Chapter 43
“That’s impossible! An apostate within the Church?!”
“I recall you once said that if necessary, you’d investigate even the Pope.”
“That was…!”
Isabel was agitated, but Karl remained calm. And the reasoning behind his words was solid.
“No matter what, I just can’t accept that.”
“Yet Cardinal Thomas pointed out three Inquisitors, all with one thing in common—disappearances occurring around them.”
“Deaths and disappearances happen everywhere on the continent. Isn’t it the same in the East Continent? You can’t use that as evidence.”
“True. But there are places where the number of disappearances is suspiciously high. When I found traces of Gullveig, do you remember all those skulls we discovered? Where do you think they came from?”
“…”
“Isn’t it possible that apostates within the Church—those who cause disappearances—are among the ones who supplied those skulls?”
“That’s just forced speculation…”
Even as she said it, there was doubt in her tone.
“I hope it’s nothing but suspicion. But since we can’t rule it out… why don’t we try this plan?”
Karl stepped closer and quietly laid out the plan he had been contemplating.
“…Do you really think they’ll move if we do that?”
“Without a doubt. And if they don’t, then at least we’ve cleared up our doubts, which is a good result in itself.”
“Alright.”
When Isabel nodded, Karl rubbed the ring and summoned the Condor. He tied a letter to its leg and sent it flying.
The next day, Isabel visited Del Maria with Karl in tow. Del Maria eyed the unfamiliar outsider by Isabel’s side with suspicion.
“You’re saying this man is an external operative brought in by Sir Thomas?”
“Yes. This is Sir Karl, a Free Knight.”
Karl observed Del Maria with great attention, and he didn’t bother hiding it. Del Maria was clearly displeased.
“So, what exactly is Cardinal Thomas investigating that required you and Sir Karl to tail me?”
“I won’t lie. You were listed as a subject of special oversight.”
Isabel plainly revealed the fact that Thomas had ordered surveillance, catching even Del Maria off guard.
“I see. And what is it you want from me?”
“I don’t want anything from you, Lady Del Maria. I simply confirmed that you’re doing the things I can’t.”
Del Maria’s expression grew uncertain. She sensed no deceit from Isabel.
“So, you’re leaving then?”
“Yes. There’s nothing more I can do here. As for the trial… Well, I can’t stay tied down here for long.”
Though she still looked skeptical, Del Maria feigned courtesy and saw them off. As soon as they disappeared from view, she discreetly assigned pursuers to tail them.
***
“A warning like this has meaning. It forces them to tread carefully.”
Isabel nodded in agreement to Karl’s words. They were narrowing the enemy’s options by keeping them wary.
“I asked Branch Director Lawson to investigate recent shipments and transports bound for the Vatican. We should have a reply by today.”
Already aware they were being followed, Karl and Isabel left Stanmore and waited in a nearby village for Lawson to arrive.
That night, Lawson quietly entered their room and removed his mask.
“You didn’t really have to come in person, you know.”
“Just trying to recapture that undercover atmosphere—it’s been a while.”
“Is that so…”
Though Karl thought the hefty pouch strapped to Lawson’s waist seemed out of place for someone sneaking around, he didn’t say it aloud.
“What about the materials I asked for?”
“Right here.”
Karl took the documents and flipped through them quickly. Transporting goods in this era wasn’t nearly as common or efficient as on modern Earth.
And with bandits often a threat, small-scale shipments were virtually nonexistent.
Even smaller traders would join larger caravans, and those large groups traveled with well-armed mercenaries. So by tracing just a few details, patterns would emerge.
“May I offer a suggestion while you’re reviewing those?”
“Go on.”
“Are you perhaps more interested in the movement of people?”
At that, Karl turned sharply toward Lawson. His intense gaze was so piercing that Lawson reflexively flinched.
“Please, continue.”
“Look here. There’s a particular merchant group that travels on a fixed monthly schedule.”
The merchant group he indicated seemed mid-sized and unremarkable in its inventory.
“What’s the problem with this one?”
“Well, until now I hadn’t noticed. But thanks to you, Sir Karl, I started digging deeper. This group hasn’t been around long, but its routes are oddly diverse. A merchant’s goal is to buy low and sell high. But when you look at their inventory, they keep visiting unnecessary locations.”
Karl reviewed their travel routes. They were indeed strangely broad and inefficient, especially considering the small volume of goods being traded.
“And they always make a stop at the Vatican.”
All three of them exchanged sharp glances.
“Has the merchant group visited the village recently?”
“Yes, they arrived just yesterday.”
“Do you know where they are now?”
“I anticipated the question and already checked.”
