The Cowardly Baby Saint Sees Ghosts - Chapter 83

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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# Episode 83.
As night deepened, hurried footsteps crossed back and forth between the tents of the camp.
“It would be best if you kept your distance, Diane — the interrogation will begin shortly.”
Liam guided me into a tent and spoke quietly.
Part of me wanted to hear what would be revealed, yet I had no desire to witness the raw brutality of torture, so I followed his lead without protest.
The interrogator had already taken his position, his gaze far sharper than usual.
“Time is short. We cannot afford to follow proper procedure — I ask for your understanding.”
With that disclaimer offered, the interrogator turned to the prisoner and began pressing him with a chilling tone.
Whether through inducement or threat, his methods were far harsher than they might otherwise have been; the prisoner’s screams leaked through the tent walls more than once, but no one moved to silence them.
The situation allowed no other recourse.
As I listened to those cries, a knot of discomfort twisted in my chest.
Yet if we were to follow the Temple’s standard procedures now, the Heretic Sect would vanish without a trace before we could stop them.
The choice between the children’s lives and my own discomfort had already been made.
It was not long before the prisoner, seized by terror, began spilling everything he knew.
“His name is Gern. He handled miscellaneous duties at the Manor.”
The interrogator handed over documents as he reported.
“We’ve confirmed a portion of the organization’s roster and the routes by which supplies were moved from the Manor to the Abandoned Mine Area. We’ve also ascertained that there is another figure directing all of this.”
“What is his name?”
The Pope asked.
“He doesn’t know the exact name. The prisoner only ever heard him referred to as ‘Higher-ups.’ But it’s certain he holds a position of considerable authority — someone at Gern’s level never once laid eyes on him.”
Liam ventured a careful question from where he stood.
“How reliable is this information?”
“In his current state, he lacks the strength to fabricate anything. He’s terrified and emptying himself of all he knows. In fact, he’s been so forthcoming that there’s scarcely anything left to press him on.”
The interrogator’s tone was matter-of-fact. From the flatness of his voice, I needed no further explanation of what methods had been employed within that tent.
I found myself disappointed by the answer.
All we had confirmed anew was the existence of some shadowy Higher-ups within the Heretic Sect — nothing more.
“However.”
The interrogator continued.
“The prisoner did mention that this Higher-ups figure frequents a hideout somewhere near the Imperial Capital. He doesn’t know the exact location, but we’ve managed to pin down the general direction and distance. And it appears this Higher-ups has grown notably anxious of late.”
“Anxious?”
“As though being pursued — he’s been pushing to accelerate the schedule. Gern didn’t know the precise reason, but he was certain that in recent days, the orders coming down from above have become far more frequent.”
The Pope spread open a Map and spoke in a low voice.
“That much is enough. What we need now is to track their movements. The anxious always leave gaps — always.”
Sadly, there was no way to send word to Seria that we were drawing closer.
It occurred to me then to wonder what Seria might be thinking in her cell at this very moment.
The thought of her, locked alone in darkness, enduring day after day with no knowledge of whether Noah lived or died, sat uneasily in my heart.
Yet there was nothing I could do about it now.
Ending this expedition even a single day sooner was the fastest path to Seria’s rescue.
With that thought to steady myself, I prepared to press forward once more.
Late that night, a messenger arrived from Michael’s detachment, which had been dispatched toward the Abandoned Mine Area.
The messenger was so exhausted he had to drop to one knee the moment he dismounted.
Thick dust caked every crevice of his armor, and his face bore the unmistakable marks of a rider who had not rested all night.
“Your Highness, the Cardinal has secured the Abandoned Mine Area facilities and sends word of success.”
“What of casualties?”
“There was a brief skirmish with the guard contingent, but our losses were minimal — only a few minor wounds. We’ve rescued twelve children from the facility.”
At those words, my breath caught.
“Twelve children?”
“Yes. Their ages ranged from roughly six to early teens. Most were in weakened condition, but their lives are not in danger.”
The messenger paused.
“However, we could not locate the child called Noah, whom you mentioned.”
Noah is gone?
My heart sank.
“Where have the rescued children been taken?”
“To the nearest Temple Branch for immediate care and treatment. Once their condition stabilizes, they’ll be transferred to the Main Temple.”
“What of their identities?”
“About half have been verified by cross-referencing with missing person reports. The rest have no records at all. It seems they’ve been kept hidden from the Temple and the authorities from the start. Finding their parents and families will be a task for us all in the days ahead.”
That revelation weighed more heavily still upon my heart.
They had grown in that darkness, unknown to the world, their very existence unrecorded.
* * *
After the messenger withdrew, the Pope marked new notations on the Map and summoned Liam and Michael’s adjutant.
The night at the encampment had grown deep, yet none of them showed signs of fatigue.
“Combining Gern’s testimony with the intelligence we secured today, the likelihood that the Heretic Sect’s higher-ups have relocated to a stronghold near the Imperial Capital is quite high.”
“Once we’ve reorganized our forces, we’ll set our heading in that direction.”
Liam folded the map as he spoke. Even his eyes reflected a determination to see this through to the end, this time without fail.
“However, since we’re still uncertain about our opponent’s identity, we must proceed with caution.”
Michael’s adjutant asked carefully.
“If there are multiple higher-ups, it suggests the Heretic Sect possesses another chain of command we haven’t yet identified. If that’s the case, simply eliminating this one stronghold may not resolve the problem entirely.”
The Pope answered quietly.
“Then all the more reason we must extract solid intelligence from this stronghold.”
Liam nodded, adding his thoughts.
“Being near the Imperial Capital means a densely populated area—actually advantageous for concealment. We’ll need to increase our numbers. We should also prepare for significant resistance.”
“Then prepare accordingly.”
The Pope’s voice carried a resolve stronger than ever before.
Everyone present seemed to feel the weight contained in that voice equally.
“There is no reason to delay. Complete your preparations for departure by tonight.”
“Understood.”
Liam and his adjutant confirmed their respective duties and left the tent.
Throughout the encampment, the bustling sounds of repacking supplies and saddling horses resumed.
[Quest Progress]
Pursue the traces of the Heretic Sect!
―Secured Manor and Abandoned Mine Area
―Tracking mysterious higher-ups
Next Objective: Locate stronghold near the Imperial Capital
Stepping out from the tent, the cold night air brushed against my cheeks.
Torches swayed throughout the encampment, and the sounds of knights busily packing supplies continued.
The Pope approached and spoke quietly.
“Get some rest here tonight. Tomorrow will be a longer journey.”
“Yes.”
I answered readily and headed toward my assigned tent.
Yet even after lying down, sleep did not come easily.
What we might face at that stronghold near the Imperial Capital, and whether Noah truly existed at the end of it all—countless thoughts circled through my mind.
In the distance, the low noise of the encampment still being organized continued.
I closed my eyes slowly, listening to those sounds.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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