Chapter 15
Nice to meet you.
“Cardinal Barun, what brings you here…?”
“Ah, I came regarding your son. I was the supervisor of the Inquisitor examination.”
Benedict’s expression began to stiffen with unease.
“Did Kael cause some major trouble?”
Kael was someone who made Benedict anxious even when he stayed within the territory. And now that a boy who had never even read the scriptures properly went off to take the Inquisitor exam, there was no telling what kind of chaos he might have caused.
Moreover, the fact that a Cardinal had personally come to see him meant this was no ordinary situation.
“A major incident… well, you could say that. The exam was thrown into chaos, and even a Cardinal lost his life.”
“A- a Cardinal?”
Don’t tell me Kael lost his temper and killed a mocking Cardinal?
“Ah…”
Benedict’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
“Husband!”
“Father!”
Lilian and Aren rushed to his side in shock.
“…I’m fine.”
After taking a deep breath, Benedict steadied himself and stood up again, regaining his composure.
“Cardinal Barun, could you please explain what happened? After hearing it, I will decide how to respond.”
Seeing Benedict’s serious expression, Barun spoke.
“Ah, my apologies. I phrased it in a misleading way. The one who ruined the exam and killed the Cardinal was not your son.”
“Then…?”
“It was Baron Scalen. We suspect he was connected to the 악서회, a group that worships a demon god.”
“…Could you explain in detail?”
“Of course.”
Barun explained the attack that had taken place and how Kael had become an Inquisitor.
Benedict’s eyes widened.
“Kael resolved such an incident?”
“Yes. The other candidates fulfilled their roles, but the greatest contribution was made by Inquisitor Kael. After all, he was the one who defeated Baron Scalen after he turned into a demon.”
“…Ha.”
Benedict already knew Kael was stronger than most. Even in the past, he had been stronger than his peers, and recently he had even destroyed a pleasure district on his own.
‘But to this extent?’
In just half a year since leaving on his pilgrimage, he had grown unimaginably strong.
“What about Kael? Is he safe?”
“Yes. It’s hard to believe he even fought—he’s almost completely unharmed. At most, a few scratches.”
“That’s a relief. I’m just glad he didn’t cause trouble.”
“Trouble? Not at all. Rather, we are grateful he exposed heretics hidden within the Holy Kingdom.”
Barun gave a polite nod.
“Oh, and Baron Luminar.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
Barun’s expression turned serious.
“Do you have any intention of governing the Scalen territory?”
“The Scalen territory?”
“As you know, with Baron Scalen dead, there is no one left to govern it. He has no relatives to inherit it either. But we cannot leave a perfectly fine territory unattended forever. Someone must take it.”
“…I see.”
“And that someone could be your Luminar family. I intend to make that happen. Your reputation within the Holy Kingdom is excellent, and your lands are close to Scalen’s.”
Barun smiled faintly.
“So, what do you think?”
Absorbing the Scalen territory.
It was an enticing offer that any noble would accept immediately, but Benedict thought carefully before replying.
“I understand what you’re saying. But why are you offering this to us? We’ve never had any prior connection.”
“Heh… as cautious as expected.”
“….”
“Ah, forgive me if my laughter was unpleasant. It’s a bad habit of mine.”
“It’s fine. We have someone similar in our family.”
“Haha, I see.”
Barun nodded.
“To be honest, I’m not trying to curry favor with the Luminar family—but with Inquisitor Kael. You could say I’m investing early.”
“With Kael?”
“Yes.”
Barun continued.
“Inquisitor Kael is someone who will rise far higher than he is now. It’s not just my personal insight—anyone would see that.”
“….”
“And above all, I like his disposition. You could say he’s a missing piece I’ve long been searching for.”
“I appreciate you thinking so highly of my son.”
“He is worth it.”
Benedict felt a strange sense of emotion.
Everywhere he went, he had only heard complaints about Kael—yet now a Cardinal was praising him openly.
“Does Kael know about this?”
“Yes, I gave him a general explanation.”
“And what did he say?”
“He supports absorbing the territory, but ultimately said it should be your decision.”
“…That boy….”
“So, what is your decision?”
Benedict thought deeply before speaking.
“I…”
“Excuse me.”
At that moment, Sriven, who had been watching from the side, stepped in.
“My apologies, Lord. If it’s alright, may I offer my opinion?”
Though he had only known him briefly, Benedict could tell Sriven was capable.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
As Sriven bowed, Barun asked,
“And who might you be?”
“I am Sriven, the financial officer of the Luminar family.”
“Ah, so you’re Sriven.”
Sriven adjusted his glasses.
“You know of me?”
“I intend to.”
Barun’s indifferent gaze sent a chill down Sriven’s spine.
“Then I’ll speak.”
Sriven looked at Benedict.
