The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 18

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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 18. How Can You Be So Certain?

As soon as dawn broke, I followed Dominica into the Forest.
Bella asked a question.

“Director, did you perhaps know my parents?”
“Yes. I happened to encounter them while wandering through the Forest.”
“Then you must have known that my parents were mages.”
“Indeed.”

Bella opened her mouth to ask something further, then closed it and fell silent.
Sensing her reluctance to speak, I posed the question instead.

“Why didn’t you tell Bella about that fact?”
“Because I saw what Bella’s future would become if I did.”

Dominica replied.

“Bella lost her memories due to the shock, but if I had told her about her parents, there was a high chance she would remember.”
“….”
“Then Bella would have grown up consumed by a thirst for vengeance. And her target would have been the Bishop of this place.”
“You knew that as well?”
“I had no certainty, but I suspected it.”
“I see.”
“And if Bella had killed him, she would have spent her entire life fleeing from the Theocracy.”

It was a precise prediction.
In reality, Bella became the Witch of Envy, killed clergy members, and ultimately met her death at Ludian’s hands.

“That’s why I told her to wear the mana stone pendant beneath her clothes in crowded places….”

At Dominica’s gaze, Bella scratched her head awkwardly.

“Hehe, if I wear it, it touches my skin and… well, I only took it off when there were no people around, but I guess someone saw me anyway.”

Dominica let out a deep sigh.

“Perhaps this too was fate. A trial that must be overcome, no matter how much one wishes to avoid it….”

I responded to her words.

“Still, there is no chance that Bella will be hunted by the Theocracy, contrary to your expectations, Director.”
“That’s true. This is all thanks to you, Interrogator.”

Dominica smiled faintly and turned to look at Bella.

“And Bella, dear. I’m sorry for keeping it hidden all this time.”
“No, I’m actually grateful to you, Director.”
“Grateful?”
“Yes.”

Bella touched the magic stone pendant around her neck.

“You knew I carried the blood of a mage, yet you treated me exactly the same as everyone else. More than that, you even risked your life to protect me.”
“….”
“So there’s no need to apologize to me.”

Bella’s lips curved into a smile.
Dominica stared at her in a daze before letting out a soft laugh and continuing forward.

“Many clergy of the Theocracy view magic as the remnants of demons that destroy everything, but I think differently.”

Dominica gazed up at the clear sky.

“I believe magic is beautiful. I have witnessed their magic, after all.”
“….”
“Of course, it has destructive aspects, but the same is true of humans. Just as there are those who bring smiles to others’ faces and those who plunge them into despair….”

Dominica turned to look at us.

“In that sense, I believe both of you are the kind of people who bring smiles to others’ faces.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Bella, perhaps, but me? You’ve only just met me today.”
“Yes. Your power as an Interrogator is certainly something to fear, but you used that strength to protect the smiles of my children.”

I pondered for a moment before answering.

“But most of those who stand before my blade fall into despair. They either beg for their lives, flee, or charge at me only to be run through. One of those three, always.”
“….”
“Does that change your conviction?”

Dominica nodded.

“No. I believe the Interrogator is right.”
“I see.”
“But… may I ask you one thing?”
“By all means.”

Dominica’s gaze fixed upon mine.

“Do you wish to live in darkness, Kael Inquisitor?”
“Darkness?”
“Yes. It seems you shun the light, somehow.”

I tilted my head, then nodded.

“Perhaps so. Vermin tend to hide in darkness, so I go to find them myself.”
“Ah….”
“But….”

I drew my blade and held it upright before me.

“When I have cut through the darkness, cut and cut until there is nothing left to cut—at that end, I merely hope for a small light to await me.”

In my past life, I cut through vermin again and again, only to face the Demon God—that vast abyss.
Yet even if my former self had vanquished that Demon God, I could not be certain that light awaited beyond it.
No—I was certain that end was nothing but Hell.

“Is that perhaps greed?”
“No. There will surely be light at that end.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because I will pray for you.”

For a joke, Dominica’s gaze was far too serious.
I chuckled softly and sheathed my sword.

“I see.”

Then I turned to look at Bella, who was whimpering beside me.

“Why are you crying again?”
“…Because I’m sad.”
“Is that so? I find your plight far more pitiful—you can’t even sing properly.”

Bella stopped her whimpering.

“Why are you really like this?”
“Why are you like that?”

Bella extended her hand.

“Shall we make peace?”
“First, make peace with your own vocal cords.”
“Ugh!”
“We’ve arrived.”

Dominica came to a halt at that moment.
Though smaller than the surrounding vegetation from having burned once before, the grass and trees here grew greener and more vibrant.

“There should be a barrier somewhere in this area. Since I don’t know exactly where it is, I’ll need to search for it.”
“The Burned Region is so vast that it will take time.”
“Yes, that’s likely.”

