The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 42

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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 42. Let’s See, Let’s See.

The men who emerged from the Four Seasons immediately reported to Marken about what had just transpired.

“Hmm, of all places, there had to be a Heretic Inquisitor there.”

Marken, a portly man with gleaming eyes, stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Surely they didn’t discover that we forged the Archbishop’s seal?”

Marken had orchestrated a scheme where someone posed as the Archbishop’s servant to ensnare Katrina.
As expected, she had borrowed money from the Marken Trading Company, creating a debt.
Deceiving a commoner with no backing whatsoever was remarkably simple.

“That’s unlikely, sir. Besides, we have no evidence of document forgery.”
“I see.”
“However, circumstantially, he may harbor suspicions. In fact, he dismissed it as mere rumor, saying that if she truly had impersonated the Archbishop, she wouldn’t be here.”
“That’s true enough.”

Marken bit at his fingernails.

“We were so close, and now this strange fellow meddles in our affairs….”
“The situation has certainly become complicated.”
“We’ll have to alter our plans. I no longer concern myself with her person. What we must prioritize is the Lumen fabric alone.”

Originally, the scheme was to win her affection and obtain the garment made from Lumen fabric from her.
But with this variable introduced, we must pursue the option with higher probability.

“After all, a woman like her can be bought with money. But sacred relics—those are treasures beyond monetary valuation.”
“Quite right.”
“Hmph, just because she has a decent face and some skill with her hands, she thinks herself someone of importance. She needs to know her place.”

Marken’s lips twisted into a sneer.

“But do you really think she has Lumen fabric? When we went to steal the clothes we made last time, there was nothing.”
“Looking at her movements, it’s undeniable that she’s a descendant of Lumen. So she must have it hidden somewhere. Even a small amount would be a jackpot.”
“I see.”
“My luck is truly remarkable. I investigated one woman, and who would have guessed she’d turn out to be a descendant of Lumen?”

What began as an investigation to win her heart had unexpectedly led me to discover something rare.

“So what do you plan to do about the Heretic Inquisitor? If he’s involved, the next phase won’t go smoothly.”
“What else can we do?”

Marken’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Kill him.”
“Are you certain? Even at a glance, he appeared formidable.”

The man touched his swollen face gingerly.
He wasn’t particularly confident in combat, but he could at least defend himself adequately.
Yet a single casual blow from the Interrogator had sent him flying.
That meant his strength was sufficient to subdue most opponents without even drawing a blade.

“Still, he’s just a Heretic Inquisitor. Truly skilled individuals don’t waste themselves on work that pays so little. Even if he takes a portion of the spoils, it amounts to nothing.”
“Is that so?”
“Have I not encountered Heretic Inquisitors throughout my life? Compared to truly powerful mercenaries, their income and ability are worlds apart.”

Marken regarded the men before him.

“If I had no wealth, would you be standing before me like this? Because I have money….”

Marken crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at one of the men’s faces. It brushed against him lightly before falling away harmlessly.

“Even when I do such things, you must follow me without complaint.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“But if someone with greater wealth and power than me appeared, you would betray me without hesitation.”
“No, sir.”
“Of course you would.”

Marken let out a derisive snort.

“This is human nature. Those with skill crave greater wealth, and those with wealth command the skilled. It’s by this principle that I’ve risen to where I stand.”
“….”
“In any case, don’t worry about the Heretic Inquisitor. I have a ‘business associate’ who will ensure his death without question.”
“Understood.”

Marken rose from his seat.

“As it happens, I’m meeting with my associate tonight. Both of you will accompany me. That way, when I’m occupied, you can handle matters in my stead.”
“Yes.”

As darkness fell, they made their way to a warehouse nestled within a forest beyond the estate.
Five burly men stood at the warehouse entrance, and they bowed respectfully upon seeing Marken.

“Welcome.”
“Good. The merchandise?”
“Inside.”
“Show me.”
“Of course.”

Upon entering the warehouse, I saw five children whose legs were bound in shackles.
Marken surveyed them carefully.

“Hmm, they clean up well enough. Bring them along.”
“Very good.”

The warehouse keeper turned to the children.

“You’re not going to your deaths, so follow quietly. Perhaps a better life awaits you.”

The children, trembling with fear, merely nodded their heads.
They proceeded through the silent forest with the children in tow. Marken addressed the two men following behind him.

“Your first time witnessing this directly?”
“Yes.”
“Human trafficking yields the highest profit margins, aside from labor costs. Demand is abundant, yet supply remains scarce.”
“Indeed, that would be the case.”
“Of course, there’s danger if caught, but the rewards are proportionally immense. It’s precisely why I’ve built such a thriving trading company at such a young age.”

Marken had accumulated the initial capital for his trading company through human trafficking.
He had only sought out those whose identities had been erased—war orphans, those from the Slums, and the like—to sell, so he had never once been suspected by anyone.

“However, I plan to move into far greater ventures, so I intend to leave this business to you all. A long tail gets caught, after all.”
“Are you saying we should become the Merchant Lord’s tail?”
“As long as we don’t get caught. I have standing now, so I inevitably draw the eyes of others. But you don’t, do you?”
….
“If you dislike it, you’re free to refuse. Great fortunes have always come with great risks, after all.”
“We shall obey.”

