The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 44

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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 44. That Should Do It.

I had hidden Bella nearby as a precaution. If the children or I faced danger, I’d instructed her to intervene on her own.

‘A perfect opening to exploit.’

If Bella had been present normally, someone would have detected her. But she concealed her presence through magic—sound-dampening and the like.
In fact, the one-eyed man hadn’t noticed Bella’s presence at all.

‘Even if I’d protected the children first and then pursued him, I likely would have caught him regardless.’

I possessed the Sandals of Saint Bertior, which healed my body’s fatigue with each step I took.
While not a panacea, they proved invaluable in a pursuit.

“So you’re a Heresy Inquisitor, yet you had a Deacon with you.”
“Why? Did you think that was a lie too?”
“I’ve never seen a mad Heresy Inquisitor like you before.”
“Seems you’ve killed a few Heresy Inquisitors yourself.”
“Ha, there must have been Heresy Inquisitors chasing after us too.”

I tilted my head at his demeanor.

“This bastard’s laughing. Is this the first time one of your pair became singular?”
“….”
“Now that I think about it, what’s your name? This is our second meeting, yet I don’t even know it.”

He studied my face intently.

“When have we met before? You’re not a face one forgets.”
“We’ve crossed paths without knowing it.”
“…I see. I am Volcan, the Bear’s Molar.”

I nodded and replied.

“Right. Volcan the one-eyed. Any last words?”
“…I hope we never meet a third time.”
“Is that so.”

I lowered my stance and smiled wickedly.

“I wish it were so.”

Closing the distance between us in an instant, I drew my blade toward Volcan’s arm and the direction where his eye was missing.
He swiftly swung his axe in a final desperate struggle, but I parried it first.

Clang!

His neck and torso lay completely exposed.
I hesitated for a moment deciding where to cut, then suddenly remembered that in my past life I’d severed the torso, so this time I chose the neck.

Slash!

As flames traced a clean horizontal line, Volcan’s head flew into the air.
Volcan’s corpse sprawled across the ground.
Neither he nor I would ever see this sight three times over.

‘I’d like to catch Ropess, his backer, while I’m at it, but now isn’t the time.’

Ropess hides in his rat hole and rarely ventures out.
When he gave orders to Volcan, he likely didn’t do it directly himself.
But he’ll definitely show up at the Auction House he hosts, and I’ll seize that opportunity.

‘Come to think of it, it was around that time in my past life when I reached the pinnacle of wrath, when I earned the notorious title of the Seven Deadly Sins – Wrath.’

Had I not obtained the Sword of Wrath back then, I might have been killed by Ropess.
Ropess was a formidable opponent. He didn’t earn the infamous title of the Seven Deadly Sins – Lust for nothing.

‘But I already wield the Sword of Wrath now.’

So all I need do is wait for the day we meet.

“Bella, come out now.”

Then, with rustling sounds from the forest, a wild turtle burst forth.
Remarkably, the turtle was running toward me on two legs.

“Interrogator! How was that?”
“Appropriate.”
“Hehe.”

During the month Bella spent at the Estate, her magical prowess had grown considerably.
Yet she still lacked the ability to sing hymns for the children.
Bella’s inability to sing properly stemmed less from mana control and more from her body’s vessel being unable to contain the amount of mana required.
Still, her skill was more than sufficient for tasks like today’s.

“Then let’s head back.”
“Yes! Come on, everyone!”

Above all, her bright disposition compensated for what was impossible for me.

* * *

We returned to the city and rummaged through the floor beneath Marken’s office. It was to claim his wealth.

“He’s accumulated quite a fortune.”

Beneath the office was a warehouse-like space filled with treasures and various valuables.
I packed only what could fit in Bella’s bag.
Of course, despite the modest quantity, the value was anything but modest.

“At this rate, I’ll become wealthy.”

Looking at it this way, being a Heresy Inquisitor seems an easy path to riches, but my case is exceptional.
There aren’t many Heresy Inquisitors with as keen a nose for money as I have.

