"Upon Investigating How Student Do Seon-woo Became the Charity Holy Mark Holder, It Seems the Purification Clan Interfered in the Selection Process."
"Student Do Seon-woo became the holder of the Charity Holy Mark, and when I looked into the circumstances, there were signs that the Purification Clan intervened in the selection process."
"……."
Mun Yo-seop formed a hypothesis.
For starters, it was a fact that the Voodoo Cult had kidnapped Jeong Yun-ah. However, for some 'certain reason,' the Voodoo Cult Leader wanted to return Jeong Yun-ah to her family.
As Mun Yo-seop speculated, that 'certain reason' was probably her relationship with Jeong In-ah.
In other words, he had kidnapped Jeong Yun-ah without knowing anything, raised her, then entered Florence Academy, got close to Jeong In-ah, and in the process, developed a sense of guilt over his actions.
So the cult leader devised a plan. He staged a self-directed play, leaving Jeong Yun-ah in an abandoned building. If he discovered her there himself, he could naturally return her to her family while also earning credit as a paladin.
Some people thought the woman who appeared when Jeong Yun-ah was found—using Loa powers and spells—must be the Voodoo Cult Leader. But Do Seon-woo had been there too. It was entirely possible that Do Seon-woo had secretly used Loa powers and spells to help the woman escape.
No, the possibility was extremely high.
"On top of that, student Do Seon-woo seems connected to the Purification Clan in various ways... You say you only know him by face, but that doesn't match what I've investigated, so it's quite perplexing."
And today, Mun Yo-seop had seen Do Seon-woo throwing javelins. So Do-jin had said the Voodoo Cult Leader was likely a 'paladin or holy knight who specializes in javelin throws.' He'd added that it was someone he'd sparred with.
If Do Seon-woo was the leader, it all fit.
There were plenty of other reasons to suspect Do Seon-woo as the cult leader. Surviving a confrontation with the Satanist Gu Jun-hyeok. Situations suspiciously resembling the cult leader's Loa powers or spells occurring where Do Seon-woo was present, and more.
The circumstantial evidence was overwhelming. It was strange he hadn't suspected him as the leader until now.
"Just be honest. Are you really only acquaintances by face?"
The only thing he still couldn't be certain of was Do Seon-woo's relationship with the Purification Clan.
Do Seon-woo had some connection to the Purification Clan. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but examining their involvement in the Charity Holy Mark reselection exam to ensure Do Seon-woo was chosen, along with communication records between Do Seon-woo and Seong Ha-yeon, made it clear.
But if Do Seon-woo was truly the Voodoo Cult Leader, there was no way he could be on friendly terms with the Purification Clan.
Moreover, if Do Seon-woo was the Voodoo Cult Leader, Seong Yu-da couldn't possibly not know. The Voodoo Cult Leader was the son of the Second Cult Leader. Seong Yu-da had been friends with the Second Cult Leader, so he would know what his son looked like.
And the Purification Clan—especially Seong Yu-da—harbored a particular hatred for the Voodoo Cult. Fueled by that hatred and enmity, Seong Yu-da had betrayed his old friend, the Second Voodoo Cult Leader, and sparked the Holy War. He'd led the papal forces and killed countless Voodoo cultists.
There was no way such a man would suddenly collude with the Voodoo Cult Leader. The moment he learned Do Seon-woo was the cult leader, he would have killed him or reported him to the papacy.
"Please tell me, Senior."
"……."
Even to Mun Yo-seop's question, Seong Yu-da didn't open his mouth. He just stared vacantly into the distance.
Mun Yo-seop quietly waited for his answer.
Eventually, Seong Yu-da lifted his head and looked at Mun Yo-seop. But his eyes were still hollow. His gaze was directed at Mun Yo-seop, but it was impossible to tell what he was really seeing.
"Heretic Inquisitor Mun Yo-seop."
"Yes, Senior."
"I know what you're thinking, but it's all a misunderstanding."
Mun Yo-seop stared piercingly at Seong Yu-da. His face was expressionless, and there wasn't even the slightest tremor in his voice. It was impossible to tell if he was lying or telling the truth.
Seong Yu-da sighed and continued.
"It's true that I only know student Do Seon-woo by face. If it differs from what you've investigated, Heretic Inquisitor Mun Yo-seop, then your investigation must be wrong."
"……."
"So don't ask any more. I have nothing to say."
