– The Inquisitor has arrived.
A short message appeared as we decoded the encrypted communication.
The person currently using this encryption pattern was none other than Trie.
So, the Inquisitor has come to see Iris, whom Trie is guarding.
‘Why?’
Would the Inquisitor have some connection with Iris?
Did they just come for a friendly visit?
Or could it be that the Papal Palace has lost its mind and intends to attack Iris?
“Surely… surely not…”
Damn. I had forgotten that normal people are actually rarer in this world.
Those who have always looked down on Iris.
Now that she’s been openly reprimanded by the Emperor, what if they suddenly treat the Saintess as a heretic and execute her…?
‘Surely they aren’t that crazy…’
I shook my head in denial, but I couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling.
Trie was already assigned as her guard.
Someone like Trie could probably put up a decent fight against two Inquisitors.
In the institution, the police would arrive in an instant to provide support, so Iris shouldn’t be in any danger.
Just because I felt anxious didn’t mean I could command the Imperial Guard to do my bidding.
Moving recklessly wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
“Damn…”
That can’t be right.
No matter how much preparation you make for danger, it’s not enough.
Especially if the target being protected possesses healing abilities rivaling an Elixir in this world.
At the very least, I needed to stick with Iris until the Inquisitors left the institution.
They would only stay for about a week, so I just had to hold on a little while longer.
– Schlus Hainkel. It’s an emergency.
At that moment, a communication spell flew to me.
It was from Erwin.
I immediately shared Erwin’s sight and hearing to eavesdrop.
– Are you watching now?
“Yeah.”
Then, the scenery of the Imperial University’s main gate appeared.
A hulking man had just passed through the gate.
Even with the high ceiling of the main entrance, he had to bow down to pass.
In the man’s hand was a massive spear shaped like a cross.
It was the weapon symbolizing the Inquisitors.
– Is that the Inquisitor? Why is that man here…?
“Erwin, stay safe in Professor Sergei’s lab for now.”
That would be the safest place within the Imperial University.
Erwin’s vision began to turn and shake, so I cut off the shared senses.
Using observation magic, the man was indeed heading straight for this mansion.
“Emilia. Escape through the back door and hide in the Investigation Department building.”
“Onii-chan…”
“Hurry.”
“Okay…”
She seemed ready to say something but lowered her head and turned away.
I was so grateful that she listened so well.
Whether Emilia was here or not would make a substantial difference in a fight.
“Of course, I don’t think anything will go wrong… but if anything dangerous happens, do not hold back on the Elixir. Got it?”
“I think it’d be better to save some…”
“Oh, come on. Promise me you’ll use it immediately if you get hurt.”
“I promise.”
We pinky swore, and only then did Emilia seem a bit reassured as she turned back.
Emilia disappeared through the back door.
In the meantime, I went up to the second floor and opened the black steel safe.
Inside were a broken pocket watch and a single Elixir.
After taking out the Elixir, I locked the safe again.
*Thud thud thud…*
“Talk about perfect timing.”
Just then, I heard a loud knocking on the door.
It was loud enough that I wondered if the door might come crashing down.
The Papal Palace’s greatest strength.
A being utterly forbidden from lingering in the institution due to its overwhelming presence.
A human weapon that kills countless people every time it moves…
Thinking about facing an Inquisitor made my heart pound.
But I’ve faced off against the strongest individual in humanity, Sergey before.
There was nothing to be afraid of.
I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway.
Let’s check out the ugly mug of this monster.
“Hahaha. Greetings, Schlus Hainkel, Your Excellency. I’m this kind of person. Nice to meet you.”
“…”
When I opened the door, there was a giant, repeatedly wiping his neck and face with a handkerchief.
Actually, it was a huge bath towel.
It only looked small because of his massive frame.
And the way he grinned and presented his business card left me utterly bewildered.
When I took the card, it read:
– Inquisitor, Servanov
– Fast and Simple Heresy Examination
– Error Rate 0%!
The cheap-looking business card left me speechless.
Was the image of an Inquisitor supposed to be like this?
I tried to recall the original depiction but quickly gave up.
After all, I had hardly ever described an Inquisitor before.
My imagination had probably filled in the rest, resulting in this quirky concept.
But at least it wasn’t the image of a thug with a hunting axe who licks the blade for intimidation.
“What’s that on your shoulder?”
“Excuse me?”
But the most peculiar thing was the bird perched on the Inquisitor’s shoulder.
A strange dove with red eyes.
It sat quietly on his shoulder while staring at me.
Was it something trained by the Papal Palace?
“About that pigeon…”
“Ah! Yikes! What’s this?!”
“…?”
The Inquisitor turned his head and was taken aback.
So the dove just randomly sat there, huh…?
That’s ridiculous.
I stepped aside and guided the Inquisitor, Alexei, inside.
