The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 23

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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 23. I Offer the Choices.

The Chubby Man and the Gaunt Man exchanged wary glances.

“He claims to be a baron? Is that right?”
“I don’t know his face exactly either. But isn’t he too young for that? He should be at least middle-aged. Could he be the eldest son?”
“I heard the eldest son left on a pilgrimage before?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
“And what madman would dare impersonate a nobleman?”

That madman stood right here.

“True enough. Well, nobles must receive good care. Still, the depth of one’s voice can’t be hidden, it seems.”
“Now that I think about it, I did hear he was originally a priest. Seeing him in clerical robes, it does seem to check out.”

The Chubby Man turned to look at me.

“Are you truly Baron Luminara?”
“I am.”

I answered with solemn authority.

“How should I prove it? Should I summon my household to demonstrate my identity conclusively?”
“No, no, there’s no need for all that….”

As I pressed forward with confidence, they began to believe me. After all, they could hardly be familiar with a remote baron.
Sriben, standing beside me, bowed his head.

“Master, there’s no need to deal with such discourteous people. Allow me to speak with them while you retire inside.”

I raised my hand lightly.

“No, it seems they have business with me. I’ll speak with them directly.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Besides, looking young is becoming tiresome.”

I clasped my hands behind my back and stood prominently before them, having passed through the Main Gate.

“So what brings you here? I wasn’t informed of any visitors beforehand.”

Chubby responded to him.

“Ah, well, we procured women throughout this Estate for various individuals, but the repayment date has passed and the money hasn’t arrived. So we’d appreciate it if you could settle that debt.”
“Women? I’ve never engaged in such distasteful business.”
“Of course you haven’t directly. The ones who requested the women were the residents here. We have the evidence right here.”

Chubby produced documents bearing fingerprints.
As I examined them, Sriben quietly explained from beside me.

“Baron Scalen didn’t procure the women under his own name. Instead, he coerced or recruited the shop owners in this Estate to act as intermediaries. Considering the damage to his reputation, Baron Scalen hid behind their names and merely paid the fees.”
“Commissions to the Dark Blood Gang, and wages to the prostitutes?”
“Yes.”
“Did the women know about this arrangement?”
“No, they likely had no idea that those who proposed the work were from the Dark Blood Gang.”

I nodded.

“He certainly left quite a mess behind.”
“Yes. An absolutely enormous one.”

But wait—wasn’t this actually fertilizer?
Normally I would have had to hunt down the Dark Blood Gang myself, but thanks to this, they came directly to me, making my plan far easier to execute.
The stench was undeniable, but considering the harvest to come, I could accept it with a smile.

“Have you visited the shop owners who procured the women?”
“We did, but most of the shops are gone, along with the women. The shop owners claim they have no means to pay.”

It seemed Sriben had taken care of the shops throughout the Estate during my absence.

“That’s why we’ve come to you. Further questioning the residents won’t yield any payment, and the sum is too substantial to simply let this matter slide.”
“I see.”
“So what will you do? If you don’t resolve this, we’ll have no choice but to continue pursuing the residents.”

Were these bastards actually threatening a baron?
If you don’t pay instead, we’ll keep tormenting the residents?

“Heh…”

A hollow laugh escapes me.
If I were myself, I would have slapped this fool across the face without hesitation, but I am now Baron Luminara—a position that demands restraint.
I responded with the patience befitting a noble father.

“That simply won’t do. No, it absolutely won’t.”
“Then will you pay the sum in their stead, Baron?”
“It is only proper that I provide for my subjects.”
“Ah, how fortunate. Though I must warn you—the amount is considerable. It’s only for one month, but the promised commission is quite substantial.”
“Wait.”

As Chubby began fumbling for documents, I raised my hand to stop him.

“To be frank, I’m not particularly pleased with this arrangement. I’d prefer to speak directly with your leader first.”
“Ah, there’s no need for that. You can simply deal with me—”

I tilted my head, studying him.

“Who are you?”
“Pardon?”
“Judging by the fact that you’ve come merely to collect payment, you hardly hold a position of authority. What makes you think you can make such decisions?”
…
“Take me to your leader.”

I straightened my posture and fixed them with a cold stare.
Chubby’s eyebrows twitched with displeasure. The men exchanged glances before Chubby responded.

“Very well. Though you may come to regret this.”
“Ha.”

I laughed lightly, then struck his cheek with a sharp crack that echoed through the air.
Chubby touched his stinging face, turning his head back to face me.

“What is the meaning of—”
“Listen.”

I spoke with grave solemnity.

“Do you think standing before me makes you my equal? Your insolent gaze alone disgusts me.”
“….”
“Know when to stop being courteous. Do you understand?”

Chubby gritted his teeth, his fists trembling with barely contained rage.

“I’d appreciate an answer.”
“…I understand, sir.”
“Good. Then let’s depart.”

I was turning toward the carriage when it happened.

“One moment, my lord.”

Bella approached from the mansion, drawing near to my side.

“I shall accompany you as well.”

