The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 96

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 96. I Am….

Upon entering the Capital of the Church Nation, we boarded a carriage sent by the Papal See. Edmond’s corpse was being transported by another driver.
After arriving at the Papal See, we descended from the carriage. Through the grand doors, I found Cardinals seated on either side, with the Pope positioned in the center.

‘Three Holy Knights are present.’

They were all positioned in the back, though I could make out their faces well enough.
One was the Holy Knight who had chased me and lost me. Another was the one I had confronted and struck. The third had experienced both.

‘A precaution against unforeseen circumstances, perhaps.’

Or perhaps they simply had time and decided to attend. Either way, their intentions would soon become clear.
We paid our respects to the Pope.

“Your Holiness, we are honored to be received.”

The Pope smiled faintly.

“I have heard the general account, Kael Inquisitor. You have brought quite extraordinary news once again.”
“I merely fulfilled my duty as a Heresy Inquisitor, Your Holiness.”
“I see. Then, would you be able to explain the details of this matter? I believe it would be better to hear it directly from you.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”

I explained everything that had transpired.
How Sriben was the illegitimate child of the Archbishop, how his mother—the Archbishop’s wife—had taken her own life because of this, and how the Archbishop subsequently became a Demon and fell by my hand.
There was nothing to gain by concealing the truth.

“Remarkable… that Barthelo Archbishop, so devout and incorruptible, would commit such acts. It is astonishing to hear again.”

The Pope’s gaze turned toward Rayner.

“Rayner Bartelo, is everything the Kael Inquisitor has said truthful?”
“Yes, Your Holiness. Sriben’s account aligns with my own past, and I witnessed my father’s transformation into a Demon with my own eyes.”
“I see.”

The Pope nodded in acknowledgment.

“Your Holiness, might I have permission to speak?”

The Bald Man opened his mouth. It was Cardinal Gregory, the cardinal most representative of those who despised me.
The reason stemmed largely from his views on magic.

“Please, speak.”
“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

Cardinal Gregory rose from his seat.

“This matter concerns nothing less than the fall of an Archbishop. I believe everyone present understands the magnitude of power that Barthelo Archbishop once wielded.”

The Cardinals nodded, and Gregory continued.

“Therefore, I believe we require more thorough clarification of the truth in this matter. Perhaps the best course would be to seek the aid of the Saint of Truth’s power.”
“Hmm….”

The Pope, stroking his chin, asked a question.

“Is there truly a need to go to such lengths? The Kael Inquisitor has already established countless achievements and is trustworthy. While this is indeed a grave matter, we have witnesses, so this should suffice.”
“….”
“Moreover, from what I understand, it would take a full two weeks for the Saint of Truth to return. Do we truly need to waste such valuable resources until then?”

The Pope defended me, yet remained cautious.
He had merely posed the sort of reasonable questions anyone in a neutral position would raise.

“With respect, I believe there is sufficient necessity for such measures.”
“And why is that?”
“I acknowledge that the Kael Inquisitor is trustworthy. But so was Barthelo Archbishop. Yet who among those present could have imagined he would commit such atrocities?”
“That is true.”
“Furthermore, the Kael Inquisitor is still a novice Heretic Inquisitor, ordained less than a year ago. Regardless of the remarkable achievements accumulated in that brief span, it is difficult to expect the gravitas that only time can bestow.”

Gregory spoke on.

“Therefore, I believe we must be more thorough to guard against circumstances similar to those with Barthelo Archbishop. Had the Kael Inquisitor overlooked Barthelo Archbishop, the situation would have become far more dire.”

He did not dismiss my accomplishments. Rather, he wielded them as a weapon to expose my vulnerabilities.
Indeed, this one had not survived as a Cardinal for so long without reason.

“Above all, I have doubts about whether the witnesses are truly trustworthy.”

Cardinal Gregory turned his gaze toward us.

“As far as I know, Sriben served under Baron Scalen before coming to the Papal See for interrogation. There was some discussion between Cardinal Barun and the Kael Inquisitor, which is why he was released.”
“….”
“And Rayner Prince, as everyone knows, has lived a dissolute life unlike Archbishop Barthelo. Now he may have to lead the Bartelo Family, which is also concerning.”

Rayner, having nothing to say, hung his head low.

