The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 31

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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 31. Isn’t It You?

During our search, we found gold coins and placed them appropriately in Bella’s bag, while we handed over other valuables and artwork to Sebastian.
Sebastian apparently never even considered the possibility that the Heretic Inquisitor had embezzled for personal gain, so he passed it over without any particular suspicion.
In fact, he even sent praise my way.

“Oh, how is it that Kael Inquisitor finds treasures so well?”

I couldn’t very well tell him that in my past life I’d stolen from many villains, so I gave a vague answer.

“I have good instincts.”
“Haha, I see. I’ll make sure to report Kael Inquisitor’s accomplishments clearly to the Papal See so you can receive even greater bonuses.”
“I’d appreciate that.”

Thus we safely repeated the process of stealing Enoch’s wealth, placing it in Bella’s bag, finding treasures, and deceiving Sebastian without anyone catching on.
Afterward, only a few of us departed first for Limenthia, the Holy Capital of the Theocracy.
Since Ulric’s Mercenary Unit also had an office in Limenthia, Bella and I traveled with them.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. Perhaps we’ll see each other again.”

Upon arriving in Limenthia, Sebastian led the carriage laden with treasures toward the Papal See.
He’d already asked for the bonuses to be sent to my Family Estate. The money I needed to use was more than sufficient from what was in Bella’s bag.

“Then I’ll guide you to our office now.”
“Very well.”

We arrived at Ulric’s Mercenary Unit building following him.
The First Floor was a tavern, and the Second Floor was an office that handled requests and commissions.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll find it and bring it back.”

Ulric entered a room deeper within the office, and shortly after returned carrying a single sword.
Ulric handed me the sword still in its scabbard.

“This is the very sword. Once you see it, you’ll understand why it doesn’t suit anyone else.”

I drew the sword from its sheath and examined it carefully.
The blade was duller than most swords.
Still, it was sharp enough to be called a sword, though it seemed difficult for ordinary people to sever an enemy’s neck with it.

Thrum!

When I flicked the blade lightly with my finger, the sword trembled and I felt a heavy, resonant vibration.

“The sharpness is lacking, but the durability surpasses other swords.”
“Precisely. Not only that, but it’s resistant to heat, so the blade won’t dull easily even against your flames.”

Indeed, this sword is perfectly suited to me right now.
After all, the sharpness of the blade is not a concern for me.
Once a certain threshold is crossed, strength and technique matter more, and even without that, I can easily sever an enemy’s neck using the winds of Ecstasy.

‘The balance of the sword itself is excellent too. The ore’s resistance to heat must have made it difficult to shape.’

In any case, this will suffice until I find the sword I used in my previous life.
I was actually wondering what weapon to use since I’m growing stronger faster than in my past life.

“But is it really alright to just give me something like this? This doesn’t seem to be a sword made by an ordinary blacksmith.”

It’s not that I’m reluctant to accept it—I’m suspicious. That’s how good this sword was for me.

“There’s no one else who can use it anyway. The blacksmith who made it gave it to me because it wouldn’t sell. We’ve helped him in various ways before, you see.”
“I see.”
“And the one who forged it wouldn’t want it gathering dust in a warehouse.”
“Then I have no choice.”

I nodded and took the stance of Point Burst.

“Sword, let me show you the world.”

Ulric was greatly startled.

“Wh-what? Right here…?”
“I was joking.”

I relaxed my stance and returned the sword to its sheath.

“Phew… that was a joke.”
“Wasn’t it obvious?”
“Haha… yes, of course it was.”
“Now that I think about it, you’ve always been a serious man.”

I really can’t even tell a joke.
Bella, who stood beside me at that moment, spoke up.

“It’s not that Ulric is being serious, sir. Perhaps it’s because you now know who the Interrogator is?”

I stared at Bella intently. She blinked her large eyes blankly.

“Bella, you’re fired as of today.”
“Haha! That’s a funny joke!”
“I’m serious.”
“That’s hilarious, sir!”
“….”

As I glared at her in silence, Bella’s exaggerated laughter froze on her face.

“I apologize, sir.”
“Fine.”

I turned to leave.

“Then we’ll be going.”
“Wait, hold on.”

Ulric stopped us as we were leaving the office.