No matter how sharp Bella’s instincts were, responding with such precision should have been impossible.
Glancing back discreetly, I caught Sriben nodding.
It seemed Sriben had briefed Bella on the situation when she emerged from the mansion.

“Very well.”
“Thank you, my lord.”

I withdrew my gaze from Bella and turned to regard the two insolent fools.

“You can manage the carriage, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Then go.”

I boarded the carriage we had arrived in. For now, I would be not a reckless fool, but a stern baron….

* * *

Gaunt Man drove the carriage while Chubby sat across from me.
When I stared at him in silence, Chubby fixed his gaze out the window.

‘Hmm?’

At that moment, Bella handed me a note. When I read its contents, it was written like this.

「Baron Scalen’s Alias – Chameleon」

So Baron Scalen had entrusted his money to the Dark Blood Gang under the name Chameleon.
He certainly went to great lengths to hide his wealth. Thanks to that, I was able to claim the money for myself.
The carriage pressed forward in silence deep into the night.
It was when we entered a certain forest that the carriage began to slow its pace.

“Where is this?”

Chubby responded to my question.

“We don’t stay in one place. Like nomads, we establish new bases elsewhere when the time comes.”
“To avoid leaving a trail, then.”
“Yes.”

Just then, the carriage came to a halt. Chubby opened the door and gestured for me to follow.

“We’ve arrived, Baron. Please step out.”
“Good. Your manners have improved considerably.”
“Thank you.”

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I saw wooden houses nestled in the heart of the forest. There were only a few, more like a small outpost than a village.

“Bella, you stay and guard the carriage. I’ll meet with them alone.”
“Yes, Master. Please be careful.”

Bella stood rigidly before the carriage, like a faithful hound guarding its flock.
The Dark Blood Gang members, having sensed my arrival, were already waiting outside.
About ten of them. Some were likely dispatched elsewhere.

“What is this situation?”

A man with blood-red hair spoke. Judging by his muscular build and the atmosphere surrounding him, he appeared to be the leader of the Dark Blood Gang.

“Ah, well, you see…”

Chubby approached the leader and whispered something to him. After hearing the explanation, the leader’s gaze turned toward me.

“Are you Baron Luminara?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re remarkably young for someone of that station.”
“I hear that often. I attribute it to the Goddess’s blessing.”
“Hmm….”

The man straightened his posture with measured courtesy.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Drake, leader of the Dark Blood Gang.”
“Ah, so you’re the Dark Blood Gang?”
“You know of us?”
“Indeed I do. An acquaintance of mine mentioned entrusting funds to your organization.”
“May I ask the name of this acquaintance?”

I answered without hesitation.

“Chameleon.”

Drake’s pupils dilated noticeably.

“That’s an alias he uses. You understand, I’m sure?”
“Of course. I had no idea you were acquainted with him.”
“Well, that fellow is cautious by nature. You wouldn’t recognize his face even if you saw it, would you?”
“That’s correct.”
“As I suspected.”

I nodded in acknowledgment.

“By the way, where exactly do you hide such vast sums?”
“Why do you ask….”
“Well, I’m thinking of entrusting some funds to you as well. I need to conceal some donations I’ve received.”
“Donations, you say?”
“Yes.”

I spoke without reservation.

“Truth be told, our Estate’s finances are in poor condition, so I was thinking of supplementing them with donations. But leaving such funds in the Mansion would certainly draw the Papal See’s attention, wouldn’t it?”
“Ah, yes, that would be the case.”
“Why? Am I different from the priest you had in mind?”
“Somewhat. I’ve heard that the Luminara Family is a devout Ella Faith family.”

Drake let out a dry chuckle and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, I’ve seen such clergy before, so I’m accustomed to it.”
“Haha, I see. So how do you hide the money?”
“Usually we acquire abandoned grain warehouses or defunct warehouses and dig beneath them to hide the funds.”
“When I need to retrieve the money?”
“We provide you with documents before hiding it. They contain our contract details and the locations of the defunct warehouses.”
“You’d keep copies of those documents as well.”
“Yes. Since we can’t remember each one individually, we keep them well preserved.”

He answered readily.

“But rest assured. We’ve never lost or had the documents stolen thus far.”
“I’m sure.”

I continued my questioning.

“Do you kill your own people if necessary?”

Drake’s eyes suddenly deepened.

“If you require it.”
“How many have you killed so far? Chameleon never mentioned that aspect to me. And without knowing your capabilities, I can’t simply entrust you with work….”
“Around 100 cases. Depending on the assassination target, I sometimes take direct action myself, though in such cases the fee varies considerably.”

I know something of the Dark Blood Gang’s leader.
Drake was a man who had destroyed countless lives and futures with his spear. Among them were surely innocent nobles as well.
I don’t know how he died in his previous life, but in this one, I could sense it clearly.

“I see.”

I called out to Bella, who stood behind me.

“Deacon Bella, you heard that clearly, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I heard it perfectly!”
“Excellent.”

I turned my gaze back to Drake. His eyes betrayed confusion.
I declared to him boldly.