“Given the past conduct of these witnesses, it is indeed a fact that their testimony lacks credibility.”

This is why one’s usual conduct matters so much.
Had Rayner been revered like an Archbishop, Gregory could never have pressed this far.
I, who had been listening quietly, asked a question.

“Why would I allow such a falsehood to stand?”

Cardinal Gregory shrugged.

“How would I know? Perhaps you’re trying to exploit the fact that Sriben, who now serves under you, is Rayner Prince’s half-brother. Once Archbishop Barthelo disappears, Rayner Prince would become the next family head.”
“Are you suggesting I orchestrated the Archbishop’s death for my own gain?”
“It’s merely a hypothesis. To prevent such misunderstandings, a thorough investigation of the truth is necessary.”

I had not overlooked that possibility.
Rayner truly regarded Sriben as an older brother, so I could have received the Bartelo Family’s support in the future.
But that was merely a consequential byproduct—it was never my true purpose.

“Frankly, I find this unpleasant. I went through hardship to prevent a catastrophe, and this is the misunderstanding I receive in return.”
“I apologize for that. I am always grateful to you for your competence. However, regarding this matter where the clear truth has not yet been revealed, I cannot thank you with a peaceful mind.”

A cunning bastard. He scratches very skillfully.
Of course, waiting two weeks is nothing. Since I spoke no lies, the truth will be revealed soon enough.

‘The Bald Man Cardinal would understand that well too.’

Gregory is simply trying to gnaw at my insides. He’s showing me that if I don’t abandon my magic, this will continue.

‘Perhaps he’s hoping I’ll lose control of my anger and rush at him.’

Cardinal Barun’s request that I wait for his arrival wasn’t without reason. With him absent, they were running wild without restraint.

‘Yes, this is politics.’

Truth meant nothing to them. They would fabricate lies without hesitation to tear down those standing on the opposite side.
Even if exposed as falsehoods, they would dismiss them as plausible speculation.
With an unbothered expression, no less.

‘But I won’t stand idle and watch this unfold.’

I had anticipated such circumstances from the beginning. There was no way I would have entered the Papal See without Barun present if I hadn’t thought this through.

“What are your thoughts on this matter, Kael Inquisitor?”

I responded to the Pope’s question.

“I find it quite plausible. However, I cannot bring myself to accept it.”
“May I inquire as to your reasons?”
“I shall demonstrate them directly, starting now.”

I turned to face Cardinal Gregory.

“Cardinal Gregory, your intention to borrow the power of the Saint of Truth is to prove that my words are truthful, is it not?”
“Indeed.”
“Then what if I were to present irrefutable evidence of my truthfulness right here, right now?”
“Irrefutable evidence?”
“Yes. More precisely, a miracle that transforms everything I have presented into absolute truth.”
“A miracle, you say….”

Cardinal Gregory scoffed.

“If such a thing were possible, there would be no need for this. But if such a thing exists, why haven’t you revealed it sooner?”
“Because both you and I would have to stake much on it.”

Cardinal Gregory studied my resolute gaze before nodding slowly.

“I see. Then show me this miracle of yours.”
“Of course. But before that, would you be willing to make a wager with me?”
“A wager…?”
“Yes. In truth, I understand perfectly well why Cardinal Gregory and the other Cardinals regard me with such disdain. It’s because I travel with a Mage Deacon and use magical artifacts within the Theocracy’s territories.”

At that, Gregory let out a thin laugh.

“I’m not avoiding the Kael Inquisitor for that reason. People might misunderstand if they heard you say that.”
“Ah, so Cardinal Gregory, you’re saying you wouldn’t mind at all if I used magic or magical artifacts?”
….

Gregory’s words caught in his throat. One wrong answer here could put him in a precarious position.

“So what sort of wager are you proposing?”

Perhaps for that reason, Gregory didn’t answer but instead posed a question of his own.
Since I hadn’t expected an answer anyway, I continued.

“If I fail to produce evidence here that convinces everyone, I will renounce everything related to magic. The Mage Deacon, the magical artifacts within the territory—all of it.”
“…Is that truly so?”
“Yes. I swear it by the Goddess.”
“That cannot be undone.”
“I have no intention of undoing it.”

Gregory studied me intently before speaking.

“And if the opposite occurs?”
“Cardinal Gregory, you will step down from that position, here and now.”

