The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 103

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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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Chapter 103. Search It!

Ludian, who had drawn alongside me, spoke.

“Is that the Holy Sword Barkan? I must admit, even to the naked eye, it radiates something extraordinary.”

Of course it did.
It was a sacred relic blessed directly by the Goddess herself—no renowned blade could compare to it.

“Wait a moment. We don’t know what Abelk might have done here.”

I stepped forward and swept my gaze across the ground.
When I visited this place in my previous life, Abelk wasn’t here, but countless detonation magic circles and the mana stones to activate them were embedded in the earth.
Abelk must have set them up to prevent anyone from taking the Holy Sword.
Abelk was a Mage, after all, and the Holy Sword Barkan, unlike other sacred relics, couldn’t even be grasped without the proper qualifications.

‘That’s why, back then, I destroyed all the magic circles with my blade.’

But now, there seemed to be no need for that. Not a single magic circle was visible anywhere.
When I came to this place in my previous life was several months away—precisely about half a year later.
If I had arrived before Abelk laid down the detonation magic circles, there was nothing strange about it at all.

“Fortunately, there don’t appear to be any significant traps.”

The Holy Sword Barkan stood upright, driven into the ground.
In my previous life, I couldn’t pull it out. The Holy Sword Barkan could only be wielded by a Holy Knight chosen by the Goddess herself.

‘But there’s no way I, who was the Wrath of the Seven Deadly Sins, could have wielded it.’

Of course, I had wondered if I could take it by destroying the ground itself, but the earth around where the Holy Sword was embedded remained indestructible.
That’s why I had no choice but to discover the Holy Sword and leave it behind in this cave.

‘But what about now?’

Now, living as a Heretic Inquisitor and Holy Knight rather than a villain.

Whoosh—

I extended my hand slowly, as if communing with a wild beast, then grasped the sword’s hilt firmly.
There was no resistance yet—only a gentle luminescence emanating from within.
I didn’t apply excessive force. If I truly deserved to wield the Holy Sword Barkan, it would yield to even the gentlest pull.
And my prediction proved accurate.

*Shiiing—*

The blade slid smoothly from the earth, and as the pristine white steel revealed itself in full….

*BLAZEEEE!*

A blinding radiance erupted, illuminating the entire cavern.
As the Holy Sword’s light gradually subsided, I relaxed my squinted eyes.
…In my previous life, no amount of effort could have drawn this blade.
Yet now, with effortless grace—as though it had always been mine—the Holy Sword Barkan rested in my grip.

“Remarkable… such magnificent presence….”
“So that is the Holy Sword….”

Ludian and Bella were momentarily awestruck by the sword’s majesty.

‘This will certainly prove invaluable to me.’

As a sacred relic, the Holy Sword Barkan possessed unique abilities unlike ordinary blades.
First, infusing it with holy power would amplify its destructive force.
While not exponentially stronger, the difference was certainly meaningful.

‘But that’s not all.’

If I wounded a demon with the Holy Sword Barkan, I could bind that demon’s body as its wielder.
To break free, the demon would need to expend twice the demonic energy equivalent to the holy power used in the binding.
Alternatively, it would require an external wound severe enough to shatter the holy power that had consumed its entire form.

‘But such a broken ability comes with a fatal drawback.’

While binding a demon, the sword’s wielder cannot move either.
In solo combat, this ability would be meaningless, but with allies present, a single strike could easily turn the tide of battle.
It was especially useful against powerful demons like Greater Demons.
Of course, ordinary demons possessed far more energy than humans and would likely break free from the binding….

‘Regardless, it’s undeniable that this sword has its uses.’

There would be no issue in claiming ownership of it.
Ludian said that if I wanted it, he would gladly hand it over in consideration of my contributions.
The Papal See wouldn’t be able to raise any objections to me, a Holy Knight, wielding this sword.

‘But…’

This sword was not meant for me.
I could only wield it now because I possessed holy power as a Holy Knight, but it carried a radiance far too heavy for me to bear.

‘Saint Eldoras protected countless people with this very blade.’

