The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 55

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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 55. I Will Stay.

The servants of the Luminara Family had stopped their flight and gathered in a field, following Noah who carried the head of their household. They had encountered Kael and Bella along the way.

– Bella, I’m counting on you.
– Yes!

The moment Kael confirmed they were safe, he rushed back to the mansion. He knew the future Sena had witnessed had not yet changed.

“….”

They watched Benedick lying on the ground. Less than ten minutes had passed since he inhaled the sleeping powder.
Aren asked with concern in his voice.

“He’ll wake up soon, won’t he?”
“He should. That’s what Arturo said.”
“Arturo….”

At the mention of his name, both Aren and Lillian, as well as the servants, grew somber.
They had received help from Arturo in many ways beyond the plague issue—proper remedies when their digestion failed, treatments when they caught colds, and more.
Despite the short time they had spent together, he had naturally become woven into the fabric of the Luminara Family.
Yet this time, he had sacrificed his own life to hold back the attackers and help the Luminara servants escape.

– Do not worry. I am not the sort of man to lay down my life for anyone. I will simply buy time and withdraw.

Though he had said such words, no one believed them.
They knew that despite Arturo’s taciturn nature, his heart was kind.

‘He must have stayed behind prepared to die.’

Yet Aren and the others had no choice but to leave that place.
Staying would only hinder them, and Noah had already carried Benedick away into the distance.

‘No, that is merely an excuse.’

They had simply fled to survive. That indelible guilt tightened around their hearts.
In the moment they bit their lips firmly together.

Slap! Slap!

A crisp sound suddenly echoed through the air.
Noah was wielding a long branch like a whip, striking Benedick across the cheek.

“No, stop!”

Lillian Luminara, startled, wrapped her arms around Noah.

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

When she spoke gently in reproach, Noah traced a question mark with the branch. It seemed to ask what she meant.

“It appears the child is worried about Father not waking up, my lady.”
“…Is that so?”

As Lillian Luminara asked, Noah, nestled in her embrace, drew a wavy pattern with the branch. It seemed like an affirmative answer.
Lillian Luminara laughed brightly.

“You’re like a little child….”

Intelligent, yet her actions bypassed all logic. But having been born not long ago, she was indeed like a child.

“Gasp!”

Then Benedick suddenly jolted upright. For a moment he sat dazed, rubbing his stinging cheeks, before turning his head as if remembering something.

“Where is Arturo?”

No one answered him. They only lowered their heads.

“Ah….”

He could tell just by looking around. Arturo was nowhere to be seen.

“Anyone seeing this would think he was dead.”

A man landed before them. Those who saw his face brightened.

“Arturo!”
“Lord Arturo!”

Arturo exhaled softly and opened his mouth.

“Did I not tell you? I am not the sort of man to lay down his life for anyone.”

Bella, who had been watching, let out a small snort.

“That’s a lie.”
“…Hmm?”
“You should only deceive those who can be deceived. These people already know who you are.”

Bella understood that Arturo would have sacrificed himself for them had circumstances been different.
Without the mark of the Saint of Foresight or the verses of the Primordial Scripture, Kael and Bella would have returned to the mansion late.

“You understand yourself far less than others do, Arturo.”

Arturo, who had been contemplating quietly, nodded his head.

“I concede. I myself do not understand why I act this way.”

It was behavior the Arturo of old could never have imagined.
Why he had seized the deadly poison bomb the moment he received word that the mansion was in danger. Why he had chosen to die alongside his enemies rather than flee as a last resort.
He was the man who had begrudged even offering a cup of water to another. For such a man to lay down his life for others was unthinkable.

‘Perhaps they are no longer mere strangers to me.’

It was dangerous. Knowing the sorrow of losing someone helplessly, I had tried not to extend even the smallest affection.
Yet perhaps I had already been soaked through from my very feet. Like a lethal poison with no antidote, by the time I came to my senses, it was far too late.

– Is there anything you wish to do after this?

A question Kael had once posed came to mind.
At the time, I had answered that I did not know, but now I felt as though I might understand something.

“I am grateful you are safe.”

Benedick gently embraced Arturo and patted his back.
I will protect them. This is not to fulfill the condition Kael set.
Using the excuse that it’s already too late to turn back, I move of my own will so that chance does not become regret.
Now, to prevent this deadly poison from spreading, there is no method but to excise that part.

‘So this is unavoidable.’

Arturo looked up at the sky. The moon he had once seen with someone long ago caught his eye.
Now it is time to move forward. Only then will I be able to see the Full Moon she loved once more.
Arturo nodded silently. What he could offer was not words, but knowledge and strength.

“Um….”

Lillian Luminara asked carefully.

“What about our Kael…?”

Kael had certainly headed toward the mansion. She waited to see if he might follow, but he still did not appear.

“Kael? Kael has returned?”

Benedick stepped away from Arturo, his brow furrowing.

“Now that I think about it, Bella as well….”

Arturo, who had been in the mansion until just moments ago, explained.

“Currently, Young Master Kael is fighting the enemies alone. I also tried to help, but he asked me to look after this place….”
“Kael alone…?”

