Chapter 270: "Line Up!"
In the midst of a crowd of black-clothed investigators wearing steel helmets, a single elderly priest dressed in a spotless white robe shouted out the order.
Just a day had passed since they had arrived at the royal capital.
Ignoring the king's offer to extend their stay, Esel Fabrun immediately gathered the heresy investigators. There was an urgent need for them to leave the royal palace at dawn, as the day broke.
"We must confirm the facts before the king devises a plan."
Disturbing accounts of blasphemy against the divine had been reported by the local diocese of McLaine.
Their mission was to verify and document these testimonies, then report back to the church. Additionally, they were assigned to capture certain individuals involved in these alleged acts of heresy.
Such was the seriousness of the situation that the Pope himself had personally chosen and directed Esel.
- There is a reliable source, simply confirm the report. Do not delay excessively. If your quirks hinder our work...
- Such a scenario will never occur. Please trust me, Your Holiness.
The Pope's icy stare seemed to penetrate Esel, causing him to tremble.
Out of all the former colleagues and archbishops in this diocese, including Pamiel Gernheim, Esel had ascended to the rank of cardinal the fastest.
Initially, he believed his political maneuvering had paid off.
But it was all a facade.
The day after his promotion, he realized that his rapid advancement was part of the Pope's scheme: to place those with weaknesses in high positions, then manipulate the next Pope as desired.
- If this information becomes public, excommunication is inevitable, Cardinal Esel.
From the moment he became a cardinal, Esel was merely a pawn of the Pope—meant to control the Pope's power when necessary.
And this fact did not trouble him at all.
He knew that the majority of the current nine cardinals were in a similar predicament.
Pushing aside the Pope's echoing words in his mind, Esel refocused his gaze.
"Let's finish this task as quickly as possible..."
Thud-thud-thud-thud.
He had planned to give a brief speech before their departure, but before he could begin, the sound of the ground shaking caught his attention from behind. Turning, he saw flags bearing the emblem of an eagle encircled by a whirlwind, fluttering high in the air.
"The knightly order?"
Hiiii!
Under the banner representing the Esperanza family and now symbolizing the McLaine royal second legion, around 700 knights halted their horses in unison.
A seasoned knight with traces of blond amidst his white hair approached Esel with a gentle smile after dismounting.
"Are you Cardinal Esel Fabrun?"
Though his face appeared to belong to a man in his fifties, Esel could discern hints of wrinkles that 'had been' there.
These signs were not due to natural aging but suggested a power that eradicated them forcefully. Unless the knight had undergone magical or clerical cosmetic treatments, cases like these usually indicated one thing.
A knight who had mastered the life force—Force—to its limits, defying age as a consequence.
"…An Aura User?"
A murmur escaped, and the knight, aged yet youthful, continued to smile.
"Felix Esperanza, at your service. I am tasked with 'escorting' the investigation team during your stay in the kingdom."
"Ah...so you are the renowned Sword Sage. But an escort? We did not request such a service."
"It is His Majesty's gesture of kindness. He is concerned for the well-being of esteemed visitors in unfamiliar lands."
Mhm, sure.
Recalling yesterday's encounter, the suggestion seemed utterly absurd to Esel.
"Are you implying interference with the church's proceedings?"
"Absolutely not. We are simply here to support the investigation."
"We do not need assistance. We are perfectly capable of managing our own affairs."
"Very well. We will discreetly fulfill our escort duties."
Their eyes locked in a fierce clash.
"It seems you have intentions to follow us regardless."
"This is McLaine's territory. Please do not reject the king's hospitality."
Esel, his expression inscrutable, surveyed the knights behind the Sword Sage and then, with a cold smile and a nod, acknowledged the situation.
"Hmm...very well. But be warned, any inappropriate actions will be viewed as a challenge against the church."
"Such a situation will not arise."
Despite his mocking demeanor, a fire burned within the Sword Sage.
- I entrust this to you, Master. The intentions of the inquisition are clear. To exploit innocents like Stella...
Motivated by his liege's words, the Sword Sage had not hesitated.
'How dare they threaten my daughter...'
The sound of her calling him 'Daddy' echoed in his ears.
Starting and ending his days with Stella's smile brought him the utmost joy.
To him, this investigation team was akin to villains scheming against his beloved daughter.
'Whatever you plan, it will not succeed.'
Watching Esel lead the departure, the Sword Sage wore a menacing smile.
*** For three full days, the trio of inquisitors and high-grade knights from the second legion maintained a tense coexistence. Throughout their journey to Lafftan territory, not a single jest was shared—only mutual disdain.
The change began with the downfall of Eric Lafftan, the previous lord, and the appointment of his cousin Tenon Lafftan as the new lord.
To counteract the atrocities committed by his cousin, the new lord showered kindness upon his domain. Continuing the policy of royal tax relief and further reducing it by 20 percent brought significant relief to the people still suffering from the aftermath of the plague.
Another notable change was the unconventional method of training the local defense forces.
"There it goes! Get him!"
"He's been hit! Surround him!"
"Just a little more!"
Chasing a wounded deer shot by an arrow, the hunters soon discovered its entrapment and bombarded it with bolts from their repeating crossbows.
Thwack-thwack.
The deer's agonized death cry was abruptly silenced as it fell, and the men pursuing it shared triumphant grins.
"We got him!"
"Well done!"
"Quick, drink while it's fresh!"
Drink.
Outsiders might have found this strange, but none of the men objected. Instead, they eagerly fetched bowls from their belongings.
"Come on, hurry!"
One man with a crossbow sliced the deer's artery, and a stream of blood filled the waiting vessels, which they eagerly guzzled.
