The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 111

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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 111. A Stroke of Fortune.

I moved forward alongside Siluene.
Her barrier was certainly formidable, but thanks to the Demonic Sword Cartanos’s “Corruption,” I could shatter it by force.
With each strike, corruption spread through the barrier’s holy power, weakening it progressively.
Compared to an ordinary blade, I needed only about half the strength to break through.

‘Still, it demanded considerable effort.’

Siluene had already expended substantial holy power defending the Barony, yet her strength remained formidable.

‘In any case, I’m fortunate we could persuade her.’

I had no intention of forcing them together completely. There had to be genuine will for it to hold meaning.
But Siluene chose to rise on her own and meet with Marie.
She hadn’t despised Marie—she had simply been afraid. Afraid that her trust would be betrayed once more.

“Holy Maiden, Interrogator.”

At that moment, a Knight approached us.
The blood and wounds covering his face spoke volumes of how fierce the battle had been.

“Hmm?”

The Knight, who had stopped at a distance, tilted his head as he looked at us. Now that I noticed, Siluene was clinging to me, barely a step away.
But that wasn’t the pressing matter, so I asked.

“What are the casualties?”
“Ah… Two Knights, ten Mercenaries, and three civilians have fallen. We’ll need to confirm more thoroughly, but I don’t expect the numbers to differ significantly from now.”

The losses among the Knights and Mercenaries were light relative to the scale of the demon wave. That was likely thanks to Bella and me.

“Ah….”

But Siluene shook her head. Her goal had been to protect everyone.

“Holy Maiden. These are remarkably few casualties. The civilian deaths occurred because they ignored the warning to remain within the Estate for the time being.”

That’s true.
My uncle also stopped a demon wave, but thirty residents died in the process.
And that was only because they attacked from one direction—if they’d swarmed from all sides like now, the casualties would have been far worse.
Yet not a single person within the territory has died today. It’s all thanks to her barrier.

“Look over there.”

I pointed to a spot. Several residents had gathered there, likely drawn by the commotion from moments before.

“Not one of them blames you for any shortcoming. They’re expressing gratitude instead.”

Siluene lifted her head to gaze at them. The residents smiled at her or bowed respectfully.

“These are the people you saved.”

That would have been impossible for me. My blade specializes in slaying the wicked rather than preserving the innocent.
Siluene stared at them blankly before shaking her head.

“No, we all saved them together.”
“Then let’s leave it at that.”

I let out a soft chuckle.

“But… where is Marie?”

Siluene glanced around. Marie was nowhere to be seen.
So she wasn’t coming out. I’d have to find her myself.

Whoosh—

I bounded lightly forward and blocked the path of someone trying to slip away. It was Marie, her robe pulled low over her head.
She kept her head down, her face hidden, as she spoke.

“…Interrogator, I’m sorry, but please let me pass.”
“You’re just going to leave like this?”
“Yes. I’ve confirmed everyone is safe, so that’s enough.”

Yet her expression didn’t look particularly good.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to clear up the misunderstanding?”
“I did. But now that I’m seeing her face, I’m terrified… what do I do?”

They’re all such troublesome people. I’m not the Orphanage Director.

“Then I’ll help you.”
“Huh?”

Without hesitation, I grabbed the back of her neck and leaped skyward once more. Her small frame made it effortless to carry her along.

“Ahhhhh!”

Of course, that assessment was by my standards alone.
I descended about ten paces away so as not to startle Siluene.
What profound consideration this was. I was genuinely amazed by my own kindness in real time.
Releasing Marie’s neck, I spoke to Siluene, whose eyes were blinking in bewilderment.

“I picked her up.”

Siluene stared at the back of Marie’s head. The wind had blown away her robe.

“Marie…? Is it really you, Marie…?”

Marie didn’t turn around. Hunched over, she pleaded with me instead.

“Interrogator, please tell her it’s not me. More than five years have passed… I’m nothing to her anymore….”
“If you truly meant nothing to her, she wouldn’t have remembered your name.”
“…What?”

Marie lifted her head and looked up at me.

“If you retreat now, you become nothing but a traitor to her trust. Whether you care or not, to her, you will remain a wound for the rest of her life. Are you truly content with that?”

