The Heresy Inquisitor's Arrival
As the writhing shadows of Hartwell territory came into view, Lorenzo's eyes changed. This investigation was purely formal. No matter the outcome, he could just hush it up a bit per the cardinal's orders. It pricked at his conscience a little to turn his back on his duty as a heresy inquisitor, but he had no room for hesitation.
'No matter how much I struggle, this is as far as I go.'
Over years of missions, he'd realized one thing. For someone like him with no connections or status to speak of, heresy inquisitor was the peak.
A heresy inquisitor wasn't a lowly position by any means. In a way, they were the Holy Kingdom's true sword. And during investigations like this, their authority even surpassed the nobles'. A single word from Lorenzo could turn a noble's territory upside down.
But Lorenzo harbored greater ambitions. And this incident was the perfect opportunity to achieve them.
'If I just follow the cardinal's words perfectly...!'
The victim priest and the real culprit meant nothing to him. Conscience? He could worry about that later.
'Maybe I can even aim for bishop.'
A position he couldn't even dream of right now seemed to shimmer just within reach. Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo arrived in Hartwell territory dreaming of a bright future.
He wanted to head straight to the temple where the incident occurred, but procedures had to be followed. He made his way to the count's mansion.
"Greetings, Count. I am Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo, assigned to investigate this incident."
Lorenzo greeted him politely while closely observing the count's expression.
"Inquisitor Lorenzo, I presume. I am Benedict Hartwell, lord of this territory. I have no words to offer for this unfortunate event in my lands, but we will fully cooperate with you."
The count's words and demeanor seemed welcoming, but a taut tension hung in the air. Above all, two figures behind him caught Lorenzo's eye.
"Ah, these are investigators sent by His Grace the Grand Duke. They'll assist with your duties for the time being."
Lorenzo clicked his tongue inwardly at the count's words.
'Tch.'
Extra people meant variables in his plan. Refusing the count's goodwill would look odd, though. And with investigators from the Principality attached, he had to tread carefully.
"Thank you for your consideration, Count."
Lorenzo said so and extended greetings to the investigators as well.
"A pleasure to meet you. Investigator Leon."
"I'm Simon."
Leon smiled as he greeted Lorenzo. But when Simon spoke, a chill laced her voice. Lorenzo felt a faint sense of dissonance, but it wasn't enough to dwell on.
'Cold personality.'
The priest's death took priority, so he paid it no further mind.
"First, I'd like to see the results of your investigation so far."
He received the reports from the count. Fortunately, Count Hartwell had investigated diligently. The priest's contact list even included the countess, suggesting no sacred cows.
'Hm?'
But Lorenzo had plenty of experience as an inquisitor. One thing stood out.
'Examined Young Master Ethan's body...'
The report stated the countess had asked the priest to do so on behalf of the count's illegitimate son. "Asked" was polite; it was clearly a request with pressure, softened for the Holy Kingdom's face.
'But paying such a fortune for a child that's not even hers?'
The massive sum for a mere bastard son nagged at him. Sure, maybe the countess had a generous heart, but Lorenzo had seen all sorts. Most would harm others for gain, even contract demons. Some killed siblings for the family headship. Bastards were usually no boon to a house.
'And the countess is listed, but not Young Master Ethan.'
The count hadn't omitted him deliberately. Likely an unconscious belief that Ethan wouldn't be involved.
'Interesting.'
Lorenzo smiled at the count placing trust in a half-blooded child. He'd planned to head to the temple right away, but meeting this Ethan seemed worthwhile.
After poring over the reports for a while, he finally spoke.
"Very well, Count. I'd like to speak with Young Master Ethan first."
"Hm? That child has no connection whatsoever?"
Caught off guard, Count Hartwell faltered. But he couldn't interfere with an inquisitor's actions. He summoned the head butler to guide Lorenzo to Ethan's room.
Following Head Butler Edgar's lead, Lorenzo met Ethan.
"I am Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo, dispatched from the Holy Kingdom. Pleased to meet you, Young Master."
With a courteous greeting, Lorenzo scanned Ethan's room.
'Mid-cleaning?'
Three servants around Ethan's age were tidying up.
'A bastard's still a bastard, huh.'
The count seemed to care, but such details revealed the difference. A skilled attendant or two would be standard, yet here were mere children.
'Nothing to gain here.'
Lorenzo's interest in Ethan evaporated instantly. But this was a misunderstanding—he didn't know it was Ethan's choice. Ethan handled his room cleaning only with Emilia, whom he'd brought, and the twin siblings. They were his sole forces in the mansion.
