Sword, What About You?
What about you?
During the search we stuffed the gold coins we'd found into Bella's bag in moderation and handed the other treasures and art pieces over to Sebastian.
Sebastian never even entertained the possibility that an Inquisitor might embezzle for personal gain, so he let it slide without the slightest suspicion. No—if anything, he praised me for it.
"Oh, Inquisitor Cael, how on earth do you find treasures so well?"
I couldn't exactly answer that I'd robbed plenty of villains in my past life, so I brushed it off.
"I've got a good nose for it."
"Haha, is that so. I'll make certain to report Inquisitor Cael's exploits clearly to the Holy See so you can receive even greater bonuses."
"I'd be grateful if you did."
And so we safely robbed Enoch of his fortune, stuffed it into Bella's bag, found more treasure, and deceived Sebastian over and over without anyone catching on.
After that, only a few of us set out ahead for Rimentia, capital of the Holy Empire. Ulric's mercenary company office was also in Rimentia, so Bella and I traveled with them.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave. We shall meet again if fortune allows."
Once we arrived in Rimentia, Sebastian drove the treasure-laden carriage toward the Holy See. I had already asked him to send the bonus to my family estate. The money in Bella's bag alone was more than enough for my own use.
"In that case, allow me to show you to our office."
"Lead on."
We followed Ulric to his mercenary company building. The first floor was a beer hall; the second served as the office that took commissions.
"Have a seat and wait a moment. I'll go fetch it."
Ulric disappeared into a room at the back of the office and returned shortly with a sword. He held it out to me, scabbard and all.
"This is the blade. One look and you'll understand why it suits no one else."
I drew it and looked it over. The edge was blunter than most swords. Still sharp enough to be called a sword, yet most people would struggle to take a head with it.
Thrum!
I flicked the blade lightly with a finger. The steel quivered and sent a heavy vibration through my hand.
"Lacking in sharpness, but its durability surpasses ordinary blades."
"Exactly. More than that, it withstands heat extremely well—your flames won't dull the edge easily."
Indeed. A sword tailor-made for me as I am now. Sharpness had never been the issue for me. Once a blade passes a certain threshold, strength and technique matter far more; and even without that, Joy's wind could shear through a neck with ease.
The balance is excellent too. Ore this resistant to heat can't have been easy to shape.
In any case, this would serve perfectly until I recovered the sword I'd used in my previous life. I had grown stronger faster than before and had been fretting over what weapon to use—problem solved.
"You sure you can just hand something like this over? Doesn't look like some half-baked smith's work."
It wasn't that I felt awkward accepting it; I was suspicious. The sword was simply that good for me.
"There's no one else who can make proper use of it. The blacksmith who forged it couldn't sell it, so he gave it to me—we'd helped him out in various ways before."
"I see."
"And the man who made it wouldn't want it rotting in a warehouse either."
"Then I suppose I have no choice."
I nodded and settled into the One-Point Explosion stance.
"Sword, let me show you a bit of the world."
Ulric's face went pale with panic.
"Wh-what? Right here…?"
"I'm joking."
I relaxed the stance and sheathed the blade.
"Whew… it was a joke."
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Haha… yes, of course it is."
"Looking at you now, you're a man who takes everything seriously."
Honestly. Can't even joke around.
Beside us, Bella spoke up.
"I don't think Ulric is the serious one. It's because the Inquisitor now knows who he is, isn't it?"
I stared at her. Bella just blinked those big eyes at me.
"Deacon Bella. As of today, you're fired."
"Haha! What a funny joke!"
"I'm serious."
"It's hilarious, Inquisitor!"
"……"
When I glared without a word, Bella's exaggerated smile froze solid.
"I'm sorry, Inquisitor."
"Good."
I turned on my heel.
"We'll be going, then."
"Ah, wait a moment."
Ulric stopped us as we left the office.
"What is it?"
"If you don't have any pressing plans afterward, would you consider taking a commission? We need time to reorganize, you see…"
I did have plans, but nothing that required immediate action.
"Let's hear it first."
"Much obliged."
Ulric unrolled a document and held it out.
"This came in from Viscount Cedric the day before we left for the subjugation. Missing persons have been appearing in Cedric territory."
"Missing persons?"
"Men and women, no regard for age. Then recently even a knight who could wield sword qi vanished, so they came to post the request."
"Do they know the culprit?"
"Didn't seem like it."
Then it was the classic demon pattern. Demons were constantly evolving creatures. Eat a monster and they take on its traits; eat a human and they grow closer to human form. It had probably started with children and worked its way up to a knight.
If it really is a demon, most people won't stand a chance against it.
I said, "If even a knight who uses sword qi has gone missing, this is no ordinary matter. The culprit is at least stronger than that."
Knights who could handle sword qi were rare. That one had probably been around Ulric's level. Ulric had plenty of mana but still lacked fine control over it. The missing knight was likely a middle-aged man.
"I thought the same. Of course, they said the knight had only recently learned sword qi, but the danger is clear."
"Right."
"From what I hear, no one at the mercenary guild would take the job, and when they asked the Holy See for help, the Holy See refused to dispatch any of the Twelve Holy Knights because it hadn't been confirmed as a demon's work."
