Chapter 40
“Sir Karl, do you know what it is that an Inquisitor does?”
“Isn’t it exactly what the name suggests?”
“Indeed. We are those who interrogate and punish heretics. But that is not the only work we do.”
Thomas, exuding the presence of a lion-hearted man, radiated a sharp gleam in his eyes.
“We root out superstitions that misuse the sacred name of God, guide morality, and block the spread of demonic influence and corruption. You’ve heard of the witch hunts from the past, haven’t you?”
In this world, witches truly did exist.
However, real witches—like the old woman Karl had met before—were incredibly rare, and even when found, capturing them was far more difficult.
Eventually, people began punishing even the minions of witches just to take out their anger, which in turn became an excuse to kill anyone. Thus, it devolved into this world’s version of the witch hunts.
What followed was reminiscent of the most barbaric periods in medieval Europe.
“The ignorant believe we led the witch hunts, but the truth is the opposite. It was the Inquisition that banned them.”
It was the first time Karl had heard this.
“That’s just one small, specific example of the effort we put in to uphold justice and prevent corruption.”
There was a flicker of rage on Thomas’s face. He wasn’t the type to hide his emotions—he was straightforward and bold.
‘He doesn’t seem like a clergyman at all. Is this what they mean when they say special matters require special people?’
His physique was larger than Karl’s, and he stood a full head taller. He suddenly stood from his chair.
“It’s infuriating and shameful. There are those within our own ranks who disgrace the name of the Inquisition. People who sully our noble mission and ideals!”
The way he growled made him look like a lion ready to strike.
“I want to punish them myself—but I cannot.”
…
With years of corporate experience on Earth, and over a decade of surviving among the bloodshed and ambition of the East Continent's warzones, Karl could already guess. Even the Order was riddled with factions.
The name of Cardinal Richelieu, the most powerful figure in the Order, was widely known across the West Continent.
He was the one who expanded the Order’s political influence dramatically.
To Karl, who’d only picked up gossip about the Order here and there, Richelieu seemed to run it more like a business than a church.
“Since the Pope withdrew from public affairs, the power of the cardinals has grown too large. And with that growth, countless problems have accumulated within. Even I can no longer resolve things easily.”
It seemed Cardinal Richelieu’s faction had grown so strong that even Cardinal Thomas, head of the Inquisition, found himself unable to take action against certain rogue inquisitors.
“That’s why—even though it’s a difficult request—I’d like to ask for your help, Sir Karl. Based on what you’ve achieved thus far, I believe no one is more suited to this task.”
Thomas looked at Karl with blazing conviction, but Karl’s face remained calm and expressionless.
“I suppose we can’t skip the matter of compensation.”
“I wasn’t going to let it go unpaid, but… Hmm… The lighthouse knight I’ve heard of supposedly does good without asking for anything?”
“I believe the name was Knight of the Lighthouse, not Lighthouse Knight. And it seems I’m not that knight from the stories.”
“…But your actions align perfectly with the tales.”
“If I say I’m not him, then I’m not. Simple, isn’t it?”
“…Well then, compensation?”
Karl nodded. Though he had to take the job for the sake of the mission anyway, they didn’t know that.
He had no reason to work for free—especially not on something that might create enemies within the Order.
“Is there something you want?”
As Karl began to consider his response, Isabel let out a quiet sigh and spoke.
“How about granting him permission to use one of the Order’s relics?”
At her suggestion, Thomas clapped and nodded enthusiastically.
“Not a bad idea at all. What do you say?”
‘Being allowed to use a holy relic until the day I die… that’s not bad.’
Most relics were tightly sealed and guarded within the Order. But in very rare cases, individuals who had made great contributions were granted lifetime access to one.
Karl had seen such a relic only once before, back on the East Continent.
Considering that, Thomas agreeing so quickly meant his authority truly was immense.
After all, as the head of the Inquisition—who also oversaw internal oversight—his power couldn’t be underestimated.
“If I’m allowed to borrow the relic I need until the day I die, I’ll take the job.”
“Oh! Truly!?”
The towering Thomas sprang from his seat and grasped Karl’s hand with both of his.
Karl, for his part, saw it as killing two birds with one stone: complete the mission, and secure a powerful relic.
***
The next day, Karl set out for the location of the suspected rogue Inquisitor.
The Inquisition, for all its image, operated with surprising administrative precision for such a barbaric world.
Out of countless Inquisitors, only three names had been selected and handed to Karl.
Two were located near the Vatican, and the third near the Imperial capital. Karl decided to investigate the two nearby first.
“It’s an honor to work with you again.”
It seemed the Order wasn’t entirely comfortable assigning the job solely to an outsider—so Thomas had sent Isabel to accompany Karl again.
“This Inquisitor active in Stanmore… Do you know them?”
“I’ve crossed paths a few times, but not closely.”
“Any rumors?”
“The Inquisition doesn’t spread gossip.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“But…”
Just as Karl thought she was done, Isabel added something more.
“He’s eliminated an unusually high number of heretics.”
“Even compared to other Inquisitors?”
“….”
Isabel hesitated to say more.
“Do Inquisitors have training or exams to pass?”
“They study doctrine and canon law, and must be able to protect themselves. But the most important thing is a letter of recommendation from a high-ranking clergyman.”
That was all Karl needed to hear.
In a society without standardized systems to measure ability, a recommendation was one of the few trustworthy signs.
Noble status and the personal backing of someone who had witnessed one’s growth could carry enormous weight.