* * *
A heresy inquisitor had shown up out of nowhere.
"I am Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo, dispatched from the Holy Kingdom. Pleased to meet you, Young Master."
I hadn't expected him to come to me first. I flashed a bright smile and welcomed him.
"Please, come in, Inquisitor. It would be my honor to aid your investigation."
Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo... No memory of him. Either a minor character or promoted after the game became reality.
Lorenzo glanced around the room before speaking.
"Just a few simple questions. I heard Priest Kael met with you before passing. Did you notice anything unusual at the time?"
I shook my head.
"Nothing out of the ordinary."
He nodded, murmuring, 'As expected.'
Nothing for me to say. I truly knew zilch about the priest's death.
'Emilia might, but...'
I glanced at Emilia cleaning the room.
"...?"
No, Emilia. Why stare at the inquisitor like that?
Emilia gazed at Lorenzo impassively. Not just her—Lena and Lei too. The twins were fresh from the orphanage, so a first-time inquisitor must be novel. Sure, not much age gap with me, but still kids.
But Emilia was different. Her core was the phantom. Surviving hellish mines, slicing an inquisitor's throat would be child's play.
So I worried. What if she targeted him?
'Please don't...'
An inquisitor dead in Hartwell territory? Unfixable disaster. Worst-case for my peaceful life goals.
Lorenzo turned, sensing the stares. I cut in first.
"Ah, sorry. They're just fascinated—first time seeing an inquisitor."
Thankfully, he nodded without comment and stood.
"Thank you for your answers. I'll take my leave."
The stares followed him out.
Clap—
I clapped immediately.
"Kids? Finish up. Emilia, no need to go out today—look after Brother Bastel."
Best to keep her tied down here. Bastel played hermit recluse, so asking her to manage him kept her in the mansion.
'Still feels off, though...'
I'd suspected Emilia in Priest Kael's death. But if not? If she was innocent and a real culprit existed?
'Minimize variables.'
I left the room and summoned my status window.
Captain, just give the order.
"Keep an eye on Heresy Inquisitor Lorenzo from the Holy Kingdom."
Captain's order confirmed.
This would force Black Raven to watch Hartwell territory.
And I gave the order without hesitation.
'Things have been off all along.'
All my prior orders converged on one place.
'House Hartwell.'
Black Raven would've noticed something brewing if they wanted. Yet no movement.
That meant one thing: someone was blocking info leaks related to me. And the odds were high it was my guard phantom, Emilia.
* * *
Lorenzo left the count's mansion and investigated the temple site. The priest's body was long gone, but the stained blood on the floor remained vivid.
'Hm.'
Per original plan, he'd skip this and blame a black mage. But now Principality investigators shadowed him. Couldn't slack with two watching.
So he pretended diligence, scouring the scene. No incriminating traces.
Only then did he admire.
'As expected of the cardinal.'
Without prior word, he'd have panicked. No evidence, but claiming none found dented an inquisitor's dignity.
As is, pinning it on a black mage per the cardinal was easiest. If one was involved, lack of evidence was evidence. Contradictory, but the world had mysteries.
What followed was the cardinal's problem, not his.
"Investigation ends here."
As Lorenzo wrapped up, one Principality investigator, Simon, spoke.
"Pardon? But we haven't finished—"
"I'm in charge. I won't tolerate overreach."
No matter investigators, Holy Kingdom's prestige loomed large. And against an inquisitor, caution was key.
"My apologies, Inquisitor Lorenzo."
With that settled, Lorenzo hurried back to the mansion.
"......"
Investigator Simon watched his retreating back with a stiff expression.
Then Hugo patted her shoulder.
"It's fine. Really. Inquisitors always talk like that—don't let it get to you."
Hugo thought Simon was upset at being scolded.
But.
"Eh?"
Black smoke rose around Simon. The air grew heavy.
"Eek!"
Longtime investigator Leon couldn't mistake the aura from her.
"Gh... black mage...!"
But Hugo's words cut short. Simon's hand pierced his torso.
Crimson blood sprayed across the temple.
"Guhk..."
Hugo slumped in despair and disbelief.
Simon took her fellow investigator's life without a care, then licked the blood from her hand.
"...Tasteless."
Leaving the corpse, she slipped out.
Her goal was chaos anyway. And someone in Hartwell had conveniently killed the priest.
"Wonder who killed the priest?"
Whoever it was, she was grateful. It put Count Hartwell in a bind.
But if the inquisitor died here too?
"Ahh..."
Ecstasy at the thought. Simon cradled her face and moaned.
Moments later, her shadow vanished.