Benedick had never directly witnessed Kael’s martial prowess, but from his actions thus far, he was well aware of his strength.
However, two of the enemies emanated an aura so vicious that it was naturally overwhelming.
No matter how strong Kael was—strong enough to catch the Cardinal’s eye—could he truly face all of them and their subordinates?

‘Perhaps he has shouldered everything alone to protect everyone.’

It was the moment Benedick gripped his sword hilt tightly.

“My lord, I apologize, but if you intend to go to the Interrogator, I will stop you.”

Bella blocked the path leading to the mansion, and Arturo nodded in agreement, joining her resolve.

“I do as well. Consider why Young Master Kael sent me here.”
“….”
“Above all, Young Master Kael is far stronger than you believe. It is the enemies who should be worried. He will not grant them an easy death.”

He would certainly condemn them, mock them, and methodically snuff out their lives. Yet even then, Kael’s distant fury would not subside.

“I know. I know, but….”

Benedick’s face twisted as he clenched his teeth.

“How can I simply stand here while Kael fights alone against our enemies….”

Until now, I had only received help from Kael. Despite being the head of a family, there was nothing I could do.
A sense of helplessness, as though my entire body were soaked in water, pressed down upon my shoulders.

“Please do not grieve so. You are already fulfilling your role, my lord.”

Arturo spoke.

“These people could gather because of Young Master Kael, but they have been able to remain together despite their different origins and natures because of you, my lord.”

Just as Arturo had been, Benedick too did not truly understand what he was.
How much his light—untainted by any malice—had helped them.

“Simply being there. That is the role you must carry for the rest of your life.”

Had Benedick not existed, Arturo would never have thought to sacrifice his life. Perhaps he would have fled when his life was in danger.
Benedick’s warm sunlight had dispelled the darkness that had hung so heavily.

“….”

Benedick looked back at his household. Aren and Lillian Luminara. The hired hands. Rak and Rami. Bella and Arturo.
They all assented through their silence.

“Very well. I will not speak such arrogant words as protecting everyone.”

Benedick exhaled deeply.

“But that doesn’t mean I intend to remain idle. There must be other things I can do.”

I needed to be vigilant now. The circumstances were vastly different from my days as a remote baron.
Somehow, I sensed the Family’s reputation would not remain confined to this moment. As Kael grew day by day, the nest itself had to be capable of embracing his ascension.

Thud—

At that moment, someone landed beside me. It was Kael, his blade stained with blood.
Relief and joy washed over them, yet they could not utter a single word.
They were overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Kael’s impassive expression. Even breathing became difficult.
Kael glanced over them briefly before speaking.

“When the Knights return with the Saint of Foresight, have them search every corner of the Estate. There may be remnants of the enemy hiding nearby.”
“….”
“I’m relieved everyone is safe. Arturo, take this opportunity to visit Haven City and deliver this news to Sriben.”
“….”
“Bella.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Prepare to depart immediately. The price for touching us is….”

Kael’s words trailed off as his eyes suddenly narrowed. An overwhelming exhaustion crashed over him.
It was not merely from the battle. Though he had expended considerable holy power, that alone would not have brought him to this state—and besides, he had replenished his reserves.
He had ridden without rest for two days, changing horses continuously. Even Kael could not escape fatigue.
Moreover, his emotions were tangled and beyond his control. It felt as though he had reverted to the days when he was called the Sword Demon.
He exhaled deeply and spoke.

“The rest can wait until tomorrow. Bella, you rest as well.”

Kael sheathed his blade and collapsed directly onto the bare ground.

“I’m sleeping.”

He fell asleep instantly—a sleep technique mastered during his days as the Sword Demon.
As everyone stared blankly, Bella retrieved a blanket from her bag and draped it over Kael.
Bella lay down beside him and sought sleep. She too succumbed to slumber quickly.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, I was in my own room. Someone had moved me here and changed my clothes.
Feeling a weight on my stomach, I lowered my gaze and saw a sapling no larger than a baby.

“What are you?”

The tree gently swayed its branches like an octopus’s tentacles.
Given the holy power I sensed emanating from it, it seemed Noah—the one I had planted in the courtyard before—had transformed into this form. Now that I thought about it, I remembered seeing it before I fell asleep.
Arturo had mentioned it possessed special powers, but I hadn’t realized it was capable of something like this.

“Ah, you’re awake!”

Sena thrust her radiant face forward. Since my fatigue had vanished, I sat up on my elbows.

“When did you arrive?”
“A few hours after the Interrogator arrived, sir. The Knights have dispersed according to the Interrogator’s orders and are searching the Estate.”
“I see.”

Bella, who stood beside me, handed me a basin filled with water. I washed my face lightly and asked.

“Did you get some rest?”
“Yes. I just woke up as well.”
“Then we can move immediately.”
“Hehe, of course!”

Sena opened her mouth in alarm.

“Y-you’re planning to move right after waking up?”
“I’ve rested sufficiently. Besides, I’m simply proceeding with the original plan.”