With that, Seong Yu-da turned to leave.
At that moment, Mun Yo-seop grabbed Seong Yu-da's shoulder.
"Wait, Senior. I... Ugh!"
Mun Yo-seop couldn't finish his sentence and let out a short scream.
Because Seong Yu-da had grabbed his wrist and twisted it.
Even though it had been a long time since Seong Yu-da had given up his cardinal position to become a civilian, his strength was still intact.
Seong Yu-da glared fiercely at Mun Yo-seop and spoke.
"I told you not to ask more."
"……."
"Don't try to learn more about Do Seon-woo and the Purification Clan."
Seong Yu-da released his hand. Mun Yo-seop looked at his wrist where Seong Yu-da had gripped it. Red hand marks remained.
"……It would be better if you listened to me."
Seong Yu-da said to Mun Yo-seop. Then he left without looking back.
Mun Yo-seop stared blankly at his retreating figure.
It was the first time he'd seen Seong Yu-da—who was always calm, cold, and expressionless—react so intensely.
Mun Yo-seop recalled the emotions in Seong Yu-da's glaring eyes. They held anger, enmity, and fear.
What on earth was Do Seon-woo that he could make Seong Yu-da—the hero of all paladins and clerics—tremble in fear like that?
Was he really the Voodoo Cult Leader? Or something even greater?
The more he thought, the more his curiosity grew.
About Do Seon-woo. And about his relationship with the Purification Clan.
*
Not even a week had passed since the incident at the Han River when I got a call from Seong Ha-yeon.
It was the weekend, and with no dispatch training at the paladin order, I'd planned to relax alone in the dorm, tending to my plants. But Seong Ha-yeon told me to come out front.
Honestly, I didn't feel like going, but I decided to anyway.
I'd called her without hesitation whenever I needed her, and she'd always come without complaint. But when she called me, I'd made excuses and skipped out. Now I had no excuses left.
"……Ah, you came out quick."
Seong Ha-yeon was waiting, checking her phone. The moment she saw me, she pocketed it.
Following her out of the dorm grounds, a car was waiting at the entrance. The driver opened the door, and Seong Ha-yeon got in naturally.
I stood there blankly, staring at her instead of getting in.
"What are you doing? Get in."
"Where are we going?"
"My house. I thought it'd be the most comfortable."
Seong Ha-yeon said.
I scrutinized her expression closely. It didn't seem like a lie or like she was hiding some ulterior motive.
Still, I didn't let my guard down easily.
When the demon species appeared at the Han River, I'd run into Seong Yu-da. Who knew what instructions he'd given Seong Ha-yeon about me then?
She might lure me to the house, set up some trap to subdue or interrogate me.
I could escape a crisis with Loa powers and spells, but I couldn't afford to be careless.
The spell gas mask had been Seong Yu-da's invention. He might have devised equipment that completely neutralized Loa powers and spells this time.
"……Is your father at the house?"
"He's not there right now."
Seong Ha-yeon answered.
I checked her face again this time. She didn't seem to be lying. After speaking, she let out a small "Oh" and continued.
"Um... If it's uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else. I just thought the house would be easiest..."
"……."
I pondered for a moment.
Usually, when meeting Seong Ha-yeon, we'd go to a café. But cafés were crowded, making private talk awkward, and Mun Yo-seop could have someone tailing me to eavesdrop.
For a real conversation, her house was more convenient.
Plus, her house was where Seong Yu-da's study and lab were—soon to hold my father's research records that he'd taken. If I played it right, I might find them.
Meeting Seong Yu-da was a variable, but not something to fear.
In fact, I needed to meet him now. I had something to ask him.
More precisely, a favor to request.
"Let's go. To your house."
I said as I got in the car.
Seong Ha-yeon nodded with a small smile.
The car started moving. The road was unusually clear; other cars were giving way to Seong Ha-yeon's.
In the silence, Seong Ha-yeon stared quietly out the window, and I rolled down mine to feel the breeze. It carried the scent of autumn.
"……Um, could you roll up the window?"
Seong Ha-yeon broke the silence.
I turned to look at her. She was constantly combing her hair with her fingers, messed up by the wind from my open window.
I quickly closed it.
"Sorry, didn't realize the wind was hitting you."
"No need to apologize... It's fine now. But..."
"But?"
I prompted when she trailed off.
She glanced out the window, then turned to me and spoke.
