The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 89

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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 89. Do It Anyway.

“But what is joy?”

It was a question Valter suddenly posed while I was explaining various things to him.
I pondered for a moment before offering a simple explanation.

“A smile forms naturally, and there’s a sense of something being fulfilled within your chest.”
“What I mean is, how do you experience that joy?”
“You’ve never felt joy before?”

Any human being must have experienced joy at least once in their lifetime.
Even if not ecstasy, perhaps finding money on the street or achieving some small personal goal.

“I may have felt it in the past, but for the last few decades at least, I haven’t laughed properly. Most of the time it’s either a laugh of exasperation or a habitual smirk.”

Bella, who had been quietly observing from the side, looked at Valter with sympathy. Yet Valter himself seemed utterly unbothered.

‘Well, I understand it somewhat myself.’

Since becoming the Sword Demon, I haven’t experienced genuine joy either.
I only occasionally wielded the Blade of Ecstasy, relying on memories of when I killed Baron Scalen.
And after becoming one of the Seven Deadly Sins through Wrath, I rarely even drew the Blade of Ecstasy anymore.

“Then try recalling memories from the past. It’s better than starting from a blank slate with nothing.”
“Memories from the past….”
“Surely there must be something. Like how Tom followed your teachings well, or how you suddenly realized how much he’d grown, and so on.”
“Hmm….”

Valter stroked his beard and shook his head.

“I’m not sure. I suppose I was happy back then, but now when I recall those days, all that remains is regret.”
“….”
“If I had sided with Tom instead of the Bran Duchy during my mercenary days, Tom could have lived peacefully with his family. If I had destroyed the Bran Duchy long ago, Tom wouldn’t have been caught up in their power struggles….”

This old man is troublesome as well.

“Give it up. You won’t attain joy.”
“Then teach me with patience instead.”
“What joy is there for an old man who cannot even feel trivial pleasures? Live out this life in solitude and be done with it.”

Valter, sulking at the sharp rebuke, shot back a response.

“And you—are you searching for some other form of joy? It doesn’t seem that way to me.”
“Rage finds me. Joy is what I’m striving to meet.”
“Then I shall begin striving as well, starting today.”

Valter regarded me quietly with emotionless eyes. I exhaled deeply and opened my mouth.

“Very well. I’ll give it a try. Nothing’s free, after all.”
“Tsk tsk, much obliged.”

Valter drew his blade and continued speaking.

“Still, I think I might be able to obtain the Sword of Wrath even now. Would it be alright to attempt it?”

Valter’s physical capabilities had long since surpassed the conditions necessary to reach the realm of Wrath.
So if he could only fully experience endless rage, there would be nothing difficult about it.

“Do so.”
“Then step back for a moment.”
“Understood. Bella, come behind me.”
“Yes, Interrogator!”

I drew my blade and stepped back several paces from Valter, while Bella hurried to my side.
There was likely no great danger, but I had to prepare for any unforeseen circumstance.

“….”

Standing upright beneath the midday sun, Valter drew his sword and closed his eyes in silence.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing his beard to flutter, and an inexplicable tension settled over the surroundings.

Flinch—

Valter’s eyes twitched convulsively as some memory surfaced within him.
Then he ground his teeth together with such force that a chilling sound echoed through the forest.

Whoosh—

Scorching flames danced around his blade in an instant.
There was nothing surprising about it. After all, until recently, he had been Wrath among the Seven Deadly Sins.
Of course, summoning the Sword of Wrath merely by recalling memories of the past was an extraordinarily difficult feat, but it was proof of just how immense his rage truly was.
He had been so consumed by fury that he alone annihilated the Bran Duchy and even severed the Emperor’s head.
In fact, in my previous life, Valter had grasped the nature of Wrath without difficulty after hearing my explanation of swordsmanship.

“That should suffice.”

I had achieved my intended purpose, so there was no need to proceed further.

Whoooosh!

Yet the rage he had suppressed for decades proved far more vast than I had imagined.
The flames enveloping his blade grew ever larger, and the momentum continued to intensify.

“Valter.”

He did not answer my call. He merely gripped the Sword of Wrath.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!!

His mana surged like a pillar, crushing the surrounding area. The earth trembled violently, and startled birds fled into the sky.
An overwhelming presence that transcended humanity itself.
Bella had gone pale, while Valter, unable to control the wrath within his blade, began to suffer burns across the back of his hand.

