The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 36

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

People panicked and kicked back their chairs as they rushed out.

“It’s an Inquisitor!”

“Why is an Inquisitor here…”

People fled the shop in terror. Inquisitions were not pleasant affairs for the common people either.

If you rubbed them the wrong way or got on their bad side, you’d be dragged away immediately to be tortured and executed.

Antonio stood up with a tense expression.

“Ascetic.”

“I know.”

Well, anyway, that Inquisitor probably came to capture me…

“Ah, should I order one more dish?”

“Ascetic…! This isn’t the time for that, you need to escape…”

Bang!

The wooden door of the private room burst open. Oh no. That looked like an expensive door – they’ll pay for it, right?

“Sernuan Lumiere-“

“It’s been a while since I abandoned that name, yet many still call me by my past name.”

Without even turning around, I cut off the Inquisitor’s words and took another bite of steak.

As Antonio had said it was a famous restaurant, the steak was truly delicious.

I could feel Kalebrin drawing up a sinister energy beside me.

Sorcery seemed to shimmer into view.

“Hmm… are you the Ascetic?”

“Yes. It seems you were looking for me.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Footsteps came from behind.

Antonio stood in an awkward position, while Kalebrin, though not showing it, prepared to unleash sorcery so menacing it felt chilling. Truly a reliable damage dealer.

In such a tense situation, only I was leisurely having my meal.

Since it was a table for four, one seat remained empty, and a leather-gloved hand suddenly gripped the back of the chair.

“I’ll have the same menu please. You’ll pay for it, right?”

I gently put down my fork. When I leisurely turned my head, I saw the Inquisitor’s grinning face.

“We’ll be seeing each other’s faces quite often from now on.”

Who is this? Red hair in a ponytail, green eyes. Light armor for an Inquisitor. She looked more like a hunter.

If she hadn’t been wearing the Central Church’s symbolic necklace, I wouldn’t have known she was clergy.

At least she’s not a major character. That Archmage from before was more memorable.

“Sharing a bowl of meat with a neighbor is no problem.”

It’s not my money anyway, it’s Antonio’s. There’s nothing more enjoyable than showing off with other people’s money.

“Wow~! How exciting! Then I’ll shamelessly accept your treat!”

This subtle psychological warfare was annoying. She seemed cheerful and foolish, but her presence was quite sharp.

I’m no martial artist who can detect killing intent, but judging by her well-maintained equipment and attire, she was a genuine expert.

She might be stronger than the Knight Commander? Looking at her weapons, she seemed to be a close-combat type… only a few daggers were visible, with no main weapon in sight.

Well, whatever. It’s not like I’ll be fighting anyway. Fighting only happens when it’s actually possible.

Anyway, for an expert like that, slicing my throat would be child’s play.

“A-Ascetic…”

“Antonio, let’s continue our meal.”

As Antonio tremblingly tried to pick up his fork, she rustled around and pulled out a scroll stamped with the Empire’s seal from behind her.

“Oh right, wait a moment.”

Unrolling the scroll, she stumbled through reading the text.

“Ahem. Now, Sernuan Lumiere, listen… Ah~ why is this so long. I’ll skip the rambling and get to the point, okay?”

What kind of thing is this…?

Everyone sitting at the table looked at her with bewildered eyes, but she paid no attention and continued reading.

“In consideration of the Empire’s generous magnanimity and your contributions to Astrapolis, your wanted status has been officially canceled. And… ah, thank you.”

The Inquisitor diligently read through the Empire’s official document. Meanwhile, the appetizer for the dish she had ordered was brought out and set up. For an Inquisitor, she was surprisingly polite.

“Should any heretical acts be detected in the future, you will be summarily executed by Inquisitor ‘Yelena’ dispatched as your supervisor… oh, Yelena here is me.”

Even hearing the name, nothing came to mind.

She must not have been a main character or wasn’t recorded. Just like that Knight Commander from before.

They said summary execution upon detection of future heretical acts, but that just means they’ll execute me whenever they feel like it. As expected, I’ve become someone with a limited lifespan.

“Sernuan Lumiere is invited to the ‘Banquet Hall.’ Refusal of the invitation will result in summary execution. That’s all~ It looks like the surveillance will be indefinite! Please take care of me until the surveillance order is withdrawn!”

A supervisor.

And even an invitation to the Banquet Hall…

“Please take care of me as well, Sister Yelena.”

This is better than expected. Though detailed information about the Banquet Hall isn’t well known. In the game’s story, I only heard it was a decision-making body directly under the Emperor.

Originally, the main playable character was a Hero who went around slaying monsters, so there was no reason to be deeply involved with the Banquet Hall.

“Just call me Yelena~ Sister feels awkward.”

“Understood, Yelena. Let’s get along well.”

“Yes!”

We shook hands briefly.

When people hiding hundreds of snakes inside them converse while concealing their true intentions, it feels like sparks fly from their eyes.

The food came out quickly. Seeing the small steak with steam rising from it, Yelena cheerfully gripped her knife.

Clink. Clank.

Mealtime with only the sound of moving utensils. I maintained my relaxed smile while Antonio had long since put down his fork.

Kalebrin had already dispelled her sorcery casting and seemed frustrated with the course meal, just staring at the empty plates.

“So when should we move to the Banquet Hall?”

“Mm… mmph. Three days.”

Munch munch munch. She spoke while chewing enthusiastically. It seemed like she meant in three days.

