The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 115

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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 115. Get Some Sleep.

Gregory’s head drooped as despair consumed him.
The Pope had rendered a just verdict. The justification and the crimes were sufficient—no one could deny the sentence.
But I was different.

“I object.”

The moment I raised my hand, every eye in the chamber turned toward me. Even Barun and the Pope appeared taken aback.

“Kael Inquisitor, you object to this verdict?”

It was the ultimate punishment—death.
So the one who had been a constant thorn in my side would finally disappear, yet my objection seemed to perplex them all.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Speak then. I shall render the final judgment after hearing your thoughts on preventing Gregory’s atrocities.”
“Thank you.”

I spoke.

“Gregory used himself as bait to draw out the Wol Young Order, all to diminish the perception of magic. And he did so under the grandiose banner of martyrdom.”
“We would need further investigation for details, but that appears to be the case.”
“And martyrdom is the most noble death a clergyman could desire. Yet if we sentence him to death, can that truly be a punishment?”

Gregory had certainly erred both morally and legally, but he would still believe he was dying for his convictions.
His despair now stemmed not from remorse for his sins, but from the failure of his scheme.

“I wish for him to realize that this action was wrong. And if possible, I want him to witness the Theocracy flourishing, with magic not rejected but enriched.”

That would be the greatest torment I could inflict upon him—watching the very magic he despised slowly permeate the Theocracy.

“And above all….”

I narrowed my eyes with indignation as I spoke.

“I wish for him not to die…!”

Gregory stared at me blankly, while the Cardinals whispered in astonishment.
Of course, I was not forgiving Gregory. I was merely fabricating a convincing facade for a more certain punishment.

“Though my convictions differ from his, we are all children of the Goddess. Even if he has committed irreversible atrocities this time, the fact that he has served the Goddess and the Theocracy until now remains unchanged.”
“….”
“Therefore, I believe capital punishment is excessive for one who has dedicated himself to the Goddess and the Theocracy.”
“Hmm, then what punishment does Kael Inquisitor deem appropriate?”

Here it comes.
Smiling inwardly, I gazed upon the Pope.

“I humbly request that you sentence him to life imprisonment. It would be his only opportunity to repent for his sins, and for one who yearned for martyrdom, it shall be the heaviest punishment of all.”

Naturally, whether he repents is of no concern to me. My purpose was always to ensure he suffered the most agonizing death.

“Heh…. Are you forgiving the very existence that has long obstructed your convictions?”
“Indeed, how befitting of Saint Kael to think so deeply.”
“At first, I believed you to be merely a rough individual, but to possess such magnanimity…. My eyes have been deceived all this time.”
“Perhaps we Cardinals harbored prejudices against magic. Conviction can blind one’s eyes to truth, after all.”

The Cardinals murmured their admiration softly, while Bella and Cardinal Barun, who knew me well, merely blinked in bewilderment.
As the Pope assessed the atmosphere, the dazed Gregory spoke.

“You, you….”

Seemingly deeply moved, I smiled at him.

“There is no need to thank me, nor reason to worry. Confined in solitary confinement, praying to the Goddess all your days, surely you too shall find repentance.”

Gregory’s face drained of all color as he whirled toward the Pope.

“Y-Your Holiness!”
“What troubles you?”
“I beg you, take my life instead! How can this old body endure a lifetime in solitary confinement! I am certain I shall only descend into madness, not repentance!”
“Hmm….”

The Pope, studying the gleam in Gregory’s eyes, spoke.

“That would certainly be the case.”
“Then—”
“However, for that very reason, I believe this punishment is fitting for you. Though no lives were lost, your crimes are far from trivial.”
“Ah…”

Gregory collapsed to both knees.

“Since the other Cardinals appear to have no objections, I shall overturn the verdict and reflect Kael Inquisitor’s opinion in my judgment.”

The Pope looked down upon Gregory.

“Gregory, you shall be confined to solitary imprisonment for the remainder of your life, spending each day in prayer to the Goddess. Reflect upon what you have done wrong, and how you shall meet your end.”
“…”
“I will hear no further objections.”

I had nothing more to say either. It was the most satisfactory outcome I could have hoped for.

“However… a thought has suddenly occurred to me.”
“What might that be…?”

The Pope caressed his staff thoughtfully.

“I stated clearly that I would express no opinion whatsoever regarding magic. My role is merely that of a mediator, after all.”
“…”
“Yet seeing such unyielding fervor, I find myself questioning. Is it truly right to reject magic, or do they simply harbor hatred for those whose beliefs differ from their own, rather than magic itself?”
“…!”

The Cardinals’ eyes widened.
The Pope, who had maintained neutrality throughout all matters until now, was questioning the righteousness of the Anti-Magic Faction’s actions.
It seemed trivial, but to the Cardinals, it held profound significance.

