The Cardinal's Offer
"Greetings."
"Cardinal Barun, what brings you here...?"
"Ah, I've come regarding the baron's son. I was the supervisor for the Inquisitor examination, you see."
Benedict's expression began to slip as anxiety took hold.
"Did Cael cause some major incident?"
Even while staying in the territory, Cael was the sort of person who made one worry about what outrageous stunt he might pull next. And now a boy who had never so much as opened a scripture had gone off to take the Inquisitor exam—there was no telling what chaos he might have unleashed. The fact that a cardinal had come in person only confirmed this was no ordinary matter.
"A major incident... Well, yes, you could say that. The exam was completely ruined, and one of the cardinals even died."
A c-cardinal?
Had Cael, unable to contain his temper, actually killed a sneering cardinal?
"Ahh..."
Strength fled Benedict's legs and he sank heavily into a seat.
"Darling!"
"Father!"
Lillian and Aren cried out in alarm and rushed to his side.
"Hah... I'm fine."
Benedict took a deep breath, gently set them aside, and rose to his feet once more. Composure restored, he asked,
"Cardinal Barun, would you be so kind as to tell me exactly what happened? Once I hear the full story, I will decide how to respond."
Seeing Benedict's grave expression, Barun spoke.
"Ah, my apologies. I seem to have given you the wrong impression. The one who ruined the exam and killed a cardinal was not your son."
"I beg your pardon? Then who...?"
"Baron Skallen. At present we suspect he may have been connected to the Evil Book Society—a group that worships the Demon God."
"...Could you explain in more detail?"
"Of course."
Barun recounted the day's assault and how Cael had become an Inquisitor.
Benedict's eyes went wide.
"Cael resolved an incident like that?"
"Yes. The other candidates played their parts, but the greatest credit belongs to Inquisitor Cael. He was the one who brought down the demonized Baron Skallen."
"Heavens..."
Benedict had always known Cael was stronger than most. The boy had outstripped his peers from an early age, and only recently he had single-handedly brought down Pleasure Village.
But to this extent?
In the mere half-year of his pilgrimage he had grown far too powerful. Benedict could not even begin to imagine what Cael had endured in that time.
"Is Cael unharmed?"
"Yes. He is so unscathed one might doubt he fought at all. A few scratches at most."
"I see. At least he caused no trouble for anyone—that is a relief."
"Trouble? On the contrary, we are the ones who should be grateful. He rooted out a heretic hiding within the Holy Empire."
Barun offered a light, formal bow.
"Ah, and Baron Luminara."
"Yes, please go on."
Barun's tone turned serious.
"Have you any intention of governing the Skallen territory?"
"The Skallen territory?"
"As you know, with Baron Skallen's death the territory has lost its ruler. He left no kin to inherit it. Yet we cannot leave a perfectly good domain unclaimed forever—someone must take it."
"......"
"And that someone will be House Luminara. I will see to it personally. Your family's reputation within the Holy Empire is excellent, and the territory borders your own."
Barun's lips curved faintly upward.
"So, Baron Luminara—what do you think?"
Absorbing the Skallen territory. Any ordinary noble would have leaped at so sweet an offer, yet Benedict considered it calmly before answering.
"I understand what you are proposing. But why show us such favor? We have never even met before..."
"Kheh-heh... Cautious as ever, I see."
"......"
"Ah, if my laugh offended you, I apologize. I simply cannot seem to correct it."
"It's quite all right. We have a similar creature in our own family."
"Haha! Is that so?"
Barun nodded.
"The truth is, I am not trying to win over House Luminara so much as Inquisitor Cael himself. In short, I am securing my place early."
"With Cael?"
"Yes."
Barun continued.
"Inquisitor Cael is destined to rise far higher than he stands now. That is not merely my insight—anyone who looks at him would reach the same conclusion."
"......"
"And above all, I find his temperament to my liking. The great piece I have long been searching for, if you will."
"I am simply grateful that you regard my son so highly."
"He is a man worthy of it."
Benedict felt a fresh surge of emotion. Until now he had heard only complaints and grievances about Cael wherever he went, yet here was a cardinal freely singing the boy's praises.
"Does Cael know of this?"
"Yes. I gave him a general explanation."
"And what did he say?"
"He supports absorbing the territory, but said he would leave the final decision to you, Baron."
"That boy..."
"So, Baron—what is your decision?"
Benedict pondered carefully, then opened his mouth.
"I..."
"One moment, please."
Scriben, who had been watching from the side, cut in.
"Forgive the sudden interruption, my lord. If you would allow it, may I offer my opinion?"
Even from the brief time he had observed him, Benedict was certain Scriben was highly capable. Hearing him out before deciding could do no harm.
"Very well."
"Thank you."
As Scriben bowed, Barun asked,
"And who might you be?"
