The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 8

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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 8. A Slight Inconvenience.

I borrowed a horse and set out toward the Capital of the Holy Nation.
My purpose was to participate in the examination to select new Heresy Inquisitors.

‘With the Family Estate still intact, there’s no better position than a Heresy Inquisitor for moving freely.’

A Heresy Inquisitor possessed authority that transcended rank and hierarchy.
For instance, if a Heresy Inquisitor suddenly demanded to inspect a Duke’s warehouse, the Duke would find it difficult to refuse.
After all, a Heresy Inquisitor could investigate heresy charges based on suspicion alone, without physical evidence.
Of course, acting so recklessly could result in sanctions.

‘Regardless, the most important thing is that my actions gain legitimacy.’

In my past life, I simply needed to storm Baron Scalen’s house and take his life.
Back then, there was nothing but myself.
But now, with things to protect and a place to return to, such an approach was impossible.
If I became the Sword Demon again, others would inevitably bear the consequences.

‘However, if I become a Heresy Inquisitor, I can legitimately designate Baron Scalen as a heretic and deal with him justly.’

Certainly, designating someone as reputable as Baron Scalen a heretic would not be easy, but it was not impossible.

‘He won’t attack the Territory while I’m away. According to Sriben, Baron Scalen is currently in the Capital of the Holy Nation, and with the situation shifting rapidly, communication would be difficult.’

After riding for two days, I finally entered Limenthia, the capital of the Theocracy.
Unlike our Territory, most of Limenthia was constructed from stone buildings.
Rather than tilling fields, people were praying or selling goods, and their expressions seemed serene.

‘Hmm?’

As I walked, I stopped before a massive Chapel where crowds had gathered.

“So the Saint of Truth is conducting confession right now over there?”
“She’s in Limenthia? Maybe I should stop by.”
“But attendance requires a gold coin donation.”
“What? Even if the Saint is presiding, isn’t that excessive?”
“If it weren’t that way, everyone would come rushing in. There’s no helping it.”

The Theocracy had five Holy Maidens, and they were those blessed by the Goddess Ella with an ability called the “Sacred Mark.”
The Saint of Truth possessed a Sacred Mark that allowed her to discern the truth of words.

‘The Saint of Truth…’

Normally I would have passed by, but with her ability, capturing Baron Scalen would become far easier.
Of course, it was merely confession, so forging a special connection would be difficult, but it was better than doing nothing at all.

‘I still have time before the Heresy Inquisitor examination.’

I pushed through the crowd and made my way toward the Chapel.
A line stretched from the entrance. The Saint’s reputation was palpable.
I paid one of the gold coins I’d obtained from the Pleasure District to the administrator and joined the queue.
Yawning, drumming my fingers against my folded arms, nodding off with my head tilted back—before I knew it, my turn had arrived.

“Brother, please come in.”

Following the Nun’s guidance, I left my sword outside and entered the Confessional.
A partition was installed inside, obscuring our views of each other.
Soon, a small window set into the partition opened.

“Welcome, brother.”

What appeared first through the window frame were the Saint’s delicate white hands, held neatly together. On the back of her hand was inscribed a scale emblem.
Nothing beyond that was visible, hidden by the partition.

“The pleasure is mine.”
“Yes.”

The Holy Maiden continued gently.

“The Goddess sees through the footsteps of we mortals with perfect clarity. Trusting in the Goddess’s mercy, confess truthfully the sins you have committed thus far, brother.”

I paused briefly before answering.

“That would be rather difficult.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I have committed far too many sins during this time. If I were to list them one by one, we would spend the entire night in the confessional.”
“That would certainly be inconvenient. I have other matters to attend to today, after all.”
“As do I.”

A brief silence fell before the Holy Maiden spoke first.

“Then how about you confess only those sins you consider to be the greatest today?”
“Will my sins be forgiven if I do that?”

Through my regression, the sins I had committed in my past life—all those actions—had been erased in an instant.
Did that mean my sins would also disappear?
Could I, having transcended those I had brushed past in my previous life, look up at the heavens with a clear conscience?