“Therefore, I too shall contemplate magic carefully. So exercise caution in such matters. Before my convictions shift too drastically.”
“We shall bear it in mind, Your Holiness.”

I still did not fully understand the Pope.
Though I grasped how to handle him, I could not fathom what lay in the depths of his mind.
Even Ludian, who had remained at his side all this time, was the same.

‘But one thing was certain…’

A massive tide was slowly turning that would overturn the Theocracy itself.

* * *

Gregory was immediately imprisoned in the Papal Palace Underground Prison.

“Step aside for a moment. We have something to discuss, the two of us.”
“Yes, Interrogator. If anything happens, please let me know.”

The Guard bowed formally and disappeared from view.
I spoke to Gregory, who stood with his head bowed in the solitary cell.

“I’ll tell you something interesting.”
“What is it…?”
“Henry and Matthias didn’t betray you. I uncovered your scheme on my own.”
“…What?”

Gregory lifted his head in shock.

“It means you dragged them in without knowing anything.”
“Ha ha…”

Gregory laughed hollowly and lowered his gaze.

“So I was deceived after all… Impressive. Truly capable. This old body cannot keep pace with your extraordinary mind.”

He didn’t ask how I had discovered it. There was no point now anyway.

“Kael Inquisitor. Do you truly believe the Theocracy will change? For 300 years… no, 301 years now. Magic has been persecuted by the Theocracy all this time.”
“…”
“Even if I, the most hardline, disappear, there will still be clergy who despise magic. Does that conviction remain unchanged?”

I was fully aware of how difficult this task was.
But this was not merely for Bella or any other Mage.
Humanity must grow stronger—strong enough that I could face the Demon God, our greatest adversary, with ease.
For that, humanity needed magic at its side, one of the weapons with which to oppose Demons.

“Yes. It will change. In fact, even His Holiness the Pope’s heart has shifted today.”

And that was possible because….

“It’s thanks to you, Gregory.”

Thanks to your grand display of foolishness, I’ve taken one step closer to my goal.

“Hah, damn it….”

Gregory cradled his face in his hands.

“It’s clearly impossible. Impossible indeed. And yet….”
“….”
“Somehow, I feel like you could do it. Overturn this stubborn Theocracy.”

Gregory exhaled deeply and leaned his back against the wall.

“You are now one of the pillars of the Theocracy. Had our convictions not diverged, I would be singing your praises by now.”
“….”
“Your blade will protect not just the Theocracy, but The Continent itself. I stake my word on it. You will become stronger than anyone.”

He possessed quite keen insight, even if he couldn’t see his own path ahead.

“Have you already repented? That would be troublesome.”
“Hah, don’t worry. My views on magic remain unchanged.”
“I see.”

Gregory looked at me.

“Kael Inquisitor.”
“What is it.”
“Don’t die. I want to see who was right.”
“You’ll probably be dead before that happens.”
“Well, I’ll do my best to hold on.”

A moment of silence fell between us.
Staring at him, I reached into my garments and thrust my clenched fist through the iron bars.

“Eat. It would be troublesome if you starved to death.”
“….”
“Don’t be so reluctant. Just take it.”

But he merely stared at my hand. There was no bread being offered—only my middle finger extended.
Gregory began trembling violently before hurling himself at me.

“You bastard!!! I’ll kill you for this!!!”
“Oops.”

I stepped back smoothly, and Gregory could advance no further, blocked by the iron bars.

“W-what’s the matter, Interrogator!”

A Guard came running at the commotion. I scratched my ear and pointed at Gregory.

“Skip his meal today. If he’s that energetic, he’ll get ideas.”
“Yes, understood! Hey! Stop glaring and get back inside!”

The Guard rapped the iron bars with a rod-like object. I chuckled and turned to leave.

“See you next time.”

* * *

As I was about to leave the Papal See after ascending to ground level, Bella spoke.

“Something seems chaotic.”

A Cardinal who had returned to his post after the Gregory incident was now rushing toward the Conference Hall.
It was clear this was no ordinary matter.

“Ah, Kael Inquisitor!”

Barun approached at that moment.

“What’s happening? Everyone looks busy.”
“I’m not entirely certain either. His Holiness has issued an emergency summons. If you don’t mind, shall we go together?”
“Yes.”

I had nothing pressing to do anyway, and I needed to gather information.
The Cardinals who entered the Conference Hall took their seats, while Bella and I leaned against the wall.
The Pope asked the man in the center.

“Well, it seems everyone has gathered. Please explain the situation to the others.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”

The man reported with a tense expression.