My role was merely to bring two people who had drifted apart face to face. The rest was theirs to navigate.

“That’s… not what I want….”
“Then stop your whining.”

So I seized the back of her neck firmly and forced her body to turn around.

“Wh-what?!”

Marie’s eyes suddenly met Siluene’s, and she covered her face with both arms, striking an awkward pose.
But Siluene had already seen her face, and she exhaled deeply.

“It really is Marie….”

Then Marie sent me a desperate look.
Whether she did or not, I had grown weary of it all, and I let out a yawn before moving on.

“Yaaawn. I’m so tired, so very tired.”

Is this what the burden of childcare feels like….

“Ugh….”

With nowhere left to retreat, Marie finally lowered her arms and looked at Siluene.
Then her eyes darted about before she awkwardly waved her hand.

“Ah, hello, Siluene? It’s been five years…. Have you… been well?”
“….”

Siluene offered no response. Marie scratched her cheek and spoke in a rambling manner.

“Um…. You know what I said before? None of it was sincere. I only said those things because it was clear you’d be sold off otherwise….”
“….”
“I… I’m sorry. I know how it sounds coming from me now, but I have never once thought you were worthless.”

Siluene remained silent.
Instead, her typically expressionless face now bore a piercing gaze fixed upon Marie.

“So I understand your anger. But… I just want you to know one thing. I have never disliked you, not even once.”

Marie looked at Siluene with unwavering eyes.
Siluene met her gaze, and then she took a step toward her.
The walls they had built between them crumbled as the distance between them gradually closed.

Thud!

Then she suddenly rushed toward Marie.
Seeing this, Marie squeezed her eyes shut. She seemed to expect Siluene to throw a punch.
But Siluene is the Barrier Saintess. She was a woman who protected others, never one inclined toward violence.

Thud—

Siluene embraced Marie, who was smaller than herself.
When no pain came as expected, Marie’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

“Siluene…?”
“I kept…”

Siluene buried her face in Marie’s embrace and spoke. Her voice trembled with tears.

“I kept waiting…”
“…”
“I’m so glad you didn’t die…”

Then someone’s weeping erupted. A girlish cry echoed across the night sky.
Marie, who had been standing dazed, felt her heart break. Unlike her own worries, Siluene forgave her so easily.
Marie bit her lip to suppress her emotions and gently stroked Siluene’s hair.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, truly…”

To that, Siluene shook her head as if to say there was no need for further apologies.
Marie held her tightly so her sobs wouldn’t escape.

“Don’t cry. You’re the Holy Maiden of the Theocracy now. You’re old enough to take responsibility for yourself.”

But Siluene’s weeping didn’t stop. The one standing there was no longer the Barrier Saintess—it was simply Siluene.
Knowing this, Marie offered no resistance, smiling faintly as she quietly soothed her.

‘It was such a simple matter.’

Five years had circled around them. A simple misunderstanding that could have been resolved with just one minute of conversation.
Of course, the Orphanage Director had stood in their way all this time, but the truth remained—it had been resolved far too quickly compared to the years of hesitation.

“Interrogator.”

At that moment, Bella approached. She looked far more exhausted than usual.
Likely from running about as a mage, expending herself across countless tasks.

“You’ve worked hard, Bella.”
“Hehe, you too, Interrogator.”

Bella laughed softly, then produced a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from my face.
I watched her as she did so.

‘Has she grown taller?’

Before, she had to rise onto her tiptoes and strain to reach, but now she could simply extend her arm without much difficulty.
Her hair had grown considerably as well—it could no longer be called short anymore.
Then again, it had been over eight months since I first met Bella.

“That’s enough.”

I gestured toward the open plain.

“Go sing a hymn. Your wailing is keeping the residents awake.”
“Yes, Interrogator!”

Since Bella had overextended herself with magic, there was no risk of her mana leaking during the song.

“Ahem!”

Standing in the center, Bella drew attention with a theatrical cough and closed her eyes. Even Siluene, whose cries had gradually subsided, sniffled as she watched her.

“….”

