The Saintess's Hammer and the Ring of Saint Lumenis
Mirael let out a sigh.
"Over there, Sir Luke. You don't seem to be grasping the situation. I'm currently suspicious that you've been led astray by an evil god and are harboring twisted thoughts."
"Hmm."
"So, to put it plainly, did you meet them?"
Luke met her gaze with a bright, cheerful smile and eyes full of seriousness.
And then, in a teasing tone, he said, "Did we meet? Oh, come now, don't scowl like that. I'll tell you."
Eventually, Luke continued with one sentence.
"I did meet them."
At that moment, Mirael drew the holy hammer of Saint Margarita from her waist.
Her thick hammer stood ready in the air, seemingly prepared to shatter Luke's skull at any moment.
"You must answer properly. What did you do after meeting them?"
"First, please calm down."
Luke seized the hammer Mirael had raised and lowered it directly onto the table.
Mirael froze in that instant.
*This man possesses power that is anything but ordinary.*
*Is it an innate ability?*
As she wondered, Luke's words continued.
"The fact that we met is not important. What matters is what we did after meeting."
"Yes. That's exactly the part I wanted to hear. What did you do after meeting them?"
"I should mention beforehand that I did not commit any actions that violate the doctrine."
"...That is a matter for me, the saintess and head of the Heresy Inquisition."
"Hmm. True."
Even as she spoke, Mirael tried to move her hammer, but unfortunately Luke's monstrous strength would not allow it.
While she furrowed her brows, Luke spoke.
"According to the scriptures, among the actions the Goddess performed, there was also a transaction with an evil god. I merely recalled what the Goddess did."
"...It seems you haven't read the full scripture. That's not even a good action on the Goddess's part..."
"The Goddess may have done that, but I made a good deal. The one-eyed man was satisfied and left smiling."
Luke said, lifting one corner of his mouth.
"The details of the transaction are, I swear, that there was no heretical act such as pledging loyalty to the evil god. Shall I stake my family name on it? Or perhaps the oath of mana?"
"...You even brought up the oath of mana... My trust has increased a little."
"Believe me. If you still don't believe even this, then..."
Luke extended his hand.
"How about forcing divine power into me? If I'm not a heretic, it would simply be the effect of resting well, wouldn't it?"
"Then I refuse to decline."
At that moment, Mirael grabbed Luke, and her mixed white and blue divine power blazed as it surged through his body.
As expected, Luke experienced no abnormalities.
"...So you're not a heretic. I should have done this sooner."
"You seem a bit excited."
"Existences of the Destruction-grade evil god always make the clergy excited. I've gotten a bit excited. I'm sorry."
"It's all right. Since it's about heretics, I understand."
Mirael said, pushing up her slightly lowered sunglasses.
"So, what was the content of the transaction?"
"...I mentioned it. Saintess Mirael."
Luke set down the hammer and clasped his hands together.
"How much have you investigated?"
"...So you're coming out like this."
Mirael, seeing Luke's expression, realized something. This man was seriously hoping to make a transaction.
"I respect the Goddess Ramiria deeply, but that doesn't mean I intend to hand over a tenth of my fortune like a miser. The information I obtained is also not my fortune, is it?"
"That was a long time ago."
Mirael muttered as she tilted her head slightly to look at Luke.
"All right. Even so, the title of saintess requires no permission in many fields. I can procure almost anything. What do you desire?"
"Um. I asked first, didn't I? Then, as is only right, I should have the saintess recount what she possesses."
"...All right."
Eventually, Mirael began listing what she could offer.
Money, artifacts, titles, information, and more.
Her words gradually slowed.
"...I can give these or lend them to you. Depending on the importance of the information, I might even give more..."
At that moment, Luke interrupted Mirael and said.
"Receive that."
"...Receive???"
"Yes. Receive it. And I require one of the holy relics of Saint Lumenis. As a long-term loan."
At those words, astonishment and a trace of anger appeared on Mirael's face.
"...What kind of nonsense is that? In the world. The Ring of Saint Lumenis? The Ring of Saint Lumenis? Are you talking about something you know the meaning of?"
"I know. I know what it is. Saint Lumenis. The first apostle who followed the Goddess when she descended into the mortal realm. The purest and most sacrificial saint among all the apostles."
Luke's eyes sparkled.
"I want to borrow the ring she wrote in."
"The Ring of Saint Lumenis? Hah. How precious that ring is as a holy relic..."
"I know that too. The Ring of Saint Lumenis. In other words, the ring of the holy relic blessing. I want that ring that makes the weapon used one of a saint."
Surprise still did not leave Mirael's expression.
It was too serious to be a joke.
She knew well what the saint named Saint Lumenis meant to the Ramiria Church, yet this man was speaking so brazenly. It was unbelievable.
While Mirael struggled with her astonishment, Luke suddenly sighed.
"...Sigh. Saintess Mirael. Do you not know why I desire the holy relic of Saint Lumenis among so many holy relics?"
"What kind of talk is that... Huh?"
At those words, Mirael mulled over the meaning.
Saint Lumenis.
The one who surpassed all others in addressing the weak and the one who sacrificed most to break the heads of evil gods...
"...No way?"
"That's exactly what you're thinking."
Luke said concisely.
"I have a full heart to fight heretics. That's why I desire the holy relic of Saint Lumenis. Augmenting the power of someone who might become a future ally or a current ally is not a bad thing, is it?"
"...Is there a special reason? It's somewhat surprising that a young master of the ducal family harbors such an admirable thought..."
"Is there a need for a reason to crush heretics? Breaking their skulls has been a dream since childhood. Above all else, according to what the one-eyed man heard..."
"The heretics seem to have infiltrated quite deeply."