“Confession is a precedent wherein one declares their misdeeds to walk the path of virtue. Thus, it depends entirely on your conduct hereafter.”
“I see.”

My wretched nature could not be changed, but I had resolved to live differently than I had in my past life.
Had I not already witnessed clearly the fate that befell me before?
I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together in reverence.

“I have taken the lives of many during this time.”
“What manner of people were they?”
“They were those who deserved to die. They would have brought nothing but harm to others had they lived.”

I continued quietly.

“Some envied the talents of others and crushed them with power. Some coveted the wealth of others and murdered for it. Some forced their lust upon women.”
“….”
“And some abducted children to satisfy the desires of others. So I killed them. I tore out their nails, severed their feet, crushed their faces, and in the end, I slowly strangled their necks….”
“Brother.”

A cool voice seeped through the heat of my fervor.

“Compose yourself.”

I opened my eyes wide and took a slow, deep breath.

“In any case, that’s how it was. And truthfully, I can’t quite remember if all the people I’ve killed were truly wicked.”
“I see.”

The Holy Maiden spoke calmly, her emotions carefully concealed.

“Within the Goddess’s teachings, murder is certainly a sin, yet it is not without room for interpretation as a righteous act. If the execution is based on justice rather than personal sentiment, then one may be forgiven of that transgression.”
“Hmm.”
“However, the scriptures present no clear standard regarding murder, so opinions within the Religious Order diverge. It comes down to how each interprets it according to their own convictions.”
“Then which side do you stand on?”

The Holy Maiden answered.

“I held the view that murder was wrong. I believed that no human could dare to judge the value of life that the Goddess has bestowed.”
“….”
“But after hearing your words just now, my thoughts have shifted somewhat. It was as though I glimpsed an abyss I had never known. If I were in your position, I can no longer say with certainty what choice I would make.”

Does my darkness taint even a Holy Maiden? Or is it simply that this Holy Maiden possesses profound depth of thought?

“By the way… how many lives have you taken thus far?”

Since she had treated me with such sincerity, I answered her honestly.

“Around a thousand, I’d say.”

The Holy Maiden’s hand trembled slightly.

“Pardon?”

I continued.

“If I include monsters and demons, it likely exceeds ten thousand….”
“What?”
“Well, that’s how it came to be.”

The Holy Maiden’s fingers fidgeted. Soon after, a shadow began to fall across the slightly open window.
Blue eyes and golden hair became visible there.
The moment our eyes met, she startled and quickly withdrew her face.

“This is my first confession, so is there normally a time when we make eye contact?”
“…No, there isn’t. My apologies.”

Well, she must be curious about what kind of man I am.
I had come out of nowhere and confessed to killing a thousand humans and nine thousand demons.

“So, what’s your impression?”

The Holy Maiden answered without further hesitation.

“Yes. You possess a refined appearance.”

I corrected her with a flat tone.

“Not that. Can I be forgiven even though I killed a thousand humans?”
“…Ah.”

The Holy Maiden cleared her throat softly.

“As I mentioned before, the interpretation of murder differs from believer to believer. Perhaps the Goddess has entrusted such matters to us.”
“Then?”

The Holy Maiden pondered before speaking.

“This is merely my personal opinion, but it seems you first need to forgive yourself. Then the Goddess will surely show you mercy.”
“Hmm….”

In my past life, I may have harbored anger not only toward others but toward myself as well. Toward the weak and foolish version of myself.
I sat with her words for a moment before rising from my seat.

“Thank you. I understand what you mean.”

Though I hadn’t formed any special bond with the Saint of Truth, I felt it was right to have come.
Simply by confessing my sins to someone for the first time, the darkness within me seemed to have diminished—as if an ant’s antenna had been erased.

“Brother.”

Just as I was about to leave the confessional, the Holy Maiden called out to stop me.

“I hope we might have the chance to speak again.”

