Chapter 271 - Insanity, these Fools Have the Courage to Resist
These individuals have lost their minds. How audacious of a small kingdom on the border to dare obstruct the temple's event in broad daylight?
"Do you really believe the McLaine Kingdom will escape unharmed after defying the gods' will!?" Esel threatened with fury, and the threat held some truth. Even the powerful Ares Empire hesitated to oppose the temple officially, and now this insignificant kingdom?
Despite the threat, the Sword Sage remained composed.
"It's not the gods' will, but the temple's will, I dare say. With the amount of divine power you all possess, reattaching an arm shouldn't be a challenge."
Esel was left speechless by the absurdity, remaining frozen mid-shout as the fighting had already ceased. The emotionless Inquisitors, sensing the shift in leadership, halted the battle and regrouped, while McLaine's knights made no move to stop them.
"Well, since no lives have been lost yet, it seems we can resolve this mess now. What do you think?"
"Are you out of your mind? Do you need to witness the destruction of a country to come to your senses...?"
"Unfortunately for you, whether this country falls or not, it appears His Eminence the Cardinal won't be around to see it."
When had he approached? The Sword Sage, who had been over twenty meters away, was suddenly whispering in Esel's ear, causing his tongue to freeze against his will.
"Ah, a Cardinal could probably reattach his severed head, don't you think?"
Esel's aged face broke out in a cold sweat as a deep voice carried a weight of impending danger. It was an unsettling scene, even though no blade touched his throat.
"Eminence the Cardinal!"
"Your Grace!"
"How dare you!"
The lieutenants, their arms regenerating amidst a dazzling light, were about to react. However...
"Stop!"
Esel's sudden command caused the fervent aura to disperse like a spring breeze.
"Oh, it appears there's been a misunderstanding. Disarm!"
The imposing figure of a Cardinal now seemed almost laughable, as Esel, lacking the divine power of a high priest or the combat skills of a knight, couldn't withstand the overt display of aura by the aura-user.
"Eminence the Cardinal! Don't yield to threats!"
"We will fight to the end!"
"The gods' will cannot be defied!"
The Inquisitors, usually expressionless, now shouted with flushed faces. It seemed like the lieutenants were ready to lead them back into battle at any moment, and Esel's face twisted in frustration.
'Damn it all.'
How could he not feel humiliated at this moment? Yet, the temple's promising new star, who had become a high priest at a young age through deep understanding and acceptance of doctrine, was absent. In his place stood a corrupted individual who valued himself more than the gods over the decades.
'I must survive first.'
And that petty man utilized his acting skills to the fullest.
"…Faith doesn't yield to threats. Sister Ilia permitted this area to break the taboo. We acted hastily."
"But Eminence! Bishop Ilia is currently undergoing religious questioning..."
"Until a verdict is reached, that remains the temple's official stance. I hadn't considered that."
The Inquisitors seemed to realize something simultaneously, and the knights of McLaine shared a similar thought among themselves.
- Those daring individuals.
The words the Cardinal spoke were merely desperate attempts to survive, yet everyone seemed to accept that nonsense and sheathed their weapons once again.
'It's best not to deal with fanatics.'
Even the Sword Sage, who had ignited the situation, could only release a hollow laugh at the ridiculousness.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Eminence the Cardinal."
The Sword Sage smirked and bowed, and Esel replied in a hushed tone with a gleam in his eye.
"Heh... Heheh. I won't forget this humiliation."
Even in the face of those words, the Duke only grinned, further provoking Esel.
Who could have predicted that someone would threaten the leader of the Inquisitors, a force capable of determining the fate of nations, with mere physical force?
'Madmen. I will make you regret this.'
Esel etched this grudge into his heart, but the investigators' ordeal had only just begun.
"The investigative team has proclaimed there is no heresy in consuming deer blood, correct?"
"Really? That's a relief. Truly comforting."
The knights, as they journeyed to Laphitan Castle, chatted with the villagers they encountered at each stop, deliberately shaping public opinion. These brief conversations would soon circulate throughout the kingdom on the wings of gossip.
"It was merely a delayed judgment, wasn't it?"
The situation seemed absurd to the Inquisitors, but with their leader remaining silent, they did not openly challenge it. Meanwhile, Esel, grasping something in his robe, ground his teeth internally.
'Your laughter will soon cease.'
Focused on this singular thought, Esel turned a blind eye to the knights' actions.
Heeeein!
"Announce the presence of the Inquisitorial Squad to all."
Esel confidently declared at the gates of Laphitan.
"Oh my, Eminence the Cardinal! It's a pleasure to meet you."
As the territorial lord practically leaped to greet him and bow, Esel believed he would soon have the chance to repay this humiliation. Passing by the lord with an indifferent expression, he entered the castle, slammed the door as soon as he reached the guest quarters, and retrieved a white crystal orb.
However, to his dismay, the response from his supposed savior, the Pope, was not favorable. The Pope's expression hardened as he listened to Esel's earnest pleas.
"The kingdom's response to the investigation team is unfavorable... Did you call me here to state the obvious, Esel?"
"But, Your Holiness! They went as far as using force to halt the heretical tribunal!"
"Oh, is that so? Which of the priests perished?"
"No one died, but... many are gravely injured...!"
Recalling the lieutenants struggling, unable to shake off the remnants of the aura despite having their arms reattached, Esel pled once more.
"No one has perished. Cardinal Esel, you continue to disappoint me."
Was this truly coming from the Pope's mouth? Esel, momentarily stunned and unable to continue, was met with an irritated and impatient tone from the Pope.
