The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 6

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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 6. Answer Carefully.

The moment I ascended to the second floor, I encountered the women of the Pleasure District.
Among them were some of the women from the first floor—it seemed they had fled here during the commotion.
They had nowhere to return to if they left the establishment.

“P-please spare us….”

They fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces. I asked only the essentials.

“Who employed you? I already know everything, so if you lie, you die. Don’t forget how I found this place.”
“W-we don’t know much either. We were just told we’d be paid well….”
“All of you?”
“Yes…. However, the Guide instructed us to ask about the Territory’s situation whenever residents came by.”

It seemed these women had no direct connection to Baron Scalen.
If they had been connected, they would have fled during my fight and reported this matter to Baron Scalen.

“For now, stay inside this room until I return. In the meantime, I’ll decide whether to kill you all or not.”

I pointed toward the room.

“If you run, you all die together. I’ll chase you to the very end. Anyone want to play tag with me?”
“…We will remember your words.”

Once all the women had entered the room, I ascended to the third floor.

“Hmm.”

There were several rooms here as well, but unlike the second floor, these were arranged like offices rather than lodgings.
I opened the doors of the empty rooms one by one until I encountered a man in the room at the end.
Black hair swept neatly back and angular spectacles.
He sat before a desk, and his complexion appeared extremely fatigued.

“And who are you?”

The man set down the pen he had been holding and responded.

“I’m the manager of this establishment under Baron Scalen’s orders. You can think of me as the Treasurer.”

He was more forthcoming than I expected, so I pressed further.

“Why are you running this shop?”
“To gather intelligence on Luminara Territory and control its residents. We intended to erode the estate from within, bit by bit.”
“Seems he trusts you quite a bit. You certainly know the details.”
“Trust?”

He clenched and unclenched his palms.

“Baron Scalen simply holds my life in his hands and uses me. He noticed my abilities and thrust me into this position.”

He adjusted his glasses.

“As you can see, I possess no martial prowess whatsoever. Had I attempted to flee this place, I would have been captured by others immediately.”
“Hmm, remarkably composed for someone in your position. Have you accepted death?”

The man shook his head.

“No, I’m doing this because I want to live.”
“What reason do I have to spare you?”
“None. But I intend to create one.”
“You’re an unusual one.”

I tilted my head and asked.

“So, you have something to tell me now, don’t you?”
“Young Master—”
“Choose your words carefully.”

I leveled my blade at him.

“If you cannot provide a reason now, you die here.”

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and spoke in a rush.

“The ones watching the village will notice the disturbance and come. Six in total. They’re strong, but seeing how you ascended to the third floor without a scratch, you should be more than capable of handling them.”

At that same moment, I heard the sound of a crow landing on the outer wall.
As I remained motionless, a bead of sweat trickled down along his sideburn.

“Haha.”

I let out a soft laugh.

“If you’d been just a moment slower, you’d be dead.”
“….”
“You wait here.”

I left the office. My blade sang once more as a sharp wind coalesced around it.

“If you cannot conjure another reason for my mercy by the time I return, you will die.”

* * *

The man who had been in the Pleasure District’s office.
Sriben stared at the firmly shut door.

‘So it’s come to this after all.’

Everything had proceeded smoothly until now.
Operating the Pleasure District according to Baron Scalen’s demands, I had gathered intelligence on the Luminara Territory and ensnared the residents with gambling debts.
But then the eldest son of the Luminara Family—supposedly kidnapped—suddenly appeared and swept through the Pleasure District.
I hadn’t witnessed the fight, but from the fact that only Kael emerged unscathed, I could infer it had been an overwhelming victory.

‘Was he truly this formidable?’

I’d heard he wielded a blade, but I never imagined it would be to this degree.

‘No, that’s not the problem now. If I cannot find a reason for him to spare me, I die here.’

I had survived this long, even while trapped in Hell, and I could not perish so pathetically.
Outside was eerily silent. It felt as though a tempest might descend at any moment.

Creak… creak….

