Taming the Evil Saintess

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Thanks to the timely long-range support from Erwin and Emily, we managed to break through the panicked ranks of the Knights and enter the Holy See.

“Stop! You’re a traitor!”

Inside, many knights and priests stood in our way, but in the confined space that was far from an open field, their numerical advantage quickly faded.

I readied my Holy Sword in a half-sword grip and charged forward, pushing through the corridor. They couldn’t withstand my strength and the sturdiness of my armor. Not even a little strength was mixed in from Cathedral Knights, and as the forces were swept away like fallen leaves, a priest muttered blankly.

“Chariot of the Demon…”

Hearing the word ‘chariot’ was indeed unpleasant, but upon closer inspection, there wasn’t much difference.

That was because Ophelia, the Equestrian, was dangling by my back.

With little resistance, we broke through the lobby of the Holy See and set foot on the stairs leading to the underground prison.

“This is it.”

I had been to the basement of the Holy See just once in the past—when the Inquisition Bureau came to test me after I handed Ophelia over. It was the place where I first met Yurede, so I had a rough memory of the layout.

According to the map, the underground of the Holy See housed the Inquisition Bureau and its operating underground prison.

In other words, to rescue Belwin, we inevitably had to break through the Inquisition Bureau.

“Ophelia, from here on you need to keep your wits about you.”

“Hmph. I know those Inquisition Officers are shady bastards.”

As can be seen with Yurede, all the Inquisition Officers of the Cathedral are human weapons with monstrous abilities. Especially, they specialize in dirty work like assassination, ambush, intimidation, extortion, and torture rather than all-out warfare.

With God’s Shadow having been annihilated during the last Continental Conference, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the Inquisition Bureau is effectively God’s Shadow now.

We had to break through a space crawling with those monstrous beings. I was prepared to use the Mark if needed.

So, we set our resolve as we stepped into the Inquisition Bureau…

“Oh, you’ve arrived. I’ve heard a lot about you, Brother Yurede.”

Those human weapons greeted us with wide smiles.

“Our Inquisition Bureau promises full support to you and your companions, brave Hero. Please, come inside.”

They even went so far as to offer us a grand welcome.

*

The Hell Duke Derabilice is known for wielding his influence across the entire continent through deals.

The deals Derabilice puts forth are similar to the Gears that use a divine being as a mediator. The only difference is that the mediator isn’t a divine being but an evil god.

There are plenty of ignorant humans who criticize it as making deals with malevolent entities, but they, too, would want to grab onto a lifeline when cornered. That’s the nature of little rats.

And unlike the other executives, the Hell Duke understands the human heart perfectly.

Exploiting that gap is a simple task for him.

Just like what happened in the Cathedral.

“Golden Lion Azar. Is the collaboration with the Hero enjoyable?”

And just like now, when he faces Golden Lion Azar alone.

The Hell Duke spoke with an evil smile plastered across his face, but Azar answered by throwing a hand axe from his waist.

Of course, Derabilice wouldn’t die within his territory. The hatchet thrown by Azar split his forehead but was healed in an instant.

“Some things never change; your filthy power is one of them.”

“Well, I can’t argue with the fact that it’s not particularly pleasant.”

As he pressed his own split head back together, the Hell Duke summoned a chair and sat down.

“What do you want from me, Hell Duke?”

“Collaboration.”

“I don’t need it. I won’t fall for your tricks. Release this cursed territory.”

“Very well. I saw the heroic actions you displayed in the Labre Territory.”

The Hell Duke chuckled.

However, Derabilice knows Azar relatively well. He knows that there’s still something he hasn’t let go of.

“Then promise me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Aria.”

At those words, Azar’s eyebrows twitched. He glared at Derabilice with narrowed eyes.

“Why is my alias Hell Duke?”

A seasoned bloodlust.

Yet, Derabilice continued without flinching.

“I promise you eternal reunion with the deceased.”

“…”

“It means you can reunite with your companion.”

Upon hearing Derabilice’s words, Azar loosened his grip on the axe in his hand.

*

“Follow me. Archbishop Belwin is in the VIP room inside.”

“VIP room? I heard the Archbishop was locked up in a dungeon.”

“Yes. It’s the most luxurious dungeon. I’d say it’s probably the most luxurious in the entire continent.”

“…”

Without relaxing my tension, I glared at the back of the Inquisition Officer guiding us. But he was filled with vulnerabilities. If I ambushed from behind, he wouldn’t survive a moment; he wasn’t even on guard.

“Our Inquisition Bureau promises full support to you and your companions, brave Hero.”

It seemed the words I heard earlier from the Inquisition Officer were indeed true.

The Inquisition Bureau is friendly towards us.

I recalled what Yurede had mentioned to me not long ago.

“Are they not following the Pope’s command?”

“They are. They follow it on the surface.”

“…On the surface?”