“There are eyes following us. We need to make it look like we’re staying put.”
“Leave that to me.”
Lawson proved more capable than expected. Karl and Isabel left the building using a prearranged escape route, leaving their pursuers misled.
***
“Phew… This was a tough one. I replaced the position with another child I snuck in, so Isabel won’t be able to dig too deep.”
“You’ve done well, Lady Del Maria. I’ll be sure to inform her of your efforts so that you're properly rewarded.”
“Thank you, Bishop Fabricio.”
The same Cardinal who had met Del Maria in the shadows last time nodded and left with two children in tow. Left alone, Del Maria gritted her teeth and muttered.
“Reward… tch… could’ve at least picked a better time. So irritating…”
***
Karl and Isabel confirmed the old man with the two children was heading toward the merchant caravan Lawson had pointed out.
Isabel used Lawson’s help to assign discreet watchers to the group and prepared her report to Cardinal Thomas.
“We won’t have time to keep chasing those children.”
At Karl’s words, Isabel also nodded.
The surviving Enchin Tribe members now fell into two groups: Those who escaped to the hidden shelter, and those who were captured and awaiting a rigged trial.
Karl summoned the Condor and handed it a note, asking it to deliver it to the ones in hiding.
“Lady Isabel, I plan to rescue the captured ones. These trials don’t wrap up in a day or two, and I have no intention of wasting time watching a losing battle. What will you do?”
Isabel remained silent. She knew she had to make a choice—but saving people branded as heretics went against her position in the Church.
“Sir Thomas once said this: an Inquisitor must correct what has taken root in society under the misuse of faith.”
As Karl continued, Isabel’s gaze dropped.
“Do you truly believe they’ve made a pact with devils? I intend to rescue them and leave this place tonight. I’ve had enough of this. If you intend to join me, meet me here later.”
Things were dragging on too long. In a world this vast, there was no time to wait for slow and unreasonable procedures designed by people with outdated morals.
Karl didn’t need to wait—he had the power to end things on his own.
And with that, he turned away. Isabel didn’t move for a long time.
‘Yes… I am an Inquisitor.’
It wasn’t until nearly an hour later that Isabel stirred again.
That night.
Twenty members of the Enchin Tribe capable of fighting gathered in secret at the spot where Karl and Isabel had been.
“Sir Karl, isn’t this too reckless? They now have nearly a hundred soldiers.”
Nana’s voice trembled with concern, and Karl nodded.
“We’re not here to kill soldiers. We’re here to rescue the survivors. If we make it to the forest, the descendants of the Druids can easily shake off pursuit.”
His words earned nods of agreement.
“How do you plan to do it?”
“Simplicity is best. I’ll draw their attention—use that time to free the prisoners and escape.”
“What?! You’ll go alone? That’s far too dangerous!”
He didn’t particularly want to go that far either. But—
[Sub Quest: Rescue the Descendants of the Druids – Completed]
[Linked Quest: Rescue the Captured Descendants of the Druids (0/25)]
This mission was linked to another. He had to rescue at least 25 people.
If too many died, everything he’d done so far would be for nothing.
Of course, Karl wasn’t blindly chasing objectives anymore. His connections here were growing.
[“I want to become a knight like you, Sir Karl!”]
A boy from Tennesse Castle.
[“Take care. I hope you’ll visit again. Next time, I’ll treat you to better ale.”]
A friend who hoped for a second meeting.
[“I’ll never forget this kindness, no matter where I go!”]
Mercenaries who vowed never to forget his aid.
[“The dead are dead… The living must live… freely… For the sake of those who remain. Don’t be bound by anyone. Walk the path you choose. You hear me, Karl?”]
A voice he still remembered.
‘To live freely and happily, guided only by one’s own will. Am I truly living in this world, too?’
He repeated the word “live” to himself. And in his vision, he saw the eyes of the Enchin villagers.
Why was he helping them?
Karl answered.
“Let’s just say it’s because I want to.”
There was no lie in his voice. The Druid descendants felt the truth in his words and bowed deeply in gratitude.
“Clouds are thick tonight. When the two moons are hidden by them—that’s when we move.”
Karl pulled on the mask he had prepared earlier.
He drew his sword—Léctĭo—after a long while. Just as he was readying himself, he heard rustling beside him.
Shuffle…
Everyone tensed at the approaching footsteps. Then, another figure emerged—wearing a mask identical to Karl’s.
“You’re late.”
“Had to find a matching mask.”
At Rachel’s voice, Karl chuckled behind his mask. Though unseen, she too was smiling.
Moments later, a knight, an Inquisitor, and twenty Druid descendants began their mission.