Whether it was Kael moving or the wooden floor twisting, I couldn’t tell.
Then came a sharp crack, followed by the clash of weapons echoing through the Pleasure District.

– A strangled cry!

That was undoubtedly the Watcher’s scream.
Kael is a beast. A beast whose movements are utterly unpredictable.
It wouldn’t be strange if he suddenly abandoned the Watcher mid-kill, smashed through the door, and slit Sriben’s throat without warning.

– Another agonized shriek!

So I need to think quickly.
I need to find a reason why Kael should keep me alive.

“….”

The commotion outside ceased abruptly. The victor had decided the outcome.
Sriben maintained a composed expression while his legs trembled beneath the desk.

Creak….

The door opened and the victor stepped inside.
Blood dripped steadily from the blade’s edge. A tall frame and sharp, defined features.
His appearance was noble and refined, yet the madness gleaming in his eyes consumed every shred of that dignity.

“Have you prepared your reason?”

Kael wiped the blood from his sword to make room for fresh blood.
Sriben swallowed hard and rose from his seat.

“You must be exhausted, Young Master. Please, sit first.”

Kael let out a low chuckle and replied.

“You’ve just bought yourself thirty seconds.”

* * *

I dragged a chair over and sat down, planting my blade into the floor.
Before me knelt a man wearing spectacles.

‘So there was a watcher after all.’

I’d felt a sticky gaze upon entering the village, but since no one followed, I hadn’t paid it much mind.
Still, none of them posed a genuine threat, so I’d dealt with them without difficulty.

“What’s your name?”
“Sriben, Young Master.”
“Right then, Sriben. Why should I let you live?”

Sriben answered immediately.

“You could use me as a witness to capture Baron Scalen. I know the details.”
“That’s unnecessary. I can capture him without you.”
“….”
“Is that all? Three, two, one….”

Sriben spoke hastily.

“I’ll serve as Treasurer of Luminara Territory.”
“Treasurer?”
“Yes. Luminara Territory has mostly farmers and lacks talented administrators. Since matters within the territory are simple, the Family Head bears nearly all the administrative burden alone.”
“….”
“Entrust it to me. Territory management will become far more manageable.”

I crossed my arms and muttered.

“You know our territory’s situation well. It makes me want to kill you.”
“….”
“I understand you’re capable. But why should I specifically appoint you as Treasurer?”
“Because I’ll work without pay. And talent like mine isn’t easily found.”
“Still, there’s the possibility you’ll betray me.”

Sriben shook his head firmly.

“No, that’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“Because I wanted to escape Baron Scalen. As I mentioned earlier, he merely uses me by holding my life in his hands.”
“But if you come under me, wouldn’t you be in the same position as before?”
“No, it would be different.”
“How so?”

Sriben gazed at me with a serious expression.

“At least under Young Master, I would have a chance to survive.”

I was left speechless by his audacity.

“This bastard speaks of betrayal so earnestly?”
“Ah, that’s not what I meant.”
“Sure, you’re just dying to say it.”

I struck the back of his head.

“In any case, there’s a reason I cannot forgive you.”

He lifted his head as if accustomed to being struck.

“What reason is that?”
“You murdered an entire family.”
“An entire family, you say?”

Sriben’s eyes narrowed.
Unable to determine whether he was feigning ignorance, I explained.

“There was someone heading to the Mansion to reveal the existence of this establishment. But they were captured along the way, and that person and their entire family were slaughtered.”
“Is that truly the case?”
“Yes. Isn’t that reason enough for you to die?”
“Young Master.”
“Speak.”

Sriben answered with gravity.

“I received a report that the man was captured. However, I said that a light hand would be sufficient.”
“Then you’re saying the Guide killed them on his own authority?”
“Yes. I only just learned they were dead. I cannot leave this office, you see.”
“Hmm.”

Sriben continued speaking.

“Above all, I stated from the beginning that I would not take this job if innocent people were killed.”
“Then what about our residents?”
“Pardon?”