But if I wielded it, the sword would be stained with human blood.
Of course, Eldoras also took human lives, but that was always in service of protecting others.
To kill in order to save. To kill because they are wicked.
Though they appear similar at first glance, a clear distinction existed between them.

‘If I were to carry this blade, one of us—either myself or the holy sword—would inevitably have our fundamental nature corrupted.’

That’s why I couldn’t take it.
I had meaning only as myself, and the holy sword had meaning only as itself.

‘There’s someone else who can wield this properly.’

I hurled the Holy Sword Barkan toward Ludian. The blade pierced the ground before him with a sharp thud.

“Take it. It’s yours.”

Ludian’s eyes widened in shock. Bella wore the same expression of surprise.
Once Ludian regained his composure, bewilderment colored his voice.

“W-what are you saying? You should take this. We found it because of you, and your contributions far surpassed mine.”
“Normally, that would be true. But this holy sword doesn’t suit me.”

Ludian’s brow furrowed.

“Don’t tell me you still think of yourself as darkness? I—”
“I told you before. Your opinion doesn’t matter.”

I replied coldly.

“You take it. That sword suits you far better than it suits me.”
“….”

In my past life, the Holy Sword Barkan had been wielded by Ludian. It was the power of that holy blade that had bound the Demon God back then.
Ludian, who had been clenching his fists tightly, finally opened his mouth.

“Do you really think that?”
“I do.”
“Then I won’t take it either.”
“…What?”

What kind of insane nonsense was this?

“The Holy Sword Barkan belongs to Saint Eldoras, whose virtue among the Seven Great Virtues is humility. Though Eldoras was the mightiest Holy Knight of all time, he always remained humble. But….”

Ludian gritted his teeth.

“I have been far too arrogant all this time. Without realizing it, I believed that as a Holy Knight, I was leading the charge in fiercer battles than anyone else.”
“….”
“But the reality I witnessed today was different. The one fighting the easiest battles was none other than myself.”

Ludian looked at me.

“So I have no right to wield this sword. Rather, it is you who deserves it.”
“Such sophistry won’t work on me. I’ve decided you should have it, so you will.”
“I refuse.”

At that resolute refusal, veins bulged on my forehead. I pointed my finger at Ludian.

“…This is an order. Take it with you. I will hear no further objections.”
“I did say I would follow your orders until this matter is settled. However, unreasonable orders were an exception.”
“….”
“This is unreasonable by any standard. The Holy Sword should go to you, who discovered it yourself.”
“I don’t need it.”
“Neither do I.”

Something began to churn inside me. Why were those wretched memories from my past life surfacing now?

“Take it.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Take it!!!”
“I said I don’t want to!!!”

We glared at each other, huffing and puffing. Bella stood between us, shifting nervously as her eyes darted back and forth.

“This won’t do. It seems you need a beating after all.”
“If it means upholding my convictions, I won’t back down either.”

I strode toward him with purpose. Bella quickly threw herself forward, using her entire body to block my rhinoceros-like advance.

“I-Interrogator! Please, restrain yourself!”
“Step aside, Bella.”
“He’s a Holy Knight, a Holy Knight!!”

I clenched my teeth and pointed sharply at Ludian as I shouted.

“How is that bastard a Holy Knight! If that idiot is a Holy Knight, then I’m the Goddess!”
“How dare you speak such blasphemy…!”
“You’re being offered a precious Holy Sword and you’re still complaining! Just shut up and take it!”
“Because it’s not mine!”
“It is yours!!!”
“It is not!!!”

As we looked ready to lunge at each other, Bella made a desperate appeal.

“Aaahhhhh! Interrogator, please! Holy Knight, calm down too!!”

I exhaled roughly through my nose, glaring at Ludian. His expression was no different from mine.
I brushed back my bangs and spoke.

“Let go, Bella. I’ve calmed down.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”

Bella, who had been gripping my waist tightly, looked up at me with suspicion. She knew my nature well.
But seeing my expressionless face, she slowly released me.

“Phew, that’s a relief….”