“Understood. I’ll make sure to prepare.””Mmph, yesh.”

After finishing our meal and coming out, the restaurant was quiet. She scratched her head and greeted us awkwardly.

“Ahaha, it really is a famous restaurant – it was delicious~”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“So, where are we going now?”

“I was thinking of staying the night at Antonio’s house… would that be alright?”

That “would that be alright?” meant “is there no problem bringing an Inquisitor to your house?”

“Oh, of course. You’re always welcome.”

= Nothing to worry about! Okay!

I nodded. Before I knew it, night had fallen.

To think I’d be sleeping under the same roof as someone who could slice my throat at any moment.

‘At least I’ll be alive until I go to the Banquet Hall. No need to worry until then.’

Finding the Saint’s location during these three days is the top priority.

‘With a supervisor attached, it won’t be easy to talk with Antonio either.’

I lay down on the soft bed. On the bed right next to me, my potential executioner was snoring away. It was amazing that she fell asleep less than 10 seconds after lying down.

‘She’s probably not really sleeping though.’

I opened the system window.

‘If there’s a supervisor, I can just talk secretly.’

I happen to have points too…

‘Purchase Voice Transmission.’

[New skill: Voice Transmission!]

[point : 5]

[Voice Transmission Lv.1 : You can now convey your thoughts to targets within 100km. (Only activates for targets whose name and face you know. One-way communication only)]

I got a 100km one-way radio. Since better range and additional conditions would come with leveling up anyway, I didn’t complain to the system.

I wanted to upgrade Weakness Detection, but with a watcher assigned, I had no choice but to use Voice Transmission.

[Target Search: ]

‘First, I need to contact Antonio and tell him to hurry up with finding the Saint.’

[Target Search: Antonio Tradetore]

[Would you like to connect?]

[Connecting…]

‘What kind of UI is this, looking like a phone call interface.’

[Connected!]

-Current thoughts will be transmitted to the target.

‘Antonio, can you hear me? You must find the Saint. Blonde hair, golden eyes, commoner background with beautiful appearance. Find her within 3 days.’

[Connection terminated]

I don’t know what Antonio said in response, but I’ll assume he understood well.

‘It’s nice lying on a bed instead of in a cell for once. Though I did spend a lot of time lying on sickbeds.’

I drowsily fell asleep.

*

“Hello, Lord. What did you call me for?”

“I have many acquaintances suffering from incurable diseases, so I wanted to introduce you to them. Hmm… But who is that person?”

“Inquisitor Yelena. Temporary Lord.”

‘Temporary’ Lord. Yelena was a watcher sent from the Central Church and Empire. For such a person to throw the message ‘You’re only temporary.’

Despite having just risen from his sickbed, the young Lord showed no change in expression.

“I see. Then I’ll be counting on you, Ascetic. Father maintained friendly relations with you, you see. And the Healing Center is being built quickly, so it should be completed within next month.”

His deliberate mention of the Healing Center was probably because the Central Church had interfered with its construction. The new Lord’s personality was also quite formidable.

“Thank you.”

Yelena remained quietly silent after that. She just stood there motionlessly.

“Well then, go along with this child.”

As if waiting for this moment, the child standing behind the Lord stepped forward three paces and bowed politely. Yelena smiled brightly and accepted the greeting.

“I will guide you to Marquis Alderion.”

It was a very courteous guide.

“Have a safe trip. Take care of yourself.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The child assigned as guide courteously led us.

“Hello, Ascetic. And Inquisitor Yelena. I’m Thomson, who will guide you to Marquis Alderion.”

“Nice to meet you, Thomson.”

“Nice to meet you!”

“Marquis Alderion Territory takes about half a day by carriage. Do you have anything to bring?”

“No.”

“Ah, I do. I left something at the temple… Could you wait just a moment? I’ll bring it out quickly.”

“Yes, then I’ll prepare the carriage and wait.”

“Then may I accompany you to the temple? I’d like to see if there are any sick people before we depart.”

“Um~ Sure, I guess.”

I followed behind Yelena like that. My earlier words were half an excuse.

I was curious if she might be trying to bring something strange, and I was also curious about Yelena’s position among Central Church figures.

The temple was close by.

“Inquisitor Yelena?”

“Yes~ It’s Yelena! You know the item I left before going on assignment. I came to retrieve it.”

“Ah, that thing? I understand. I’ll bring it right away.”

The person who looked like an Apprentice Priest from the Central Church noticeably glanced at me sideways. Even though I was wrapped up tightly with a hood and veil, they seemed curious.

“Hmm~ Hmm~”

She swayed her body while humming. Meanwhile, I went around looking for sick people to help heal.

From what I could see, they treated Yelena fairly well, but that was among lower-ranking people like apprentice priests, while the higher-ups didn’t seem to like her much.

Because she’s a commoner? Because she’s a woman? Those are the only things I can guess.

“Thank you! Ascetic!”

“Truly God’s manifestation…”

While the guardian and patient were moved by the healing, the person Kalebrin had asked ‘Shall I kill him?’ about came striding over.

“What is this place for a heretic to crawl into?”

And my collar was grabbed.

‘Gasp, my tattoo might show?’

With my collar grabbed, my waist bent downward. It was the tragedy of height difference.

“Stop right there~!”

Whoosh- Whoong-

Something wide made a sound cutting through the air.

Thunk!

When I turned my head, Yelena was grinning while holding a halberd in one hand.

“That’s mine, you know?”

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