Chapter 14
Me?
Bella’s hymn was clearly not singing—it was an abnormal form of sonic assault.
But all I needed was a deacon who could sing hymns.
‘Of course, if that were all, it’d be better to find someone else.’
However, the Bella I saw today wasn’t like those who stayed cooped up reading scriptures. Even in dangerous situations, she didn’t panic—she had the composure and awareness to find something she could do.
Not only that, she was well-prepared, meaning I wouldn’t have to deal with trivial matters myself.
‘And above all…’
The immense mana Bella possessed.
When she knocked out the Vocal Thief during the test, I thought it was a coincidence. But seeing this now, it was obvious—her mana far exceeded that of others.
‘The monsters charging at her are collapsing just from hearing her hymn.’
She was likely releasing mana unconsciously when she sang.
That wasn’t something ordinary people could do. In terms of sheer quantity, her mana could rival my current divine power.
‘Still… she’s unbelievably bad at singing.’
I recalled our earlier conversation.
— What’s your specialty?
— Umm… cleaning, cooking, singing?
So that’s what she meant—dragging heretics to hell with her singing.
I should apologize for misunderstanding her… but listening to her now made that thought ascend straight to heaven.
Just as I was wondering how long I had to endure this—
“Cough, cough!”
Bella stopped singing and coughed.
Not surprising, considering she’d been blasting high notes infused with mana nonstop.
Kyaak!
At that moment, a dog-like monster lunged at her, jaws wide open.
Bella saw it—but could only clutch her throat weakly, unable to move.
Right before its sharp fangs could tear into her—
Thud!
I kicked off the ground and sliced the monster clean in half.
Shaking the blood off my blade, I turned back.
Bella stared at me with wide eyes.
“Are you alright?”
I asked—then my expression hardened.
“For the record, I’m not.”
“In… Inquisitor? How are you here…?”
Her speaking voice was beautiful.
I genuinely wanted to research how someone with that voice could sing so terribly.
“I was lying in the cathedral when I heard something like a demon’s scream. Came to check it out, and found those things.”
“I… I see. Thank you for saving me.”
Bella bowed deeply, her large backpack covering the back of her head.
“Never mind that. Why are you here? Didn’t you leave with the others?”
There was no reason for her to be here.
At first, I suspected her—maybe she was part of the 악서회. But she had knocked out the Vocal Thief earlier.
“Well… I saw some herbs we might need on the way back. I thought it’d be good to collect them.”
“And nearly got eaten in the process.”
“T-that’s because…!”
Bella hurriedly defended herself.
“Cardinal Varun said there wouldn’t be monsters here. But suddenly…”
No reason for Varun to lie.
More likely, the monsters were drawn to Bella’s massive mana.
They feed on it, after all.
“Didn’t he say there might still be remnants of the attackers nearby?”
“He did… but said the chances were low…”
“And you still came? Do you value your life that little?”
“But… there’s a sick child at the orphanage who needs these herbs…”
I had nothing to say to that.
“And for some reason, monsters faint when they hear my hymn.”
Of course they do.
“Do you think… it’s the power of the hymn?”
No way.
I was about to refute her—then stopped myself.
“Maybe it is.”
“Really?!”
Her eyes widened.
“But people say I’m a terrible singer… like someone scratching their eardrums with nails.”
Accurate.
Still, I grabbed her shoulders and spoke seriously.
“Don’t lose confidence now. Didn’t you proudly say singing was your specialty? Gifts from the Goddess always have a purpose.”
“Really?”
Her eyes shimmered in the moonlight.
“Then I’ll sing another—”
“Shut up!!!”
“Y-yes?!”
I sighed.
Kind words didn’t suit me.
“Let me be honest.”
I looked at her.
“Singing hymns doesn’t knock monsters out. They collapse because your mana is being released when you sing.”
“Mana?”
“Yes. And as others said—you’re not a good singer. Even I could sing better than you.”
“…Ah.”
Bella lowered her head.
“…It’s unfair.”
She spoke, eyes glistening.
“To me, it sounds perfectly fine. Why does everyone say I’m bad? If I believe in myself, why should I accept that?”
Tears fell onto the grass.
‘Something’s off.’
Bella wasn’t the type to stubbornly cling to nonsense.
Yet her belief was unshakable.
Unless…
“Is that really true?”
“…What?”
“Does it really sound fine to you?”
She nodded.
“…I see.”
I thought it through.
‘What if… the mana is distorting her voice?’
If so, only Bella—who feels the vibration directly—would hear it properly.
“Let’s test it.”
I placed my hand on her neck.
“Huh?”
“Don’t move. I’ll suppress your mana. Just sing.”
“…Okay.”
“Bella.”
“Yes?”
“Go easy. I’ve got things to do.”
“I’ll just warm up.”
She inhaled.
“Here I go.”
Then—
BOOM!
Mana surged like a bursting dam.
I suppressed it with divine power.
And then—
“Aah—”
A voice like sunlight filled the forest.
Clear. Pure. Unbelievable.
For a moment, it erased all the darkness I’d ever known.
Then—
CRASH!!
The suppressed mana exploded violently.
I withdrew instantly, shielding my ears.
“AAAAAHHH!!!”
Hell returned.
“Are… are you okay?”
“My ears…”
I shook my head.
“No. You were right. I heard your real voice—for a moment.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. Your mana was the problem.”
Her face filled with relief and joy.
“Thank you…”
“Control your mana, and others will hear it too.”
“How do I do that?”
“I’ll teach you.”
“…Why?”
“I need a deacon who can sing hymns.”
“…So I become your deacon?”
“Yes.”
“…Hmm…”
“Why hesitate?”
“…My orphanage…”
“Sigh.”
Time to persuade.
“So you’ll keep subjecting people to that singing?”
“Th-that…”
“A nun will scream: ‘Please shut up!’”
“They wouldn’t!!”
“And a child: ‘Bella… my herbs…’”
“Aaah!!”
“…And the director will say—”
“I’ll do it!!”
Finally.
“…I want to.”
She looked at me firmly.
“Then prove useful.”
“Okay!”
“…You’re kind, Inquisitor.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“Nope!”
“…Hmph.”
“Take care of yourself, turtle.”
“I’m Bella…”
“We leave tomorrow. Divinar Diocese.”
“Why?”
“To investigate.”
(A month later, it burns.)
“…My orphanage is there.”
“…What a coincidence.”
“…Shouldn’t you tell your family you became an Inquisitor?”
“…No.”
They’d panic.
Two days later…
“Apologies for the late visit, Baron Luminar. I am Cardinal Varun.”
“…This can’t be good.”
(To be continued)