‘After all, Heresy Inquisitors are devout believers serving the Goddess.’

Yet I was able to become a Heresy Inquisitor because I bypassed the question the Saint of Truth asked during my ordination with Baron Scalen’s necklace.

– Kael Luminara, firstborn of Benedict Luminara. Do you swear to abandon worldly fame and fortune, to become the Goddess’s hammer, dispensing mercy to the righteous and judgment to the wicked?

I didn’t abandon worldly fame and fortune, but I have dispensed judgment to the wicked, so surely that counts?

‘It certainly does.’

Before I left Marken’s warehouse, I paused briefly and clasped my hands in prayer.

‘Goddess, I swear to use this wealth for righteous purposes.’

Bella regarded my unfamiliar gesture with puzzlement, but I felt my divine power replenish somewhat for the first time in nearly a month.
The Goddess herself had acknowledged that my actions benefited the world.

‘Or so I told myself.’

After that, I went to meet Barthelo Archbishop.
Normally one would report such matters to the nearest Diocese Office, but Barthelo was a Duke and Bishop both.
What was remarkable was that he also held the rank of Cardinal, making him a figure of considerable power within the Theocracy.

“Hmm, human trafficking, you say? I had no idea such vile deeds were occurring within my own territory.”

A middle-aged man with shadows beneath his eyes.
Edmond Bartelo stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Truly unaware? Marken was the guild master of the Major Merchant Guild that dominated Darsein City, after all.”
“As with any merchant guild, I never expected their affairs to be entirely clean. I simply did not anticipate it would reach such extremes.”

The Archbishop pressed his eyes shut.

“As you know, I am an Archbishop. Which means I have far more duties than most nobles.”
“Then perhaps you should set some of them aside?”
“Hah, that is certainly one approach.”

The Archbishop let out a weary laugh.

“But it is not so simple. Had I never grasped power in the first place, perhaps. Yet once you hold something, relinquishing it proves difficult. Human greed is a formidable thing.”
“A frightening force indeed.”
“Yes. Even I am sometimes startled by it.”

The Archbishop continued.

“In any case, this clears the name of the woman who runs the clothing shop.”
“Did you not already suspect as much? That she had been deceived?”

Had the Archbishop believed Katrina guilty, she would have been arrested immediately.

“I didn’t think she was the sort of woman worth such concern. I simply believed my instincts might have been wrong, and that it wasn’t a matter deserving of such effort.”
“Hmm, I believe she was certainly worth the investment, Your Grace.”
“Ha, if you say so, then it must be true. I’ve heard quite a bit about you, after all.”

It seemed I had already become something of a celebrity among the higher clergy.
I’d slain a fallen Bishop, dealt with a Demon, and captured one of the Seven Deadly Sins—hardly surprising.

“Then I shall take my leave. I trust you’ll handle the aftermath.”
“I’m grateful for your assistance in this matter.”

I gave a cursory nod and turned to leave.
Just as I reached for the door, the Archbishop spoke.

“Until we meet again, Kael Inquisitor.”

I stopped in my tracks and turned back to face him.

“Will we meet again?”

Among Heresy Inquisitors, there exists a common phrase.
It is “let us meet again”—a parting words typically used as a threat by most nobles who fear Heresy Inquisitors.
Only now, the Archbishop had offered me the same sentiment.

“Ah… it’s merely habit. A farewell spoken in hope that this connection between us will not end here.”
“I see.”

I found myself recalling what had befallen Barthelo Archbishop in my previous life.
He died at the hands of a Demon, though I hadn’t witnessed it myself—only the Papal See’s official announcement—so I couldn’t be entirely certain.
After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke without preamble.

“Archbishop Barthelo. The Demon is always at your side.”

Barthelo blinked, then responded.

“What…?”

There was no particularly revealing reaction. I’d hoped to glean some small clue from his response.
I pointed to my chest with my thumb.

