I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 54 Interrogation (5)

“When you deliberately stopped magic at that moment…”

Caelo paused to collect his thoughts before speaking.

“…it was because of a personal bad memory.”

“A bad memory?”

Caelo nodded.

“I’ve been training in magic since I was young. Even before enrolling here, I had received extensive training focused on combat magic.”

“How is that related to the current suspicion?”

“There was an incident back then. I failed to control my magic, and a maid ended up severely injured.”

Caelo squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, as if he didn’t want to recall the memory.

“I still remember it clearly. Her screams and the blood pooling on the floor. The maid covering her eyes and calling for help.”

“So, those memories surfaced while you were casting the spell?”

“To be precise, it was when I heard the sound of a cup breaking. Back then, the maid was carrying something, maybe a jar or a bottle, which fell and shattered. When the professor broke the cup for the interruption, it brought back those memories.”

“And you canceled the spell belatedly?”

“It’s really quite embarrassing, but… even if I hadn’t canceled it, the professor wouldn’t have been harmed.”

Caelo bit down on his lip.

“But I simply didn’t want to use that spell again.”

Caelo’s explanation made some sense. If the spell was canceled right after the interruption, it was understandable why the dice roll turned out the way it did.

‘The crucial point is whether Caelo’s direct spell cancellation fits within the scope of dice judgment…’

I decided to hold off on the dice judgment issue for now.

“Were there any witnesses to the incident?”

“A few people might still be around.”

“What happened to the injured maid?”

“We gave her some money and sent her back to her hometown. It was quite a while ago, so I don’t know where she is or how she’s doing now.”

It became exceedingly difficult to determine whether the incident was real or fabricated. Arian also showed a troubled expression. Although the investigation was related to an Outer God, unearthing a noble’s scandal would undoubtedly complicate the investigation. If the story was false, the Belacre family could easily bribe someone to provide fake testimony.

‘Obtaining permission to use a miracle would be difficult too.’

What good was a highly credible lie detector if there were so many obstacles in using it on nobles? After a few more questions, all of which Caelo answered cleanly, the interrogation ended without significant results. After Caelo left, Arian looked at me.

“Professor Magus, what do you think? Caelo Belacre answered all the questions admirably.”

“Yes, he really left no room for doubt.”

I nodded honestly, recognizing that the interrogation only proved that while there might be suspicions about Caelo, there wasn’t enough to truly incriminate him.

“Indeed, he seemed like a student personally taught by Professor Elrave. He appeared to have no connection to the incident.”

“You are absolutely right, Professor! It was worth getting the hard-won permission to prove his innocence.”

I smiled at Arian. With the Belacre family making such a fuss, it would typically have been difficult to even hold such an interrogation. We had used Professor Elrave, presenting this as an opportunity to prove Caelo Belacre’s complete innocence, even providing the questions in advance to get permission.

“Cross-verification would be necessary, right?”

“Of course! Once the cross-verification is complete, Caelo Belacre will be completely excluded from this investigation!”

From the start, the result of the interrogation wasn’t as important as the cross-verification itself. Though Caelo had answered admirably, what would happen if testimonials contradicting his answers emerged? Given the sensitive nature of the incident involving an Outer God, the Belacre family tried their best to prevent this interrogation and even went as far as confirming the questions in advance.

“I hope no conflicting testimonies appear.”

Originally, conflicting opinions or testimonies were not expected to arise.

Even though Belacre was merely a baron’s family, there were still connections among the nobles.

It was almost impossible to use a miracle to interrogate nobles, so aligning their testimonies was all that mattered.

However, it seemed that Baron Belacre was not fully aware of his son’s social circle.

“Has the permission for ‘Radiance of Truth Discernment’ to be used on Student Sinia been granted?”

“It will probably be granted by tomorrow, or at the latest, the day after tomorrow!”

Sinia was not a noble.

Therefore, unlike nobles, the permission for ‘Radiance of Truth Discernment’ was quickly granted for her.

‘And there’s also Lilybell. Since she voluntarily came forward, permission to use the ‘Radiance of Truth Discernment’ miracle would likely be granted. For their family, quickly dispelling excessive suspicion would be of utmost importance.’

If the interrogation results using that miracle revealed inconsistencies with Caelo’s testimony, the permission to use ‘Radiance of Truth Discernment’ would inevitably be granted, no matter how much of a baron’s family they were.

‘If they skillfully deceive due to special circumstances like mine, it would be troublesome. But if the right questions related to Sharl are asked, there’s no way to escape.’

That moment would be the checkmate.

* * *

A lot happened afterward.

The first to be interrogated was Lilybell.

Given her circumstances, cooperative attitude, and the petition I sent, she managed to get through without any disciplinary action.

‘There was also conflicting testimony.’

