The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 37

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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 37. The Heretic Inquisitor.

The moment we arrived at Luminara Territory, we bypassed the Mansion and headed straight for the nearby fields ravaged by plague.
After examining the corrupted fields for some time, Arturo approached us.

“Hmm, if left unchecked, the plague will spread across the entire Territory before long.”
“Can you handle it?”
“It will take some time to analyze the composition and gather the necessary materials, but yes, it’s possible.”

As I had anticipated.
Arturo was once called the “Viper” in my past life, but he also bore the epithet “the indifferent physician.”
He earned the title of Avarice among the Seven Deadly Sins because despite possessing knowledge that could save countless lives, he shared it with no one.

“Though something strikes me as odd.”

As Arturo tilted his head in confusion, I asked.

“What do you mean?”
“This plague spreading through the field contains toxic compounds that couldn’t occur naturally. It’s not entirely impossible, but the probability is extraordinarily low. Rather, it seems someone deliberately created and spread this plague.”

He could discern that much just from a glance?
I had never mentioned anything about Baron Scalen to him.

“You’re right. This plague was deliberately spread to consume our Territory.”
“Ah, as I suspected. Then do you happen to have a sample of the plague? With that alone, I could resolve it before summer planting.”
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate one.”

Baron Scalen resolved the plague after seizing our Territory.
That meant he possessed a cure, yet despite searching through the Scalen Mansion thoroughly, I found nothing.
He likely outsourced the plague as well. Sriben had suggested the plague was probably spread through the Evil Book Society or other channels.

‘I should ask Sriben to arrange a meeting with Baron Scalen.’

I spoke.

“Let’s head back to the Mansion first. We should eat something before we do anything else.”
“Very well.”
“Yay!”

* * *

Luminara Mansion.
Benedick was receiving an unexpected male visitor in his office.

“So what brings you all the way out here?”

Benedick asked as he settled into the seat of honor, and the man replied.

“Ah, I heard that the residents have been suffering greatly from a plague that has spread through the fields recently. With summer planting season approaching as well, I imagine you must be quite concerned, Baron.”
“Yes, indeed I am.”

Benedick smiled bitterly.
Word of the plague had already spread to other places. There was nothing good about showing such a weakness to one’s reputation.

“It’s truly a lamentable situation. Especially considering that Luminara Territory has such a high dependence on agriculture.”
“I appreciate your concern, but this is hardly a matter that outsiders need trouble themselves over.”

He meant that the man should not pry too deeply into a problem everyone already knew about. The visitor’s previous remark had been nothing more than thinly veiled sarcasm, after all.
Realizing his intent, the man spoke as though he had suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, my apologies. I should have introduced myself first. I’m Slow, from the Flora Research Institute, where we specialize in studying plants.”

Benedick had heard of the Research Institute a few times during his pilgrimages in his days as a Priest.
They sold plants with unusual properties to fund their research.

“I see. But what brings someone from the Research Institute to visit us?”
“By now you’ve probably already guessed, but we believe we can resolve that plague.”
“The plague?”

He had sensed it from the moment the man said he was from the Research Institute, but hearing it stated outright was still somewhat shocking.
This was a plague that had tormented the residents for over half a year.
He had investigated through various experts thus far, yet none of them had been able to uncover anything about the plague spreading through the Territory.
And now the answer was presenting itself on its own?

“Yes. As I mentioned, the Flora Research Institute conducts research on various plants. And on the plagues that harm them as well.”
“….”
“After hearing rumors of this place, I examined the fields and found a plague that we can resolve. That’s why I’ve come to see you, Baron Luminara.”

Benedick pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Can you truly resolve this plague?”
“Yes. Might someone have deliberately spread this plague? Upon examination, I found components that would be difficult to generate naturally.”

Only the Luminara Family and a select few within the Papal See knew that Baron Scalen had spread the plague.
So if they claimed they could resolve it, it must be genuine.

“Indeed….”

Benedick nodded.

“But surely you haven’t come for charitable work, have you? What compensation do you require?”
“Ha, I appreciate your directness.”

Slow answered with a wry smile.

“Fifteen hundred gold coins will suffice.”
“…Fifteen hundred coins?”

Fifteen hundred gold coins—nearly the annual operating expenses of the entire Barony.
Though Kael could certainly earn enough to pay it, using such funds without his permission felt awkward, and the territory’s finances would become precarious for some time.
Moreover, if I must eventually manage the Scalen Territory as well, lacking funds would make that an impossible task.

“That seems excessive. Surely we can negotiate?”

At Benedick’s question, Slow tilted his head.