"Esel. Surely you don't believe that gathering evidence of heresy is your only duty?"
"Eh? My orders were..."
"Disappointing. Perhaps I've allowed you to indulge in luxury for too long. The serpent has lost all its venom."
With a sharp reprimand and an increasingly frigid stare from the Pope, Esel quickly regained his composure.
"Your Holiness. Please, enlighten your foolish servant!"
Thud. Thud.
Esel continuously struck his head against the floor, but the Pope's voice remained icy.
"Your duty is to provide a justifiable cause for the temple to intervene decisively in McLaine Kingdom."
"What do your words imply...?"
"It's acceptable if you find evidence of heresy, but if that proves challenging, some of the dispatched priests experiencing 'a grave misfortune' would also suffice as a valid reason."
After these chilling words, communication was severed, and Esel remained rooted to his spot for some time. And the following day...
"All priests, disperse and search for evidence of heresy! Show no leniency! Stake your 'lives' on it!"
At Esel's command, the Inquisitors spread throughout Laphitan's territory, followed by throngs of knights.
As is often the case in this world, standards shift depending on who enforces them and become a weapon in themselves if the other party is unaware of them.
"What is this?"
"That symbolizes respect for our village ancestors' spirits..."
"Idolatry. This is heresy."
The Inquisitor declared, brandishing a mace. The villager's face turned pale instantly. At that moment...
Clang!
"Hold it right there. Any further action can't guarantee your safety, priest."
"There is no room for compromise when it comes to heresy!"
Having already forgotten the deer blood incident, an Inquisitor named Ruper swung his mace, prepared to strike in the name of God.
'In the name of God.'
He was ready to become a martyr in his quest to eradicate heresy.
But then...
Bang!
Ugh...
"Cease, you fanatical zealot."
The knights, disdain in their eyes, easily subdued the Inquisitor, ablaze with divine fervor.
With the arrival of the 4th Legion of knights in Laphitan, the power disparity widened even more.
"Do not take their lives!"
"Just incapacitate them!"
Soon, throughout Laphitan's territory, a peculiar sight unfolded as unconscious Inquisitors were carried toward the fortress.
"The priests' zeal was excessive. We had no choice but to intervene."
At the Sword Sage's absurd explanation, Esel countered with a scowl.
"…Is this absurd situation your doing, or is it at the king's behest?"
The Sword Sage and his knight order's demeanor had crossed a line, and Esel couldn't comprehend their motives, even as the common folk witnessed their opposition to the temple.
"We are solely safeguarding our kingdom's populace."
The enigmatic smile from the Sword Sage was enough to churn Esel's stomach.
'Cursed. What now?'
Esel's predicaments only deepened.
* * *
The news of the Inquisitorial Squad's entry into the kingdom spread gradually. The faith of the Nine Deities dominated the continent's culture, and accusations of defying it were severe. Therefore, even the rumors were cautious. But as soon as the investigative team headed for Laphitan and the Sword Sage and his elite 2nd Legion followed suit, the gossip quickly disseminated. However, there was no strong reaction from the royals.
"Isn't this grave?"
"Um, why should our King be concerned?"
"How does the inquisition relate to His Majesty?"
"Concerned? He overcame the plague and brought prosperity wherever he went. Our King, chosen by the gods, is a hero."
"Ah... Now that you mention it."
"If they label our King as a heretic, then those calling him one are the true heretics."
"Exactly, those temple priests, living off the land's riches, only chasing after money... Disgusting beings."
An unexpected public sentiment emerged, a consequence of Logan's actions and the temple's continued neglect.
Moreover...
The Inquisitorial Squad issued a verdict of 'no heresy' in Laphitan.
This surprising judgment, starkly different from the Inquisitors' notorious cruel deeds, swiftly joined the wave of rumors, creating an unprecedented resonance.
Our King is a divine hero acknowledged even by the fearsome Inquisitors!
"This is becoming intriguing. The situation is unfolding this way."
Logan laughed, the overwhelmingly positive public sentiment leaving him bemused.
He couldn't simply laugh, though. The impending trials were akin to gambling the nation's destiny.
Thinking optimistically just because the current mood was favorable would be foolish given the seriousness of the situation.
Dwane also smiled wryly, cognizant of what weighed on Logan's mind.
"At least the Sword Sage appears to be handling things well."
"Indeed. He's containing himself better than expected."
"Containing himself, Your Majesty?"
"Absolutely. It's the first time I've seen my master so perturbed."
"…Will there be any issues?"
"He's a discerning individual. He won't create any problems that could jeopardize the plan."
Despite Logan's assurance, Dwane couldn't shake off his anxiety.
"But, Your Majesty. Do you truly intend to proceed with that plan?"
"What's with the sudden doubt? We all agreed on it."
"It's just that, no matter how I consider it, it seems excessively risky. Any misstep could shatter the kingdom."
"If we allow the investigator's actions to proceed freely, it will lead to chaos either way. If either path leads to ruin, we must take the risk."
Logan clenched his teeth and dismissed Dwane's concerns.
He couldn't ascertain whether the dealings with Stella were genuinely reprehensible or if the temple held ulterior motives.
But one thing was evident.
"It's a critical juncture. I cannot permit the temple to disrupt the nation during this period."
"Things could crumble, not just be disrupted..."
"Either way, it ends in ruin."
"Ah..."
As Dwane helplessly clutched his head, Logan's determination remained resolute.
'If the temple throws an unexpected curveball, we will respond in ways they can't fathom.'
Everything was ultimately for the nation's preservation.
A fire ignited within Logan's crimson eyes.