“Valter!!!!!”

At my shout, Valter finally opened his eyes slowly. Then those cold, piercing eyes turned toward us.

Whoooosh!

Murderous intent crashed over us like a tidal wave.
A pressure that would make anyone bow their head.
Bella could only tremble like a small animal, gripping my clothes tightly with both hands.
But I had already fought the Demon God before, so I could face Valter and the Sword of Wrath.

“You are….”

Molten lava seemed to roil in Valter’s voice.

“Who are you?”

I met his gaze without flinching and replied.

“Kael Luminara. Heresy Inquisitor of the Theocracy.”
“Have you come to capture me?”
“I’ve come to teach you the meaning of joy. In short, I am your master.”
“My master?”
“Indeed. So cease this insubordination and regain your senses.”

I stared directly into his eyes, devoid of reason—the same eyes he must have worn when he brought down the Bran Duchy.
A chilling silence stretched between us. Even the world seemed to hold its breath, watching the moment unfold.

Sssssss….

Gradually, his aura subsided and focus began to return to his eyes.
He was regaining his senses.
When the flames finally vanished completely from his sword spirit, I exhaled deeply.

“Why did you advance so recklessly on your own?”
“…I apologize. I have no excuse.”

Valter bowed his head in contrition.

“As an apology, I swear this: should anyone—not just the Empire, but anyone at all—turn against you, I will stand by your side. Even if it were the Pope himself.”
“Of course you will.”

Valter smiled faintly and glanced at Bella standing behind me.

“Bella, I apologize to you as well. Will you not forgive me?”

Bella peeked out from beside me with only her eyes visible, then examined Valter before scurrying back behind my back like a rabbit.

“…I see.”

Valter clicked his tongue. But contrary to his assumption, Bella was far from a fragile woman.
She rummaged through her large bag and produced a round container—the highest-grade salve that Pupu had given her.

“Interrogator, may I apply this salve?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”

As Bella rushed toward Odo, Valter tilted his head in confusion.
Bella casually took his sword, set it on the ground, and applied the salve to his burned hand.
True to its nature as an ointment made from Aholo Tribe secretions, the burn marks faded almost instantly.
Valter’s pupils dilated as he opened his mouth.

“Th-thank you….”

Bella merely nodded lightly before rushing back to my side.
I spoke to Valter, who stood there dumbfounded.

“What angered you so?”

In my past life, such a thing had never occurred. I awoke to find Valter wielding the Sword of Wrath. Perhaps such an event had happened then as well, but I simply hadn’t witnessed it.
Perhaps such an event had happened then as well, but I simply hadn’t witnessed it.

“My own foolishness.”
“I see.”

Truly, a man much like myself. Had I not died at the hands of the Demon God, would I have become like him?
Then, suddenly, I recalled my confession to the Saint of Truth and opened my mouth.

“First, to obtain ‘Joy,’ it seems you must forgive yourself. Now that you’ve obtained the Sword of Wrath, you should be able to control your anger better than before.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Do it anyway. Unless you wish to spend the rest of your life in torment.”
“Then I shall do so.”

What is this?
Standing before Valter, I truly feel like a Priest.

‘Ah, I am indeed a Priest.’

In any case, we remained at Valter’s House for a week, living alongside him.
I taught him about the Sword of ‘Joy,’ while Bella assisted with meals and other matters.

“Valter, I’ve prepared various things here for you, so please take good care of yourself. Don’t skip meals just because it’s troublesome.”
“It is troublesome though….”
“Still! There’s joy in eating!”
“Hmm, well then, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll make the effort.”

Bella and Valter had grown close to one another. More precisely, Bella was constantly nagging Valter about various things.

“Still, it’s not easy, is it.”

Valter had yet to obtain the Sword of Joy. Had it been so simple, every dog and cow would have reached the realm of Joy.
In fact, Valter’s ability to wield the Sword of Wrath was only possible because he had already mastered mana.
I observed Valter quietly before asking.

“Have you no thought of living a bit longer?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I merely thought you should experience the Sword of Joy before you pass.”

By the natural course of things, he would die of old age in about half a year.
If he possessed the will to live longer, I had already devised a method to extend his lifespan.

“Tsk tsk, enough. Do you know how old I am? One hundred and twelve years old. Five emperors have changed during my lifetime. I even deposed one of them with my own hands.”
“….”
“Sinful wretch that I am, I’ve already lived far too long. So I have no intention of prolonging my life any further.”
“I see.”