The moment I slipped completely free from Bella’s grasp.
I pushed off the ground and charged toward Ludian.

“Ah, just as I thought!!!”

Bella reached out as if she’d anticipated this, but it was already far too late to stop me.
Upon reaching Ludian, I drew my fist back over my shoulder. My wrath wrapped around it like living flame.

“…!”

Ludian, startled, crossed his arms in an X to block. I drove my blazing fist into that defense.

Boom!

A deafening roar erupted simultaneously.
Ludian’s arms didn’t break. He’d concentrated holy power at the impact point to reinforce them.
Still, he had to be in considerable pain.

“You absolute madman…!”

This time, Ludian clenched his fist and drew it back over his shoulder.
Bare-handed. Despite being capable of wreathing his fists in flame.
He couldn’t bring himself to strike with true intent in a mere squabble like this. Fool.

Whoosh!

I retreated sharply and evaded.
Afterward, we glared at each other. Sparks seemed to dance in the space between us.
Bella stood between us, waving her hands frantically through the air to keep our gazes from meeting.
I stood there for a moment longer, then exhaled a deep sigh.

“We’ve each thrown a punch. Let’s call it even.”
“….”

Though in truth, I’d come out ahead. I’d landed a blow on him, but his fist never touched me.

“Do as you wish with the Holy Sword. Keep it or turn it over to the Papal See. Either way, I have no use for it.”

If Ludian had made such a resolve, he would never change that judgment unless something fundamental shifted.
I already knew this well from experiencing it several times in my previous life.
Of course, I hadn’t given up. I would find a way to get that Holy Sword into his hands no matter what.

“Bella, go apply some salve. I hit him with genuine force for the first time in a while.”
“Ugh… Yes.”

As Bella approached, Ludian extended his hand to stop her.

“Aholo Tribe salve works fine. I have some too. It’s throbbing, but fortunately it doesn’t seem to have fractured.”

Ludian tapped his auxiliary pouch lightly.
Indeed, as a promising Holy Knight, it seemed the Papal See had provided him with one.

‘Then I can hit him harder without worry.’

Shing—

I immediately drew my blade.
Bella, who had turned back toward me, startled in alarm, and Ludian flinched before swiftly gripping his sword hilt, ready to draw at any moment.
But I had no intention of going that far. His stubbornness wouldn’t break from something like that.

“This damnable bastard!”

Boom!

So instead, I brought my flaming blade down where the Holy Sword had been. At that, both Bella and Ludian, who had been watching me, tilted their heads in confusion.
But I paid them no mind and continued striking my blade against the ground.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

With thunderous booms, the ground shattered and the cave interior trembled. I vented the fury I harbored toward Ludian upon the innocent floor.

“Dig! Dig! Dig!”

Imagining the fine cracks spreading across the ground as Ludian’s face brought a peculiar sense of satisfaction.

“Dig! Dig! Dig!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

I continued to bring my sword down until my rage subsided.
Ludian, who had been quietly observing the scene, reached out in alarm.

“W-wait… we’re taking it to the Papal See anyway, so please stop…”
“Begone!!!”

It was the moment I swung my sword with all my remaining strength.

Rumble… rumble… rumble…

The floor, unable to withstand the impact, shattered into fragments and collapsed.
Bella and Ludian were startled, but I didn’t dodge to the side—instead, I fell along with the debris.
The descent wasn’t long. When I had fallen roughly ten meters, my feet touched solid ground.
And in that moment.

Whoooosh!!!

An overwhelming killing intent, suffocating in its intensity, swept through the cave like a typhoon.
Bella’s face went pale in an instant, and Ludian quickly drew his sword, channeling his holy power.
But I gazed calmly at the source of that killing intent.

“….”

A sword lodged diagonally into the floor.
Both the hilt and blade were pitch-black as if steeped in darkness, and an ominous aura emanated from the weapon itself.
It was a sword I had grown weary of seeing.
Kartanos—the demonic blade wielded by Zenolak, the great demon of Martial Might.

‘It’s been a while.’

It was the very reason I had come here, and the sword I had carried with me throughout my previous life.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

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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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