I struck the back of his head.

“Did you never consider that if you continue managing this establishment, all the innocent residents of Luminara Territory will eventually perish? You are the starting point of it all, you bastard.”
“That is… well…”

Sriben hung his head low.
The attack on Luminara Territory had indeed begun here. Since it was already festering from within, it could only crumble rapidly.
After a long silence, Sriben finally spoke.

“I bear responsibility for the family’s death. And I acknowledge that many would have perished had things continued as they were.”

Sriben lifted his head and looked up at me.

“So now I wish to work for them. To repay my sins, even if only in part.”
“For something made on the spot, it’s worth hearing.”
“Whether it was made on the spot is for you to judge, Young Master. I will accept whatever decision you make.”

Sriben rose from his seat.

“What are you doing?”
“One moment, please.”

Sriben went to the side of the bookshelf and began pushing it with both hands. The bookshelf slid aside, revealing a hidden door.

“Please examine this place, Young Master.”

I hesitated briefly, then drew my blade and entered the room with him.
The room appeared to be an ordinary quarters, but surprisingly, a middle-aged man sat blankly on the bed within.

“Y-Young Master?”

The haggard man looked startled, as though witnessing an illusion.

“Is this man your boyfriend?”
“…No, that’s not it. He’s the original owner of this shop.”

The Shop Owner then offered his explanation.

“Young Master, what he says is true. Originally, others tried to kill me and seize the shop, but I was able to survive here in exchange for his surveillance.”

Now that I thought about it, constructing such a large building would require considerable materials and labor.
But if that were the case, the lord would inevitably hear of it, which meant this building had been here from the beginning.

“Ambiguously wicked, yet ambiguously virtuous.”

For now, Sriben showed no intention of standing with Baron Scalen again.
Regardless of other matters, his hatred for Baron Scalen seemed unmistakable.

“Do you truly wish to live so desperately?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because I was born. I simply possess a greater survival instinct than most.”
“I see.”

I folded my arms and spoke.

“For now, I’ll let you live for about a week. By then, create more reasons for me to keep you alive. Are you confident?”
“Of course, Young Master.”
“However, if Father does not accept you, it ends.”
“Yes.”

Sriben nodded with a tense expression.

‘But now that I think about it, what happened to him in my past life? There’s no way I could forget someone like this.’

Perhaps after the territory assault ended, I had Sriben silenced and disposed of.
If Sriben had possessed even a shred of conscience, what would he have thought upon witnessing the burning territory and the corpses?
For now, there was no way to know, and I could not ask him directly.

“Come out now. It’s all finished.”
“Y-yes… Thank you, Young Master.”

The Shop Owner, who had been standing dazed, scrambled to his feet.
As we descended, Sriben noticed the corpses on the third floor and asked.

“What happened to the women?”
“Why? Did one of them happen to be your wife?”
“No. They were simply devoted to their work.”
“I didn’t know that. But they attacked me, so I had no choice.”
“Them? That doesn’t seem possible…”

I didn’t respond further and descended the stairs, walking through the second-floor corridor.
When I opened a nearby door, the women were huddled together in silence.

“Come out.”
“Yes…”

They nodded and filed outside.
As I turned to leave, Sriben stared at me with bewildered eyes.

“What? Did you think I killed them?”
“Yes…”
“I only kill complete fools. You’re an ambiguous fool, so be careful. You’re walking a thin line.”
“…I will remember that.”

Sriben swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on my blade.
In any case, from his reaction, it became clear that the women had no direct connection to Baron Scalen.
I issued an order to Sriben.

“From now on, take these women and gather all the wealth this establishment has earned. Bring it outside. If you dare hide anything, you’re dead.”
“Yes.”

Sriben ascended with the others, and I stepped outside.
There was a cart nearby, so I could load the valuables there and depart.
Well, being a Pleasure District in a village like this, there probably wouldn’t be much wealth anyway.

“Young Master, I’ve gathered everything.”

As I waited, others emerged carrying large sacks and money pouches.