“Excessive? If left unchecked, the plague will spread throughout your territory before long. Then the Luminara Territory, which depends on agriculture for survival, will find recovery extraordinarily difficult.”
“….”
“You can resolve this crisis with coin—why would you accept a cheap solution? Don’t let fear of immediate loss blind you to the calamity approaching, Baron Luminara.”
“Ugh….”

Benedick pressed his throbbing temples.
He was right. If left as is, the plague might consume the Family itself—I couldn’t afford to hesitate over present losses.

“Baron.”

Sriben, standing beside me, called out softly. I understood the weight behind his words.

‘Now that I think about it, Kael said he left to resolve the plague.’

In the past, I would have dismissed such talk as mere fantasy, but Kael had proven himself different from before.
It was Kael who had improved the Family’s circumstances, and Kael who had preemptively stopped those who threatened us.
So there was no harm in waiting for Kael’s return before making a judgment.

“For now, please allow me time to consider. I need to examine whether I can prepare fifteen hundred gold coins immediately.”

Thus I offered a vague deflection.

“Haha, Baron Luminara.”

Slow smiled, his eyes cold and sharp.

“I didn’t come here for charity. I came to secure research funds immediately. If this transaction is delayed, I simply move elsewhere where my assistance is desperately needed. Why waste time in such a place?”
“….”
“However, I cannot fathom why you hesitate. Or perhaps the assets piled in your mansion matter more to you than your residents’ lives?”

At Slow’s rudeness, Sriben flinched beside me.

“This bastard….”
“Enough.”

I raised my hand to stop him.
Sriben then swallowed his anger and muttered softly, “Goddess, grant me infinite patience….”

“Well, if you lack the means to prepare the full amount now, simply provide half. Then pay the remainder once the work is complete.”
“Half, you say….”
“I’ll give you exactly one day. If you cannot decide by then, there’s no reason for me to remain in such a territory.”

I clenched my teeth.
Slow had merely rephrased his words, but this was unmistakably coercion and disrespect.
I should have rebuked him, yet no words would leave my lips.

‘The reality is we are the weaker party here.’

Thanks to Kael, I had forgotten about it recently.
The Luminara Family had always been the weak ones.
We were nobility, yes, but merely a barony, and with territory so vast that others constantly eyed it with greed.
Was it because I, who had been clergy, was soft? Would things have been different if my older brother had lived?

‘But now, all of that is meaningless speculation.’

Benedick clenched both fists tightly. It had been long since I set aside my pride within that grip.

“I understand. Just one day….”

That was when it happened.

– I’m coming in.

The door opened with a quiet voice.
Kael strode in with long steps, followed by Bella and a man I was seeing for the first time.
Slow’s eyes narrowed as he examined Kael’s black priest’s robes.

“A Priest?”

Then Kael’s gaze fixed on Slow. With his arm resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist, he replied.

“A Heretic Inquisitor.”

* * *

“Why would a Heretic Inquisitor suddenly appear here….”

Slow continued as if remembering something.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I heard that the Young Master of the Luminara Family became a Heretic Inquisitor.”

It was a slightly odd detail.
The fact that I became a Heretic Inquisitor was not widely known. Usually only those connected to the Papal See knew about it.
But rumors could be spreading from somewhere, so it wasn’t a major concern.

“Sriben.”

At my call, Sriben approached and whispered a brief summary of the preceding situation directly into my ear.

“He’s from the Flora Research Institute, sent to resolve the plague in the Territory. That part isn’t problematic, but his manner of speaking was nothing short of coercion. It felt like he was deliberately trying to assess our situation and make us desperate.”
“….”
“And it’s possible these people are the ones who spread the plague in the first place. When I worked under Baron Scalen previously, I remember seeing the name Flora Research Institute in some documents.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“How was I supposed to remember something like that? It only came back to me when I heard it mentioned today.”
“I see.”

I raised my hand sharply.
Sriben flinched and drew his upper body back, but I merely patted his shoulder gently.

“Well done.”
“…Yes, Young Master.”

The man who had been watching us spoke then.

“What were you two discussing so intently?”
“Matters concerning heresy, I’m afraid. My apologies if it caused offense.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m Slow from the Flora Research Institute. I’ve come to resolve the plague afflicting this land.”
“Ah, a distinguished guest indeed. Forgive my ignorance.”

I feigned surprise and turned my gaze toward Father.

“Father, might I have a brief word with this gentleman? I’ll explain the details later.”

Father studied me carefully before nodding and rising from his seat.

“Very well.”
“Thank you, Father.”

As Father left, he paused briefly beside me.