I did not answer him. There was no need to bury my darkness any further in her, who remained in the Flower Garden.
But I had words to leave behind.

“You used the Saint’s Mark on me.”

The Saint’s Mark—a divine stigma that could discern the truth of words. She had manifested it upon me the moment our eyes met just before.

“H-how did you….”

A flustered voice leaked from beyond the partition. Others would never have noticed.
But how many Holy Knights and Holy Maidens had I witnessed across the years?
Perceiving such things was far too easy for me.

“That is not your concern.”
“I-I apologize… My curiosity got the better of me, and before I knew it….”
“So, what are your impressions?”

It was the same question I had posed to her moments before, yet laden with different meaning.

“…You have walked a difficult path.”
“Indeed.”
“I apologize once more for my earlier rudeness. May blessings accompany you on the road ahead….”

I chuckled softly and turned to leave.

“I shall forgive you this once.”

* * *

The Saint of Truth, Lenika, had finished all the confessions and emerged from the Confessional.

“You have worked hard, Lenika. Was there anything uncomfortable?”
“No, thanks to you.”

Lenika smiled faintly.

“Then I must take my leave for the examination observation. May the Goddess’s fortune bless you.”
“Thank you. Please go safely.”

Lenika boarded the carriage that had been waiting for her outside the Chapel.

‘Today, there was someone truly exceptional.’

Lenika occasionally presided over confessions, and through them, she heard tales of the various sins people had committed.
Most were petty—theft, lustful thoughts toward another’s lover, and the like—though murder did occur from time to time.

‘But that brother today was different from the others.’

Even among murderers, the scale of his killings stood starkly apart.
A thousand lives taken? Such a number was utterly impossible for an ordinary person.
I had naturally assumed it was a lie, yet the emotions he poured forth during his confession carried unmistakable sincerity.
Simply listening to him, I felt as though I might be swallowed whole by an ocean of rage.
And so, curiosity seized me. Could his words truly be the truth?

‘That’s why I used the Holy Mark. And I was caught doing it.’

I was ashamed. Had he not spoken first, I would have let it pass without apology.
To preside over a confession where someone laid bare their sins, only to be caught in my own transgression—it was utterly humiliating.

‘But… setting aside how he noticed, how did he even come by that path?’

That he had taken a thousand lives was undeniable fact.
Yet surely, one who had committed murder on such a scale would be known—for better or worse.

‘Could he be an existence the Theocracy is concealing?’

It was possible. That would explain how he sensed my use of the Holy Mark.

‘Regardless, what matters is…’

His words were true, and he was deeply contemplating his actions.
I could not fathom how he had killed so many, nor how one so young carried such immense emotion within him.
Yet, simply…
Lenika closed her eyes and prayed quietly.

‘Goddess, I beseech you, grant him only trials that a mortal can endure.’

* * *

After submitting my application to become a Heresy Inquisitor, I waited in the Chapel of the Holy Capital.
Normally, one would need to prove their devotion over years before even submitting an application to become a Heresy Inquisitor, but as the eldest son of the devout Luminara Family, I was exempt from such restrictions.

‘Hmm.’

Around fifty people were scattered throughout the chapel, some in prayer, others conversing quietly.
Most of them were aspirants from monasteries across the realm seeking to become Heresy Inquisitors.
Perhaps for that reason, many possessed well-developed musculature and carried various weapons.
If a demon were to appear here now, they looked ready to crush its skull with a mace on the spot.

“Attention, brothers, if you would all please focus your attention.”

At that moment, a man who appeared to be in his forties ascended the podium.

“Yes… I am Cardinal Barun, appointed as the chief examiner for this Heresy Inquisitor examination.”

As applause erupted, Cardinal Barun raised a hand lightly to quiet them.

“You will now proceed to another location to take the examination to become a Heresy Inquisitor. This gentleman will provide you with detailed instructions regarding the matter.”

As Cardinal Barun stepped aside, a middle-aged man approached the podium.
His hair was parted down the middle, and he wore a neat black priest’s vestment.
He was a man who always wore a gentle smile, giving him a soft and approachable demeanor.