I called out to them as they began to disperse.

“Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Follow me. It’s this way.”

They tilted their heads in confusion and followed after me.
The spot where I stopped had grass that was taller and less vibrant than the surroundings—as if only this place had escaped the fire’s touch.

Thump…

I tapped the ground with my foot, and the area around the floor rippled. Then a rectangular box covered in magical formations materialized.

“I suspect placing that magic stone necklace here should do it.”

I pointed toward the diamond-shaped groove carved into the magical formation. Bella blinked and asked.

“How did you know that?”
“Because I’m taller than you.”
“Ah.”
“Just place it already.”
“Yes, of course.”

Bella approached the barrier with a tense expression. Then, kneeling on one knee, she placed the magic stone necklace into the groove.

Whoosh—

Brilliant light poured forth as the magical formation crumbled. Once the formations surrounding the box vanished, I spoke.

“Open it now.”
“Yes.”

Bella swallowed hard and carefully opened the box.
There was nothing particularly unusual about it. The box simply contained dozens of tomes nestled inside.

“What is this?”
“Magical texts.”

Not even the Empire’s Magic Tower possessed such a considerable collection.
It seemed Bella’s parents, whatever their martial prowess, were exceptionally knowledgeable in magic.
Perhaps Bella discovered this place and grew into the Witch of Envy because of it.
I suspect the dying Dominica revealed this location to her.

“Everything is organized so neatly, yet this one tome is placed differently atop the others.”

Bella picked up one of the books. Written on its cover were these words.

「Magic for Bella, and for Everyone」

Bella became absorbed in the tome as if bewitched, beginning to read with fervent intensity.
Her eyes darted rapidly across the pages, her hands turning them without hesitation.
In less than ten minutes, she had finished the entire text and snapped the book shut.

“I… somehow feel like I could cast this magic.”

Even for a genius of the century, mastering a spell in ten minutes was impossible.
Bella might manage simple magic, but the tome she’d just read was clearly intricate.
It was far more likely she had already known this spell.

“Interrogator, may I try casting it?”

Bella looked up at me with anxious eyes.
She seemed afraid that others might witness her magic.

“Go ahead. I’ve already destroyed the Diocese Office—burning down a forest is hardly a concern.”
“….”
“Don’t hold back. How can you master magic if you fear it yourself? Magic is the projection of the caster’s mind and knowledge. So abandon such timidity at once.”

Bella, who had been hesitant, rose to her feet.

“Understood.”

Her expression became resolute in an instant.

“I’ll give it a try.”
“Good.”

I nodded and pushed off the ground, retreating a hundred paces from Bella.
Bella asked in surprise.

“Isn’t that too far away?”
“Better safe than sorry. Dominica, you retreat as well.”
“Ah, yes.”

Dominica hurried over to my side.
Bella watched us from a distance, licked her lips, and then her expression turned serious.

“Then I’ll begin.”

Bella pressed both hands together at her chest and began drawing up her magical power.

Whoooosh!

As expected, it was vast magical power. But not quite as much as when she’d defeated Roselle.

‘Is she controlling it?’

Still unstable, but it seemed that way.
I’d thought magical control would take time, yet she wasn’t just some mage unworthy of the Seven Deadly Sins.
And I’d never even properly taught her.

“….”

Bella continued channeling her magical power, sweat pouring down her face in rivulets.
It was only natural—yesterday’s magical exhaustion hadn’t fully recovered.
What spell could she possibly want to cast so desperately, pushing herself like this?
I didn’t know right now, but I would soon enough.

Whoosh!

The moment Bella’s eyes snapped open, the magical power emanating from her vanished in an instant.
Yet there was no massive inferno, no freezing cold that would crystallize everything in sight.
Only peace. Only serenity.

‘Hmm?’

As I watched Bella intently, I suddenly realized she was gazing upward at the sky. So I lifted my head as well.
There, something enormous stretched across the clouds.
The daytime sky is naturally blue.
Sometimes it takes on a crimson hue from blood, but if the clouds stay clear, what you see is that azure expanse.

‘But this….’

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
Seven bands of luminous color traced a beautiful arc across the sky, forming a bridge overhead.

“Ah….”

Dominica covered her mouth with her hand upon witnessing it.

“It was this. I first met them while following this enormous rainbow….”

This was a sight that astonished even me.
Had I never seen a rainbow before?
But never had I witnessed a rainbow so vast it covered the sky itself. It was a phenomenon possible only through magic.
Bella had already planted both hands on the ground, breathing heavily.
I leaped lightly and landed beside her.

“So that was it. The memory that remained with you.”

Bella steadied her breathing and nodded.

“…Yes. Back then, I saw this rainbow together with my parents. I thought it only appeared so large because I was young, but now I see that wasn’t the case.”
“That would make sense. Even now it’s not particularly large.”

