“Your Eminence, the Cardinal. Shall we wait here for the results of Bishop Ilya’s interrogation?”

Rob, the leader of the agents, took out a recording device and asked.

While Eshel was in charge of the investigation team, it was Rob who had the device that recorded and conveyed the process. He had a duty to document this situation, having stayed at Raftan Castle for a week.

Regardless of the outcome of this mission, if the records showed that the mission’s conduct was contrary to faith or was deemed unreasonable, it would greatly impact Eshel as well.

‘Finding evidence of heresy or sacrificing someone… At the very least, I must not become the sacrificial lamb.’

For his own standing and preservation of his life, Eshel knew he had to right the derailed plan back onto its original course.

Remembering the Pope’s fierce warning, Eshel asked in a low voice, “What evidence of heresy have we secured?”

“There are minor things, but each time we attempt to punish, the knights interfere. Would you formally object to the church order?”

“…No, let that be postponed.”

“Excuse me? Why…”

He could not bare to say that even if he objected, the Pope would ignore it. What he sought was not trivial heresy that could be seen differently depending on the perspective.

Eventually, Eshel had no choice but to play a different card.

“Our true goal is to punish those abandoned by God. Where did you say they are most numerous?”

“It began in the territory of MacLaine, the foundation of this kingdom. However, reports say that it started with the child of a sword master.”

“Right. That’s important. If we ask the church for help now to catch a mere heretic, it will delay capturing those who really need to be punished. It is time to look at the bigger picture. Do not dwell on minor purification tasks.”

“…My thoughts were short-sighted.”

That’s what I thought.

The Pope must have sent Eshel as a guide because of the inquisitors’ rigid ways.

But now…

‘Is there a way to secure my safety while still producing results?’

What if no evidence of heresy is found in MacLaine territory?

Should he command someone to commit suicide?

Even if the inquisitors are rigid, would they follow such an order?

‘What should I do? Is there no good solution?’

Eshel Fabrun could not fall asleep that night, as had been the case for the past week since the incident occurred.

And the next morning, he declared with a determined look, “We must go to MacLaine territory.”

This declaration became the plan for the investigation team and the knights of the Second Corps.

Heeeigh.

“Alright, we will camp here today!”

It was the third day galloping towards MacLaine territory from Raftan. Unlike the journey from the capital to Raftan which was taken leisurely, an unexpected incident occurred on the night before the last day of their journey to MacLaine.

“Go! Utilize all your abilities to find and annihilate the heretics!”

Before they had finished preparing to camp, the priests had gathered to pray, but suddenly they shot out in all directions, accompanied by an outburst in the middle of the night.

Watching from a distance, a master of the sword yelled at his knights.

“Chase the ones you’re assigned to!”

Soon after, the sword master rushed forward with lightning-like speed to stand before Cardinal Eshel.

“What is this that you’re doing, Cardinal Eshel?”

Eshel found the irritated face of the sword master quite pleasing.

“Heh, you’re a bit late, Sword Master. Given the vast areas we must oversee, I had to command independent action. I apologize for not informing you earlier.”

Reminiscent of the days when they wielded absolute power and determined the life and death of the common folk, the inquisitors, battered in pride from being pressured and restricted by the knights, would not hesitate to conduct violent inquisitions alone. Without the knights of the Fourth Corps, it wouldn’t be like before where inquisitors could be simply knocked out and brought in.

‘It’s fine even if one gets away.’

The frustration built up inside the inquisitors’ minds was not insignificant.

– Somehow, create a definite justification.

At the very least, that objective would be achieved, so Eshel could afford to show a relaxed smile.

On the other hand, the sword master’s expression hardened noticeably.

“Using such unconventional methods could lead to serious accidents.”

“Haha, big accidents? It sounds like you’re making threats, but I doubt you would engage in such inefficiency without any reason, Sword Master.”

Having assessed the tendencies of the sword master throughout ten days of travel, Eshel felt confident in his words.

He and his men would never harm the investigation team.