At that same moment, I covered both ears.
One could never be too careful. Bella’s mana reserves had grown considerably.
Her exhaustion stemmed not only from the magic itself, but more so from the physical strain of dashing about in all directions.

“….”

Yet something felt strange.
The residents I expected to cry out with their ears covered were all smiling.
The Knights and mercenaries stood in silent reverence as if mourning a fallen comrade, while Siluene and Marie stared at Bella in a daze, as though witnessing a miracle.
So I lowered my hands from my ears.

Aaaaaaaah───

Then came a pure and beautiful melody.
Her true song, heard for the first time in so long.
Though the scenery was identical to before, the stars in the night sky burned with greater brilliance, and the moonlight flowed with graceful rhythm.

Whoosh─

In that moment, sacred power surged within me. Perhaps it was thanks to the reverence of the Barony’s residents.
It was a pittance compared to what I gained from the demon’s consecration. Yet somehow, it carried a profound weight.
I chuckled softly and closed my eyes.

‘Well, this isn’t so bad either.’

Bella’s song continued for some time. Until every sorrow and malice remaining in the Barony was erased….

* * *

The Papal See.
As the light that had shone upon the Primordial Scripture faded, the Pope gazed upon a new passage.

「7-1. The innocent lamb is by nature a fearful creature.
Ignorant of the future to come, it treads with caution at every step, evading the torrent that would sweep it away.
Fear is a means of survival, a lever by which all things need one another.」

「7-2. Yet fear is like a swamp—the more one remains still, the deeper one sinks.
Alone, one cannot escape the mire of tribulation, and gradually locks oneself deeper within darkness.
Feel fear, but do not despair. Only when one finally confronts one’s own weakness can one break free from the swamp.」

「7-3. Kael, descendant of Luminara, is one who gazes directly upon his own soul.
Though the abyss he faces may be an endless swamp, if light flickers beyond it, he will step forward without a moment’s hesitation.
He shall be the blade that severs the shackles of dark tribulation, the rope of salvation that lifts drowning souls from the mire.
As long as his blade burns with flame, fear shall not exist for him.」

Throughout chapters three, four, and five, Kael’s name had not been mentioned.
In the first place, the ‘Age of Upheaval’ was not Kael’s gospel, so it made no sense that his name had continued to appear all this while.
Yet not long after that, his name was inscribed in the text. It seemed Kael was a figure of considerable importance in this ‘Age of Upheaval’.
Cardinal Barun approached and spoke.

“Your Holiness, the demon wave has concluded without incident, or so we are told.”
“….”
“According to Kael Inquisitor’s report, the demon wave was orchestrated to lure the Barrier Saintess, but fortunately, she remains unharmed. I shall provide you with the detailed account separately.”
“Very well.”

The Pope nodded, and the Cardinals began to speak one by one.

“Now no one can deny his prowess.”
“Indeed. He has saved the Holy Knights and the Holy Maiden multiple times, and he bears the achievement of even felling one of the Five Great Calamities.”
“At this point, it would be fair to say he has become one of the pillars of the Theocracy. After all, he is a Holy Knight himself.”
“Even so, such achievements in mere months…. Truly, it is remarkable.”

Gradually, the Cardinals’ attitude toward Kael began to shift.
Previously, some had harbored displeasure toward him, but witnessing his achievements, they could no longer deny his worth.
It was a trend almost beyond belief.

“This is troublesome.”

Then the Pope, who had remained silent until now, spoke.

“What troubles you, Your Holiness…?”

The Cardinals swallowed an inexplicable tension.
The Pope always emanated a gentle atmosphere, yet his expression now seemed clouded with concern.

Tap, tap—

The Pope did not answer immediately, instead gripping his staff and moving forward. After a period of silence, he finally spoke.

“I, who must always maintain neutrality….”

He stood before the door. As other clergy members opened both doors wide, light streamed through the widening gap.

“…find my heart inclining toward Kael Inquisitor.”

The Cardinals’ eyes widened at such an explicit statement.
Of course, it was merely words, but the very fact that the Pope had uttered them carried profound significance.
The other Cardinals had no choice but to read the Pope’s intentions.

The door slammed shut with a heavy thud.

The Pope then departed from the room, and the door closed firmly behind him.

(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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