The Holy See almost certainly suspected a demon already. But the Twelve Holy Knights were already swamped handling confirmed demon cases.
Sebastian said he would move as soon as he finished his report.
But who am I? The hidden Thirteenth Holy Knight, the Inquisitor who specializes in cleaning up demons.
"Fine. I'll go. Leave it to you lot and you'll end up preparing funeral offerings."
"Haha, much appreciated. And of course the full commission fee is yours."
"Busy, so busy. Why is there so much darkness in this world?"
I asked the scabbard.
"Sword, what about you?"
"……"
"You don't know, do you. But don't worry. From now on you'll learn alongside me."
I belted the sword that had been left to gather dust in a warehouse around my waist.
"Let's go, Deacon Bella."
"Yes! Inquisitor!"
The moment Sebastian returned to the capital he went straight to the Holy See and reported on the recent events. Several cardinals sat around a U-shaped table; the Pope occupied the center.
"We are glad you returned safely, Holy Knight Sebastian."
"I greet His Holiness the Pope."
Sebastian offered only a light bow.
"At last Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins has been dealt with. Of course someone else will eventually fill the vacancy."
The Pope smiled faintly.
"So, what did you make of Inquisitor Cael, whom you observed?"
"Allow me to explain that day's events in detail."
Sebastian recounted everything that had happened while capturing Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins. The cardinals listening were astonished.
"Heavens! He swept away scores of enemies and an entire building with a single strike?"
"Was that sword qi?"
Sebastian shook his head.
"No, it was not sword qi. He simply condensed flame at the tip of his blade and detonated it all at once. It appeared to be a technique unique to him."
"To create a sword art that imparts elemental attributes to mana entirely on his own… We had heard he was strong, yet it is hard to believe."
"Without Inquisitor Cael we could never have taken Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins. I myself would have had difficulty returning alive."
Sebastian briefly displayed his somewhat battered shield.
"And from what I saw, Inquisitor Cael does not appear to be someone who would bring harm to the Holy Empire."
The Pope asked, "Why do you think so?"
"In the midst of battle I overheard him speaking with Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins. He said, 'At the very least I do not cling to what I cannot have; I simply hone the sword that has been given to me…'"
"……"
"Therefore I believe he is not a man who fits the title of Jealousy."
After hearing Sebastian's opinion the Pope replied, "Is that not simply because Inquisitor Cael already possesses a great deal? Jealousy springs from what one lacks. Lose what you have and a man may change."
"Yet Your Holiness knows as well as I that there are those who, despite having much, obsess over what they do not."
"Hmm."
"Even if a hideous burn scarred his face, he would give thanks that he can still grip a sword. If he lost one arm he would still count himself fortunate that he can swing a blade."
"And if he lost both arms?"
"Then he would hold the sword in his teeth."
A soft snort of laughter escaped from one side of the table. When every gaze turned toward him, Cardinal Barun spoke.
"Ah, my apologies. Please pay me no mind and continue."
Sebastian nodded and looked back to the Pope.
"Your Holiness. As you know, jealousy is an emotion every human possesses. The Goddess simply places importance on not harming others through that envy."
"Indeed."
"Inquisitor Cael is such a man—one who lashes himself rather than envying what others have."
Silence settled over the room for a moment. Then Cardinal Gregory asked, "Holy Knight Sebastian, what of Deacon Bella?"
"Her nature was kind. The brightest woman I have seen in recent memory."
"And as a mage?"
Sebastian considered briefly before answering.
"Strong. She possesses outstanding mana. Yet her magic did not take a single life in that subjugation."
"She did not kill enemies?"
"Correct. On the contrary, her magic protected us. The fact that we suffered zero fatalities is thanks to her."
"Hmm…"
Gregory hummed as though the answer had not been what he expected.
"Frankly, I do not understand why such cold eyes are cast upon them. Is it because of Inquisitor Cael's aggressive nature, or Deacon Bella's magic?"
The cardinals glanced at the Pope. His Holiness answered in a gentle tone.
"Not for those reasons alone."
"There is another?"
"Yes."
The Pope nodded.
"In truth, after one hundred and two years a chapter titled 'Age of Upheaval' has been inscribed in the Original Bible. And that chapter mentions Inquisitor Cael's name."
"I-Is that true?"
"It is. That is why everyone has grown so sensitive. Inquisitor Cael stands at the very center of the upheaval."
"I see…"
While Sebastian sat stunned, the Pope issued an order to the cardinals.
"From now on, inform the Twelve Holy Knights and the Saintess about the Original Bible. Those chosen by the Goddess ought to know at the very least."
"Yes. It shall be done."
The cardinals answered formally. The Pope rose quietly from his seat.
"In any event, this affair has taught us all that Inquisitor Cael is a man who benefits our Holy Empire."
"……"
"Therefore, as promised, no further interference with Inquisitor Cael will be permitted. We shall merely watch."
"We shall bear it in mind, Your Holiness."
At the cardinals' reply the Pope nodded.
"Deliver to him a reward befitting this achievement, so that he may drive out even more darkness in the days to come."