“I don’t know what this is about, but please, come on in. It’s quite hot outside.”
“Haha. Thank you. Wow, the institution is really sunny.”
“The Monarch Principality does have a lot of clouds, though.”
“No, I’m not from the Monarch Principality. I just arrived from the northern mountainous region.”
“Ah…”
I poured some cold water into a cup and added ice.
But if this Inquisitor came from the north, the kingdom’s army would make one decisive strike if they crossed the border, maintaining a tension equivalent to a special forces unit almost at the ready.
Something didn’t feel right.
If this was just a show of force, they would have no reason to pull such a valuable force from so far away.
Surely they wouldn’t have brought someone who has never set foot in the institution just for a sightseeing tour.
“Why not take off your outer robe?”
“I can’t do that, ho ho.”
It felt odd for him to be bundled up in a long robe, and then it hit me.
Inquisitors are raised through severe training and torture from a young age.
As a result, their bodies are covered in scars, and they conceal them by wrapping themselves up like that.
“Why have you come here, rather than the Imperial Palace?”
“I came to meet you, Schlus Hainkel, as an individual rather than Regent.”
“Then may I ask what this is about?”
I asked earnestly while sitting across from him.
Alexei seemed to smile for a moment, then quickly hardened his expression.
“I believe we need to have a more detailed discussion about the heresy and asylum.”
“You’re saying you want to discuss that with me right now?”
“…”
That was absurd.
The Pope sends an Inquisitor to discuss matters that need his presence?
Was the Papal Palace throwing away all pretenses of courtesy?
This is akin to sending a servant from a noble family to negotiate between households.
“This is quite perplexing. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that. Tell the Pope that I won’t meet with him.”
“…”
If they reported back that they were kicked out after entering the mansion, he would probably be immediately locked up in the Sofia Cathedral’s underground prison.
I decided it was best to feign ignorance before they even stepped in.
Yet, he just continued to gulp down the cold water without budging an inch.
“You seem a bit impatient. Would you like to hear a bit more?”
“…”
Damn. Isn’t it right on the hour?
I checked the time, and the second hand was just crossing the 12.
Why hasn’t Trie’s signal come yet?
‘Oh no.’
There’s only one Inquisitor here.
So where did the other one go?
The answer was already becoming clear.
“I’m sorry. I have no more to discuss with you. Please leave immediately.”
“That’s not possible.”
“…”
I hastily moved toward the front door.
Just then, a *bang* sound echoed.
The massive figure had already blocked my way, filling the entrance.
“Step aside. This is an order.”
“That would be difficult.”
“…”
His right hand firmly gripped the enormous spear.
I hid my right hand behind me and prepared to lash out.
It seemed today would finally be the day I would wreck the Chairwoman’s Residence.
Sorry about this, Alexia.
*
“What on earth…?”
Inside the quiet carriage.
Trie constantly looked around, muttering to herself.
In contrast, Iris sat calmly across from her.
“Is this common for church people? Showing up out of the blue and giving orders.”
“I would say it is.”
“How rude.”
“…”
That was a hard one to argue against.
Iris also partially agreed.
But this case was particularly unusual.
It wasn’t a cardinal or archbishop; a mere Inquisitor had come to fetch the Saintess.
And to be summoned directly to the Sophia Cathedral without prior notice was incredibly disorienting.
It was awkward to refuse, so they had no choice but to get into the carriage and follow along.
“Why is that person in another carriage?”
“Different status.”
“Oh, they weren’t a noble?”
Trie’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Only then did Trie start to comprehend the situation, and her expression grew increasingly serious.
A commoner, no, to be more precise, someone closer to a slave, had come to pick up the living Saintess.
There was no sign of respect for the title of the living Saintess in this act.
“This doesn’t feel right. Shouldn’t we push back in situations like this?”
“That is an option, but… this time, I’ll willingly comply.”
“…?”
Recently, they had ignored the Papal Palace’s demands for too long.
If they continued to shun the church like this, something terrible would likely happen, so they decided to comply this time.
“It’s almost time. I need to send a communication.”
“Communication? Why?”
“Every hour, if I don’t send a communication to Schlus, it’s regarded as an emergency. Then Schlus will dash over.”
“Why go that far…?”
Why is Schlus making such a fuss?
I have future sight, so I can evade most significant threats myself.
When it comes to my own danger, even if my future sight is a bit limited, I’m okay.
While staying within the institution, even if a threat came in the near future, I would be quickly protected…
“Huh?”
As Iris pulled back the curtain, she realized they had already exited the institution.
A sinister feeling crept in.
At that moment, Iris’s vision clouded, and a bizarre sight unfolded before her.
Horses lying in pools of blood.
And a carriage pulverized to pieces.
Next to it, Trie knelt on the ground with a spear plunged into her gut…
“Coachman! Turn this carriage around immediately!”
Iris shouted urgently.