In fact, in a society where honor was paramount, refusing to accept someone backed by a respected figure could even jeopardize relationships.
“There are a few Inquisitors who were recommended by Cardinal Richelieu.”
Isabel smiled bitterly.
“…This is going to be a pain.”
Karl frowned. If he presented unclear evidence, he’d only open himself to counterattacks.
“Come to think of it… the name was Del Maria. Is she a woman?”
“Yes.”
After several days of riding, Karl had arrived in the Stanmore region.
“How do Inquisitors typically operate?”
“The Order has informants spread across the continent. When they receive reports of suspicious activity, an Inquisitor is dispatched. In this case, the claim is that a group is holding wicked gatherings and worshipping an unidentified god instead of Essus.”
“Then we should meet with the local informant first.”
Following Isabel’s lead, Karl arrived at the location of the Order’s informant.
Interestingly, the informant ran the fanciest tavern in the area.
People likely wouldn’t suspect that conversations in such a place could flow straight to the Church. It was a clever loophole.
This wasn’t an Order-run pub—but one privately run by the informant. That gave them a sliver of moral justification.
The tavern, being high-end, had private rooms. Once Karl and Isabel were seated, the proprietor soon entered.
“Ah…! Truly, are you the Blind Star of Wisdom, Lady Isabel? No, you don’t need to say anything—I can just feel it…!”
“…”
With wide eyes, exaggerated gestures, and even kneeling, the man looked at Isabel with a reverent gaze.
“I’ve dreamed of meeting you. I think the reason I joined the Order was to one day see you in person!”
Karl recalled Kelvin Manov, who had also said strange things to Isabel. It seemed she had her share of eccentric admirers.
“Branch Director Lawson. That’s enough. You’re embarrassing me.”
At Isabel’s sharp voice, the man—realizing he’d misread the mood—awkwardly sat down.
“My apologies. I’m Carmen Lawson, the local branch director.”
Once the introductions were done, and Lawson’s eyes returned to normal, they could finally speak seriously.
“So you’re saying that over here—where you marked on the map—there are people communicating with ‘ancient spirits’?”
“I’m not sure if they’re spirits exactly, but they clearly communicate with animals and creatures of the forest.”
“How many of them are there?”
“Over a hundred, living as a group. They’ve settled in one district of the city—right here.”
In an era when the blades of heresy-hunters swept the continent, true heretics would normally hide in shadows. It was strange to see a large group openly gathered.
“They believe that since they don’t worship any specific heretical god, they can’t be persecuted.”
That was likely why the Order had dispatched an Inquisitor to monitor them.
“What did you think of this Inquisitor, Del Maria?”
“…I’ve never encountered an Inquisitor who reeked so strongly of blood.
It was chilling.”
Karl nodded at that assessment.
“First, let’s head to the place where this group is gathered.”
“I’ll assign you a guide. I shouldn’t be seen too much myself.”
With a nod, the two left the tavern, and soon a man naturally joined them as if he’d always been part of their party.
***
“Hey, the baker said something scary. He said if we keep living like this, something terrible might happen.”
“What do you mean, Selly? What terrible thing?”
In a small village on the edge of Stanmore, a group of children had gathered to chat. The topic of conversation wasn’t something you’d normally expect from kids.
The Enchin Tribe, descendants of druids, had long lived in harmony with nature in the forest.
But after a mere gesture from the Emperor, they had been relocated to a corner of Stanmore.
Several years ago, a young priest had visited from the central church and investigated.
Finding no evidence of worship of demons or false gods, and attributing their affinity for nature to bloodline traits, he had let them be.
“I heard an Inquisitor came from the Order.”
“What’s an Inquisitor?”
“My dad said they’re scary people. I overheard the adults saying the Church doesn’t like us, so they sent someone.”
“So what’s going to happen to us?”
“I don’t know… maybe something bad.”
The girl called Selly was taller than the other kids, and her eyes were chillingly cold for someone her age.
“Selly… you’re scaring us…”
The younger children looked ready to cry, but Selly suddenly gave them a warm smile, as if nothing had happened.
“Sorry, guys. Go home, and stay close to your parents for a while, okay?”
After giving her instructions, Selly turned and walked home.
Her steps were light, as if carried by the wind.
When she entered their wooden house, her parents—who looked to be in their early thirties—were sipping tea.
“Mom, Dad. I told the kids to stay indoors and stick close to their parents.”
Proudly standing tall, Selly was met with gentle pats on the head from both of them.
“Well done, Selly. Now, we need to get ready too.”
“Get ready for what?”
“To move.”
“Move?”
“Yes. That strange Inquisitor has been sniffing around for days. The spirits say she reeks of rotting corpses. That’s more than just an ill omen.”
With a serious look, her mother Nana snapped her fingers, stirring the wind around them.
“…We finally settled down… and now we have to leave again…”
“It’s sad, but we don’t have a choice. That Inquisitor is going to show her true colors soon. Maybe even tomorrow…”
Her father Jose knew exactly what she meant.
“We need to act fast.”
Just as they were packing, a vile sensation crept into their senses.
They both darted to the door without a word. As if the wind propelled them, they shot toward a single direction.
From one house, an elderly woman burst through a window, landing harshly on her back.
“Granny Joanna!?”
They barely caught her in time—and ahead of them stood a woman in crimson priest robes, walking slowly.
“Essus commands us to cleanse sin with heretic blood. Now, present your necks obediently.”
Soaked in blood from head to toe, the Inquisitor Del Maria grinned, iron rod in hand.