"I am Scriben, financial officer of House Luminara."
"Ah, so you are Scriben."
Scriben pushed up his glasses.
"You know of me?"
"I intend to."
Barun's impassive gaze sent an involuntary chill down Scriben's spine.
"Then allow me to state my view."
Scriben turned to Benedict.
"I too believe absorbing the Skallen territory would be beneficial, but I consider it premature at present. The matters of Pleasure Village and the market have yet to be fully resolved, and the plague Baron Skallen spread still lingers in the domain."
"In short, accept the offer once the territory has stabilized."
"Yes."
"But will the Skallen territory remain masterless until then? Setting Pleasure Village aside, who knows when the plague will be cleared?"
Scriben smiled faintly.
"We are not the ones who are desperate. Those who wish to draw Young Master Cael to their side are far more eager."
"So for now we need only show willingness?"
"Yes. Besides, absorbing the Skallen territory will require numerous procedures and take considerable time. Deciding later will not be too late."
"I see."
Barun, who had listened to everything, spoke with a slightly sour expression.
"Well, it is true that I am the more desperate party."
"If I have given offense, I apologize. Whispering in front of a cardinal would have seemed even ruder."
Scriben bowed his head.
"No harm done. You seem quite well-versed in the currents within the Holy Empire."
"It simply turned out that way."
"I see."
Barun looked back to Benedict.
"May I now hear the baron's opinion?"
"For the time being, I would ask you to begin the groundwork regarding the Skallen territory. Once our own domain's issues are settled, we will give you our answer."
"Very well. I shall contact you again."
"Yes."
This time Barun turned his gaze on Scriben.
"Then, Master Scriben, you will have to come with me."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. Inquisitor Cael said that if I wished to learn the full details of the assault, I should seek you out. You will need to come to the Papal Palace for questioning."
Scriben looked to Benedict.
"My lord?"
"I'm sorry, but this is beyond my power to intervene."
Scriben next appealed to Lillian.
"My lady?"
"Do be careful."
Scriben turned in search of his last remaining hope.
"Young Master Aren?"
"Use this chance to wipe your slate clean. If you come back alive, it will mean your sins were not so heavy after all."
Aren was colder than expected.
Seeing Scriben frozen like a statue, Barun let out a low chuckle.
"Kheh-heh, no need for such worry. I promised Inquisitor Cael I would return you safely."
Scriben heaved a deep sigh.
"Damn it... Lead the way."
Scriben started walking, then lifted his gaze to the night sky.
Ah... I wish I were an ox.
This time he would ride comfortably in a carriage, yet Scriben found himself thinking he would rather be pulling the cart Cael rode in.
After registering Bella as my sub-deacon at the capital, I rode hard for two days and arrived in the Divinar Parish.
I made the parish office my first stop. I needed to notify the bishop that I had come to investigate the surrounding area. That way I would have proper justification for my movements and could request support from the parish if necessary.
Above all, gathering information comes first.
We met the bishop privately in his office at once. To the man who introduced himself as Roselle, I asked,
"Have there been any suspicious occurrences in the vicinity recently?"
"Hmm, suspicious occurrences..."
Roselle considered for a moment before answering.
"I cannot say. However, another Inquisitor arrived in the Divinar territory a few days ago."
"An Inquisitor?"
"Yes. A highly capable one who has captured a hundred heretics thus far."
"Do you know why such a person is staying here?"
"No, I myself am not entirely..."
Roselle shook his head.
"As you know, Inquisitors are under no obligation to report the details of their investigations to the parish office. There is always the risk of information leaking."
An Inquisitor need only make a full report to the parish after the fact. Considering their authority, they enjoyed considerable freedom.
"Then do you know where that Inquisitor is now?"
"Well... He never mentioned any particular destination."
"I see."
The thought crossed my mind that the perpetrator of the assault might be that very Inquisitor. The timing overlapped far too neatly.
"By the way, you said your sub-deacon is Miss Bella? She is from the orphanage nearby, is she not?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"I see. Then there is no need for me to explain the local geography."
Roselle looked at me.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
"No, that should be sufficient. We will take our leave."
I rose from my seat.
"Very well. Thank you for your visit. I hope both of you will thoroughly root out heresy going forward. I shall do my utmost from my own position."
"Do your best."
I nodded and turned away. Perhaps I was more polite than I gave myself credit for.
Leaving the parish office, we headed for Bella's orphanage. It was a small chapel, and children of various ages were playing out front.
"Oh! It's Big Sis Bella!"
At one child's shout the little ones swarmed Bella. She pulled something from her pack and handed a piece to each of them.
Now I understand why that backpack is so huge.
Bella chatted with them for a while; every so often the children would glance at me and gasp in admiration. She must have been telling them about today's events.