‘Would you know how many people I’ve met and played mental games with to reach my position? You’ve made a mistake in provoking me, Sword Master.’

Trusting his judgment, Eshel unmasked his malevolent intent without restraint.

“However, who knows? If you kneel and apologize for past impertinences, perhaps I’ll be big-hearted and submit a favorable report.”

Of course, he had no intention of doing so.

Eshel grinned even as he sweated in the face of the sword master’s murderous aura. Licking his lips with a giggle, he looked more like a back-alley crook than a clergyman.

But his composure did not last long.

Dududu.

“Disperse and surround them. Capture all in robes!”

As the ground thundered with their approach and a group emerged against the sunset, the armed knights scattered into a circle upon the booming command. Eshel’s eyes quivered helplessly at the sight of the flaming banner above them.

“Sir! The MacLaine territory elites have surrounded the inquisitors.”

The expressions of both men shifted dramatically as Louis’s shout echoed from afar.

Pff.

“It seems your plan hasn’t gone smoothly, Your Eminence.”

“Could you have known in advance…?”

“Could there be anything worth guessing in the things you do? I simply prepared just in case.”

Replying nonchalantly to Eshel’s speechless face, the sword master smiled faintly.

And then…

Crack.

“Aaaagh!”

The aged cardinal’s bones broke far too easily.

* * *

Thunk. The carriage shook violently as it struck a stone, jostling everything within.

Clang.

Inside the carriage with iron bars on one side, a frail body shackled in irons swayed helplessly with the jolts, but Ilya sat quietly with her eyes closed, undisturbed by the commotion.

The holy knights who had been checking to ensure the carriage didn’t fall apart at such harsh motion furrowed their brows further at the sight.

“She’s truly tough.”

“Indeed. Even after nearly two months…”

“She must be a heretic…”

A team of nine from the Order of Holy Fighters had been dispatched for this mission.

The Inquisition sent adjudicators, while the Order of Holy Fighters served as the executors who carried out those judgments.

Dispatching the Order of Holy Fighters to summon someone meant that the results of an interrogation not yet conducted were effectively already decided.

But contrary to the central church’s worries, Bishop Ilya complied peacefully with the summoning, maintaining her composure throughout the process while essentially a prisoner.

What made the holy knights even more uncomfortable was the subtle halo that softly illuminated behind Bishop Ilya.

“But is the divine aura really…”

“It must be some trickery of the heretic! Do not falter!”

“It’s just… It feels so genuinely sacred…”

“Joseph! Are you not listening to me!?”

“Nevertheless, sir, the halo only grows larger with time.”

As Joseph remarked, the holy light that radiated from around Ilya now enveloped the entire carriage.

But Grant, the commander in charge of the transportation, was stubborn as ever in his opinion.

“Pah! All of it’s the heretic’s trickery!”

Despite the senior member’s words, Joseph couldn’t accept it. Could a heretic concoct such a tangible presence of sacred power?

‘Would that make the heretic a true representative of God’s will?’

As Joseph entertained thoughts dangerously heretical for a holy knight, the unexpected happened.

“Enemies!”

With a sudden shout, another member of the Order fell. Among the assailants were masked figures.

“How dare you!”

With swift motions, the three assailants moved too quickly for Joseph and his colleagues to intercept.

“Ugh…”

As he lost consciousness from a blow to the back of his head, the last thing Joseph noticed was that one of his assailants had odd blue and red eyes.

“Bishop Ilya, are you alright?!”

At the sound of a familiar voice, Ilya, who had not moved at all amidst the commotion, opened her eyes.

“Sir Victor?”

“Yes, it’s me, Bishop.”

On the deserted mountain road, with all the holy knights down, there was no longer any need to wear masks.

Unhesitatingly, Victor removed his mask and approached Ilya.

“Was this the will of His Majesty? But this might not have been a wise idea.”

Ilya’s tone was too calm considering her restraints.

Victor glanced at her differently, seeing peace on her face even as she was transported like a prisoner with a divine aura glowing above her, making her seem almost comfortable as if in her own home.