“Currently, one of the Five Great Calamities, ‘Dominion,’ has appeared within the Theocracy.”
“D-Dominion?”

The Papal See erupted into commotion.

“Isn’t Dominion considered an unconquerable calamity due to insufficient information at present?”
“And this happens right at the start of the new year….”

Now that I thought about it, was this the time for such things?
Dominion was a demon I could not defeat—not even with the Sword of Sorrow that I would obtain.
It was not merely because of overwhelming raw power.

‘The reason it’s currently unconquerable is its overwhelming magical power and that infuriating ability.’

Of course, eventually I would handle it after obtaining the Sword of Pleasure in the future.
But precisely because of that, I could be certain: there was no one in this Theocracy who could face Dominion now.
There were still a few Holy Knights stronger than me, but against Dominion, neither overwhelming power nor numbers mattered.

“But that is not all.”

The man furrowed his brow as he spoke.

“Upon hearing that Dominion had appeared, Holy Knight Valentis rushed in without hesitation, saying it could not be left alone. He has not returned since. According to eyewitness accounts, he still lives, but appears to have lost his sense of self.”
“That… that cannot be…!!”

Valentis was the middle-aged Holy Knight present when I had revealed myself to be a Holy Knight before.
Since he was only slightly below my current level, it was inevitable he could not withstand Dominion.

“We tried to stop him as much as we could… but Holy Knight Valentis’s resolve was unwavering.”

No one could fault Valentis for his actions. He rushed forward to protect people, after all.

“Your Holiness, how do you intend to handle this situation? If things continue as they are, Holy Knight Valentis will….”
“Before that, where is Dominion currently located?”

At this point, it would be in Blewillo Forest.

“It’s in Blewillo Forest. Holy Knight Valentis was last spotted there as well.”
“Blewillo Forest, you say…. A place where monsters appear, so it’s quite remote.”

The Pope pondered for a while before speaking.

“Issue an evacuation order to the nearby territories. We will abandon any attempt to subjugate Dominion.”
“….”
“Dispatching Holy Knights without sufficient information on Dominion would only invite greater sacrifice. Fortunately, Dominion tends to remain in one place rather than roam widely, and if we’re fortunate, we might discover a way to save Holy Knight Valentis in the meantime.”

No. He dies there.
Dominion possesses the ability to control others, and typically the brain bursts and death occurs after half a year passes.

“Ah….”

But for the Theocracy, it was an unavoidable choice. To avoid multiplying meaningless deaths.
So no one raised an objection. As always, with just one exception.

“I’ll go.”

…That was me.

“W-what…!”

Everyone stared at me with widened eyes. Barun and Bella were no different.
Even the Pope spoke with some surprise.

“…You mean Kael Inquisitor will go?”
“Yes.”
“I’m well aware that Kael Inquisitor is strong enough to have defeated Gluttony, one of the Five Great Calamities. However, this situation is quite different. There is far too little information.”

That would be true. Everyone who encountered Dominion would be dead.
But unlike the Theocracy, I know Dominion well. After all, it was I who defeated that creature in my previous life.

“Your Majesty, this is not recklessness. It is conviction born from weighing multiple factors.”
“Conviction, you say?”
“Yes. Therefore, I shall go. I will not only rescue Holy Knight Valentis, but I will also strike down Dominion, one of the Five Great Calamities, and return victorious.”

On this Continent, only I know the method to unravel Dominion’s power.
Of course, even knowing that, defeating Dominion itself remains an impossible task. Yet in my hand, I possessed the card that would make it possible.

“Hmm….”

The Pope, who had been deep in thought, nodded slowly.

“Very well. Then go and return safely.”

The Cardinals then expressed their concern.

“Your… Your Majesty….”
“He demonstrates such faith in himself—we have no reason to worry. Moreover, he stands at the center of upheaval. Destiny moves from the tip of his blade, and malice is consumed in flame.”
“….”
“Therefore, we need only observe. Perhaps that is our role.”

In truth, I would have gone regardless of whether permission was granted.
I made this declaration to demonstrate my accomplishments to others.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Do you require any support?”
“No. Under different circumstances, perhaps—but now it would only be a hindrance. Bella Deacon is all I need.”

At my glance, Bella nodded with resolute determination.

“I see.”
“Then I shall return with good news.”

Bella and I then departed the Conference Hall. As the great doors swung open on both sides, I turned to look back.
Gazes mingled with anxiety and anticipation were fixed upon me. I spoke.

“So do get some rest. Don’t stay up all night from the new year’s dawn.”

The Pope then smiled faintly.

“May your blade be blessed with the strength to overcome all trials.”

I gave a curt nod and turned to leave. And in that same moment….

SLAM—

The doors of the Papal See shut firmly behind me.

(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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