“What is it?”
“If you don’t have any pressing plans ahead, would you consider taking on a commission? We’re in need of some reorganization….”

I did have a plan for the future, but it wasn’t urgent at the moment.

“Let me hear it first.”
“Thank you.”

Ulric unfolded a document and showed it to me.

“This request came in from Cedric just a day before the subjugation mission. Apparently, people have been disappearing from Cedric Territory.”
“Disappearing?”
“Men and women, regardless of age. But recently, even a Knight wielding sword energy vanished, so he came to request our assistance.”
“Do we know who the culprit is?”
“It doesn’t seem like they do yet.”

That’s a classic Demon pattern.
Demons are creatures that continuously evolve. When they consume magical beasts, they take on their form; when they consume humans, they assume a shape closer to human.
It seems this one started with children and worked its way up to devouring Knights.

‘If this really is a Demon, most ordinary fighters won’t stand a chance.’

I spoke up.

“The fact that even a Knight wielding sword energy has vanished tells me this is no ordinary matter. The culprit must be at least stronger than that Knight.”

Knights who wield sword energy are rare. That Knight was probably on par with Ulric.
Ulric has sufficient magical power, but he hasn’t yet learned to control it with precision.
I suspect the missing Knight was a middle-aged one.

“I share that assessment. Though I hear he hadn’t been wielding sword energy for very long, it’s certainly dangerous.”
“I see.”
“Word is that even the Mercenary Guild had no one willing to take the request, and when the Papal See was consulted, they said it couldn’t be confirmed as a Demon’s work, so deploying the Twelve Holy Knights would be difficult.”

The Papal See likely suspects this is a Demon’s doing.
But the Twelve Holy Knights are already stretched thin dealing with confirmed Demon incidents.

‘Sebastian said he’d move immediately after reporting.’

But who am I?
The hidden thirteenth Holy Knight, the Demon-slaying specialist—the Heretic Inquisitor.

“Fine. I’ll go. If I leave it to you lot, we’ll be setting up a memorial altar.”
“Ha, thank you. And of course, all the request fees are yours.”
“Busy, so busy. Why is there so much darkness in this world?”

I turned to the Interrogator.

“What about you, Sword?”
“….”
“I suppose you don’t know. But don’t worry. From now on, you’ll come to understand alongside me.”

I fastened the blade that had been gathering dust in the warehouse to my waist.

“Let’s go, Bella.”
“Yes! Interrogator!”

* * *

The moment Sebastian returned to the Holy Capital, he sought out the Papal See to report on the matter.
Several Cardinals sat around a U-shaped table, with the Pope at its center.

“It’s a relief you’ve returned safely, Sebastian.”
“Your Holiness, I am honored to stand before you.”

Sebastian offered only a shallow bow.

“So you’ve finally dealt with Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins. Of course, someone else will fill that void soon enough.”

The Pope smiled faintly.

“And what of this Kael Inquisitor you observed?”
“I shall now provide you with a detailed account of that day’s events.”

Sebastian reported to them everything that had transpired when capturing Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins.
The Cardinals listening to his account were astonished.

“Extraordinary! You say he swept away numerous enemies and an entire building with a single strike?”
“Is that what they call sword energy?”

Sebastian shook his head as he replied.

“No, it was not sword energy. He merely condensed flames at the blade’s tip and released them all at once. It appeared to be a technique unique to him alone.”
“He created a swordsmanship technique that imbues mana with attributes entirely by himself? I’ve heard he was formidable, but this is beyond belief.”
“Without Kael Inquisitor, we would never have captured Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins. And truthfully, I myself would have struggled to return.”

Sebastian presented his shield, its form somewhat warped from the battle.

“And from what I observed, the Kael Inquisitor does not strike me as one who would bring harm to the Theocracy.”

The Pope inquired in response.

“What makes you think so?”
“During the battle, I overheard him speaking with Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins. He said something like, ‘I do not dwell on what I cannot possess, and merely sharpen the blade that has been placed in my hands’….”
“….”
“Therefore, I believe he is not a person befitting of ‘Envy.'”

The Pope responded after hearing Sebastian’s opinion.

