”
“House Pener sent some soldiers, and they'll be on duty with us.”
At Kel's words, I stroked my beard.
I knew House Pener's soldiers had entered the castle since I was the one who let them in, but I didn't know they would be on duty with us.
“...Is that necessary?”
“That's what I thought, but how are we supposed to know what the nobles are thinking?”
Ben, a knight from House Pener, was already assigned to the young lady's side. To send additional soldiers on top of that to bolster Cathédoc Castle's defenses...
‘Even if there's a marriage alliance in the works, this is too much of an investment.’
Something smelled fishy. From the way things were going, this seemed to be about more than just a marriage.
‘Come to think of it, the beast was after the young lady too. She's pretty, sure, but to go to such lengths...’
The young lady was beautiful enough to fit the description of a femme fatale, but she wasn't so beautiful that she could actually ruin a country.
No matter how pretty, she was just a shell. How many idiots would be willing to ruin a country over that?
“Anyway, the Daejang said the Lord told us to get along. If any fights break out, the punishment will be severe.”
“Why are you looking at me when you say that?”
“Are you even listening to me? The Lord said to get along. If any fights break out, the punishment will be severe...”
“I heard you.”
“So, get along...”
Even though I said I heard him, Kel kept muttering, as if trying to brainwash me.
Why would I fight with guys I'm slogging through this shit with? Thinking it a needless worry, I left the headquarters.
“Ah, starting today, you'll be on checkpoint duty with the soldiers from House Pener. I'll say it again, don't fight, get along...”
Kel, not giving up, stuck to my side, repeating himself like a parrot.
“I know. It's not like I'm some thug. Why would I fight with a guy I'm on duty with?”
“You really can't fight.”
“You see this? I'm an Honorary Monk now.”
I said, casually tapping the golden cape. Kel's face immediately soured.
“...The Jojang is an Honorary Monk? The empire's days must be numbered...”
As I clicked my tongue at his quiet muttering, I arrived at the castle gate.
“Ha! You ignorant guard bastard! We meet at last!”
A soldier with a familiar, flushed face shouted at me.
‘Hmm... Maybe just one punch.’
Looking at him, I pondered whether a one-sided beatdown could truly be considered a 'fight'.