The Pope began walking toward his next appointment.
"He will surely surprise us again."
"Wanna die?"
I seized the man by the collar and shook him.
"Does an Inquisitor look soft to you?"
"S-sorry…"
"How dare some two-bit bandit covet an Inquisitor's property?"
We had run into bandits on the road to Cedric territory. Truth be told, I had deliberately taken a secluded mountain path in hopes of finding the source of the disappearances.
"You lot kidnapped Cedric territory's residents too, didn't you?"
"N-no…"
"Then you've been plundering travelers around here?"
"……"
"Screw it—die!"
I hurled him hard against a tree. With a sickening crack he crumpled among the nearby corpses.
"We're done here."
"Yes, Inquisitor!"
We left the bodies for the beasts and moved on.
The demon ate the people it kidnapped. Therefore it will wear a human face.
That was why I had poked around among the bandits. A demon that has consumed many humans can suppress its demonic energy until the ashen skin characteristic of its kind barely shows.
Afterward we made our way to Cedric Manor. Since we were taking the commission in Ulric's place I expected to be shown in at once, yet the servant looked flustered, begged our pardon, and hurried inside.
What now?
Because an Inquisitor had come instead of Ulric? I was curious, but I would learn soon enough, so I waited for the servant's return. Before long he reappeared, and we were granted a private audience with Viscount Cedric.
"Thank you for coming, Inquisitor Cael. However, there is one matter I must first explain…"
"Speak."
Viscount Cedric spoke with grave seriousness.
"In truth, we are not the ones who commissioned this affair."
I tilted my head.
"What the hell kind of nonsense is that?"
"I-Inquisitor?"
"Ah—what do you mean by that?"
I corrected my wording at Bella's startled reaction. Viscount Cedric answered in a guilty voice.
"You must be bewildered. I myself wondered what was going on when told that Inquisitor Cael had arrived after accepting my request."
So that was why the servant had acted as though he were hearing the news for the first time.
"Can you explain in greater detail?"
"Of course."
The Viscount nodded.
"First, it is true that missing persons have appeared in our territory—children, servants, residents, and even a middle-aged knight who had stopped by for a short while."
"……"
"But commissioning outsiders was never my order. If word of this spreads, our territory will certainly acquire a foul reputation, so we tried to resolve it ourselves as far as possible."
"Hmm."
"Of course, as things stand there is no solution, so I had been considering seeking help elsewhere. Should Inquisitor Cael take the matter on, we will naturally pay a fitting commission fee."
Viscount Cedric wiped sweat with a handkerchief.
"I suspect one of my retainers may have posted the request with the mercenaries. Because I placed the family's image above the residents, they must have acted in secret. I apologize for the inconvenience, Inquisitor Cael."
He bowed his head. I considered a moment, then spoke.
"No. If my guess is correct, it was not a retainer's doing."
"Pardon? Then who…"
"It was almost certainly the demon."
Ulric had clearly said a retainer of Viscount Cedric came to post the commission. Ulric would not lie, so that much was fact.
"Ah—a demon?"
"Yes. You mentioned a servant of this house was among the missing? The demon impersonated that servant and placed the request. Demons can absorb fragments of the knowledge belonging to those they devour."
"But why would a demon do such a thing…?"
"To lure stronger prey here and eat them, of course."
"Hah…"
Now I understood why, in my previous life, I had never heard of a demon appearing in this territory. Ulric had died capturing Jealousy of the Seven Deadly Sins, so no one had taken the commission here. The demon had simply left in search of other strong prey. Raising a greater ruckus over mediocre victims would only have drawn the Holy See's gaze.
"Then the demon is hiding somewhere in my territory at this very moment?"
"If my deduction is right, yes. And I am nearly certain of it."
"How do we find it?"
"No need to search. Throw out bait and it will scurry out like a cockroach on its own."
I continued, "First, assign me lodging in the annex and spread word that a powerful Inquisitor has arrived to resolve the missing-persons case. It will come looking for me by tomorrow at the latest."
"Understood."
"After that, Viscount, remain with your knights and our deacon. Even if things go awry, our deacon will keep you safe."
Viscount Cedric asked in alarm, "You mean to fight alone? That creature took a knight who could use sword qi—is it not dangerous?"
"I came knowing that, so it is fine. However, promise me a few things."
At my deep gaze the Viscount swallowed dryly.
"Please speak."
I issued a serious warning.
"Do not hold me responsible even if buildings collapse. Do not move without my permission. Do not doubt me or Deacon Bella."
"……?"
"Keep only those three. Break them and we all go visit the Goddess together—except for me and Deacon Bella, of course."
Because the two of us were confident we would not die.
Viscount Cedric nodded carefully.
"I shall keep them in mind."
"Good. Then guide me to a building that can afford to collapse. And bring some food while you're at it."
"…Is there truly no way to keep the manor itself from collapsing?"
"There is. Everything except this spot will simply collapse instead."
"I shall guide you to the annex."
"A wise decision."
I followed Viscount Cedric out. Stroking my new sword, I ground my teeth.
Goddess, grant me infinite patience to endure until nightfall…
I hoped the night would come soon.