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The Inquisition. The only information agency of the Cult, boasting a long history as an investigative organization.

As the name suggests, the primary adversary of the Inquisition is heresy.

However, if you were to ask, “Is heresy the only enemy of the Inquisition today?” even the Inquisition Officers would tilt their heads in confusion.

Because the Cult has more enemies than just heresy.

For thousands of years, as a mainstream religion, the Cult has had a significant number of foes, as many as its ancient history. In the past, it was magicians; today, it’s spies, terrorists, dark magicians, other races, industrial spies…

One thing remains unchanged among the enemies of the Cult since the dawn of creation, even after thousands of years.

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Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Magician in History

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I awoke to find the sun had already set.

The world outside the window was dark. A soft light suited for rest illuminated the room.

The sensation of the blanket against my fingertips was vivid.

The soft fabric and indulgent warmth were so comforting that it made me forget even the pain, and for some reason, the agony from my decaying flesh had also lessened.

As I absently surveyed the room, I turned when I sensed a presence beside me and met the blinking gaze of Lucia.

She looked at me with eyes that seemed drowsy, as if she had just awakened.

“Saint?”

“You’re awake.”

“…When did I fall asleep?”

“You closed your eyes about three hours ago.”

Lucia brushed her hair aside. Her golden hair, like melted gold, flowed down her shoulders and collarbone as her fingers moved.

Having tidied her tousled hair, she got out of bed and headed toward the table.

While she wore undergarments, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say she was half-naked, so I turned my gaze away from Lucia and looked out the window.

Swoosh. I heard the sound of fabric brushing against skin. I fixed my gaze on the window.

In the northern region, where sunset comes quickly, it was hard to gauge the exact time, but the occasional voices coming from the street indicated that curfew was still a while away.

However,

“…”

A few crows were perched on the branch of a tree in the cathedral yard.

Though there might be cultural differences, it is universally accepted that crows symbolize ominousness.

I don’t really believe in superstitions, but still, seeing a few crows sitting side by side on a branch, staring at me was a tad…

Eerie.

“Are you alright?”

“…Ah.”

Lucia had already dressed and was looking at me with a concerned expression.

“That is…”

As I muttered while pointing at the crows outside, Lucia’s expression slightly changed. She strode past me to the window, peered outside, and frowned while pulling the curtains shut.

Swoosh!

With a somewhat irritable, almost angry demeanor, Lucia pulled the curtains with no hesitation, then turned and threw open the door.

Before leaving the room, Lucia, holding the doorknob, asked me, “Can you move?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Follow me. We have a place to go.”

—

The place Lucia led me to was Archbishop Theodosius’ office.

Situated at the highest point in the city, the office of the archbishop located on the uppermost floor of the Cathedral of Saint Basil was surprisingly modest. It was hard to believe that the leader of the Cult resided there.

The office overlooked the city. The rich smell of burning firewood wafted through, and the sound of a fountain pen scratching filled the air.

The seasoned clergyman greeted me and Lucia with a warm demeanor.

“Welcome, Saint, and Brother.”

Archbishop Theodosius smiled slightly as he adjusted his glasses.

Judging by the glasses he rarely wore, his eyesight must be quite poor since he couldn’t read the writing on paper without them. The desk where the archbishop was seated was cluttered with documents and letters, filled with elegant handwriting.

Lucia exchanged light greetings with the archbishop, who had been her professor in theology school. Then she bluntly asked, “What happened?”

“I informed the National Affairs Council in the morning, and by lunchtime, I received a reply, Saint.”

Archbishop Theodosius handed her a letter.

As soon as Lucia received the letter, she immediately began to read the writing. The elegant handwriting covered a considerable length, but compared to the scriptures she usually carried, this was nothing.

The seal of the Holy See stamped on the wax was vivid. After confirming the contents in the blink of an eye, Lucia’s expression soured even before she spoke.

“…They can’t send an exorcist? What is the meaning of this?”

“It is as you heard.”

“Does His Holiness not know the situation here?”

“The National Affairs Council is also well aware of the circumstances in the north. The corpses of four Inquisition Officers have been delivered.”

