“Indeed, it’s unlikely that the impeachment charges and the disappearance of the Heretic Inquisition will completely screw over the Pope. But it’s sure to ruffle his feathers.”

“I’m worried about the much larger waves that could follow after this small ripple, my lord.”

“There’s a way to turn that small ripple into a seismic shift.”

“Really?”

Despite Clayton’s retort, Logan just smiled.

‘I hadn’t thought of it at first.’

Out of the countless memories from his past life, it was hard to immediately recall an incident that happened within an order he had so little interest in.

However, the moment the word ‘impeachment’ came out of Cardinal Austin’s mouth, a memory surfaced like a lie – the Pope’s assassination attempt.

– While investigating the truth behind the incident, a decades-long deception by the Pope was uncovered.

– The fake saint. The subsequent impeachment.

Of course, the details were unknown to him. When he heard the rumor in his past life that even the Pope was a fraud amidst a corrupt church, he simply laughed it off.

And in his current life, who would believe rumors of the Pope being a fake saint?

But what if such rumors spread now, with the impeachment motion in place?

‘Someone will doubt it and try to verify it. That’s good enough.’

Impeachment due to past corruption.

Sacrifices made due to abuse of power.

Add to that the scam of impersonating a saint.

“There won’t be any room to investigate the disappearance of the Inquisition.”

At Logan’s continued explanation, Clayton could only open his mouth in awe.

“Where did you get such information?”

“Demian’s capabilities are quite exceptional.”

“Ha… He truly is remarkable. I should owe him a debt as well.”

As a mage who sought the truths of the world, could his questions ever be so few?

Demian might feel a twist in his face, but Logan brushed off the rising pangs of conscience.

‘I must keep everything about regression a secret at all costs.’

Despite the corruption of the temple, they managed to replace the Pope under the pretense of simulating divine powers.

Interfering with time and space, something not even a god could do – information about regression must never be known.

Reminding himself of this conviction, Logan’s teacher unassumingly joined in.

“Yet, to avoid suspicion, we must ensure you have a solid alibi, my lord. I trust you have prepared properly…”

It was a valid concern. Intentionally stirring up trouble in the empire could easily make MacLaine the prime suspect due to past grudges.

Given that only a limited force could subdue the Inquisition, the question remained.

Yet Logan responded with a confident smile.

“Of course, I’m fully prepared.”

At that moment, there was no unusual activity in the MacLaine royal family.

“Then, let’s deal with that matter in that manner, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for your hard work. You’ve been most diligent, father-in-law.”

“Excuse me…?”

At ‘Logan’s’ words, Roberts Floyd cocked his head in confusion.

Father-in-law, he mused.

It was unusual for him to use such a term in a public setting.

Yet, couldn’t help but enjoy being praised in front of others.

Elated, Roberts replied with a satisfied smile.

“Haha, don’t mention it. I’ll take my leave now.”

As Roberts, along with other officials, departed the palace, Dwayne, who had been bowing with a smile, suddenly stepped hard on Logan’s foot.

“Ack!?”

Logan leaped up.

Even Dwayne, who wouldn’t normally dare such a thing, bared his teeth and growled in front of him.

“Are you crazy? Why bring up your father-in-law!”

“You suddenly act this way, where is it coming from…”

“What?”

“I, I’m sorry.”

Dwayne’s threatening tone made Logan quickly bow his head.

While watching the scene, Dwayne reluctantly sighed and pounded hard on Logan’s shoulder.

“Ugh!”

“Get a grip, Rick. You know the King’s habits best. You have a similar body shape, and I even gave you top-notch magic. Will you really cause trouble after holding up for only a few days?!”

“Ow! It hurts, your honor! Why are you so strong!”

“It’s all for His Majesty and you, idiot!”

Thump. Thump.

“It doesn’t feel like it…”

Rick, disguised as Logan, muttered under his breath as Dwayne felt a twinge of conscience. Even though berating Rick in disguise as Logan for the past few days brought him a guilty pleasure.

Hiding his true feelings, Dwayne pressed on even harder.

“What’s wrong with you? Some people are in dire straits because of constant blunders, and you’re doing what now?”