“It means to be wary of the wicked whispers that lurk in one’s heart. I do not dwell on the fleeting karma of my past darkness.”

The Archbishop smiled faintly, as if he understood.

“I shall be cautious.”
“Then, until we meet again.”

I opened the door and left the Archbishop’s office.

* * *

My next destination was Katrina’s Clothing Shop.
I told Katrina about Marken first.

“He was truly worse than I could have imagined…. Impersonating an Archbishop and human trafficking on top of it all. How dreadful it would have been if you’d become his wife.”
“Still, he would have treated you well until he obtained the Lumen fabric.”
“Even so, he wouldn’t have gotten any clothes made, would he?”
“Then I would have died by his hand.”
“….”

Katrina swallowed hard, knowing I spoke no lie.

“More importantly, what will you do with the Lumen fabric now? If you keep it, someone will covet it again.”
“That’s likely. Eventually, someone will discover it.”
“If you wish, I can burn it for you.”

I came here seeking a holy relic, but having slain that pig, I find myself content even without obtaining one. Only slightly disappointed.
Well, perhaps only slightly.
In truth, I might weep inwardly as I burn the Lumen fabric.
After deliberating for a moment, Katrina spoke.

“I think I should destroy it. I want to sever the calamity tied to the holy relic here and now.”

Katrina gazed at me, her eyes downturned.

“I apologize. As someone so weak, I cannot make clothes for you, Inquisitor….”

In a way, it was only natural.
To others, Lumen’s fabric was an invaluable holy relic, but to her, it was the calamity that had claimed the lives of her grandparents and parents.
And this time, it was an object that had even targeted her own life.

‘And I came here precisely to obtain Lumen’s fabric.’

But Lumen’s fabric was undeniably hers. So while it was regrettable, I respected her choice.

“That settles it then. You’ve made your decision.”
“I’m truly sorry for troubling you….”
“This is my duty. Don’t concern yourself with it.”
“Yes….”
“Then bring me Lumen’s fabric. There’s no reason to delay.”
“Understood.”

Katrina nodded and disappeared inside. Before long, she returned carrying an armful of white fabric.

“Here it is, Interrogator.”

I accepted it with both hands.
I felt no particular aura. Lumen’s fabric only functioned as a holy relic when infused with the blood of its descendants.

‘Still, I thought I’d sense something when touching it directly. How curious.’

Apart from the excellent quality of the fabric, there was nothing remarkable about it—others wouldn’t be able to discern anything unusual either.
I stared at the fabric. Why did something so impossibly light feel so unbearably heavy?
Perhaps it was because my own greed had stained the fabric.
But as the saying goes, one must sever the enemy’s neck in a single stroke. Taking a deep breath, I unleashed a powerful torrent of flame.

Whoooosh!

In an instant, flames consumed the fabric. As ash scattered into the air, the holy relic vanished before my eyes.
Honestly, I felt a profound sense of loss. At this rate, I might have reached the depths of melancholy.
But who was I? I was a man who harbored no regrets about the path I had already chosen.

“Sigh….”

Lumen’s fabric had now become nothing but a small pile of ash. The smoke drifted out through the door that Bella had opened.
Perhaps that smoke was a manifestation of my own greed—burning brightly for a moment before vanishing into nothingness.

‘Go well….’

But I had no desire to drink again, so I simply watched until it disappeared.
I brushed off my hands and looked toward Katrina.

“That settles it.”

Katrina smiled faintly.

“Yes. Thank you, Interrogator.”

Good.
That would do.

“By the way, how about coming to my estate with us?”
“Your estate, Interrogator?”
“Yes. Even without Lumen’s fabric, your skills are exceptional. The residents would be pleased.”

At that, Katrina fidgeted with her fingers before asking.

“Is… is that really possible?”
“There’s nothing impossible about it.”
“Ah….”

Katrina still hesitated, clearly troubled.
Understanding it was because of Lumen’s fabric, I turned to leave first.