"Last time, at the Han River... You met Kim Jin-seo, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"You seem close. I was curious how you got that way."
I turned to check her expression. She met my eyes, then shyly looked away out the window when I turned.
I couldn't figure out why she was asking.
"Why? Jealous?"
"……W-what? Don't be ridiculous! Who's jealous of who? You've been meeting me more lately, and now you're getting all cocky—"
"Don't worry."
I cut her off. I knew she'd just ramble on and hurt my ears.
I looked at Seong Ha-yeon, red-faced and huffing, then chuckled and spoke.
"No one can replace you. No one worth your jealousy."
"I said it's not jealousy! Why do you assume things on your own? And don't laugh!"
I didn't reply. There was no need.
A brief silence fell.
I turned back to the window. Judging by the scenery, we'd arrive at Seong Ha-yeon's house in about ten minutes.
Seong Ha-yeon bowed her head, lost in thought, then looked at me with a slightly downcast face and spoke.
"Can't you... say something other than 'replace'?"
"Something other?"
"Doesn't 'replace' make me sound like a part?"
"Does it? Then I'll think of a word to replace 'replace'."
Seong Ha-yeon seemed satisfied with my answer, smiling without replying.
I closed my eyes briefly, rethinking her words. 'Replace' making her sound like a part stuck with me.
Come to think of it, I'd never seen her as more than a tool. A tool to meet Seong Yu-da, to shake off Mun Yo-seop.
Because I thought of her no differently from parts or tools, I'd unconsciously used 'replace.'
From now on, I needed to be more careful with my words and actions around Seong Ha-yeon.
She had a sharper eye for hidden meanings in speech and expressions than I'd realized.
"We've arrived."
"Thanks for your hard work."
We reached her house. The driver opened the door, and Seong Ha-yeon and I headed toward the mansion.
The path to the mansion had a garden, where gardeners were trimming the trees. It was always an enormous garden and mansion, no matter how many times I saw it.
She led me to the drawing room and had what seemed to be a maid or servant bring tea.
"……Is Mun Yo-seop still bothering you? Telling you to investigate our clan?"
She asked as the tea arrived.
I neither nodded nor stirred it.
Every time I met her and heard her ask about Mun Yo-seop, I felt the weight of deceiving her.
Before, it hadn't bothered me at all. No guilt, no sadness.
I'd thought it was okay to deceive Seong Ha-yeon. At least, okay for me to do it.
But today, it felt a bit uncomfortable.
I smiled and spoke.
"Better than before. Thanks to you."
"I'm glad. He hasn't given up completely yet?"
"Doesn't seem like it. If anything, he's gearing up to dig even more obsessively than before."
Mun Yo-seop was still investigating me.
When we met at the Han River, he'd dropped several meaningful hints.
He was quiet for now, but he'd come back eventually to bother me again.
All I could hope was that the Purification Clan neutralized him completely before then.
Seong Ha-yeon nodded slowly at my words.
"He's quite persistent. I might need to talk to the Theological Society members again—"
Bang.
It was then.
"……."
A heavy silence filled the drawing room.
The one who entered was none other than Seong Yu-da.
Seong Yu-da looked back and forth between Seong Ha-yeon and me.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
His eyes, fixed on me, held a clearer and deeper fear than when we'd met at the Han River.
Thinking about it, whenever I was alone with Seong Ha-yeon or in a position to harm her at any moment, he feared me more than usual.
I wondered if Seong Yu-da refrained from killing or reporting me because of Seong Ha-yeon.
"……Ha-yeon, step out for a bit."
Seong Yu-da said.
Seong Ha-yeon obediently moved to leave the drawing room but suddenly stopped, hesitating.
She fidgeted with her fingers, lips moving as she agonized, then lifted her head as if resolved and spoke.
"Father, I have something to—"
"Out."
"……."
Seong Ha-yeon glanced at me. I smiled and nodded.
She bit her lip reluctantly, checked Seong Yu-da's expression, and left the room.
Now only Seong Yu-da and I remained.
"No ring today."
Seong Yu-da said, looking at my hand.
I hadn't worn the ring today. I hadn't thought it necessary.
I nodded.
"……That ring from back then, who did you...?"
"Yes, from my father."
I knew what he meant to say. I cut him off and continued.
"I am the Third Cult Leader of the Voodoo Cult."
(To be continued in the next chapter)