As Dwayne reached for ‘Logan’, veritably looking like a bandit with his size and growing beard, Rick seemed indifferent having known him since childhood.

“No, but I’m officially the royal chamberlain now, your treatment is too harsh…”

Dwayne dismissed Rick’s protest with one ear and thought to himself.

‘Ah, this sense of satisfaction…’

In that moment, holding the collar of someone with Logan’s appearance, he succumbed to sweet fantasy. All his hard work seemed to flash before his eyes.

Yes, all the hardship endured because of you.

Now suffering from stomach ulcers, a little rough treatment doesn’t seem so bad, right? It’s not even the real thing.

“Hey! Even though I may seem like…”

Swelling with pride, Dwayne’s voice began to rise.

“No! How dare you! What are you doing now?!”

“Wh-what? …”

At that moment, a voice behind him made his body stiffen.

Turning around, Dwayne saw officials who had left the office standing there, each holding inexplicable gifts.

“Lord Dwayne??”

What are you doing?

The unstated question from Roberts Floyd automatically replayed in Dwayne’s mind.

“Cough! I was just cleaning some dust off His Majesty’s robes.”

Dwayne turned around hurriedly, spinning an excuse while catching a glimpse of the gifts in the officials’ hands.

The first thing that caught his eye was the familiar wrapping.

‘Impolic? Shouldn’t that be sold out? How did they get it?’

Besides, the officials were holding various items acclaimed for men’s vitality, such as Krang leaves or Lithe livers.

Why in the world at such timing?

“Why did you return here?”

“Ah. His Majesty is newlywed, and it seems there hasn’t been any good news. As his father-in-law, I prepared a gift. I intended to visit separately, but these people… insisted on coming at the same time.”

“Ah… Haha, I see.”

Dwayne glanced back and scowled.

Normally such a thing would never occur, but it seemed the term “father-in-law” brought about a small change.

As Dwayne scowled at Rick, who was disguised as Logan,

“Haha. Seems our Lord Finance Minister is closer to His Majesty than I thought. To be so amiable.”

Roberts Floyd’s doubtful voice sent a chill to Dwayne’s heart.

Once again, he looked toward the still suspicious eyes.

“Haha. Naturally, as I’ve known His Majesty since childhood.”

“Is that so? That’s a bit different from the stories I’ve heard…”

Feeling sweat trickle down his spine, Dwayne signaled quickly with his fingers behind his back – flicking them three times.

The brief signal was clear.

– Emergency situation. Show how Logan MacLaine would have acted.

And Rick received the signal quite clearly.

“Dwayne, bow your head.”

“…Excuse me?”

As his head turned again, Dwayne looked back disbelievingly.

Are you nuts?

His forceful eyes did nothing to phase Rick.

“Oh, it seems I’ve been too lenient with you. It’s unreasonable even in jest. Tsk.”

Rick, now perfectly masked as Logan, adopted an indifferent expression with a faint smile.

For a moment, as Dwayne witnessed his master’s plausible demeanor, his body shook uncontrollably.

However, there was no room for resistance.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Thud.

Everyone, including Roberts, relaxed as they saw Dwayne knock his head to the ground.

While bowing, Dwayne felt some relief watching their expressions and Rick then casually sat on him.

Crunch.

“Cough! My back… Your Majesty?”

“Shush. Stay quiet. You’ve compromised the dignity of the king in front of the ministers, that’s not a light offense, is it?”

“Ugh.”

You, you…

Is this revenge…?

Seething with anger but with no outlet,

“Oh. And you were talking about gifts, weren’t you, my father-in-law?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve gathered only the finest items beneficial for men.”

“Haha, to what extent?”

With an imitation of Logan’s usual lighter mood after work, Rick kept imitating him while secretly reveling in Dwayne’s astonishment.

‘Heheh. Laila will like this. The Majesty certainly doesn’t need these being a superhuman.’

The royal chamberlain thought of his succession plans with a sly smile.

* * *

The Holy City of Noviens was abuzz with Cardinal Austin’s impeachment motion, but the majority of residents were skeptical of the outcome.

“No matter what, he is His Holiness the Pope.”

“Would he really have done such a thing?”

Supporters of the Pope,

“There are seven cardinals from the Pope’s party. There’ll be many more among the higher priests.”