‘She’s indeed no ordinary figure…’

With that thought in mind, Victor bowed his head.

“It was the will of His Majesty, and also my wish. If you desire, Bishop, I could release you from bondage right now. I can also provide support to take you wherever you wish to go…”

“Seeing that you haven’t destroyed the carriage, that can’t be the real intent, right? And the holy knights seem to be only knocked out. If it’s an urgent matter, please get straight to the point, Sir Victor.”

Ilya’s abrupt interjection cut short Victor’s explanation, at which one of the masked men behind him chuckled.

“Squad leader Victor. This is why I said there’s no need for pointless talk.”

“Francisco, the main agent of the mission is Victor here. Your advice is already abundant, I believe.”

“Don’t be so hard-headed… Ah, alright, alright. Do as you wish, squad leader.”

Slightly irked by his comrades showing no concern for secrecy, Jorge nevertheless knew the most important aspect of the mission was not maintaining it.

“I am honored to meet you, Holy Lady.”

With a sweeping gesture through his mustache and a smile, Francisco removed his mask. Seeing Jorge follow suit in removing his, Ilya’s gaze shifted to them.

“Sir Victor. Would you be kind enough to introduce these distinguished gentlemen? They seem far from ordinary.”

Victor let out a sigh.

“This is Sir Francisco Romero, former captain of the Royal Guard, and Sir Jorge, Deputy Commander of the MacLaine Knight Order…”

“We now simply serve as aides to the First Corps, under His Majesty.”

With another sigh, Victor hadn’t finished speaking before Francisco had taken off his mask.

“I am honored, Holy Lady.”

Looking at Ilya who was seen as a saint in the slums of Grant, he stroked his mustache in amusement.

“Saint? That term is rather excessive for me. Especially for a priest on her way to be tried by the church…”

As Ilya shook her head with a bitter expression, Victor shouted out loud.

“Excessive? It’s been a long time since you’ve been referred to in that way in the slums of Grant. Even without the recent rumors, you truly deserve such a title.”

“…Thank you, Sir Victor.”

Looking at the young knight she had once helped in charity work brought a smile to Ilya’s face.

Yet, her demeanor remained unfazed.

“Now, would you tell me why you’ve taken this trouble?”

“…His Majesty wishes to know your intentions, Bishop.”

“His Majesty?”

“Are you resigned to accept the religious tribunal, or do you wish to escape it by any means necessary?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve heard a lot about the corruption of the church. Aren’t you witnessing it even now? His Majesty asked if you would like to initiate change in such a church.”

“Ah… Is His Majesty considering intervening in church affairs?”

Ilya’s expression hardened instantly.

Regardless of whether MacLaine had the capacity to do so, the notion of secular power encroaching upon church authority was something no cleric could happily accept.

But Victor continued without wavering.

“His Majesty declared that the situation leaves no choice. The church’s threats to control a whole kingdom have crossed the line.”

That was something Ilya could agree with; her expression turned grim.

“…And what if I desire that change?”

“His Majesty said he would connect you with valuable allies within the central church.”

“His Majesty? Does young King Logan have the connections to influence church affairs, to affect the outcome of my inquisition?”

“Yes.”

Despite scepticism, Victor’s answer was firm.

“Moreover, we have preparations within MacLaine to assist you. If we can get a good response from within and outside the church, we’re confident we can change the set course of the tribunal, once you reach the church…”

As conviction filled Victor’s voice, Ilya showed signs of doubt for the first time.

* * *

“Uh, ugh? Huh! En, Enemy!”

As Joseph jolted awake and drew his sword, he saw only his comrades with pitiable expressions.

“…Commander Grant. What happened?”

“Nothing happened.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing happened, I said! The heretic bishop is intact, and no one’s dead.”

Grant’s already unsightly face was marked with irritability as he glared at Ilya through the iron bars. Yet, Ilya still sat motionless, revealing nothing to Grant.

Above all, the mission carried immense significance and danger.

‘This is a task directly bestowed by the Holy Father himself. How could such a mistake occur?’