Thanks to the testimonies of Lilybell and subsequently Sinia, additional investigations into Caelo began to be properly discussed.

‘And Lilybell and Lia started to harbor some hope.’

Since I was not an expert on diseases, I obviously couldn’t solve the problem at once.

However, by sharing various insights acquired from playing ≪Orders≫, the two started to show some motivation.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

* * *

*Crash!*

With the sound of bones breaking, the strength of the bandit impaled by Gluttony waned.

“You damned bas-”

*Snap!*

A curse that followed and the familiar sound of tearing flesh.

Another foolish bandit met his end.

“Who the hell suggested robbing that guy!”

“Who knew he’d kill us all on his own!”

They attacked in their own way, but such bandits, with no rank, were of no concern to me.

No matter how many there were, I could handle them without much effort.

“Die!… Ack!”

I dodged the attack of one attempting to strike with an axe and tore off his head.

As my rank rose, gluttony also grew, and above all, the combat experience gained from fighting Albeka gave me a certain level of skill in close combat.

“Eat.”

Gluttony plunged its tendrils into the large body of the fallen bandit, devouring it whole.

“Crazy… Run!”

“Monster!”

The bandits, who thought they could overwhelm me with numbers, realized their folly.

They chose to flee, but it was already too late.

I didn’t even need to use my miracle or Eldritch’s magic.

*Thwack! Thud!*

The fleeing bandits all ended up as a meal for Gluttony.

“Damn it…….”

The situation was neatly resolved, but my uneasy mind did not disappear.

“…… What on earth is taking so long for the investigation permit to be issued!”

*Thud.*

While scattering blood on the ground, I finally let out the anger I had been suppressing.

A significant amount of time had passed, yet the permit to use the 〈Radiance of Truth Discernment〉 on the Belacre household had not been granted.

According to Luminaries, it was being expedited as much as possible and was in the final stages, but…

“It’s already been a week since the first interrogation!”

We were on the verge of losing the suspect whom we had firmly in our grasp.

‘They must have deliberately delayed it because of the party.’

A party where various dignitaries, including nobles and magic professors, gathered. Given how many interests were tied to the matter, they seemed determined to hold off until the party could occur. Ultimately, their intention had succeeded.

“Caelo, the prime suspect, is about to return to his family home. Why are you letting this happen? If Caelo is actually Sharl, we’ll be walking right into the trap set by the enemy!”

I screamed furiously while staring at the head I held, frothing at the mouth, but naturally, no reply came.

“Meanwhile, new traces of strange rituals were found at Academia! How on earth is the surveillance being conducted!”

As a result, Cernun had to attend the party and conduct the investigation of the Belacre household, while I stayed behind to look into the new traces at Academia.

“Calm down. There’s nothing else we can do.”

Indeed, there was nothing else to be done. When I turned around, Eldritch was looking at me with concern.

“These days, you seem to have a habit of talking to the corpses of those you killed.”

“I can’t help it. I want to vent my frustration, but I can’t very well shout at an innocent you.”

Gluttony had promptly swallowed the head I was holding. We were in the middle of a forest, somewhat removed from the capital. The bandits’ hideout, where they ambushed passersby, had turned into a bloodbath within an hour of my arrival.

“…… Do you realize how insane that sounds?”

“Now that I think about it, it does. Phew… I must be really stressed.”

The main reason I came out here to slaughter was to feed Gluttony. It had reached the point where it was about to start devouring anyone nearby without discernment. So, with Cernun’s permission, I came to feed it the evil-doers.

“And bureaucracy always takes a long time. This is actually progressing rather quickly.”

“It doesn’t feel that way at all.”

Having been accustomed to the swift process in Korea, I was unbearably frustrated.

“If we’re nearly done, let’s head back. We have a schedule to keep, don’t we?”

“About that. Last time—”

“No.”

I attempted to voice a small opposition to the unappealing schedule, but Eldritch wouldn’t have it.

“Lord Ethnos, I’ve already explained this. Even if it’s an investigation, you are attending a social gathering.”

“…… Still, wouldn’t this be acceptable?”

The party at the Belacre estate. Being forced to attend, I needed appropriate attire. So, I went out and bought something…

“If it were up to me, I would definitely kick out a guest dressed like that.”

Eldritch reprimanded me.

“Just think of it as a chance to clear your head. You plan to secretly use a miracle to find evidence at the party, don’t you?”

“That’s true… but the thought of going to the party itself is unappealing.”

A party is not something attended solo. A partner of the opposite gender was needed. Lilybell was going with Caelo, Lia and Sinia had already found partners.

“However… your safety will be assured, right?”

Eldritch, understanding my feelings, carefully tried to comfort me.

…… My partner was Arian.

TL’s Corner:
Bright Light of Truth Detection -> Radiance of Truth Discernment