The Cardinals immediately began murmuring among themselves.
Gregory, whose eyes had trembled violently, composed his expression and objected.

“Now see here, Kael Inquisitor. The position of Cardinal is not something to be discussed so lightly.”
“Magic is no different to me.”
….
“Well, if you refuse, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll simply fiddle with magical artifacts and wait patiently for the Saint of Truth to return.”

The Cardinals’ gazes turned as one toward Gregory. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation.
If they succeeded in this wager, they could eliminate the thorn in their side—magic—in one swift stroke.

“….”

Cardinal Gregory’s expression grew troubled. If he retreated from this position, he would never wield such influence again.

“I understand. If you can produce evidence that satisfies everyone, I’ll willingly step down from my position as Cardinal.”

Thus, he had no choice but to accept this wager.

“Cardinal, please swear an oath to the Goddess.”
“I swear by the Goddess.”
“Very well.”

Cardinal Gregory, who had been studying me intently, spoke up.

“It seems the Kael Inquisitor dislikes me. Wagering your Cardinal’s position suggests as much.”
“Precisely. Even a Heresy Inquisitor is human, after all, and subject to emotion.”
“….”

My immediate agreement seemed to catch him off guard. He let out a soft chuckle.

“I’ve never met a Heresy Inquisitor quite like you. Now I’m genuinely curious about your true identity.”
“You’ll learn soon enough.”
“I see. I do hope my Cardinal’s position proves worthy of this wager.”

Despite being caught in my trap, Cardinal Gregory radiated remarkable confidence.
He likely intended to reject whatever evidence I presented. After all, denial was always an option if the proof seemed insufficient.
But from the moment he accepted this wager, the outcome was already sealed.

Sling—

I drew my blade from its sheath. Suddenly, a pristine white sword revealed itself within the Papal See.
Two Holy Knights immediately moved to the Pope’s side, while one insolent fool quietly rested his hand on his sword hilt.
A Holy Knight attempted to channel divine power in preparation for any contingency, but the Pope raised his hand in a gentle gesture of restraint.

“….”

Cardinal Gregory was suppressing the corners of his mouth from rising. He was hoping I would charge at him immediately.
To him, I was merely a Heresy Inquisitor with exceptional martial prowess—a crude, ill-mannered brute.
But how could it be? You know so little about me.

Whoosh—

I raised the pristine blade high above my head.
Everyone within the Papal See—the Pope, the Cardinals, the Holy Knights—fixed their gaze upon me.
I accepted their stares in full and channeled all my power into the sword in one breathless surge.

Brilliance erupted from the blade with a deafening roar—

In that instant, a blinding white radiance burst forth from the sword.
The brilliant light engulfing the Papal See caused the others to furrow their brows momentarily, and the two Holy Knights beside the Pope assumed combat stances.
But as the dazzling glow gradually subsided, all doubt vanished from their minds, and they gazed only upon the source of that luminescence.

“That… that is…!”

A pure white aura crystallized upon the blade.
The Cardinals’ mouths fell agape, the Pope and Holy Knights’ eyes widened in astonishment, and Gregory’s complexion drained of all color.
Anyone could recognize this. This sacred power that seemed to wash away all profanity was…

“Holy Power!!!”

A power that only those chosen by the Goddess could wield.
After a brief commotion, complete silence descended.
They could only stare blankly at the boundless Holy Power flowing from my sword, their lips sealed as though they were offering a prayer.

“….”

In my past life, I was the mightiest of villains—the Sword Demon relentlessly hunted by the Papal See.
I was always the darkness of the Papal See, and the Holy Knights were merely fireflies clinging to me.
The thought of me ever setting foot within the Papal See would have been unimaginable back then.
Yet now I stood confidently in the very heart of the Papal See, and the pristine white light emanating from my sword illuminated it brilliantly.
I am no longer the Sword Demon wandering the Continent. Nor am I the villain proclaimed by the Seven Deadly Sins in their wrath.
Now I am merely…

“I am Kael Luminara, descendant of the Luminara Family.”

The eldest son of the Luminara Family, whose influence grows ever greater, and as a Heretic Inquisitor, I pursue only the path of my own will.

“The thirteenth Holy Knight chosen by the Goddess.”

The thirteenth Holy Knight of the Theocracy.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————