“Might that not be because the Kael Inquisitor possesses much? Envy stems from what I do not have. Should one lose what they possess, they may change.”
“Yet Your Majesty also knows of those who, despite possessing much, remain consumed by what they lack.”
“Hmm.”
“Even if he were to bear a hideous burn upon his face, he would be grateful to still grip a blade. Should he lose an arm, he would count himself fortunate to wield a sword with the other.”
“And if he were to lose both arms?”
“Then he would grasp the blade with his teeth.”

At that moment, a stifled laugh erupted from one corner. As all eyes turned, Cardinal Barun spoke.

“Ah, my apologies. Please, pay me no mind and continue.”

Sebastian nodded and gazed upon the Pope.

“Your Majesty. As you know, envy is an emotion all humans possess. The Goddess merely emphasizes that such jealousy should not harm others.”
“Indeed.”
“The Kael Inquisitor is such a person. Rather than envying what others possess, he disciplines himself.”

A moment of silence fell over those gathered. Then Cardinal Gregory posed a question.

“Holy Knight Sebastian, what of Bella the Deacon?”
“Her heart was pure. She was the brightest woman I have seen of late.”
“As a mage?”

Sebastian paused briefly before answering.

“She was formidable. Possessed remarkable magical prowess. Yet her magic claimed not a single life during this subjugation.”
“She didn’t kill the enemy?”
“No. Rather, her magic protected us. The zero casualties we achieved in this operation—that is her doing.”
“Hmm….”

Cardinal Gregory fell silent, as though the answer differed from what he had anticipated.

“Frankly, I cannot fathom why they regard her with such disdain. Is it due to the Kael Inquisitor’s volatile temperament, or Bella’s magic?”

The Cardinals glanced toward the Pope. He responded with benevolent composure.

“It is not merely that.”
“Is there another reason?”
“Yes.”

The Pope nodded.

“In truth, for the first time in one hundred and two years, a new chapter titled ‘The Age of Upheaval’ has been inscribed upon the Primordial Scripture. And within it, the name of the Kael Inquisitor is mentioned.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes. Thus, everyone became understandably sensitive. The Kael Inquisitor stands at the center of this upheaval.”
“I see….”

While Sebastian remained dazed, the Pope issued his command to the Cardinals.

“Henceforth, inform the Twelve Holy Knights and the Holy Maidens of the Primordial Scripture. At the very least, those chosen by the Goddess must know.”
“Yes. We shall do so.”

The Cardinals straightened themselves with formality.
The Pope rose slowly from his seat and spoke.

“In any case, this affair has surely enlightened everyone. The Kael Inquisitor is a figure of benefit to our Theocracy.”
“….”
“Therefore, as promised, I shall permit no interference whatsoever regarding the Kael Inquisitor henceforth. We shall merely observe.”
“We shall bear this in mind, Your Holiness.”

The Pope nodded at the Cardinals’ response.

“Grant him a reward befitting his accomplishments in this endeavor. So that he may drive back even greater darkness in the days to come.”

The Pope moved on to his next engagement.

“He will surely astonish us again.”

* * *

“Want to die?”

I seized the man by his collar and shook him violently.

“Do I look like an easy Heretic Inquisitor to you?”
“I-I’m sorry….”
“How dare a mere bandit covet the possessions of a Heretic Inquisitor?”

We encountered bandits on the way to Cedric Territory.
Truth be told, I deliberately took this desolate mountain path to hunt down the culprit behind the disappearances.

“You’re the ones who kidnapped the residents of Cedric Territory?”
“N-no, we didn’t….”
“Then you’re the ones who robbed the travelers?”
“….”
“That’s it—you’re done for!”

I hurled him against a tree with tremendous force. With a sickening crack, he crumpled to the ground like the corpses scattered nearby.

“Let’s move on.”
“Yes, Interrogator!”

We left the bodies for the beasts to dispose of and departed.

‘The Demon consumed the humans it kidnapped. So it must be wearing a human form now.’

That’s why I tested the bandits—to see if the Demon was hiding among them. A Demon that has devoured many humans won’t show its distinctive ashen skin as long as it suppresses its demonic energy.
After that, we made our way to Cedric Mansion.
Since I had told them I was taking over the commission Ulric had accepted, I expected them to let me in immediately, but the servant hesitated momentarily, then asked my permission before entering the mansion.