However, there are no exorcists who can come to the north immediately, and those who are active in the north are also reportedly having difficulties.”

Lucia and Archbishop Theodosius exchanged verbal blows.

From what they were discussing, it seemed the Holy See had not sent support, and Lucia appeared to be opposing the decision from the National Affairs Council.

The two maintained a calm atmosphere as they continued their conversation.

“As you know, the number of exorcists is quite limited. There are twice as few as the already scarce Inquisition Officers.”

“Still, it involves a demon, doesn’t it?”

“They cannot ascertain whether a demon was involved, or if someone utilized the power of a demon. Director Petrus insists that without specific information, he cannot dispatch an exorcist.”

“Is fact-checking really that important? Even with lives lost?”

“Precisely because lives have been lost, we need to be even more certain. You know, there is no one more dangerous than the first exorcist sent out.”

“……”

Lucia bit her lip tightly and turned her gaze away. She seemed to want to say something but was hesitant to voice it.

While Lucia remained silent, Archbishop Theodosius turned his attention to me to check how I was doing. Although we had exchanged glances upon entering, the conversation between Lucia and me had delayed my greeting.

The weathered clergyman leaned on the desk and ambled over to me.

“Brother. Are you feeling alright?”

“Ah… Yes. I’m feeling somewhat better now.”

“Um. May I take a look at your condition?”

I consented, and Archbishop Theodosius examined my wounds cautiously.

Between his sunken eyes, the seasoned clergyman inspected my wounds with a piercing gaze, letting out a sound akin to a groan as he clicked his tongue in dismay.

“The wounds are not healing. It’s fortunate they haven’t worsened.”

“Um… Archbishop.”

“It seems you have some questions. Feel free to ask, Brother.”

“I’m really sorry, but I don’t quite understand. What have the two of you been discussing since earlier?”

“That’s what you were curious about? It’s not something I need to hide from you, so don’t hesitate to ask. Haha.”

With a genial smile, the archbishop walked toward a shelf laden with books and posed an unexpected question.

“Brother, do you believe in the existence of demons?”

“…Demons?”

“Oh, that question might be a bit philosophical. Let’s rephrase it. How much do you know about demons?”

Demons. For a moment, I recalled the image of demons that I knew.

Always taking notes. Losing jobs constantly. Always amazed and applauding. Occasionally shedding tears. Red-faced with horns on their heads—the big guy named Lucifer ran clubs in LA and was a major shareholder in a tobacco company. He even gave Constantine the finger.

“……”

No matter how much I thought about it, that was the only image that came to mind when I thought of demons. Have I watched too many dramas and movies?

“I’m not sure, Your Eminence.”

“That’s understandable.”

Archbishop Theodosius smiled faintly. He traced the spines of the thick books on the shelf with his finger.

The shelf was packed with religious texts. They seemed more like self-published works than commercially available books.

“Evil beings have different names in various regions and religions. Demons, devils, ifrit… In our Cult, we generally refer to such entities as demons.”

As he rummaged through the books, the seasoned clergyman began to recount his past.

“When I was younger, I was an exorcist. My primary duty was to identify demons inhabiting human bodies and drive them out through the exorcism rite.”

“Your Eminence was an exorcist?”

“Doesn’t it look that way? Although it has been over a decade since my retirement, I suppose it’s understandable.”

With a smile as though he found it amusing, Archbishop Theodosius pulled out several thick books, wearing a childish grin.

“Although many often call the primary adversary of exorcists demons, the actual enemies exorcists face are not demons. The creatures that serve demons, like minions, are practically the true opponents our exorcists must confront.”

“Minions… Are you referring to fiends?”

“Fiends are merely one of the minions of demons.”

Thud. After laboriously setting the heavy books down, the archbishop let out a deep sigh.

“In fact, the beings exorcists most frequently confront are necromancers and possessed individuals. Are you aware of what necromancers and possessed individuals are, Brother?”

“I know about necromancers well.”

Necromancer.

Also known by the title “sorcerer,” a necromancer fits the definition of a “dark magician” accurately.

Necromancers revive the dead from the grave and control their bodies and souls.