In my past life, my family was annihilated, and half a year later, I single-handedly brought down Baron Scalen’s house.
An Apostle of the Evil Book Society who could demonize himself, no less.
It seems simple now, but for my past self—lacking technique and holy power—it was nearly impossible.
The reason I could take revenge on Baron Scalen wasn’t solely due to talent.
I had obtained a stroke of fortune during my training.

‘An herb capable of elevating physical abilities.’

In my past life, while gathering intelligence on the Evil Book Society, I discovered they were after that herb. I pursued them, stole the herb, and fled.
At the time, confronting them directly was beyond my capabilities, so escape was my only option.
They chased after me, of course, but by then I had already absorbed all the herb, allowing me to deal with them somehow.

‘However, the herb required time to fully mature, so I had no choice but to wait for the right moment.’

That moment arrives in four days. That’s why I originally planned to stop by the mansion before leaving.

‘This time, I’ll kill them and take what’s theirs.’

This is currently my most certain method of making the Evil Book Society pay.
Originally, that herb was meant to be offered to the Grand Apostle of the Evil Book Society operating in the Theocracy—or more precisely, to the Demon God itself.

‘Besides, to reach the next realm, I need to elevate my physical capabilities as well.’

Currently, my holy power far exceeds my physical abilities.
I can reinforce my body using holy power or demonic energy, but there are limits to what muscle can endure.
If high holy power or demonic energy alone translated to superior physical ability, Mages would be stronger than Knights.

‘In short, I’m killing two birds with one stone.’

I can make the Evil Book Society suffer while growing stronger myself. There was always something satisfying about taking from the wicked.

‘Just imagining it brings peace of mind….’

It didn’t. I hadn’t yet vented my rage on them.
I turned to look at Sena.

“Can you use the Saint of Foresight’s Mark for me?”
“The Mark…?”
“Yes.”

There was a possibility they might attack the mansion again while I was away.

“Um, well….”

Sena hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers.
The Saint of Foresight’s Mark consumed far more holy power when used on others than on oneself.
For that reason, using it frequently on others could damage the body, which is why Litvel Bishop only gazed into the future once a month.

“I-I’ll try! Though I’m not sure if it will work….”

She consented despite knowing this. I let out a quiet scoff and extended my hand.

“Don’t worry. It will certainly work without any trouble.”
“Pardon?”

Sena tilted her head in confusion. It seemed she didn’t know that I could wield holy power.
She must have been too focused during the battle, and besides, she was still young for a Holy Maiden.

“Let’s give it a try.”
“Um, yes.”

The bewildered girl grasped my hand with both of hers.
As the eye-shaped stigma on her palm began to glow, I channeled my holy power into her.

“Wh-what? This is….”

Sena’s eyes widened in surprise. I quietly placed a finger to my lips.
She swallowed hard, nodded, and focused on seeing the future. I felt my holy power draining at a rapid pace.
Soon, Sena opened her eyes and spoke.

“The Interrogator was muttering regretfully. He said that to truly make those bastards pay, he should have thrown himself off the cliff.”
“A cliff?”
“Yes… other than that, I couldn’t see much….”

Since the stigma of Yejis wasn’t omniscient by nature, I didn’t dwell on it.

‘A cliff, then….’

How peculiar. In my past life, I also threw myself off a cliff with medicinal herbs to escape.

‘Does this mean I should have escaped through a cliff this time as well?’

Because a powerful enemy appeared? Yet I don’t think such an opponent would easily exist…

‘For now, I cannot discern the truth.’

In any case, the mansion seemed safe enough during my absence.
Knock, knock—someone rapped at the door.

– Bella. We’ve captured a suspicious individual lurking near the mansion. Please inform the Interrogator when he awakens.

It was the voice of the Knight guarding the Holy Maiden.

“Come in. I’m awake.”
– Yes, sir!

The Knight dragged in a battered man.

“Who is this?”
“After we arrived, we searched the perimeter of the mansion and found him. He tried to escape, but we had quite a time subduing him.”
“A scout, then. Sent to check on the situation.”
“Most likely. And this was found in the courtyard.” The Knight handed over two communication artifacts.

The Knight presented two communication artifacts.

“These are sensitive items within the Theocracy, so we’ve been holding onto them for now… but it seems proper to hand them over to you, Interrogator.”

These must be the communication artifacts the two Apostles had been carrying.
They weren’t common in the Theocracy, but the Apostles of the Evil Book Society would each possess one.

‘Since there’s been no contact, they’ve likely realized the plan has failed.’

Even if I’d discovered these immediately, nothing would have changed. The secret codes between the Grand Apostle and the Apostles shift every time.
Such thorough and vicious creatures they are.
I deliberated briefly, then activated the communication artifact. The moment someone answered, they recited the code.

– The raven that swallows its prey shall—

A grave voice I’d heard in my past life. The Grand Apostle of the Evil Book Society commanding the organization within the Theocracy—Nemesio.
I responded without hesitation, speaking carelessly.

“Defecate, obviously.”
– ….
“….”

As if bound by an unspoken pact, everyone fell silent. It was the truth, yet somehow profoundly strange.

(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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