“Baron Scalen.”

Mordin Scalen.
Currently, he was expanding his influence within the Theocracy as a devotee of the Ella Faith.
In my previous life, after he annihilated the Luminara Territory, he absorbed it and established a bishopric, rising to the rank of Bishop-Marquis.

“Ha ha, delighted to meet you all, brothers.”

Mordin on the podium grinned and bowed slightly.

“I am truly overjoyed to meet such exemplary devotees of the Ella Faith…”

At that moment, Mordin Scalen’s words trailed off as his pupils dilated sharply. Our eyes had met.
I smiled faintly and shaped my lips to form these words.

‘Smile, you bastard.’

Unless you want to die right now.

* * *

I had known from the beginning that Mordin Scalen was here. Sriben had informed me of it beforehand.
Mordin Scalen had originally planned to complete the Heresy Inquisitor examination and then begin systematically dismantling our Luminara Territory.
However, Mordin Scalen could not influence the Heresy Inquisitor examination. He lacked the authority to select Heresy Inquisitors since he was not a cardinal.
He could only observe or provide explanations about the examination.

“Baron Scalen?”
“Ah, my apologies. Standing before so many believers for the first time made me nervous.”
“I see. Now that you’ve calmed yourself, please explain the examination to these individuals. We’re running behind schedule.”
“Yes.”

Mordin Scalen turned to face us.

“The Heresy Inquisitor examination will take place at Ancient Ruins located away from here. There, you will be divided into ten teams, and you must eliminate monsters while retrieving a counterfeit artifact.”

Mordin Scalen continued.

“There is only one artifact in total, so only one team can complete the mission. However, only one Heresy Inquisitor will be selected from this examination. The cardinals will choose the Heresy Inquisitor by considering various factors, and the remaining team members will be ordained with the rank of deacon.”

The ecclesiastical ranks proceed in order: deacon, priest, bishop.
Archbishop, cardinal, and pope are positions of office.

“The abilities required of a Heresy Inquisitor are the insight to discern heretics and the martial strength to subdue them.”
“….”
“Therefore, the cardinals have planted someone in each team to act as a heretic. This heretic will subtly obstruct and incite you throughout the mission. Thus, after all tasks are complete, you must identify and expose who that heretic is.”

I raised my hand and asked.

“May we identify them during the mission?”

Mordin Scalen answered, striving to remain composed.

“…Of course. However, if the person you designate is not a heretic, deduction points will be applied.”
“So you’re saying it’s better not to designate anyone at all if there’s a chance of being wrong?”
“That is correct.”

Mordin Scalen averted his gaze from me.

“The heretic may already be hiding among this group.”

Was that an introduction?

“All of you must judge carefully with the cold rationality befitting a Heresy Inquisitor.”

The nuns nodded, and I tilted my head in confusion.

“Then let us all head outside. We will board the carriages and travel to the Ancient Ruins, our testing ground.”

The nuns moved with reverent expressions, and I stood alone, watching as the cardinals and Mordin Scalen departed the chapel.
A sudden doubt had seized me.

‘Would he really let me go like this? After I had been kidnapped, I appear here so brazenly?’

No, if I knew Baron Scalen as I did, he would not be so passive.
Of course, since he was not a cardinal, he could not interfere with my becoming a Heresy Inquisitor, but other methods existed.

‘For instance, killing me before I become a Heresy Inquisitor.’

It was a risky endeavor, but he might deem it preferable to allowing me to become a Heresy Inquisitor.
After all, he could not predict what I would do to him once I held that position.

‘Still, the likelihood of him making a move is not great. From what I heard recently, she is here. Even if he had a way to clear his suspicions, it would remain dangerous.’

But if he truly made a misstep here….

‘This place will become your Hell.’

I see through everything about you—how you eat, your behavioral patterns, all of it.

‘Struggle as hard as you wish.’

You are ultimately within my grasp.

Thump, thump—

I caressed my sword and moved forward.

(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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