“It’s definitely a battle the Pope will win.”

As well as critics.

Everyone’s conclusion was the same.

Amidst this, with the day of judgment fast approaching, another astonishing rumor hit the Holy City hard, surprising the residents.

The returning Inquisition had mysteriously vanished.

There were signs of a fight, but it was impossible to track them by divine or magical means.

Presumed annihilation of the Inquisition. Certain involvement of a grand sorcerer, yet the monster remains unidentified.

The recent headline-grabbing collective expedition of the inquisitors ended in a disaster that no one could have predicted.

The Inquisition may have been a relic, but they were the elite forces of the church. Single-handedly, they could rival the Holy Knights in power, thus narrowing down the suspects.

“If it’s within the Imperial territories, is it the Empire’s doing?”

“Why would the Empire do that?”

“Even so, the only place with that kind of power is the Empire.”

“How about the MacLaine kingdom?”

“That small country?”

“Small, but the king is a superhuman. And they have a Grand Sorcerer. Most importantly, there would’ve been a grudge against the Inquisition.”

Dismissing scoffs were buried under the rebuttal of those with informed sources.

Nevertheless,

“That small country would openly attack ‘the Empire’s territory’ and ‘the church’? Even discarding how it could go unnoticed, without madness…”

For most people, their views dismissed the likely conjecture.

Moreover, voices that would usually be unheard began to seep through little by little.

“Was it not the Pope who dispatched the Inquisition without clear evidence?”

“They hadn’t even been deemed heretical yet. Overstepping is divine retribution.”

Criticism towards the Pope began to grow ever so slightly louder.

Church leadership, specifically the Pope’s faction, took the situation seriously.

“The church’s authority has collapsed! We must mobilize all intelligence to find the culprit!”

“Indeed! Whether it’s Ares or MacLaine, they must pay for their sins!”

Council of Cardinals.

Specifically, except for Austin and Ilia, the rest belonging to the Pope’s faction gathered, and anguished voices filled the room.

Substituting for the Pope, Cardinal Tener Rainey intervened with a heavy remark.

“Currently, MacLaine is the most likely suspect. The Empire has no reason for such action.”

“But, there’s no evidence of troops moving. Does that kingdom possess the power to deal with the Inquisition in such a short time?”

“We’ll know once we investigate.”

“Heh. If there are no other options…”

“Send the Holy Knights to investigate. Through divine or magical means, by force if necessary, we must make them confess.”

“Without His Holiness’ permission?”

Even Tener Rainey, the Pope’s right-hand man, had to pause at that notion.

“Until the impeachment charges are settled, His Holiness’ duties are suspended. It can’t be helped.”

Some time later, as someone voiced agreement, the council door opened, and an unexpected report was delivered.

“Disaster! Strange rumors are spreading in the streets!”

“Again? What now?!”

Noviens, already hectic with rumors about the missing Inquisition, was now disturbed further by a more shocking tale.

The sanctification of Julio Umberto I was a fraud.

He is a fake saint.

A hideous rumor, impossible for anyone, especially the clergy, to ignore, had spread unknowingly throughout the Holy City and its surroundings.

It was common knowledge that the elevation of Julio, a commoner-turned-priest, to the papacy was largely influenced by the first appearance of a saint in 50 years.

In other words, on top of rumors regarding impeachment and abuse of power, the very foundation of the Pope’s position was now in jeopardy.

“Ah, that can’t be…”

“Does that even make sense?”

“Given the current circumstances…”

This rumor would usually be dismissed as absurd, but with a series of grim events unfolding, most residents couldn’t help but listen.

Of course,

“Seize all those blabbering!”

“Seal the church and ensure the priests don’t hear such talk!”

“The ones spreading such vile rumors will face severe punishment!”

The Pope’s cardinals vehemently denied the rumor, their faces flushed with rage.

Yet,

“The Pope is not only a criminal but also a fraud.”

Added to the chorus of voices were those of the impeachment initiator, Cardinal Austin, and newly elevated Saint Ilia.

With that, the opinion of the entire continent focused on the Central Church.

Precisely, on the upcoming day of the Pope’s impeachment trial.