Then a middle-aged nun approached me.
"Greetings, Inquisitor. I am Dominica, director of this orphanage."
The director was thin, yet her body was well-tempered and solid—like a single sharp dagger.
"A pleasure."
"Bella has told me everything. That Inquisitor Cael saved my life. I do not know how I can ever repay that debt..."
"Then may I ask one thing?"
"Of course."
"I heard another Inquisitor is staying in this territory. Have you seen him?"
To find the culprit who would destroy the Divinar Parish, I first needed to gather information from as many people as possible.
"Ah, I have not seen him myself, but I heard he was spotted in the forest to the east. I only learned of it yesterday, however, so I cannot say whether he is still there."
Not lodging somewhere, but remaining in the eastern forest...
Something certainly smelled off.
"I see. My thanks."
I turned to Bella.
"Sub-deacon Bella. We're leaving."
"What? Already?"
"You stay here. In return your singing will forever remain the howl of a demon..."
"I-I'll go!"
Together with Bella I set off toward the eastern forest Dominica had mentioned. My plan was to find that Inquisitor and ask why he had come here. For all I knew, he might be responsible not only for the assault but for burning the parish office as well.
Still, this is hopeless.
Even using Tailwind, locating a single person in this vast forest was extraordinarily difficult. In three hours of searching I saw neither person nor monster.
And even if I somehow found the Inquisitor, he might know nothing at all.
Perhaps I should call it a day. I can comb the nearby orphanages tomorrow.
The light was fading, so I said to Bella,
"We're done. Once we return I'll teach you how to handle mana."
"Yay."
Bella had followed without tiring. Leaving the massive backpack behind helped, but she was probably reinforcing her lower body and waist with mana unconsciously.
"By the way, what's with that mana-stone necklace? You've been wearing it constantly except when there are crowds—like at the parish office."
Bella had worn the lozenge-shaped mana-stone necklace ever since I rescued her from the monsters.
"Oh, this? The director says I was wearing it when I was left at the orphanage."
"How old were you then?"
"Four."
"Then you might still remember your birth parents."
"No."
Bella gave an awkward little laugh.
"Strangely, I can't remember. All that comes to mind is fire and a rainbow."
"Fire and a rainbow? What do those two have to do with each other? Or are they simply the only two memories left?"
"I don't really know either..."
This time I looked at Bella's plain hairpin.
"And that hairpin?"
"The director gave me this one. Cute, right?"
"Cute? When you put that on and start singing you look like a madwoman..."
I trailed off and came to an abrupt halt. It was not because Bella was glaring at me.
A madwoman who sings?
Something struck my mind like a thunderbolt.
The Holy Empire bestowed the titles of the Seven Deadly Sins upon the worst villains on the continent. Among them I myself had been declared Wrath.
Because of that, I naturally took an interest in the other Deadly Sins.
And among them there had been one villain who wore a necklace and a hairpin and sang.
A being who possessed a voice and beauty that captivated all, along with overwhelming magic, yet endlessly envied the happiness of others.
The Witch of Jealousy.
Looking at her now, the witch's traits were remarkably similar to Bella's.
A beauty. Hairpin. Necklace. Song. Vast mana...
What if Bella, for some reason, learned to handle mana, became a mage, and as a result gained free control over her singing?
It's entirely possible. No—almost certain.
The reason I had failed to recognize it until now was simple. In my previous life the witch and I never crossed paths; Ludian had killed her before we met. The Witch of Jealousy had primarily targeted the clergy.
But Bella doesn't look like someone who would kill priests...
I organized the facts I already knew.
The witch was a mage. Yet among the clergy there were those who regarded magic as the remnant of demons.
Then, could it be?
What if some priest, claiming to snip a mage's bud in the bud, had tried to execute Bella? And in the process Bella had come to hate the clergy and become a witch?
Wait a moment...
Bella lived at an orphanage in the Divinar territory. Soon an orphanage in that same territory would be attacked, and a month later the Divinar parish office would fall.
Is this mere coincidence?
No.
What if a veteran Inquisitor had learned of Bella's existence, come to the orphanage, and—when the director and the children refused to hand over an innocent girl—slaughtered them all? What if Bella, witnessing the carnage, had awakened and slain the Inquisitor with her overwhelming mana, then ultimately destroyed the Divinar parish office as well?
That's it.
I stared at Bella, who was blinking up at me blankly.
So it was you? The one who burned the Divinar parish office?
To think I had been searching for the culprit while she stood right beside me...
Then the destination of that Inquisitor is also clear.
I simply did not know when he would strike. It might be several days from now—or...
I drew my sword in a flash and swept Bella up with one arm around her waist.
"Wh-what?"
"No time to explain. Just come quietly."
I kicked off the ground and shot forward like the wind.