While the sorcerers in the Magic Tower also summon and communicate with the spirits of the deceased, they share commonality with necromancers in that regard. However, should you refer to a sorcerer as a necromancer in front of them, they would take great offense.

While necromancy is not recognized as a legitimate school of study, sorcery has been acknowledged as a formal academic discipline.

To put it precisely, necromancy is a sort of dark magic.

Honestly, from the perspective of someone not particularly interested in magic or a religious individual, both seem to be doing something quite similar. Moreover, the numbers are fewer compared to other schools, and they carry an ominous aura, making it hard to tell them apart. However, wizards belonging to the necromancy school perceive any comparison to necromancers as the same level of insult as berating their parents.

To use necromancy, one must contract with a demon, while summoning spirits can be done without that, making it, supposedly, a more ethical and superior discipline, or something like that.

Even if it is officially recognized, considering that necromancers serving in the military were prominently on the military intelligence agency’s watch list in Colonel Clevenz’s office, I honestly don’t think it’s all that impressive.

“Then you must be aware of the difference between a necromancer and a summoner.”

“Yes.”

“The inquisitors and the monk who harmed the brother must be either a necromancer or a possessed person. Personally, I suspect there’s a connection to a necromancer. However, considering the divine element involved, it could well be that a demon has possessed the body of a priest.”

“Is that the possessed person you mentioned? The one the saint talked about yesterday.”

“That’s correct. You remember that.”

Lucia, who had been quietly listening, added that she recalled it well.

I glanced back and forth between Lucia and Archbishop Theodosius and, with a puzzled expression, posed my question to them.

“Why suddenly bring up the exorcist here? I understand that the inquisitor is suspected to be a necromancer or a possessed person…”

“Surely, you’d be aware of that?”

Archbishop Theodosius pointed at my chest with his finger.

“Isn’t your flesh rotting away?”

“…….”

“The demon’s power cannot be easily explained by science, magic, or even the knowledge of the cult. It can cause a healthy person to instantaneously develop cancer, make them spit up blood in handfuls, and rot the skin… It is undeniably real, yet cannot be explained through medicine or the healing arts.”

“Is it something like a curse?”

“You could see it that way. Curses are closely related to sorcery, and primitive sorcery can create similar phenomena to what you’re currently experiencing. Although how that’s possible is a topic with various opinions among scholars.”

Suddenly, a recollection of an explanation about faith-related sorcery from long ago, delivered by Francesca, flickered through my mind.

Hadn’t a child caught using sorcery received knowledge from an inquisitor?

“…….”

Just when I felt I was almost discovering something, Lucia turned to Archbishop Theodosius and spoke.

“Ah, by the way, I have a question, Your Grace. Have you found a way to heal the wounds?”

“It has only been less than a day since we received the news, Saint. However, scholars and priests from the archives are currently searching ancient texts for solutions.”

Lucia and the archbishop engaged in a heated discussion about ways to heal my wounds and summon the exorcist.

“We must call the exorcist before any casualties occur.”

“I would like to do that myself, but the opponent is a dangerous individual capable of killing four inquisitors in a single blow. Even if we manage to summon the exorcist, we cannot guarantee their safety.”

“What about seeking assistance from the Imperial Ministry of Magic?”

“The activities of the Inquisition are politically sensitive. In general, exorcism rituals cannot be disclosed to outsiders. If the ministry gets involved, we would have to make the rituals public, wouldn’t we? On top of that… the duke of the northern regions is an archmage. The activities of the exorcists could provoke the duke and lead to political issues.”

“But aren’t the inquisitors and knights here?”

“Had it not been for the special circumstances of the demon’s invasion, the duke would have never allowed the Inquisition to step into the north, no matter the situation.”

Lucia and Archbishop Theodosius were locked in a tense debate. In fact, it was more of a constructive discussion than a dispute.

However, Lucia’s expression was unusually serious throughout. The ever-optimistic Lucia engaged in conversation with a stern look that felt uncharacteristic.

“So you’re saying there’s nothing we can do right now, Your Grace?”

“…Regrettably, yes.”

“…….”

Lucia gazed at Archbishop Theodosius with an expressionless face. The look she gave the man who was once her mentor was chillingly distant, and her tone bore an uncharacteristic edge.