In that case, I too had no intention of forcibly extending his lifespan.
It would make little difference anyway, and I could not increase his suffering for the sake of my own greed.

“But what if you change your mind? For instance, if you fail to obtain the Sword of Joy before death.”
“Well, I guarantee you this—I won’t die until then.”
“Then the Demon God will ascend first.”
“Is that so?”
“Judging by your appearance, yes.”
“Still, if I truly were to obtain the Sword of Joy….”

Valter gazed at us with solemn eyes.

“Would you not see me off then?”

I nodded.

“Well, that’s not difficult. Bella has an exquisite voice for hymns. A requiem wouldn’t be unworthy of her.”
“Tsk tsk, now that’s something to look forward to.”

Valter spoke.

“Kael, you’ll surely surpass me. It probably won’t even take ten years.”

In truth, during my time as the Sword Demon, I had already surpassed Valter.
In this life, I would become even stronger than that.

“Of course, I’m not sure about you, Bella….”
“Why not me! I’ll surpass you within twenty years!”
“Tsk tsk, I was joking. It’ll take longer than with Kael, but you’ll grow stronger than me someday too.”
“Ugh, are you teasing me too, Valter?”
“Well. Whenever I see you, I can’t help but tease.”
“Bella does have a certain charm when she’s being teased.”
“Mm, I agree.”

Bella pouted her lips and glared at us, but we ignored her as we always did.

“Then we’ll be on our way. If you need to contact us, use the disposable communication artifact I gave you before.”
“Very well.”

I divided the five pairs of disposable communication artifacts I carried between myself and Valter.
They were artifacts Arsein had given me for free, calling them experimental prototypes.

“Try wandering around outside while we’re away. It’s better than being cooped up at home.”
“I’ve already wandered outside for decades.”
“That was different—you were being hunted. This time, take your time and look around leisurely.”
“I see. Understood.”
“Then we’ll see you again.”
“Farewell, Valter.”

We bid Valter farewell and turned to leave.
Valter continued watching Bella and me until we disappeared from sight.

* * *

We returned to Haven City first. It was to speak with Sriben.

“As I mentioned earlier, we have successfully recovered all the highest-grade mana stones that were in the Gearnek Tower Underground. Of course, along with the highest-grade mana stones they originally possessed. They had far more of our stones than we expected.”
“So it was actually profitable.”
“Yes. Naturally, we hid theirs in advance, and since our mana stones were marked, claiming ownership wasn’t particularly difficult.”

Sriben spoke.

“However, the Empire was curious about the bandits. They even suspected whether it was someone from our side who killed the Gearnek Tower Master.”

It was only natural.
Though the Gearnek Tower Master had committed many sordid deeds and many harbored ill will toward him, the most significant recent incident was the theft of our highest-grade mana stones.

“Simply deny it. They have no way of knowing who did it.”
“Yes, understood.”

I studied Sriben. His complexion looked better than before.
Perhaps it was because he had finally begun receiving his salary.

“How generously did Father provide for you?”
“Well, that would be… hehe. Hehehehe…”

Sriben adjusted his glasses without further comment and chuckled. It meant he had received quite a substantial sum.
In truth, considering the role Sriben had undertaken, whatever amount he received was hardly surprising.
I suddenly recalled something and asked.

“By the way, what was that story you wanted to tell me before?”

Sriben had tried to share his story since our first meeting, but I had deliberately avoided listening.
Since I wasn’t certain of its truth, hearing it would have hindered my judgment of him.
Sriben’s expression grew serious in an instant as he opened his mouth.

“…Are you willing to listen to my story now?”
“Yes. Let’s hear it. I should know by now what story is so important that you’ve been so eager to tell it.”
“Yes.”

Sriben, who seemed ready to pour out his story at any moment, paused briefly. He appeared to be carefully choosing his words.
Soon after, he summarized it in a single statement.

“In truth, I am the illegitimate son of Barthelo Archbishop.”

Bella beside me widened her eyes in shock, and after blinking for a moment, I spoke.

“Are you serious? Why are you telling me this now?”
“….”

Sriben gazed at me quietly. His eyes held the look of someone with much to say.
But rather than offer unnecessary excuses, he simply bowed his head lightly.

“My apologies, Young Master.”

Indeed, Sriben knew my nature far too well.

(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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