“I also believe absorbing the Scalen territory is a good idea. However, I think it’s too early. The issues with the pleasure district and the market are unresolved, and the plague spread by Baron Scalen still remains.”
“So you’re saying we should wait until our territory stabilizes?”
“Yes.”
“But until then, will the Scalen territory remain without an owner?”
Sriven smiled slightly.
“The desperate side isn’t us—it’s those who want to bring Young Master Kael to their side.”
“So we only need to show intent for now?”
“Exactly.”
“I see.”
Barun, who had been listening, spoke with a wry smile.
“Well, it’s true that I’m the more desperate one.”
“My apologies if that sounded rude.”
“It’s fine. You seem well aware of the political currents.”
“I’ve learned a bit.”
Barun turned back to Benedict.
“Then, may I hear your decision?”
“For now, please proceed with the preliminary steps regarding the Scalen territory. We will give our final answer once our own issues are resolved.”
“Understood. I’ll contact you again.”
“Thank you.”
Barun then looked at Sriven.
“And you’ll have to come with me.”
“…Pardon?”
“Yes. Inquisitor Kael said that if we want to understand the full details of the attack, we should seek you out. You’ll need to undergo some questioning at the Holy See.”
Sriven looked at Benedict.
“My lord?”
“I’m afraid this is beyond my authority.”
Then to Lilian:
“My lady?”
“Please return safely.”
Finally, to Aren:
“Young master?”
“Use this chance to clear your name. If you return alive, it means your crimes weren’t severe.”
Aren was colder than expected.
Seeing Sriven frozen stiff, Barun chuckled.
“Don’t worry too much. I promised Inquisitor Kael I’d return you safely.”
Sriven sighed deeply.
“…Damn it. Let’s go.”
As he walked, he looked up at the night sky.
‘I… want to be a cow.’
Even though he would travel comfortably by carriage this time, he felt it might be better to pull Kael’s cart instead.
After registering Bella as an Inquisitor’s deacon at the capital, I rode for two days and arrived at the Divinar Diocese.
First, I stopped by the diocesan office.
‘I need information first.’
Bella and I met the bishop, Rosselle, in his office.
“Have there been any suspicious incidents nearby?”
“Hm… suspicious incidents…”
After thinking for a moment, Rosselle replied,
“I’m not sure. But a few days ago, another Inquisitor arrived in the Divinar territory.”
“Another Inquisitor?”
“Yes. He’s captured over a hundred heretics—very capable.”
“Do you know why he’s here?”
“No, I don’t.”
Rosselle shook his head.
“As you know, Inquisitors are not obligated to disclose their investigations.”
“I see.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“I’m afraid not.”
‘Could he be the culprit?’
The timing was too coincidental.
“And this is Deacon Bella, correct? I hear she’s from a nearby orphanage.”
“Yes!”
“Then you won’t need directions.”
We left shortly after.
Next, we headed to Bella’s orphanage.
Children ran around in front of the small church.
“Bella noona!”
They rushed toward her, and she handed out items from her large bag.
‘Now I see why that bag is so big.’
As she talked with them, a middle-aged nun approached me.
“Nice to meet you. I am Dominica, the head of this orphanage.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“I heard you saved Bella. I don’t know how to repay you…”
“Then let me ask you something.”
“Of course.”
“Have you seen another Inquisitor nearby?”
“I haven’t seen him myself, but I heard he was spotted in the eastern forest.”
“I see. Thank you.”
I turned to Bella.
“Deacon Bella, let’s go.”
“What? Already?”
“Stay here then. Your singing will remain a demon’s roar forever—”
“I-I’m coming!”
We headed to the eastern forest.
Three hours passed with no sign of anyone.
As dusk fell, I said,
“Let’s head back. I’ll teach you how to control mana.”
“Yay.”
She followed without fatigue.
“By the way, what’s that magic stone necklace?”
“Oh, this? I had it since I was left at the orphanage.”
“At what age?”
“Four.”
“And your parents?”
“I don’t remember. Only fire… and a rainbow.”
“…Fire and a rainbow?”
Something clicked in my mind.
‘A singing madwoman…?’
One of the Seven Deadly Sins.
‘The Witch of Envy.’
Beautiful. Hairpin. Necklace. Song. Immense mana.
‘Could it be… Bella?’
If she learned to control her mana and became a mage…
‘It’s highly likely.’
I organized my thoughts.
A mage hated by certain clergy…
‘What if…?’
What if an Inquisitor tried to eliminate her?
What if that led to her awakening?
What if she killed him… and later destroyed the Divinar Diocese?
‘This is it.’
I stared at Bella.
‘Was it you?’
Then I drew my sword and grabbed her waist.
“Eh?!”
“No time to explain.”
I dashed forward like the wind.
(To be continued)