They bowed their heads without prolonged deliberation. Marken let out a quiet chuckle and moved forward.
As I walked through the rather dim Forest, a Robed Man emerged from the shadows.

“You’ve arrived.”

Marken tilted his head quizzically.

“Wasn’t this the originally agreed meeting place? I thought we were supposed to walk further from here.”
“That location receives too much moonlight and would draw attention. There’s no harm in being cautious.”

Indeed, the large trees here obscured the moonlight sufficiently that their faces were barely visible to one another.

“I see. Though it appears a different person has come this time.”
“That’s not your concern. More importantly—where are the goods?”
“…They’re behind.”

At Marken’s words, his subordinates pushed the children forward.
The Robed Man examined them.

“Clean specimens. Where did you procure them?”
“Rest assured. They all lack any identifiable records.”
“Very well. Send them over.”
“Where’s the payment?”
“I’ll inspect them thoroughly and pay according to their grade. We’ve done this more than once—why the sudden distrust?”

Marken clenched his teeth silently. That condescending attitude never changed.
Marken gestured to his subordinates, sending the children toward him.
As the man crouched down to examine the children, Marken spoke.

“What do you think?”
“Adorable creatures. They’ll be loved wherever they go.”
“That’s a relief.”

Marken chuckled softly and continued.

“Soon, a precious item will fall into my hands. Something you won’t easily obtain elsewhere.”
“Ho, now that’s intriguing.”
“When that time comes, I’d like to meet your superior.”

The person Marken was after was someone of tremendous influence.
Wealth, power, and martial strength—yet shrouded in mystery.
Through this person, Marken intended to climb even higher.

“My superior is likely occupied with prayers to the Goddess.”
“…He’s a follower of the Ella Faith?”
“You didn’t know? He lectures me so much about it that I once ran away from home because of it.”
“I see….”

Unexpected information. When I meet him later, I can use this to guide the conversation.

“Now then, let’s settle the payment.”

The man who had kept the children behind him rose from his seat.

“Let’s see, let’s see. The money….”

As the man rummaged through his belongings, Marken cut him off.

“Wait.”
“What is it?”
“Could you provide manpower instead of money?”
“Manpower?”

Marken nodded.

“A Heretic Inquisitor has interfered with my operations. My subordinates say he’s formidable, so I need someone capable of eliminating him with certainty. If this fails, the situation will only spiral out of control.”
“A Heretic Inquisitor, you say? This will require additional compensation.”
“Of course. If you succeed, I’ll grant you the opportunity to purchase the valuable item I mentioned.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
“But it’s something you’ll never regret acquiring.”

The man paused briefly before responding.

“Very well. Leaving him unchecked could endanger us as well.”
“I’m grateful.”
“What does he look like? I’ll handle him myself.”

The man removed the robe from his head and handed it over.

“These two will know his appearance.”

Marken glanced at the two men.
They were about to open their mouths to describe the Heretic Inquisitor they’d witnessed today.
A sliver of moonlight illuminated the robed man’s face.
A sharply defined nose ridge and a jawline that caught the moonlight distinctly. And eyes that gazed upon others as if they were insects.

“That… that…!”

The men who saw his face could only widen their eyes in shock.
Marken expressed bewilderment.

“What’s wrong?”
“It’s him, Marken!!”
“What are you talking about?”

They pointed at the man frantically, their voices trembling.

“It’s him! The Heretic Inquisitor we saw!!!”
“…What?”

Marken turned his head stiffly.
The Heretic Inquisitor stood with his sword already drawn. Yet even in that simple stance, an oppressive presence emanated as if facing a colossal predator.

“Human trafficking and conspiracy to murder a Heretic Inquisitor…”

Flames flickered along the blade as the Heretic Inquisitor drew his sword. Then I caught the faint curve of his smile.

“I’ve heard your confession well.”

* * *

They stood frozen for a moment before Marken finally spoke.

“How did the Heretic Inquisitor find this place…?”

In my past life, I had tracked human trafficking to this very location, and following the trail had eventually led me to kill Marken.
So I’d been watching for any sign of his movement, but I never expected him to bolt directly out of his Estate today.
Still, I had no inclination to explain such details, so I gave a vague response.

“The Goddess told me.”
“That’s impossible…!”

I ignored the dazed fool and turned my attention to those I’d seen at the Clothing Shop.

“You should have stayed down after the beating. Before I drew my blade.”
“…”
“Now you’ll be wiping blood instead of spit. And it won’t come off easily either.”
“You…!”

The moment the one I’d struck opened his mouth, I pushed off the ground.
Though I closed the distance in an instant, he couldn’t track my movement and kept staring ahead.
I drove my blade straight through his chest.

“Kugh!”

Only after blood gushed from his mouth did he look at me with trembling, unfocused eyes.

“You’re always too slow to notice.”

I withdrew the blade, and fresh blood sprayed with it. He offered no resistance, simply stumbling backward before collapsing limply to the ground.

“Ugh…”

His colleague made a grotesque sound.
Unwilling to hear more, I cleaved cleanly with my blade. A head soared into the air, then tumbled across the floor like a crimson ball of yarn.

“….”

As I closed my mouth, a chilling silence descended. No one dared move carelessly.
I turned my head. My gaze fell upon a trembling pig.
A wretched creature who had drowned countless souls in filth to fatten its own belly.
I asked.

“Who said they were going to kill whom?”

(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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