“Load all of it onto this cart.”
“Yes.”
“Young Master, we’ve also brought several bottles of intact liquor.”

The Shop Owner approached with wine bottles cradled in both arms.

“Good work. Give me one of those, and load the rest.”
“Yes.”

I accepted the bottle from the Shop Owner and took a sip.
Then I picked up a money pouch and handed it to him.

“Take it.”
“This is…?”
“You’ve probably gathered as much, but circumstances require me to burn this establishment. Besides, who would patronize a shop reeking of blood?”
“True enough.”
“So use that money to rebuild. Invest in quality materials and hire capable workers. But if you squander it, I’ll burn it down again. You included.”
“…Yes.”

The Shop Owner wiped his eyes with his arm and sobbed.

“Thank you, Young Master…”

The Shop Owner must have endured all this time confined to a sunless room, living each moment as if he might be dragged to the slaughter at any instant.
The fact that he remained alive at all was remarkable.
I drank another sip to wash away my thoughts, then splashed the remaining wine across the doorframe.

“Does anyone have matches?”
“Ah, here…”

I stared at the woman who offered them before speaking.

“Leave. I spared your life.”
“Yes…”

I lit the matches and tossed them onto the doorframe. The flames caught the alcohol instantly, spreading in all directions with voracious speed.
Within moments, the entire building erupted into an inferno, a towering column of fire blazing against the night sky.

“You handle that horse well.”

We watched the spectacle in silence. From the expressions of the others, each seemed lost in their own thoughts.
Then a murmur arose, and when I glanced around, the residents were gathering one by one.

“Young Master?”
“Why is he here….”
“I heard he’d left on a pilgrimage….”
“And what about that establishment….”

I shouted to them.

“Listen, all of you!”

The residents’ gazes turned toward me in unison.

“I have dealt with the vermin that festered in this place! Now go about your streets with peace of mind and work diligently! In return, I will overlook all that has transpired until now!”

Though night had fallen, the flames illuminated the surroundings brilliantly, and through their glow, I could see relief and joy kindling in the residents’ eyes.
My body’s sacred power amplified as well. They had harbored even a modicum of reverence toward me.

‘With this, I can employ new techniques.’

In any case, this would significantly delay the assault on the territory.
But naturally, I had no intention of stopping here.
Loose ends must be severed swiftly. Especially since Baron Scalen is connected to the Evil Book Society.

“Sriben, we return to the mansion now.”
“Yes.”

It was the moment we turned to leave.

“Excuse me, Young Master.”

One of the women called out to stop me.

“What is it.”
“What should we do from now on?”

The women stood before me clad in nothing but rags, their eyes pleading and forlorn.

“Help the farmers who are short on hands. Don’t earn easy coin and ascend to heaven just as easily. You’ll need to repay what you’ve stolen, won’t you?”
“Do you think we can manage it?”
“You’ll manage because you must. Unless you’d rather die, you’ll do it. I’ll be checking in occasionally.”
“Yes….”

I climbed onto the cart and glanced back at Sriben.

“Let’s depart then.”

I’d ridden here on horseback, but I intended to release the animal freely now. After all, I had Sriben at my disposal.
Sriben asked, bewildered.

“You mean I’m to pull this cart all the way to the mansion?”
“Should I do it instead? I’ve already dealt with those stationed on the first floor, burned down the establishment, and spared your life. How much more must I do for you? Should I accompany you to the privy as well?”
“No, sir….”

I tapped the cart.

“Then get moving. We need to arrive by morning, so pull with the strength of an ox.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Remarkable—an ox that can speak.”

Sriben grasped the cart’s handles without another word of complaint.

“Mooooo….”

The cart lurched forward with the sound of an ox’s cry.
I settled into the cart and admired the building still burning in the distance.

Crackle, crackle—

It resembled a grand feast, so I reached for the wine beside me and drank deeply.

‘Not a bad start at all.’

The warmth of the wine loosened the rigid set of my lips into something resembling a smile.

(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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