Taste.
As is the case with any food, there is a taste before eating.
Luke casually spilled information under the pretext of excessive compensation.
Luke's words made Mirael's eyes narrow.
"...They have infiltrated."
"That's information I heard directly from the one-eyed man. Of course, the transaction was legitimate. As the saintess, you must know that the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos has a cool side hidden in the depths of chaos."
"...That's a rather human-like existence for an evil god."
"How about it? Shall we make the deal? Let me add a little more. Among them is also information related to the Holy Kingdom."
At those words, Mirael could no longer hesitate.
"...Yes. But the holy relic of Saint Lumenis requires the permission of His Holiness the Pope. I'll obtain it."
"I hope the transaction is a good one."
The two shook hands.
***
The next day.
When Luke woke, he soon received a visit from Mirael.
"Here it is."
And in Luke's palm rested a ring box.
Naturally, the contents were the Ring of Saint Lumenis.
Luke held the ring box while gazing at her.
"A good deal."
"Unfortunately, it's not a long-term loan. You know how precious the Ring of Saint Lumenis is, don't you? I'll lend it conditionally while you're in the Holy Kingdom. We'll discuss extension when you leave."
"Um. I must make a precise profit."
Done.
The Ring of Saint Lumenis.
The best countermeasure when one cannot obtain the 'saint' in the game—slaying heretics—had come into Luke's hands.
The saint could only be located when the protagonist, the One Stained in Darkness, appeared, so this was the best option now.
The conditional loan clause was fine.
Luke had intended to earn considerable merit in the Ramirie Holy Kingdom.
He would simply renew the terms later.
"Well, then tell me. What exactly did you trade with that one-eyed man?"
"Putting it bluntly."
Luke spread three fingers.
"The remaining three evil gods besides the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos, and the situation of the cults that follow them."
Luke's eyes sharpened as he looked at Mirael.
"Among them are some that have infiltrated the Holy Kingdom."
"...These bug-like creatures..."
Mirael's expression twisted.
At that moment, Luke lightly waved his hand as if to calm her.
"Let's hear the rest first. I'll tell you the situation of the three cults that the one-eyed man heard."
***
After the two's conversation ended, Mirael stood with arms crossed, lost in thought.
*The cult following the Primordial One of Emotion. The Simjeonghoe has entered the Holy Kingdom? Speaking of which, the most difficult ones have infiltrated the Holy Kingdom. What a...*
While Mirael remained silent, Luke said.
"For the Simjeonghoe, you, as saintess, know their tendencies better than anyone. If you notice anyone acting mentally abnormal, pay close attention."
"I appreciate the advice."
"Don't mention it."
"Sir Luke, what do you plan to do now? You must have thought out a detailed plan, right?"
"I think you've already guessed it."
Luke said, staring clearly into Mirael's eyes.
"I would like to take charge of matters related to the Heresy Inquisition among the Holy Kingdom's affairs."
"...You've chosen the most difficult path. I'll report to His Holiness. There are many procedures, but I can skip some with my authority."
"Thank you."
"Then rest. I must prioritize informing His Holiness as soon as possible."
After Mirael left, Luke clasped his hands for a moment and fell into thought.
*The Simjeonghoe appeared at this timing. The first to enter.*
Luke recalled his gamer knowledge.
Shortly after the game's start, he entered the Holy Kingdom and, upon investigating, encountered somewhat shocking information.
The ultimate barrier protecting the Arkandal Continent—the Ramirie Holy Kingdom—was filled with heretics.
If the gamer had ignored this, the Holy Kingdom would have collapsed as predicted, resulting in the so-called "shit situation." In the walkthrough strategies, escaping the Empire and solving the Holy Kingdom's problems was often recommended.
However, this was the world before the game started.
Therefore, the Holy Kingdom was still perfectly untainted by heretics.
*Let me recall the various problems of the Ramirie Holy Kingdom revealed in the game.*
Luke began to address them one by one.
Corrupt priest factions that checked the contemporary pope.
And the twisted heretics appearing throughout the Holy Kingdom.
The great thief who stole holy relics.
Finally, the weakening of the Goddess Ramiria's original power.
He recalled the four major problems of the Ramirie Holy Kingdom frequently mentioned to gamers.
Then, how would they have formed at this time?
At that moment, Luke nodded.
"...If it's this time, everything wouldn't have been properly done yet."
If so, the remaining problems were simple.
Remove the causes of future dangers in advance.
***
The meeting with Pope Lefrancisco VII was held that same day.
It appeared to be a meeting representing the Cerberk family on the surface, but in reality, it was to discuss the heretic information mentioned through the saintess.
"...The matter of the Heresy Inquisition is resolved. Are you feeling well?"
"I won't cause any trouble."
After Luke fended off Pope Lefrancisco VII's concern, he was able to receive the pope's favor.
"I'll assign Saintess Mirael to you. Please punish the bugs hiding in the Holy Kingdom."
"I understand."
Luke, now traveling with Mirael, one of the Holy Kingdom's strongest figures, and soon after began helping with the Heresy Inquisition.
Soon, Mirael visited Luke.
"There's an incident."
She frowned and glanced at the stack of documents she held.
"A strange incident has occurred in one of the villages in the Holy Kingdom. After our investigation, a thick scent of heresy remains. Let's go."
"Um."
The Holy Kingdom, a nation protected by the Goddess Ramiria.
Luke thought this incident might be the beginning of a crack showing through the protective barrier.
"What kind of incident is it?"
"It's a family murder incident. However... it's familial assassination. The only suspect is a fifteen-year-old girl."
Luke's brows furrowed.
Familial assassination?
*This is right up my alley.*
Luke thought of an unpleasant joke to himself and moved his feet.