The archbishop gently tried to soothe Lucia, his voice soft and comforting. It almost resembled the way a grandfather would comfort a grandchild.

Ultimately, the one who stepped back was Lucia.

“…If that’s the decision of the Holy See, then there’s nothing more to be said.”

“I am thankful for your understanding, Saint.”

Archbishop Theodosius looked at Lucia, then at me, and urged with cautious tone.

“The National Affairs Council has delegated this matter to Director Petrus. Inquisitors will be directed as soon as the autopsy is completed. For now, please trust and await the Inquisition Director. I will reach out to the exorcists. If it’s not urgent, a few of them will willingly come to the north.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“In the meantime, what are your plans, Saint?”

“I….”

Lucia’s gaze shifted slightly to the side. She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye before turning to Archbishop Theodosius.

“I plan to focus on taking care of the wounds for the time being.”

“Will you do that?”

“At the very least, until the holy relic capable of healing the wounds arrives, someone must continue the treatment, right? I will handle it.”

“…….”

Archbishop Theodosius met Lucia’s gaze. The deep-set eyes and blue irises intertwined in the air.

Various emotions played across the weathered face of the archbishop as he looked at Lucia, as if he was both sorrowful and worried.

The archbishop stared silently at Lucia for a long time before letting out a faint sigh and bowing his head.

“…I would be grateful if you would do so, Saint.”

“…….”

“Instead, please promise me you will be careful.”

He nodded solemnly at Lucia.

Even after a lengthy pause, the archbishop showed no inclination to lift his head.

How much time had passed? After keeping his head bowed for a while, the archbishop finally completed his greeting. He raised it to turn his gaze to me.

And conveyed an ambiguous statement that I could not decipher.

“I entrust the Saint to you.”

Though the meaning behind his words was unclear, I simply replied with an agreement.

The archbishop nodded heavily, and Lucia took the lead as we exited the office.

*

I’m not quite sure what’s happening, but it seems things are not going as planned.

The inquisitor suspected of heresy turns out to be either possessed or a dark magician working with necromancy. This monster, who even seems to chew bullets, killed four inquisitors, and I sustained significant injuries from him.

Archbishop Theodosius has handed the corpses over to the cult and requested assistance from the Holy See. However, Director Petrus is adamant that he cannot deploy an exorcist without reliable information.

Honestly, I’m completely in the dark about how all this is unfolding. While I was groaning in pain, things suddenly accelerated in a flurry.

I decided to reach out to the embassy for now.

I made short reports to Pippin and Jake, which were sent to the embassy and then to the Military Intelligence Agency. Once those folks in military intelligence get their hands on the information, it will be directly relayed to me.

With that done, I thought about visiting Priest Rebecca.

But it seemed that she was in the infirmary receiving treatment for her injuries. Given that the healing priests were dressed in gowns, her injuries appeared to be quite serious. Ultimately, I had to turn back without seeing Priest Rebecca.

Even though I couldn’t gather any information from her, I had plenty to do.

First, I need to check if there’s any intel from Hormoz through Francesca, and verify if we can utilize the personnel from the Magic Tower to track him down.

Since I remembered the features of the inquisitor, I also needed to see if he was listed in the heretics and missing persons files that Camila has. I’m not sure, but considering he dealt with divine elements, there may be hints to unravel from there.

As I lay in bed, I began formulating plans.

But before I could execute those plans, I was met with an obstacle.

“…Huh, what did you say?”

Lucia spoke.

“Please guide me.”

“…What?”

“No one knows the path to the village. All the inquisitors are in bed. I’ll help you avoid worsening your injuries, so please guide me quickly along the best route. We need to go as fast as possible.”

I stared at Lucia in disbelief.

Suddenly asking the patient to guide her through the cold winter days—was today April Fool’s Day or something?

However, Lucia’s expression was utterly serious. Clad in thick fur, she recited a prayer and almost shoved me towards the cathedral’s side door.

“Wait, where are we going?”

“We’re heading to the village where we met the inquisitor.”

“Why are we suddenly going there?”

“Why, you ask?”

Lucia replied.

“We’re going to find the inquisitor.”

 

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