“Kael.”
“Yes.”
“Handle this smoothly. You understand what I mean?”
“Of course.”

I smiled faintly, though Father’s eyes still betrayed his lingering anxiety.

“Come now, Baron. We shall take our leave.”

Sriben escorted my Father out.
Only then did I take the head seat and face Slow.

“So you’ve come to resolve the plague afflicting our Territory?”
“Yes.”
“And your price?”
“Fifteen hundred gold coins.”

I nearly spat out the word “madman.”
As if he didn’t know such a sum couldn’t be easily procured from a Barony.

“You also think it excessive, Young Master?”
“No. Compared to the threat looming ahead, it’s hardly wasteful.”
“Then….”
“However.”

I regarded Slow with a steady gaze.

“We have no need of your assistance. We’ve already found a solution.”
“Pardon?”

Slow’s eyes widened in surprise before he collected himself and responded.

“Ha, Young Master. You seem unfamiliar with this field—it’s not a problem to be resolved so easily.”
“That is for us to judge, not outsiders.”
“Yet the Baron doesn’t seem to share your conviction.”
“He didn’t—until I arrived. Do you not understand what it means that my Father yielded his seat?”

Slow’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Why do you treat me this way? I came merely because your Territory appeared to need assistance.”
“One doesn’t typically demand fifteen hundred gold coins and call it charity.”

Slow regarded me for a moment, then exhaled deeply.

“The longer this drags on, the greater the damage to your Territory. However, we can provide medicine within a week. Do you possess a method faster than this, Young Master?”

Just as I was about to speak, Arturo interjected.

“You said within a week just now?”
“Yes, that is correct, but—”
“This plague was artificially created. That means there’s no universal cure prepared in advance. Even at the fastest, it should take a month, so how do you expect to prepare it in just a week?”
“Ah, so this is the method the Young Master mentioned.”

Slow let out a soft chuckle.

“Our Flora Research Institute possesses diverse tools and vast knowledge. A week is more than sufficient. I ask that you not compare an individual to an organization.”
“Hmm, I see.”

Arturo stared at me intently without saying anything.
It seemed to mean something was amiss. Arturo must have already considered that individuals and organizations differ when he posed the question.
In his previous life, Arturo was someone skilled enough in poisons to be called the “Viper.”

“Hmm….”

I crossed my arms and pondered.
I had suspicions that the Flora Research Institute spread the plague across my territory.
Sriben had seen the name Flora Research Institute before, and Arturo was also suspicious that they might have prepared the cure in advance.

‘But I lack concrete evidence.’

Yet who was I?
A Heresy Inquisitor who could interrogate based on suspicion alone. A Holy Knight purifying the world for the Goddess.
Such authority came with justification.

‘But what method should I use to uncover the truth?’

Simple interrogation might yield nothing.
And with family nearby, I couldn’t exactly resort to extracting fingernails….

‘Ah, that would work.’

Suddenly, I recalled what had happened at the Viper Mansion.

– It’s poison. A poison that kills unless the antidote is consumed every month.

Having decided on my approach, I turned to Bella.

“Bella. I’m going to begin the interrogation.”
“Yes, Interrogator.”

Upon hearing my signal, Bella drew upon her mana and enveloped the office with a barrier of pure magical force. It was a sound-dampening spell.
I then turned my attention to Arturo.

“Arturo. Would you be willing to conduct this interrogation?”
“How do you mean, sir?”
“Use the same method you employed on the Viper Mansion’s eldest son.”
“The eldest son?”

Arturo pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding.

“Ah, that. Leave it to me, sir.”

Slow, who had been watching silently until now, furrowed his brow in confusion.

“Interrogation? What do you me—”

Slow never finished his sentence. Arturo launched himself lightly off the ground and swept past him, positioning himself behind the man in a single fluid motion.
Fresh lacerations had appeared on Slow’s forearm, and a violet liquid dripped steadily from the wounds.

“What—what are you doing?!”

Slow’s face drained of color as he clutched his forearm, staring at Arturo in horror.
Arturo replied with cold indifference.

“Poison. Without periodic doses of the antidote, your life will be forfeit.”
“The Research Institute can synthesize an antidote—”
“You’ll be dead before then.”

Arturo smiled faintly. Truly, the villains of my past life never change their nature.
I nodded with satisfaction and fixed Slow with a glacial stare, offering my counsel.

“From this moment forward, you will divulge everything you know. Remember—I am not retaliating against your words or actions. This is merely leverage.”

Understanding the implication, Slow’s lips trembled as he glared at me with barely concealed hatred.

“Is this blackmail?”

I couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle at that question.

“What else would it be?”

(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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