“Essentially, we despise heresy and follow the Will of God. And currently, who is closer to heresy, the Pope or the Hero? Even without Brother Yurede, that’s something anyone can tell.”

The Inquisition Officer shrugged.

“Of course, it’s somewhat disgraceful to pretend to follow the Pope while saying this.”

Internally, I was surprised.

An Inquisition Officer. So, they weren’t all like Yurede.

“…Hey.”

Ophelia seemed to be thinking the same, grabbing my sleeve.

“Why is he normal?”

“Ophelia, that’s rude.”

“No, it’s just weird. He’s the same type as Yurede. So isn’t he supposed to be crazy?”

A hundred percent agree, but saying that in front of him seems a bit rude. I tried to gently chide Ophelia, but the Inquisition Officer turned around. Could he have heard our previous conversation? I thought, but he wore a somewhat sly smile and spoke.

“Hero, I have one earnest request.”

“What is it?”

“If you capture the Pope, would you send him to our Inquisition Bureau first? I hear the Imperial National Church is eager for him, but I’d like to receive him here.”

“…Why?”

“Well, it’s a rare opportunity, isn’t it?”

“A rare opportunity…?”

“To torture the Pope directly! An opportunity to test the faith of a prophet will never come again if you miss this one.”

The Inquisition Officer spoke with a grin stretching from ear to ear, and Ophelia’s jaw dropped.

“…So, you’re saying you’re looking forward to torturing the Pope?”

“Something like that. Ah, was that too extreme of a statement for the Saint Lady?”

“…Hmm.”

“Please don’t mind it too much, and forget it. Ah, but don’t forget, keep it in mind moderately.”

Forget what I just said.

This guy was just as crazy as Yurede.

*

“Oh, Ophelia. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“…That old man.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It seems like you’ve been the one doing just fine.”

“Hmm?”

“Honestly… you seem a bit too comfortable.”

Under the guidance of the Inquisition Officer, we entered the underground prison. Contrary to our expectations, Belwin was living a quite lavish life there.

With the label of ‘VIP room,’ calling the room a king’s chamber would be more accurate, except for the iron bars that pierced one wall.

On a splendid mahogany table laid a feast. Looking at the stack of delicacies, Ophelia gulped.

In fact, it was easy to guess how well Belwin had been indulging since he looked healthier than when we last saw him.

Well, good is good, I suppose. Of course, from Ophelia’s perspective, rushing here at risk after hearing about Belwin being imprisoned didn’t seem to sit well with her.

“Well… shouldn’t it be a bit dreary and dark without a toilet or something, old man?”

“…Ophelia, should I be wearing shackles?”

“No, it’s just… that’s what I meant.”

Ophelia scratched her cheek with a displeased expression.

Belwin looked at her with a fatherly smile. Then he suddenly spoke.

“By the way, you look good.”

“What do you mean?”

“Seeing you with Knight Elliot, it’s like watching my daughter get married; it evokes a bittersweet feeling.”

“What the hell?! What kind of nonsense is that, you old bastard!”

Ophelia was shocked.

Of course, Belwin didn’t care about Ophelia’s reaction and took out a handkerchief to wipe his eyes. It seemed he was touched by the way Ophelia spoke to me casually.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d live to see the day you’d give your heart to a man; a few years ago, I couldn’t have imagined it.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“Ah, it brings back memories of when you first saw me at eight and pulled out my beard.”

“…That was a mistake! I mean…”

Ophelia desperately protested, but Belwin delivered a shocking tale.

“Remember when you were ten, and you used to soil the blankets every day because you didn’t want to go to the academy?”

“Hey, that’s not allowed!”

Ophelia screamed as she covered her ears, but my superhuman hearing wouldn’t falter over just that.

“…”

Ophelia turned her stiff neck to look at me.

“Hey, did you hear?”

“What?”

As I smiled back, Ophelia seemed to anticipate what I would say next and scrunched her face.

“Hey… if you say one more word, you’re dead to me.”

“Huh? What the heck are you talking about? Just let me hear it.”

“Uh… um. It’s just that…”

I grinned broadly.

How long has it been since I saw Ophelia flustered like that?

What I had to do here was clear. I spoke with the most amiable tone possible.

“Are you talking about what Belwin said just now about you drawing a map of the continent on your blanket when you were ten?”

“…You bastard…”

“Wow. You finally proved the flat earth theory. You’re like the Reverse Galileo. If it was holy water from the Saintess, wouldn’t it be complete sanctity? If Yurede had been around, he would have gladly accepted it!”

“…Ugh.”

Ophelia clamped her lips shut.

Her lips quivered.

Her eyes were starting to glisten with tears, so I stopped.

If I teased her any further, she might really cry.

And once Ophelia started crying, it would take at least a week of anguish afterwards.

That was something I absolutely wanted to avoid in a situation like this.