“Then let’s depart at once. We have far to go.”
“Come along, everyone!”
“Yes!”

Bella and the children followed after me like chicks.

“W-wait, Interrogator!”

Katrina, stamping her feet anxiously, hurriedly called out to stop me.

“What is it?”
“I-I’m sorry!”

Katrina bowed deeply at the waist. I crossed my arms and spoke.

“If this concerns Lumen’s fabric, then we’re done here. If you harbor regrets, I too would be left with lingering doubts.”
“That’s… that’s not it!”
“It’s not?”
“No…”

Katrina straightened her upper body and explained slowly.

“There’s actually a truth about Lumen’s fabric that isn’t known to the outside world.”
“What is it?”
“If you forcibly take our blood to create garments, the sacred relic’s original power doesn’t manifest. Conversely, garments made entirely through our willing consent display their full power.”

Now that I thought about it, the garment Marken wore in my previous life was far too easily torn for a sacred relic.
I’d assumed it was because the blood of the dead had been used or because Marken was weak, but was that not the case?

“And the person who received such a garment was always someone who harbored no desire for it.”

I immediately grasped what that signified.

“Temperance of the Seven Great Virtues.”
“Yes. But the Interrogator desired that garment from the moment you first saw me.”

In truth, I came here with Lumen’s fabric as my primary objective. But just before, I had intended to burn it and leave.

“So you were testing my reaction just now?”
“Given that state, I couldn’t predict what would happen. But you burned it, showed no attachment to it, and extended kindness to me once more.”

Katrina, her voice trembling, bowed deeply again.

“I’m truly sorry! From the beginning, I intended to create a garment for you, Interrogator. I never forget those who have shown me kindness.”

Katrina clasped her hands gently together.

“Kael Inquisitor, you are my benefactor. Without you, I would have been captured by that pig.”

Knowing my previous life as I did, I could not deny it.

“You certainly have nerve, testing a Heretic Inquisitor like that.”
“I have nothing to say, even with two mouths…. Sob….”

Tears dripped steadily down Katrina’s face.

“That was a compliment.”
“Hehe….”

Katrina lifted her upper body and wiped her tears away with a handkerchief.
I tilted my head as I watched her.

“But what does it matter now? I’ve already burned all the remaining Lumen fabric.”
“Ah, that’s actually not the real one. It’s the fabric I wove. The real one is somewhere else….”

So that’s why I felt nothing special even when I touched it directly as a Holy Knight—it wasn’t genuine to begin with.

“After you left back then, I kept thinking about it. Why I continued to hold onto Lumen’s fabric even as I watched my grandparents and parents wither away.”

Katrina bit her lip firmly.

“The truth is, I already knew. Those who targeted it were wrong, but Lumen and the Goddess did nothing wrong….”

She was right.
It was human greed that brought such calamity, nothing more. Lumen and the Goddess had merely acted for the sake of their descendants.

“So I want to create clothes from that fabric for someone precious, just as Lumen intended. That fabric exists for that purpose.”

Katrina’s gaze turned toward me.

“So you never hated them from the start?”
“No. I truly did hate them at first. Because precious people disappeared because of that fabric.”
“….”
“But at some point, that hatred gradually faded, and I began to wonder what kind of heart Lumen had when weaving that cloth.”
“I see.”
“I apologize again, Inquisitor.”

Katrina bowed deeply at the waist.
Knowing her actions stemmed not from malice but from a desire to help me, I let it pass without further concern.
Yet I was not one to simply overlook things as if nothing had happened.

“If you’ll forgive me, I’ll go to my estate and create fine garments for the residents there. So they won’t be looked down upon anywhere.”
“Yes. I’ll do exactly that.”

Katrina nodded solemnly.

“Then, Interrogator.”
“What is it?”
“Would it be alright if I took your measurements?”

I stared at her with my arms crossed. Then, as if I had no choice, I spread both arms wide.

“By all means.”

That’s it then.
This would suffice.

(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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