A soft laugh escaped Bella at my words. Then she gripped the grass tightly, as if suppressing something.

“Interrogator.”
“Speak.”

Bella’s voice that followed was unsteady.

“Thank you.”

I ignored the sound like chirping insects that followed.
Instead, I shielded my eyes from the dazzling light and gazed upward at the sky.
Bella’s rainbow was gradually fading. Yet it would surely emerge again whenever she desired it.

“Very well.”

* * *

The next day, at the Papal See of the Ella Theocracy.
Numerous clergy had gathered in the conference chamber there.

“As you all know, the Divinar Church District was destroyed last night, and Bishop Roselle, who presided over it, has also perished.”

The bald Cardinal Gregory spoke.

“And the one who orchestrated this incident is the newly appointed Heresy Inquisitor Kael, who killed Baron Scalen during the recent Heresy Inquisitor examination.”
“….”
“His performance in the examination certainly deserves commendation, but this matter presents a rather delicate situation.”

Cardinal Barun countered.

“What do you mean by delicate? According to reports, Bishop Roselle conspired with Heresy Inquisitors to murder innocent civilians.”
“….”
“And that’s not all. Roselle killed an innocent mage, falsely reported it as a demon, and ascended to his episcopal seat on those lies. How is that not heresy?”
“I find those actions most regrettable.”

Gregory continued.

“However, the Inquisitor Kael’s methods are far too aggressive. Both of these incidents occurred within less than a week. Is this not an extraordinary situation?”
“That is hardly the Inquisitor’s fault.”
“Regardless, the power wielded by Heresy Inquisitors is formidable. If wielded so recklessly, it will inevitably cause problems. Therefore, I believe some restraint upon him is necessary.”

Gregory pressed on.

“And I hear the Deacon practices magic. Word will surely spread throughout the realm.”
“Khkhkh…. So that was your true aim.”

Barun chuckled softly.

“If you wish to oppose me for my sympathies toward magic, speak plainly. Do not resort to such roundabout tactics using others.”
“….”
“It is beneath you.”

The gazes of Barun and Gregory clashed silently. The other clergy members dared not intervene.

“Now, everyone, please compose yourselves.”

At that moment, all present tensed at the mediator’s voice.

“The Goddess watches over us.”

An elderly man with a benevolent yet commanding presence—Pope Ventus Tellarion.

“My apologies, Your Holiness.”
“Please, I beg your forgiveness.”

As Barun and Gregory bowed their heads, the Pope simply chuckled.
Barun ventured carefully, “Then, Your Holiness, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

“What do you make of this situation, Your Holiness?”
“Hmm….”

The Pope stroked his staff thoughtfully before responding.

“The greater the trial, the stronger humanity becomes. And it is always from within such countless tribulations that heroes and saints are born.”
“….”
“I see no wrongdoing on the part of the Kael Inquisitor. In fact, his actions are worthy of commendation. Though I cannot deny his methods were rather… forceful.”

The Pope smiled faintly.

“So let us observe for now—both the Kael Inquisitor’s path and that of the Deacon who wields magic. It seems premature to judge their virtue or vice just yet.”

The other clergy members nodded in agreement, while Barun concealed a knowing smile.
The Pope was not one to judge hastily or act rashly.

“Then, shall we adjourn—”

CRASH!

Just as the Pope rose to his feet, the conference chamber door burst open violently.
A man rushed into the chamber, his voice urgent and breathless.

“Your Holiness! You must come at once!”

The clergy within furrowed their brows in displeasure.

“Brother, what is the meaning of this discourtesy?”
“This is the Cardinal Council Chamber presided over by His Holiness. Show proper decorum, I implore you.”

The Pope raised his hand, silencing the clergy’s reproaches.

“It is fine. The meeting has concluded anyway. And surely there is good reason for such urgency.”

The clergy members let out gasps of astonishment.
Even if the Demon God himself had descended, this rudeness made no sense—it was behavior that defied all comprehension.

“Then what is this matter?”
“Ah, yes.”

The man straightened his attire and composed himself with formality.

“I am Marcel, keeper of the Primordial Scripture.”

The Primordial Scripture.
The earliest canon in which the teachings of the Goddess Ella were recorded—the Papal See had transcribed it and distributed copies to the faithful.

“Yes, I remember.”
“Th-then, what an honor.”
“So what has happened to the Primordial Scripture?”
“Well.”

Marcel nodded gravely and continued.

“For the first time since the records of Saint Eldoras one hundred and two years ago, a new chapter has begun to inscribe itself within the Primordial Scripture.”

The clergy erupted into murmurs. Even the Pope, whose expression rarely shifted, now stared with wide eyes.

“And in that chapter….”

Marcel drew a deep breath before continuing.

“The name Kael Luminara has been inscribed.”

(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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