"Ugh, I can never get used to this metallic taste."
"It's beneficial for your health; endure and drink."
"Indeed. It's the remedy that conquered the plague."
The blood-splattered men appeared grotesque as they laughed, finding the deer's innocent eyes losing their light of vengeance. Although the blood-drinking ritual was unsettling, they accepted it as part of their customs.
This cultural practice had been revived from the ashes of the Grant territory, extinguished seventy years earlier—a harbinger of the resurgence of life post-plague. While it may seem repugnant, it was understandable given the circumstances.
However, there were those who, regardless of context, judged actions solely based on absolute standards.
For the sin of sacrilege in drinking the blood of the living, they decreed execution.
When the chilling voice was first heard, the men frowned; it was a voice devoid of humanity.
"What did you say?"
"Who's there?"
Before they could comprehend the situation, a group dressed in black robes, wielding clubs and maces, advanced towards them without a sound.
"Damn!"
Clash!
"Stay calm!"
Fortunately, knights exuding an icy aura of the inquisition rose to confront them.
The sudden confrontation between the knights and the mysterious attackers startled the petrified men, and Esel's enraged voice was heard from behind.
"Cardinal Esel Fabrun?"
"Such disrespectful behavior towards the church, isn't it, Sword Sage?"
"We are merely safeguarding our kingdom's citizens."
The clash of human voices echoed.
"Those men defied sacred laws!"
"They were merely seeking to preserve their health. Has His Eminence the Cardinal not heard that deer blood can cure the plague?"
"Cease this nonsense! If McLaine persists in opposing us, we will interpret it as an act of hostility against the church! Priests, punish these repugnant individuals!"
"Knights, protect the kingdom's citizens!"
"Yes!"
The combat priests in black attire mobilized silently, while the knights dutifully blocked their path.
"Dissenters are heretics! Crush them all!"
With Esel's resolute command, the battle erupted between the inquisitors and the knights.
"All actions are guided by divine will."
Usually invisible to human eyes, the divine aura manifested as a tangible light enveloping the inquisitors.
At that moment, the inquisitors, empowered several times over, surged forward, wielding their weapons against the knights.
The unexpected aggression was met by pairs of knights, radiating blue light from their gauntlets, belts, or swords, forming an impenetrable barrier against them.
Boom!
The combat priests recoiled upon impact, their expressions slightly grim, while the knights gleamed with excitement, having experienced the formidable power of their legendary foes.
Although the knights were impressive, it was their glowing armaments that concerned Esel the most.
'Could these all be artifacts?'
Sensing that something was amiss, Esel fixed his gaze on the Sword Sage.
"Are you truly proceeding with this recklessness?"
"Our duty as knights is solely to protect."
The Sword Sage's calm response made Esel clench his fist tightly.
Even the inquisitors, no less formidable than high-grade knights, were being overpowered by two knights in combat.
Furthermore, the chieftains themselves—numbering barely fifty—were notably struggling.
"A holy power of this magnitude is truly intriguing."
"The divine will is merciful!"
Bang!
"As merciful as it may be, it appears it is not all-powerful."
The Sword Sage's subordinate, Luis, openly derided the scene as he effortlessly repelled the attacks of the chief inquisitor as if they were force blades. The front-line knights from Esperanza subdued their opponents in pairs.
The Holy Weapon, though lacking the lethality of the force blade, offered greater versatility but could not breach the defenses honed by numerous battles and enhanced by artifacts.
'How is this possible...'
The reality unfolding before Esel was incomprehensible.
Throughout his career, he had faced numerous challenges. Although he was appointed leader for political rather than martial reasons, Esel realized it was nearly impossible for a single knightly order to possess such formidable might.
'How can mere knights from a kingdom...?'
These were not ordinary knights; they were the cream of the crop from McLaine's second legion—a distinction Esel had failed to recognize, as he had not paid much attention to the kingdom's developments.
However, unbeknownst to all, he held a trump card.
"You will regret this, Sword Sage."
"I highly doubt it."
Snap.
"I implore you, brethren. Reveal the true divine will."
Nodding.
Five priests who had remained still at Esel's rear stepped forward, emitting a sacred light that expanded outward.
"For the divine will!"
Their unified cries spurred the previously struggling inquisitors to push back against the knights aggressively.
The five priests, their bodies glowing intensely, dashed towards the battlefield like streaks of white light.
Esel clenched his fist in anticipation.
'As anticipated!'
Among the inquisitors, these 'Actors' possessed bishop-level divine power, surpassing even the top-grade knights in prowess.
Their Saint Auras alone could slice through the force blades of top-grade knights and amplify the combat strength of the other combat priests. In group battles, they were a strategic asset, akin to superhumans in power.
But then...
"A rather cunning maneuver, indeed."
Poof!
Sneering at the scene, 'limbs' erupted, and the bright white beams that had flooded the area began to rapidly fade.
"Argh."
Without a cry, let alone a battle cry, the inquisitors and the leading Actors began to falter—noticeable foreign auras leaking from their wounds, disrupting even their holy power.
This unraveling scene delivered a deeper shock to the spectators than to the participants.
"This cannot be!"
Underestimating Aura Users was not his intention.
Actors were trained to combat Aura Users, yet here they were crumbling swiftly against a single superhuman.
It indicated one thing:
The Aura User before them was far more potent than intelligence had suggested.
- The investigation team need not be impressed. They are resolute in their mission, so impede them thoroughly and then...
Recalling his disciple and monarch's words, the Sword Sage bore a cold smile.
"How do you wish to proceed, Your Eminence Cardinal? Should we conclude this here?"
These foolish individuals!?
Esel's face turned pale with fear.