‘What’s this about?’

Was it a Heretic Inquisitor who came instead of Ulric?
I was curious, but since I’d find out soon enough anyway, I waited for the attendant to return.
Before long, the attendant emerged once more, and we were able to meet with Cedric in private without incident.

“Thank you for coming, Kael Inquisitor. Though there is one thing I must tell you….”
“Please, go ahead.”

Cedric spoke with grave seriousness.

“In truth, it was not we who commissioned this matter.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“What nonsense is this?”
“I-Inquisitor?”
“Ah, what do you mean by that?”

I corrected my tone, noting Bella’s bewilderment.
Cedric answered with a remorseful voice.

“I understand your confusion. I too was taken aback when I heard that you had come on my commission, Kael Inquisitor.”

Ah, so that’s why the attendant had acted as though hearing this for the first time.

“Could you explain this in detail?”
“Of course.”

Cedric nodded.

“It is true that disappearances have occurred in my territory—children, servants, residents, and even a middle-aged knight who was passing through.”
“….”
“However, I did not order anyone to seek help elsewhere. I feared that if word spread, it would cast my territory in a poor light, so I attempted to resolve the matter internally.”
“I see.”
“Of course, with no progress, I considered seeking outside assistance. So if you would take on this matter, Kael Inquisitor, I would naturally provide appropriate compensation.”

Cedric wiped his brow with a handkerchief.

“I suspect one of my retainers may have secretly commissioned the mercenaries without my knowledge, prioritizing the family’s reputation over the welfare of the people. I sincerely apologize for the trouble, Kael Inquisitor.”

Cedric lowered his head. I paused for a moment before speaking.

“No, if my suspicion is correct, it wouldn’t be your servant’s doing.”
“What? Then who on earth…?”
“It’s likely the work of a Demon.”

Ulric had clearly stated that Cedric’s servant came to request the commission.
Ulric wouldn’t lie, so that much had to be true.

“Ah, you mean a Demon?”
“Yes. You mentioned that one of the missing persons was a servant here, didn’t you? The Demon must have impersonated that servant and taken on the commission. Demons can even covet fragments of knowledge from those they consume.”
“But why would a Demon do such a thing…?”
“To lure in someone stronger and devour them.”
“I see….”

Now I understood why my past self never heard news of a Demon appearing in this territory.
In my previous life, Ulric died while capturing Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins, so whoever took on the commission here would vanish as well.
That’s why the Demon left this place to find another strong opponent.
There was no point in causing more trouble here just to capture a mediocre target—it would only draw the attention of the Papal See.

“Then the Demon is currently hiding somewhere in my territory?”
“If my suspicion is correct, then yes. But I’m almost certain of it.”
“How do we find it?”
“There’s no need to search. Just dangle the bait, and it’ll scurry out like a cockroach.”

I spoke.

“First, grant me lodging in the Annex Building, and spread word that a powerful Heretic Inquisitor has arrived to resolve the disappearances. It will come to find me within tomorrow at the latest.”
“Understood.”
“After that, stay with the Knight and our Deacon. Even if things go awry, our Deacon will protect you.”

Cedric asked in surprise.

“Are you planning to fight alone? That Demon has even killed a Knight who wielded sword aura—isn’t that dangerous?”
“I already knew what I was walking into, so it’s fine. However, I do need you to promise me a few things.”

At my penetrating gaze, Cedric swallowed hard.

“Please, speak.”

I issued a grave warning.

“Do not hold me responsible if the building collapses. Do not move without my permission. Do not doubt me or Bella.”
“…?”
“Just follow those three rules. If you break them, you’ll all be visiting the Goddess together. Of course, Bella and I will be excluded.”

Because we were confident we would not die.
Cedric nodded carefully.

“I will keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then show me to a building that can afford to collapse. And bring some food.”
“…Is there truly no way to prevent our mansion from being destroyed?”
“There is. However, everything here will collapse except that one place.”
“I shall guide you to the Annex Building.”
“Wise choice.”

I followed Cedric. As we walked, I caressed my new blade and ground my teeth.

‘Goddess, grant me infinite patience to endure until nightfall….’

I longed for night to arrive.

(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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