“First, I cannot pay any money related to prostitutes. Of course, my subjects won’t be paying you either.”
“…What?”
“Furthermore, I will not entrust any money to you. I’d sooner hand my coin to a passing ant than give a single copper to fools like you.”

Veins bulged at Drake’s temples.

“Have you lost your mind, Baron? What exactly are you trying to do?”
“Baron?”

I tilted my head. Then I released the vocal cords I had been modulating, restoring my voice to its natural state.

“Do I still look like a baron to you?”

A sharp, cutting voice—far different from the measured tone of before.
Ripples of shock crossed the eyes of the others.

“The, the voice…!”

Laughter escaped me at their reaction.

“Ahahaha, you fell for that? How could this face belong to a middle-aged man? My Father has far more wrinkles and gray hair than this, you bastards!”
“….”

Drake’s eyes snapped open with lethal intensity.

“Who are you?”
“If you’re that curious, it’s only proper for a clergyman to enlighten you.”

I continued as though I had forgotten something.

“But come to think of it, I already revealed my identity just now. Are you perhaps thick-skulled?”

Drake paused to consider my words before asking.

“Don’t tell me you’re the eldest son of Baron Luminara?”
“Did you sell your respect for my father along with your character? The moment profit disappears, your true nature emerges, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah… I’ve always thought something was off about you, no matter how much I looked.”
“What good is thinking alone? That’s precisely why you’re a blockhead.”

Drake clenched his teeth before responding.

“Listen here, young master. Have you completely lost your mind?”
“My mind left long ago. So thoroughly that I doubt it could go any further.”
“Hahaha.”

Drake chuckled lightly and made me a proposal.

“Our young master. I don’t know what brought you here, but from now on, I’ll give you a choice. First—”
“You bastard!!”

I shouted loudly, cutting off his words.

“I’m the one giving choices.”
“….”
“First, you hand over all your assets and disappear. Second, you try to kill me—a Heresy Inquisitor—and move around like nomads.”

Drake let out a scoffing laugh and replied.

“When did the reckless eldest son become a Heresy Inquisitor? Stop this farce.”

There’s no way they could know I’d become a Heresy Inquisitor.
The Dark Blood Gang isn’t large in scale—we’re simply skilled across multiple fronts.

“Believe it or not, that’s your choice. And making you pay the price for that choice is mine. So, what’s your answer?”
“….”

Drake quietly gripped his spear, and the others drew their weapons.
I nodded with satisfaction.

“I thought so. From the start, you only ever had one choice. You’ve always lived that way.”

I never intended to let them live in the first place.
If I left them be, they would continue to prey upon humans, and the stench of their filthy blood would linger in the air.

“Fall into Hell.”

I drew my blade and lowered my stance.
The Sword of Ecstasy coiled around the blade’s edge. Rather than cutting them down one by one—tedious work—I compressed the wind even further into the steel.

“….”

The ominous pressure made them hesitate.
Ordinarily, wind is gentle—dispersing heat or drying laundry—but when angered, it sweeps away everything in its path.

Whoooosh!

But my wind is different.
My wind shows no mercy to enemies; it is always infused with madness, cutting down all who stand before it.
There was no reason, no need to show them mercy.
Thus, all my wind could offer them was death.

Skreeeeeeeee!

I slashed through empty air, and a crescent moon materialized in the void.
Following the arc of that blade strike, a violent wind infused with sacred power erupted forth like a raging torrent.

‘Raging Gale.’

CRAAAAAAAAASH!!

A gale beyond human strength to withstand crashed over them like a tidal wave.
Screams erupted from all directions, and their bodies were torn asunder indiscriminately.
Even Chubby, who had dared to disrespect my Father, and the one who had driven the carriage were swept away by the raging gale.

“….”

Silence had returned to the Forest.
If I listened closely, I could almost hear the sound of moonlight flowing, yet regrettably, one still drew breath.

“Cough!”

Only Drake from the Dark Blood Gang survived, coughing up blood.
Though he somehow remained standing on two legs, his skin was peeling away in patches—he looked as though death would claim him at any moment.

“Sword energy at such a young age….”

Sword energy—a technique wielded by Knights who channel mana or divine power through their blades.
While some Knights could infuse mana into their swords, those who could truly master sword energy were rare.
It demanded both tremendous mana reserves and exquisite control.
Gale Wind operated on similar principles to sword energy, but the wind attribute woven into it allowed it to pulverize enemies without mercy.
I marveled at the sight.

“To survive that blow… you’ve got quite the stubborn grip on life.”
“….”
“Cockroach bastard. Disrespectful blockhead. Filthy creature who only chooses wickedness. Damn it, I should’ve handled you myself….”

Then Drake’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed backward with a thud.
Seeing that, I smacked my lips with satisfaction.

“Dead.”

So what was the reason for his death?
Did the Gale Wind sweep him away, or did he ascend to heaven from listening to my curses?
Well, it wasn’t my concern, so I stopped paying attention to them and moved forward with the task.

“Deacon Bella, find Chameleon’s documents.”
“Yes, Interrogator!”

We navigated around the filthy blood of the Dark Blood Gang and moved to search for the money Chameleon had hidden away.

(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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